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t ae PREFACE 
-_-' TO THE EPISTLES IN GENERAL, | 
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Th. : : To . . 


ST. PAUL'S EPISTLES, * 


_ EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. 


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AND TO THE 


y 4 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROM 
WE now enter upon the epistolary part of the New Testament, concerning which it may be pre- 
i le to make some previous remarks. The epistles are letters, written either to individuals, 

. _or to particular churches, or to several churches ; or they are catholic epistles, that is, circ 
‘ Jar letters to the churches in general. It is supposed, that they were all written by one or 
' _ether of the apostles ; and, excepting the epistle to the Hebrews, and the epistles ascribed to 
John, each has the name of an/apostle prefixed to it. The apostie Paul’s name is affixed to 
thirteen of them, and the epistle to the Hebrews has generally been ascribed to him: that of 
‘Peter, to two ; those of James, John, and Jude, to one-each. Now, iftbey were actually wriiter 
_ by the apostles, what shadow of reason can there be in the opinion, which numbers maintain, 
___ that they are not to be considered as of equal authority with the gospels ? The gospels indeed 
a record the words and actions of Christ ; but the human testimony, by which these words and 


£S actions were reco! » Might even be thought inferior to that of the epistles, for neither Mark 
: nor Luke were apostles ; and we have as full:proof that, the epistles were divinely inspired, as 
: '. thatthe gospels were. Various reasons may be assigned, why many truths should be more ob- 
' scurely delivered during our Lord’s ministry than afterwards, of which he gave several intima- 

f tions : and where are we to look for the full’and explicit declarations of ‘ the whole counsel of 
*« God,” but in the writings of those whom the Lord Jesus selected as the depositaries of his# 

4 truths ; to whom he gave the keys kingdom ofheayen ; to whom he promised to give the 


Holy Spirit, “‘ to teach them all things, and lead them into all truth;” and whom he ‘sent, to 
mzke known his Gospel, even as the Father had senthim? If the doctrine of the apostles was . 
the unadulterated and entire truth of God, and altogether of divine authority, as they preached 
it} why should it not be so when they committed it to writing 2 and if it was not the unadulterat- 
‘ ed entire truth, but either redundant or defective ; then Christianity was corrupted or mutilated, . 
“a even from the first.. It must also be observed, that it is impossible, that we can know what the 
apostles preached; except from what they themselves wrote, or what others wrote concerning 
tox them : and can we suppose that their own writings are of less authority, than the writings of 
~ others an the same subjects ? If there be any ground for making this distinction between the 
Gospels and the apostolical writings, how is the Church “ built on the foundation of the apos- 
“‘tles and prophets ?” ‘ Hence then, it follows, that what the apostles have delivered in these 
* epistles, as necessary to be believed or done by Christians ; must be as necessary to be believ- 
*ed and practised in order to salvation, as what was personally taught by Christ himself, and is 
ined in the Gospels.’ (Whitby.} ; 


te particulars, and evidently without the least design or aim at coincidence ; 
are examined, and compared with the history, the more will it ap- 


that the more carefully they a 
pear, that both are indisputably genuine. This has been shown clearly by the learned Dr. Paley, 


in his Horae Paulinae : and I am decidedly of opinion, that all the genius, sagacity, and care of 
’ any number of the most able men who ever lived, would be absolutely insufficient to forge a 
history, and a number of epistles, so manifestly frank, artless, and often immethodical ; and yet- 
to make the one so completely to confirm the other. If ever books had such internal evidence’ 
of being genuine, that no reasonable man, after a diligent examination of them, could doubt of it, 
; : ; \ ‘ Lay 


Cae 


. nee as ‘ - ‘ % el 


Wericnaeaey 1 
ROMANS. | Tia. 


these are the books. But-if the epistles be genuiné, they must be inspired, and aide ve the ‘ 
divine origin of Christianity. Our Lord, not only foretold his own death and ion ; 9 


znd, that before the destruction of Jerusalem, and jn that generation, the Gospel sho 
extensively preached ; but he promised.to invest his aposties and disciples with miraculo 
ers, and especially with the gift of tongues, in order to accomplish this ob ect. « Now. desir 
«to know, whether any -thing of this nature was ever undertaken, or laid’as the foundation of 
¢ their credit, by any other-authors of any doctrine, or religion ? Whether they ever made their 
“own violent death, and resurrection, the foundation of their veracity ? Or promised the like vib | 
« powers and assistances after they were risen; to those who should promote, or embrace { i 7 

« doctrine ? Or whether that, which no man else durst undertake, was not performed effectually | 

€ the Lord Jesus Christ? (Whétby:) To the fulfilment of these promises, the apost 

ly St. Paul,) in these episties continually refer, as to facts most certainly know 
whom they wrote » and which none, could) deny or question. They appeal to 
whether themselves had not exercised these miraculous gifts among them, nay, co 
on others ; they argue with them, from these gifts, as to the truth of their doctrine, 
tics perverted it ; they appeal.to these gifts, as deciding between them and their oppo: 
lav down rules, for the behaviour of the Churches in respect of them; and ce Ba 1 
several instances of misconduct in this particular. Can it then be doubted, supposi ig the 
epistles genuine, these miraculous gifts were publicly exercised and conferred, an that all 
‘knew them to be so? And if this was the fact, was not the promise of Christ fulfilled ? Is no 
Christianity from God ? And can ‘it be supposed that the writers, who exercised and ” r 
these powers in so. conspicuous a manner, were left to themselves, without the inspiration of the. 
Holy Spirit, in addressing the Churches on the most important subjects, and transmitting their 


. 


doctrine fp posterity ? Lat Hunt 
The epistles in general are written in. language which shows, thatif genuine, they” must have * 


own by the Churches to which they were addressed, during the life of the 
e supposed, that such facts were spoken'of as undeniable, during th 
ters ; and yet, no one of their opposers, either heretics or persecutors, (not to say the 
‘knowing that no such facts had taken place,.should stand forth publicly to deny and confi 
them? It is also undeniable, that most of ‘the epistles were known, at a very early pet 
ether churches, as the writings of the apostles whose names'they bear.” Very soon ranslati 
were made of them into other languages, copious quotations were taken from them, and ho: 
lies, or expositions, were made.on them. . The Churches, with one consent acknowlec 
as the word of God ; and neither hereties, schismatics, nor opposers of the sar 
they were the genuine writings of the apostles, and the standard ‘records of Christiani 
had these epistles, bearing the name of this or the other apostle, been bro forw: 
their death, when no one, either in the Church specially addressed, or in other Chur 
ever before heard: of them; can it beconceived, but that they would have been re 
rious ? It is evident the claim would have been absurd, and the imposture manifest. Had the: 
not been known during the life of the writers, at what time, or in what manner, could it have 
been possible to have palmed them on the Church, and to have obtained them the credit of 
2postolical writings? i . Y bia) Ai ad 
The epistle to the Hebrews, not bearing the name of St. Paul; that of James, which it seems at 
that time, as well as in later ages, was supposed irreconcilable with the doctrine of St. Paul ; 
the second epistle of Peter, which probably was written just before his martyrdom, and was not — 
generally known till after his death; and the second and»third epistles of John, in which he 
only styles himself “ the elder,” were not for some 'time received by the Churches as 
but this shows the scrupulous caution of the primitive Christians in this respect ; 2 
inquiry, together with internal evidence, at length» obtained, the admission of thet 
sacred canon. Yet very many writings, which in some places, and for a time, were 
apostolical and divine, were afterwards, on fuller investigation rejected, and most of 
sunk into oblivion. fF I, 


=e see 


=, * 


om 
i 


hem as bold impostures ? Had no such claims been advanced, it might have been af- 
that they were good men, right upon the whole, yet erroneous in some things: (and 
yhere should we have a divine standard of Christianity ?) But as the case is, either they 
te infallibly right, their doctrine divine, their writings the standard by which all other doc- 


eee 


_ tfines must be tried, or, they claim for themselves and each other, what they had no right to 
“claim. 1 would be very cautious in venturing on this ground; but Tam fully persuaded, that 
more injury is done to the cause of truth, by @ half-hearted allowance, that the epistles, (or 
other parts of Scripture,) are genuine, authentic, and instructive ; but possibly in some things 
" erroneous, than by all the open attacks of infidels. Forthese plausible statements leave us ne 
standard of truth and duty; no way of discriminating between true doctrine and heresy ; no di- 
~ vinely appointed exhibition of the Christian religion, with which all other’ exhibitions must be 

_ compared, and admitted or rejected, as.they agree, or do not agree with it. 
‘The peculiar doctrines of the Gospel are here more explicitly stated and explained, and their prac- 
- tical tendeney more argumentatively shown, than in the historical books. The distinguishing 
~ truths there laid down, have been kept in view through the whole of the preceding exposition = 
and will, therefore, be unnecessary formally to answer those, who have endeavoured to recon- 
_ eile this part of the Scripture with systems of a contrary nature and tendency. It may, however, 
ra be proper to say, that the author has considered with some attention, both Dr. ‘Taylor’s Key te 
_ the Epistle to the Romans, and the eminent Mr. Locke’s Comment on several of the Epistles : but, 
_ deeply convinced that both of these publications, “‘ darkes counsel. by words without know~ 
' ® ledge ;” he can only on some imcidental matters deduce instruction from them. In general, 
‘if the various terms, used in Scripture concerning Israel as a nation, be in the same, or nearly, 
the same, sense to be applied to Christians, under the'New Testament, where is the type and 
the antitype ? Where is the true Israel, as distinguished from Israel after the flesh ? And where 

“Gare we to learn either the character, privileges, or duties of true believers ? - 

weral of the epistles were written on special occasions, but others were not. These special occa- 
_ gions, however, were of that nature, that they gave the most favourable opportunity for explain- 
doctrines, enforcing precepts, and giving admonitions and coursels of the greatest import- 
ance to the Church of Christ in everyage. Nor has any thing ever yet been devised, more suit- 
oe render ‘* the word of Godof no effect,” than the notion, that we have little or nothing to 


~ “do with this and the other part of Scripture, and can conclude nothing general from it, because 
_ it Was written on a particular occasion. ‘We begin with the epistles of the Apostle Paul, who 
_ wrote, as well as laboured, more abundantly than all’ his brethren. ‘Fourteen of his epistles are 

reserved for our instruction. In all: his writings* we’ perceive evident proofs of a sound judg- 


vl ee < oa 5 ; 4 t ot 
— ~ ment, a talent for close reasoning, a lively:imagination, and fervent affections : sometimes, yet 


not so ofteh as many have supposed, he induces a measure of obscurity by long parentheses. Alt 
‘ his abilities and endowments, however, were directed and‘superintended by the Spirit of inspira- 


. tion. The epistle tothe Romans is placed first, though some others were written before it: but 
it was addressed to the Christians, who resided im'the'capital city of that great empire, which 
\ thenlorded it over the whole known world: and the epistle itself is one of the longest and 
most comprehensive of all that were written by the apostle: It is not Known when, or by whom, 


» . the Gospel was first preached at/Rome ; but it is conjectured, that it was carried thither by 


a 


some of those Jews who were converted at the day of Pentecost, (Acts ii. 10.) Paul, however, » 


had not yet visited that city; but as the apostle of the’ Gentiles, he deemed it proper to use 
this nett of establishing the believers m’the faith ; and of giving them such a comprehensive 
view of the Christian religion, as might put them upon their guard against false teachers of va- 
rious descriptions. _ This epistle is the only part of the Scripture, in which divine truth is deliv- 
ered in a systematical ‘method : and itis ‘proper model for any one, who intends to compile a: 
body of divinity. After the introduction, the apostle opens his subject, (as it is reasonable to 
begin such systematical treatises,) by showing man’s relations and obligations to God his Crea- 
tor, and his apostacy from his worship and service; he proceeds to prove the universal sinful- 
ness of both Gentiles and Jews, and: the impossibility of any man’s justifying himself before 
God by his own obedience. -Having brought the world im guilty, and deserving of wrath, he’ 
proceeds to state the method of our salvation by the merey of God, through the redemption of 
his Son, and the way of justification by faith in his blood; ‘This he proves, illustrates, and ex- 
emplifies ve fully : he next proceeds to show that'this way of justification is closely connected 
with sanctification and evangelical obedience : he,then states the believer’s experience and con- 
flicts; and Sao, mes, a hopes, and privileges ; and at length he leads our reflections 
back to the source of these blessings, in the eternal election, and sovereign love and mercy of 
God. Having thus stated, proved, and avswered objections to his doctrine ; and discussed, 
_ several questions respecting the calling of the Gentiles and the rejection of the Jews, be applies 
the whole discourse by a variety of practical exhortations, precepts, and instructions, enforced 


__ by evangelical motives, And having touched upon some particulars suited to the circumstan- 


_ ces of those times, he concludes with affectionate salutations, cautions; and prayers, and with 


__» ascribing glory to God our Saviour. Theorder in which the episties were written, and the date 


of each, will probably be given at a subsequent period of the work. 


* - 


ad we? 


. . ’ 
é : * > 
> " + 


s 


A. D. 61. | _ ROMANS. lest Hig tor 
+ duu’ PKC AP et: ~ four Lord, t which was made ofthe: 
‘The apostle shows his apostolical office, and the of David « according to the 1esh 5 : 
great subject of his ministry, 1—5.\ “He salutes} 4 And * declared ¢o¥be ?the Son A 
. the Christians at Rome, 6, 7; thanking God; on with power, ™ ing io tl 
, their account, and praying forthem ; especially. ‘holiness by ther 1 
. that he might come and preach among them, bad x 5 B Siahorn o 
- 15. The Gospel is the power of God to salyation, va" Die feeb 
‘and shows the only way of justification, 16, 17. and | apestleship, T 
“Sinners are exposed to the wrath of God, for act- faith, 4 among all nat 
"ing in opposition to the light afforded them, /18—} Among whom § are 
fans nealin) Cesenintion, pt ae God, to vile ed of Jesus Christ; 
s 9 LC a x F t ¢ e a 
Seer oat oe ee ermewes 3 29—32, Be 2. 7.)k 8» 3. & 8. 5. Gen, er 
Matt. 3.17. & 26.| 3.15. John 1. 14. 


idolatries and iniquities, 23—32., rays ia 
2% BAUL, » a servant of Jesus Christ, ¢} 63. & 27.43. Luke} Gal. 4. 401/Tim. 3. 
1. 35. John 1.34.) 16. 1 John 4. 2, Se 


we oh Ae er a : 
called to Se an apostle, separated Le Ge alee | ae 
‘unto © the gospel of God, ; 86. Be $4 28. 10 ‘mined 
_ 2 (Which. he had promised afore by} Age °3. 13. & 8.37] Bi ease 
his prophets in ® the holy .scriptures,)» ©} * Meet tks yripaee < o 10—) 27, & 
_ = oe a) ex - a! » 4. 4 | yp i2-& - 30-3: 2. & - t 
. 3 Concerning ® his Son Jesus Christ pean Thee) -| 13. ‘so--38, Fe | Mark { 
» Acts 13. 9. & 21.) —18: 1 Cor. 1.1.&| Tim. 1. 15,° 16, 31.2 Cor, é 
40. & 22, 7 13. &} 9. 1. 16—18. & 15.| Heb, 7.26.) * 
“26.114, | | 8—10, 2.Cor. 1. lle ver. 9 16, & 15] 2?" 
b ver. 9. & 15, 16.| & 11. 5. & 12: 11.| 16. 29. & 16. 25.) . pp et. 
-& 16) 18. John 12.) Gale-1.°1. 1117.) Mark “16. «15, 16.) 5 9am os Be 
26. & 13. 14—16. &| Eph. 1.1. & 3. §—| Luke 2, 10,11. Acts ole eo ae 
“IS, 15. 20. Acts 27.) 7. & 4.11. Col. 1.) 20. 24. Eph. 1.13.) 6° ge oe SS 
23. 2 Cor. 4. 5.| 1.25. 1’Tim. 1.1.1 Thes.2.2.2Thes. | % oes: ten (hey 
Gal. 1, 10. Phil.'1.| 12. & 2. 7. 2 Dims) 213,14. 1 Tims le Ue} re “ents ~ie 1 1d Ss 
“T, &2. 11. & 3.6) 1. 11. Tit, 1. 1yf See on. Luke 24.) 4° 5 03" kag, oa} 15, 10s 2 Cor 
“Ge Tit. 1.1. Jamel} Heb. 5:4. 1-26, 27. Acts 10.43.) 3° 55° rab > ee Cor. 
1. 2 Pet. 1,1. Jude} Leve 20. 24-26.) & 26. 6- es 2. 42—45. Luke] 6+ Gale 1, 
1 g 3.1. Ps, 119, 140,| 2: 31-83. 69. & 27 Eph: 3 
‘Dan. 10.21. 2’Pim | 46+ John’ 7. 4 


Acts 2+ 30 &. 13.f¢ 
3. 15,16. 2 Pete 1. 13.10 
20,21. Rev. 22.6,| 2% 23 2 Tim, 2. 


h ver. 9. & 8. 2, 3.) 8. " 


36. & 5.25. & 10.1% Gr t 


af 
— 
| 2 


& 2. Rey. 1. 1. & 22.) Num, 16. 9, 10. 
: “6.9 1 Deut. 10. 8 1 Chr. 
e@ ver. 5. & 11, 13-{ 23. 13. Is. 49. i- Jer, 
Acts 9. 15. & 22] 1.5, Acts13, 2—4.1 
14,15. 21. & 26. 16 / 
Bi _. NOTES. 
. CHAP. I. V. 1—4, According to the eus- 
tom of those times, the apostle began;this epis- 
tle, by prefixing his name and distinguishing 
title.. The Christians. at Rome would receive 
this letter from Paul, who was also called Saul, 
and had been a persecutor of the Church ;. but 
who now regarded it as his honour and happi-| 
“ness to be the servant of Jesus Christ, and to be 
ealled his apostle; having been separated and 
. appointed by the choice and effectual calling of 
» God, to preach his Gospel to the world, and to! 
spend his life in promoting it.. ‘This doctrine 
was no novel invention, but the fulfilment of the| 
promises made in the sacred Scriptures by “the 
prophets ; and it respected the Son of God, even) 
Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, the 
' Prophet, Priest, and King of the.Cburch, whom 
all believers acknowledged and obeyed as their 
Lord. He was descended from Did cemdihe 
to the flesh, or in his human nature ;. but he had 
also been declared, and determined, to be the 
= Son of God by that divine power, which raised 
} him from the dead. The expression, “ accord-]| 
i “ ing to the Spirit of Holiness,” has been gene 
rally interpreted to signify, * according to his di-|d 
* vine nature ;” but it is not used in this sense |fr 
n any other place, nor does it naturally, convey i 
that idea. Others therefore e3 
ception of Jesus by the Hol; 
account he was called th 5 
does nothing more than stat 
** cording to the fiesh,” or in his human nature ; 
i, whereas the apostle seems to have ntes 
show his divine nature, as the ‘0 
~ © Son of the Father ;” and the a 
_ as the context, evidently require 


indeed: wrought all his mirach 
God, which was “given | 
“ sure?” but the apostle pl 
« Spirit of holiness,” in 
with the, demonstration, that 
of God, which arose from his. 
the dead. Now, the pot 
Spirit on the witnesses of h 
all the stupendous effects wh 

in respect of them, and of those on 
laid their hands, were a/ divine 
their testimony : and thus Jesus wh: 
fied for declaring that he was’ 
was ‘ determined to be the So 
“ power by his resurrection,” 
demonstration of that eve 
divers powers, signs, and 


é 


is. Our Lord : 


Swe | CD ad - Vie r 


2 ‘D. 61. CHAPTER I. A. Di. 63. 


serve * With my Spirit in « the gospel of 
his Sen, 1 that without ceasing ™ I maké 
mention of you always i in my prayers 5 

10- Making ® request, if by any means 
how at length I might have © a prosper- 
ous journey P by the will of God; to come 
unto you. 

11 For 4} long to see you, * that I may 
impart unto you some spiritual gift, * te 
the end ye may be established ; 

12 That is,* that 1 may be comforted 
together ¢ with you, " u by the mutual faith 
both of ro andme. | - : 


7 To. u all that be in Rome, * beloved 
of God, y ealled to be saints: # Grace to 
you, and # peace, from > God our Father, 
eand the Lord Jesus Christ) 

4 [Practicat Observations.Y 4 
wFirst, 44 thank my God « through 
s Christ for you all, ‘that your faith 
spoken of throughout sthe whole world. 

9, For God is my witness, i whom | 


a Acts 15. 23. ‘1 Cor! 15. 13. 33. Ps 122.1d 6,17. 1 Cor. 1. 4. 
1. 2 2Cor. 191.) 6. Is. 55. 12. & 57.) Eph. 1: 16 Phil. 1. 
Phil. 1. 1. Col. 1.2.) 19. 21. Zech 6. 13.} 3—5. Col. 1, 3, 4. 
Jam. 1.1. 1 Pet. 1.) Luke 2. 14. & 10.] 1 Thes. 1 2,3. & 
1,2. Jude 1. Rev.! 5,6. & 19.38 42.| 3.9, 2 Thes, 1. 5. 
2 1.8, (2,18. 29.) John 14. 27. & 16.) 2 Tim. 1. 3-5. 
RS, 1. 7. 14. 22. 33. Acts 10, 36,] Philem.4,5. 2 Joho 
29. 25. Deut. 33.) Eph. 2. {4. 1 Thes.! 4. 3 John 3,4. 

12. Ps. 60.5, Cant.| 5.23.2 Thes. 3. 16.Je Eph. 3. 21. & 5. 


2.18. & 3 ip, us, 20. Acis 16.5. 2 


* Or, in my spirit. 
: Philem. 22, Heb.) Cor. 1. 21. 1 Thes: 


John 4. 23, 24. Acts 


5. 1. Cole3. 12. 1) Heb. 13. 20. 20. Phi 1- 11-] jo, 97. \’Cor 14.) 13. 19. vs 
2,13. 2 Thes. 2. 

fe ain lr * {5.164 8 6} Heb. 13415. 1Pet) 14°15, Phil. 3.3. jo Acts 19 21. & 27.) 17, & 3.3. Heb. 1% 
Mea yet. Gal: Peni ia 2, r 2 Se Th k Mark 1. 1. Acts| & 28. 9. 1-Pet 6.10. 12.2 
a ghes il,4. 20,4 16-19. 1 Thes. 1. 8.26. 1Johp 5. 9—[p Acts 18. 21. & 21 Pet, Le 12. & 3.47 

1.15. 2 Pet. 1. 3. | 1 Thes. 1.3. 2 Vhes. be 14; €or. 4. 19. > 


Z 1Cor, 1.3.2 Cor4 t. i. 1 Join 3 2. |g Matt.24. 14, Luke 
M. 2. Gal. 1. 3.}e Acts 7, 59, 60. i ras i Acts 11. 28. 
Eph. 1. 2. Phil. }-} Cor. 16. 23, 2Cor.{h 9. 1. Job 16. 19. 
2. Col. 162. 1 Phes-| 12. 8—10. & 13.14 2Cor. 1. 23.8 11. 
1,1, 2 Thes. 1. 2 Gal, 6.18. Eph. 6.) 10, 11. 32 a 1 
1 Tim, 1.2.2 Tim.} 23, 24. Phil. 4. 13.] 20. Phil. & 2 
‘3. 2 Tit 1. 4) 23° 1 Thes. 3. u-| Thes. pee 1 
Philem. 3. 1 Pet.| 13. & 5.28. 2 Thes.} Tim. 2.7-_ = 
1. %. 2 Pet. 1. 2| 2. 16, 17. & 3. 16.]i Acts 27. 23. Phil 
BY 3 Jude 24 18. 2 Tim. 4. 22.4 2. 22. Col. 1. 28, 
pO Ss. Philem. 25. Rey.| 29. 2 Tim. 1. 3. 

4. &} 22. 2%. 


1 Santa: 23. Luke! Jam. 4. 15. t PE: 24,32, ne 
18.1. Acts 12. 5.}q Gen, 31. 30.2 Sam.| 23. 2 Cor. oe ees 
Epb. 6.18 1 These] 13.39. & 23.15. 2] & 7. 4—% 
5. 17, 2 Tim, 1-3. | Cor..9. 14. Phil. 1.] 'Thes. 2. 
m Eph. 1. 16=19.} 8. & 2,26. & 4. ls j 3. 7—10. 
& 3.14, &e. Phil. jv 15, 29. Acts 8.15-] 4. 2 John 
1.4.9—11. Col typ 19. & 19. 6. 1 Cor. John 3, 4. 
9-13 1 Thes. 1.2.} 12. 1—11.2Cor. U1.!+ Or in you 
Philem. 4. 4. Gal. 3.25. Bph.Ju Eph. 4. 5. Tif. 1, 

Nn 15.22—24,30—32.] 4. 8—12. 4. 2 Pet. 1.1. Jude 
Phil, 4. 6. 1 Thes.Js 16.25. 2Chr. 20.) 3, 


tion of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the cus- 
tomary apostolical salutation ; and it is most wh- 
deniably a prayer, or act of worship, in which . 


mee 7, From this apraiy Saviour, Paul 
_ declared that he had received mercy and grace, 
as well as an appointment to the apostolical of- 
; that he might be employed as his instru- 

tin bringing sinners of ali nations to “the 
[pF obetiense of faith,” by accepting of the Re 
* deomer’s mercy, ‘and becoming’ subject to his 
authority, for the honour of his name in their 
salvation, worship,'and service. Among this 
happy and favoured company were the persons 
to whom he sent this epistle; for they too had 
been called by the Gospel to profess themselves 
the disciples of Jesus, to bear his name, and to 
trust and serve him. As Paul was te apostle 
of the Gentiles, he considered himself peculiar. 
ly interested in their welfare, though they had 
not been conyerted by his ministry; he ‘had 
therefore written this epistle to them: and he 
addressed it, not to the citizens of Rome in ge- 
neral, but to all those who had been called fo 
be, and were denominated, saints, or hols, Se- 
parate, and ros aie persons, partaks < 


ther. (Marg. Ref.) 

V. 8—12. The apostle next assured “ th 
& saints at Rome,” that though personally > 
stranger to them, he heartily thanked his G 
and'Father, through Jesus Christ, for the mercy 
which he had shown to them all; as their faith 
in Christ, and its happy effect upon their con-, 
duct, were spoken of in every part of the world. 
Wherever he went, he heard the commendation 
of the believers at Rome; and their good con- 
duct was the more noticed, by reason of the. re. 
nown of that city, and the temptations with 
which they were surrounded. He could there- 
fore confirm what he was about to say, by so- 
lemnly’ calling to witness that God, whom he 
worshipped and served, not only with constant 
and persevering diligence, but with inward fer. 
vency, Zeal, and devotion, according to the dis- 
;| covery of his glory made in the gospel, and also 
| by promoting that doctrine, which respects his 
him, interested in his mercy and’ ple ods rev “Son, as the great Author and Subject of it. This 
dempt s i in a measure to i holy giorious God was witness that he prayed for 

h he pone and constita” ‘them all, on every occasion, without intermis- 

These tir eck or ‘neglect ; and he especially besought 

them “ grace and {tthe Lord that he would enable him to go among 
eir souls, and them ; if after so long a time, and many disap- 
pointments, he migh be favoured with a pros: 


‘and who were thus ey idenced to be Belt 


is ev 
yer Plas 
« peace :” ‘grace J 
Peace to ‘eomfore’'the r 


Of these blessings, the sum of peraus journey to come unto them, by the wilk 
ardently desired that every pro appointment For he ardently de- 
at Rome might participate; and they alijsized to seé and with them, that he 
might — nually have ‘an ac on m ht ‘impart to on of those Spi “On 
that mea Which they had ready ota } gilts, » (whieh w we 

as springing: from the free mercy of Go “hs OF 

reconciled Father of -all believers, ‘and ci 


tothein ie the: person merits, and medi 
Val. vk a 2 


Christ is addressed in union with God the Fa- | 


bat 


A DH. 


rant, brethren, y that oftentimes L pur- 
posed to come unto you} (2 but was: let 
hitherto,) * that I might have some fruit 
f{ among you also, > even as among other 
Gentiles. * 

14 1am ¢ debtor both to the ¢ Greeks 
and to the Barbarians, © both to the wise 
and f to the unwise. 

15 So, as much as in me is,» Lam 


x 11.25. .1 Cor. 10.) 13—16. 1 Thes. 1+] 18, 19. 2 Cor.. 10. 
1-& 12. 1. 2Cor.} 9, 10. & 2. 13,14, ats ae Eph. 
1. 8. 1 Thes. 4, 13. 2’ Tim. 4. 17. 15—17. Jam. 4. 
y 15. 23-28. Acts|c 8, 12, & 12.8. Gr, a 18. 

19.21. 2 Core1.15,! Acts 9- 15s & 13,/f Prov. 1. 22. & 8. 
2—4. & 22, 21. &] 5. Is. 35.8. 1 Cor. 
26. 17, 18» 1 Cor, 9.| 14. 16, 23, 24 Tit 
16-23% 2 Tim. 2.) 3.3. 

10. g 12.18. 1 LSS 8. 
18. Mavk 14. 2 


16. 

* 15. 22. Acts 16. 6, 
+ 1 Thes. 2.18. 2 

Thes. 2.7. 

a Is. 27-6. John 4. 

36. & 12. 24. & 15, 


d Acts 28. 4. 1 Cor, 
14, 11, Co}. 3. 11, Cor. 8, 12. 

e ver. 22! & 11. 25,|h Iss 6.8. Matt. 
& 12. 16. & 16. 19.) 38. John 4, 34. 
Matt. 11.25. Luke] Acts 21.13. 1 Cor. 
10, 21.1 Cor. 1.19] 4.18. & 9. 17. 2 
22. & 2.13. & 3.) Cor. 10. 16,17. 


16. Col. 1.6. 
} Or, in you. f 
b 15. 18-20. Acts 
14. 27. & 15. 12, =| 


21.19% 1Cor. 9, 2. 
2 Cor, 214. & 10, 


one m, and. rejoice in ministering to their joy ; 


as well as in conferring with them concerning 


the nature, object, and effects of that. faith, | be less suitable to the Pa be taste of. 
which was held both by them and him.—St.| fined mhabitants. 


ROMANS, 
13 Now x I would not have you igno-{ready to ‘preach the . to 


9.|1 10, 17. Ps. 110, 2:).80. & 4,9: 


an ae 


mf 


*"* 


are at Roe aes 


¢e 


16 For? ee asha 
pel of Christ: :! for it is the, 
unto salvation, ™ to every i alae 


eth; ® to the Jew, “ditst, and. alaaijto a 
Greek. ‘gohaea Lal 

17 For therein is ® ‘the righteou: 
of God revealed P from to faith: nt 


i Ps. 40.9,10. & 714 1- 6. & @ 13 2 26. 20. & 28. 
15, 16. & 119. 46. Fish eee va} . Gal. 2. 25, 
Mark 8. 38. Lukejm 3, 22, 26. & 9.) 28. 

9. 26. 1 Core 2. 2+) 33e & 10. 4. 11, «Coh3 
2 Tim. 1. 8. 12. 16+) Mark 16. 16. Johnio 3. : 10. 4 
1 Pet. 4.165 3. 15, 16. 36, & 6.] Is. 45. 24, 25, 

k 15.19. 29. Luke} 35+ 40..47. & 7, 38,) 13. & pins = 
2. 10,11. 1 Cor. 9. 39. Bc lle 25, 26, 17. & 61. 10, J 
12, 18, 2 Cor. 2, 12.| Gal. 3, 22. 1 Pet.) 23.6. Dam 9. 24+ 
& 4.4. Gr. & 9. 13.) 2.6.1 John 5. | 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 
Gal.1.7.1Tim.1.11.}0 2,9, 10. & 


Is. 53.1. 1 Cot. 1) 240 Be 10s 12. Be 25 cag 
18—24. & 2. 4. &} 8,9, 


14. 24, 25. 2 Cor. 2. ; 

14—16. & 10. 4, §.) 11. 18. & 13, 46,47.) 3 
Col. 1. 5,6.1 Thes.} & 18. 5, 6. & &y 
encounter more contempt. and 
in other places ;_ and thoug’ 


eo 2 
Gaal, 


nine 


= 


For however the poleuaaare 


Paul doubtless meant to remind the Romans of|learned, or the proud might despise. 


his apostolical character and’authority, as_sanc- 
tioning his. doctrine, by which he intended to 
guard them especially against the. judaizing 
deachers: yet he aimed to do this in as unassum- 
ing and affectionate a manner as he could; 
that he might give no disgust to any person, or 
furnish false teachers with any handle against 
him.—Some think that the christians at Rome 
had received supernatural gifts, but it does not 
appear that any apostle had been there: Paul, 
however, expected that these gifts would be 
more abundantly imparted, when he should go 
among them ; and that they would be thus forti- 
fied against such as attempted to pervert them, 
as well as against the fear of persecution.—It 
has been seen how his prayers for a prosperous 
journey to Rome were answered, by his being 
sent thither asa prisoner! (Marg. Jtef.|) 

V. 13—16, The apostle next showed, that 
he had repeatedly purposed to come to Rome ; ; 
but that he had been hindered hitherto by his 
multiplied engagements, and by the opposition 
made to his endeavours. Indeed he was ex- 
ceedingly desirous to haye some fruit to. his mi- 
nistry among the Romans, as well as among the 
other Gentiles ; for, as he had been converted 
in a most extraordinary manner, and intrusted 
with a dispensation of the Gospel, he thought 
himself bound to do every thing, that he possibly 
could, to promote the salvation: of men jn gene 
yal, especially among the Gentiles. This was a 
deht which he owed both to the civilized Greeks, 
or Ramans, and to the rude barbarians ; and in. 
deed ta the learned and unlearned of every na~ 
tion, from the wise philosopher, to the untutored 
labourer. _ With this view of his obligation, he 
was ready, according to his ability and opportu- 
nity, to preach the Gospel at Rome also: though, 
R tat haughty and i iit Gish he ia 


is 


ALuclaurin. ? 


trines of the Gospel, and papeci Hy that _ 
vation by faith in the merits of a Jew, who 
been crucified as a deceiver by his own co 
men; yet St. Paul was in no wise ashi 
but was ready to glory in his belief of it before 
all. men: as he knew, that the power of G rd at 
tended and wes displayed by that doctrine, fo 
the salvation of every believer from the power of 
his corrupt passions and habits, from the bond- 
age of satan, from the love ef the world, and 
the fear of men, and from all sin and misery > so 
that whilst Jewish rabbies and pagan ye 
phers had tried in vain to reform men 
despised Gospel of Christ, Bei i bad fed 
preached, had been rendered extensively suc- 
cessful for that purpose. This had first Peet 
evidenced among the Jews, in the pemrey 
and holy lives ,of multitudes, who 
been of very bad characters ; s 
had produced similar effects at 
vast numbers of whom h 
their imtmoralities and idol atries, to the ! y 
wiorshi service of the true God. es ‘the. 
pow aM God unto salvation.” ¢ whom ! 
Naiie we: Now it is pla 
ten me ae ‘the power of God ma 
= eerie that is there ¢s 
iricles were wrought upe 
sence both of them that belie 
‘that did believe... T 
‘ spoken of, isa paper 


f sal- 
had 


‘in healing m en’s a &c. 
*teaching ‘and. drawing of 
* the prophets, foretold, that: 
‘edina large pees % Ge 


ee ae 


_ © wholly of faith, 


 &16,7. 


37 
’ % 


an 
aD. Bi. i 


it is written, 4 The just shall live by faith. 
18 | er » the wrath of God is reveal- 
ed from heaven against all * 


the truth in unrighteousness. 
/19 Because * that which may be known 
2 4. Gal.j 6. Col.3.6. Rev. 6.) —15. 1 John 1. 9. 
3. li. Heb. 10, 38.| 16, 17. & 19,15. 
s 5.6. 1 Tim. 1.9,] 2.3. 15—23. Luke 
Tit. 21,2 2 Pet-/ 12. 46, 47. John 3, 
2. 5, Ge & 3.7. Jude] 19—21. Acts 24, 24, 
4 15. 18. 25. 2 Thes. 2.10. 1 
23. 2 Kings 22. 13.!t ver. 29. & 2,8, 9.| Tim. 4.6. 
Jer. 4. 8 Lam. 2.) & 6.15. Deut. 25.jx ver. 20. Ps. 19. 1- 
22. Ez.7.19. Zeph.} 16. is. S- 10, 11. &, 6. Is. 40. 26, Jer. 
(1.19. John 3. 36.) 5607. Ez. 18.4. 1/ 10. 10—13. Acts 
Acts 17. 50, Cor. 6 9. 2 Thes.) 14. 16, 17. & 17. 
Gal. 3. 10, Eph. 5.) 2.12: 2 Pet. 2.131 23-30. = 


¥ yer. 17. & 2. 5,6. 
& 4. 15, Num. 32. 
‘I4. Deut. 29. 20— 


V. 17. (Marg. Ref.) In the Gospel God 
hath reyealed, not only the righteousness of his 


- perfect character and government, and the right- 


€ousness required by his holy law, but that: also 
which he has appointed, provided, and introduc- 
ed for the justification of sinners before him; and 
which might be called “the righteousness of 
God,” for other reasons, but especially, be- 
cause it consisted of the perfect obedience unto 
death of that glorious person, who is “ God mani- 
“* fested in the flesh.” * This phrase, in St. 
s s style, doth always signify the righteous- 


_* ness of faith in Christ Jesus dying, or shedding 


*his blood for us. This righteousness consists 
* not in our sanctification, but in our justification, 
* or our absolution from our sins past, through 
‘faith in the blood of Christ, shed for the remis- 
“sion of our sins? (Whitby.) ‘Therein is the 
“righteousness, which is of the free grace of 
“God, through Jesus Christ, revealed to be 
(Zeeke.) The references, if 
duly considered, will prepare the reader to ex- 
pect something still more appropriate in this most 
remarkable expression ; and a far higher privi- 
lege to believers, than these concessions, which, 
however, are of no small importance, point out to 
us. This tighteousness is revealed * from faith, 
* to faith ;” it is altogether of faith, from first to 
last, and without any respect to other distinc- 
tions, and the faith which receives it, is capable 
of continuai augmentaticn : or it is revealed from 


- the faithfulness of God in his word, to the fuith 


of the believer: according to the doctrine of the 
prophet, that the truly just, or righteous, man 
should live, or be accepted and saved, by faith, 
‘and not by works. (Note, Hab. ii. 4.) ~ oA 
V. 18—20. ‘in vain does the evangelical doc 
“trine exhort men to seek righteousness and 


'* salvation in Christ alone, apprehended by 
_ © faith ; unless all) men be previously conyicted 


« as guilty of unrighteousness ; which the apos- 
“tle now begins to prove, concluding at the 


CHAPTER I. 


godliness. 
and *unrighteousness of men, * who hold 


da vers 19, 28. 32. & 


A. D, 6, 


of God is manifest *in them: for G 
hath shéwed é# unto them. ' 

20 For ¥ the invisible things of him = 
from the creation of the world are clearly 
seen, being understood by the things that 
are made, # even his eternal power and 
> Godhead ; ¢ so that ¢ they are 4 without 
excuse: 


* Or, to them. ‘| 119. 90, 91. & 139.|b Acts 17. 29. €ol* 
y John 1. 18. Col. 1.) 13—15. & 148. 3—| 2.9. 

15, 16. 1 Tim.i.] 12. Matt. 5.45. . | Or, that they m@y 
17. & 6. 16.. Heb.ja 16. 26, Gen. 21] be, 

11. 27. 33. Deut. 33. zh 2.1.15. John 15. 


Z ver. 19. Deut. 4.1 Ps. 90.2, Hs. 9. 6.) 22, Marg. 

19. Job 31. 23. Ps.| & 26. 4. & 40. 26.id See on. Acts 23. 
8. 3, 4. & 33.6—9.] 1 Tim. 1. 17. Heb.’ 
& 104 5—31. -&] 9.14. me 


1. Gre 


respect “ of all who hold the truth in unright- 
‘*eousness,”” This revelation had been espe- 
cially made by the holy law of God and the Old 
Testament dispensation, and had now been more 
generally published and fully explained, by the 


tenuation might be admitted, in respect of those 


who had not been favoured with “the oracles. 


“ of God ;” yet all men were found guilty, and 
exposed to this “‘ revealed wrath,” for “ holding 
“ the truth in unrighteousness,” or acting in op- 
position to their knowledge, and the conviction 
of their own consciences. All were acquainted 
with many leading truths concerning moral du- 
ties ; but their depravity zmprisoned those truths, 
and so restrained them from duly influencing 
their conduct. All might have known far more 
than they did, had they not hated the light 
through love of sin. Indeed to this day, no man, 
of any sect or nation, perfectly lives up to his 
own principles: all do what they know to be 
wrong, and omit what they know to be their 
duty. So that the plea of ignorance cannot be 
admitted, in ite full latitude, in favour of any but 
idiots : for all rebel against that light, not only 
which they might have obtained, but which they 
actually possess. This géneral principle the 
apostle proceeded to illustrate by the state of the 
Gentile world. The Pagans had not the light of 
revelation: but the works of creation preached 
to them ; and that “which might be known of 
God,” was made manifest even among them ; 
for God had showed it to them from age to age, 
ever since the world was created. - Even the 
wonderful formation of their own bodies and 


souls, as well as the various objects all around — 


them, proclaimed these trutlis : so that, being 
endued with rational powers, they-could not have 
failed of knowing him, as their Creator, Benefac- 
tor, and Governor, and in respect of many of his 
attributes, bad it not beém for the depravity of 
their hearts. Indeed G8d himself dweileth in 


* twentieth verse of the pete: (Beza.) |light inaccessible, and bis essential glory must 


the Gospel, because none can obtain the favour of 
God, or escape his wrath by their own works. 
For, however igngrant persons might imagine 

d virtues would atone for their 
thé wrath of God had been re- 
pevery kind and de- 


cat f Pd < * set 
“unrighteousness ; in |}based and alienated from him by sin. Thus, 
ae : wit? 


_ The apostle here opens his main subject ; and be-| be invisible to mortal eye: yet “his eternal 
gins to show, that all men need the salvation of| 


“ power and Godhead” are so clearly reflected 
from, and discernible in, the works whieh ie bath 

¢; that his cternal and underive 
ence, his omnipotence, and other _perfectio: 
must be known from the beauty, excellence) ya. 
riety, and immensity of his creatures, by all in- 
telligent beings, except as their minds arede- 


°° 


Gospel: (Marg. Ref.) and though some ex-° 


a 


“yi , 


ak 
"ie 
t 


A.D. 61- * 


21 Because that, ' ey n they knew 
God, t they glorified . him a as God, nei-} 
ther were thankful ; 6. but. became vain in, 
their imaginations, and their foolish 
jheart was darkened. th 

22 i Professing themselves to be wise, 
they became fools; 


[Practical Observations.) 


eorruptible God into lan image made like 
to corruptible man, and to birds, and four- 
footed beasts, and creeping” things. 


24 Wherefore ™ God also gave them their lust one toward anothe 
up to uncleanness, ® through the lusts} men _working that which i is) 
1 \| receiving in themselves7tl 


€ A 19. 28, John|h 11. 10, Deut. 28.! 29. 1 Cor. 12.2, 
29, | 60. 2. Acts! Pet, 4.3. Rev. 
26. 18. 1 Pet. 2.9.) 20. 

25. Prov. 25.jm Ps. 81. 11, 12. 
Hab. 1./ 15, 16.4 14. & ic 12. Is.| Has. 4. ¥7, 18. Mat. 
Luke 17. 15—1 47. 10. Jer. 8. 8, 9. 
Time 3. 2, Her. 14 “& 10.14. Matt. 6 & 14. 16. & 17. 29, 


fact 9. Ps, 50. 23. 
& 86. 9. Hos. 2, 8.[i) 


a & 15,4 $23 1 Cor. 1, 19—| 30, Eph, 4.18; 19. 2 t pst 33 af , 
g Gen 6. 5 & 8.| 21.83. 18,19 | 2 Thes. 2°10, 11. | p ver. 27, ‘Lev, 18,| 24. & 10.87. 27Fimu) 
2h ‘Kings 17. 15k ver. 25. Ps. 106,)m 6. 12. Eph. 2.3. | “22s wah IS 4, t John 2, . 
eines 1z. Ee. 7.) 20. Jer: 2. 11. 1 Thes, 4. 5. Jai. | 4 Ver 23. NS Abe U6 waa 
& 4. 1—| ¥ ver. 18. 1 Thes 1.]* Or = 


Is. 44. 9—20,|1 Deut. 4..15—18. &} 1. 14, 15. 
‘Ber. 2. 5 & 10. 3—] 5.8. Ps. 115. 5—8,} 4. 
8.14, 15. & 16, 19.| & 135, 15—18. Is. 
Eph. 4..17,.18 1] 40. 18, & 44 13.| Pet-2.18. 1 John 
Pet. 1, 18. Ez, 8.10. Acts 17,! 2. 15,16. Jude 18. 


——— 


even idolaters and Gentiles are left without ex- sal and perpetital in the w 
cuse ; and their ungodliness and unrighteousness| carnal aversion to the hy 
-are evinced to be the effect of their depraved | and service of the true God. 
dispositions, rather than of their want of infor- Noah had some knowledg 
mation. They all might have known more of they revolted from his~ Ae e 
God than they did, had they been properly dis- glorify him as God, by oe a i 


posed; and some of them, when they had dis. 
covered the vanity of the popular idolatries, and 
acquired some just notions of God and his wor- 
ship, continued to act in opposition to their know- 
ledge, from worldly motives. Thus “ they im- 
. prisoned the truth in unrighteousness :” it is in 
vain to attempt an excuse for them, and the di- 
vine verdict brought in against them accords 
with the plainest dictates of justice and equity. 
Revealed. (18.) * The words of St. Paul to the 
. Athenians, give light to these here to the Ro- 
* mans.” (ocke.)} (Note, Acts xvii. 30, 31.)— 
Ungodliness, denotes the idolatry, irreligion, 
profaneness, and ingratitude to God, of mankind 
in general; and unrightecusucss, their injustice, 
oppression, cruelty, and base conduct towards 
each other; the former may refer to the first ta- 
ble of the law; the latter to the second: yet by 
both they rebelled against God, and deserved his 
srath.—Being uuderstood, &c. (20.) Gr, ‘If 
they are minded they are seen.” * The invi- 
¢ sible things of God lie within the reach and 
«discovery of men’s reason and understanding ; ‘ 
© but yet they must exercise their faculties and 
¢ employ their minds about them.’ (Locke: ) 
{ Notes, 28—32. \Prov. xvii. 16. Murg. Ref.) 

V. 21—23. *§ Men of their own accord rushed 


‘ROMANS. © 


 tunto ¥ vile affectio 
23 And & changed the glory of the i in: ‘men did change the 1 ni 


15.14. Acts 7+ 42.) 0 1 Cor- 6, 13, 18. 1 


1 Pet. 1. 14. &| 9 1 Jobn £.20, ey 
2.11. & Ae 2, 3, 2} 8 Is 44. 20, Jer. 10.) & 145. 1, 


‘ham. From that time the same causes 


of their o 


is ‘essed for ev 
26 For this cau 


which is against nature: 
27 And likewise also th 
the natural use of the wo 


: 


{of their erkery which 


Ee, 2 


Thes. 4, 4. 2 Tim} 
2, 20—2 


u 9. 


14,15. & 13.25, & My 31. 
16,19. Am. 2) 4. | 


obedience ; neither were ‘they thankfu 
bounties of Providence, but abuse 
temperance, and forgot the Gi 
ty and iniquity made way for 
become. almost universal when God ¢ 


the same effects, in every: part of the 
deed, some of the philosophers 6 
Rome had acqtired a little in 
of the Being and perfeétions 
God ; and they Speeuiiie x) 

with some acuteness and plausibili i 
“ glorified him notas God,” cither by 
adoration, orin the conduct of . 
they thankful for lis goodnes 
contrary, they sanctioned, 
formity, the stapid ide 
men; and, proud of their 
they amused themselves with ye 


0 scepticism or then 
ing? ‘destitute of pract 
standing, became n 


£ into idolatry, to understand and condemn which her: 


‘ they might have had light enough within, i 
* they had at voluntavil y extinguished i it, partl 


fdolatry WAS first introduced, ‘and became gene” 


be 
yee = 


f fe negligence, part ‘by ‘wickedness, on| ross ido 
€ which scr the Ss st fe hat 5 de. ha 
« tained the truth <a isness.” (Heza.)| for in 


change 


i 


fl Di bbe ; _ CHAPTER. A, D. 6. 


‘ 


tiles, nay, even vegetables. Thus mankind, 


28 And eyen # as they did not like to + | spiteful, proud, * boasters, i Inventors of 
retain God in their knowledge, God gave| evil things, * disobedient to parents, 
them oyer » to dareprobate mind, to do} 31 1 Without understanding, ™ cove- 
those which are © not convenient ;| nant-brea :eT's, * without natural affection, 

2 Being 4 filled with all unrighteous-| implacable, unmerciful : 
ne , fornication, wickedness, coyetous-| 32 Who ® knowing the Judgment of 

C985  aaliciousness ; full of envy, murder, God, (that: they which commit such things 
ate, deceit, maiignity ; ¢ whisperers,|are ° worthy of death,) not only do the 
30 f Backbiters, ¢ haters of God, de-| same, but thee he bia in them that do 


ie x 
aver. 18 21. Job] 13.5—7, 2 Tim.) 5. Tit 3/8. Rev" them 


L “Proy. 1.) 8. Tits 1, 16+ 21. 8. & 22. 15. h 2 17. 23. & 3, 275) ean 16. Prov. 30.|* Or, unsoctable. 

ig CO & 5. 12,|t Or, mind void of |e Ps, 41 7. Prov-| 1 Kings 20. 11. 2) rh ii 7. Mat-jn ver 18, ee & 2 
. RITE 16. Jer, judgment. ~ ‘| 16-28. & 26.20. 2) Chr. 25.19. Ps. 10.) 10. 2). & 1s. 4) 1—5. 21—23, 

he: 22. & 9, 6. Hoste nh Sad. Philem. Cor. 12, 20+ S. & 49.6. & 52. i. Paptibcy vise 0 6, 21. Deut. 17: 6- 

A. 6. Acts 17. 23.) 8. f Prov. 25. 23. & 94.4 & 97-71 3.2 — | & 21, 22. 28am. 


~$2. Rom. 8, 7, 8|u 3. 10—19- Job 15-jg 8.7, 8. Num, 10. 
2 Cor. 15. 34. 2) 16. Jer. 17-9. Mate} 35. Deut 7.10. 2 
Gor. 4. 4—6. Be 10,| 15. 19. Mark 7. 21,| Chr. 39.2. Ps. $1. 
5. 2 Thes. 1. 8. &) 22. 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.; 15. Prove 8. 36. 
3 (cipal 2 Pet.| Gale 5. 1621.) John 7. 7. & 15. 23, 
Eph. 5. 3—6. Cole 24. Tite 3-3. 
Ps on, Eanacicd, e 3. 5-9. 1 Tim. 1 
Jer. 6. 30. 2 9, 10. 2 Tim. 3.2— 


Acts 5. 36. 2 €or {I ver. 20, 2 aS 12. 5—7. 1 Kings 2. 
0.15. 2Thes. 2] 11. Prov. 18. 2. Is.) 26. Heb. 10, 29, 
A. Jame 3. 5. & 4.) 27.11. Jer 4. 22.) | Rev. 16. 6. 

16-' 2 Pet.) 2. 18.) Matt. 15.16. + Or, consent with 
Jade 16. m2 Kings 18. 14 them, Ps. 50. 18, 
i Ps.99, 8.8 106, 39.) &e. Is! 33. 8, 2! Hos. 7.3. Mark 14 
Ee, 7. 29, Tims 3. 3. 10, 116 

k Deut. 21, 18—21. 


“SS, Ps ae ee nt eee 
tions, and ,worship, for the basest falsehoods 


— 
the image of a mortal man, which they foolishly 
and’ dlathias, of the devil, and the sophistical 


supposed to be a proper resemblance of him: at 
length they made images of their deities, like 
' birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, and insects ; and |in consequence, they had rendered diyine ho- 
thus actually fell down to worship the meanest | nours to creatures, in preference to the infinite 
and most noxious of the creatures. It is well Creator, Jwhoii is in himself “ blessed for ever- 
known that many of the ancients, especially the | more ;” whom all rational creatures ought 
iearned Egyptians, worshipped dogs, snakes, rep-| to adore and bless ; and whose praises are cele- 
brated by. all the inhabitants of heaven, while 
having retained from original tradition, or hay-;saints on earth repeat a cordial Amen to them.— 
ing acquired by the exercise of reason, some |The idolaters first joined creaiures with him im 
eneral notions of a Deity, vented numerous | their worship, or adored them as mediators ; 

| Species of idolatry, and universally forsook the | they used images to represent the invisible Ob- 
4 worship | of the true God, in all places where re- | ject of their adoration, and at length the vilest 
“velation was not actually "vouchsafed. Indeed the | of creatures engrossed the whole of it The 
_ fact is undeniably the same even to this day ;|Lord therefore, being provoked to jealousy by 
“ and if any nations seem to be sunk into such to-| this base apostacy and ingratitude, gave them up 
tal stupidity, as to have no notions of a God re-| to the vilest affeetions, and inclinations; so that 
amaining among them; this still more clearly | they were left to practise such unnatural lusts, 
proves, not man’s want of rational powers, but| as are not fit.to be mentioned, except as a stigma 
his carnal enmity to God and religion, through|on human nature, and to enhance the grace of 
which he becomes more and more the besotted | our redemption. And this was a judginent meet 
-and blinded slave of satan. (Joes, fs. xliv.9—|for such a crime: as they had so dishonoured 
20. Marg. Ref.\—Imaginations. (21). Or reason-| God, through their pride and carnal enmity, it 
Sngs, (Matt xv.19. Luke ix. 46,47. Gr.) Cicero’s | was proper for them tovbe left io expose their own 
books, ‘On the nature of the gods,’ contain a|jshame; that the sofsequences of their apos+ 
most striking illustration of the apostle’s mean- | tacy, and the blindness of their boasted reason, 
img. jas well as the filthiness of their hearts, might be 
V. 24-27. The race ae men,, having thus 
dishonoured Ged by wilful apostacy and idolatry, 
he left them, under the influence of satan, to 
_- debase themselves by the most unnatural andj 
abominable, uncleanness. . This did notso much] 
yesult from the prevalence of animal inclina- 
tions, (for ‘the yery brutes are kept from such 
excessive and unnatural practices,) as from the 
lusts of their o n hearts, which madly sought 
; - satisfaction, ‘in. pe ee tal they had lost the 
* favour. of God and happiness. im him. Thus 
they disgraced their bodies, which had been} 
Most curiously formed by the Creator, to be the 

~ anstr uments of the soul, in his” rship and ser-| 
vice, by using them to perpetrate with. each] | shown a disposition to diseard from their minds 
other the most detestable pollutions. This was |the knowledge: of the true God. Having no de- 
ermitted judicially ; because they hyd exchang-|light in him, they did ‘Not endeavour * to retain 
ten truth of God which -had been made |“ him in their nowled The original word 
wa to themes ntti his nature, penfec- signifies prove, Ca metals are assaved,) or a&- 


unnatural crimes -and vile affections, which arz 
most scandalous. at present, and carefully con- 
cealed and most severely punished, were openly ¥ 
° vowed among the Grecks and Romans, even in 
their politest ages: and their most elegant and 
celebrated poets have defiled their compositions, 


expressions : of abhorrence, or even of disappro- 
bation !—More than, &e. (25. ) Preterito Crea- 


r;”) ‘Thus Hilary renders the clatise with 
« purity and elegance,’ (Beza.) 
¥. 28-32 .Men, in all Pa and nations, had 


conclusions of their own vain reasonings; and 


| known to the whole intelligent creation —Those — 


by the mention of such vile amours, without any — 


tore, (“passing by, or disregarding the Crea-. 
“39 


to idolatry. This was an evident fact all over the 
- Gentile world.—The glorious perfections, spirit- 


- with their favourite pursuits. In righteous judg- 


’ in wickedness, that their whole hearts and lives 


- together, till hundred: 


_ (as the emperor Nero did his mother Agrippina.) 


CM) ae ROMANS. - 


#3 uit PM Sh Pt sha F. 7 
be ‘a { CHAP. II. YS * - 
They who judge’ others, and yet transgress them- 


RS Oh a.) Rl, 
_ selves, ave inextusable, and cannot eses 
-ment of God, 1—6. sf The measur 


cred before their eye 3.0r Int q 
criminals fighting. wi hil) Bae d 
voured by them. Nor did: cif 
whether men or wom, h, abs 
these horrid spectacles 
them, who were most fully 
[things were criminal, ane 
demnation and death, accordit 
of God, not only continued — 
but they also delighted in, hon 
flattered, preferred, or even dei 
sons as were most notoriously ad 
The history. of the Greeks and Rom: 
cially of the latter, about the time 
tle wrote, abundantly confirms 
scription of their general chara 
even their philosophers and moralists ' 
no means excepted. It might easily be shown, | 
that the morals of idolatrous 1 f juc 
according to the immutable 
vine law, are at this day very 
ter than the description he 
world.— Have pleasure, &e 


roved. The latter seems the meaning, in. this 
passage—Not approving the knowledge of J E- 
HovVAu, mex every where were prompt to run in- 


ual worship, and holy service, of God, by no 
means suited the proud, sensual, carnal heart of 
fallen man: so that, as with one consent, they 
preferred the basest idols to him, because more 
congenial to their dispositions, and consistent 


ment he gave them up to a reprobate mind, that 
they should foolishly and perversely prefer the 
most shameful and pernicious practices, to those 
which are decent, honourable, and becoming ra- 
tional creatures. Thus they were left to commit 
such crimes, a8 were utterly inconsistent with 
reason; nature, and their own and each other’s 
welfare. Nay, they proceeded to such lengths 


were filled with every kind of fraud, oppression, 
extortion, and iniquity: they practised all for- 
nication, incest, and adultery without remorse : 
they delighted in mischief for its own sake; they 
rapaciously amassed wealth by every means in 
their power, however vile: they revenged every 
injury with desperate malice: they envied all 
who were more honoured or. prospered than 
themselves; they were prompt to commit mur- 
der, or engage in any kind of bitter contests, 
and to every species of deceit and malignity, or 
habitual mischievousness, as delighting in the mi- 
sery of others. Secret calumnies and slanders 
were employed to ruin men’s characters: they 
were haters of God, and of his authority, law, 
justice, service, and providence, and despiteful 
to his, worshippers and to each other. “They 
were proud of their abilities, possessions, and_| 
exploits ; they idolized themselves, in boasting 
of their virtues or performances, and in wholly 
seeking their own glory in the most ostentatious 
manner: they invented new species of cruelty, 
treachery, luxury, impiety, idolatry, sensual 
gratification, and magnificence. They cast off 
all regard to parental authority, and despised, 
injured, or even murdered their aged parents, 


‘, She 39, oe |; 
‘ Greek commentators, is much worse than th ‘ 
‘bare doing of them: for a man may , 
‘by the power of temptati and) 
“ration become sensible o folly, 
‘of it: but when he is arrived at | 
« wickedness, that he not rein as 
‘ lights in seeing the like things done by 
* he demonstrates such a strong: tion 
“as is incurable.” (Wiitby.) The : 
ever, is showing what need the Genti # 
men, had of the grace of the Gospel ; ew 
that they were incwrable by it oe , mul- 
titudes who once had answered this: 

afterwards embraced Christianity, a 
“a peculiar people, zealous of good 


-PRACTICAL OBSERVA 
ahipaid Me Ve 17. "iy 
A servant of Jesus Christ is the 

of man; and that of a minister 
only specifies the particular sery 
is employed ; but the Christian sk: 
of Christ, as truly as the aj 
‘who are thus distinguished, 
of a state of darkness and 


They acted in many things, as if they had been 
destitute of common sense, by the indulgence of 
their headstrong passions : they violated without 
scruple, the most, solemn treaties, covenants, 
and oaths: they sinned away natural affection, 
and even exposed their new-born infants without) 
vemorse or censure, that they might not have. 
the trouble or expense of bringing them up; and | 
in many places they put to death their parents, | 
when they became helpless and burdensome.} 
They were implacable in their resentments, and | 
unmerciful in their dispositions : so that, besides | 
the cruel carnage of their ambitious wars, the 
indiscriminate slaughter whi often attended 
the taking of cities, and the ent mu 

their vanquished et 
sions consisted in 


vine grace; and. thus taught to 
ate the Gospel of 


tors fighting 
times massa- 


Ps diy atl 
| if D. 61. 
é with Jewsand Gentiles, 716. The apostle 


solemnly expe stulates with the Jews, who trusted 
) the law, and yet brake it; and shows that ex- 


do any’ claim authority in the Church, as suc- 
cessors to the apéstles, when their lives evince 


that ‘they have not received regenerating grace ; 


CHAPTER II. 


4. D. 61. 


ternal forms will not profit, without internal piety, 
which God would accept even in the uncircum- 


cised, 17—29. aD sed 


ee ier 
us; whether to supply their temporal wants, or 
t promote their spiritual comfort and establish- 
ment : we ought to rejoice in making others joy- 


and when, instead of bringing others to the obe-| ful; and should peculiarly take pleasure, in 


re of faith, they themselves are evidently 
disobedient and unbelieving. The end of the 
‘Gospel-ministry is to bring sinners of all nations 


to obey the command of God, by believing in 
his Son, and submitting to his authority, that 
his name may be glorified in their salvation, and 
that they may become a peculiar people to show 
forth his praise: Happy they, who are thus the 
called of Jesus Christ to be his saints, beloved of 
God, and devoted to him! They should often re. 
collect their character and privileges, that they 
may be excited to act consistently ; and they 
should cordially desire an increase of grace and 
eace to all their brethren in every place. 
ithout grace there can be no substantial peace ; 
in proportion as grace is communicated, peace 
may be expected ; and when grace shall ripen 


“nto perfect holiness, peace will become com- 


plete fruition. These then are the great bless- 
ings, which we should seek for ourselves, our 
children, our friends, and all around us, in pre- 
ference to all earthly possessions or prosperity ; 
and they must be sought from the mercy of God 


our Father, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and 


by reliance on his merits and mediation. 
yaeenes 2» WV. 815. 
oy aie Christians are always ready to thank 
30d, in behalf of all others who partake of the 
same invaluable blessings in which they rejoice: 
and we should cultivate this pious and benevo. 
lent disposition, that we may present our grate- 
ful tribute to the Lord, not only for our friends, 
or such as’ have been converted by our means, 
but for strangers also, and for all concerning 
whom we hear 2 good report. Indeed if we 
« serve God with our spirit in the Gospel of his 
Son,” we shall be sure to approve our hearts 
before him, as deeply concerned for the peace 
and prosperity of his Church: and we should 


also without ceasing, in our daily prayers, make 


mention of our fellow-Christians and the interests 
of the Gospel, all over the world. Yet, alas! 
most of us must own with shame, that we are 
not so earnest, or particular, in this respect, even 


d multiplied engagements ! But we should 
endeavour (6 follow him, even as he followed 
Christ ; and we ought to long for opportunities 
of usefulness, as worldly men do for a pros. 
perous trade, or Occasions of distinguishing 
themselves, and acquiring celebrity ; and count 
that the most successful’ Peatniey or urdertaking, 
in which most good bath been done, though it 
have expased us to hardship, Joss, or peril. We 
should earnestly request the Lord, that by his 
will, such opportunitics may frequently return ; 
though we know not in what manner these 


' prayers may be answered: we sliould readily 


impart te others, what God hath entrusted to 


communing with those, who believe, hope for, 
and experience the same things with us. But 
purposes, resulting eyen from this happy and ex- 
cellent state of ming, may often be retarded and 
disappointed ; nor ought we to be discouraged 
or desist on this account. We should still de- 
sire and expect the opportunity of bringing forth 


fruit, though we have been hindered hitherto: 


and while we ought to be thankful for the least 
usefulness, we should not say of any measure, 
let this suffice us; as long as we have health 
and strength for labour, and so much yet re- 
mains to be done, before all nations are brought 
to the obedience of faith. Being redeemed by 


the blood, and converted by the grace, of the 


Lord Jesus, we are altogether his: and for his 
sake, we are debtors to all men, to do them ail 
the good we can; to whatever nation they be- 


Jong, or of whatever complexion, rank, capacity, 


or education they are. Nor ought we to deem 
such services any great thing; but merely our 
bounden duty, our debt of gratitude to Christ, 
and of love to our neighbours and brethren. 

V. 16—22. 

We ought not fora moment to allow of that ab- 
surd and hateful shame, which the enmity and 
contempt of the wicked against the Gospel often 
excite in our minds. On the other hand, we 
should glory in the doctrine of the cross, and 
be ready to profess or preach it, in any place, or 
before any description of men, according to our 
ability and our call in providence ; as knowing, — 
that it is “the power of God unto salvation 
“to every one that believeth,” and that no sin- 
ner can be saved in any other way. It is indeed 
evident to this day, that learned speculations, 
and supposed rational schemes, or the elegances 
of admired orators, are not attended in general 
with that power, which converts sinners froin 
impiety and immoral to the love and service 
of God: but this eflect is produced in sonie 
good measure, wherever the despised Gospel is 
preached, even though it be in a homely manner, 
and by persons of inferior abilities and erudition. 


in our narrow circles, as Paul was, in respect of |For by the Gospel is the righteousness of God 
his most extensive connexions, and with all bis 
vali 


revealed ; his way of justification and sanctifica. 


‘tion is opened; and sinners are taught to trust 


in him, and ‘to come before him, by faith in_ his 
mercy, through the righteousness, atonement, 
and intercession of his beloved Son. And he 
will honour this doctrine, because it honours hig — 
perfections, law, and government, and because’ 
it is hisown appointment: but they, who devise. 
other schemes, may put forth their own power to 
make them successtul, if they can; for God 
will not own or countenance them.—The Gospel — 
is worthy of universal acceptation, for “the 
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against 
all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men ;* 


and all have been, in some degree, ungodly and 


A. D. 61. 


HBREFORE *thou art ine tcusable, 
b> O man, ¢ ipnigaetd ‘ae art, that 


a 1. 18—20. ais ver. 26, 27 2) 31. Luke 6. 37. & 
Bb ver. 3. & 9. 20. Sam. 12. 5—7. Pe =, John 8, 7— 
Cor. 7+ 16. Jams aa 50. 16-20. Matt} 9. Jam. 4. 11. 

~ T.1—5. & 23.29—" 


WHrighteous. No man can plea j, that he has 
fulfilled all his obligations to. od and to his 
heighbour; nor can any one truly say, that be 
hath not * held the truth in unrighteousness,” o 
that he hath acted up to the light afforded hit, 
Whatever may be pretended, atheism, infidelity, 
impiety, and idolatry spring from human depra- 
vity, not from unavoidable ignorance or mistake. 
The heathen nations might have known enough 
of God from his works, and the benefits confer- 

red on them, to have excited their admiring love 
and gratitude, and “to have influenced.them to 
adore and obey their Creator and Benefactor ; 
had they not shut out the light, or sinned in op- 
position to it: so that even they were without 
excuse in their apostacy and idolatry, however 
succeeding rebels against God may have vindi- 
eated and justified them. But instead of giori 
fying him in humble gratitude, according to their 
measure of information; their pride and carnal 
enmity led them to indulge vain conjectures and 
reasonings; till their professed and boasted 
wisdom ended in the most palpable and degrad- 
ing folly and Stupidity. Thus idolatry, .the 
stigma of man’s understanding, was introduced 
‘and propagated, through the wickedness of his 
heart; and rational creatures exchanged the 
worship of the glorious Creator for that of 
brutes, reptiles, or inanimate images: and they 
continued to wander from. God, till all traces of 
true religion must have been lost, had not the 
revelation of the Gospei prevented it. 

V. 23—82. 

Whatever speculators may assume of the suf 
ficiency oMman’s reason to discover divine truth 
and moral obligation, or to regulate men’s prac 
tice ; stubborn | facts confute the flattering hy 
pothesis ; and as far as God hath in awful dis- 
pleasure left men to themselves, they have dis- 
honoured him by the most absurd idolatries and 
superstitions, and degradetl themselves by “ vile 
§¢ affections,” and abominkble lusts: nor is it 
generally expedient to mention the enormities, 
to which they, who, liking not to retain God in 
their knowledge, preferred their own inventions 
to his holy worship, have been given up ; Avhen 
being left to a reprobate mind, their deluded 
judgments, their perverse wills, and their de- 
praved affections, have reciprocally helped to 
sorrupt, and have been corrupted by each other. 
A most horrid view of the moral character of the 
Greeks and Romans, even amidst all their pros- 
perity, politeness, and erudition, is here set be- 
¥ore us by the apostle : and the student who judg- 

" es of characters and actions by the law af God, 
will perceive, that their own historians, orators, 
and poets, amidst all their flattering and false 
colouring, Adduce such facts, and make such 
repr esentaticns, as fully prove the apostle’s 
picture to be a real and striking likeness, and 
no caricature. Nay, the-most illustrious and ce- 
tebrated persons among: them, may be produc- 


ROMANS. 


judgest: for ei thou j 
other thou © st 


that judgest do the vie sate hin} 


“iy 


ed, as most exactly 
description! It must 
knowledged, that Chris 
rjable effect on mankind 
them more just notions 
humanizing their manners, 
of war: so that. battles ar 
scarcely more fierce and bloody ¢ 
sions of the savage Romans were. 
customs also restrain, and drive 
cesses, those pe sack which stal ed abroa 
with horrid effrontery among the "Pagans. 
There are also ate dnicaateetekn ‘real Chris 
tians among us. Yet after all, wh ‘multitudes, ’ 
even in this land, seem to be the | 
the picture before us ! They are 
righteousness, and commit all v 
greediness ; or they _ ; 
avarice by oppressions, 
or they are full of envy, dece 
bition, ostentation, malice, or mal 
rush upon murder from a diabolic 
revenge, which they call honour. he 
their malice by whispering cult 
ders, to ruin their neighbaur’s rep 
titudes are so ingeniousin contriv 
of fraud, perjury, impiety, or d 
legislators can scarcely keep pace with 
devising new statutes to counteract their 
While disobedience to parents is, 
fully common : children are pre ioke as” 
turned over to hirelings, and neglected 
parents, as if they were “ without natu aie 
* tion ;” and it is too obvious, that: numbers are 
implacable and. unmerciful to those, w ae us oe 
can exult over or oppress with im ~ Thus — 
men show themselves to be haters of God and 
his holy service : not on fot Bee a 
as he hath forbidden, a e we 
of his wrath; but by appla' 
pleasure in the company of those, 
his name and trample on his auth 
they were the most worthy 
celient of the human rac , 
vants of God are propo! 
shunned, ‘These are they, 
reyelation, and who count the pre: 
cross foolishness! But their condu 
strates their need of it, and that it 
which they must avail themselve 
Finally, we may here obs 
moderates and repulat 
excess of depra) 
4 proof of more 
(ake pleasure i in the eo A 
God, th 
science rise “up 
culiar cause ‘4 


which . ae we are : as ro 
of our | ab race. hs P sf S apy ot 


are sure that © the judgment 
rding to truth, gee them 
such things. 


pe the extent of God? 
_ Or i despisest thou * the riches of his 
ness, ! and forbearance, and long-suf- 


Gen 18. 25.) 35.2. Ps. 50. 21.) Ez, 12. 22,23. Mat. 
tee eh 23.| Matt. 26. 53. oe 49. 2 Pet. 

Bs.9. 4,7,8. & 11.Jg vers 1. Dan. 104 3 ; 
5-7. & 38. 5,6. & lia. Luke 12. 14. &/k 9% 23-& 10, 12. & 
95.13. & 98.%& 
445. 17. Is- 45. 19:)h ver. 32. Ps. 56. 7.) 104.24. Eph. 1.7. 
. 21. Jere 12 1. Ez.| Proy. 11. 21¢ & 16.) 18. & 2, 4. 7. & 3. 
oe 29. Dan. 4.] 5. Ezra 17. ae 18.) 8.16. Phil. 4. 19, 
Acegirce 2 Thes ~5., Matt. 23. 1} Col. 1. 27. & 2. 2.1 
Thes. 5. 3. Heb, 2. eae 6. 17. Tit. 3. 

ve ag 3. & 12. 25. 

siete: i 6.1.15. Ps. 10.11, 13. 25, & 9. 22. Ex, 


e 


=” ; ; NOTES. é 
"Har. li. V. 1—3. The apostle is com- 
monly supposed to have here passed. from the 


5.83.4, 5.& £2 Sams 10,3._ se Ee. 8. 11. Jer. 7: 10- 


ews : though some think that the heathen 


philosophers and moralists were also included. 
He, however, seems. to have sone himself 


eeneral manner, that he might include 
of every nation, sentiment, or descrip-! 
ho hold the truth in unrighteouness,” or} 
ta “ the righteousness of God by faith, 

- 17, 18.) and who are ready to jadge 
demn others, though guilty themsclyes.' 
Ofithiese, the Jews were the most notorious : for 
they disdained and abhorred the Gentiles, as. 
profane, abominable, and utterly undeserving 
of God’s favour ; whilst they thought themselves 
a holy people, and entitled to all their privileges 
byan unalienable right. et, while they would} 
join with the apostle in shOwing the inexcusable 
wickedness of the Gentiles, they were equally or 
more inexcusable : for they proudly arrogated, 
and severely exercised, the office of a judge, and 
yet the sentence, which they denounced on 
_ others, actually condemned themselves ; a3 they 

”) might be proved guilty of the very same crimes, 
ger such as were of similar malignity. They 

sopied the vices of the very heathen whom they 
_ eondemned : like them, they acted in opposition 
"to the light afforded them, and they were un- 
2ankful, rebellious, and unrighteous, even as 

Ge ntiles were. But they, and all other per- 


conduct A, fen, ae ud 
them : and instead pce 2 h favour on 
account of their external advan es, or. their 
condemnation of sin in others, their punishment 
would be enhanced by these very circumstan- 
ces. \ For, could any man suppose, “that when he 
had committed the same crimes, which he judg- 
ed deserving of punishmentin others, he should 
himself escape the jadgment of God? This in- 
timated to the unbelieving Jews, that personal 
aus ene judgments awaite ed. them, unless 


: then Beaanted on 


thinkest thou this, ¢ © man,|ni 


. 53. 60. 11-35. Ps. 86. 5.&} Ps, 130. 3, 4. 13.30. 3 


> of the Gentiles, to animadyert on that of} « salvation. 


AD. 61; 
fering not knowing that ™ the goodness 
of GodiJeadeth thee to repentance ? 


ft" after thy hardness and impe= 
eart,° treasurest up unto thyself 
wrath against P the day of wrath, and @ 
m of the righteous judgment of 


6 Who 


cal Observations.) 


34, 6. Num. 14218, ll. 4. 2 Pet. 2. 


15. & 14. 17. 
Ps. 73. 38. & 86.15.) Devi 2. 30. Josh.| & 3.7. Rev. 6. 17. 
Is.63.7—10.1 Tim.| 11. Sam. 6. 6./q ver. 2,5. & 1. 18. 
1. 16.1 Pet. 3. 20.! 2 Chr. 8 36.!r 14. 12. Job $4. 1 


Ps. 62. 12. Prov. 
24. 12. Is.3. 10, 1i- 
18.. Jer. 3. 12, 13, sm Dam. 5. "90. Jer. 17- 10. & 32: 
22,23. Ez. 16-63.] Zech.7.11, 26 19., Ez. 18. 3a 
Hos. 3. 5. Luke 15.f 3. 13. 15. & Matt. 16. 27. & 25. 
.17—19. & 19. 5—8.Jo 9. 22. De “aS &e. 1 Cor. 4+ 


m Job 33. 27—30.| 13. Ps. 9508 


2 Pet. 3, 9.15. Rev.} 34,35. Am. 3. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 10, Gal, 
3. 20. Jam. 5-3-. 6. 7,8. Rev. 2. 23- 
n 11.25. Marg. Ex.ip Job 21, 30. Prov. “G20. 12. & 22. 12: 


they fled for refuge to the grace of the Gospel. 
‘« These Gentiles were, by the Jews, reputed as 
© unclean, great sinners, and so incapable of 
To these Jews the apostle, in this 
«chapter, directs his discourse, proving here, 
¢ that they who lived under the law, wanted 
© this justification as much as others, being also 
8 treat sinners; and in the following chapters, 
* that neither they nor the Gentiles could obtaia 
(€ this justification by the law’ (Whitby. )— 
> The outward wickedness of the Jews was cnor- 
| mous at this time, as Josephus has shown: in 
this sense they copied the worst crimes, (idolatry 
| excepted,) of the despised Gentiles ; and their 
' superior advantag= -s'rendered their conduct still 
more atrocious. (Vote, 2Zait. vii. 1—3.) 
| VW. 46. ‘The Gentiles were without excuse, 
i because they were unthankfal to their Creator 
{and Benefactor. Did then the Jews despise the 
| exuberant riches of his kindnéss to them, whom 
jhe had so peculiarly favoured? (Marg. Ref.) 
He had distinguished them, both by temporaf 
and spiritual benefits, in every age : though they 
had always proved rebellious, yet he had still 
exercised immense goodness, forbearance, and 
long-suffering “towards them; and he had at 
length sent his Son among them. Even after 
they had crucified him, he had in infinite mercy 
ordered the first proposals of his Gospel to be 
made to them ; andhe still besought them by 
his apostles and ministers, to accept of this sal. 
vation! And did they despise all this, as a 
small favour? Did it embelden them, to con- 
tinue in sin? Ordid the Lord’s special mercy 
}and patience towards them Icad them to con- 


{clude, that he would-always favour them, how-~ 


ever ungratefully they rebelled against him? If 
they thus despised his rich goodness, they 
strangely mistook its tendency ; as it ought to 
lead and induce them to repentance. The more 
kindness God exercises, the greater aggravation 
is there in thé sinner’s discbedience, and the 
more should he be humbled for his base i 2 ingra- 
titude. The patience of God gives the “Sinner 
time and opportunity for repen , and the 
discoveries of his mercy furnishes him with mo- 
tives and encouragements ; and Wore it not fer 
€ 


: 
f 
| 


A. Dd, Gl. i 


7 To them who * by patient ebntinu- 
ance in well doing, seek for t glory, and 
honour, ® and immortality ; * eterpal life ; 

8 But unto them that are ycontentious, 
zand do not obey the truth, but * obey 
unrighteousness, indignation and wrath; 

9 Tribulation «and anguish upon every 


$ g, 24 5. Job17.| 4, 16-28 Col. 1410. 2 Thes- 1, 8 
9. Ps. 27. or & rg Bip 1. 7, 8- 

37.3. 34. Lam. 3. - 13, 140 

25,26. Matt. 24, 12,)u 1 Cor. 15. 53, 54 ja John 3, 18—21. 2 
13. Luke 8 15.12 Tim. 1. 10. Thes. 2., 10—12. 
John 6. 66—69. i[x 6. 23. 1 John 2) Heb, 3. 12, 13. 
Cor. 15. 58. Gal. 6.| 25. b 9.22. Ps. 90. 11. 
9. 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8|y Prove 12. 10. 1] Nah. 1.6. Heb. 16. 
Heb. 6. 12 15. &] Cor. 11, 16. Tit. 3.) 27. Rey. 14. 10. & 


10. 35,36. Jam.5.,; 9 © 16. 196 

7,8. Rev. 2, 10, 11.jz 1. 18 6. 17 &)e Prov.1. 27,28. 2 
£8. 18. & 9 23.| 10. 16. & 15. 18.) Thes. 1, 6. ‘ 
John 5. 44. 2 Cor. -13. Is. 50. 


man’s total depravity, the proposals of the Gos- 
pel must prevail with every one to repent of his 
departure from God, and to return to his worship 
and service. (Notes, Luke xv. 11—24.)—If the 
Jews presumed upon the special kindness of God 
to them ; and continued to reject the Gospel, 
and to disobey his commandments, according 
to the obduracy of their impenitent hearts, their 
condemnation would be proportionably sevete ; 
and the longer God had patience with them, the 
heavier vengeance would be executed on them. 
And all others, who thus émployed the day of 
mercy iu committing sin, hardening their. hearts 
in impenitence because of the goodness of God, 
would find, that they had accumulated wrath as 
their treasure, for themselves, which would be 
secured for them, till the day’of wrath and final 
recompense. Then the Lord will manifest the 
perfect justice of his decisions before the whole 
world, to the full satisfaction of ail his friends, 
and the confusion of his enemies : seeing he 
will then render to every individual according to 
his works; whether he was an obstinate unbe- 
liever, or a humble penitent believer in the di- 
vine Redeemer.  (Wotes, W&att. xvi. 27. xxv. 
31—46.) 2 : 

V. 7—11. The apostle heré gradually pro- 
eeeds to a more explicit mention of the Jews, 
whom he especially intended to “ conclude un- 
“¢ der sin.” According to the whole tenour of 
Scripture, as well as the dictates of comimon 
sense, no sinner can do well, ulilie repents, sub- 
mits to God, and seeks mercy from him. The 
Jew who did this, must have respect to the types 
and promises ofa Saviour, with which the law of 
Moses was replete, as well as to the preceptive 
part of it; and he alone, who did this, would 
perform any <piritual @B@Cicnce. If then there 
was a mean, any whofe, who embraced by | faith 
the revelation of glory, honour, and immortati- 
ty through tie promised Messiah, made in the 
word of God, and was earnestly bent upon ob- 
taining this blessing; if he sought the inherit- 
ance, by repenting, “ceasing to do evil, learn- 
“ing to do well,” attending on the ordinances 
of God, obeying his commandments, and thus 
waiting patiently for the completion of his pro. 
mises ; and if he proved his sincerity, by pa- 
tience wnder trials, and perseverance in well do- 


ROMANS: ' 


first, and also o 


47.) © Wer. 10. & 1. 265 


y 


soul 4 of man that 
‘th 
10 But glory, ho 
every man that work 
first, and also to the 
11 For * there 
with God. 


d Ez. 18. 4. Matt. 
16. 


* 


& 5. 4. 


Am, 3, 2. Matt. 11. 
20—24, Luke 12. 
47, 48. 1 Pet, 4. 17. 
* Or, Greek. 
fiver. 7. & 9 21.) 
23. 1 Sam. 2. 30. 
Ps. 112. 6—9. Pro. 
3. 16, IZ. & 4.7—9. 
& 8.18) Luke 9.f- 
48, & 12. 37. Jolin 
12. 26. 1 Pet. 1. 7. 


17. & 48. 18. 25 
55, 12 & 5%, 
Jer. 33.6. Matt. 


‘ai 


ing, amidst temptations and difficulties 
maw would surely be made pattaker of 
Ife Mnecording to the constitution 
gracious covenant of God in Jes 
ever measure of explicit kne 
favoured with, or under wh 
he might live. Butas all 
law are under condemnat 
others, who disputed against the Lord 
of saving sinners, and his sovereignty in, 
ing unmerited favours, whe aye | 
« because the Lord was good ;” who were : 
at che kindness shown to returning piod 
and, who refused to obey the truth by. : 
ing the Gospel and submitting to th 
Saviour; choosing rather to o 
ness, and continve the slaves ¢ 
all such persons would surely sin eit 
dignation and wrath of their offended Judge. 
For tribulation and anguish of spirit will be the 
inevitable portion ofevery soul of man, who 
“« worketh evil ;’” and.the Jew é 
and most. severe lot in 
though the unbelieving an 
will not be exempted. On 
glory, honour,and peace, w 
the objects of his special love, 
given to “every man that w 
sinner who odeyeth the tut 
had the first proposal of 
tile was excluded fro 
it, ** for God is no res) 
Acts x, 1—8. 34, 35, )—It 
apostle did not mean, that eit 
could be saved by his own w 
in Christ; but that, *¢by o 
and by that patient conti 
which springs: from fai 
tain eternal li 
fall under wrath C nat 
pose he meant, that any man could be saved - 
without believing the Gospel, Peeeebatcay 
make him advance principles subversiv of his 
own grand argument throughout the whole epis- 
tle ; and of his doctrine in al¥ his epistles: He 
had many reasons for first proposing his doc- 
tine in this covert and practical mamner. He 
thus avoided giving immediate disgust to the. 
Jewish reader, previous to. the more explicit de- 
4 § s 


Sa CHAPTER Ti. Sy A. D. 61. 

ny k as have sinned with-|tained dn the law, these, having not the 

‘also perish without law ;| law, "are a law unto themselves : 

ly 1aS have sinned in the law,| 15 Which shew the work of the law 

idged by the law ; * writtef in their hearts, theirtconscience _ 

m not the hearers of the law ere}also bearing witness, and their thoughts * 

ore God, ™ but the doers off the}t aii while " accusing or else €xcus- 

be © justified. _ jing one another ;) — 

hen the Gentiles, P which have y when * God shall judge 

a do by nature the things con- en Y if. Jesus Christ # ac- 
spel. 


+ 


Ik ver. 14, 15. & 1. 10,11. Rev. 20.12-Jo 3. 30. & 4. 2—5. [Practiedil Observations.) 
18—21, 32. Ez. 16.| 15. ; Ps, 142.2. Luke 18+}. yoy 19. & 1.32. m 8—11. &] Matt. 16. 27. & 25. 


49, 50. Matt. 11. 22.]m ver. 25. Deut.4.| 14. Acts 13. 39. 
24. Luke 10. 12—| 1. & 5. 1. & 6.3.) Gal. 2. 16-& 5.4. 
5. & 12. 47, 48.! & 30. 12—44. Ez.| Jam. 2. 21—25. 


21, 22.1 31, &o. 1 Cor. 4. 5- 
19. 11. Acts| 20.11. & 33, 30—|p ver. 12. & 3. 


3 1. 18, 19, 20. 5. Re 42, 

4 Or, the conscience} 1 King Job| 2 Cor. 5. 10, Heb. 
wetnessing,. with) 27. 6+ BOY 
thems John 3..19= |} 3 Pet 2. 9 Rev. 
t9. 1-John 8. 9.x ver. 5. 8 3, 6. &l 20. 11-15. 

Acts 23, 1. & 24.) 14. i Pe tates John 5. 23—20s 


17. 80, 31. | $3. Matt. 7,21—27.| Deut. 4. 7. Ps. 147, 
I ver. 16: & 3. 19, 20.} Luke 3-21. Jam. 1.| 19,20, Acts 14. 16. 
& 4. 15. & 7. 7—9.| 22-25. 1 Jehn 2.) & 17. 30. Eph. 2. 
& 8. 3. Dent. 27.; 29. & 3.7. 12. 

26. 2 Cor. 3. 7—9.[n 3. 20. 23. & 10. 5.)q ver. 27. & 1. 19, 
‘Gal. 2. 16—19. &| Luke 10. 25—29.| 20, 1 Cor. 11. 14- 
3. 10, 22, Jam.2.! Gal. 3. 11, 12. Phil. 4, 8. 


16. 2 Cor 1. 12- &} 18, 25, Ps. 9 7, 8.) Acts 10. 42. & 17- 
5.11. 1 Tim. 4.2.) & 50, 6 & 96.13.) 31.2 Tim, 4. le 8- 
Tit. 1. 15. & 98.9, Ee. 3.4%)z 16. 25. 1 Tim 1. 
* Or, between Ape & 11.9 & 12, 14.).11. 2 Tim. 2 8. 


selves. €. 

accusé, or excuse themselves, or each other, 
according to the conformity of their conduct to 
their own sentiments of right and wrong, or the 
contrary. If then the yery Gentiles could net 
but condemn themselves, when they acted 


elaration of the Gospel, for which he was hiere 
only making way : he intimated, that they, who 
really best understood and obeyed the law, 
would most readily embrace the Gospel; and that 
the Jews did not refuse to “obey the truth,” 
from love to the holiness of the law, but from} against thejr own consciences, how absurd and 
edience to unrighteousness.” (Marg. Ref.)| presumptuous must it be for a Jew to expect 

'2—16. No Gentiles could be found, who | justification before God, by a law which he was 


fectly acted according to the light of| continually transgressing'!—This seems to be 
their own dispensation ; so that none could be; the apostle’s argument: but it by no means im- 
justified By their own obedience ; yet, as they had plied, that the Gentiles performed any spiritual 


sinned wit! Tee or without the advantages of| obedience ; or that any of them could be justifi- 
a written authenticated rule for their conduct ;|ed on account of their partial and scanty compli- 


ey Would “ perish without law ;” and be con-jance with the dictates of their own understand- 
signed to a milder punishment than the wicked|ing. As rational creatures, in a fallen state, yet 
Jews would be ; who having sinned in, or under,| not desperate, they sometimes acted more mo- 
the law, would be judged by it, and fail under the} rally, than at other times; and accordingly their 
awful curses denounced in it against the disobe-| consciences approved, or disapproved, of their 
dient.. The Jews indeed were apt to imagine,| conduct: and the same is the case, at this day, 
that the reading and hearing of the law, together| with infidels and mere nominal Christians. 
with “some attention to the legal ceremonies,} This is an earnest and evidence of a future judg- 
would justify them before God, and atone for ali! ment, when God will judge the secret actions, 
their violations the moral precepts : just as} thoughts, motives, and affections of all men, by 
many professed @firistians expect to be justified |his Son Jesus Christ ; which was one principat 
by some general attendance on outward ordi- doctrine of the Gospel, that Paul preached both 
» nances, and a deceacy of moral conduct, though|to Jews and Gentiles.—As the apostle plainly : 
_ they are habitually guilty of many known sins.|says, that, “as many as have sinned without | 

- But the apostle declared, that the mere hearers} law, shall perish without law ;” it is rather : 

E the law could not be justified by it: if they|surprising that any expositors should have 
FOU Id seek atceptance in this way, they must be; thought the case of Job and his friends, and Cor- 
rs of the law: and if any thus perfectly per-| nelius, to be referred to. Probably, Job lived 
mec its righteous demands, he might then in-fig@nd died before the law ; and he had traditional 

claim t! e reward of righteousness, but not] reyelatjon, as the patriarchs had ; and Cornelius, 

Se. GWote, Luke x. 25—29 ) For even| though not observant of the ceremonial law, had 
16 had not the written law, when| the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and by the 
es they performed any of! grace of God had studied them to good pur- 
c jaw required, were, inj pose. The apostie’s object evidently was, to 
this respect, a law to thems€lyes: and by obey-| convince his readers, that neither revelation, nor 
“ing thus far their own rule, came nearer to righ-| the light of reason and conscience, could save 

teousness, than the Jews, who brake their rule.| those who failed of obeying them ; that all had : 

The fragments of the law, which had originally| in many things failed, however in particular in- | 


been written i he heart, exerting their influ-|‘starees some had béen obedient ; and that all 
ence by anatural sense of right and wrong, ap-| must perish, though ewith different degrees of - 
peared in their works, Their consciences also| ag: ravation, unless saved by the Gospel. * Heli 
testified to the propriety of this part of their con-|* hath no power over sinners of Isr because 
duct, and produced an inward satisfaction :|* Abraham and Isaac descended thithe to fetch 
whilst, at the same time, their secret thoughts,|* them thence. No circumcised person goes ta 
or their reasonings one with another, served to’ * hell; Gog having promised to deliver them 


/_ 


Pe 


A BD. 61. 


and » restest in the law and ¢ mak 
boast of God, a 
i8 And 4 knowest Avs will, at 
provest the things thet are more € 
€ being instructed out of the ior 
19 And f art confident t 
self art a guide of the blind,’ 
them which are in darkness> 
S0 An instructor of the foolish, » a 
teacher of babes, whey ‘hast ? the. form 


gm ver. 28, 29 & 9.1 9.13. 14, Bs. 147.) 28- 16—26. Mark 
4-7. Ps. 135. 4. Ise} 19,20. Luke 12. 47,} 10:15. Jolin 7; 45— 
Ag. 1, 2. Matt. 3. John 13817. 1 Cor.} 49. & 9. 34, 40, 41- 
2k 8. 11, 12.John} 8. 1, 2. 4. 17; 1 Cor. 3. 18- & 4. 
8.33. 2 Con 11. 22./f O st the| 10.& 8.1, 2 Rey. 


thou thy- 
a light of 


Gal. 2. 15. Eph. 2. differs 8. 17, 18. 
31. Phil. 3. 3-7. argeig Is. "49. 6. 9, 10. 
—s 2-9. & 3, 1. s, 5. 21. Heb,| Matt. 4. 16- & 5 


14, Luke “1. 79. 
Acts 26. 18 Phil. 
i 15, 

h Matt. 11. 95. 1 
Cor. 8.1. Heb, 5. 


M15. 4. Ps. 19. 8. & 
119. 98—100. 104, 
s 105. 130. Prov. 6. 
45,1 23.2 Tim. 3, 15— 
¢ 9. 28,29.) 17, 13. 1 Pet.-2. 2. 
. & 48.]0 Prov. 26.12. Is.5.]i 6. 17. 2 Tim. 1 
By 1. Johu| 21, & 56. 10. Matt.| 13. &3.5, Tit. 


Aly 6.25 & 15. 14. &} 16. 
a Deut. 4.8. Neh. 


ven 23, & Ge 


from it, for the mérit of circumcision. All 
Israehites have their portion in the world to 
come; and that notwithstanding their sins: 
yea, though they were condemned here for 
their wickedness” (Extracts from Jewish 
writers in Whitby.) Ut would not be easy, to 
produce any passage from modern writers, in 
which proud self- righteousness and rank antino- 
mianism are so completely combined : but a 
considerable portion of the same leayen may of- 
ien be discerned both among papists and pro- 
testants j 
¥V. 17—24. In order to understand this chap- 
ter, it should be, remembered, that the apostle 
is combating the prejudices and presumption of 
the Jews: to whom he exzpected the epistle 
would be shown, and whose influence he knew 
would be employed to unsettle the minds of the 
pelievers at Rome. 'The Gentiles are, therefore, 
only, introduced by way of illustrating the argu- 
ment, and not in or Ger to show in what way they 
should be justified. The apostle here immediate- 
iy addressed bisa to-any Jew, that was willing 
10 take up the argument. He supposed him 9 rest 
his hope ‘of acceptance on the law, and to boast 
of God, asstanding in a covénant-relation to 
him. . He thought himself well acquainted with 
the will of God: ; and, as an expert casuist, he 
could. “ distinguish things which differed,” and 
eive the preference to such as were more excel- 
Tent, having from his youth been instructed, or 
ediechised, from the law. In this confidence he 
thought himself qualified to guide and enlighten 
tke blind and benighted Pagans, and to instruct 
such as became proselytes, whom he deemed 
joolish, and mere babes compared with himself; 
as he had got a complete knowledge of the whole 
Taw, having an epitome, or ‘abstract, of it in 
his memory : yet this was but a mere form, sem- 
alunce, aud appearance of the spiritual 
knowledge and true meaning of the law, which, 
rightly understood, would Icad him to trust in 


a a Aan % 


k Ps, 50. 


_ ROMANS. “oe 


of knowled: 


21 Thou » 
another, teac 
that preachest a 
dost thou steal? — RS 

22@@hou that saye: 
commit: adultery, 
adultery ? thou that 
thou commit sacrile; 

23 Thou ° that make 
law, through breakin 
nourest thou God?) 

24 For Pp the name of ¢ 
phemed among the bi aiepe 
4 as it Is written, — 


16—21.} Matt. 21 
Matt. 23. 3, &ed 14. 

Luke 4. 23. & 11./m Jer 5.7 
46. & 12. 47. & 19 est Sate 
22. Or, 9. 27. 
Gal eal oe 
1—7. 

1 Is. 56. 11. 
12,13. 27. A 
4—6. Mic. 3 11. 


even obeying the precepts ¢ c 
to his own exposition ; as i 
to instruct others, and not | 
meant to ‘insult the ae , 


Did such a man esplae and eé 
against theft, and then pract 
Did he commit adultery, after 
plaining the seventh comm 
sacrilegiously embezzle the s 
defraud the Lord of his dues, 
trous love of money, after 
abhorrence of idolatry? It 
many of the chief-priests, 

who appeared most zealous 
guilty of these and simifar erin 
who rejected the Gospel and mat 
in the law, would be found to dis! 
by evidently breaking it. For; i 
of God was blasphemed : 
they were set against true 
edness of the Jews; as 1 
Scriptures, and was ac 
y the prophets against t 
Ref. ) The terms here Sell 
Gentiles, aptly expose they arroy 
of the Jews. * This passage 
‘ from the Jewish writings 
‘ he who teacheth ot! 
¢ himself, is lik, 
‘ in his hand ) 
« himself doth Ok % in da 
Ke. (24) £ Of this, Jose 
€ accuse | hem, ‘saying,’ Oe 
* you ‘conceal or hide, 
© your enemies ? You Ba ‘in 
« ness, strive daily who shall be most vile, mak- 
s ing a show of your wickedness, as if it were 
€ virtue? § And thinkest thou this, O man, that 


[* thou shalt escape the judgment of ica who . 


v to them: 


¥ ver. «eet 


é ‘cumcision verily profiteth, 
A he law + s but if thou be a 


Py aaa tif the ungircumcision 

sp the righteousness of law, shall 

jot his uncircumcision be counted for 
‘eircumcision ? 

97 And shall not uncircumcision which 

is by nature, "if it fulfil the law, * judge 


Matt. 3. 15. & 5. 
17—20. Acts 13, 22. 
Gal. 5. 14, 
xs Ey 16. 48—52. 
Matt. 12. 41, 42. 
Heb. 11.7. 


t Is. 56. 6,7. Matt. 
8.11, 12. & 15. 28. 
Acts 10. 2—4, 34. 
& 11.3, &c« 1 Cor. 
7. 18, 19. Phil. 3. 
3. Col. 2. 11. 

us 4. & 13. 10. 


3, 2. & 4. 11, 12. 
. Deut. 30. 6. Jer. 4. 
4. Gal. 5. So & 
6.15. Eph, 2, 12. 
s ver. 23. Jer. 9. 25, 
26. Acts 7. 51. 


.§ punisheth the Gentiles, when thou art as guilty 
* as they of acting agzinst thy own conscience, 
© and doing that for which thy own mouth con- 
¢ demns thee; and. which doth also cause’ them 
« to  blaspheme that holy name by which thou 
« art called 2 (MWhitby.) 
V. 25—29. Though chargeable with the 
ssest violations of the moral law, the Jews 
confided in circumcision, as if it had secured 
4 covenant-relation to God. But the apostle 
ed them that, though circumcision, and 


vantageous to the conscientious Jew who 
1 the example of Abraham ; especially in 
ng him acquainted with the oracles of 
» and preparing him to receive the Gospel : 

they could not profit the presumptuous trans- 


_ gressor, who rested in them, and neglected that 


** righteousness by faith” of which it was the 
Seal. If a man cleaved to the law, he must per- 
fectly obey it, in order to justification ; circum 

cision made “ him a debtor to fulfil the whole 
“ law ;” and his transgressions cast bim out 
of the covenant of God, as if te had never been 
circumcised. On the other hand, if an uncir- 
cumeised tile should regulate his conduct 
i to the righteousness prescribed by the 
law ; ought he not to be deemed one of God’s 

true worshippers, notwithstanding his uncircum- 
cision? Such Gentiles, as were taught by divine 
grace, thus to love and serve God, would, like 
Cornelius, embrace the Gospel when proposed 
and thus in uncirc¢umcision, the exter- 
jal natural state of man, they being made parta- 
ofan inward spiritual change, would judre 


and the outward circumcision, had no 
it on to obedience. For, in fact, 
e ounted a Jew, or one of God’s 
chosen people F 3 only soin his outward 
profession or descent ; or Was that the true cir 
cumcision, the true a of the covenant, which 
was outward in the flesh. But he was the real Jew, 
or child of Abraham, who had the inward dis. 
position o! 
and that was the true circumcision, yoch w 
wrought in the heart by regeneration ; accord- 
ing to the spiritual meaning, and not the mere. 


he was aot to 


i letter, of the law: producing an inward confor. | 


mity of the judgment and affections to its holy 


1) CHAPTER HL Be | 


mn the Jew, who, having the letter) 


s believing and obedient progenitor ;| “ knoweth all things.” The excuses which num- 


4 


A. D: 61. 
who yby the letter and circumci- 
ost transgress the law? 
for 2 he is not a Jew which is’ one 
rdly ; 4 neither is chaz circumcision 
is outward i in the flesh: 

at he 7s a Jew which is one in- 
: and circumcision is that of re 
heart, 4 in tf es 
e whose prais 
y ver. 20. 29. & 7 a . 10—12. 1 Pet. 3. 
6—8. 2 Cor. 3. 6. - i 
Zz 9.6—8. Ps. 73.1. 
Is, 1. 9-15, & 48. 
1,2. Hos, 1. 6—9, 
Matt. 3.9. John 1, 


47. & & 37-39. 
b > 6. 15. Rev. 2. 


30. 6. Jer, 

Col. 2. £1, 12+ 
id ver. 27. & 7. 6.& 
14. 17. John 3, 5— 


4. 4 


16.%e 1 
29.17. Ps, 45. 


, 40, 8 17. 21. 
23, 2a 1} Cor. 10, 18. 1 Thes. 
ae 2. As 1 Pet. 3. 4. 
a ier. 9. 26. Rom.|c Deut. ye 16. & 


precepts. This indeed men could not see, or 
would not approve and commend, but rather de- 
spise and hate; but God would : approve, com- 
mend, and value it, So that, though the out- 
ward seal was, for the time, necessary ; yet the 
inward grace, or the thing signified, was always 
far more excellent: and the former was now 
superseded by the Christian dispensation, and 


could be of no use to those who tenaciously ad- 


hered to it. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
: V. 1—6. 

The censures, which men pass on others, who 
perhaps justly deserve them, may yet render 
themselves more inexcusable, while they do the 
same things. The branches of man’s disobedi- 
ence are numerous, yet they all spring from the 
same root ; nor can any one judge another to be 
deserving of divine wrath, without at the same 
time condemning himself: for, though he may 
not have committed the same crimes; yet he 
hath been guilty of the same apostacy from God, 
and rebellion against him, and is equally charge- 
able with sinning against his better judgment in 
yarious ways. Frequently, superior advantages 


render a man’s apparently lighter offences more’ 


aggravated in the sight of God, than the more 
scandalous sins of his worse educated neighbour, 
against which he vehemently declaims. We 
are indeed very incompetent judges of the com- 
parative heinousness of men’s conduct : but it is 


certain that the judgment of God is, and will be, 


“ according to truth,” against all who break 
his law and reject his grace. To him we ought 
to leave others, and to be chiefly concerned te 
judge ourselves, and to seek mercy according 


to his blessed Gospel If our feilow-sinners can- © 


not stand before us in judgment ; how shall we, 
who are guilty of the same things, escape the 
righteous condemnation of a heart-searching 
God? In deciding against them we pass sen- 
tence upon ourselves ; and “if our heart con- 
«demn us, God is greater than our heart and 


bers make for their misconduct,’ May very com- 


-)monly be turned against them ; nor would men 


In general be so daringly wicked, were it not for 
their experience of God’s long- suffering, and 
their eau notions of his etsy et they, 


A.D. 61. 


CHAP. Hil. 
The advantages of the Jews, 1,2. Fhe iacice 
of some, does not render the faith of God of no 
effect, 3, 4; who is just in punishing sin, ‘though 


who thus “ despise the riches of his goodness 
«and forbearance,” and grow more bold in re- 
bellion by that kindness, which should “lead 
“them to repentance,” will find at last that they 
have “been sinning against their own souls ;’ 
and that their hard and impenitent hearts have 
_ Jed them“ to treasure up wrath against the day 
~ ¢c@f wrath, and revelation of the righteous judg- 
« ment of God.” Indeed this is the daily em- 
ployment of every unbeliever ; and he adds to 
his store with the rapidity, of increase, propor- 
tioned to his crimes and abused advantages. He 
himself will certainly réap the harvest that he 
now sows, and the lomger he is spared in the 
long-suffering of God, the more terrible will be 
the day of righteous retribution ; in case he pro- 
ceed in this destructive course. 
Vv. 7—16. 

The questions concerning justification, election, 
or efficacious grace, should be kept distinct from 
those that relate to.the character and conduct 
of the righteous and the wicked. If a man can- 
not be satisfied with an earthly portion, but as- 
pires after glory, honour, and immortality ; ; and 
if he seeks this inheritance, by faith'in the pro- 
mises of God, and patient continuance in well 
doing ; he doubtless is in the way to eternal life. 
But if men quarrel with the precepts and sanc- 
tion of God’s holy law, with his decrees and dis- 
pensations, and with his truths and ordinances, 
or with any thing rather than their sins; if they 
*‘ do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteous- 
«ness ;” and live in allowed. violations of the 
divine law ; no doubt they are m the broad road 
to destruction, and if they proceed. in that path, 
indignation and: wrath will overtake them, to 
whatever church or sect: they may belong. In- 
deed, tribulation and anguish must come upon 
allimpenitent evil-doers : but glory, honour, and 
peace will be awarded to all, “who are taught 
*« by the grace of God to live soberly, righteous- 
«ly, and godly, in the present world,” “for there 
“is no respect of persons with God.” What- 
ever may now be objécted to this, from some 
doctrines ill understood, or from appearances in 
providence which are misconstrued, it will be 
made manifest to allthe world, * in the day when 
“ God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus 
*¢ Christ ;” as he hath assured us he will, im his 
holy Gospel. Then they, who, not having the 
written word, have sinned against the dictates of 
their own consciences, will be proved guilty, and 
condemned by that rule. They, that have sin- 
ned against the law of God. which was made 
known to them, will be judged and punished ac- 
cording to that law: and the professors of the 
Gospel will be shown to have been either true 
believers or hypocrites, according to the effects 
produced by the truth on theiz tempers,and con- 
duct. For if the very Gentiles were a law unto 
themselves and-each other, when they acted con- 
trary to “ the workof the law, written in their 
 heavts:” how absurd must it be for any, man 


ROMANS. <oF 


red to be the guides of the blind, and the 


he takes g/t it; 
5—8. Pass h 


to expect ace 
which he hears™and dis 
when he does not practi 
can indeed be justified by bi 
cause all men deviate from 
nearer they act in conformity t 
and convictions, the lighter w 
demnation ; and the greater the 
is betwee: their known rule, and their 
practice, the more aggravated must bi 
guilt, when the secrets of men shall be 
to light, and all these infinitely important 
cerns shall be determined by the omniscient and 
righteous Judge. 
Vv. 17—29. . 
The Jew, who rested in the law, and made 


his bo: f God, and was p his superior 
bnowlldie and attainments ait at the last day 
be more deeply coridemned, than tl 1e blind Gen- 
tile whom he so greatly dis: ae 


who call themselves Christians, an al 
ed many right notions of the Gospel asa stem, 
and so deem themselves the children or : 
though they obey not the t uth 5 will perish more 
dreadfully than their n ieighba 
who have sinned against Ie ‘ light an rior 
advantages. Indeed the sermons which Tm: 
preach, and the books which they publish, Wi 
testify against them ; and it behooves minis 
especially, to be very jealous over themselves In 
this respect : for it is far more congenial to the 


self-flattery of our hearts to instruct others, rai : 
the : 


to bear the yoke ourselves. Many teach 
hearers the truth and will of God, who never _ 
teach themselves; they lay down ‘good rules, 
but never practice them : and the discoveries o 


the great day will how, that some, who spate 


of such as sat in darkness, Were in 
men, adulterers, or sacrilegious -mercenarie 
Numbers despise their ignorant neighbours f 
resting in a dead form of godliness, a a 
themselves trust in a form of kno 
is equally lifeless and ae, 
glory in the Gospel, whose unho) 
honour God, and cause his name a 
blasphemed. among his enemies. 
forms, ordinances, or notions can profit 
out regenerating grace, which will alway 
tually lead us to seek an interest in 
“ eousness of God by faith,” The dij 
tween truth and error, and betw 
nances and human inventior 
ble and most important : yet 2 
to God, who maintains some er 
some superstitions, and forms i impr 
sions in respect of some divine instit 
another, who is very clear in his notio ' 
act in externals, may be dead in sin, uncircum- 
cised in heart; and, through the letter and the 
outward form, he may’deceive himself, and be a 
scandal to the Gospel. For he is no more a 
Christian now, than he was a Jew of old, who is 


| CHAPTER 


20. The righteousness of. Goa with- 
: is upon all that believe without any 


gs 61 


: e the les of God. 

Gentiles, all must be justified by IME free = Ee RSE af some did ot believe? 
F God, through faith'in Christ, and the re-|@ Shall'their unbelief make the faith of 
ion of his blood, that God may be glorified, without effect? 

boasting excluded, 23—50. This establishes} 4 h God forbid : yea, i Jet God be 
caked Si. every man a liar; as it is 
it thou mightest be justified 


a 


WAT a advantage then hath the}. 
: Jew? or what profit is there of 
SiGuineision ? 

“2 Much every way: chiefly, © be- 


when thon art 


d 1 Cor. 9. 17. 2 Cor, 
5.19. Gal. 2.7. 1 
Tim. 6. 20. 

e Acts 7. 38. Heb} 1 


40. 8. Ps. 100, 3 
5.2 Tim| & 119. 160. & 138, 
» 6. 13—] 2. Mio. 7. 20. John 
3,33. 2 Cor. 1. 18¢ 
#6. 2. Tit. 1. 2. Heb, 6. 
& 9 38. 1 John 5. 10. 
11, 1-7. Heb, " L 11.j 20. Rev. 3, 7. 

g li. 29. Num, 23. Luke 20. re: 6. 1 Cor, Ps. 62, 9. & 1éy 
19. 2Sam. 15. 29. 6. 15. G 1% &} 11. 

Is, 54. 9,10. & 55.) 3.21. & 6. 14, 1 Job 36. 3. Ps. 51s 
1l. & 65. 15, 16.]i Deut. 32. 4. Job| 4, Matt. 11.29. 


a2 25-29. Gen.} 15-23. 28,29, 11, 12. Luke 16.29 

25, 32. Ec. 6. 8. lisJe 2. 18. & 9. 4.) —31. John 5.. 39. 

Is. 1. 11—15, Mal.| Deut. 4-7, 8. Neh.| 2 Tim. S. 15—17. 

E36 ee: 32. it ¥, 14. Ps. 78, 2 Pet 1. 19-2 
& 147. 19, 20.; Rev. 19. 10 

Drew Se il. 1. 2. Tse *. 20. Eze 20. 


nerations, to direct them how to seek acceptance 
with God, and to walk before him. In them 
the Messiah was promised, and the various par- 


one outwardly ; “ neither is that baptism which 
“js outward in the flesh :” but he is the real 
Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with 
an obedient faith; and the true baptism is that of 
Be dear, by “ the washing of régeneration, and 
e renewal of the Holy Ghost,” producing a 
spiritual mind, and a cordial subjection to the 
th, in its holy import and tendency. A Chris- 

an of this character will seldom be much ap- 
ved by zealots of any party, any more than by 
v0 d at large : but he will be accepted of 
od, and at length welcomed with “ Well done, 
‘good and faithful servant, enter thou into the 


and kingdom, were typified and predicted = 


appointed time; in him the Scriptures were ful- 
filled before their eyes, and numbers of them 
fad believed™in, and found salvation by him.— 
Oracles, &c. (Marg. Ref.) Some think the 
Scriptures are thus called, with reference to the 
oracular answers, which the high-priest deliver- 
ed, when he consulted the Lord by the breast. 
plate ef judgment, (WVete, Ex. xxviii. 30.) im- 


NOTES. 

CHAP. lil. V.1, 2. Hf disobedient Jews 
could not be accepted, and.if pious Gentiles 
might be saved ; it might be inquired what ad- 
vantage the Jew had above the Gentile, or what 

¥ good circumcision did him ? The whole Old Tes- 
tament implied, that God had peculiarly favour- 
ed theposterity of Abraham ; and the law, to- 
gether with the seal of circumcision, had been 
supposed to conyey some special privileges: and 
did the apostle mean to level all these distine- 
. tions, and to prove that the Jews had no adyan- 
tage from their relation to Abraham and their 
national covenant ? To this he replied, that they |< 
had doubtless much benefit from them in every 
way. The law and circumcision could not in- 

“deed save them in their sins, or by their own ef- 
et they gave them great advantages for 
@ salvation. The stated ministry of the 
le Gecasional messages of the prophets, 
ces of the temple, the worship at their 


ly the word of God,, as the oracles thus deliver- 
ed had been.—‘ This is so remarkable and im- 
‘ portant a testimony to the divine inspiration of 
* the OJd Testament in general, that it can leave 
* no doubt concerning the full persuasion of St. 
* Paul on this head.” (Doddridze.)— Committed, 
&e. Or, ‘ they were intrusted ‘with the oracles 
“ ofGod”” (Gal. ii.7. t Thes. ii. 4 Gr.) ‘The 
‘oracles of God were deposited with the Jews, 
« not to keep to themselves, but to publish them 
‘toallthe world besides—But because they 
¢ did not this work sufficiently, it is Christ’s ap- 
€ pointment to the apostles, that they should dis- 

perse themselves urito all nations, and so bring 
* them to the knowledge of his will” (Hammond) 
—it behooves Christians in every age to remem- 


them also, in order that they may communicate 
the blessing)to all around them, and to alk who 
shall come after them, by every proper means, to 
the utmost of their ability. (Vote, ix. 4, 5.) 

V. 3,4. What if some, if the greater part 
of the nation, from carnal and ambitious mo- 
tives, had obstinately, and wickedly rejected 
this divine Saviour? Did their unbelief render 
she faithfuiness of God ineffectual? He had ful- 


L = ducation in an atquaintance 
- with the true Go at a distance from idola. 

try, the many good examp ples that were set be- 
fore them, and the dispensations of providence 


respecting them, were meanz of grace, which 
page ma effectual to the conversion |filled his promises to their fathers; and if they 
of more sin that one pation, than were }would not receiye and submit to the seed of 


converted in all the rest of the world. But es- 
pecially the oracles of God, the sacred writings 
of Moses and the prophets, were committed to 
them ; and the written word of God had been| 
continued among them (through their screral ge- 


Abraham and of David; could they pretend 
at God had failed of bis word, because he 
would not continue his special favour to them 
notwithstanding their disob ci 
wickedness? God forbid, that such a thosght 


ticulars of his character, miracles, redemptions 


among the Jews he made his appearance in“the © 


plying that they were as immediately and entire- © 


ber, that the Scriptures are thus intrusted to - 


5 But ™if our unrighteousnes 
mend the righteousness of God, 
shall we say? ° Js God unrighteor 
taketh vengeance? (P I speak as a’man,) 

6 1God forbid: * for then how shall 
God judge the world? a 

; J 
Ben. 18. 25. Job 
8.3, & 34. 17—19. 

Ps. 9, 8 & 11. 5— 
7. & 50, 6. & 96. 13. 


&°98, 9. Acts: 17. 
31. 


Ps, 58. 10, 11. & 
94. 1,2. Nah. 1. 2, 
6-8, 2 Thes. 1.6=' 
9. Rev, 15. 3, 4. & 
16. 5—7. & 18.20: 
p 6-19. 1 Cor. 98. 
Gal, 3. 15. 


m ver. 7. 25, 26. & 
5.8, 20, 21. 

n4.1.& 6.1.87 
7. & 9.13, 14. 

© 2,5.& 3,19. & 9. 
18—20. & 12. 19. 
Deut. 32. 39—43, 


should be allowed in anyone’s mind! “ Let it 
not be,” (for that is the litteral translation of the 
words ;) let every mam rather humbly acknow- 
ledge, the veracity faithfulness of God ; 
though it should reqtfire him to suppose, that all 
men were liars, hypocrites, or deceivers, as every 
one in some degree must be allowed tobe. (Ps. 
Lsii. 9.) Let the blame of the rejection of the 
Messiah rest on ¢hem and their hypocrisy, and 
not be supposed to reflect upon the faithfulness 
of God; even as David, when he had commit- 
ted grievous offences, acknowledged that God 
was by his crimes, justified in his declarations 
concerning the desperate wickedness of the hu- 


man heart ; and that this humiliating event was’ 


permitted, to display more clearly his truth, jus- 
tice, and mercy ; and that God might be fully 
vindicated from all those presumptuous char- 
ges, by which men venture to arraign the testi- 
monies of his word, the threatenings of his law, 
or the dispensations of his providence. (Vote, 
Ps. li. 4.) 

V. 5—8. To the foregoing conclusion of the 


‘apostle, the cavilling Jews might reply, that if 


their unrighteousness gave occasion to the more 
illustrious manifestation of the divine justice, or 
rather of showing more evidently the necessity 
and excellency of “ the righteousness of God” 
for man’s justification ; would he not be unrigh- 
teous, if he took vengeance on them, for those 
actions which eventually displayed his glory? 
This objection the apostle adduced as a man, an 
unbeliever, a carnal unregenerate man, who pur- 
posed to justify himself, and find fault with the 
sentence of God against him.—In fact, the wick- 
edness and obstinate unbelief of the Jews, fully 
proved, the need which all men have of “ the 
*§ righteonsness of God by faith,” and also his 
justice, in punishing them for their sins, and in 
the sentence ‘of the law against ‘all transgres- 
sors ;‘and thus in every sense it * commended 
«his righteousness.” Yet the thought, that it 
would be unjustin him to take vengeance on 
them, ought to be rejected with abhorrence: 
for, if he could not justly punish those crimes, 
which made way for the display of his glory, 
how could he judge the world ? In that case he 
never could inflict vengeance on any criminal, 
for he will take occasion from the rebellion of 
ail fallen creatures, to display his own glorious 
perfections to the greater advantage: though 
the intention of transgressors, and the natural 
tendency of their conduct, are diametrically 


ba 
iy aut 5 


7 For s if the truth 
abounded through my 
t why yet am [ : 

8 And not 7 
ously reported, 
we say,) * Let usd 
come? whose damna is j 


[Practical Observations.) 


S$ Gen. 37. 8, 9.20.) Kings 8 10—154_ 
& 44.14. & 50. 18--| Matt. 26. 34. 69 
20. Ex. 3, 194 & 14s} 75. la 
5. 80. 1 Kings 13.|t 9. 19, 20. Is, 10-6, 
17, 18. 26—32, 2] 7. Acts 2. 23~25. 


ged as 


~ 
* 


fully the malignity of sin, as committed 
a Being of such infinite wisdom, power and f 
fection, that he educes good to his creation, 
glory to himself, from those very actions, +! we 
naturally tend to the destruction of his crea- 
tures, and the dishonour of his name. This ob- 
jection might for substance be stated in another ~ 
way : Suppose the truth of God, in his predic-: 
tions, promises, or denunciations, should be more 


abundantly manifested to his ¢ 

telling a wilful lie: why should 
ished for giving occasion to the 
glory? Yet every one must see, | 
told was directly contrary to the 
and merely the occasion of disp’ 
the event could not deduct from the 
the lie. If it were in any case admitt 
violation of the law of God ceased t 

nal, because his glory was eventually p 
by it; then the slanderous report sp 
cerning the Christians, by those who, mis 
the doctrine of free-grace, affirmed th 
said; “Let us do evil, that good might 
would indeed be established as a general 
ple, and as the rule of man’s conduct ins! ei 
the law of God. But in fact, the condemnation — 


of such, as thus abused the gospel, or ae) 4g 
mitted sin that good might come from it, was ~ : 
most righteous. The blame of their sins belonged © 
only to themselves, the honour of the good edu- — 

ced from them, to God alone.—Different f 
ions indeed are advanced concerning oe 


sons, of whom the apostle said, * whose 
* tion is just.” Some interpret it” 
and others who reject the 
proposition, though true, seems 
of the context, or belong to the 
ers apply the awful sentence to th 
tors, who charged the Christians” 

“ Let us do evil that good may come 
clause, “as we be slanderously re 
is, I think, properly included in» 
that it may not interrupt’ th 
The apostle evidently 
God may justly, and will certs 
sins,. which yet eventually proy 
more conspicuously manifesting: hi i 
if this were not the case, it might at 
*©us do evil that good may come ™ but on the 

contrary, whatever blasphemers may assert, this | 
proposition: is so contrary to the real nature and 
genius of the Gospel, that every intelligent minis- 
ter or Christian will be forward to allow the con- 


4 


x 


© morality, and a main principle of reasonings on 


13 


- gélves in sin, under a vain imagination that good 


i ‘aon numbers, who are zealous for the Gospel, 


_ ithere is none that doeth good, no, not one. 


&. Lake 7% 89, &| 2 1~3. 1John Lg Ex. 32. 6. Ps. 14, 


1 Pete 1, 16. 


to its consequences, is destructive of all ‘practi- 
cal religion ; and against, those, who professing 


eng at 
. 
. 


teous, no, not one: 
1 There is none that ada uaceh 
ehere i is none that seeketh after God. _ 
- 12 They € are all gone out of the way, 
they are together » become unprofitable ; 


y ver. 5. & 6,15. &lc Ps 1d 1-3. & 53, 1 John 5. 20. 
1b 70 1 Cor, 10, 19.) 1-3. £8. 7. Job 21.15. 16. 
il ex, 23. Job 14. 4:) Is, 9. 73. & 31. 1. 
18. » Be 16.14, & 25. ae & 65. 6. & 65. 1 
B Vers 22, 23s Is. 65.) Mark 10. 18, Eph,! Hos. 7. 10. 9 


18 9—14. 1 Cor. < dj) B10. 3. Ke. 7, 29: Is. 53. 
€ 1. 22.28, Ps. 14.| 6. & 59. 8, Jer. & 

* ak Warned. 1.28,) 2. 4, & 53. 2.4, &| 13. Eph. 2 3, 1 

 &e. & 21, &e. 104, 8. Prov. 1. 74 Pet, 2.25. 

f Gal. 3. 10. 22. 22,29, 30: Is. 27.Jh Gen 1. 31. & 6. 

b ver. 4. & 11. 8. &] 11, Jer. 4.22. Hoss} 6,7. Matt. 25. 30, 

/ 15. 3, 4. Is. 8. 20.) 4.6. Matt. 13. 13,) Philem. 11. 

“14. 19 Vite 35 3.li-Psy 53-1. Eee 7 


cite to be undeniably righteous. . (Vote, 
1,2.) The floodgates of licentiousness. are 
by such a view of the Gospel. Even 


ae religious Lin often tolerate, nay, 


icate a. because good is thus done, 
ay the standard of integrity is, (dread- 
say,) fixed lower in some particulars 


an among respectable worldly people, who 
are, by observing these things, exceedingly pre- 
judiced against, evangelical truth. _ Nay, the 
same false principle ‘is brought forward, in an- 
Other and more fashionable form, whed: utility, 
and net the lawof God, is made the standard of 


moral obligation. It is, on these accounts, 
most obyious to suppose, that the apostle meant, 
“though in a cursory manner, to bear a most de. 
cisive testimony against a maxim, which, carried 


<aoting countenanced and acted se atc 


from. the. second verse... The ee of 
ws were many; but wefe they berter than. 
és, or more able to justify themselyes 


heir own works, or without “ the 
“s righteous 88 of faith?” This could by no 
_®eans be adn -; for it had been proved, or 


“rather charged “pen bot Jews and Gentiles, 
* that they were all unc der si ”. They bad all, 
in manifold instances, violated the known rule of 
their conduct, and were under cc yndemination as 
transgressors, unless delivered by the mercy and 
grace of God® To this indictment, on which the 
Gentiles had been convicted, the Jews pleaded 
not guilty: and therefore evidence al- 
a brought against then notorious facts, 
the nature of the case; 
Pras ced, several passages: of the ‘scriptures 
against them. fn these it was not ‘intimated 
YOU. Vir ; 


he apostle next ther 


«ona 


ci songien ey have ned de- 


struction and aes are in their 


their eyes. 
‘ ! 
18. Is, 59. 7, 8. 


20, Is. 64.6. Eph. 59.3. Jer. § 
2. 8—10- Phil. 2.) Ez.13. 7. ¥ Oats 5 Wy. Ta 57021. & 


12, 13, ‘Pit! 2. 13° 84,35. Jam. 3.5—8.) 59,8) Matt. 7.14, 
14. Jam. 1, 16, 17..7m Deut. 32. 33. . Job Luke 1. 79. 

kK Ps, 5. 9. Jer. 5.| 20. 14—16. Ps, 140: ‘I Gen. 0. 11, Ps. 
16. Matt, 23. 27;)) fata le Prov. 8,135 
28. n Ps. 10. 7 & 59e! S016. 6. & 23. 17 
lL vers 4. Ps. 5.9. &| 19. & 109. 17, 18.) Luke 23. 40. Rete 
12) 3, 4. & 36,3. &} Jam. 9.10, — 19. 5e A 

526 2. ST 6 As. lo Prov. 1. 16. & 6, 2 Bree 


would excuse their crimes, or entitle them to the 
favour of God, as the unbelieving Jews vainly 
imagined, And if these charges were trye of 
the greater part of the nation in former times ; 


;{could ‘it be supposed, that the Jews when the 


apostle wrote were better by nature, or merely 
as circumcised, or as having the lew, than. their 
forefathers had been? It was expressly written 


of them, that in themselves, and by their works, 


there was not one of them righteous: that there 
were none of them who understood the charac- 
ter, truth, and will of God, or their own interest 
and duty : or who sought to know him, and find 
happiness in his favour : they had all forsaken 
the way of holy obedience, they were all become 
unprofitable, i in respect of the great end of their 
creation and their peculiar a advantages ; ; 80 that 
none of them employed themselves in glorifying: 
God, and doing good to man. Their throats, by. 


their insatiable luxury, or rather by their filthy. 


communications, resembled the sepulchre when 
opened to receive the dead, or when. emitting its. 
nauseous and. infectious vapours., 
dissimulation seemed the mair 


use of their 


|tongues; their slanders, seductions, and flatte- 
vies, were under their lips. as. the fatal poison of... 


asps : instead of | pious “and kind words, theiz 
mouths. were ied wit imprecations, perjuries, 
and. bitter re ings ; they. were eager to shed 
blood, in revenge, ambition, or avarice: they 
knew not the ways, in which godly men walk at 


peace with God | and - “their, neighbours ; “and. . 


therefore they went on in those paths, which 


ory 


lead to. misery and ruin, both to themselves, an 


each other. In’short, they had cast the fear of . 


God. behind theiz backs, and habitually disre- 
garded his authority, threatenings, precepts, and 
judgments... sf Ps.¥.9.x.7, Xiy. 1— 
3, Xaxvi, 1. iti 3. Ts, lix., Ta, B) A. 
O dgrace of God, 


the apostle intended very soon to 
Pete Were made to differ bat these 
D. 


aks 


+ OR 


that circumcision, the written law, their ceremos 
nial observances, or their national covenant, : 


Deceit and 


‘these 
squat 


te ees . 
A 


A. D. 61. 


19 Now we know that rwhat’ things 
soever the law saith, it saith to them who 
are under the law; * that every mouth 
may be stopped, t and all the world may 


become * guilty before God. 
20 Therefore " by the deeds of the 
— 


ROMANS. 
law, there shall * no 
his sight: * for by 
ledge of sin, ~~ 


& 4.13. & 9. 32.) 2, 20—2 
Acts 13. 39. Gal.]y Job 15. 
2.16. 19. & 3. 10—} 5, , 
13. & 5. 4. Tit. 30)z 7.79 
5—7. Jain. 2. 9, 10.Ja 1, 17. & 
x Job 25.4. Ps. 130,| 21, & 10,3, 
3. & 143, 2. Jam. 


¥ ver. 2. & 2. 12—|s vere 4. & 2. 20. Bp Cor. 1. 29. 

¥8. John 10. 35. &| 2 1. 1 Sam. 2 Ot ver. 9 23» & 2% 1. 
15.25. 1 Cor. 9. 20,} Job 5. 16. & 9. 9,3.| Gal. 3, 10, 22. 

21. Gal, 3. 23, &| Ps. 107. 42. Ez. 16.{* Ox, sulject to the 
4. 5. 21. & 5618. -} 63. Matt. 22. 12,) judgment of God. 
13, John 8. 9- liu ven 28, 2. 13. 


shows what things are. sinful, 


tions were full to the point, to show the Jews, 
is : whereas, the ceremonial law 


that they were as unable to justify themselves 
before God, as the Gentiles. For if, in the days 
of David and Isaiah, this had been the general 
character of the people’: the acceptance and 
holipess, of any among them, must arise from 
some othengytee than their national covenant 
and external privileges. 

V. 19, 20. © It was well known, that the things 


which were written in the law, or in the Old Tes- 
But there is no law of Go: 


fament, were immediately addressed to those 
who were under the law, and had the benefit of 
divine revelation ; or to fhe nation of Israel, and 
not to the Gentiles. This was intended ‘to si- 
Jence the cayils and objections of the Jews, who 
brake the law, in which they rested; and in- 
deed in this manner, ‘‘ every mouth must be 
“stopped,” and all the world must ecome, or 
be proved, guilty before God : as it was not sup- 
posed that the Gentiles were more free from guilt, 
than the peculiar people of God, Sothat in fact 
every sinner’s plea, must eventually be silenced, 
either now asa humble penitent before the mer- 
cy-seat, or as a condemned criminal, before the 
judgment-seat of God. From these premises it evi- 
dently followed, that no one of the whole fallen 
race of men could be justified before God, by his 


kept ; therefore none, b 
man can be justified, The 
law of his reason and conscien 


justify himself, by observing the 


broke the moral law ; and even the 


contradicted the very nature and inte 
And as to that new law, which re 
obedience as the condition of justifi 
who dream of it, should show us whi ‘ 
promulgated, where it may be mee what 
quires, whom it can condemn, or whom it Gan 
justify. When this is done, it may be worth while 
toshow, that it makes void both the law and the 
Gospel : that it introduces a new, vague, and un- 
intelligible rule of duty, which every man may . 


hes 
ay" 


7 


interpret according to his own inclinations; that 


own obedience tothe law : for by the lawsin is dis- | it introduces boasting, and unites together phate | | 
covered, exposed, and condemned. The straight- | saical pride, and antinomian licentiousness. Cae 
ness of that perfectrule makes known the crook- | this vague, unscriptural notion, which is replete & 


edness of men’s dispositions and actions; and it 
must therefore convict the transgtessor as guilty, 
instead of pronouncing him not guilty, or a 
righteous person. Every attentive reader must 
observe, that the apostle used the word Jaw, ina 
variety of meanings ; which is rather to be con- 
sidered as the defect of human language, than 
theresult of any ambiguity in his style. But the 
context will generally show how the word is to 
be understood : and common sense, united with 
a teachable spirit, will usually determine this 
better than critical learning ; which is too often 
employed rather to perplex what is plain, than 
to clear up what is obscure. The nature'of the 
argument requires us to suppose that the apostle 
means the sacred Scriptures in general, whenhe 
saith, * whatsoever the law saith :” for the quo- 
tations were not from the law of Moses, and it is 
evident the whole Old Testament was thus spo- 
ken of. (Marg. Ref.) When he spoke of the 
Jews, as “ under the law,” he evidently meant 
the whole legal dispensation, by which they were 
distinguished from the Gentiles. But when he 
says, ‘ by the law is the knowledge of sin,” he 
must be understood of the moral law especially, 
the extent, spirituality, and excellency of which, 


with such complicated absurdities, so well suits 
men’s natural indolence of thought immatters of 
religion ; serves so conveniently ea 
quiet conscience with a worldly! 

incides with their enmity against 
ness of the law, and the hamil 
the Gospel ; that perhaps it dee 
than all other false systems: 
gether, in this superficial dissipa 
© law, which is the publishing of 
* penalty, we are not delivered fi 
‘ of sin, nor can it help men te 
but by law we come exp 
sin, in the power and fore 
it prevail upon us, notwi 
‘ment of ‘déath is annexet 4 
(Notes, ‘vii.)—* The knowledg of sin, 
‘ chiefly’ by the moral law, (vii- 0 
* the apostle excludes that as well a 

© monial law, from justification = 
© is, that the anw#thests runs all along, not between 

© moral and ceremonial works; but between 
‘ works in general and faith? (Whitby.) Ne~ 
flesh; Means, none born of fallen Adam’s race, 
(1—5. 9. John iii. 6.) SoM ya 


“ a #4 


s 
aS 


| 
{ 
| 
| 
4 


ore Kae cath ee oe aes 
a a 
AyD. 61a" > ? so CHAPTER it. sit ya rel 


utthe lawis manifested, » being 


ec e law © and the prophets ; 
yen the righteousness of God 


fand upon all them that believe; § 
for there is no difference :. 
23 


sho ‘k of the glory of God: 

24 Being | justified freely by his grace, 

-mthrough the redemption that is in Christ 
Jesus ; 


‘Deut. 18. 15—19.Je 446. 11, 22. Gal.| Gal. 3.22. 1 John 
Make 24, 44. John! 2.16. & 3.6. Jam.) 1- 810. 
01.45. & 3 14, 15.) 2, 23. i Heb. 4.1, 

Xe 5. 46, 47. Acts|f Is. Gl. 10. Matt.|k 5. 2 1 Thes, 2. 

—* 96. 22. Heb. 10. 1—} 22.11, 12. Luke 15.| 12. 2Thes. 2. 14. 

Asn ae et aay Gals 3. 7—95 1Pet.4. 13, & 5. 
e 1.2 Acts 3.21—|g 2. 1. & 10. 12.) 1.10. 

25. & 20. 43. & 28.) Acts 15. 9. 1 Cor, 
“23. 1 Pet. 1210; 11-[ 4..7. Gal. 3. 28. 
dis. 3—13- 20—22.| Col. 3.11. 

“& 5.1. & & 1jh ver. 9-19, & 1 
Phils 3.9. 4} 28—32, & 2. 1, Ke, 


6. 11. Eph. 2. 7— 
10. Tit. 3. 5—7. 
m 5. 9. Is. 53. 11. 
Matt. 20,28. Eph. 


-¥. 21—26. The apostle having “ concluded 
~ &) allen under sin,” proceeds more explicitiy 
to exhibit “ the righteousness of God by faith,” 
(Mare, i. 17.) which had been manifestly declar- 
ed by the preaching of the Gospel. This was 
the righteousness, which God had appointed, 
wovided, and introduced, in the Person of his 
Son. It was “ without the law ;” having no 
dence on 2 man’s personal obedience to 
being entirely a distinct thing : no past 
ce being supposed as having any influ- 
the sinner’s justification ; and his subse- 
nt obedience being intended for other purpo- 
ses. Ithad nothing to do with the ceremonial 
daw, (except as it was the substance of some of 
those shadows :) forthe Jew, who accepted of 

_. this righteousness, would place no dependence 
* on these externals ; and the Gentile was not re- 

\ quired to be circumcised, or to keep that law. 
. Met it had been witnessed by the law and the 
‘ prophets ; the ceremonies. typified it : the very 


strictness of the moral law and its awful curses, 


being compared with the promises of mercy to 
. sinners, implied it; the promises and predic- 
tions of the Messiah bare witness to it ; the faith 
‘and hope of ancient believers testified it; and 
he whole Old Testament, rightly understood, 
ht men to expect and depend on it. This 
ighteousness of God by faith in Jesus” is ac- 

duhted or imputed to all believers without ex- 
ceptions; yea, it is put on them as a robe ; for 
the words “ano, and upon all,” seem to admit 
e of no othe 


struction. Noris there zn tiis 


_ obedience as its reward, (Marg. Ref.) and 
"> therefore, shale eck the nature or degree of their 
5, tp may have been, or whatever their nation, 
'Fank, or capacities be; there is no difference in 
way in which they must be justified before 
God. Every believer is, not only pardoned, but 
-honourably acquitted, as one against whom no 


hi by faith of Jesus Christ © unto 


For » all have sinned, and ‘ come 


15. 16—19. 1 Cor. 


: 


F225." Whom ‘God hath * set forth » to 
be a propitiation © through faith in his 
»#to declare his rightzousness for 
femission of sins that are past, 
the forbearance of God; 
26 Todeclare, J say, at this time his 
righteousness ; 4 that he might be just, 
r and the Justifier of him which believeth 
in: Jesus. <7 7a 


1.6, 7 Col. 1.14.) 2. Be 


; : 22. 25, 26. & 10. 4, 
1Tmn. 2.6. Tite2:\o 5.1.9 Hs. 53.) & 11.7 13.17. 39, 
14. Heb. 9. 12—14,) 11. John 53—~} 40. Rey. 5. % & 


1 Pet. 1. 18, 19.] 58. Col Is 20-23.) 13.8. & 20. 15. 
Rey. 5. 9. & 7. 14.) Heb. 10. 19,20: |q Deut. 32. 4. Ps 
* Or, fore-ordained.|p ver. 26. Ps 22) 85.10, 11. Is. 42, 
Acts 2, 23. & 3,18.] 31. & 40. 10, & 50.) 21. & 45.21. Zeph. 
& 4. 28. & 15. 18.} 6. & 97. 6. Be 119.} 3.5.15. Zech. 9. 
1 Pet. 1, 18—20.| 142, 1John 1. 10. Ke 15.3. 


t Or, passing over.jr ver. 30. & 4. 5. & 
ver. 23,24. & 4. 1) 8.33. Gah 3. 3— 
8. Heb. 9. 15—| 14 | 


nEx. 25. 17—22 
Lev, 16. 15. Heb. 
9. 5. Gr. 1 John 2 


charge can be supported ; and accounted right 
€ous, or entitled to the reward of righteousness. 
This is by the, free gift of God, which he be- 
stows on him, merely from his own infinite 
grace and mercy ; not only without his deserv- 
ing it, but directly contrary to his deserts, 
which the apparent tautology, ‘freely by his 
* grace,” seems todenote. This grace is ho- 
nourably exercised, through the redemption that 
is in Jesus Christ, or through the ransom and 
meritorious obedience unto death of the incar- 
nate Son. of God, as our Surety : for God the 
Father, bad before set him forth, or fore-ordain- 
ed. him, (.Marg.) to be a propitiatory sacrifice for 
sin; he had appointed him to be Mediator, as 
“ God manifest in the fiesh,” for that purpose ; 
he had openly laid on him the iniquities of us all, 
and exacted the punishment from him ; and he 
had exhibited this transaction to the world by the 
Gospel, that through him, sinners of every na- 
tion might approach God on a propitiatory, or 
mercy-seat, and find acceptance by faith in the 
Saviour’s atoning blood. This method was taken 
in order to declare and manifest the perfect 
righteousness of God; even in the very act of 
pardoning the innumerable sins of believers, re- 
mitting the punishment due to them, and ac- 
counting them righteous whoiin themselves were 
not so. And, whatever the Jews might suppose, 
this was as necessary in respect of their believ- 
ing progenitors, as any other sinners. For, in 
remitting the punishment justly merited by the 
sins committed in times past, through his for. 


| Searance, God had neither respect to the repent- 
jance nor subsequent good works of his servants, 


which could not satisfy his justice; nor did he 
ultimately respect the legal sacrifices, which 
could not take away'sin: but he had respect to 
the engagements of the divine Surety of the new 
covenant, and the atonement which he was at 
length to make. In the fulness of. time, there- 
fore, this sacrifice was offered, this righteous- 
ness introduced, and this method of justification 
published to mankind ; that God might be clear. 
ly known to be a justand righteous Governor, 


net 


4. D. 61. 


cluded. By what law? * of Wor 
v but by the law of faith. 

28 Therefore ® we conclude t n 
is justified by faith, without the deeds of circumcision th 
the law. 31 Do we 


29 Is he ¥ the God of t 


Ne a 
8 vere 19, & 2 17.lu 7% 21- 23.255 & 38,39, 1 Cor. 6 Ite ; 
23, & 4. 3. Ez. 16.| 2. * Mark 16, 16.| Gal. 2. 16,83. 8! 
62, 63. & 36. 21, 32.) John 3. 36 Gal» 1l~14s 24. Phil Se 
Zeph. 3.13, Luke) 22 1 John 5, 11,) % Tit, Be Te | 
43. 9—14, 1 Cor. 1.! 12. i 
29-31. & 4 Zw. ver-20—-99906. &l Gen i7'7, 8. th 
Eph. 2. 8—10. | 4.§.& 5.1. John} 19. 28—25. & 54. 5. 


Zech. 2.11. & 8.) 6.8 6a 

20—23. Mal, 1. 11. 
Matt. 22. 32, Gal.ja 4.14. Ps, 11) 
3. 14, 25—29. Eph,} Jers 8.8, 9, 
5. 6. Col. 3. 11. 5.1% Bl 
Z ver. 28. & 4. 11,) 2 21.& 3. 
1Z & 10. 12, 13.|/b See on. ver. 
Gab. 2.14—16. & 5.{e 7. T1452; 


£9.11. 32% & 10. 5.| 3. 14-18. & 5. 244) Jeri 16.29. & 31. 
& 11. 6. Gal. 2. 16,] & 6. Acts 13. ‘83. Hos. 1. 10 


the minds of ordin 
that the plainest passa 
ea aracter and actions ; ‘except and of doubtful meaning. _ 
some expedient can be adopted for maintaining} V.27,28,. The Jews were 
the authority of the law and the credit’ of the} if they had been superio 
admimistration ; and to indemnify individuals, | cy, to the Gentiles + 5 in 
while mercy is exercised to those who deserve} selves more highly 2 
, punishment. So that ancient believers had been | God. .But. the apos 
admitted to the reward of righteousness, as well} they had for glozying, 
as exempted from the punishment deserved by| cestors had been justi 
their sins, for the sake of that promised Re-j for the sake: of the pro 
deemer, who-had engaged to pay their ransom, propitiation. And he ¢ 
and bring in an infinitely valuable and everlast-}ing of any cf the human race: 
ing righteousness for their justification : nor! can have no admission in copsis 
would it otherwise have consisted with the infi-|and justice. It was ind 
nite justice of God, to have dealt with them in a| of God, that boasting should be 
manner so very different to their real deservings.| rival of his glory: but by w 
This is evidently the apostle’s argument ; and} judgment, could this be effect 
the concluding verses might be thus translated,} done by * the law of works,” 
«* Whom God hath before appointed to be a| justifying men on the condition ft 
“ propitiation, through faith in-his blood, for ajence?, This would never answer 
«* demonstration of his justice, on account of| were practicable. for any to at 
“« the passing by of sins that had been commit-} nay, this would introduce ant ; 
* ted in former times, through the forbearance|ing of one over another in ] aa 
« of God ;” Iaay, “ for a demonstration of his} Boasting must therefore be 
justice, in this present time, in order that he| « law of faith :” not by, a 
* might be just, and the justifier of him that} call it, which in fact is a law 
« believeth in Jesus.” * Dr. Hammond saith the|duces boasting; but by j 
word dixates is here to be rendered clement| merely. by. the grace of God thi 
and merciful, and that it is commenly taken in| of Christ, without any respec’ 
that notion, ait seldom in that ‘of zindictive faith alone, of his own gift. i 
justice ; but in opposition to this F assert, that} not considered inthis ma na 
the word dtxatogis used about eighty times in | €NC€, oF good work; bul 
the New Testament, and not once in that sense | beuveen Christ and th 
of clemency and mercy. He himselfproduces | PTOPE!s that the believe 
bnt one place,” (Mait.i. 19.) © Where, says|Justified for the sake, 0 
Dr. Lightfoot, men torment the word dsxcesos| TAP80M of thie: BEND er sam ; 
to make it signify clement and merciful, when | “0's noes united oF 
it bears clearly the ordinary sense: Joseph remot, yp ecacorrcnant 
being’ 2 just man, would not cohabit with an faith, i: aie, diva 
adulteress ; and yet not being willing to make) © hate elievers 
her a public example, and no-necessily lying ed, that. no 
upon him so to do, he was minded to ‘put her 
away privily.? (Note, Maiti, 18, 19. — That 
he might appear to be just, in requiring this 
satisfaction for our sins” | (Whithy,)\—Too 
strong a protest cannot be entered against this} 
practice of Bo | anew pial to words in even than 
Scripture, in order to get rid of a conclusion, 
inst which the seer ‘happens to be preju-|%°M4 pe win the. New tune Clr 
| @iced : it is eee eg adding to, or taking from, | #2)” es i ee ow) >» 


1B _ 
r " 5 : ‘ | 
- ners ri ‘i es, | 
oe ef | ae ~ a a 4 a ~ 


t or changing, the word of God God 
been, (Prov, xvii. 152) for justice in a governor aders 


requires, that € 


nn ne 


A awa 


that a: man. is. , 
deeds of the a Byw 
«doctrine ;%.as the Hebre) 
‘ times | for the. doctrine 
“scribes.” ’ ( Beza.) itis inde 
latitude, much . gre 


a an & Nn RH BR HHA A 


2 cid the words of Dayid, 1—8. -Abra- 


ly } Was he not also the God of the Gentiles ? 
Ig the Proprietor, Governor, and Benefactor 
of the ‘whole earth ; when all men had alike 
‘apostatized from him, it was meet, that in re- 
yealing a way for their recovery and reconcilia- 
tion, he should suit it to the general case of all 
‘the nations ; thongh special reasons might re- 
‘quire a temporary: restriction of it : for his dbject 
would be to receive worship from, and become 
“the Portion of, his creatures, in different parts 


of the world. And ‘jn fact he was the God of 


the Gentiles, as well a9 of the Jews, nor were 
even external privileges to be restricted to the 
“Jews any longer; seeing the same One, living, 
_ and true God, who had formerly,-and did at that 
_ time, justify those of the circumcision who. be- 
“Tieved, by their faith, and not by their legal ser: 
vi s, and left unbelievers under condemnation ; 


-Yeady, with equal regard, to justify unci. 


cumcised Gentiles, through faith in Christ, when 


they were brought thus to.receive him.» And if 
prs eh object, that this doctrine of faith 


made void the law, asif it had been given in 
vain; the apostle absolutely denied the charge,. 
and d by no means have such a thought be 


4 e lawn all its honour and authority ; nei- 
ye her abrogating it, nor disgracing it, nor alter- 
“ing itto4 nearer level with man’s present state 
and abilities. The doctrine of faith indeed ho- 
“noured. and fulfilled the ceremonial law; and 

_ showed the proper intent of it, and of the legal 
dispensation: but then, this was only in order 
a to their final abrogation. But the moral law was 


Bes on the contrary, this fully establish- 


“fully established in honour and authority, both’ 


“Gn in respect of its precepts and sanction, by the 


‘pert 


- the incarnate Son of God: so that its immuta- 


have been so fully shown, either by the-perfect 
obedience of the whole human species, or by the 
“destruction of every transgressor. Nor is ‘any 


ondemn himself, as justly deserving the wrath 


. 


mper and conduct, and examine all 
in every thing, in which he 
perfect ‘standard, he may re- 


is irist. Yea, it is wr ttenin. his heart, by the re- 
¢ "generation of the Holy Spirit, ‘and his love to it 


and delight in obeying it are the evidences of his. 


i justification. So that the doctrine of faith in 
"every way magnifies and establishes the just, 
a holy, good, and spiritual law of God, in ail its 


d obligation, as if its precepts were uhrea- 


‘soca ICS, ai its penalty. manishcayst se 


as tified before circumcision, (which wee . 


obedience and satisfactory sufferings of 


“ble obligation, excellency, and: equity could not. 


nan justified by faith in Christ, who does not 


if G od for breaking his holy law. Moreover it 
ye! into: the hands of every believer, ‘as his 


ess through the blood of 


onour and authority ; whilst all other schemes | gi 
justification disgrace. it, or weaken its autho. | 


A.D. 61. 


Z 31. Could any suppose that tie great ee tay 
of all men, was the God of the Jews} 


by pes as 
holy practice} 2 4 d yet, when iy understood, 
establishes the la Win the completest manner, 
and gives the most eff 

obedience. 


] RYATIONS. 


We GHEE: always to distinguish between our 
advantages, ‘and our deserving s ‘and between 
the means of becoming accepted and holy, and 
that grace which teaches to profit by those 
means, It is a favour of inestimable value to 

have the oracles*of God transmitted to us: yet. 
numbers, who are thus distinguished, continue 
‘in unbelief to their deeper condemnation. ~—As 
the promises. of God are only made to believers, 
‘so the unbelief of some, or. Many, professed 
Christians, cannot make the faithfulness of God 
of none effect : for he will fulfil his promises to 
his people, and execute his threatened ven- 
geance upon hypocrites. and apostates. But 
while pride and enmity charge God. foolishly, 
humble faith says, “God forbid ; let God be true 
« and every man a liar ;” and the. believer will 
give him credit for his truth and justice, even 


| Where his dispensations are enveloped in clouds 


and. darkness. Indeed, he readily decides 
against every man’s pretensions or opinions, 


; when they reflect on the veracity, or militate 


against the word of God ; as knowing that every 
man is fallible, deceitful, and unholy, but that 
the Lord can neither mistake, deceive, nor be 


deceived ; and that he will be justified from 


every charge, and overcome in every contest or 
controversy, which his rebellious creatures may 
presume to enter into with him. Thenature and. 
desert of sin, and the motives and purposes of 


ithe sinner, remain precisely the same, when the 


only wise God has taken occasion from them, to 
manifest more conspicuously bis own glory ; and. 
his justice also will be glorified in punishing the 
transgressors.—It hath often been. slanderously 
Teported of Christians, that they say, “ Let us do 
“evil, that good may come,” and “ sin on, that 
“ grace may be glorified” but, if true believ- 
ers, we know that duty belongs to us, and events 
to God ; and that we must not commit any sin, , 
or speak: one falsehood, on the ‘hope, or even 
the assurance, that God would glorify himself by 
means of it. But if any habitually speak and 
act in another manner, without all doubt their 
damnation ‘will be just; and they who love the 
‘truth of the Gospel, should be extremely careful” 
to avoid all appearances, whith may give plau- 
sibility to such. ‘landers yeert our holy, reli- 


ae y" us poate i on as “our ghd 


tages. Arey we are no Better this, ia Peale hted fe. 


ee 
v > 


' broken-hearted, self-condemned. criminal. 


La 


, 


AD. 61, HP, 


void; but, being of faith by grace, it is sure toiall | . 


his spiritual seed in every age and nation, 13—17. 
The nature and strength of that faith, by which 
he was justified, 18—22. This was recorded; not 
for his sake, but to show that all who believe in 
Chuist, as crucified and risen, are caer eae in like 
manner, 23—25, 
HAT shall we then: ‘say that > 
Abraham, our father ¢ as pertain- 


ing to the flesh, hath found? “ 


4. P 1. & 7. 7» & 8.) 9- Luke 3.8. &16.| 53. 56; Avts 13. 25, | 
24, 25.  29—31.) 2 Cor. 11.22 
» Ie 51. 2+ Matt. 3.| John 8 33» 37—41.lc yer. 16, Heb. 12.'9. 


thens, ifnet worse, except grace’ have made us 
to differ ; and then to grace the whole praise is 
due : for it is proved, beyond contradiction, that 
we are all, in ourselves, under sin. The texts 
here adduced, too exactly describe the bulk of 
nominal Christians: their want of) conformity to 
the law of God, and of understanding in the 
great concerns of religion, ard their: indisposi- 
tion to seek after his favour and image; their 
unprofitableness, and working of mischief, in- 
stead of doing good. ‘Their filthy, profane, dis- 
sembling, slanderous, boasting, and flattering 
words ; their oaths, perjuries, curses, and  bit- 
ter revilings; their revenge, murders, duels, 
fightings, and delight in war; their mischiev- 
ous and destructive courses, and their ignorance 
of the way of peace and holiness, too evidently 
prove, that there is no fear of God before their 
eyes. So that he, who examines the state of so- 
ciety,’ even in this Christian country : nay, he who 
inquires seriously into the disposition of his own 
heart, and the tenour of his past and present 
life, comparing them with the holy law of God, 

will easily perceive, that his’ mouth and every 
mouth must be stopped, and all the world must 
be brought in guilty before God. How. plain 
then is it to common sense, that “by the works 
«of the law shall no flesh be justified before 
“ God 1” 

V. 21—31. } 

Blessed be the Lord that he hath not left: our 
fallen race shut up undersin, without hope or 
help. For “ now the righteousness of God with- 
* out the law is manifested :” and those alone are 
truly wise, who plead guilty at his mercy-seat ; 
and seek * that righteousness of God by faith in 
« Jesus Christ, which is unto, and upon, all that 
“hbelieve, without any difference.” Proud men 
will be offended at this, and strive to establish 
some distinction between themselves and more 
scandalous or vulgar sinners : but they labour in 
vain ; for “all have sinned and come short of 
* the glory of God ;” and the meanest and vilest 
of the human species, who comes in God’s ap- 
pointed and manifested way, shall be “ justified 
“ freely by his grace through the redemption of. 
** his Son ;” while al!, who persist in the’attempt 
of justifying themselves, will assuredly perish 
under the wrath of God. This is a plan equally 
suited to glorify the justice, holiness, and mercy 
of our God, and to give encouragement to the 
Thus 
all they, who of old obtained a good report, 
found righteousness and salvation: thus the be- 
liever’s felicity is secured, boasting is excluded, 


‘ROMANS. 


the Jews had the greatest confidence of being 


4s 


2 For ifAbraham 4 were | " 
works, ¢ he hath, 
not before God, 


Abraham believec 
ed unto him for rig 


d See one 3. 20-28, # 13, 
Phil 3. 9. 

e 3. 27% & 15. 17. £ Gen.t 
Ex. 8.9. Jer. 9. 23. ew 
24. 1 Cor. 9. 16, 2] 24.2. 1 
Cor. 5. 12.& 11.12] & 4. 7. Gal, 

g 9.17.& 10, 11.8 


30. & 12.1—9. Gal. 


despair obviated, and the Lord 
God of all nations, with equal 


which subsists between believers and 
ers. And whatever Pharisees, Sadducees, 
fidels may object, whatever Antinomians, or Ens 
thusiasts may pretend ; ‘the doctrine of faith 
alone establishes the law in its real honour, and 
obedience. © 


lays the true foundation for all 
* ae 


ness and redemption of Chaat, 
26 ;) and he here proceeds to 
pecially in respect of Abraham 
nowned progenitor of Israel. * Fror 
‘example of Abraham, as deservedly 
‘from among all the fathers, the apostle 
©edto draw aconclusion, which dn 
‘yily take in all believers. And that 
© do this fairly, he intimates, at the ver: 
‘of the question, that he did not: pro 
‘ham merely. as one of the number of be 
«but as the father of the Church; that h 
«properly reason from the father to his 
* the foundation of which he lays in the. 
‘verse. In whatever way Abraham, 
‘ of believers was justified, im the same t 
‘his children, (that is, all believers. , 
‘ed : but Abraham was not tea 
«the father of the faithful, by any 
‘ works, either preceding or fo 
‘in Christ, as promised to him 
‘ faith in Christ, or the merit 
«imputed tohim for righteousr 
€ all his children, become his chil 
‘justified, not by their works, ei 
© or following’ their faith: sbitey fa 
‘the same Christ, who was’ at’ len 
* and thus’ they are at present jus 
‘be to the end of the world? 


found Sco to the 
would explain i it exclusively of hi 


‘in circumeising his foreskin? (1 
2 Cor. v.16. xi. 18. Phil. iii. 3, 4.) 


x. j 
- In this 


‘ acceptable to God, declaring that no circum. © 
‘ cised Jews go to hell” (JWiitby.) The apose 
tle had doubtless respect to these ai Saree iy 


. 


' fore it was imputed to him for righteousness, as 


presence of God, being a sinner saved by grace, 
through faith, even as other men. 


iM alling, the original source of his being made to 
ie 


‘te 


a 
v 


A D. 61. 


: ‘Ito him that worketh not, but 


"1 22, & 5.1,2.& | 17.& 3.9—14. Phil. 


“90.116: | 39,10. Acts 13.] 3. 9. 


, 25. & 3. 38,39. Gal. 2» 16,1 
idices of his countrymen in this argument : but 
‘Gf circumcision exclusively had been intended, he 
" would hardly have allowed, that Abraham might 
have had whereof to glory, if he had been justifi- 
ed by his obedience in that single instance, and 
not by his faith. It may therefore be supposed, 
that all those formaland proud works, however 
distinguished, by which men in every age ‘seek 
justification before God, were intended by the 
words ‘aceording to the flesh.” Did Abraham 
find righteousness or justification in this way? 
Surely no: why then should any man, who al- 
Jows this, seek to be justified by such works? 
As all really good works are “the fruits of the 
* spirit”, and none.else are called good works in 
Scripture ; and as it is especially the office of 
the Holy Spirit, to convince men of sin, cand to 
glorify Christ; it may be inferred that “ the 
« fruits of the Spirit” are never expressly and 
allowedly depended on for justification. Even the 
proposition, ‘Good works are the fruits of faith,and 
‘follow after faith,’ in Christ, though a general 
truth, may ddmit of some exception, in such 
gases as that of Cornelius. (JVotes, Acts x. 1—4.) 
_ €This interrogation, being not formally answer- 
¢ed, must be taken as an answer to itself: 
gernst owe: say ? that Abraham found ac- 
“® cording to the flesh ?”? ‘ No, certainly he.did 
€not’ (Hammond.) No Jew would deny, that 
Abraham was at least one of the most eminent 
servants of God mentioned in Scripture : if 
‘therefore any of them had been justified by 
works, it might be supposed that he belonged. to 
that company. And if this had indeed been the 
ease, he would have had some ground of glorying 
above others, which was contrary to the doc- 
trine before taught, (iii. 27.) but in fact, how- 
ever distinguished he had been. in various re- 
spects, he had really nothing’ to boast of in the 


For, not to 
arsue from the years whieh had preceded his 


‘differ from his former neighbours, or the failures 
‘mhis subsequent obedience, and even in. his 
faith; it was evident from express Scripture, 
that “ he believed God, and it was counted to 
«him for righteousness.” (Vote, Gen. xv. 6.) 
The promise of God, his perfections, as engaged 
to perform it, and the promised Seed through 
whom the blessings were bestowed, were the ob- 
jects of his faith: this formed his relation to the 
_ Messiah, and interested him in the righteousness 
which he had engaged to perform; and there- 


if he had personally satisfied divine justice, and 
perfectly answered all the demands of God’s 
holy law.’ But if Abraham, though greatly dis- 
tinguished among men, had no ground of glory- 


ing before God; much less had his posterity} 


any ground of glorying in him as’their father, 


4 Now to bim that worketh, is the re-| 
rd notreckoned of grace, but of debt.| 


A. BD. 61. 


iévyeth on him that justifieth = the 
ungodly, © his faith is counted for right- 


m ver. 24. & 3,26—|n 1.17, 18. & 5.6—] —11. 1 Tim.1.13_ 
BB Tosh 24.2. Zech.} —15. Tit. 3«3—7. 


Abraham as their f 
the law of Moses. — 
Y. 4, 5.. From 


er, in circumcision, and in 


Hexample of Abraham, 


the apostle observed, that toa man, (ifthere had. 


been any such,) who.had worked the full mea- 
sure required by the law, the reward must be 
adjudged, as a debt due to him by the terms of 
that covenant; whereas it was obvious, that it 
was adjudged to Abraham as a favour, seeing 
*« faith was imputed to him for righteousness -” 
and this was the general case of believers. For 


to the man, who worketh iot, but, conscious that 


he can advance no claitn of this kind to the de- 
sired reward, comes as a’ sinner, to “¢ believe in 
“him who justifieth the ungodly,” his faith is 
counted to him for righteousness; not.on ac- 
count of its own excellency or worthiness as a 
good work, but as it refers the sovereign Judge 
for payment to the accepted righteousness and 
atonement of his Son: eyenas the receipt of a 
scrap of paper intrinsically not worth a‘arthing, 
in the form ofa draft upon a creditable banker, 


‘is entered in the merchant’s book, for a consider- 


able sum of smoney, as if it had been paid in cash. 
This man, “ who worketh not,” will indeed dili- 
gently use appointed means of grace, repent, 
forsake sin with earnestness, conscientiously per- 
form his several duties, and even become ‘* zeal- 
“ous of good works :” yet he worketh not at ail, 
with an aim, or expectation, of obtaining right- 
eousness in this way, which be knows to be ab- 
solutely impossible. But he comes to God, as 
* the Justifier of the ungodly,” that he may ob- 
tain the gift of righteousness by. faith, of mere 
grace, through the merits of the divine Surety. 
He is not indeed absolutely ungodly at the time 
of his justification ; for bis humiliation, submis- 
sion, and faith, are effects of regeneration, which 
is the source of all godliness in a fallen creature. 
Yet he is justified, as ungodly in himself, in strict 
justice, and according to the law,; he comes for 
the blessing as ungodly; God makes no account 
of any thing im. justifying him, except his faith 
as forming his relation to Christ; and the man 
has no respect to any thing else himself, in ex- 
pecting that blessing, Nay, the justified be- 
liever, whatever bis holiness or diligence may be, 
never works for this purpose ; and he still comes 
before God as ungodly in this respect, still de- 
siring and depending on “ the righteousness of 
‘© God by faith in Christ,” as his only hope; 
though his good works are evidences of the sin 
cerity of his faith. Abraham several years be- 
fere, ‘by faith, obeyed” the call and command 


of God ; and therefore could- not be, strictly 


speaking, altogether ungodly, when: it was said, 
“ He believed God, and it was counted to him 
« for righteousness ;” so that the example of 


nd i 


€ ‘wil 
‘te ‘ aye 


nike 


A. D, 61. : > ROMANS: 


6 Even as David also sca P the 
blessedness of the man unto whom 4 God 
imputeth righteousness * without works. 

7 Saying, s Blessed ere they whose 
iniquities are forgiven, and whose. sins 
are covered. yy 

8 Blessed zs the man * to» ~whom the 
Lord will not impute, sin, _ 

9. Cometh © this blessedness then upon 
the circumcision on/y, or upon the uncir- 
cumcision also? * fom we say that faith 
was reckoned to Abraham for righteous- 
ness. 

10 How was it then reckoned? when 
p ver. 9. Deut. 33. 


Phik/S. 9, 2 Pet.) Core 5. 1921. 
29. Ps. 1. 1-3. & Philemon 18, 19 
, 20,21. 27, Eph.| 1 Pet. 2. 246 & 3. 


112. 1. & 146. 5,6. 

Matt. 5.3—12. Gai , 8-10. 2 ‘Tim. 1, 18. 

3. 8, 9. 14s Be & 15.195, u 3. 29,30, & 9. 23, 
Eph. 1. 3. 7 3 ee ah “2, & SL) 24. & 10. 12, 13. & 
q ver. ll. 24: & 1. 85. 2. &| 15. 8—19. Ts 49. 6, 
17% & 3. 22 & 5. ita. Ey: 4. Is, 40. 1,| Luke 2, 32. Gal: 3, 
18,19, Is. 45, 24.) 2 Jer. 33. 8, o 14. 26—28. Eph, 2. 
25, & 541 17. Jer. Mic. 7 18—20. 11—13 & 3. 8. Col. 
23. 6. & 33. 16.) Matt. 9s 2, Luke} 3e11. 

Dan. 95.24 1 Cor.) 7. 47—50. x See on. vers 3. 
1, 30. 2 Cor, 5. 21/t Is, 53, 10-12, 2 


Abraham is alone a full and’ clear refutation of 
the construction by some put on this text, that 
mien are altogether and in every sense ungodly 
and unregenerate, at the time when God justifies 
them; a sentiment of most dangerous tendency. 
«* He that worketh,” ‘ that is, who hath deserv- 
£ ed any thing by his work, to him is opposed 
“he that worketh not;” * that is, who brings no 
¢ work, for which he claims a reward ; but de- 
© pends on the gratuitous promise of God. But 
€ this indeed is spoken, by concession, in a simili- 
“tude taken from the commerce and contracts 
*-of men : for otherwise, ** Who hath first given? 


€ and it shall be rendered to him again.” (Beza.)| juctification ; and indeed mr o's had. 


V. 6—8. This quotation from the thirty-se- 
cond Psalm, and the apostle’s interpretation of 
it, come in as a parenthesis. Dayid did not 
pronounce those men happy, who had never sin- 
ned, or who had done works to cover their sins, 
and to justify themselves : but he “ described 
- “the blessedness of the man, to whom God 
‘imputed righteousness without works,” when 
he declared, that man happy whose sins were 
forgiven, &c. Not that forgiveness) of sins is 
equivalent to justification ; which implies also, 
treating a man as righteous, and entitled to the 
reward of eternal life: for it is evident, in all 
human transactions, that the pardon of a crimi- 
nalis a very distinct thing from giving him the 
title to a large estate, But God always imputes 
righteousness where he does not impute sin : for 
none are pardoned, except in virtue. of their re- 
lation to Christ by faith ; and if his atoning blood 
cover their sins, his rightecusness also justifies 
their persons, As their Surety, he suffered for 
their sins which were imputed to him, and they 
are rewarded and made heirs of eternal life, be- 
cause his righteousness is imputed to them, 
Was, Ps. xxxii, 1, 2. Mer From hence the ex- 

* pression of blotting out iniquity, so frequently, 
“ used in Scripture, may be understood ; that is, 
'« the striking it out of the account.’ (Locke. » 


might be imputed unto 


Eph, 1.13. & 4. 30 ae 29. & 6. 1 


the example of his obedient faith, which he had 


he was in’ iatrallichillaic or if 


cision? ¥ Re foes sha 
circumcision. bal ah a8 


11 And he 
cumcision, 8 as 
of the faith which 4 
cumcised ; that he 
of all them that be 


12 And the father of < éf 


only, but who also walk f in 
that faith of our father Ab 
he had being yet uncircumei: 
y Gen. 15, 6. & f vere 3! & 2 


10. 1. Cor. 7. 18, 19.) & 9. 30. & 
Gal. 5.6. & 6. 156) Gal. 5. 5. FP 
z Gen, 17. 1). Ex.} 9. Heb. 
12. 13..& 31. 13.17. 
Ez, 20. 12, 20. 

a 2, 28, 29. Deut. 30. 
6. 2 Cor, 1. 


Pet. lel 


adie ais Ste > if 


Rey. 9. 4. id See on. Were ¢ 


V. 9—12.. The Jews not 
righteousness was by eben 
leges of God’s-people were i 
ed with circumcision: the : 
inquired at what time Abraham’s 
“ reckoned to him for righteousness ” 
answer was undeniable; for it appes 
the scripture before cited, that he w. 
at least fourteen years before his (i 
the former having been some tim 
mael’s birth, the other when Ishmael wa 
teen years ‘of age. It was therefore 
that circumeision was not necessary in pis aT 
bt tia 


from God this instituted oi ey bbs 
ward sign of the grace given him, and a 

the righteousness of faith imputed to him, 
in uncircumcision. (Wore, Gen 
demonstrates that circumcisior 
blessings to Abraham personally, 
seal of the covenant of grace a 
of sanctification, however 
be applied or understood 
“contestable proof, 1 oF 
«seal of the covenant of grace, = 
‘of temporal promises; and conse 
«ates the most considerable 
‘ever been urged against infant: D 
dridge.)—This seal was also ap 
ham of the performance of € 
ing his seed, especially his: 
believers. He was th 
was circumcised, that 
‘all those true believers, 
circumcision of the heart, but. 
sion of the flesh, that they m 
blessing: and he was afterw: meised, 
that he might be the father of the circumcision 
also; not merely the natural progenitor of the 
nation of Israel, but the spiritual father of all 
true believers among them, who walked after PT 


‘to his ey 4 through the law, 


heirs,. faith is | made void, and the 
om! se made of none effect,. 

5 | Because m the law worketh wrath: 
‘For; 5 1 where no law is, pape: zs no trans- 
ORB 5 a le . 

_ 16 Therefore it ioe of faith, that: it might 
be by grace; to the end P the promise 


as be sure to all the seed ; not to that} 


which is. of the law, 4 bit to that 
19 1 John 3. 4, 


4, 5. 16. &: 13. 31. Num. 30. 12.jn 2. 12, 13. & 5. 13. 

18. & 28. 14. a ‘TS Ps. 119. 126./o 3. 24—26.. & 5. 16} 

Po gerg & 72. das ibe il. Jer, 19.; Gal. 3, 7—12- 22 
Eph. 2. 5. 8. Tit. 

h Gal. 3. 18229 x ‘3099, 20..8 5.20,) 3.7.” 

i See on. ver. 11. 21. 7. T%—.'p Heb. 6.13—19. 2 

k v is: Gal. 2.| John 15. 22. 1 Cor.| Pet. 1.10. 

ai. 16-24, &/ 15. 56. tae S.iq Sec on. yer. ite 

5s 4. Phil. 3.9.1 7-9. Gal. 3. 10, 


before circumcision; but many as them noe 
fer to it; that it might be ¢o them the seal of 
righteousness of faith, though not Jo those, 
1ad_only the o 

grace signified yy it. 
/ "5 - 13. _ The worid cannot here mean the land 
an, which. is Never so called: but in 
-and his Seed, all the nations of the 
are | blessed... Abraham was the root and 
imen, of all. that multitude. all oyer the 
to whom. the 1 most. valuable blessings were 
to be cx and.who may be said to be heirs 
of the world. He was, as it were, the reposito- 


. of C 


i 


CHAPTER 'IV. 
‘omise that he sheuld be also w 


roug ‘h the righteousness of faith. 
or kif they which are of the law} 


tward sign, and not, the in-. 
{him who is under no law. But as this cannot be 


a 


Siaital UD. 81: 


h is of the faith of Abraham, 
ho i is * the father of us all. ' 
it is written, s] have made thee 
“Many nations,) * before him 
believed, even God, t who 
quickenet: dead, ¥ and calleth those 
things which’be not as though they were: 
inst hope believed in 
hope, that he might become the father of 
{many nations ; peslihe to that which 
was spoken, ¥ So shall thy seed be. 

19 And, 2 being not weak in faith, » he 
‘considered not his So now dead, 
‘rr 9. 8 Is. 51.2, 13. a Wess %. Luke f. 


s Gen. 17. 5. 16+20.!u 8.29, 30. Is, 43. “18. Acts 27. 20.25. 
& 25. & 28. 3. Heb.| 6. & 44.7. & 49, Ty Gen. 15. 5, 6+ 


11. 12. & 55.12, Acts I5.Jz ver. 20,21. & 14, 
* Or, ike unto him.) 18. 1-Cor- 1. 28.1 215 Matt. 6, 30. & 
S. 29. Heb. i1. 7 1 Pet.| 8. 96. & 14, Si. 

2.10. 2 Pet.3. 8 | Mark 9, 23, 24, 


Matt. 3.9. John 5.|x oF 19, & 5. 5 &| John°20. 27, 28. 
21.25. & 6. 63. . Ruth 1. 1i—la Gen. 17. 17. & 1% 
Con 15. 45. 13, Prov. 18- 12.) 1i—14. Heb, 11> 


tyer. 2. & 8 Il. 
2. ‘iebe 1 Tim. ee Ez. 37. 11. Bark} 11—19. 


appear. If a man could be without any law, he 
would not be arraigned and condemned as 2 
criminal : for, as sin is the. transgression of the 
law, so no transgression could be charged ypon 


the case of any; so all men are liable to con- 
demnation : for every man’s rule worketh wrath, 
against him for acting contraty to it; till he flees. 
for refuge to Christ, who delivers believers from, 
the condemnation of the law, though not from 
their obligation | to obey it. As therefore God in- 
tended to give sinners a title to the promised 
blessings ; so he appointed it to be by faith, 


ry, in whom all these blessings were first laid up | that it might be wholly of grace, in order to en- 
a2 is 5 
for their advantage ; and also the progenitor of| sure it to all the seed of Abraham, even to ail 


bays “ the King of Kings, and Lord of lords,” 
 Hoir of all things.”?. This distinction was 
i 


who should eyer be made -partakers of like pre- 
cious faith with hima; not only to those who lived 


given, to, Abraham,. through the law, (for | under the legal dispensation, but to all others 


Was not promulgated till long after,) nor to throughout the earth, and in every age of the 


his posterity 2s under the law, for many of them / world. 


would be excluded for their sins: butit was 
given to him, through the righteousness of faith, 


_ Same distinction. 
_V. 14—17. The aeons Mother argucspthat 
fi st. , | they, and they only, who were under the 


gal dispensation, \ were heirs ; faith, which the 


nee 


eee el were heirs be- 

ee without it” (J¥hithy.) 
) Ww of i -Yeason, or tradition, 
(ander which gar on Was,) or the law of Mo- 

SES, be considered ; instead of giving any man 
"ah interest_in the promises of God, it must ne- 
; essarily expose him to. condemnation. For “ the 
‘worketh wrath,” by showing that every 
SSOP is: exposed to the righteous indigna- 
of God: : and the clearer, the more copious, 
et the law is, the more numerous, ¢vi- 

alae must bis transgressions 


This. accorded to the promise, that 
Abraham should be “the father of many na- 
“tions .” for though several nations naturally 


b. as they were the true seed who partagg of that descended from him; yet this promise had a far 


nobler and more sublime accoiplishment in the 
immense multitude from.so many_nations, who 
have been, are, and hereafter shall be, interested 
in the blessings first conferred on him, in behalf’. 


ripture is aes as god immediate cause. ‘of| of Aimself, and all that should resemble him by 


for God not ate quickeneth the dead in sin, and 
so raises up chiidren to Abraham from the na- 
tions, that were dead in their idolatry and ini. 
quity; but ‘He calleth those things which be 
* not, as though they were;” and so had all the 
unnumbered millions of future believers, as it 
were, present before him, in respect of his fore- 
knowledge and pre-determination, when he made 
the promise to Abraham ; and considered him as 
the father, and them as the family, to whom the 
me 9 the blessing was exsured threvgea 
ith ' 


Bow se S 


E 


VA. D. 83: ROMANS. 


,yhen he was ent an ‘bundled’ pears old, } 
neither yet.the deadness of Sart’ s, womb: | 

'20 He > staggered not at the promise 
of God through unbelief; * but was strong 
in faith, giving glory to God : ty 

21 And being 4 fully persuaded, that 
what he had promised, ° he was able also 
to perform. 

22 And therefore fit was imputed ‘to 


him. for righteousness. : 
b Num. 11. pees 2.4. Zech. 8. 9. at 14.4, Gen. 18, 24. 


be. sraptipeliie if 


raised’ up ve : 
dead; she 

125" Who * was 
ces, * and was rais 
fication. 


B15. 4. 1 Cor. 9, 10, 5, . 10— 
& 10, 6.11. 2 Timm.) 9.24. 26, 
3. 16, 17. 7. Matt. 

h 10. 9, 10, Eph. a.) Gor. 15. 
18-20. Heb. 13.1.8. 21. ‘¢ 
20, 2. 1 Pet 1) 21.) 53, 

i325. & 5. 6—8, 
& 8. 3. 32. Ts. 53. 


2 Kings 7- 2. 19. 1 Cor, 16. 13. 2Cor.| Ps. 815.3. Jer. $2. 
whe £0. 15—20. As 12. 10. Eph 6.10.) 17. 27. Matt. 19. 

7.9. Jere 32, 16—! 2 Tim. 2.y * 26. Luke 1. 37, 2 
97. Luke 1. 18. sf 8. 38. ‘Se 'Tims 1.| Cor. 0. 8 


¢ Is. 35, 4, Dan. 10.) 12. Heb, 11, 13, f See ons vers 3+ 6» 
19, Ke 11. 32. Hag. BAI i bea : : 


-_, 


and this is often the 
fanaticism imaginab! 
by those who are not 

_V 23-25. ‘The t 


V. 18—22. The ‘nature and power of Abra- 
ham’s faith are next stated: He believed the 
testimony of. ‘God, and expected the ‘perform- 
ance of his promise, when the ¢ase seemed 
hopeless, and when there was nothing to oppose 
to the most formidable objections and ‘apparent he ‘Bae been ‘dead 1 
impossibilities, but the bare word of God. Hejit: but it was intend L 
hoped. to become the father of many nations, | future generations; an 
naturally in his posterity, and spiritually through | whom the Gospel was prt 
Christ, who was to descend from him} because | they believed in that God, 
God had said, that his seed should be inirtumera.| from’ ‘the dead, and who 
ble as the stars of heaven, Yet many years had | largest premises, their | 
elapsed, since the, same promise, for substance, | to them for righteousness, 
was given; and. he, still continued without any ham’ had been : for this f 
child by Sarah, to whose offspring the promise form’a relation -betw 
was restricted. She had been barren all her sus, arid give them an 
younger years, and was then become incapable work. ' For, as’ Jesu8 hac 
of bearing children, according to the Common death, by man, asia crimin 
course of nature, and he was pow grown old, jas a sacrifice for the offences o 
and unlikely to have any: yet, though he had }he had béen raised aguin! 
been tried by such long’ delays, and was dis-/he was thus perfectly justified: 
couraged by such immense difficulties ; he did }brought against him, and the 
not weakly.stagger at the promise through un. { tighteeusness' and redemption 
helief; he hesitated not most confidently to ex-| ted: and inthis all his peop! 
pect that God would be as good as his word; for the justification of thes 
being maryellously strengthened in his faith, he {effectual for the justificatio: 
gave glory to God, and honoured all his perfec: were represented by him,’ 
tions, by a full assurance that he was able to | every one is actually admitted 
perform what he had promised; ‘and therefore lieves the Gospel.” cat 
“his faith was imputed to him for righteous- ad 
“ ness.’, That is, his faith was thus approved to 
be genuine, Theet to form a relation between him 
and the predicted Redeemer; and theréfore it 
marked him out as a preper person, to be justi- 
fied by the everlasting righteousness which the 
Messiah would introduce.—Itis evident from the 
whole context, that Abraham’s faith did not jus- 
tify him, by its own merit or value, but as inter- 
esting him in Christ: for, though the sincerity of 
his faith was manifested on this occasion, he had 
actually been justified long before; and his ex- 
ample could not aptly illustrate the christian’s 
justification by the merits of Christ, and not by 
those of his own faith, if we do not has under 
stand it.—A very common perversion of this pas- 
sagé must not pass unnoticed. Many speak of 
“heping against hope,” not that God will fulfil 
his promises’ to believers, notwifistanding all 
difficulties and improbabilittes, but that them- 
selves are believers and shall be saved, contra- 
ry to the evidence of their tempers and lives ; 


| PRACTICAL OB 

ia Vit 

“ No mere man, sine 
any thing but death by 
history contained in. the's ri 
fessions of the bestof men, p 
ave been saved, escaped cond m 
tained heaven by “ faith being 
“ for righteousness” ” 
should inquire, « What 
«God 2?” "fr hese unifor: 
ward is not assig¢ 
debt, but through beli 
can sincerely pray for this Cas 
from working in order to If; and 
indeed no man perfornis ¢ pure 
principles, till he learns to believe © in hint who 
* justifieth the ungodly,” Yet, at the'same time, 
no true believer will neglect working, in order to. 
flor ify God, to do good, and to make his own 
calling and election sure. Man’s felicity ¢on- 


i. > ‘ ae q CHAP. Vv. so dat t 


pe; 


by Adam ; 
unto life, wii 


« Christ, 20, 21.) 


NHEREFORE * being justified by 
faith, » we have peace with 

My 4 1618. & 5. 24) 2, 23—26. 
Acts 18 398, 39,/b 10. 10. 15. Job 22. 


ee 24,25. Gal. 2.16. & @| 21, Ps. $5- §—10- 
c . 18.| 11—14. 25. & 5,4—} Ts. 27. &. & 38. 17. 
“Hab. 2. 4.’ John 3.) 6. Philo 3.9. Jam: &54. 13. & 55. 12. 
eat 
sists in the favour of God, which can belong to 
none of our fallen race, except the pardoned 
‘sioner : and the forgiveness of sin, and the im- 
putation of rigbteousness without works, are 
entirely through the obedience unto death of our 
gracious Redeemer. They, who obtain this 
blessedness, ate happy, though poor, despised, 
and afflicted : all who come short of it, are most 
miserable, however wealthy, honoured; and 
prospered. This distinction extends to all. na- 
tions, sects, or forms of worship; some are 


istified, and so 


ere the great truths of the Gospel are known: 
‘and this method’ of justifying the ungodly is 
equally suited to preclude the most eminent 
saints from glorying, andthe most atrocious sin- 


ners from despairing. ~ 


the inward evide 


‘ faith 2? when the old nature is crucified and 
the heart is circumcised to love God, it is evident 
that we are the children of Abraham and walkin 
his steps : and sacraments willbe really seals 
and pledges of the same blessing. Blessed be 


God, thgt we are 


works. For the more holy and perfect the law, 


_ the greater wrath 
_ and the promised 


a sen seed, wherever dispegsed, or however 
_ distinguished. May we then copy the example 
of ASraham; and in the midst of perils and 
_ difficulties ““imhope:believe against hope ;* as- 


sured that God is 


form his. eee x who trust in him, and 
wait the accomplishment of them in patient obc- 
. dience. ‘Fhus our faith will be imputed to us 


for righteousness, 
Binces, and rose 
aes oe 


ve ee 


e of God to us when sinners, in re- 
us to himself by the death of his Son, 
3 of final salvation, and leads us to rejoice 


abundantly on all believers by Jesus Christ, 
_ 12—19. The law proved an occasion to the 

* "abounding of sin untodeath ; but this made way 
© for the still greater abounding: of grace, as reign- 
ing through righteousness unto eternal life by 


~ "Phe seal of the Holy Spirit in aancbGostion: is 


Pines but as all is of grace, it is through. faith; 


CHAPTER,.V. Aye A. D. 6}. 
God, © through our Lord Jesus Christ : 
| 2 By 4 whom also we have access by 
iaith into this grace * wherein we stand, 
‘and rejoice in hope of € the glory of Ged. 
- 3 And not only so, ® but we glory in 
tribulations also: i knowing that tribula- 
tion worketh patience ; 
ie 


h, we have peace with God, 
and rejoice in tribulations, 1—5. 


As sin-and death come upon all 
so the grace of God, which justi- 
th all concurrent blessings, comes 


, 


%. 14. John 14. 27.1 24. 1 Cor} 5.24. 2Cor. 3. 18. 
& 16.33. Acts 10.' 15. 1,2. Eph. 6,13.} & 4. 37. Rev. 33 
36. 2Cor- 5. 18—{ 1 Pet 1. 4,5. 21..Ko 21. 3. 11.23. 
20. Eph. % 14—17.|t ver. §. & 8.24, 25.| & 22. 4, 5. 

‘Col. 1. 20, 21. &l & 12. 12. & 15. 13.|h 8+ 35—37. Matt. 
3, 15. Heb. 13. 20,} Job 19. 25—27, Ps.| 5. 10—12. Luke 6. 
Jam. 2. 23.. 15. 9—11. & 17-15) 22,23. Acts 2. 41. 
e 6.23, John 20.31.) Prov. 14.32.2 Thes.| 2 Cor. 11. 23—30. 
Eph. 2. 7- 2. 16, 17. Heb. 3.) & 12- 9, 10. Eph. 
d. John 10. 7 9.&] 6..& 6. 18, 19. 1] 3.13. Phil. 1. 29. 
14.6. Acts 14. ie 1«3—9. 1 Johe| & 2. 17, 18. Jam. 


; an 
& 57. 19—21. Lakes: & 14. | Matt. 25.23. John 
: 5. 


ar 


Eph 2. 1% & 3.) 5.1—3. 1,2. 12. 1 Pet. 3% 
1€. Heb. 10- 19,20.\g 2 7. & 3. 23. &l 14. & 4. 16, 17. 
1 Pet. 3. 18. 


@ yer) 9, 10. & &. 1.| 18-20. Ps. 73. 24.} 10, 21. Jams 1. 3. 


4 


“ for righteousness :” thus he is justified before 
God, accounted a righteous, person, and entitled 
to the reward of righteousness. - In consequence 
of this, “he hath peace with God ,” the contre- 
versy, or hostility, which sin hath excited, is ter- 
Minated by a blessed pacification through the 
great Mediator; and a covenant of amity is rati- 
fied between that holy God, who had so just 
eause to treat his rebellious creature as an ene- 
my, _and that rebel who before was so unreason- 
ably alienated from his beneficent Creator. The 
sinner submits, pleads guilty, seeks mercy, and 
learns to love and serve God ; and his offended 
Sovereign receives him to full favour, and thence- 
forth behaves to him as his Friend and Father. 
The sinner being thus reconciled, considers the 
tause and-people of God as his own, and sepa- 
rates from his ¢nemies that he may be united to 
uis friends: he makes the glory of his God the 
ultimate end of his habitual conduct : and God 
protects, countenances, provides for, and coim- 


me are not, in all companies 


V.13—25. 


nce “of the righteousness of 


quites the injuries or favours done to him as if 


mediation, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who hath made and preserves this blessed peace. 
Thus every true believer has actually found ad. 
mission into a state of full favour with God, even 
as if he had never sinned ; in this he\ stands ac- 
cepted before him, and is secured by his. promise 
and grace from beiug-cast down fromit ; and he 
learns to rejoice inthe prevailing, abiding, and 
realizing hope of being glorified with God, and 
glorifying bim ; of completely bearing his glo. 
rious image, and of enjoying his unspeakable. 
love to alheternity. "Ehe expressions may also. 
allude to the free aceess of sinners from differ- 
ent nations, ‘into the fallenjoyment of the privi. 
leges of God’s people, without any respect to 


not left under the covenant of 
would in that case come upon 


blessiag is ensured to all. the 


beth able and willing to per. 


through him, who died for our 


again for our justification. the legal ceremonies and restrictions inapproach, 
Pitdeice . ing his mercy-seat. The word rendered rejoices 
NOTES. ° more properly signifies slary, or boast. {Notes _ 


CHAP. Jo BE a 2. The apostle, having stat-| Jer ix. 23, 24° Bouating or gloryizz in ours 
ed acd confirmed his doctrine concerning justi-j selves. is exeluded, that, by the free grace oF 
Seation, here proceeds to show the happiness of God, we may glory ane exalt in the hope ef 


~ thoserwho are thu 
believes in Jesus, 


s justified. _ When the sinner} heavenly felicity; in our very trials ; in Christ. 
his ‘faith is imputed to kim! Jesua ; and in God as. onr God and Portion, 


. ; ; a by 7? 


8. 17, 18. Ex. 33./1 5 Cav.9.1% Heb. 12, 


munes with, the believer as his friend, and re-. 


done to himself. All this centres in the Person, 


A.D. 61. 


4 And © patience, experience’; 1 and 
experience, hope: 

5 And ™ hope’ maketh not ashamed ; 
a because the love of God is ° shed 
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, 
which is given unto‘us. — 


k 15. 2 Cor. 1 & 7. 14 ig—24. 2. 16. 2Time1 1H2, 
4—5. re 4. 8—12.| 2 Cor. 4. 8-10. 2) Heb. 6.18, 19. 

& & 9, 10. Jam. 1.) Tim. 4. 16-18. n 8, 14-17. 28. Mat. 

12. rPer 1.6.7 
& 5. 10 

‘} Josh 10. 24,25. 1 
Sam, 17. 34-37. Ps. 
27. 2, 3. & 42. 4, 5. 


4, 5. Is. 28. 15—18.] 8. 3, Heb, 8. 10— 
& 45. 16,17. & 49.! 12.4 John 4, 19 
23. Jer, 17+.5~8.\o Ts, 44. 3-5. Ez. 
Phil, 1. 20. 2 Thes,| 36. 25—27. 2 Cox. 
11.28. & 3. 18. & 


. 8—5, The primitive. Ghristians not only 
eptice or exulted in hope of the glory of God, 
notwithstanding present afflictions; but they 
glovied in the tribulations themselves, as the 
sure pledges of the divine favour, and means of 
spiritual improvement. For they were assured, 
from the word ef God and from the evidence of 
facts, that their trials and persecutions produced 
submission to the divine will,.and acquiescence 
in it, méekness amidst injuries and provocations, 
and * patient continuance in well doing,” and 
quietly waiting for the Lord amidst all: difficul- 
ties, perils, and sufferings. Their trials indeed 
might at first excite: impatience: but by wateh- 
ing and praying, they would overcome it; and 
‘thus be wrought into a patience of spirit through 
trials, as the rough block is wrought into.a beau- 
tiful statue by the chisél and labour of the work- 
man. At the same time this patience produced 
an enlarged experience ; an experimental ac- 
quaintance with their own weakness and sin- 
fulness in order to their humiliation ; of the re- 
ality and power of grace in their hearts after re: 
peated trials in the furnace ; of the faithfulness 
of God to his promises ; and of his readiness to 
answer their prayers. So that these painful dis-| 
pensations tended still further to establish the 
hope of glory ; and to assure them that this hope 
would never make them ashamed by vanishing 
in disappointment ; like the baseless confidence 
of a worldly man, of a Pharisee, an unbelieving 
Jew, or ahypocrite. For the hope of the tried 


and experienced believer is not only warranted |. 


by the word of God, but sealed upon his heart 
by the gift of the Holy Spirit; by whose sacred 
influences, the excellency and loving-kindness of 
God, especially in the work of redemption, are 
so discovered to him, and diffused or poured 
out, through all the faculties of his soul, as to 
produce a’ similarity of disposition, a reciprocal 
love of the divine perfections, a longing desire 
of the favour cf God, adelight in communing 
with, and serving him, a lively gratitude for his 
benefits, and zeal for his glory: these being 
full. proofs of regeneration, the inward .«¢ seai 
“of the righteousness of faith,” and earnests 
of heayenly felicity, ensure the Christian’s hope 
from the shame of disappointment. Most ex- 
positors interpret this clause, (‘ the love of God 
« is shed abroad: in our hearts,” &e. ;) exclu- 
ively of the perception and sense of the love of 
God to us, which is vouchsafed by the Holy 
Spirit: Yet our love to God, as “ the fruit of the 
S"Spirk ” writing bis’ law in our hearts, is in 


~ ROMANS. 


lm Job 37. 8 Ps. 22-| 22. 36, 37. 1 Cor.) 


6 For ? when we were y 
strength, "af time * Chris ti 
the s ungod En 

7 For * scar 
will one die3” 
good man * so 


fe Gal. 4.5. ay 
2 22. Eph. 1, 1 
‘44. & 3. 16—19, & 
4, 30. Tit. 3.5, 6. 

p, Ez. 16, 4—8, Eph. 
“2, 1—5. Col. 2. sh 


is , ( 
e: on, 

Tit. 3.3—5. Wat 
q Lam 1. 6. Dan. 


solations af the spirit, andl dis 
enthusiastical delusions and 4 
their permanently ifying 
posed sense of God’s love to us, : 
ed with the consciousness of loving Fy 
warrant a scriptural ‘surance: and the Spirit ill 
of adoption is vialaptlead a-spirit of love 
as well as confidence in hime 
17.) It must, therefore, 
work of the Holy Spirit, in. 
enmity against God. into supre 
must be intended, either asthe. 
ing of the clause ; or as the insep: 
a genuine sense and 
God tous. (Marg. Ref.) 
posed, that the apostle mentioned this 
ant confidence as the habitual attainm 
justified persons ; but rather as an» 
privilege consequent on justification; ‘ 
be sought with diligence and) 
which is actually enjoyed nearly in’ 
is thus sought. The sufferings of believers,es 
cially from persecution, form one grand. 
tion ‘to what» is spoken in Scripture concerning 
their happiness, in the BHT te See  dnsg ; 
To select, thereforeythese very trials; as.one ~~ 
ground of the Chri ving and rejoicing, | 
was peculiarly suited to meet that cig eatteniiened H 
to produce a great effect on the»reader’s mi | 
and heart, pith 

NW: 6, Ze Ne might ciichisting be ohqe 
after all, it was not impossiblt 
improbable, that the be 
minate in disappointme 
the prevalence’ of indwe and the 
of temptation ; and that mh igh 
induce him, to: apostatize. ‘Some ¢ 
or habitual iniquity, which in more f 
circumstances had been kept un 
difficulty, might at length obtain 
through his unwatehfulness, i 
him ; or he might fall away in th 
or at some other critical sea 
therefore, digresses, in order 
jection, and at the same) time Ws 
‘abundant reason believers have tolove th 
and Saviour. When they, who are noWat peace 
with God, lay in the ruins of the full, under 
served wrath, and the power ofisin and ) 
without any sirength to resist, or to deliver t fi 
selves ; when’ they had neither natural power in 
so vast a work if they had been jprclinaiales ‘ 


a a 


-_ a a 


Bie CHAPTER V. 4. D. 61, 


* s But Godiy commendeth his love to-) 910 For if ¢ when we were enemies, 
ward us, yim that, while we were yet sin-| we were ¢ reconciled to God by the death 
ners, Christ died for us. -.» 0 fof his Son;.much more, being recon« 

9 Meh more then, * being now justi-| ciled, © we shall be saved by his life. 
ed by his: blood, b, we.shall) be. isavedil! ol, | alibi adi oot! setae 
om wrath through him. ~ [on ol. ae, isa] Eph. 2 16. Bleby 2 
3 seta 1 Jn 4 amare 2, LAT AOE laa, 8 


fi 


25, 26. & 14.19. 2 
Cor. 4. 10, 11. Col. 
3..3,4. Heb. 7, 24. 
Rey. i. 18. 


1 erie. Re ey ve pee rhedi oro. 2 Chr. 29. 24. Bad 0,928,929. Be 11. 
BtesmsaPe sik | Sail 
nor moral ability or inclination to attempt it ; 
when thus impotent, and helpless, and dead in 
sin, they could have no refuge but in the mere 
compassion of God; and yet were ungodly, and 
without any proper disposition of heart towards 
him, nay, every way contrary to his nature, will, 

and worship; when they were too proud even 

to ask for mercy, or. to allow »their need of it, 

. and too averse to religion to be at all willing to 
become spiritual worshippers ; even then Christ 
died for them, in their stead,a sacrifice for their’ 
sins, and to make way for their salvation ! For 
though some of those for whom Christ died, 
were previously gone to heaven, others, were 
godly persons, then living on earth, and others 
bad not come into existence: yet'they were all 
considered as ungodly, and without strength, in 
respect of Christ’s dying for them. They all 
stood, as it were, present before God, accord- 

- img to» his omniscience, fore-knowledge, and 
pre-determinaticn, in their natural state of im- 
‘penitentiungodliness ; and Christ, as their divine 
“and righteous Surety, took their sins upon him- 
‘self and'engaged to atone for them, before they 
knew their own lost condition, and without any 
‘solicitation from them. In this sense he is“ the 

«“ Lamb slain fromthe foundation of the world.” 
‘The believers who lived) before his coming, not 

- only were pardoned and saved, through his en- 
» gagement intheir behalf; but their repentance, 
faith, and grace, -as the effects of regeneration, 
“sprang from the same-source. At length, ‘in 

»* due time,’ the season appointed by the only: 
wise God, he appeared: on earth, and “died for 

- the ungodly ;” and. by, his Spivit,. sinners are. 
quickened from the death of sin, repent, believe, 
Jove, aud obey ; butallbcomesito them through 

_ his atonement and intercession... «©, ee 
_. ¥. 810... To illustrate the immensity of this 

_ Jove of God, the apostle shows, that if “a right- 
_. eous man,” one.of strict integrity, who had, 
_ committed no crime against,jhe welfare of the 
 gommunity were about tobe unjustly put te death, 
| there would scarcely be found a person, who 
| would consent to die in’ his stead : though per- 
haps forsa good man, one of extensiye philanthro- 
py, whose life had been, and was likely to be, a 
~ public blessing, some might even venture to lay 
_ down their lives. This has sometimes been done 
in the field of battle, and) perhaps it would be 

> possible to find a man, who would, in such a 

» cause, suffer for his friend or benefactor upon a 

- seaffold. Yet this most ’rare instance, the very 

- summit of human affection, is imménsely beneath 
‘the love of God to us. He who shouid give up 
his life in these circumstances, would do it. for 
one of superior excellency, or who had greatly | 
heftiended him, and his death would ensure 


yd pera Sy As ps f 
honour and applause to his memory. “But the 
infinitely glorious God had commended, or set 
off to the utmost advantage, his love to us; in 
that his incarnate and co-equal Son gave himself 
to endure the. most agonizing and ignominious 
death for. those, who were infinitely beneath him; 
his creatures that had rebelled against him, and 
persisted in that ungrateful rebellion, yea, impen- 
itent sinners, who had perpetrated the most atre- 
cious and multiplied crimes to proyoke his ven- 
geance, and whose.state of heart rendered them 
the meet objects of his abhorrence. Yet he had 
freely loved them, and purposed their salvation ; 
and when his justice and boliness, and the honour 
‘of his law, obstructed that gracious design, he so 
loyed them, that he gave his own Son to die a 
sacrifice. for-their sins! (Votes, &c. Gen. xxii. 
John xv. 13—15.) . Now if this was so); and they 
by divine grace had been brought to repent, and. 
to believe in Christ, and had thus been justified 
through the shedding of his blood, by faith in 
that great, atonement ; mach more then would 
they -be kept. from falling again under the wrath 
of God and. perishing in sin, through him who 
died-for them and rese again... For could it be 
imagined, that he, who so loved them when ene- 
mies, as to die for them, would not save and up- 
hold them by his almighty power, now they were 
made) friends ?). If, when. they were not only 
destitute of godliness, and.impenitent transgres- . 
sors, but .enemies to ‘the holy character, law, 
sovereignty; grace, providence, and cause of 
God, they had been brought into. a state of re- 
conciliation and, cordial peace with him by the 
death of his Son upon the cross; much more 
would they, being thus reconciled, be preserved . 
from falling under the. power of sin and satan, 
or finally apostatizing, “ by his life,” bis inter- 
cession, authority, and omnipotent grace. ( Note, 
John) x. 27—30.) He, tbat. had done. the greater 
work for his enemies, would. snrely do the less 
difficult for his friends and children; and the 
living Lord, would. eompiete the purpose of his 
dying love, by saving all believers to the utter- 
most,itill his finished ransom on the cross, should 
terminate in their finished salvation, as “pre- 
‘* sented faultless before his presence with ex- 
ceeding joy.” There could be no danger of 
a reconciled believer: failing under the wrath of 
God, but on supposition that be should commit 
sin and) die without repentance ; but had Christ 
suffered, and, denied, and humbled himself, 
feven to death upon the cress, that he might 
bring him into this stute of reconciliation? .And | 
would he, after all, .so leave him to himself; and 
in the hands of the wicked one, as thus finally to 
risb, when: his living power could prevent it, 
without any suffering or self-denial whatever ?— 


aN 


wees 
Se f > ae 


a 


a lied Si ae 


fi D. 61. 


11. And not only so, * but weralso: joy 
$n God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
& by whom we have now received the 
* atonement. [Practical Observations.}. 

12 § Wherefore, » as by one man, sin 
entered into the world, ' and death by 
sin ; and so death passed upon all men, 
t for that « all have sinned: 


£2.17. 1Sam. 2, 1.] 1.3. & 4. 4. 1 Pet. 
Ps, $Z. 11. & 33,1.] 1.8. 
BR 43.4, & 104. 34.) John 112. & 6. 
& 149. 2 Is. 61.] 50—58. 1 Cor. 10, 
10. Hab. 3, 17, 18.! 16, Col- 2.6- 
Luke «1. 46, 47.{* Or, reconciliation, 
Gal. 5. 22. Phil. $.| ver. 10e! 

h ver. 19. Gon, 3. @. 


4 


19. 22—24, 
Ez. ie, 4.1 Cor. 
15,21. Jams 1. 15+ 
Rev. 20, 14, 15, 
tf Or, #nwhom. 
k 3,23. Jam. 3. 2 
1 John 1. 8—10, 


Some expositors insert, ‘If we be not wanting to 
€ ourselves.” But first, Is not this adding to the 
Scripture ? And, secondly, Does not this lead 
us to trust in our own héarts, instead of trust- 
ing in God to “hold us up that we may be 
a4 safe 72 npode + 

V. 11." Having such a pledge of future and 
‘complete salvation, in the love of God through 
Christ, and in past mercies experienced’; the 
apostle declared that he and other established 
Believers, not only rejoiced’ and exulted in the 
hope of heaven, and in their tribulations for 
Chiist’s sake, but they gloried in God also, as 
their unchangeable Friend and all-sufficient Por- 
tion: but this was not by the works of ‘the law, 
as the Jew made his boast in Ged ;‘ but“ through 
“ our Lord Jesus Christ.” For, according to the 
jaw, they were all sinners and’ enemies, but by 


Christ they had now “received ‘the reconcilia-| merable multitude had pets 


tion.” (Marg.) This isthe proper transla- 
tion of the sentence, which refers to the whole 
of the pacification between God and the’ believ- 
ing sinner, through the mediation of Christ ;'and 
hot merely to the atonement, which is the ground 
of it. As they were confident that the great 
Peace-maker, who had effected this reconciliation 
by the blood of his cross and the power of ‘his 
grace, would certainly preserve it, they gloried 
in God through him, as their God and everlasting 
Portion. To explain all this of the Gentiles‘ex- 
clusively, as if the Jews did not want a recencili- 
ztion, makes the apostle speak of himself asa 
tre ntile ; and indeed it is so unseriptural and 
Trrational, that one cannot but be surprised to find 
men of great learning and talents contend for it. 
V: 12—14. in order more fully to illustrate 
his important subject, the apostle calls the read- 


er’s attention to the state of man from the fall of| so they will be saved in'Christ witho 


Adam. He was the federal ‘head, surety, and 
representative of all his posterity ; nor was sin 
entered, save to the personal condemnation of: 
Eve, till he also had eaten the forbidden fruit: 
(Notes, Genii.) By that one man sin entered into 
the world, to pollute and ruin the whole human 
species ; and so death, spiritual and temporal, 
followed and passed upon’ali men, ‘for that,” 
(or, as some translate it, “in whom,) all had sin- 
ned.” In Adara, as being in bis loins when’ he 
thus apostatized, we all sinned and fell under 
condemnation : his blood was attainted for re- 
bellion; and thence that evil nature originated, 
from which all our personal transgressions pro- 
ceed. In proof of this our union with Adam, 


ROMANS. 


Lf os Gen. i he 
& 


in ee which in’ some Petia 


Adam reached, in general, to all his posterity. 


13 Fon!untih thejaw sin As 
world), ™b is mot: imp 
there is no] 
14 Nev 
Adam to. Most 
had not sinned 


lam’s transgre 
of him that was, to | 


1 Gen. 4, 7-11. & 
6.5, 6, 11, 12. & 
8.21. & 13. 10 & 


56. 1 John t 
n ver. 17. 21. 
4, 8. at 5s 5—S1e | 


18+ 20). 21- & 1% 45) 7.2% By 19. 2 
32—36. & 38: 7.1@.) Ex. 1. 6. 
m 4, 15. 1 Cor. 15, * 


and our concern in his first ‘ealisgase 
the proud ‘heart of man’ is tod A. 
ject to with blasphemous enmity, it should 
observed, that for two thousand five | “a 
years before the giving of the: v ; 

in the world, and was pu 
sin cannot he imputed where no I's of which 
it isa transgression: © None* 
multitudes, who died b 
and the promulgation oF L 
ly violate the prohibition to 4 
of death bad been annexed} ye 
cluded in the sentence denounced 
and after much toil and suffering ret 
dust whence they were taken: Ai 
adults might be thought'to die 
violation of the law of tradit 
reason; yet'during this long? dgtervelra 


who had never broken’ any Jaw after't 
tude of Adam’s transgression, that | 
and deliberately. For the 1 
that had been cut off, with 
previously to their titer er 
been immensely great. They ‘been i 
in the duane ofited old: world, and of 
and Gomorraly; and in«the i 
things death reigned over” eras Ancient 
were capable of hsp tin ni 
and this fact could not be otherw 
for, consistently with the, divine pe 
by allowing them, as one wi 
fallen inhim under condemn 
violation of that- covenant, 
oe for all his offsp 
e a comfortable hopé; th 
Adam without their’ own personal i 


personal exercise of faith in him; as 
to be capable of it: yet that 
wrought in ‘them by the’ regener 
which would have produced faith 

lived Jonger. Indeed the-suff 
infants in every age, form 
of © inal sin: but’ ns was 


guilt of the parents on their children, to the third 
and fourth generation. Yet these Jaws were de- 
duced from the same principle of the oneness be~ 
tween the root andthe branches; though only 
applied in some special cases, whilst that of 


aan ig nD a i 


— 
esas ey 


a 


MD. 61; CHAPTER V. . A.D. 61: 


© 15 But 4 fot @s the offence, so also is| which receive 7 abundance of grace, and 

the free gift! For if through the offence| of the gift of righteousness, » shall Feige 

of one, "miany be dead, much more the|in life by one, JeSus Christ: 

grace of God, * and the gift by grace, 18 Therefore, as by t the offence of 
_ whiehts by one’ man, Jesus Christ, * hath lone, judgement came © upon all men to 
und ‘condemnation; even so by } the right- 
‘And not as it was by one that sin-j eousness of ene, the free gift came upon 
so is the gift: ».for the judgment} all men unto justification of life. 
yas by one to condemnation; * but the} 19 For ¢ as by one man’s disobedience 
arose is of many offences unto justifi- many were made sinners; ‘ so by the 
‘cation. obedience of one’ “shall mnany be made 
“17 For ify by * tie man’s offence] righteous. 
death reigned by one; much more they 
@ Vor. 16, 17. $0. teh 3B 10. & 5. AES 22. Luke 7.//z ver. 20. John 10. 


9, 10. em. cet oo 32. Acts 13% 
22.55. s 89, 1 Cor. 15. 22- 
+ Or, ene offence. emer s 2 
- te ver. 12. 15. 19. &) Jehn 2. 20. 

ib 8. 30. Matt. 25.1 3. 19, 20. e ver. Bik | 

34. 1 Cor. @ 8. att Or, one righte 1p Is, 63, 10-12. Dand 
Tim. 2.12. Jam. 2| ness 3,21, 22. 2) 9 24. 2 Cor. 5. 2te 
5.1 Pet. 2-9. Rev.| Pet. 1, 1. Eph. 1. 6- a 
1. 6. & 3. 21. & 5. ‘John 1. 7. & $.26.| 9-17. 


55. 8, Pers tr 47—50. Acts °13-} 10, 1 Tim. 1. 14. 
ae fae a Is, 53. 11,] 38, 39. 1. Cor. 6.9) a Is. 67. 10. Phil. 3. 
Oo Dany & 55.7. Rey. 7.9,) —11. 1 Tims1.15}, 9, 
eee 28.) 10. 14—17. 
lu Gem © 3, 6—10:ly vers 12- Gens S. 6} 
ieee Gal..3-.10, Jam. 2. Pe P Cor. 15. 21, 


2.9.1 John} 10. 
4 x es 1.18; 8-43.25" Or, by one offence. 


1 —16 


For be was a figure or type, of him, who was to/ most onreserved invitations, exhortations, and 
come, as the Surety of a new covenant, in be-/ expostulations,.and no sinner will be rejected 
half of all related: to him. In many respects|who sincerely seeks, this salvation, Yet these 
Adam might be’ considered as the contrast of} general truths perfectly harmonize with the 
Christ; but he resembled him, and was his type}secret purposes and foreknowledge. of God, i 
in the divine prescience, by acting as the surety | respect of the persons, who actually will em- 
of all related and united to him : for thus Christ | brace and obtain the proffered blessings. If then 
acted: as’ the Surety of all his people, who are} we omit the consideration of the number of these’ 
deemed his spiritual progeny, and they are inter- | that perish in the first Adam, or are saved in the 
este in his ohedience, sufferings, victories, and | second) Adam ; if we wholly leaye this to the 
tion.) * Adam is compared with Christ; | wise, righteous, and merciful Creator and Judge 
both in what is similar, and what is. contrary, | of all men, as one of those secret things which 
© They ate alike in this, that each of them shares | belong not to us: and only consider. the benefit 
€ what he has witb Ade: they are clearly unlike | delisvers derive from Christ, as compared. with 
« inthis, that Adam by nature communicates'sin | the loss sustained in Adam by the human race ; 
“unto death to his pesterity; but Christ, by|we shall then see the passage open most pet- 

* grace: ¢ommunicates his righteousness to his spicuously and gloriously to our-view... For the 

* people, unto life” (Beza.)—Many learned men | thoughts of the supposed vast majority, of those, 
explain what is said of death, as meaning only | who shall eventually perish, is apt to, vencumber 
“mortality: but, do we not all derive a depraved, | our minds in such contemplations : I say, sup- 

‘as well as'aimortal nature, from Adam? Andj posed; for probably we. shail find our conjec- 
does not’ Christ save his people ‘from guilt and | tures erroneous, when the doom of men throug!s 
depravity, as well as feommortality ? . And will} all ages and notions shall be finally determined. 
immortality, ‘without justification and sarretifionk Let us then advert'to the apostle’s words. . The 
tion, ‘be.any blessing? If we iare depraved, or| offence of Adam and its consequences do net im 
_dead in sin, and mortalyas Adam’s descendants, | all things coincide with the free gift, or the 

"we must not only die, butbe: miserable and) un-| grace of redemption. Through that one man’s 

holy for ever, without the salvation of Christ). ...| single offence, the many, or the multitude, of 

ous va 5—19, The chief difficulty, | which ren-} mankind are dead, under condemnation, and ex- 

ae : the expositions generally given ‘of these} posed to death, temporal and eternal. But the 
-_verses perplexed and unsatisfactory, arises from} mfinite grace and meroy of God, and the free gilt 
zs evident misconception of the apostle’s reason-| of righteousness and salvation, through that one 
an in ‘supposing that Adam and Christ repre-|man Jesus Christ, the second Adam, who is also 

Re sented exactly the same. company :» whereas |< the Lord from heaven,”. mach more abound to 
: ¥ was’ the ‘surety. of ‘the whole human spe-| many, even to.all the multitude of believers ; by 
; Christ only of that chosen remnant, which | bringing them into afar safer, happier, and more 

hath been, or shall. be, one with him by fuith.| exalted state, than that from which they fell in 
Indeed all men, in consequence of the undertak- | Adam.. For this gift not merely answers to the 
- ing-of Christ, are under a dispensation of mer-|loss sustained'by Adam’s sin, but far exceeds it 
he ey; and are “ endured with uiuch .long-suder-| in this respect ; that the judgment of God came 
ing ;”) they are not left desperate, have many |through Adam’s: single offence, upon mankind to 
temporal mercies, and shallall arise'to judg-} their condemnation; but the free gift not only 
“ment. There is also such an. infinite sufficiency | delivers believers from: that condemnation, but 
inthe ‘atonement of Christ, and it is so preposed | frem the punishment due to their own nume- 

‘inners, as a commen salvation for all who} rous, or rather innumerable, transgressions : not ’ 
faccept of it ; that a foundation is laid for:the{ does it place them anew in astate of prodation, 


7 -_ ‘ 


*ROMANS. * 


2i That 4 as’ sin*hath reig 
death, even’ ok 
through rig 
by Jesus Chr 


& 245, ) 1 Tenge b 
1,13+16. Tit. 3. 3 


“A. D: 6. 


“20 Moreover, @ the law ventered, that 
the offence might abound; » but where sin 
abounded, grace did much more abound,;- 


& 6. 14. & 7. 5—8.; —13. Fs. 25. 11- gi) 28, 19. Matt. 9.13. 
John 15. 22,2 Cor.| 1. 18 & 43024, 264 Luke % 47, & 23.) —7. 16 
3. 7—9. Gal. 3+ 19] Jer.3- 8-14.‘ Ez.| $9—43. 1 Cor. 6,9} iver. 14. & 6, 12.]1 vai 
25. . 16, 52. 60—63, &} —11- Eph. 1. 6—8.} : 16. 


- ¢ 


#5. 19, 20. & 4. 15.jh 6. 1. 2 Chr. 33. iE 25—32. Mie. 7: 


— * - 


though disobedience a 
posite to: obedience an 
believer, being justified in 
life in him, who preserves it. 
is not left to peradventures, or 
arising from the mutability of creat 
was; but he is safe by his union 
is God manifested in the flesh 7” 
felicity will be proportionably 1 
consequence of his e 
head, in Christ his B : 
evident, that all men, inthe 
word, do not ** receive 2 
of the gift of righteous 
“ fication of ‘life ;” and t 
versal sense, shall not 
shall “ go away into ‘everla 
the term must be explaine 
of all men in Adam, and int 
Christ, (18.). 
Ve 20; (OE 
justification of believers, ¥ 
or, long before the law. 
This dispensation entered a & : 
persons, compared with the whole 
Adam ; and for a. short time, c 
the duration of the world; but so. 
ing intended for the justification of sin 
entered that the offence might abound” 
moral law, by its perfection, showed t 
thoughts, affections, tempers, '¥ ords a 
were sinful, which otherwise we 
been known to be’ so; it evine 
and desert of every sin; and it i 
natural corruption both to | ank 
den objects, and to rise in oppos 


ke that of Adam before he sinned ; but it fixes 
them in a state of complete justification, even:as: 
Adam ‘would have been; if he had stood his time 
ef trial. For if, by one offenee of one man, 
death acquired a complete dominion over all the 
whole human race; so that none were admitted 
to a personal trial in tha® Peapect, whether they 
would be obedient or not: much more would 
they, who by faith received the abundance of 
God’s grace and merey, and were interested in 
the gift of righte Jousness, be assueedly preserved 
an that state of” cceptance, and so reign in life, 
by the perfect obedience of their one Surety 
Jesus Christ ; without the infinite peril, or fatal 
eonsequencés, of beihg put upon @ personal trial 
of their obedience, like that in’ which Adam had 
failed, and Christ had persevered. Man isiin- 
deed in some sense ih a probationary state on 
earth : but no man is put upon the trial, whether 
he can obtain exemption from the general con- 
demnation of Adam and bis seed, by his’ owa 
personal obedience. A trial is made of him, 
tending to discover the wickedness of his heart 
by manifold experiments; the trial is made by 
the Gospel, whether the siiner will repent and 
helieve ; professed Christians are tried whether 
they are sincere or not; and. believers are proved 
in respect of the strength of their faith and 
grace: yet ‘they are not put upon any probation, 
with reference to their justification and’ eternal 
life ; but are accounted rigliteous, and appoint- 
éd heirs, by faith alone, through the. righteous- 
ness of their One divine Surety; which consist- 
ed not Hike Adam’s offence, in one action, but in 
a continued and perfect conformity to the whole 
divine law, through life and unto his death upon 


the cross. Yet, notwithstanding” these differen: 


ees, the similarity is striking and instructive : 
for, as by the offence of one man, sin entered and 
prevailed to the condemnation of all men; so 
by the righteousness of One, ‘even Christ, grace 
entered and prevailed to the complete justifica- 
tion of all men, throughoutthe earth, and during 


all ages, who are related to Christ by faith, as all 
were to Adam by nature. 
' dience of one single person, being a public che 
racter or representative of his posterity, many 
were made or constituted sinners, and dealt with 


accordingly, previously to the consideration of 


their personal trrnsgressions ; so by the obedi- 
ence of One, who also was a public character, 
and the representative of his people, many, even 
the whole multitude of believers, are constituted 
righteous before God, and dealt with as such, 
even previously to the consideration of their per- 
sonal holiness and obedience ; which spring from 
their spiritual union with Christ, as depravity dees 
f¥om man’s natural union with Adam.’ Thus in 
wiany things the type and Antitype coincide ; 


For as by the disobe- 


-some terrific victor and tyrant, had reigned 
uncontrolled ‘sway, unto the death and ruin of 


against its spiritual prece : 
sanction. Thus it occasioned t 
be multiplied, for it had no 
man depravity ; and’at the 
vated the-enormity of s 
ted against so express” 
vine will. Even the ce 4 
ed apart from Christ, multiplied 
sequently transgressions So t 
evary sense entered, in order to. 
demn man’s abounding - 
periment tried with .a sp 
race ; that the free grace.of 
more gloriously displayed, by its su 
ing most, where sin had most abor and 
(tike the waters of the deluge.) f 
above the summits of the highest 

man’s guilt and depravity. So that, 


lla 


ett 


all men; under Adam’s covenant ; even so grace, 
or the infinitely free and rich mercy of God, 
might ascend a’ more exalted throne, and there’ 


_ r 


a 


_geance. How vast then are our obligations to 


~ in his attempts to counterfeit it : for all false af. 


_ to be consumed in the furnace ‘of long-continued 


' that reciprocal, steady, pre-eminent, and abid- 


forms ; and has enabled a feeble believer to dis- 


Mee “ss —— 


“a 


SOT ae CHAPTER VI. ADO 


Christ if his death, burial, resurrection, and living 
nto’ God, 1—10. They should reckon themselves 


to be dead to sin, and alive to God, 11; and, as not 


" bs ‘ ~ CHAP. VI. 
Believers are dead to sin, according to the meaning| 
of baptisia; which represents their conformity to] 


reign with benign authority, through the right 
eousness of the Surety of the new covenant, unto 
the ete nal life of all who believe ; in virtue of 
the power and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Grace, as reigning in the believer’s heart, may be 
included : but this is more explicitly treated on 
in the ensuing chapter; and grace as reigning 
upon the throne of God, to justify every believ- 
ing sinner, and to complete the salvation of 
every justified believer, is here principally in- 
tended. s*: as FAR Gy Tt he : 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
pres AV 11. 

A most blessed change takes place in the sin- 
ner’s state, however vile he has been, when he 
becomes a true believer: “ being justified by 
**faith he hath peace with God,” “through 
© our Lord Jesus Christ,” which will in due 
time be communicated to his Conscience, and 
dwell in his heart: he has free access to the 
mercy-seat ; he is established in the grace and 
favour of God ; and he may now rejoice in the 
hope of everlasting glory, though. he just before 
trembled from apprehensions of deserved ven- 


r it, the dignity of our Redeemer, 
the change wrought in us before we would ac- 
cept of the free gift, and the privileges most gra- 
ciously bestowed upon us: we cannot but allow, 
that the love of God our Saviour passeth know- 
ledge, and is infinitely beyond example or illus« 
tration. It is inconceivable, that even God him- 
‘self could more have commended his love to us, 
or have given us more powerful motives and en- 
couragements to humble submission and grateful 
obedience. In proportion as we feel the force” 
-}of these motives, we may be. assured that we 
ate justified by the blood of Jesus, and reconcil- 
ed to God by his death : and that we shall be 
‘saved from wrath by him, ‘“ who was dead, and. 
“is alive for evermore, and hath the keys of 
«death and hell” Though conscious of out 
own sinfulness, we may thus glory im God” 
through Jesus Christ, as having by him received 
the reconciliation. Atthe same time we shall 
learn not to disdain, or despair of, any other 
sinners: as we shall feel, that they are not 
worse in themselyes, or further from God, than 
We once were; and that they are equally capa- 
ble of being reconciled in the same way, what- 
ever their character and crimes may heretofore 
have been. 


price paid . 


‘him, who hath made “ all things ready” by his 
agonizing death; and hath made our hearts 
willing by his converting grace! May we act as 
the covenanted friends of our reconciled God ; 
may we “ adorn the doctrine of his salvation ;” 
May we study to recommend it to our fellow 
sinners, and to make grateful returns for his 
love, by our Kindness to our poor fellow Chris- 
tians, who are the brethren and receivers of 
this our rich and bountiful Benefactor! Then 
we need not be dismayed by temptations or af- 
fictions, or despond and murmur under them ; 
nay, we may glory and rejoice in them: for 
though nature feels that tribulation worketh im- 
patience, yet grace finds that at length it pro- 
duces patience, experience, and a hope which 
ean never make us ashamed; * because the 
* love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by 
“the Holy Ghost.” This seal of God cannot be 
broken, and satan evidently and peculiarly fails 


; V. 12—21. a 
Let us learn habitually to look upon ourselves 
and the whole human race, as in the ruins of the 
fall; sinners by nature and practice, exposed to 
condemnation, and no more able to save our own 
souls from hell, than to rescue our bodies from 
the grave. Instead of perplexing ourscives 
about the deep, but righteous, dispensation of 
God, in permitting the entrance of sin and death ; 
let us learn to adore his grace for providing so 
adequate a remedy for that catastrophe, which 
we are sure consisted with all his glorions per- 
fections. As our children have evidently through 
us received a sinful, suffering, and dying nature 
from the first Adam ; we should be stirred up ' 
ever by their pains and sorrows in helpless in- 
fancy, to seek for them the blessings of the se- 
cond Adam’s righteousness and salvation.—- 
Though the grace of God and the gift by grace 
have much more abounded to many through 
Christ, than justice and wrath did througk 
Adam : yet multitudes choose to remain under 
the horrid dominion of sin and death, rather 
than seek the blessings of the reign of grace ? 
But there is the fullest encouragement to every 
sinner, who comes to Christ for his free and 
holy salvation; and he will in no wise cast out 
one such humble supplicant. Let all then flee 
without delay, to this Fightagponcss by faith in 
Christ, whilst grace fills the throne of God, an@ 
before the Judge ascends his dread tribunal-: 
let the entrance of the law into the conscience, 
that sin may be known to abound, impel the sin- 
ner to the greater diligence in applying for free 
salvation: let none be discouraged by the view 
of. their enormous crimes, seeing there jis in 


fections, and enthusiastic confidences, are liable 
lictions ; and they never can communicate 


inglove of God in Christ, which no fire can 
‘burn, no waters can quench, and which, in ten 
“thousands of instances, has proved stronger 
than the fear of death, in its most tremendous} 


regard the cruelties of asavage executioner, in 
“comparison of the anguish of wilfully denying 
or disobeying his beloved Lord. Surely he is 
‘Worthy of all this from every one of us! If we 
_ consider how helpless, ungodly, rebellious, and 
full of enmity against God, we were, when his 


comrensic eye was first fixed upon us ; if we 
vOL ws salyation purposed. for us, the! Christ much morg abounding grae¢ : let the tre 


| . ee FEN : 
i x + 


EY GER cet ak Ha et ani Pe ks us 


: 
. 
: 
, 


oi 


\ pad 
a) ' 
A.D: 6h. | ROMANS. 
~ beingunder the las ut under er¢ mustnot|’ 3 ¢ Kne 
suffer sin to rei eir bodies d them. to}, as * were 
- God, eS SL er ss, 12—15. Be-}; + Syoneubit eh 
ing made free from sin, and becon “servants to} P for 
" Fightesusness, they should serve it wholly, 16—20.! 4 Therefore 
The service of sin is unfruitful, ‘shameful, and} by. baptism in 
» destructive; but the servants ff d have their] Christ was raised 


- fruit unto holiness, and the end eter: val life, 21, 
22, This is the gift of God i” Christ ; but death 
is the 1 Oe of sin, 23. 


&.) HAT shall we say then? > Shall Paes 
xf “owe. continue in sin, that ling 
may abound?. = >= 


2 © God forbid: 4 How shall we that 
are © dead to sin, * live any longer therein? 


a See on. 3. 5e ° _ fe See on. Se 4. gs Colds 3. 1 Pet. 
Diver 15. & 2.4, 5.j)d Gen. 39, 9 Ps. 


3. 5—8. 31K Ke} 119. 104. ‘i John 3. C3 tii 5. l4——-l7e 
20.21) Gal. 5. 12. 1 Pet. 1.14 & 4 
1—3. 


1 Pet. 2.16. aPclan rae ‘5-11. & 7 7 


"2. 18,19. Jude 4. | 4, Gal-2 19. & 6. 


established i inquirer give diligence to make sure 
his interest inthe Redeemer; and let the thank- 
ful and confirmed believer frequently meditate 
on his obligations, privileges, securities, and 
prospects. Let him contrast his state in Adam, 


‘with his felicity in Christ; that whilst he gives 


allthe glory to sovereign grace, through that 
obedience by which he is made righteous ; he’ 
may look at all enemies and remaining obsta- 
cles, and at the king of terrors, with a victori- 
ous hope, assured that grace shall still reign 
* through righteousness, unto eternal life, by 


© Jesus Christ our Lord.” 


NOTES. 

CHAP. Vi. V..1, 2: The apostle’ s doctrine 
might seem to lie open to the objection, which is 
now continually made to that of salvation by 
grace. It might be said, that if we be justified 
‘of entire mercy, by the imputation of Christ’s 
righteousness and the efficacy of his sacrifice, 
through faith alone, without works of any kind or 
in any degree, either before or after believing; 
are not men set free from all moral obligation, 
and the flood-gates of licentiousness thrown 
open? And if God take occasion from man's 
excess in wickedness, the more conspicuously to 
display his abounding grace ; may we not safely, 
and. even on principle, commit more and greater 
enormities, and continue in sinful practices, 
without remorse or amendment, on purpose that 
the riches of divine grace may be the more glo- 
rified in our salvation? This sounds specious : 
and self-deceived hypocrites, through satan’s 
suggestions, comment in this mauner on the 
Gospel; and so give some colour to the cavils of 
infidels and Pharisees. But the apostle has taught 

us how to answer all such objections, and guard |* 
against such abuses. Ie does not set us an ex- 
aniple of keeping gut of sight, explaining away, 
qm cautiously prop@sing, the free grace of the 
Gospel: but while he states his doctrine in the 
most explicit and decisive language ; ; he shows 
also the insepsxrable connexion between justifica- 
tion and sanctification. Let “the thought be 
«< abhorred,” says he, “ of continuing in sin that 
** grace may abound.” ‘The unbeliever has no 
part in that grace; and the believer is Gead to 


J “4 a 


~~ 


the glory of the 
should walk in ne 


1} 15. 29. Gal. 
Cor, 3. 16, fap. 6- See ges 
& 6.2, 3. 9,15, 16.j/k vere 3. Col. 2. 
19, & 9.13, Bde 9} 93. & S. 13 

wars 13.5. Jam. 4e11 ver, 9. & 


| Core eit 
he Matt. 28. 19. 1 


£ ver. 166% 7.1 


134... 
Cor. 12-. 43. (20. 
3. 2% 1 Pet : 


* Or, are. ‘ 
ver, 4, 5.3, 1 Corl 
i 
« sin,” and how then : 
in the practice of it? 
God, of the holiness 
and of his. own guil 
effect of regenerating 
he needed the: salvation o rh 
precieus té his heart, led eis) 
to abhor all sin. This change 
convictions, was more 
further discoveries of the grace 
of the comforts of redemption ; f 
wratitude to the divine Saviour, 
gelical principles, concur with dd 
mortify his affections to its pleasures. 
rests, and to cause him to grits 
as adead man ceases from the” 
Not only ought this to be the beliey 
but in a measure jt actually is so: t 
the proper evidence, being the insepa 
comitant of his justification. This 
secures him from abusing the 
he may be seduced into sin, } 
any longeri in the habitual pract of kno y 
gression ; he cannot take occasion 
ing grace, to continue’ 
more abound ; but on the” 
tion to his admiring views 
mercy in his salvation, hee 
« unmoveable, and always 
« work of the Lord ;” ane 
in duty, when such hope 
languid and low. * The! 
* and sanctification are 
© bond; each of them flows from 
« grace of God. Sanctification is 
© of sin, that is, of our origin 
© the place of which the purit 
* ture succeeds. Thisis the q 
€ Spirit creates in the membe 
« Head. “ Dying unto sin, “ibe 
* God,” ‘or Christ, or right 
«© toeach other”, (Beza.)— 
so many learned expositors, 
phrase, as if it only meant the: 
made in baptism : and, as if 
ie indeed * dead unto sin F 
. 3,4. "tor that by | his 
emphatiealy ows, that all 


" 


ir me f 
| AD. 61. 


? 


+» 5 For cif we have been P planted to- 
gether in the likeness of his death, we shall 


be also im the likeness of his resurrec- 

ton: ge sis 
6 Knowing this, 4 that our old man is 

° vestante. Eph.] 2. Jer. 2. 21. aay Gal. 2. 20. & 5 


2,56-Phil. 3.10, 11.| 15. 13. John 12. 24,} 24. Eph. 4 22. Col. 
p P02, 13. Is. 5.1 & 15. 1-8. 3.9, 10, 


tized into the name and religion of Jesus, had 


. CHAPTER VI. 


| A, D.' 612 
crucifie with Aim, * that the body of sin 
might be destroyed, + that henceforth we 
should not serve sin. ; ae 

7? Fort he that is dead is } freed from 
sin. me : Mere s 
Yr 7.24, & B. 9.18) 25. & &. 4.2 Kings 


Col. 2. 11,128} 5. 17. Ts. 26. 13. 
8 yer. 12, 22. &°7.| John 8. 34—36. 
x i 


t ver. 2, 8. & 7. Qo & 
Col.3,1-3, 1 Pet.4.1. 
T Or, justified. 8. ts 


‘order to intimate that all these things take 


received the sign, and made the profession, of|* place, by the grace which we derive from 
communion with him, and conformity to him, in| * Christ, he says that we have grown together 
his death ; that in virtue of his dying for their}* with him into one plant; as those things which 
sins, they should die to all sin, and have done|* are «planted together” with a tree, yrow tox 
with their former unholy satisfactions, pursuits, |* gether and live by one common sap? (Beza.) 
habits, and connexions. This profession was|* We grow together with Christ, as moss, mis- 
equivalent to “being buried with Christ,” as} <seltoe, or such like, grow up by a tree, and are 


dead with’him : for, as his burial was a manifest- 
ation that he was really dead, and an introduc- 
tion to his immediate resurrection, by the glori- 
ous power of the Father, or for the display of his 
glory; so the baptism of a converted Jew, or 


‘nourished by the juice thereof” (Leigh.) Sin- 
tiers become one with Christ, by partaking of 
the Holy Spirit, which animates his whole mys- 
tical body, as the soul does our natural bodies 5 
and. by the teaching’ and influence of the Holy 


Gentile, was a professed manifestation of his| Spirit, they believe unto justification: but the 
death to sin, and to all his carnal expectations,| same Sprit also mortifies all their sinful passions, 
affections, and pursuits, from which he meant| and renews their souls unto holiness. If then a 
to be entirely secluded, as one buried-is from] man be planted together with Christ in the like- 
the affairs of life’; and it was a professed intro-| ness of his death, he most certainly will be con- 
duction to his walking “in newness of life,” not | formed to him in the likeness of his resurrec- 
only as to his outward actions, but with respect |tion, and, by motives and grace derived from 
to his inward principles The spiritual meaning ||im, habitually live a holy ite, according to a 
of the external sign is the same, when baptism |néw rule, and fornew ends and purposes. For 
is administered to the infant offspring of believ-|hé will know, that Christ was crucified to atone 
ers : even as the meaning of circumcision was | for sin, in order that he ‘might mortify and de- 
the same, when it was performed on Abraham |stroyit. So that the corrupt nature, (called @ 
the aged believer, on Ishmael who perhaps never | man, because it comprises a complete system of * 
believed, and on Isaac, an infant of cight days | unholy dispositions and affections, and imparts 
old, long before he believed. It was the out-|its balefel influence through all the powers of 
ward sign of regeneration, or ‘a death unto sin, the saul and members of the body; and the old 
‘and a new birth unto righteousness,’ and it}man, because derived from the first Adam, and 
sealed justification by faith to all those, who ever |so in every: one prior to grace, or the image of 
possessed the thing signified, butto none else. /the second Adam,) is in all true believers, cru-. 
‘Pius Simon Magus, though baptized adult, de-|cified with Christ, by the grace derived from his. 
rived no more benefit from the outward sign, )cross, It is deprived of dominion, and proscribed 
than the multitudes do; who, having been bap-as an enemy’and a condemned criminal; its de- 
tized in infaney, when grown up despise the in- }struction is absolutely determined ; it is weaken.» 
ward and spiritual grace of it. Great stress has ed, confined, and in a disgraced, suflering, and 
"heen laid upon the expression, “buried with him | dying state, though it yet lives and struggles for 
, © by baptism into death,” as proving that bap- |life, and even for liberty and victory. Nor is. 
_ tism ought to be performed by immersion, to'|there the least intention, either in the believer: 
) Whickgthe apostle is supposed to allude : but we jor his gracious Lord, to release the crucified 
are said also to be orwcified with Christ, and cir-|rebel ; die he must, though in a lingering man- 
 gumeised with him, without any allusion to the {ner ; the whole-body of sin; every kind and de«. 
_ ousward manner in which crucifixion andcircum- {gree of inconformity to the holy law of God, 
 gision were performed : and as baptism is far |inust be abolished and destroyed; that the be- - 
| more frequently mentioned with reference to the |liever may no more be the slave of any sin, an& 
Pouring out of the Holy Ghost ; and as the apos- | hat at length he may be finally delivered from. 
_ tle is evidently treating on the inward meaning, |its harassing emotions. For he that is dead ta. 
_ not the outward form, of that ordinance ; no con-tthe love and practice of sin, is freed for ever- 
a elusive argument seems deducible from the ex. |from its yoke; he hath passed imto the séfvice. — 
ession, that immersion is necessary to baptism ; jof another master ; sin hath no, further claim, - 
_ Or that baptism was generally thus administered. fupon him, and shall never recover its, lost au: 
VY. 5—7. ‘By anelegant metaphor, the apos-} thority.) Thus the seventh verse is commonly | 
€tle compres Christ, who died and was buried, |explained ; but it is most exactly translated ;_ 
_ €and rose again from the dead, to a plant, which |“. He that is dead, has been justified from sin > ~ 
, being covered in the earth, germinates in due }und the literal meaning scems still more aptly to. 
“time. And then, because he had said, that }coineide with the apostle’s argument: h¢, ang 
< we are dead to sin, and buried with Christ, that |he only, who is dead to su, is justified fom 
‘we'might rise again unte righteousness » in| the guilt of it, “ having received the free pity 


. 


~ 


‘AD 63: e ROMANS. » 
8 Now “if we be dead. with Christ,j 12 Let.& mot sin theréfise! 


* we believe that we shall alse live with 


if 


him: 


hath no more dominion over him. 


10 For in that he died, ® he died unto 
‘sin once: but in that he liveth, » he 


liveth unto God. 


11 Likewise ¢reckon ye also yourselves 
to’ be dead indeed unto sin, © but alive 


unto God f through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 


u ver, 3—5, 4e6. 


ie 8 18 


13. Revs 1,18. 
2,11, 12. z ver. 14. & 5, 14. 
ms John 14. 19, 2] Heb. 2. 14,15. d See on» ver. 2. 
Cow 4 10—14. &a 8, 3. 2 Cor. 5. 21.je ver. 13. 
13.4 Col. 3. 3. 2l Heb, 9, 26—28. 2) 19, 20. 
Thes 4, 14—17. a 18. 20. Col. 3. 3—5. 


2 Tim. 


y Ps 16, 9-11, 
Acts 2. 24—28. Heb. 
Ze 16, 25. & 10. 12, 


9, Luke 20, 38 2} 16. 27. John 20: 31. 


s¢ unto fuetBiéation of life,” (v 18.) His death 
to sin, is the requisite attestation of bis being 


accounted righteous ; so that the doctrine, pro- 
‘perly understood, is incapable of that perversion 
‘which is generally objected to it. 


Vv 8—10. Conformity to Christ, in his death 
‘and resurrection, is the experimental ground of 


hope, that we shall live with Christ for.ever in 
heaven, as partakers of the gift of God, even 
eternal life, through him. The promise of eter. 
nal life is indeed the direct ground of hope in 
this respect: but all, who hear'the Gospel, do 
not obtain the blessing ; and how shall we know, 
that we, rather than our neighbours, are inter- 
ested in the promise, except by being CSnscious 
of having experienced this ‘ death unto sin, and 
“new birth unto righteousness ? * If a professed 
Christian is a stranger to ‘this change, his con. 
fidence of reigning with Christ in glory is pre- 
sumptuous. But when we become dead. to our 
once most beloved sinful pleasures, our pros- 
pect is clear, and our interest in the righteous- 
ness of the Surety is demonstrated. He rose 
from the dead, no more to be subjected to the 
dominion of death, seeing the end for which he 
died was fully answered. He could never have 
been liable to death, had it not been on account 
of our sins, imputed to him as our Surety, to 
expiate which he died once ; 3 but, having accom- 
plished that grand and gracious design, he rose 


‘again, and now in our nature, as one with the 


Father, he liveth a heavenly life in unspeakable 
exaltation and /felicity, to the glory of the divine 
perfections and government, by the conducting 
and perfecting of his mediatorial work, «as 
“ Head over all things to his church.” In like 
“manner, therefore, in conformity to his’ death 
and resurrection, we die unto sin, are delivered 
‘fom its dominion, and rise’to a new life, to fall 


no more under that bondage; but henceforth for’ | © 


ever to live unto God, and to find happiness in 
his holy service, and in glorifying his name.—As 
the blessed Jesus was in himself wholly free 


' from sin, it seems impossible to find any satis- 
factory meaning in the words, * He died unto sin. 
“ence; unless we allow, that he died as an 


9 Knowing that y Christ, being raised 
from the dead, dieth no more; 2 death|@ 


Gal. 2, 
1 Cor. 6. 


ib ver. 11. & 14. 7—/f ver, 23. & 5/1. & 
Cor. 5 15, 1 Pet.) Eph 2, 7. Fhile 1, 


your } mortal. body, that ye shi 
it iin the lusts thereof: - ; 
13 Neither k yield ye your me 
as * instruments of unr’ 
sin: but! yield yo 
those that are ™ ali 
n your members as ir 
|eousness unto God. 


Gal. 5. 16-24, 
2.3. 8 4, 2a 
Tim. 2, 22. Tit. 2: if 1 1. dor ey 
12. & 3. 3. Jame 1 Dan. 3, 28, 1 
14, 15. & 4, 1—3, 8,20. Te bppeed 
1 Pee Ide & 2] Phil. 

a 


z 13. 1 Pet, "2. 2s 
Ps. 37. 32. Prove 
he get , Oe 


11.& 4.7. Col. 3. 
17. 1 Pet.2.5. & 
4.11 : 
& ver. 16, & 5. 2. 
& 7.23, 24. Num. 
33. 55, Dent. 72 
Josh. 23. 12,” 13,| 
Judg.2. 3. Ps. 19. 
13. & 119. 133. 

h 8.11, 1 Cor 154k ver. 16.19; & ra 
53, 54. 2Cor. 4.1 5.23, 1 Cor, 6.15, 
w&5 4. Col. 3. 5. Jam. 3. 5. 


i ver. 16. & 2. 8.& 6. & 4.1. 
8& 13. & 13. 24, 


atoning sacrifice for ie sins of men, which were | 
imputed to hi and. “ bare them in. his owe 
** body on the tree27 eae eae “4 
V.11.. The preceding verses. hae anh 
racter and experience of real Christians, ac 
ing to their measure of grace: but the apostle 
here proceeds to exhort professed Christians to: 
evince their sincerity by a suitable conduct, sand: 
true believers to live up to their ‘privileges, and 
in consistency with their profession. For this 
end, let them account themselves to be 
“6 indeed unto sin,” and be influenced by this i 
a resolute rejection of all its allurements and — 
temptations: and let them consider themselves 
as alive unto God through the Li a 
his Son; that they may feel more powerfully 
motives of the Gospel, to devote their tren 
talents, and powers, to his service, and to seek 
all sna happiness in glorifying him... | 
. 12, 13. ‘ The vicious affections, like nox- 
due weeds, sprout up and increase of thems 
‘selves but too naturally; while the graces of 
‘ the Christian temper, ‘exotics in the. cer tene 
«human heart, like the more hyo "E 


pn & 


«heaven must quicken "them, 
‘part also, in order to their 
‘health and vigour, cons ; 
‘ and assiduous care? (W : 
therefore, suffer sin to re gn. ‘in pea 
(which were become: mortal, and whigatnb ae } 
tention or gratification could preserve from the) 
grave ;) that they should obey and ¢ d } 

its corrupt lustings, to the i injury 0 f 
mortal souls. If a professed Chris 
habitually, he could have no’ evi 
conversion ; as provision is pe i} 
for deliverance from ithe —— iog 


| 


must eek id evidenseds dc i 
would be'the, effect of partial a ‘y 
fulness, and forgetfulness of his o ns and — 
privileges. [et then no one of them yield, or | 
consign over, the members, senses, or organs of 
oe bodies, to ns employed asthe raat meat 


ae 
AyD. 61. : 
14 For ° sin, shall not. have dominion 
J Nae yg 
“over you: P for ye are not under the law, 
but 4 under grace. 


is © What then? * shall we sin, be- 


cause we are not under the law, but under 

grace? ‘God forbid. 

a Hs nes, [Practical Observations.) ; 

“16 t Know ye not, that "to whom ye 
yield yourselves servants to obey, his ser- 
Yants ye are to whom ye obey; * whether 

“of sin unto death, or of obedience unto 
Fighteousness? 

17 But y God, be thanked, ” that ye 


© Ver. 12. & 5. 20,5 3.6—9. 2.19. 
21. Ps. 130, 7, &(r See on. 3. 9. x ver. 12. 17. 19— 
Mic. 7. 19. Matt 2.]s vers 1,2. 1 Cor. 9.) 23. 


21, John 8: 36. 'Pit.| 20,21. 2 Cor. 7. 1.ly See on. 1. 8.1 Chr. 
2.14. 8. 10,1 Gal 2. 37,18. Eph: 29. 13—16- 
P 3:19, 20. & 7% 4) 28-10. Tit. 2.11 7e27. Matt. il. 25, 
—11. Gal. 3. 23. &}| —13. Jude 4. 26. Acts 11.18. & 
4. 4, 5.21. & 5, 18.|t See on. ver. 3. 28, 15. 
gq ver 15. & 4. 16-\u ver. 13- Josh. 24-[z 1 Core 6. 9—11. 
"% 5. 21, & 1. 6.) 15. Matt. 6. 24.) Eph, 2. 5—10. 1 
John 1.17. 2 Coy | John 8 34. 2Pet| Tim. 1. 13-16, 


Se ae 
or weapons of the carnal propensities of the soul, 


in doing the work or carrying on the warfare of 


unrighteousness, in the commission of sin; by 
making them inlets to sinful thoughts or affec- 
tions into their hearts; by communicating the 
inward evil to pollute others with corrupt words ; 

‘or by gratifying any sensual, malevolent, covet- 
‘uous, or ambitious inclination. But rather let 
them yield and give up themselves wholly unto 
God, as alive from the condemnation and death 

f sin by his abundant grace ; that all their pow 

ers of body as well as soul, might be consecrated 

to his service, as instruments of his work in all 
righteousness, to his glory ; or as weapons with 
which to fight his battles, against sin, the world, 

and satan. Thus our eyes should be employed 

in contemplating the works, and reading the 
word, of God; our ears, in hearing his voice, 
‘and in attending to the cries of the distressed ; 
our tongues in speaking the praises of God, and 

in profitable conversation; and even our natural 
inclinations, should be so regulated by his law, 

and subordinated to superior considerations, that 
whether weeat, or drink, or whatever we do, we 

“es may do it to the glory of God.—Is it not evident, 
"that sin is here represented as having its seat in 
theysoul, which employs the members of the 


__ body as instruments of accomplishing its vile pur- 
poses? And if so, what becomes of that system 
| of interpretation, which supposes animal nature 


to be the flesh, and the rational soul the spirit 2 
“+ @Notes, vii. 15—25. viii. 1-13.) 
_ V. 14, 15. Hope of victory gives fresh ar- 
dour to the courageous: asstirance of it would 
_ make a coward valiant. The slave emancipat- 
ed from his yoke, or the captive escaped from 

_ his dungeon, will resist all attempts to reduce 
“him to his former abject state, with a vigour 
proportioned to the prospect. of preserving his 


tion to its influence in every instance. He shows 
at the ground of this assurance of final liberty 


‘ 
f 


‘ 


CHAPTER VI. 


Ezra 


beloved liberty. Thus the apostle assures be- 
' fievers, that sin shall not resume its hated domi- 
nion over them, in order to animate their opposi- 


and victory lies in the nature of ihe covenant. 


Be: Ww. D. 61. 


were theservants of sin: * butye have 
obeyed from the heart » that form of doc~ 
trine * which was delivered you. 

18 Being then © made free from sin, 
ye became the 4 servants of righteous- 
ness. a 

19 I © speak after the manner of men, 
f, because of the infirmity of your flesh: 
for sas ye have yielded your members 
servants to uncleanness and to iniquity, 
b unto iniquity ; even # so now yield your 
members servants to righteousness « un- 
to holiness. aa 


Tit. 3.3—7. 1 Pet4 were delivered. £8. 26. & 15+ Is 
2.9,10.& 4, 2—5.Je ver. 14. Ps. 1161 Heb. 4.15. 4 
a 1, 5. & 2.8. & 15.) 16. & 119, 32. 45.\e ver 18.17. 1 Cox. 
18. & 16. 26. Ps.| Luke 1. 74, 75.| 6.12. Eph. £. 2, 3. 
18. 44. Marg. 2) John 8. 32. 36. 1} Cole $.5-7. 1 Pet. 

Cor, 10. 5, 6. Heb.| Cor’ 7. 21, 22. Gal.| 4 2—4. — 

5.9. & 11, 8. i Pet.| 5-1. 1 Pet. 2, 16. ph vers 16.) 1 Cor. 5. 
1, 22, & 3s. 1. & 4,]d ver. 19. 20. 28. Is.) 6. & 15,83. 2'Tim. | 
174) ; 26.13. & 54.17. | 2,16,17. Heb, 12,15. 
b 2 Tim. 1. 13. é 3.5.1 Cer. 9.8. &}i ver. 13. 

* Or, whereto ye| 15.32. Gal. 3. 15.|k ver. 22. 


‘ 


He could not.intend merely to distinguish be- 
tween the legal dispensation and that of the 


‘Gospel; for 3]l were not slaves.to. sin) who were 


under the former, nor are all free from sin who 
live under the latter. But the moral law, as the 


foundation of the coyenant of works, is evidently 
opposed to the covenant of grace. All who re- 
main under the legal covenant, must be held un- 
der the dominion of sin, and their efforts to 
emancipate themselves must be unsuccessful; 
because no grace is by it promised, or commu- 
nicated to a sinner. But the believer passes from 


under this covenant, to be under that of merey 
and grace: and as motives and encouragements 


are by it supplied, so effectual help is ensured to 
him, to preserve him from ever again. becoming 


the willing slave of any sin; though he may be 
sorely harassed, baffled, or even polluted, by 


those temptations and corruptions, to which he 
once was wholly subjected. 
then safely commit sin, because ‘ they are not 


May Christians 


under the law, but under grace?’ To this the 
apostle answers with his usual energetic ex- 
pression of abhorrence. A carnal man taking 


it for granted that he is not under the law, but 


under grace, because of some change of notions 
or flow of affections, may thus abuse the doc- 
trine of final perseverance, as well as that of 


free justification ; but the true believer cannot ; 


his heart rises against the vile suggestion, ‘and 


he must reject it with decided detestation ; or 


if betrayed to yield to it in any imstance, he 
must abhor himself, and deeply repent of such 
base ingratitude and perverseness. , _ 

V. 16—19. It could not but be known and 
acknowledged, that all believers. were the ser- 
vants of God. The apostle therefore demanded, 
whether it might not be ascertained, whom any 
man served, by observing the constant tenour of 
his conduct? A person may do an occasional 
service for one, to whom he is not a servant - 
but no doubt he serves that man, to whom he 
habitually yields and addicts himself, and in 
whose work he spends his time and strength, 


' day after day and year after year. The case is 


se | ‘Seeom. were 1%. 


gD. 6i. 


20 For when ye were U the servants | 
of’sin, ye were ree t hteous- 
mess. ae 

21 m What Frail had ye then in those 
things. ‘2 whereof ye are now ashamed ? 
© for the end of those things 7s death. 


22, But P now being ae free from 


y 
Ps. 73, 17, Provs 14. 
ri & 16. 25. se tek 
3. 19. Heb. 6. 8 

Jam. 5.20. 1 Pet. 


4. & 42, 6a 8 “ 

Or, to righteous-} 3. & 8. t p 
ye 3 Er, 16. 61-63% & 
ym 7. 5: Prov. 1. 31.] 36,31, 32. & 43. 11- 


& 5. 10-13. & 9.| Dan. 9. 7,8. & 124 4, 17. Bey, 20, 14,\| 16 Rey. 7. 3. Gen. 2. 17. Ez: 
37,18. Is. 3, 16.1 2 Luke 15.17—21.[p See’ on. ver. 14.15 ps, 92, 14. Jobn| 4. 20. Ise & 11 
Fer 17. 10. & 44. 2 Cor. 7-11. 1 John} 18. & 8. 2, 2Cor-| 15,0. 16. Gal 5.| Cor. 6.9, 10+ 
20—24. Gale 6.7,8| 2. 28. 3.17% Gal: 5-13. | 29, Eph, 5.9 Phil.| 3.10 & 6. 7, 
us Ezra 9. 6, Job 40./0 yer 23. & 1, 32,| 1. 11. BA176 Col} Vie hee 


————— 
the same in spiritual matters : a man may pro- 
fess Christianity, and’ in some things appear to 
serve God, and yet. habitually addict bimseif to 
sinful pursuits and. pleasures. But every one 

‘gnust be judged to be the servant of that master, 
to execute whose commands he willingly yields 
himself;. whether it be the sinful bias of his own 
heart, in such actions as lead to death ; or the 
new spiritdal disposition to ‘obedience, in habit- 

mally performing the righteousness required in 
the law. The apostle, however, not enly con- 
eratulated the Romans, but thanked God ‘also, 
on account of the'change which bad taken place 
in them. They had been the willing, devoted 
slaves of sin, which they uniformly obeyed by 

_ Sratifying their various carnal inclinations, with- 
out regard to the authority or glory of God. But 
they had now cordially obeyed the call of the 
Gospel ; they bad been delivered, or cast into the |, 


© wery fashion of it, as melted metal receives and 


yetains the exact impression of the mould into 
which it is poured. Being thus renewed into the 
nature of the humble, holy, and loving Gospel of 
Christ, they were set at liberty from the slavery 
of sin, and became the servants of righteousness, 
obeying the dictates of that new nature, which 
is, as it were, God’s representative in the heart, 
even’as sin is that.of satan. These things the 

apostle stated to the Christians at Rome, by simi- 
litudes taken from the affairs of men, ‘ because 
« of the infirmity of their flesh 2? which render- 
ed them tess capabie of understanding abstract 
reasonings; and that he might guard them 
against those delusions, to which their weakness 
and remaining sinfulness would otherwise expose 
them. As ther efore, before their conversion, 


they had yielded their bodies as well as their: 


souls, to be the servants of uncleamess and i in- 


Justice ; thus continually accumulating guilt, : add. 
ing strength to their evil propensities, and fur- 
thering the cause of wickedness and ungodliness 
in the world : even so ought they tow to devote 


themselves wholly to be the servants of right- 


eousness, or to execute constantly the com- 
mandsof God, the dictates of his Spirit, and the 
motions of the new nature: that by progressive |h mduc 
sanetification, they might press forward to per-' 
fect holiness ; and do what they could to render 


others also holy and happy. 


ROMANS. f * 


CRE al eine na a ale tie BREE ie aloe SRL A SRST aT ae | eS RSs 


“<4 
a ns ce 


no means free from obligations to be righ cous, 


V. 20: The willing: slaves ‘of sin, though by j ever 
ae vet enrestreined by them in fhewne Rein be those, 


de i Me chs 
New wee ed Mee Sean 


Be) "3 


sin, aids a become: servants. 
have your fruit to 
end everlasting 2 
23. Fort the wa 
the gift of 
Jesus Christ o 


q 7.25. Gen, 50. 17.4 Ld 
Job 1. 8. Ps. 86, 2-1s ver 
& 143, 12. Is. 54.}. 10. Ps. 3% 
17. Dan, 3. 26. & 10. 
6. 20, Gale 1. 10.) 16 > 
Col. 4. 12. Tit. 1. 1.| John 4. ; 
Jam. 1. Ip, 1 Pet.2.\t 5. 12. a 


own carnal inclinations; they perfort 
vice. to righteousness ; they are not 
by a regard to the’ glor or authority of Go in’ 
any of their actions mse uniformly grati some” 
of their own unholy passions, pe a 
in so doing. Ca ey 
V. 21-23. The stle 
readers to declare,” eth seni 
acquired in the service 
fruit produced by those 
as penitents, they were 
could not but know, thé 
appointment, disgrace, 
and sorrow, always attendee ‘followe suv ?. 
indulgences; besides their fatal »eflects om — 
others: and therefore, if this life alone were consis 
dered, they could have no ratienal ind 
to return ta them. But, besides all pre ent f 
consequences, * the end of beeen tg i - 
death ;” and it is a mere delusion” 
that any creed or profession can preserve 
bitual transgressor from this condemnation, 
death is here opposed to everlasting hfe s and 
temporal death is the end of the es 
wellas the most, ungodly life ;_ 
surd to restrict his meaning to t 
body : doubtless he meant the futuy 
nal misery, in a total separation from the pre= — 
sence and favour of God, and under, h cewdul:, 
wrath and vengeance. From this conder 
the believer is set at liberty, when m 
from sin; as the removal of the 
fetters, and the opening of his 
nected with the pardon 
the Christian becomes the 
forth he has his fo i 


es eat ceria aatig i =a 


tends to incaaae "sanctification, an 
promote the general cause of truth and 
against that of delusion, sin, and misery 
terminates in perfect holiness : so that in 


» at the end of his course, he 
session of everlasting life ; of pein »h 


ae a ee 


Gain ewness oft life 
ct is pe to, be co 


ae Oe 


4 ae i 
eA 


i A hee ee = + 
a y . 


j 
AED. 6). 
. < CHAP. VII. 

~ ‘Fhe believer’s death to the law and union with 
ce on their defective and defiled 
fo rely entirely on free grace, through 
eousness and atcenement of Jesus Christ: 
at holiness, which is the meetness for 
‘happiness, is as much the gift of God 
h Christ, as that imputed righteousness 
~is the believer’s title to it. Thus the 
stle closes his argument concerning justifica- 
on, and sanctification as the seal and evidence 
of it. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
Vv. 1—4. 

Self-righteous pride and antinomian licentious- 
riess, afe two fatal rocks, on which immense mul- 
titudes are continually wrecked, and between 
which none but the Holy Spirit can pilot us : and 
the objections of open enemies to the doctrines 
of grace, derive their greatest plausibility from 
the unholy lives of many professed friends. -The 
mercy of God is indeed glorified in proportion to 
‘the abounding sin, which is freely pardoned to 
the penitent ; but his justice will be glorified in 
the deepest condemnation of those, who * con- 
“ tinue in sin, that grace may abound.” Every 
true believer abhors the thought of thus pervert 
ing the Gospel, and despising the riches of di- 
vine grace : and could he be led to think that he 
might go on in sin with impunity, he would be 
ikept back, by a strong aversion, from it : for 
how can he, in whose heart those principles are 
mortified, which gave rise to ld former sinful 
courses, continue in those practices, which he 
now has no pleasure in, but loathes and dreads? 
Our baptism indeed may instruct us in the neces- 
sity of thus dying to sin, and being buried, as it 
were, from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and 
of rising to walk with God in newness of life’: 
and unholy professors of Christianity, (alus, how 
“many ate they!) belie and virtually renounce 
their baptism. They have had only the outward 
sign of ‘ a death unto sin, and a new birth unto 
«righteousness? they have never passed from 
the family of satan into that of God ; they have 
never renounced the world, the flesh, and the 
devil, to believe in Christ, and keep his com- 

mandments. : . 


e 
* 


V. 5—15. 

’ If indeed we have been so made one with 
‘ Christ, as to stand accepted in his righteousness ; 
we shall certainly have conformity to him in his 


le us to “crucify our old man, with his affec- 

tions and lusts,” and excite us to determine, 
_ on the destruction of the whole body of sin ; that 
__We may no more serve thathated enemy, which 
__ etucified our beloved Lord ; nor ever rest satis- 
| fied, till it hath no place in.our souls. 


Thus by 


 Yooking to our crucified, risen, and glorified Re- 


deemer, and believing that we shall live together 
with him; we should be animated to “ reckon 
- | * ourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto 
“God through him” As our mortal bodies will 
-Jasi be raised immortal and incorruptible by 
the almighty power of the uaviour : so we should 

7 


“CHAPTER VIL | 


‘death and resurrection: and his grace will ena- 


 . 


a. D. 61s 


- Christ, that he may sefvé. God in newness of spi 
rit, are illy ted by the law concerning mary 


never allow sin to reign in them, or obey it in the 
lusts thereof; but, praying earnestly for help 
from above, we should refuse to yield any of our 
senses or members, to be the instruments of un- 
righteousness, and seek to have them all devoted 
to God, and employed im his service ; as those, 
who have already entered on that divine and hap= 
py life, which we hope to” to all eternity. 
To this we may be encouraged by the nature of 
the new covenant. isti 


fi 


e are 
not under the law, which gives no power, and 
proposes no mercy ; but under the grace of the 
Gospel: and this ensures to the Pegenerate the 
liberty with which Christ hath made him free. 


fe V. 16-23. tat Tae 3 
The real Christian finds by experience that his 

heart as well as his state is changed : he has 
most cordially changed his master and bis work = 
he remembersyhat once he was the wretched 
slave of sin; but he thanks God, that he both 
heard, understood, believed, and obeyed the 
Gospel : thus he found his mind cast into the 
form of it: and as the same metal becomes a new 
vessel, when melted and cast into the mould ; so 
he-became a new creature, when he was thus 
made free from.sin and became the servant of 
righteousness. Notwithstanding, therefore, « the 
“ infirmity of bis flesh,” he aims, and prays to 
be enabled, to spend all his powers and capaci- 
ties of body and soul in the service of righteous- 
ness, unto increasing holiness ; even as he once 
yielded them to serve his’ sinful passions, unte 
abounding iniquity. . As they who now are the 
servants of God, once were the slaves of sim ; so 
they who now.are the slaves of sin, may become 
the servants of God through the Gospel. We 
ought therefore diligently to use every means 
with those who are yet unchanged, in dependence 
on his blessing to render them effectual: and 
when the change takes place, we should heartily 
thank him for it. We may boldly inquire of sin- 
ners, What fruit they gather from their vices ® 
What real goodgthey derive from ungodliness 
and iniquity? We may show them that all must 
be ashamed of such things, either in deep repen- 
tance here, or in everlasting contempt and misery 
hereafter: for the end of them is death; and 
every wise man will consider in what future 
consequences his.present tonduet is likely to 
terminate. Happy is he, who is covered with 
shame for his past offences, who is set at liberty 
from sin, who has his fruit unto holiness, and the 
end everlasting life. It is of the Lord’s mercy, 
that we have not received, as well as deserved, 
the wages of sin: but thanks be. to-God for the 
inestimable gift of his own Son to be our Salva- 
tion, and of etcrnal life through him! May we 
all forego our boasts, and renounce our vain coni- 
fidences ; may we come as condemned criminals, 
not to buy merit, or earn the favour of God, 
which is life eternal ; but to supplicate him, for 
Christ’s sake, to bestow it on us as a free gift; 
that he may haye ail the glory, both now and for 
eyermore 


a ha ae 


“~— 


In interpreting these verses, the meaning of the 


A.D. 61. 


riage, devia ea inal ray! 

mature, the law, though holy ou ‘and good, ean 

"only oceasion sin aud death, 7—18. The painful 

eonfict: of those who delight | in the law of God, 

si hie are not able to keep it, 14—24; and their 
corm of deliverance by Christ, 2 25. 


“NOW ye not, b brethren, (for I 
A. Speak © to them that know the 


law,) how that ¢ the Jaw hath dominion 
over a man as long ashe liveth? 

2 For © the woman which hath an hus- 
band, is bound ‘by the law to her hus- 
band so long as he liveth; but if the hus- 
band be dead, she is loosed from the law 


of her husband. se a" 


WM pyibe 


be married to anoth 

4 Wherefore, my 
are become dead t 
of Christ; * that ye 
another, even to him 
the dead ; ' that ye sl 
fruit unto God. i 


f Ex, 20. 14. Lev.t Gal. 2. 19, 20, & 3. 
20. Num. 5.13] 13. & 5 18. Col, 21 
Ke, Deut. 22, 22—] 14. 20. ' Re 

24. Matt. 5, 32/1 Matt. 26.26, John % 

Mark 10. 6—12.) 6.51. 1 Core 10.16.11 6, ’ 
Jobn 8 3—5, | Heb. 10, 10, 1Pet.2. eae 5. 8. Gal 

g Ruth 1, 13. 1) 24, Phil. 1. 11. 
Sam. 25. 39-42, ifk Ps. 45, 10—15.- sre ea oo ic 
Tim. 5. 1i—14, 54. 5. & 62. 5.4 
h ver. 6. & 6» 14. Hos, 2-19, 20. Jolin as 


e Gen. 2. 23, 24. 
Num. 30. 7, 8 1 
Core 7. 4. 39. 


a See One 6. 3s \ i 9. Gal. 4. 


B9. 3. & 10.16 21. 
@ 2 17, 18, EzraT.fth ver. 6. & 6. 14, 


25, Prove 6. 230 pee 


Any NOTES. 
, CHAP. vi. V.1—4. The apostle had be- 
fore said, “Sin shall not have dominion over 
you; for ye are not under the law, but under 
iat grace;”, (Note, vi. 14, 15.) and he here pro- 
“eceds to confirm and illustrate that proposition. 


main subject by an apt si 
* apostle particularly mean 
‘ distinction from the 7 
‘ spoke of it in diminut 
© Col. ii. 20.. Heb. viii. 1 1 
* these lessening or ine haracters 

* law, are’ found in this: pistle, oe 

* the ceremonial law, in ae is ‘said about ju 
‘ tification by its works? 7 
marks may prepare the wa 

tion of this passage, and ane _ ter, 
after mature deliberation, Ihave giv 
Jewish convert sto Christianity reside 
and the apostle, it is probable, more 
ly intended these, when he said, Is; 
* you that know the law.” But several 
Gentile converts had doubtless got ed 
with the books of Moses, Now it ell 
known by them, that the law retained its Hie 
rity over a man, to enforce obedience. or 


Sc ae 


word daw must be first carefully settled ; that is, 
whether the ceremonial law in particular, or the 
Mosaic dispensation in general; or the moral 
law, as requiring perfect obedience in order to 
justification of life, be intended. Most exposi- 
‘tors explain it either-of the ceremonial law, or 
the Mosaic dispensation; but they do not assign 
any satisfactory reason, why sin must have had 
dominion over a man, as long as he continued 
under the ceremonial law, or the Mosaic dispen- 
sation ; or why deliverance from the law in this 
sense, by professing the Gospel, should ensure 
his liberty from that slavery. No doubt, great 
‘umbers under the Mosaic dispensation were} punishment, as long as he lived, 
both justified and sanctified, (by the mercy and | the clause may be rendered.) 
grace of the new covenant -indeed;) but their/death alone ieee the relati 
relation tothe law did not prevent them from 
being made free ‘from sin. Of the other hand, 
vast numbers remain slaves to sin under the 
Christian dispensation ; and their external privi- 
leges.and profession do not deliver them. But 
so long as a man continues under the law, as a 
covenant, and seeks justification by his own obe- 
dience, he inevitably continues the slave of sin, 
in one form or, other; as nothing but “the Spi- 
rit of life in Christ Jesus” can make any one 
** free from the law of sin and death :” and on 
the other hand, every one who is delivered from 
the law, asa covenant, by living faith in Christ, 
is, by the * Spirit of life” given to him, deli- 
vered from the bondage of sin, which shall ne- 


of circumstance : and when 
Christian, and understood his © hi 
his relation to the legal ‘isp 


a 
terminated. From this | cu of a Jew, i in Te 


tional covenant, ‘they might learn how thi 
stood in respect of the moral law, as 
tion of the covenant of works. The la 
ing marriage also, would aptly illustrate 
ject. The married woman was bo 

husband in the strictest bonds 
moral law forbad adultery, the 


ver more have dominion over him.—The apos-|demned the adulteress to death : 
tle’s argument, through the rest of this chapter, | became dead to her, and sh ; ‘ 
relates exclusively to the mural law, and refers} of her say ma ‘Tf, belie this, she il 


especially to the tenth commandment ; as they 
who explain these verses of the ceremonial law, 

orthe Mosaic dispensation, are constrained to 
admit: and though he speaks in the first three 
verses of the law, in a more general sense ; it 
shauld be noticed, that he is only illastr ating his: 


/ 


band’s death, she incurred Bi ie 
ing: another man, The apostle doe in this 

place, state the. precepts concerning marriage. 

under the Chwistian«dis ensation 5” he rely 

id P € mere 

q 


4 \- 5 For when we were ™ in the - the 

4 s of sins ® which were by the 
id work in our P members to 4 
h fruit unto death. Be 


that being dead wherein we were 
id; that we should * serve in newness 
spirit, and not iz the oldness of the 


= te 


io ae ; [Practical Observations] ~~ 
a RS 
848, 9. John 3.6.) 3.. u 
Gal. 5. 16, 17. 24.) 1 John 3. 4° | 15. Gal. 3. 13. 23-— 
+] 2.3. LU. ‘TitJo ver. 8—13. Matt.| 25, & 4. 4, 5. 


ine 


1 Gr. eee CAIN . 
D 3.20, & 4. 15. & 19. Col. 3. §» Jam,| & 6, 4.11 
, 5-20. 1 Cors15056-] Ail. © & 12.2. Ez. Lf 19. 
2 Cor. 3%: & 36. 26. 2-Cor. 3. 


nee 3. 
” Gr, passions. 1.26. 21. Jams 1. 15. that. ver, 4 
4 Gr. “dp vere 23. & 6. 13.J5 1,9. Se wre 


6-9, Gallg 6.21. 


aaa. 
ne particular, how the case stood un- 


ane 
der the law: he says nothing concerning divor- 
ces or polygamy ; neither does he intimate that 


the man would be an adulterer, who took another 


wife, while his former was living and not legally 


divorced : yet our Lord hath taught this. (Wares, 
“Hatt. xix. 1—9.) It would, therefore, be foreign 


“£0 the apostle’s vo to interpret his words} as’ 


meaning, that a woman, who had been equitably 
divorced for consauguinity, ( which rendered her 
former marriagé a nullity ;) or for any other 
_ cause, would be guilty of adultery, if she marri- 


- 


te inculeate any such thing, Now the case 
of the believer, in respect of the subject under 
-consideration, bore some analogy to that which 

' had been stated. Not only were the Jewish con- 
Verts dead to the Mosaic law, by its virtual abro- 
ation ; but all true Christians were become dead 

to the moral Jaw, asa covenant of works « by 

* the body of Christ,” by his incarnation, obedi- 
ence, and sacrifice on the cross for their. trans- 
Sressions. He having thus answered its demands 

as their Surety, it had no further power to con- 
demn; but. believers were looked upon to have 

* fully endured its sentence, and fulfilled its right- 
eousness, by their Representative. Thus the re- 
Jation between them and. the law was dissolved, 


| either party :) and this was in order to their be- 
ing Murried to Christ as risen from the dead, that 


i Being united to him according to the covenant of 
face, and interested in ail his unsearchable | 


3 


_ Kighes, they might, by the supply of his Spirit, 


i holy stamp of God upon it; be meet for his gra- 
S acceptance 3, and honourable to his name, 
ould be remembered, that many of the 
were under the Mosaic. law ; and even the Jew. 
sa Converts Were Not as yet required to re- 
_ ‘Rounce it : and this consideration still. more fully 
_ Proves that the apostle meant something very 
different from what manylearned expositors have 
Supposed, ( Nore, Gal ii. 19, 20.) 
* - 5, 6. © In the flesh,” evidently means an 
generate state, (Hare: Ref.) which is the 
ary consequence of being under the cove- 


Tant of | orks, and destit f \ 
VOL. VL ™ estitute o: the bEce of the 


* 


"CHAPTER VIL. 


© now we are delivered from the 


jlaw, sin was'dead = 
Jam, 2.9,10.[r ver. 4. & 6. 14, 


15, 19. Gal. 5.19—jt Or, being dead to 


‘edagain during her former husband’s life ; for 
neither the law of Moses, nor the precepts of 


‘(as Marriage is by the natural or legal death-of 


forth such fruit in their lives, as should bear} 


tiais at Rome had been Gentiles, who never 


OR LR, | RO. ee! 


ft) or ae . - 


7 * What shall we say then? ¥ Js the 
law sin? God forbid. Nay, * I had not 


known sin but by the law: for I had not 


known + lust, except the law had said, 


y Thou shalt not covet. ; 

8 But % sin, taking occasion by the 
commandment, * wrought in me all man- 
ner of concupiscence. > For without the 


Matt. 5.28. Luke 


6. & 5.17. Gal. 26) Ps. 19+7-12 & 119, 

19, 20. & 6. 15} 96.  .. | 12-15. Eph. 5.3. 

Phil. 3. -3. Col. 3.) Or, i ‘Col. 3.5. 1 John 2. 
ver. $1 28. de) 15, 15. 


5. © fx yer. 11. 13.17. & 

y 13.9: Gens 8. Gi) 4. 15. &iS. 20. © 

Ex. 20. 17. Deutig Jam. 1. 14, 15. 

Cor. 15. 56. 5 21. Josh. 7. 21, 2)b 4.15. John 15, 22, 

x vere 5. & 3S, 20.) Sam, 11.2. 1 Kings MMs 1 Cor. 15, 56. 
21. 14. Mies 2. Re 


10. : 
t35.24.1.& 6. 
15. 

u ver. 8 11, 13. 1 


hy 


Gospel... While, therefore, both Jews and Gen- 
tiles were in this state, the motions of’ sin, or 
those carnal desires and affections which the law 
forbad, powerfully exerted themselves, wrought 
by the membets of the body, or rather in all the 
constituent parts of the man, to produce such 
thoughts, desires, words, and works, 2s sub- 


jected them to death by the sentence of the jaw, 


instead of entitling them to life as Having fulfil. 
led its righteousness. But when, by faith in 
Christ, they were delivered from that covenant, 
and their former relation to the law was dissoly- 
ed; they, becoming dead to it, or it becoming: 


dead to them, they were brought into a new rela. 


tion to Christ, and God dealt with them by 
another covenant. Being; therefore, now rege~ 
herate, and having sure promises of grace as 
wellas mercy; they were encouraged and en- 
abled to worship and obey God in newness of 
spirit,from ingenuous principles, according to the 
spiritual meaning of the precept, in cordial love 
and. gratitude; under the influence of the Holy 
Spiit; and.not merely with external observan- 
ces, moral or ceremonial, according to the mere 
letter of the precept, and the corrupt glosses 
of the scribes and elders upon it, of Which along 
the old nature is capable. (Wotes, &c. Maze. 
v. 2 Cor. iii.) —* Some of the works of the flesh 
‘do not require the members of our body, but 
‘ only the faculties of our minds, for their per- 
‘formance.”’ (Locke.) 

Y. 7, 8. Itmight be 


objected, that if they who 


were under the law inevitably remained the 


slaves of sin, and if none could serve God in 


newness of spirit, till they were dead to it, and it 


to them; surely the Jaw and six weve in sub- 
stance the same : and would not this be a vile 
aspersion to cast upon the law of God? To this 
objection, the apostle answered, with abhorrence 
of such blasphemy, by observing that the law 
and sin were diametrically opposite to each 
other; and that the former tended to discover 
and detect the latter, (iii. 90. v. 20.) so that, in 
his own case, he should not have known the sin- 
fulness of his affections and actions, but by the 


jlaw. That exact balance detected the deficien- 


cy of his obedience, and that perfect standard, 
showed. the obliquity of his heart and life; as 
well as proved his sins to be more aggravated 
and numerous, than he had ever before imagia. 

G ; : . 


Vie 
lt Ve 


7 


; 


® 


, 


ED. el. 


9 Fore I was alive aed 
once:¢ but when the comman 
¢ sin revived, & and I died. iia 


“10 And © the comm “a oe which | 


was ordained to life, I fou to be unto 


death. cai 


© Matt.19.20, Luke] 15. 4-6. Mark 7. f ver. 21-23. & &.7° 
“10. 95—29, & 15.) 8-13. a ver. 4. 6. Tfargy 
29, & 18. 9-12. 21-Je S. 19, 20, & 10.5] ver. 11. & 5. 20, 
Phil. 8. 5, 6. Ps, 40, 12. Gal, 3.} Gal. 2. 19. - 


d Matt, 5. 21, &e+ &1 10. Jame 2+ 10, 11.1h 10, 5- Levs 18. 5. 7 


ed: at the same time that it contained no proyi- 
sion of mercy or grace for him. Thus the whole- 
‘some laws of the community shut up the crimi- 
nal in adungeon, load him with fetters, and con- 
demn him to death for his contraviety to them . 

but the clemency of the prince alone can give 
him a pard@M and release.—In particular, the 
apostle observes, that, by his natural conscience 
without the law, he should not have known, that 


lust or coveting was sinful; he should not have 
supposed, that, though free ‘from adultery, theft, |i 


or) murder; yet the desire of a forbidden indul- 
sence, or an object withheld by Providence, wes 
criminal, even so criminal as to expose him to 
the curse of. the law. Nay, he should not have 
felt so mahy lustings or covetings, if the very 


{ A spy of the commandment, * Thou shalt not 


covet,” had not given sccasion to them. So 
that sin, (his depraved nature, spoken — of as an 
agent,) traiterously w atching the opportunity of 
destroying him, took occasion from the com- 
mandment to excite in bis heart all manner of |" 
concupiscence, The imagination began to rove 
after forbidden objects, the carnal heart hen- 
Kered for them, and he was led to conceive of 
some greater satisfaction in them, than in those 
which “were not forbidden.» That: man. has 
no deep knowledge of human nature, ,or the 
perverse wickedness of his own heart, who does 
‘not observe, oris not conscious, of this irrational 
propensity, to fancy that there is something ex- 
quisitely pleasurable in what is out of our reach, 
or prohibited. Indeed it seems natural to ex- 
pect that it would be so with the posterity of 
those who could be satisfied with.no fruit in the 
garden of God, except that which he had for- 
bidden: amidst the profusion of Eden, perhaps 
that tree had been disregarded, if it had not 
been prohibited. We soon see this propensity in 
others, especially in our children; though per- 
haps self-love may make us blind to it in our- 
selves —‘* For without the law sin was dead :” 
not only the same affections and actions could 
net have hurt us, if the law had not given sin its 
condemning power, but the sinful principle lay 
comparatively in a dead or dermant state; asa 
frozen serpentis inactive and imnoxious, till the 
warmth enlivens it, and itrecoyers vigour; and 
then if provoked its nature becomes apparent. 
‘Thus the. spititual precepts and awful sane- 
tions of the law, excite the depravity of the heart 
by their contrariety to it; (as the alkali produe- 
es an effervescence by its opposition tothe acids) 
and so the heart rises in blasphemous enmity to 
the law, and rushes more impetuously into 
transgression.—In what sense can this be applied 
to the ceremonial law, the ordinances of which a 


i ver. 8. 13. 
ie 


Ex, 20,11, Luke Eph. 4. 
| 1027—29.2Cor.3 3.74] 13,9 ‘1 
1 ver. 147% 

As 44, 20. Jer.17 12.2, Dent « 
9,& 49,16. Ob. 3.) & 10, 1%; 


ed their relation to the § 
ed? Does the tenth 
ceremonial law ?- 
tion from the ce: 
be found in this ¢ 
tle evidently throt 
sition; namely, © i 
law are slaves to sin 

expositors, who set 9 


carnal mind might readily 


to hemes 2 
their readers, t 
the moral law, mi 
tentive student: and. 
from this source is 
« prising to me, tha 
© and some others 4 


* law,” Gedee t 
fe sin is dead,” ‘nota 


*'to transgression, sin 
‘not able to have its Wi i 
© bring death upon me. 
* to the apostle’s peremptory 
<‘ by one man sin entered - | into 
« death by sin? ‘ that sin wes. 
“until,” | ¢ or all alon : 
« and that “ death reigne 
ses.” (Vv. 19-34.) ed 

‘ that sin was not able to h 
© to bring death on n, 


« had reigned unto dea 
« years before that law, w: 
* told, alist the Me he 


* that ‘de trans 
* thy of death. 
Vv. 9—12. It see 

here spoke li eg of 
rience, 
he not’ give some intim 
another place he fairly brou, 
(ii, 17—29 :) and, ambigui 
tic of his writings. Inde 
the more humble and sp init 
the more.clearly will he] per 
tle describes, the vison 
from his first convictions to | 
in grace during this pres 
object is to show that the lawe 
a sinner, either to justify or_ 
that the believer feels this — Fee 

lives. <1 wae, says he * ale die 


* ae Sis et : ‘ gle 


Dest: ee “CHAPTER Vi.) 


eee A. D.6i. ; 
13 Was a then that which is. good, | 14 For we k ow that P the law is spi- 
eath unto me? God forbid. But’ ritual; 4 but I am * carnal, * sold under 
° sin, that it might appear sin, werking]/sinw gs : 
. in me by that which is good, that} p Ler. 19. 18. Deut.) 25- Prov. 30. 2. 5.|8 yer. 24, Gen. 377 
“commandment might become] Matt 6. 22 38: &| Luke se 8 & 7, A Es te aces fe 22 


Luke 5. 8. & 7. 6,) Ex. 21. 2—5. & 22: 


> sinful 22. 37-40, Hebe 4.) 7. & 18, W—14 3. 2Kings 21.20, 
cx ot = 2 . ’ 12. Ge hy Rpb. Si aay | 2Kings 1Y. 17. Is. 
: » [Practical Observations.) ver. 18 23, 23./r Matt. 16.23. 1Cor.| 50. 1. & 52, 3« Am. 


= : gq 2 
,3. Gal. $. 21. 0 ver. 811. & 5. 20. Jam. 1. 13-15. Job 42,6, Ps. 119. 81S 2. 6. Matt. 18. 25. 


‘once :” he was once a Pharisee, ignorant ef the} law, or the Mosaic dispensation: they had a 

spirituality of the law, and only attentive to the| temporary fitness and goodness ; but they made 

outward letter; to the corrupt glosses of the} nothing perfect, and consisted of carnal ordinan- 
- seribes, which served only to limit and explain|ces, which continued in force till the time of 

nway, even the literal sense of the command ;}| reformation. Rees! ‘ 

and to ceremonies and traditions; andvhavingy V. 13, 14. The question here recurred, 

some general decency of character, without any| Was a good law made death to those who were : 

acquaintance with his inward corruptions, he} under it? Was this its natural tendency and ef- 

concluded that his heart and life were good, and | ficacy ? This conclusion the apostle rejeets wilh 

that he was in a state of acceptance with God.|detestation. Wholesome food, or a valuable 

But when the commandment came to his con-| medicine, through a diseased state of the body, 

Science, by the convictions of the Holy Spirit,|or when taken improperly, may occasion death, 

and he perceived its righteous and extensive re.| contrary to its general and proper tendency : but 

quirements, and its severe denunciations, he} poison kills, 48. a cause, by its native efficacy. 

found the lusts of his heart, which before seemed | Fhe law may occasion death through man’s de- 

dormant, rise against it ; and eyery endeavour to pravity ; butsinis the poison that causes it, Tt 

fulfil its precepts showed him more plainly his| was not therefore the law, but sin, thay was made 

inability to doit, Thu s his former hopes, died | death to Paul: sin took occasion from the good- 

away ; he found himself a helpless sinner under| ness of the law to manifest its own deformity, 
jmerited condemnation, and became as a dead | odiousness, and cire malignity, by working death 


man, except as the Gospel revived him from des-|in him by that which was good, as an intempe- 
ondency. And the law, of which the promise] rate man murders himself, not by a sword or by 
eae “The man that doeth these things,| poison, but by the wholesome gifts of a bounti- 
“shall live in them,” which was originally ordain-| ful Providence. Thus through the command. 
ed to life for holy creatures, and from which, he,| ment “sin became exceeding sinful ;” that is, 
ugh a sinner, had expected heaven, was} the odious and ruinous nature of sin, as wellas 
found to be unto death:” even as the law of|the sinfulness of the human heart, were most 

e land, which secures the lives of honest men,| clearly shown, in order that the abounding: 

is found to be unto death by the murderer or| grace of God might appear the more glorious, 
tobber.—The ceremonial law was not ordained! For, says the Apostle, we “know and allow that 
unto life, except as it pointed out Christ, the) “ the law is spiritual.” Itis not like human laws, 
substance of its shadows; and it was found unto} which only reach to the outward actigus, and 
death by none, but those who made it an appen-|take no cognizance of the motives, affections, 
dix to the covenant of works, and rejected|and thoughts: for God chiefly respects these : 
Christ for the sake of it: and this perfectly co-| the law requires an entire conformity to the spi- 
incides with the interpretation above given For ritual excellency of the divine perfections, and 
sin, the corruption of fallen nature, being averse | such a state of the heart.as approves itself to him 
to the holy strictness of the law, by its extreme | who'is a Spirit ; and it allows of nothing but what, 
 deceitfulness, seduced Paul into various trans-|is done from the most pure and sublime motives, 
_gressions, and thus slew all his self-righteous|and in perfect love, zeal, gratitude, and delight. 
_ hopes, and actually brought him under deeper|Compared with this, the apostle found that he 
» condemnation. Not that the law caused this, or} was “carnal, sold under sin :” his nature was 
» even gave any just occasion for it: though sin| perfectly opposite to this spiritual law ; ané after 
b  iook occasion from it, as a wicked man takes oc-}all his attainments in grace, he found himself so 
‘e ion’ from a pious discourse, or a friendly ad-; much short of this perfection, and in every re~ 
_ Monition, to scoff, blaspheme, ar tage the more.| spect so unable to attain to if, though he ardent- 
The whole law must therefore be allowed to bejly aspired after it; that he seemed comparative. 
er’ = tly holy, the transcript of the: divine cha-}ly to be carnal, and like a man who is sold against 
ter; and cach commandment, (especially that} his will to a hated master, from whom he can by 
ehibiting concupiscence,) most pure, and at}no means set bimself at liberty. Numbers can- 

@ utmost distance from moral evil; most just, ;not conceive, that St. Paul could mean this of 


as Tequiring nothing more than what is right-| himself asa confirmed believer ; and finding it 
sously due to God and our neighbours; and}to he inseparably connected with what follows, 
ast good, as tending to the true welfare of our-j they would expiain the whole of an awakened 
wes, our families, the community, and all man-|Jew, or some other convinced sinner, who is. 
so that the universal observance of it| seeking justification by the works of the law ; 
0 almost annihilate the eviis of the world, | or at most of an unconfirmed believer. But stich. 
and’ convert earil into heaven—The apostle things are spoken as are tree of none but reat 
. ver passes such eulogiums on the ecremohial| Christians; end the whole is actielly ceria 


t 


_ * of righteousness.” 


“ROMANS. 


A. D. 6i. hl : ‘ 
15 For tthet: which i da * allow} not, 7 I co ‘ 
not; for * what I would, that ;} good. 


but x what I hate, that dol. . 
16 If then 1 do that Which I Shald 


t ae 22. Luke l1.ju ver. i6. 19, 20. t Eee 7. 20. Gal. 5+ 
Ki 8. 46. Ps. . Phil. 3. 12—14. 


ings 
os Gr. know. Ps 1.) 19. 12.& 65» 3. & Jam. 3. 2. 1 John 
6. Nah. 1, 7-2 Tim.| 119. 1—6. 82, 40.| 1-7, 8, 


2.19. x 12.9. Ps. 36, 4, &' 


their experience. 
sell himself to work wickedness, as Ahab did; 

nor willhe imitate those slaves, who loved hey 
master and his service, and refused liberty when 
offered to them: yet when he compares his ac: 

tual attainments with the spirituality, of the law, 
and with his own desire and aim to obey it, he 
sees that he is yet to a great degree carnal in the 
state of his mind, and under the’ power of evil 
propensities, from! wifich, (like a man sold fora 
slave,) he cannot wholly emancipate himself. He 
is carnal, im exact proportion to the degree in 
which he falls short of perfect conformity to the 
Yaw of God: atid he indignantly and reluctantly 
serves an abhorred master ; yet cannot shake off 
the galling chain, till his powerful and gracious 
Friend corfés to rescue him from it. tis trues 
this inability lies only im the remaining. evil of 
his heart: yct itis areal, but most humiliating, 
hinderance to his serving God, as angels and the 


- spirits of-just men made perfect do; or as the 
Saviour did, who cotld:say, ** The prince of this 


“‘ world cometh,’and hath nothing in me.’ To 
this perfect holiness the zealous believer cannot 
bat-aspire; nothing short of it will ever satisfy 
his “ hungering and -thirsting: after righteous- 
ness ;” and this proves that in another sense, he 
is made free from sin, and become the “ servant 
As the apostle was. far 
more enlightened and humble than Christians in 
general are; so doubtless this clog was more 


uneasy to him, than it is to them, (though some | while he hated and abhorze 


of us find our lives at times embittered: by it.) 
So that this energetic language, which many 
imagine to describe an unestablished believer’s 
experience, or even’ that of an unconverted per- 
son, seems to have resulted from the extraordina- 
ry degree of-St. Paul’s sanctification, and the 
depth of his self-abasement and hatred of sin: 

and thé reason of our not readily understanding 
him seems to be, be€ause we are so far beneath 
him in holiness, humility, acquaintance with the 
spirituality of God’s lew, and the evil of our own 
hearts. In the former part of the chapter, the 
apostle had spoken in the past tense, “I was 
<“ahive,” “&e : ‘but here he uses the present, to 
which he uniformly adheres in what follows... He 
had deseribed his state as a blind proud Phari- 
see ; and the manner, in which he became dead 
to the law, as to serene on it for justifica- 
tion: and here he shows, thet even ss a confirm- 
ed Christian, all his’ hope and all his:holiness 
mist come from Christ, according to the new 
covenant.  ‘Fhus, in another) place, he says, 
*¢ What things were gain toe me, these I counted 
“loss for Christ; yea, doubtless, and I count all 


* things but loss, for the excellency of the jconduct: anda. godly mzn has ¢ 
(Nate, Phil.\iu, his holy progress, from ° 
iil. 7—2 ) Some indeed make the {ransition | out ward temptation ; yet this‘ is riot. ma 


4) knowledge of Christ Jesus,” &e. 


A believer cannot willingly 


‘condemned for it; but to s 


17 Now the 
it, but 4 sin t 


97.10. & 1013. & 
119. 104. 113. 128. 
163-. Prov. 8. 13.|z ver. ns S00 
“&13. 5. Am. 5. 15+] 2 Cor. 
‘Heb. 1.9. Jude 23- 


from the experience of the apo 
first convictions, to his subsequen 
indwelling sin, to be made < 
but the. change of tense in this pla 
mits of that-onstruction. In th jie 
chapter; in which our Lord pz 
blessed, 2s a believer, he says, I 
not the things that be of God, but the e431 
* of men,”. (Matt, xvi. 23 ay that is, thou attcar- 
nal, not totally, but ina co erable degree. 
Humbiy’t to confess, and deeply to lament being 
thus ‘carnal and sol is) 
position and. conduc 
lusts ; and the readiness, 
of the most, eminent bel 
language, s showanat 
strong feelings of abh or 
abasement..“¢ § abhoi 
and ashes SAV ot is) 
“for I amaman of un 
“soul cleaveth, unto Pegi ; 
“more brutish than any man!” 
“V..15—17. ‘Fhe apostle here 
ly enlarges on the conflict, whic! 
tained with the remainder of his 
ty. He was frequently betr: 
pers, words, or actions, as he di 
allow, in his renewed ju 


possible, to perform a pe 
law.of God ; but he eal in 


gree of sin» he found i 
avoid committing it. In th 
ted, and desired sbove al 
« consented xo the law, th 
as the prevailing bias of his s: 
he was, evidenced by it to be 
under the covenant of 
not be considered, that he 
hated, "but it would be chay 
sin that dwelt in hiro as 4 
he could notexpel, | 

ly obey it. He eettainly: did 
his. sinfuiness, as if he m} 


ness could in no case be 
by the grace of the Gosp 
character are determined 
bitually, prevails in his h 
standing, impediments and 
man feels. some inward 6 
from conseience,, fear, or 
with various obstacles to the 


desires; yet all this isa r 
whilst sin habitually ae 


/ 


OW b that in me, (that is, 
h,) dwelleth no good thing: 

= is present with me, but how 
Pia: which is good, | find not. 
the good that I would, I donot: 
evil which I would not, that I do. 
Now if I do that I would not, ¢ it 


pn. 7. 5. & 8.) 2.1—5. Tit. 3.3. Ajd ver. 15, 19. 25, 
‘Job 14. 4. &| Pet. 4. 2. Ps. 119. 5. 32.40, 
| Je 14—16. & 25./c ver. 5. 25. RB. 3) 115—117. 173. 176. 
“4, Ps. 51. 5. Is.64. | —13. & 13. 34.) Gal. 5.17. Phil. 2, 


5. Matt. 15. 19.) John 3. 6+ Gal, 5.| 13, & 3.12. 
- Mark 7. 21-23. 
Lake 11.13. Eph. 


19—-21. 24. 5 le ver. 17. 


him for condemnation, seeing the prevailing state 
of his heart and tenour of his conduct are holy. 

Thus Judas, in betraying Christ, acted in charac- 
ter, according to the habitual, though concealed 
state of his heart: it was he that did it: but 
Peter, t 


CHAPTER VIL a 


ae 


42 
A. D681. 


is no moreeEne at “do it but sin, that 
dwelleth in me. 
21 JY find then fia Jaw, that when! 14 
would do good, 5 ‘evil is present with me.~ 
22 For} I delight i = ee “gal? of God, 


after i the inward man : 
7 i 


Gicee 23. & 6. 19 ae ae 7 “| 


ae 


16, 24. 35. 47, 48. 


14. & 8.2, Ps. 19.) 6. 5—7. Zech. 3s, 1) 72. 92.97—104, 115, 


13. & 119. 133.) —4. Euke 4s 11S, 127. 167. 174. 
John 8. 34. Eph. 6.) Heb. ee 17, 18 & is. 51. 7 John 4, 
W1—13. 2 Pet. 2c) 4. 155). ; 34. Heb. 8.10. 
19, h 87. Job 23, 12.]3 2, 29. 2 Cor. d 15. 


g 2 Chr. 30.18, 19.) Ps. 1, 2, & 19 8—} Eph. 3. 16. Gol. 3 
Ps, 19. 12 & 40.| 10: & 40.8, & a 9, A Oe 1 Pet. 3. 4. 


present with him, to interrupt, intrude, ‘baffle, - 
discourage, and defile him... Let any man who 
knows his own heart, and the spirituality of the 
law of God, compare his actual conduct, com 
prising his thoughts, affections, words, - and 


3 


rough sudden temptation, acted out of| works, during any given time, with his purposes, 


character, and contrary to the habitual state of} prevailing desires, and earnest persevering prays 


his heart, in denying Christ; it was “not he, 
_ © but sin that dwelt in him;” according to the 
gracious tenour of the new covenant. 

V. 18—21. ‘The apostle knew, that in him, 
as a fallen creature, apart from regenerating 
grace, no good thing; } in, and only sin, was 
found : thougir its igs were more specious 
at one time than another. It is evident from the 
limitation, “ that is, in my flesh,” that he spoke 
as avbeliever, whe had grace as well-as sin 
dwelling in him = for it will soon appear, that By 
fash, in this connexion, he does not mean the 
‘body. as distinct from the soul, but the old man, 
or human nature in unregeneracy ; which never 
concurs with the Holy Spirit in regeneration, or 
with the new man afterwards, but strives against 

‘both. He was more deeply acquainted with this 

humiliating truth by his experience subsequent 

to conversion, than he had been before. Former- 
‘ly, he might have supposed, that .a little good 
' disposition, or moral ability to holiness, was in 
man, but this was now experimentally disproved. 
Ae regenerate, he had indeed an habitual: wil- 
Tingness to cbe ey, the law of God, and to accom- 
plish the good required by it : but his corrupt 
‘nature, though dethroned and crucified, ‘made 
‘such ‘constant opposition to this, that he could 
ry ‘by ho means perform what he aimed at. So that 
"in fact, he didnot fulfil that measure of good, 
\ Gwhich’he was habitually desirous of doing, but 
: - every thing feii short of his sim: and he was 
) Frequently doing the evil, in some meas; 


“Now as he was thus const: intly baffled and 


ne deavour rg to obey the law; it was evident 
aN {was not properly he, asa believer, who did 
ut the traitor and enemy that lodged with- 
t. “He was obliged, contrary to his 


‘ sist in maintaining the’ conflict with his 
enemies, without being able entirely to 
ate them. For in fact, he found by painful 
meta there was a law imposed pt 


@|mixture of seifisi motives. 
 Fespect, which he was most bent upon avoid- 


ate I$ 
tructed, i in his earnest persevering Gesires 


ers: let him’ take that one duty which he espe- 
cially aims to perform most perfectly, or that. 
temper or evil propensity which he most lofts. 
to rectify or extinguish : Jet him examine him- 
self very exactly in these respects. every night, 
and he will surely find, that he cann@t but be a 


sinner still, and is subjected to “a law, that when 
“he would do good evil is present with, Him.’ 
God has wise reasons for permitting this to be 


so, especially to give us a deeper sense of the ma- 
lignity of sin and our own vyilemess, in order to 
commend the grace of the Gospel; but they. 
who aremost acquainted with the excellency of 
the law, and most diligently aim in every-thinge 
to obey it, will be most sensible that. the case 
is really thus with them. Yet this opposition to 
sin, and mortifying disappointment respecting 
their most ardent desires, must not be confound- 
ed with the willing slavery of sin, and the con- 
yenient excuse of indwelling’ depravity... The 
apostle, “ daily exercised himselfto have a con- 
* science void of offence toward God and man °° 
and could call others to witness, “ how holily, 
« and justly, and unblameably, he had behay- 
** ed among them.” -Yetthis was not inconsist- 
ent with his being deeply humbled. in the sight 
cf: God, by the consciousness of wandering 
thoughts in prayer, want of fervour, of love, and 
gratitude to God, zeal for his glory, and enlarg- 
ed good-will to men, the. rising of evil tempers, 
the intrusion of vain ymaginations, and the inter- 
All these are sin, 
‘and as such hated and abhorred, in proportion 
to ‘the degree: of sanctification ; yet no mere 
man onvearth, after all possible diligence, watch- 
fulness, fasting, and» prayer, could. truly’ say, 
that in#these respects he was nerfectly free from”. 
‘sin, In Ins.worship andvobedicnee.. So'that even 
a person, who. is not conscious of at any time — 
neglecting one duly, om .committin® one actual 


| transgression in word or deed, (which i is af least 


a mest uncommon case;) yet aspiring to. be holm 
as an angel, or as Jesis Christ. was, will yery 
painfully feel, that “he doeth not the things 
*€ that hey ond: and find a law, that when he 
s* would do good, evil is present with bim.;” and 


ay desi jrous of ‘doing goed, “evil was | the more spiritaal a, services are, in wh! ich hic 


2 and bringing me int 


Kk ver. 5- 21. 25. &} 38, Ps. 6.6, & 32. 


WR PRE CA, 


‘A. D. 61. or ie 


“93 But I see - another law inmy mem- 
bers, warring against the law of my mind, 
© captivity fo the 
Jaw of sin which.is in my members. — 

24 O ™ wretched man that 1 am! » 


Ps. 71. Ll. & 72. 
12. & 91, 14,15. & 
102. 20. Mic. 7. 19. 
Zech. 9. 11, 12, 
Luke 4. 18. 2 Cor, 
1. 8—10. 2 fim. 4, 
18, Tit. 2. 14. Heb. 
25s 


8. %. Ec. 7.20. Gal.| 3,4. & 88. 8—10. 
5.17 1 Fim. 6. 11,]°& 119. 20. 81~83. 
12: Heb, 12, 4.) 132, 143, 170. & 
Jam. 3, & & 4. 1.] 130. 1—3, Ez, 9 4 
1 Pet. 2. 11. Matt. 5.4.6. 2 
BP yer-14. 2 Lim. 2| Cor. 12. 7—9. Rev. 
#5; 26. 
m 8, 23. 21 Kings 8 


Le 4s 
n Deut. 22. 26, 27. 


engages, the greater clog and hinderance will 
it be to him. Had the apostle intended to de- 
scribe the case of any of those, however distin- 
guished, who habitually live in sin, aguinst the 
conviction of their own judgment and conscience, 
it cannot be conceived, that he would not, with 
his usual concise energy, have reprobated their 
conduct, as far more aggravated, than that of 
ignorant and thoughtless transgressors: but 
siothing of this kind’ appears ; on the contrary, 
the leads on the character, which he is describ- 
ing, to exultation and joy in-believing. 

V. 22—25. By the * inward man,” the apos- 
tle must mean the soul, as renewed by divine 
grace. He alone uses the term, and concerning 
believers only. The affections and powers of 
the soul of fallen man are more opposite to the 
daw of God, than the bodily appetites; nay, the 
fatter are not sinful, except as improperly gratifi- 
ed through the lusts'of the heart. (Marg. Ref.) 
But to approve, and even delight in, the law of 
God, according to ‘the habitual judgement and 
affections of the soul, through’a kind ofspiritual 
sympathy, or congeniality of heart with its most 
spiritual requirements, must/be peculiar to the 


yegenerate, and imply a high degree of sanctifi- 
, gation. 


(Note, viii. 5—9.) This the apostl 

had attained to: yet he found another law in his 
ymembers, (not the members of his body, but the 
constituent parts of the old mzn,) which con- 
dinually enjoined a conduct, or suggested in- 
elinations; contrary to “ the law of his mind ;” and 
this tended to bring him into captivity to the law 
of sin, and. in some cases for a time it produced 
that effect. This painful conflict was more 
grievous to him than all his other trials ; so that 
he was led to bemoan himself as a wretched 
man, who was constrained by invincible neces- 
sity to be and to do, what he most’ abhorred, 
'rhis extorted a bitter coraplaint, which neither 
bonds, nor stripes, mor. tortures could’ have 
done: and witha sort of holy impatience and 
eagerness, he exclaimed, “ O wretched man that 
Jam! whoshall deliver me from the body of 
this death?” For indwelling sin clo®ged his 
motions, offended his senses, and was a nuisance 
to him, as a spiritual man; even as if any one 
should be forced to drag about with him a pu- 
trefying corpse, as by 2 refinement of cruelty 
some have been sentenced to do.’ He found, by 
experience, that he could* not deliver himself; 
and the law, instead of delivering him, seemed 
to make the cage still worse ; but this made him 
the more fervently to thank God, for the method 


of salvation revealed through Jesus Christ, which 


ROMANS. | > 


who shall déliver me from’ 


251° than 
our Lord P 
myself serve 
the flesh the la 


ough JesusCh 
ee the mi 


* Gr, this body of) 17. Is. 
death. 6-6. & 8.13.| 9.13. 3 
Col. 2. 11, 
0 & 14.17. Ps, 107. 
15, 16. Be 116. 16, 


which war's against 
conversion the whol 
a very feeble oppositio 
and jshame; butjat leng 
throned, and grace reig 
the usurper lurks i ‘ingdo 
his own party, makes eS. 
turbance, and gains tempora ry adv 
he is hated, opposed, proscribed, ang 
Delight in the law of God. “* Thisi 
« trace of real piety, andis repr d 
‘ ture, as in this view so decisive, th 
© supposed a true representation of a 
* we must surely allow it to have been 
« truly good man? (Doddridge 
ly spoken of Christ; and of th 
own heart, as the type Of him. Ita 
of the law being written in the he 
is the direct opposite of * the ica 
is enmity against: God | 


which is 
“ subject to the law of God, 
“be.” (Mare. Ref.) ** 
that itis good,” deligl 
good, and spiritual law of 
loving all good, and being d 
not being able todo the goo 
al] exclusively peculiar to the 
widely different from a t 
particular: “I see ant 
* follow the worse?” 

might say. Many of t 
tions of David in the In 
Psalm, as well asin other place 
lar natare. (Marg. Ref.) Inde 
flict; as is here described, must 
is hated, and the law of God « 
holiness is perfected : and as ab) 
must increase in proportion t 
and holiness, so the least 
in the heart, and escaping from 
passionate or yain word, will 4 
grieve and burden an eminen 

haps the grossest crimes did 
sion: eveh asa speck of di 
easiness to a very cleanly pers 
sgtallid Slthiness does to the 
live in it as their element. ‘There 


a 
a 


? 


« 


de CHAPTER VIL. 


ie) ts 
A. DB. 6d: 


; - : 

AP. VU.’ : and the spicitua nin 5—8. They, and only 

ist, and walk after the Spirit,; they, are the of God, who have the 
eal 1—4. Thecarnal,} Spirc of Christ, a i by the Spirit, and mors 


on ; eed to have recourse to such un- 
natural expe $ in expounding this chapter ; 
- as toamagine, that when the apostle said, « 1 


self,” he meant some other person of a 
dely different character ; or the whole family 
of Abraham, before, and under the law. How 

these theories have’ been sanctioned by 
minent names, they go upon suppositions for 
which the Scripture gives not the least ground ; 
' which are absurd in themselyes; and which are 
_ wholly unprecedented and unparalleled in the 
“writings of any good author sacred or profane. 
No doubt, numbers haye perverted the words of 
the apostle = a and it is fairly allowed, that no 
man who is not. himself engaged in this conflict, 
ly understand his meaning, or fully en- 
nto ef feelings which dictated his ener- 
getic language. But, as to the former case, they 

4 want an excuse for sin, “ wrest the other 

«Scriptures also to their own destruction :” 

and as to the latter, “‘ The secret of the Lorp 

“ js with them that fear him :” and “ The heart 

« kKnoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger 
pi doth not intermeddle * ith his joy”. It can- 
not pega that a man, who never saw 
war, ‘eater into the feelings, and fully un- 

mR the ardent language of an experienced 
; soldier, when he related all his conflicts, dan- 
ia a nears, terrors, narrow escapes, vic- 
¥e and triumphs. But I apprehend that 
"many pious persons exclude themselves from 
_ the rich source of instruction and consolation in 


their warfare, provided for them in this chapter ;, 


eitber from fear lest others should pervert it to 
; or because men of great name 


v. ae 

It is no fault of the law that it eannot justify 
er sanctify a sinner : nay, it is the necessary ef- 
fect of its perfection, by which it detects and 
condemns the-least degree of evil, and leaves 
the transgresSor to merited ruin without help or 
remedy : and the better the law is, the more 
righteous is the doom of those who break it— 
We should therefore be very careful, in showing 
the impossibility of salvation by the law, to avoid. — 
all expressions that so much as seem derogatory 
toit. On the contrary, we should bear decided 
testimony to its righteousness, spirituality, and 
excellency ; and show that it is, on that very 
account, only siited to show the sinner the dan- 
ger of his case, and to render it still worse, So 
long as he foolishly cleaves to it, and depends ore 
it. For no man could expect to be either justi- 
fied, or sanctified, by a broken law, or according: 
to a forfeited covenant, were he. not ignorant of 
the law, and ef himself as compared with it: s 
that the proudest Pharisee on earth, would, from 
his towering height of vain confidence; sink inte 
despair, if the commandments were at once dis- 
covered to his soul in. all their spirituality. and 
excellency, without a correspondent view of the 
salvation of Christ. Ten thousand unobserved 
transgressions would stand in array against him ; 
his former foibles and infirmities would appear 
desperate rebellion, ingratitude, and enmity; , 
his admired duties would appear loathsome 
through pride, selfishness, and hypocrisy ;, and 
the dormant lusts. of his heart, which secular 
motives or carnal hopes had restrained, would 
break forth into enmity against God, cisdain sub- 


bad | 
have ‘affected to reprobate the obvious interpre- |jection to his law, work in him all manner of 


tation, and have tijed to force some other mean- 
* upon the words. 


“PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
_ V.iI—6. 

We dead in such a relation to the holy law 
of God, as the rule of our present conduct and 
_ fature judgment, that none but he, who formed 
the union, can dissolve it; and unless ** we be- 

“ come dead io the law by the body of Christ,” 
“-pefiodneing all expectations from it, that we may 
” be united to Him, who died for our sias and rose 
ain for our justification, we must abide under 
dominion and curse of the law forever. 1% 
ever, we are thus delivered, it is not in order 
2 our eae lawless ; but that the Spirit -of 
gin us, may write the law in our 


obedience to the glory of God. Indeed, 
_is absolutely necessary, in order to our 
fg God with that newness of spirit, which 
‘the law ‘itself demands; for sanctifying grace 
co! mes only by the new covenant, without which 
ve must continue in ihe fesk, and our natural 
Q piscence will work against the law to briag 
fi orth ay unto death: and nothing but a formal 
bedience > to the outward letter of any precept 


concupiscence, and concur in slaying his hope 
and his soul. Thus the law, which was ‘* or- - 
«< dained unto life,” would be found to be unto 
death; through the deceitfulness of sin, and the 
unsuspected and desperate wickedness of his 
heart ;. working death in him by that which was 
good, and making manifest its exceeding sinful- 
ness. So that a proper knowledge of the holy 
law of God is the two-edged sword, that gives 
the death wound both to. self righteousness and. 
to antinomiianism : for it is perfectly fit to be the 
rule of our duty, to be written in our hearts, and 
obeyed i in our lives, for the very same reasons, 
om account of whicls it cannot ss sith or save 
ie 
Ve 1425. 


The believer knows something of the aagere 


y and enable us to bring forth the fruits of | here spoken of by the apostle, when he first flees 


for refuge to the hope of the Gospel: but his 
subsequent experience gives him still further in- 
sight into it. He is now in a measure spiritual ; 

yet, in. comparison with the spiritual require- 
ments of the law, and the best desires of his 
heart, he must confess }that he “ is carnal and 
“ sold under sin,” and he groans under that clog 
and those ¥etters, which, as it were, chain him 
to the earth, and prevent him from. mounting 
heayen-ward as he longs to ** He consents 


do. 


# 


* 


wf) D. 61. ‘ie : a 


ROMANS. + 


sae tah pee 

“tify the flesh) 9-14. ‘The Spirit of adoption 
testifies with their spirit, and marks them. heirs 
of God, thongh now exposed to suffering, t5—18. 
The ereation, through man’s sin, is subject to va- 
nity, and waits for deliverance at the manifestation 

- ofthe children of God, 19—22; who “groan be-|, 
‘ing burdened,” are sayed in hope, and patiently 
' expect deliverance, 23—25 ; the Holy Spirit. aid- 


ae we 


_ ing their prayers, and thus rendering them ac- 
All things work together for 


“their good, 28; this springs from their predesti- 


, ceptable, 26, .27. 


“nation to life, and is secured by the death, resur- 
rection, and intercession of Christ, 29-34. No- 
~ thing shall separate thef from the loye of God 
through Christ, 35—39. 2 
FR Meee ens 28a PRs 
. to the law that it is good,” yea, “ he delights 
«in it ;? he would do the good it requires ; ‘he 
allows of no violation of it; he wants no change 
init, but longs to have his heart’ brought into a 
perfect conformity to it ; he abhors all sin, and 
would serve God as Angels do: he watches, 
pruys, strives, and uses every means for this 
purpose : yet after persevering in this course 
for many years, he finds that he cannot attain to 
perfection.” Stillhe sins against his own allow- 
ante ; he does what he hates, and longs to be 
preserved from ; ‘his will often changes like the 
' weather-cock with’ the wind; that, which on 
his knees he most ardently prayed against, and 
dreaded more than pain or death, he is betrayed 
into in the hour of temptation ; his resolutions 
melt like the’firm ice before the noon-day sun, 
and he is counteracted in obéying the dictates of 
the law of his mind, by the law of sm pervading 
both body and soul, so that he cannot perform 
that which he is most willing todo. His views 
of the beauty of holiness, the excellency of the 
Taw, his own obligations to obedience, and his 
pantings after perfect purity, increase as he 


grows in grace ; so that he seems further frola’ 


the mark than ever, when at the height of his 
’ attainments in this present world. ~He is more 
deeply convinced as he proceeds, that in him, as 
a fallen sinner, dwelleth notgood thing ; that 
from nature evil only can proceed : that the law 
can only condemn him, and that * none but Jesus 
« can do such helpless sinners good’? This’ con- 
Aict often renders him weary of life, and even 
impatient of living’; he could be content to suf- 
fer, but he can hardly bear the thought of con- 
tinuing a selfabhorred sinner: he groans: otit 
frequently, “O wretched man that Iam ?” 
whilst he drags about with him the detested 
body of sin and death, from which he odn find 
no deliverance ; and did he not firmly trust in 
God’s mercy and grace, through Jesus Christ, 
his case would, be most’ deplorable. But with 
this hope, prospect, and support, fie ‘manfully 
stistains the conflict ; he rejoices amidst his’ hu- 
miliations ; his groans and tears’ are mingled 
with. hallelujatis, and his conscious ‘vilefiess’ 
renders the Redeeter’s love and free salvation 
doubly precious to his soul. His very anguish 
for sucha cause,\is the pledge of his felicity ; 
having wrestled and prevailed for thg blessing, 
and seen the face of Emmanuelin wo he goes 
on his way halting, (Votes, &c. Gen. xxxii':) his 
complaints, yea, his wallowed and decply repent: 


bitual and prevalent inclinati 


law as a covenant, every fai 
‘them for condenination: but | 


land there is ne condemmnat 


aver. 33, 34. & 4.) Gah 
7,808 5e1e & 7% 3x90 
17. 20. Is. 54..17.Je ver. 
John 3,18, 19. & 

5.24, Gal. 3, 13. A 
bi6. 7. John’ 14.1, : 
20. & 15,4. 1 3p yer. 10, 11. 


1.30. & 15.22, 2) 4,10, 14 & 6,6: 
Cox. 5-17. & 12. 2 


ed sins, are preparing him 4 
loudly and sweetly, “ worth 

“ was slain? and like 
ing on the tuning of 
pare the way for me 
patience hath hud its-perf 
“ overcome. by the blood: 
“the word of his testimer 
the mean time be graciotsl; 
half, that «it was not hey b 
“ in him”? But ifam 
with indifference’ or satis 
in him be the exe 
without remorse or godh 
the evil, and desire fot € 
he hath all things. i ist 5 
‘senting to the goodness of tf 
himself and loathing hi e de] 
law and extenuates his own guilt if 
willingness be to escape hell at any: 
longing to be holy according 
good law of God; if he do 1 
“after the inward many? nor ser 
prevailing desire of his mind, but w 
the law of sin: then doubik 
Christ, whosé name he p 
the law which he hates ; + 
confidence and quietness | 
prove, that he is given/ey 
‘**’sion to believe’ a lie? 
disputed and abused c¢ 
condemn the hope of the p 
earth, than it does that‘ 
evangelical truth. : 


ep ao oe 
eS ee ee 


CHAP.“ ViIRt: 
shown, that the 
rous lof obeying the hi 
ciously accepted in Christ; and h 
ascribed to sin dwelling in hin 


to him : and he here pro 
this privilege. While mi 


Gend to the law and one with! 
hint by faith, as their Refuge 


past sins are sll blotted out; the 
tified ; cnd® continually ¢ 
uid faith in his blead and: 
lamented transgressions and | 
doned. “Thus they are prese 


a 


CHAPTER Vit. 


AD. he Wi A.D. 62: 
~ 3 Forh whiat Bieta vould nde do; in}, 6" Forto* be ca mally mindedés death; but 
‘aie it was’ _ through the flesh, i God| t to be spiritually mindedis * life and peace. 


sending his own Son, * in the likeness of| 
against God: for it is not subject to 


sinful flesh, : and * for sin,! condemned, 


hat ™ the righteousness of the law 
be fulfilled in us, » who walk not 
after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

6 For they © that are after the flesh, do 
Pmind ‘the things of the flesh; but they), 
that are after the eo" 4 the things of the 
Spirit. ay 


© Wh 8.206 & 7% 5—11s) for. ae 2 Cor. 5 
Gal. 3. 21, Heb. 7.| 21 Gal. 3. 13. 
"38, 19. &, lo. 1-10,|l 6. 6 1 Pet, 2, 24.& 
14, 
ver. 32. ee Jone Se 14. 


At) as 12, 18. John 3. 
6. 2Cor. 10.3. 2 
Pet. 2. 10. © 
p ver. 6, 7- Mark 8. 
$3e 1 Cor. 2. 14 


“1, 
im Gal. 5. 22--24, 
Yt? 4, 4, 5.) Eph. 5. 26, 27. Col.) Phil. 3:18, 19 
i John mall hah 1.2% Heb.12. 23. q ver 9. 14.1 Cor. 
k 9. 3. Mark 15, 27, 1 John 3. 2. ue 2.15. Gal. 5s 22— 
(38 John 9. 24 24. Rev. 14.5. 25, Eph. 5.9, Col. 


* Or, by a saucrifice|n ver. 1. 3.1—3. 
——— nce oOOocuvMmamaran— 
ration, and shall be to the end and for ever. 
Their character and conduct likewise distin. 
guish them = for, notwithstanding their painful 
conflict with indwelling sin, they do not walk 
after the dictates of corrupt nature, but are ha- 
' bitually influenced by the new principle commu: 
_ nicated in regener ation: for “ that which is born 
«of the Spirit is spirit. » The former, as “ the 


Mit law of sin and death,” (wii. 23-25.) had once} 
commanded their willing service ; but regene-| 


wating grace, by “ the Spiritoflife in Christ Je- 
* sus,” and by means es the Gospel, had de- 


throned the usurper sin, and, made: them free} 
from his law by efficaciously inducing a contra-| 


ry conduct. So that, though the remaining pow. 
er of ‘sin greatly harassed them, and in some in- 


stances prevailed; yet'on the whole, they: were |t 
‘ther as our ‘Surety, as if he had been the’ greatest 
of sinners. - 


enabled successfully to resist its authority, and 
to walk ‘at liberty in obedience to God’s coma. 
Patch: Some explain “the law of the 

* Spirit of life,” of the doctrine of the Gospel, 
through’ which the Spirit is communicated, 
rather than of his commanding influence i in the 
believer’s soul: but the latter is the more exact 
eontrast to the “ law of sin and death,” from 
which he is by it set free. ‘To be in ‘Chnists 


‘gays Mr. Le Clerc, ‘is often used by St. Paul; for 


© being a Christian ;’ (Marg. Ref.) « but if he 
€ means only’ Christians by profession, or onl 
‘being members. of the Christian Church ; this 
BN: will: by. uo means agree with this place, or any 
‘other oflike nature : since freedom from con: 


lemnation, will not follow/our being Christians 
i ithig: sense ; but upon a lively faith in Christ, 
Ue union | with him by the Spirit; and our 
geing so in him as to become new creatures,’ 
sin Cor. v. 17. Gal. ‘vy. 6). Whitby.) They 
_ who “are in Christ,” are Christians; they 
‘ alk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit ;” 
i ih eevee their. character : and it is their 
and. privilere, that there is no. condemnation 

“0 rthem. Mu 
‘a +3) 4, ‘The good and perfect law of God 


~ man epravity>; so that it was impossible for i it 


to bring man to holiness or liberty, any more 
VOL. VL. ; 


‘the 


for evermore. 
Christ, as One with us, having fulfilled the nig ht. 
| eousness-of the law in our stead, and of i its im-. 


7 Because t the carnal mind is enmity 


| the law of God, x neither indeed can be, 
_ 8 So then y they that are in the flesh; 


cannot 2 please God. 


9 But # ye are not in 1 the flesh, ‘buts in 
the Spirit, if 80 be that the Spirit of Gad 


r ver. 13, & 6. 21. 10. Col. 1. 21, 2) Phil. 4° 18 Col. 1s 
23, & 7 5.11. Gal. “Fim Gh 4. Jam, 4.) 10. & 3.20, 1 Thes. 
6.8. Jai. 1. 14; 15.} 4, 1 John 2.15, 16.) 4.1. Heb. 11. 5, 6. 
* Gr. the minding u ver. 4.8. Sle ke) & 13. 16. 21. 2 
‘ofthe flesh. 13.14.) 7, 7—14, 22. Matt. John 3,22. sue 
+ Gx. the minding} 5-19 1 Cov. 9. 21.\a ses 2. Ez, 11.19. 
of the Spirit. | Gal. 5s 22, 23. Heb.|, 0, 25, O77 John 
85. 1.10. & 14. 17.) '8. 10. 

John, 14. 6. a &Ix Jer, 13, 23, Matt. fi tee sions Luke Tle 
17; 3. Gal, 5 12.34, 1 Cor. 2, 14.) 13. 1 Coy. 3. 16. & 
£-1. 28. 308% ae yo.) 2 Pet, 2. 14. 1 6,19, 2Cor 6, 16+ 
Exe 20.5. 2Chx}y ver. 9: & 7. 8.) Eph. 1. 18) 17, 18> 
19. 2, Ps. 53. 1.) John 3,3. 5, 6. & 2. 22.27 lias Te 
John’ 7. 7. & 15./z Matt. 3. 17. John 
23, 24, oye 4. 13, Be 29, 1 Cor 7. 32, 


14. 1 John 3.24. & 
4.4, dude, 1921, 


than.to jsut him : even as the Mdislexonis laws 
of the laid cannot make men honest; they can 
only declare how they should act, and denounce 
penalties, but cannot change the heart; and 
therefore their impetuous passions break through 
the feeble restraint without regard to consequen- 
ces, as the vehement'torrent of some full swol- 
len river breaks through, _or overflows the 
mound, that was placed to impede its course. 
As the law was therefore inadequate to man’s, 
necessity ;, God was pleased in infinite mercy to 
send his own Son to assume oir nature, and ap. 
pear ‘in the likeness of sinful, flesh.” «Though 
free from sin, he became ‘subject to those infir- 
mities to which through sin we are exposed ; he 
was accused of many crimes, and numbered with 
transgressors ; ; and he was punished by the Fa. 


Thus he was appointed “ for sin,” 
or * for asin- offering : ” that God, having “ con- 
& demned sin in the flesh,” and ‘hows his ab- 
horrence of it by the sufferings of Ins Son in our 
flesh, might’ pardon’ and justify the believer’s 
person, and execute the sentence of condemna- 
tion-on his corrupt nature, by its crucifixion and, 
destruction: that. so, through his mercy and 


grace, even the very righteousness required by’ 
‘the law, might be fully written.in our hearts, and 
| habitually i in all its parts per formed in our lives, 
‘though too imperfectly: to justify us;,and that, 


hereafter we might be perfectly conformed to. 
Woly law, in its substantial requirement of 
love to God and his’ creatures, and obey it fully — 
Many expositors explain this of 


putation tothose who walk after the Spirit, But 


‘the’ former sense seems more obvious, and best 


to ansiver the apostle’s design ; who was proving, 


that deliverance from the law, as a covenant, 
“was necessary, in order to our, obeying the law 
las a rule, 


¢ ‘Sanctification, begun in us, is: the 
€ sure evidence of our union with Christ ; which 
‘is the rictiest fruit of a holy life.’ (Beza.) 
The completion, however, of Ranrctiheation 
seems especially intended. 


i cs 


» because the soul-is become the caterer to. man’s 


ia 


, dwell. in yous Now is any. man hav not|zs.dead 


* (Corse 3. 21-23.) re 


“them a decided preference CaggPiritual things, in 


AD. 61. . ROMANS. 


@ the Bisse f Christ, ¢ he is none of his. | life § because | 
i {Practical onheramgped ll But ift s 


‘Heb. 9.27. 2 Pet. 

1513, 14. | Revs 14: 

13. , 1. r 
g Jolin 4. 74. & 6.) Hel 
poet 11.25, 26. &} 7.44 


“4. 6: Phil. 119. 2) 7 Gal. 5. 24. Rey.| Eph. 3. 17 Cole 1. 

Pet. 1. 11. 13+ Be Ke 204 LS» 27. 

d John 17-9, 10. le John 6. 56, & 14.)f vers Tl» & 5. 12. 

oe 281-8 ¥5. 5) & 2 Cor. 45 Th & 5.) 
| ima. 2 Thes. 4, 16. 


vA John 3. 34. * 15. 23. 2 Cor. 10.) 17:23. 2 Cor. 13.5.) 


\ 


V.5—9. The discrimination of character be- 
fore referred to is here more fully stgted. The 
word flesh, in this connexion, cannot mean the 
body as opposite to the soul: for out of man’s 
heart proceed even adulteries, fornications, and 
drunkenness ; and pride, envy, hatred, gre works 
af the flesh. (Marg. Ref.) That wickeduess, 
the seat of which is’ immediately in the soul, is 
taore contrary to the image and ‘glory of God, 
than that inwhich.the body seems’ more con- 
ceried : but indeed the body is no more than 
the, instrument, and. the soulis the agent in every 
sin, The soul of an ungodly man is not spiritual, 
but carnal, that whichis born of the flesh is 
‘‘fiesh.” By the flesh we must therefore under- 
stand corrupt nature, as. derived from: Adam to 
all his posterity ; and,perhups this term is used, 


ence, tothe felicity to be enjo: 
dience. ' This is in fact the 
and men thus preferring  self-s 
created good, to the favour and se 
not only rebel against him, but beac 
to him and haters of him. For his h 
manding their whole hear 
favourite pursuits, and a al 
engaged to execute vengea’ i 
the carnal mind, ning 
averse from his servi 


precepts, threatenings, 
God. . Therefore this:¢ 
to the divine law, and in 
is. morally unable to dé 
against it, and refuse o! 
may. be reconciled, a 
Spiritual but enmity 
reconciled, and therefore the c 
be crucified and destroyed, | 
rational creature of God, can please: 
‘fuses subjection to the holy law; 
\that unregenerate men cannot p 
of their services, by whatever 
called. . Thus evangelical religion 
‘mote from self-righteousness, \ 
the law asa ‘covenant, and 
rejects it as a rule, in doing Vv 
please God.“ Buty s the z 
‘not in the flesh, but in 
and spiritual, and therefo 
perfectly, subject fo the law, 
“of God dwellin you” as i 
man, Jew, Gentile, or nomi 
destitute of the sanctifying | 
certainly does not belong to 
accepted disciples, 
must perish as an et 
explained of the dedy, as distingui 
soul or spirit; it follows, that no man 
God, while he lives in ‘this world, and 
Romans were disembodied spirits; whit 
pably absurd: yet the inter 
Scriptures, concerning the fle 
may learned men, unavoidably, 
surdity; nor is it much less 
unseriptural, to aver, that livin 
saic dispensation was “ beipg in’ 
professing: the Gospel, espeei 
powers were vouchsafed, was being 
(Matz. vii. 21—23. 1 Cor. xiii. 1-3.) 
seem the only ways, by which ee a 
and hatnenal interpretation‘can ‘be sth one 


Reshly lusts, and the whole man is, as it were, 
immersed and sunkin the flesh. They there- 
fore, who are born after the Mesh, but not after 
the Spirit, and who go after the leadings of the 
flesh, mind the things,of the flesh : they are sa- 
gacivus about them ; they choose, desire, pursue, 
savour, and delight in them; they seek their 
happiness in the riches, pleasures, honours, and 
perishing vanities of this-world; orin things of 
an unholy nature, which. must be left at death, | 
and which bear po relation to heavenly felicity. 
About thése, their abilities, imaginations, contri- 
vance, and time,, are employed; and they give 


their habitual judgment and.cdnducts,.. But they, 
who are “ born of the Spirit,” and walk after the 
leadingsiof the new and spiritual nature, under. 
stand, choose, ‘pursue, relish, and. supremely 
yalue such things,’as, pertaimto the spiritual and 
divine life, and suck: as will endure for ever... The 
favour of God, communion with him, renewal 
to his image, raga life spent’ to \his gloryy.most 
occupy their imaginations, desires, and atten- 
tion ; and bave, the: pre-eminent place in, their 
choice and conduct, notwithstanding all the op. 
position from indwelling sin. , This habitual pre- 
valency stamps the character, as carnal or spirit: 
ual : so that, if a.man be earnal in the prevailing 
judgment, temper, and affections of his mind, he 
is\under condemnation, dead in sin, and:meet for 
destruction : but if he be spirizwal in the habitu- 
ai prevailing temper of his soul, he is evidently 
alive to God, and at’ peace Withhim ; and the 
spiritual mind is, in proportion as it prevails, the 
very essence of life and peace. The importance 
of this distinction is manifest ; “ because the car- 
nal mind is enmity against God :” man’s apos- 
tacy originated in his preferring the satisfaction 


a ee OS ae 
} 


: ‘gi. 6l. 


'® he that ’ raised up- ‘Christ from the} 


_dead, shall © quicken your ! mortal 


herefoe, brethren, ® we are dene 


shal die: ? but if ye, t vhtbdigh € the Spine 
ra mortify the deeds fa the oe, ye shall 
ilies 
_. 14 For as many AP are ¥ led by the 
_ Spirit of Gody* they are the sons of God, 
Ak ver, 2. Is..26. 19.4)" Or, because of. 27. Gal. 5.24. Eph. 
, Ez. 37. 14. John 6.Jm yers 9. John 7,| 4. 22. Col. 3..5—8, 
~ 28, 29. 1 Cor. 6. 144 38, 39. & 14. 17. fee 2. 12- ‘1 Pet. 2. 
OR 15. 16, n°6, 2-15. 1 Cor. 6. 
51-57. 2 Cor. 
14. Phil 3s 21. 
Thes: . ‘414-17. 1 
Pet, 3,18. Revi. 
4B. & Thy 12, 8 20.) 5. 19-22. & 6. 
+13. Eph. 5. 3-5. Col, 
}.64,12.) 2 Cor 15.| 3. 5,6. Jam. 1. 14, 


© $3. 2 Cor, 4. 114 &} 15. 
Se 465 p ver. 2 1 Cor. vitae ver. 


~¥. 10, 11. If the Spirit of Christ dwell ina 
mau, Christ himself is in him, by his power and 
influence, and by his image renewed in him. In 
this case, though the body is mortal and must} 
soon) die, because of the disobedience of Adam, 
and: the man’s: personal transgressions ; : yet the 
‘spirit has life: abiding in it, the soul is alive to 
God, and has begun its holy felicity whieh shall 
endure for ever, through the righteousness of the | 
‘second Adam in whom it is interested. So that 
when the body. drops into dust, the soul being | 
perfectly delivered from: sin, will enter heaven 
and the. almighty God, who raised Jesus from 
’ the dead, will raise the mortal body also incor- 
‘ruptible and glorious, by the omnipotence of his: 


Ng 5, 18 1Pet 1, 
yer. 1. 4—6. & 6.] 22. : 

21, 23.8 7.5. Gols r yer. 5.9. Ps 143. 
8.| 10. Prov, 8 20. Is. 
48.15, 17. Gal. 4. 
Bi & 5.16. 18, 22— 
. Eph. 5.9. » 

17. 2Cor. 6, 


_ indwelling Spirit, who: will not always leave his| hris 
temple tolie: pereeanngs in the dust. (Mars. Ref.) | 


* Then. sin and all its effects will be for ever done 
with. ‘ Several readers may be aware, that an- 
* other interpretation has been given of these ver- 
* ses, especially by. the celebrated Mr. Locke, 
« who explains quickering the mortal body, by 
« sanctifying the immortal soul.’ (Doddridge.) 
But the various, and often unnatural, interpreta- 
“tions given to several passages in these chapters, | 

would require far more time and room. particu- 
larly to notice them, and make remarks on them, 
iia the nature of this publication can admit of. 
In general, when. the interpretation is plausible, | 
and: supported: by probable reasons, the author 
inks it incumbent on him to notice it in one 

» ay or other : but when, on careful investigation, 

ppears to him that this is not the case, he 

in contented. to: pass it overin silence. He be- 
, that few, who have impartially ccnsidered 
the subject, will refuse to join him in the follow- 
menventict, concerning Mr. Locke’s, ‘interpreta- 
, * He hath said nothing of. weight against 
sense.” (Whitby.) That is, the’ sense above 

\ en of the passage. 

1» 12, 15. As death and all misery. resulted 

m man’s having preferred his own inclinations 

to the will of God, and as all. felicity was com- 

munica ted by the renewal of the soul to holiness; 

80 Christians should not consider themselves to 


“CHAPTER vill. 
13° For%ye. have ‘not. sesertal tthe 


19,20. 1 Pet..4. 2,14 ven ly Eph: 4.80. 


A D. Gi. 


spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye 


ry ‘his da that ™ dwelleth i in have received “ the Spirit of adoption, 


‘whereby we cry, * Abba, Father. 
16 The ¥ Spirit itself beareth witness 


| 2 with our. ih that we are the children 


;| of Goud : 

17 ‘And’ a if eheronts then hele 3 » 
heirs of God, anid joint-heirs with Christ ;, 
cif so be that we suffer with Aim, that we 
may be also glorified ibcethier. pinveet’, 


18. Gal. 3. 26, Eph. 


x Mark 14.36. Luke} Eph. 3.6. ‘Tit. 3. 
1. 5. 1 John 3. 1,2, 


He 2. Se 22) 427. eb. 1, 14, & 66 , 


Rey. 21. 7. John 20. 17, g wig 2. Be 
t Ex. 20.19. Numuly ver. 23,26, a7. Ab 25.21. Luke 
17s 12, 13. Luke 8.! Cor. 1. 22, "%& 5a: Sa) . 


28, 37. John.16.84 Eph. 1. 13, 14. &l 24, ; 
Acts 2. 87. & 16.) 4. 30. “ 
$29, .2 Tim, 1. 7.|72 Cor. 1% 12. 1 & 2 
Heb. 2. 15. & 12,| John 3. 19-22. &le Matt. 16-24, Luke 
18—24. Jame 2, 19,4 Se 10. 24. 26, Jobn 12. 25, 
1 John 4. 13... ° tq ver. 3. 29, 30. & 

D ver. 16. Gale 4i{: 5-9, 10. 17. Luke 
5—7. Ephy 1. 11} 12, 32. Acts Hele 
—1400~. Gal. 3. 29, & 4. 7. 


Cor. 4. 8—12. 


—14. 


be indebted at all to the flesh, though it still 
lived and wrought in them.) They had already 
ruined themselves by complying with its sugges- 
tions ; and it could have no further demands on 
them, now that Christ had rescued them from 
merited destruction. Indeed, if any habitually 
lived according to its corrupt lustings, they 
would certainly perish in their sins, notwithstand- 
ing their ‘profession of the Gospel; but.om the 
other haad, if through the influences of the Holy 

Spirit, and according to the tendency of the new 


: | nature, they-denied, subdued, and proceeded to 


extirpate, their sinful lusts, and so to mortify and 
lop. off those actions which thence aRUbE: ey 


nd their spiritual life would proportion: 
und. The natural appetites of the bo- 
Fis only to be moderated, regulated, and 
subordinated ; but the carnal desires of the body 
of sin and death, e old Adam, the flesh, wie 
its affections and lusts, must be extirpated, and 
all its: actings terminated. This is to be done 
by the Holy Spirit, yet we are to do it through 
him, and by dependence'en him. (Marg. Ref) . 

V. 14—17. The regenerating’ work of the 
Holy Spirit brings us, through Christ, into the 
family of God, ‘and evidences our. sonship, ac- 
cording to the choice and purpose of the Father. 
‘Therefore, all they, and they) only, who give 
themselves up to the leading of the Spirit, are 
the children of God. The Holy Spirit will lead 
a man into the knowledge. of the Lord, and of 
his own heart, into humble repentance, faith in 
Christ, holy love, communion with God, and de- 
light in’ his worship and commandments ; and 
‘he willdead him away from vanity and iniquity, 
pride, and dis¢ord : and in proportion as we 
willingly give _Upyourselves to be led in such 
paths, we mayknoW our adoption. . The apostle 
further observed, that confirmed believers had not 


received again the spirit of bondage to serve God 


from slavish fear; this they must do, who con 
tinue-under the law as’a covenant, if they serv- 
him at all. The Mosaic dispensation had a 

greater tendency to foster this temper than the 


. MN Po > SMe NRA Os aus a 


26. Auts 14, 22072.” 


Phi 
1,29. 2 Tims 2. te 


higit 


a 


SS 


without hating them, through dread of conse- 


'tliem very efficacious upon their conduct, and 


=." "= es a Pe es ee 


‘A. D. 61, 


18 For $ I reckon, that the sufferings 
of this present time, are not worthy fo be 
compared with ¢ the glory which shall be 
revealed in us. 
[Practical Observations.] 


19 For fthe earnest € expectation of 


the creature waiteth for » the manifesta- 
tion of the sons of God. \ 

20 For i the creature was made subject 
to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of 
him who hath subjected rhe same in hope ; 

21. Because the creature itself also shall 


A Matt. 5. 11, 12i) 1 Pet. 1. 13. & 4.fh Mal. 3. 17, 18. 
Acts 20. 24. 2 Coy.} 13. & 5.1. 1 Jobn| Matt, 25. 31—46. 
4.17,18. Heb.Al.} 3.2. 1 John 3. 2 


iver. 22, Gen. 3 


f ver. 23. Phil. 1.20. 
17-19, & 5. 29. & 


g Is. 65.17. Acts 3. 
e ca. 8. 4, 2 Thes.| 21. 2 Pet. 3. 11-13-| 6. 13. Job 12. 6— 
1.7—12. & 2. 14.! Rev. 21, 1—6, 10, Ise 24. 5, 6 
pcr eke Barrie AES el Se eee eee 


Christian religion’has ; and the Jews, too gene 
rally, considering the whole. as a covenant of 
works, worshipped God in this slavish manner. 
But most of the Roman converts had not been 
under the Mosaic law; yet they are spoken of 
indiscriminately, as having been. formerly in- 
fluenced by the spirit of bondage: we may, 
therefore, suppose that their first convictions 
were intended, under which awakened sinners 
act more from fear and selfish principles, than 
they do -aiterwards ; abstaining from. many sins 


ri 2.36: 35. 1 Pet. 1. 


quences, and practising. duties without loving 
them, These convictions proceed from the mov- 
ing of the Spirit of God upon their minds, and 
prepare them for receiving Christ-by faith: but 
they are very different from their disposition 
after they are brought into the full light and 
liberty of the Gospel, and have received. the 
s¢ Spirit of adaption.” ‘Phen they are taught 
to serve God with filial reverence, confidence, 
love, gratitude, submission, zeal, and satisfac. 
tion ; and are especially taught and encouraged 
to call upon him as a Father, for all things they 
want, and in all their trials, notwithstanding their 
conscious unworthiness.. The word Abba, is 
Syriac for Father, and the use of different lan-}i 
guages in this. connexion, sweetly indicates. the 
harmony of Jews and Gentiles, and of different 
nations, in this filial worship of God accerding 
to the Gospel. Thus the Holy Spirit, by pra- 
ducing in believers the tempers and. affections 
of children, as described in the Scripture, most 
manifestly attests their adoption into God's fami- 
ly. This is not done by any voice, immediate 
revelation or impulse, or merely by any text 
brought to the mind; "(for all these things are 

equivocal and delusory ; ) but by coinciding with 
the testimony oftheir own consciences, as to 
their uprightness in embracing the Gospel, and 
giving themselves up to the service of God. So 
that, whilst they are examining themselves con- 
cerning the reality of their conversion, and find 
scriptural evidence of it, the Holy Spirit from 
time to time shines upan his own work, excites 
their holy affections into lively exercise, renders 


thus puts the matter beyond doubt: for while 


|So that it would be the greatest folly im i inabl 


oo until now 
23 And not on 


Spirit, Deven wet 1 
ourselves, © waitige ‘ 
wit, P the redemption ¢ 


Jer. 12-4. 11. & 14.]} Ps. 48, 6. John 

5, 6 Hos. 4, 3. Joel] 21. Rey. 12. 2. 

1, 18. m See on. vere 15.) 20 

k ver. 19 Rev. 22: “16. & 5.5. Gal. 5,| 21. 

3—5,. 22,23, Epbs 5.9. ae 

* Or, every creature |n ver. gw & 7.24.) 

ver. 20, Mark 16. 3 Shik R71 
Fikes 


they may Fortes infer Pah mselves 
of the heavenly ‘inheritance, and 
as their Portion; even. joint h 
the beloved Son of the F 
in. him, and appointed with, vim 
chased: inheritance; 2 th 
still more fully assured, eh they 
sufferings after his example, 
the hope of being also od 
V. 18-23. The apostle had an 
share of these sufferings ; but upon. t 
exact and deliberate computalion of of th 
found them not worthy to be put inc 
with that glorious recompense which 
stowed on Christians, or that glory, 
be revealed to them, and accomplishe 


for him to shrink from the Gta pe 
miséd felicity, through the. 
terrible of these transient. suf 
the whole visible creation 
earnest expectation for that in 
when the’ children of God ‘sha 


this, it resembles a man, who, wit 
eck, looks and waits, with ; 
for the arrival of some bele 


friend. _ For the crea Hae Se 


nation of Adam and his posterity. t 
ful. dispensation, the Lord pie the er 
tures of tnis lower world, and even the vis 

creation, to vanity. Every thing seems’ p 
ed from its intended use: the inanim: 
tures are pressed into the seryice of 

bellion ; the luminaries of heaven give him ne 
by which to work wickedness; the : nil 
earth are sacrificed. to his sing intameeraen, 


and astentation; its bowels are ransacked 
metals, from, which arms are forged for 


and private murder and revenge; or to gratify, 
his avarice, and excite him to fraud, oppression, 
and war.. The animal tribes are subject to pain 


ME ia r . ATS 
Le ee ge ep ee ee I ae 


ae 


Ot Bah 5S 


Se a eee BR Oe ae 


a 


and death, through man’s sin : and their suffer- 


thing is in an unnatural state : the zood creatures 
_ of God appear evil, through man’s abuse of 


- 6.513, 19, 1 Pet.1,| 


AnD. 61. | 
; 04 For we are @ saved by hope = r-but, 
hope that isseen is not hope : for what a 
mam seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 

25 Butif we hope for that we see not, 


then do we * with patience wait for zt. 
5 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our 
t.infirmities: * for we know not what we 


spray for as we ought: * but the} 


rit itself maketh. intercession for us 
pence which cannot be uttered. 
27 Andz he that searcheth the hearts, 
2 knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, 
*because » he maketh intercession for 
the saints ¢according to the will of God. 
_| > [Practical Observations.) 


28 And4 we know that all thiugs work | 
5. 2: & 12% 12. &| 1 Thes. 1. 3. 2) 81, 82. & 143.4—7- 


Jer. 17.7. Zeeh. 9. 
12. 1 Cor, 13. 13.[ 1.9. & 13. 10.& 
Gal. 5. 5. Cole 1. 5.) 14. 12. 21. 
93. 27. 2 Thes. .|t 15.1. 2 Cor. 12. 5} Jer- 11. 20. & 17- 
+ —10. Heb, 4. 15. &| 10. & 20, 12- Matt. 

6.8. John 21, 17. 
22.) Acts 1.24. & 15.8, 


3.21. 2 John 8.3.) Luke 11. 
r2Cor. 4.18, & 5.) Jame 4, 3- 
7. Heb, 11, 1. 1)x ver-15. Ps. 10. 17.12 Ps-38. 9s & 66. 18, 
Pet.1.11. - Zech. 12, 10+ Matt.| 19. Jam. 5. 16. Gr, 
8 ver, 23. & 2. 7. &| 10. 20. Gal. 4. 6.|* Or, that, 
. 12. Gen. 49. 18. 
Ps. 27. 14. & 87. 7-| Jude 20,21. 
¥.7.24. Ps. 6.1—9- 
| & 42. 1-5. & 55. | 1, 5,6. 1 John 3.21, 


ec Jer. 29. 12, 13 
John 14. 13. Jam. 


1] 22. & 5.14, 15. 
35—39. & 5. 


ings are exceedingly increased by his cruelty ; 
who, instead of a kind master, is become their 
inhuman butcher and tyrant. So that every 


them; and even the enjoyment originally to be 
found in them, is turned into vexation, bitter- 
ness, and disappointment, by his ‘idolatrous love 
of them, and expectation from them. Yet this 
is “in hope ” God intends to rescue the crea- 
tion from this confused state, and to deliver it 
from being thus held in bondage to man’s de- 
pravity, that it may partake of, and minister'te, 
the glorious liberty of His children. So that, 


“we are assured, the whole creation groans in 


évery part, as with one sympathizing expression 
of anguish, (like a woman in the pains of tra- 
yail, not as one in the 2gonies of death,) expect- 
‘ng, and impatiently longing for, a glorious event 


_ of all these distractions. This ithath done ever 


“since the fall, and will do, in a measure, till the 
‘end of the world. - The miseries also of the hu- 
‘man species, through their own and each other’s 
‘wickedness, as well as the state of the inferior 


_ efeatures, declare the world to be in such a si- 
- tuation, as is not imtended always to continue. 


_ Nay, not only do all men, and all creatures here 


z W, asjit were, groan under the burdens im- 


aan 


Posed on them through sin; but even the chil- 
dren of God, who have the Spirit of adoption, 
and his. holy consolations, 3s the first fruits and 
pledge of their everlasting felicity, yet groan 


CHAPTER VIIL a) 


rogether for good, to ¢ them that love 
God, to them who are ‘ the called accord- 
ing to Ais purpose. g 


Eph. 2.18. & 6. 18.|b ver- 34. Eph. 218, | 
> Eph. 1, 8, 10. & 3.) Pet. 2.9, 2 Per. 1. 


‘A.D. 61. 


29 For € whom he did foreknow, } he 


‘also did predestinate i to de conformed to 
the image of his Son, * that he might be 
the first-born among many brethren. * 


30 Moreover ! whom he did predesti- 


nate, them he also called: ™ and whom 
he called, them he also justified: » and 
whom he justified, them he also glorified. 


31 What. shall we then say to these 


things? P If God de for us, who can de 
against us ? + Wes 


ro 


39,40. & 17.24. 2 


17.& §.1- Phil. 1.;h Eph. i. 5. 11 1) Cor, 4.17, 
19—23. 2 Thes. 1] Pet. 1. 20. 6. Cok & 4 4 
5—7. Heb. 12..6--ji 13. 14. Johu 17.| Thes. 2, 12. 2 


12. Jam. I. 3, 4. 


3) 16. 19. 22, 23. 26. 1 
Pet. 


1. 7, 8 Rev.) Cor, 15. 49. 2 Cor. 
. 3.18. Eph 4. & 
4.24, Phil. 3. 21. 
1 John 3. 2. 


Thes. 1. 10-12. & 2. 
13, 14. 2'Tim. 2. Ti. 
Heb, 9 15. 1 Pet. 
3. 9. & 4, 13, 14, & 
5 10. , 
Scéeon. 4.1. 


+1.) 14. 9. Dent. 33. 29. 


1 John 4.10. 14.19.f 15—18, Heb. 1: 5) Josh. 10. 42. 1 
& 5. 2,3. 6. & 2% 11-15.) Sam. 14. 6. & 17. 
}f ver. 30. & 1. 6, 7.) Rev. 1. 5, 6. 45—47. Ps. 27. 1— 


& 9 11. 23, 24.)] ver-28. & 1. 6 & 
Jer. 51.29. Acts 13.1 9. 23, 24, Js. 41. 9: 
48. Gal. 1. 15.) 1 Cor.“1. 2.9. 1 


3. & 46. I—3. 7. 11- 
& 56. 4.110 & 54. 
tl, 12, -& 318. 6. 
Is. 50. 7—9. & 54- 
17. Jer 1. 1.8% 
20. 11. John 10. 
28—30. iJohn 4. 


11. 1 Thes. 5, 9-] 10. Rey. 17. 14.& 
2 Thes, 2. 13, 14.} 19.9. 
2 Tim. 2 19. 1)m 3.22—26. Tit. 3. 
Pet. 5.10. 4—7. 


4. 
2} 2 11.2. Es. 33. 12.|n ver. 1. 17, 18. 33— 


within themselves, through manifold pains, con- 
flicts, temptations, and difficulties, and especially 
through the disquietude of indwelling sin : and 
in waiting for their adoption, their public ad- 
mission into the family of God, and to the en- 
joyment of their inheritance; at that season, 
when their bodies also shall be redeemed from 
the grave, incorruptible, immortal, and glorious. 
Then satan, sin, death, misery, and all wicked 
creatures, will be confined to hell ; and the rest 
of God’s creation will appear glorious, pure, 
beautiful, orderly, and happy, in every respect 
answering the end for which it was formed, and 
in nothing abused to contrary purposes. 
sufferings of animals, though many, yet being 
unfeared and transient, are doubtless overbalanc- 
ed by their enjoyments; and to infer an indi- 
vidual. resurrection of them from this passage, 
is surely one of the wildest reveries that ever 
entered into the mind of any thinking man. 


The 


V. 24—27. True believers have been actu- 
ally brought into a state of safety ; but their 
comfort consists in hope rather than fruition. 
Now that which is the object ef sight, sense, or 
enjoyment, cannot properly be called hope : for - 
how cana man be said to hope for the vision or 
fruition of that which he at present beholds and 
enjoys? The future felicity of the saints will 
chiefly consist in seeing God face to face ; some 
glimpses by faith they here see, as ina glass 
darkly ; for the full vision of his glory they hope 
and wait in reliance on his promise, and by pa- 
tient continuance in well-doing amidst manifold 


. = 


ROMANS. ° 


shall he net with him: eat a ly 
all things Rts * ei tie sas vie 


r 4, 25. seb aksia: Gis) 
& wer. 28. & 6s aa 228 8, 21-23.) 21. Te an 


A, D.6i. . 


$2 He 4that spared not his own Son, 
r but delivered him up. for us all, * how 


q 5+ 6-10. & 11.21.) 10. Matt. 3. 17% 5.21. 2 Pete 2.4, 5« 
Gen. 22. 12. Is. 53-] John 3. 16. 2 Cor.| 1 Jolin 4. 10« 


temptation, and $0 p 
could ‘have no as 
“ work’ together 


‘trials and temptations : and from this hope they 
‘cannot be diverted, by the vain expectation of 
, finding satisfaction in the things of time and, 
sense. For, though their infirmities are many 


and great, and they would soon be overpowered | folly. Indeed the Ri 


prayer, and as they are s¢ ignorant, forgetful, or 
unbélieving, that they know not what to ask for, 
er how to ask for any thing with proper affec- 


and many of their. own mistakes and m 
ages, being deeply repented of, work together en 


if left to themselves ; yet the Spirit of God so| not always over ruled for Se ¢ zene i 
helps them’ and supports them, that they are not] sent grace, or of future, espect 
entirely overcome. And as their strength andj they suffer loss, and are § y fire; yet 
comfort, amid conflicts, must be obtained by the whole concurs, ag one com ue a. 
og beg ad 
iscarri 


BN ne le le 


tions : so the same Spirit compassionately assists 
their memories, excites their desires and hopes, 
and increases their faith. Thus he becomes an 
inward Mtercessor, by suggesting such prayers 


as are pleasing to God, and meet to be accepted: 


through our heavenly Advocate. These pray- 
ers ae not consist in copious and fluent expres- 
Sions, which are often destitute of suitable affec- 


tions ; but in earnest longings for, and believing 


expectations of, spiritual blessings, which are 


sometimes productive rather of groans than of 


words ; or they are uttered in broken sentences 
and détached and earnest ejaculations, rather 
than a continued prayer ; as implying more than 
a man can find words to utter. Perhaps the 
humble, broken-hearted supplicant, when thus 
groaning outhis desires after pardon and deli- 
verance from sin, is ashamed to offer such inco- 
herent requests : but the heart-séarching God 
understands and approves this energetic lan- 
guage, which expresses the mind of the Spirit, 
wher making intercession for the saints in whom 
he dwells, according to the will of God, both 
in his promise, commandment, ‘and providence ; 

and such prayers will surely be answered, when 


the well-worded addresses of formalists will be 


rejected. Jind of, &c. *¢ The phrase is here 
« the very same that was used fn the sixth verse ; 
« and expresses not merely the meaning, but the 
« temper and disposition, of the mind, 4s under 
« the influences ofthe divine Spirit, pursuing and. 
«breathing after such blessings, as suit its ra- 
* tional and immortal nature’? (Doddridge. )—| * 
The clause in one of the collects of our hturgy, 
seems well to express this. ‘That they may 
* love the things which thou commandest, and 
* desire that which thou dost promise? When 
the Holy Spirit produces this state of the judg- 
ment and affections, the prayers which spring 
from it, will be graciously accepted by? the haly 
heart-searching God. 

V. 28—S1. From the preceding considera- 
tions the apostle asstiredly concluded, that all 
events in life or death would concur in promot- 
ing the eternal good of every true believer, how- 

ever bitter and painful they might at present 
be* as nothing could ever defeat the great end 
proposed in ali the dispensations of God respect. 
ing them, even their everlasting salvation. | Pro- 
vidential appointments are doubtless primarily 


intended ; bet as these often lead men into j ail the intermediate steps were equally ak 


nently for their humiliation and i increase ¢ gral ‘ 
fullove. As far as. they act in Lats done ; 
live in the, habitual exercise of love to. God,” “a 


all things. will concur in augmenting pees nal 
recompense. When they. act.ont i a, § 
corrections, and per Larrea i erp s 
ed to bring them back again: es "aman a i 


low himself in ‘sin, _ 
from it, he “ does evil that good maj 
« sins on, that grace may und,” ” he th 
broad mark of a byrne tiie am) his d: amnatio 
will be just.. So that we 2 need 1 ; inva! 
this animating assurance, sex . fro 
abuse of wicked men, as somé 
great discouragement of humble Chr 
fear nothing so much, even oes 
afflictions, as their own lamen: 
sin. The persons intended once did 
God ;. but they were called into ast 
ciliation and love to him, accor 
nal purpose and choice of them, w 
neyer suffer to be frustrated. Having seen g: 
to permit the fall and apostacy ¢ f man; 
looked por the whole human ies as. desei : 
ing of des.ruetion, and meet for it: yet purpos- ~ 
ing to provide and reveal a gracious. “aration b 
to them for the glory of. his, name, he knew, at 
they would as certainly reject it, as they ¥ 
break his holy law. For-reasons ct 
reyealed to us, he detent 
deservedly to perish in obstinate 
pasts y to recover others, by re 
he fore-knew,” not. merely i 
ternal privileges, or as @ (part of fa 
tions, but as individually chosen <0 soi 
for in consequence of this fone-knowledge, 
* predestinated,” or before. decreed,. ( 
* be conformed to the image of his Son 
they are in part renewed to his holy-ima 
walk in his steps ; pea having pas: 
sus, through many sufferings, tl 
ter be completely confoemeteeiaed 
nature, both in body and soul 3 th 
appear among them as the » tte 
Head of the many brethren,, which shal ya 
tute the family. of God = that being ad admitted « N 
through him, to be children and heirs, they may 
thus be made:meet with him hone ir inhe- . 
ritance. As this was the determinate purpose # 
# 


and. fore-knowledge of God respecting them ; 80. 


4D. él. 
~&3 who ¢ shall lay any thing to the 
charac “eager? eco? * Ti a eg aee 


justifieth. — 
34 Who i is he that condémneth? = Jt 


oer 4 & 14, 
Job 34. Bg 


ile 2 4-6. &22,]u Is. 42. 1. aatans 
Ke. a Pe 9.) 24. 24. Luke 18. 7. 
267—9. Ps. 1 Thes, 1. 4. Tit} 


ore 31. Jer. 
J “s 1. 1. 1 Pet 1. 2. 
- * Mey. 12.)s 3. 26. is 50: 8, 0.f2 4. 2: 25. & 5-6—10. 


mined. hus the Lord calls to repentance, 
ith in Christ, and newness of life, every one, 
“whom he hath _predestinated ; he fully justifieth, 
through the ri sness of Christ, every one 
yhom he éalleth; and he will finally glorify every 
“ane whom he _jostifieth. Sanctification is not 
peop mentioned in this golden chain: but 


Christ, effectual calling, and final glory, so de- 
ie Meme etoesionins; the progress, and the con- 
summation of sanctification, that no omission cat 
in this respect be imputed to the apostle. In the 
da of faith and hope, he speaks of the 
whole work as‘ already done, because ensured 
by the purposes and promises of God; and he 
@emands what can be said unto, or against, such 
things ? For if God be thus freely and absolute- 
_ ky our unchangeable Friend, and thus determin- 
ed to bless'us with everlasting felicity ; who, or 
what can be so against us, as to defeat his gra- 
/ cious purpose? Or what need have we to fear 


the’ rape and power of ‘all creatures, if they! 


should combine against us? From this and) 
Similar passages, some persons have ‘absurdly |¢ 
‘talked of our having been justified from eternity, 
‘Ree: ‘but the fixed intention of domg any thing, 
is perfectly distinct from the actual jack win ni 
of: i. God as absolutely determined the final 
éation of every believer, as he did the jus-|« 
tification of every elect person: we might then 

\. just as well say, they have been glorified in body 
and soul from all eternity ; this could not be 
more absurd or unscriptural, than the notion of 
being justified from eternity; and probably it 
would be less cipable of abuse. Dz. Whitby 
says, that all the fathers before Augustine, un- 
derstood this passage of those, whom God fore- 
rel world’ him. But does God foresee, that 
of our race, while unregenerate, will love 

im? And is not the clause, * calied accord- 
<eeing to ‘his purpose,” of the same import ‘as re- 

> And can this choice of some, rather 

anil others, of our fallen race, because of some- 
_ thing: Spiritually good in them, as the ground of 

. iti 4m order to their being thus called, possibly 
_eonsist witht the doctrines of original sin, or the 
depravity of human nature, and of a regen- 
on from the death of sin to the. life of right- 
ess? Dves not it border on Pelagianism ? 
a in, if all the Gentiles, or all the inhabitants 
of any one. nation, whom God foreknew, and de- 
termined to call into bis Church, be really con- 
ned to the image of Christ, and justified, and 
a without exception, partakéof eternal glory ; 
interpretation of the passage, as referring to 
lection of collective bodies may stand ; Bit 


erwise. So that, if this were the "only 
ee which the | humiliating subject! 


CHAPTER VIII. 


“4. D. 61. 
is Christ that died, yea, rather that is ri- 
sen again, * who is even at the right hand 


of God, > who also maketh intercession 
for us. ie 


“& 14. °9. Job 33.f 2. 1 Pets 8: 10) -ver 3. 1 5.12 
24, Matt. 20. 23.) Rev, 1.18. John 16. 23. 26, 27- 
John 14. 19. Gal. S.fa. Mark, 16.19. hei & 17. 0-24. Heb. 


13, 14. Heb. 1.3. 3 Col. 3.1.) 4 14, 15.. & 7. 2- 
9. 10—14, & 10,20] Heb. 8.1, 2. 1 Pet| & 9, 24.1 Jobn 2. 
—l4. 1922. & 1. ic pa 


was expressly mentioned, we gots confidently 
maintain, that the doctrine of individual predes- 
tinaiion to eternal life, and the,authority of the 
apostle as an inspired writer, must stand or falk 
aes Nothing more fally : shows this, than 

the difficulties to which its lean and saga- 
cious opposers are reduced, different 


to be conformed to the image of! grounds on which they rest the cause: for they 


scarcely agree in any thing, but in determining 
to oppose the most natural and obvious meaning 
ofthe words. Perhaps the apostle’s doctrine 
was never more justly expressed by any unin- © 
| spired writer, than in the former part of the 
| seventeenth article of our church. < Predestina- 
*‘tion unto life, is the everlasting purpose of 
© God, whereby, (before the foundations of the 
S world were faid,) he had constantly decreed, 
© by his counsel, secret to us, to deliver from 
*-curse and damnation those whom he had cho- 
«sen in Christ out ef mankind; and to bring 
* them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as ves- 
* sels made to honour. Wherefore they which 
n be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, 
be called according to God’s purpose, by his 
€ Spirit working in due season; they through. 


grace obey the calling ; they be justified free- 
© ly; they be made the sons of God by adoption ; 
‘ they be made like uffto the image of his only 

begotten Son Jesus Christ; they walk reh- 
¢ giously in good works, and at length by Ged’s: 
© mercy, they attain to evarlasting felicity? 

WV. 32-34. The omnipotence “and omai- 
science of God had been, in the preceding verse, 
opposed to the puny efforts of every enemy - 
here his former benefits are shown to be assured 
pledges of final felicity to all real €hristians. 
When tle holiness’of God and man’s sinfulness,. 
barred the way to happiness ; his free love of 
such rebels and enemies induced him to sive 
his own Son to be their Surety and Sacrifice, 
having willingly assumed their. nature in order 
to beat their sins: and. ‘in this, the Pether 
“spared him not, but delivered him up” to ago- 
nies, ignominy, and death, notwithstanding his 
personal dignity and exeeliency, the perfection 
of his obedience, and his Own incenceivajiie love 
of him. ‘Thus he Bare the curse instead of alt 
his people, and so expiated their guiltawhen ene- 
mies: and having, in virtue of that stonemenz 
and his own eternal choice, led them into 2 
State of peace with him, and taught m to love 
and obey him ; how can it’ be supposed’ that he 
will now withhold - any thing irsm them? Alf 
things in heaven and carth, the universal crextion, 
yea, the everlasting enjoyment of the Creator, 
himself-as their Portion, are not so grest a dis- 
play ofhis free love to them, as the gift of his 
cocanal Son to be the ee on the cress 


ee a ee a 


4, D. 61. ROMANS. 


38 For? I am persuaded « that at 
death, nor life, ‘ i 
palities, nor powers, nor things | res: 


35 Who © shall separate us from the 
love of Christ? 4 sAa// tribulation, or dis- 
tress, or persecution, or famine, or naked- 
ness, or peril, or sword? 


36 As it is written, ¢ For thy sake we] 39 ™ Nor » hej eared ie a 
are killed all the day long; we are ac-| other creature, Py SO est mi a, ei 
counted as ‘ sheep for the slaughter. rate us from 4 the” of God, whichis 

37 Nay, & in all these things we are|in Christ Jesus our Lord. me 


more than conquerors, through " him that 
loved us. 


€ vers 39. Ps, 103.] 10. & 11, 23-.-27. 2] 19. & 12. 3. & 52. 
17. Jer. 31, 3. John}, Tim...J. 12. & 4.) 40. Acts 8. 32, 

16—18. Heb, 12. 3+}¢ 2 Chr. 20. 25—27. 
11. Jam. 1. 2-—4, 1] Is. 25. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 
Pet: 1. 5%, & 4.1 64. 57, 2: Cor. 2. 14, 
& 12.9, 10. 1 
John 4. 4. & 5. 
4, 5. Rev. 7. 9, 10. 
& 11. 7—12. & 12, 
11. & 17.14. & 21. 


7. 
h Gal 2+ 20. Eph. 


oe Name Ee 8-10, 
€s. 24 1641 John{m Ephe $18, 19. | 94. & 18. 9, | 
4-10, 19. Reya. 5.10 Ex, 1 te 14, & 19. 20, 
i 4.2). 2 Cor. 4. 13. 93. 3,4. Is, 10. 10—! 3.7. 
2 Tim. 1. 12. Heb:l:14. 33. & 24. 21.1p John 
pugs Dan. 4.11. & 5.1 8.3, 
14. 8, 1 Cor. 3. 22,) —23, 2 Thes. 2 
23, & 15, 54—58. Rev. 13, 1-8, 
2 Cor. 5. 4—8, Phil.jo 11. 35. 64, 
1. 20—93, | Prov, 20. 5. Mati 


10. 28. & 13. 1. 2 
"Thes. 2. 13, 14. 16. 
Rey. 1. 5,6. 
d. ver.17. & 5. 35; 12-14 Rev, 7.14 
Matt. 5. 10—12; Ke} --17. 

10, 28-31. Lukeje Ps. 44.22, & 141. 
21, 12—i8. John} 7. John 16, 2. 1 
16. 33. Acts 14. 22,; Cor. 15.30, 31. 2 
& +20. 23, 24 2) Cor. 4. 11. 

Cor. 4. 17. & 6.4 —/€ Is. 53.7. Jer. 14. 


} 2 Cor.11. 14. Eph.} 24. 24. 9 Com 
6. 11, 12. Col. 1, sis a ae 
& 2.15...1 Pet. 5. 


for their sins; and the vest necessarily follow 
upon their union with him, and interest in him. 
The emphasis is evidently here laid, not on 
Christ as incarnute, being given up to death for 
us; but in God’s giving his own Son, (dson) to 
become incarnate for such a purpose. Who 
then can lay any thing to the charge of God’s 
elect, whose election is manifested by their being 
called to the fellowship of Christ, when it is God, 
against whom.they have sinned, who hath at 
such a price completely justified them? Satan 
may accuse them, the world may revile them, 
their brethren may “suspect and censure them, 
their own consciences may reproach them with 
many sins, the law may convict and condemn 
them for many former and latter transgressions : 
but. God himself pleads¢their cause ; he pro- 
nounces them righteous, silences their accusers, 
pacifies their consciences, clears their charac- 
ters, and shows the law magnified, and justice sa- 
tisfied, in the obedience and sufferings of their 
Surety’; and who then can make good any charge 
against them ? If we look forward to the day of| shall ever prevail to separate true bel 
judgment, who shall-then condemn them ? The | the love of God in Christ Jesus towards th 
Judge himself will be the same Person who loved} his purposes are unchangeable, his 
them, died for their sins, and rose again for their |irrevocable, and his power invineib 
justification ; and who now at the right hand of| volous to say, that sin, being no cre: 
the Father ever’ liveth to plead in their behalf,} may separate the believer feist iis 
and to use his almighty power for their benefit !} standing all this; for such a‘2 tri 
Even now, he presents their services for accept- | invalidates the passage, — 

ance before his Father’s throne ; he quashes all) tion, the terror of dette 2 Ire Wns or sn il 

ations of evil 


war, or that of the exe, 
been written of old, | 
were, and would be, bi 
(Marg Ref.) but instea 
rated from bis love, they would 
the more complete enjoyment of 
only escape unhurt, or just co 
but also be made more than co 


immense gainers by their sufferings, through the 
supporting grace dis loving Sa ir. j 
deed the apostle was fully persuaded, or assu: 
(Marg. Ref.) that neither the love of life, 
snares and trials ; nor the fear, agon I, or 
rating ‘stroke of death in any rm ; no 
machinations of evil angels, or of all th 
palities and powers of darkness, ¢ 
Persecuting princes of this world ; n 
sent calamities, or future unknown ck § 
undiscoyered scenes ; nor the height of 
ty; nor the deptl: of adversity; nor the hi; 
created power ; nor the deepest plots F subt 
enemies ; nor any creature, nor all creatures, 


‘ 


accusations brought against them, defeats the|the world, and the machin 
machinations of their enemies, manages all things | have no tendency to separate us from 
for their good, and is perfecting his work in| God, except as they prove occasions of sin 
them ;*and will he then forsake the work of his | fessed believers in such circumstances of 
own haffds, and at last condemn them to hell ?}sake God and perish; but * all his 
It is impossible ! “ his hand,” and are “ kept by his po} 

V. 35—39. As infinite and unchangeable | “ faith unto salvation ;” so that th 
power and love are engaged in behaif of all be-| sist and overcome every tempta! ‘ic n 
lievers, and the mercy already shown them is | and foiled, they are brought ba by 


greater than what is further needful; they may | and corrections, with penitent ears and ferven 
even triumph on the field of battle, and exuit}supplications; and they dread st Ferine chi 
amidst their conflicts and groans ; for who shall} because they fear lest it should 


separate them from the love of Christ, who hath | Sion of indwelling sin gainjng some victory « 


chosen, redeemed, called, and justified them?}|them. Ifa man take encouragement to sinfrom 
Shall trials, persecutions, or calamities of any| such assurances, he renders it extremely proba- 


kind, degree, or continuance? Sill the sword of | ble that he has no interest in them; noonecan 


tf 


- Ad. 6. Bs oa coast CHAPTER IS. : he Bye! 


‘the freeness of God’s merty, and the sovereignty 


eli “of his election, 9—18. He answers objections to iis 
and d fillingness to éndure any thing his doctrine, 19—21: «nd proves it from the ed 
for th 4 13. oa shows the Bae ie } "prophets, 22-29; and evinces, that the Jey 
ie ae ee _ came short of the blessing, (which the: Gentiles 
m and the true feeicly 6-=8.- He illus-| obtained by faith,) because they sought it by the . 


i “sal by the examples of Isaac, of Ja-| _works of t he ne and eee Christ, 30—33. 


= Siren, , and of Phitaoh ; and thus shows) 


bat Tie abiding tag pee 3 and ‘Pou the Pike. 
deemer’s righteousness our bodies too shall be 
raised again to share that glorious felicity. What 
then can a carnai life present to our view, worthy 
to be put in/competition with, this noble prize of 
our high calling? Ail we owe to the flesh is a 


1 on this ae who “has not Scriptural 
dence of his conversion ; or can take the war- 
le comfort of them, except | he is at present 
g against sin, and harassed by. fears lest 

ve that detested and 
over him. We 


advantage 


ee SONS aa “cordials from the | holy:revenge for the injuries. beg done, and 
ry, anc inting combatants, because] the hinderances continually givens: and in- 
hi re Ont tably seize upon, and fatally in: stead of rendering our state doubtful by at all 
taxieate thotanelves with them. . age John x living after it; we should, by the Spirit, conti-« 
28-30.) Wee bY, Oe ; }aually: endeayour more entirely to mortify it, and 
repress all its actings. ‘Thus giving up ourselves, 


‘| to be led: by the Spirit; our adoption will be mani- 
fest; we shall gradually be emancipated from 
our secVile fears, and shall trust, walk with, and. 
‘obey God, as our reconciled Father ; the Holy 
Spirit will witness with our consciences that we 


Di 2% ‘ys OERVATIONS; 
Ma 9. 
ese of th é law, and. our ‘own con-| 

{2 should endear to us the free 


vation 4 ‘Gospel ; and urge t us to flee for 
peture ge to Ch irist, th at we may be safe fe in him, ag | have the temper of loving, obedient children to- 
Noah. i in the ark, wh reatened destruction | Ward him; and support us with the joyful pros- 
e : ay y men. Whilst we pect of our imberitance, amidst our sufferings in 


en 
aie hig de let us seek the way to‘glory:) while cur present trials will 
ate ured appear light no ranee with the sphoiey reserved 
| for: as. i 
WV. 19—27,.. a 
‘sin has filled the world with Pair aah dise 
ite i a! he eee Loe been ‘order and misery 5 ; all creatures seem to pro- 
one tore aes our sanetificittion, than the| claim man’s fatal apostacy, and to. recommend 
is could e ren di » fo - those who desire to be | the precious salvation: of . Christ. While men’ 
ak For if we traly rely on the sacrifice of| are evidently at war with their Maker and with 
the S jon of God, i in the likeness of sinful flesh, for | each: ‘other, andthe earth is become a great 


‘our sins; we shall find what our old nature is con- slaughtershouse and burying ground to its inha- 
bitants, the inferior creatures are forced into 


‘dem se and mus be eae ve shall join in 
puttin, o sente execu ion, and: long 4 for | the service of nian’s lusts by the most abominable 
the ie law to be fulfilled in us, perversion of them, Thus. the creation groans - 


of this, our pre. under bondage to human depravity ; every crea- 
Spirit? i is an eam. ‘ture seems to abet man’s rebellion, or to be an 
mind and con- |instrument of his. crimes; the very heathens 
in| could see'the strange state of the world, though _ 
| they saw neither the cause nor the cure of it, — 
¢| But the Gospel. opens a. brighter prospect ; a 
1 glorious crisis approaches, of which all things | 
$,| Seem in anxious expectation: When the children’ 
y | of God» shall be manifested, and. se parated from *— 
are Rot 1 ore S80. ‘Bat the “car at mand ibe en 2 his implacable foes, a’ complete deliv gee from 
{this bondage will be given to all b “$atan and — 
his obstinate, adherents ; and _sin,, deformity, 
vanity, @ «i miséry shall be seen no where but 
inthe bott i pit. May we then give dili- 
gence’ to ensure our interest in. this redemption, 
‘and to possess the first-fruits of the Spirit! Then _ 
our groans under our share of this universal 
ruin, while we wait, for our final-adoption, will be 
in hope we shall learn to disregard the perish. 
ing things which are seen, and patiently to ex- 
pect ‘and wait for the good things that are un- 
seen and eternal. The Spirit of God will, i im 
these things, help us under our infirmities : end, 
notwithstanding our own insufficiency, we shall, 
by Its influence, pray to.our heaves ty Futher,- 


est ae sure aides: alt ac 
versation are evidences, 
so and under the’ curse « € 
may “speak a about the grace of the Gospel: | 
, were Who, are skye to God, i My ten 1 


delight in his holy aye or be sibject to it; per 
how vee it be expected that God should be 
éd with such | ‘enemies and rebels? We 
I Id ‘therefore especially examine ourselves, 
i se the Spirit of Christ dwell in us : for if 
thi be not our case, we belong not to him, are 
“notin h his kingdom, and shall have our portion 
“amnong the servants of satan, unless this entire 
change be Wrought i in our hearts. 
V. 10—18. 

the Spirit of Christ have taken possession of 
our hearts, and renewed his holy image there; 
be death of our mortal bodies will perfect the’ 
i ) Poet souls, whie h have now eter. 


Vor. Vx BT gute ire lh ue 


N° t , , rs , 
1S Rae” STN RENAE AY ET RIOT oh ay Sen Roger i. (ik Oe han | 


Te ey 


A. D. 61. 


q ®SAY fhe truth in Christ, I lie Cae 
» my conscience also bearing me wite 
ness in the Holy Ghost, 
2 That © I haye great heaviness oka 
continual sorrow in my heart. 
3 For 4 I could wish that myself® were 


41—44, Phil, 3. 18. 
Rev, 11.3. 
id Tix. 32.32, = 
e Deut. 21. 23. Josh. 
6. 17, 18 1Sam. 
14. 24. 44... Gal. 1. 
8, & 3,10. 13. 


a 1.9. 2 Gor. 1. 23-) 1.5, 1John 3.19+21. 
& 11. 31. & 12,19%fe 10.1. 1Sam, 15 
Gal. 1. 20. Phil, 1.| 35. Ps. 119. 136. 
8. 1 Thes. 2. 5. i Is. 66. 10. Jer. 9 1+ 
Tim. 2. Te & 5. 21a] & 13.17. 


- Lam: 2. 
B2.15.& 8.16. 2] 18. & 3. 48, 49% 51. 
Cor, 1. 12. 1 Tim. 


Ez. 9. 4. Luke 19, 


with such large and spiritual desires, and such 
unutterable pantings after his salvation, as shall 
ensure a gracious answer, end abundant supplies 
of every needful blessing. 
“¥. 28—39. 
If we are but assured, that we really love 
God, and desire to keep his commandments ; we 
may rest satisfied that all things shall finally 

terminate to our greatest advantage. For the 
love of God, in the hearts of those who: were 
once enmity to him,.proves that they have been 
called according to, his eternal purpose, in order 

to be conformed to the image of his, Son, and 
made meet.as his brethren to be joint heirs with 
him. But none can. have any. ground to. think 
Ahemselves predestinated, called, or justified, or 
to expect to be. glorified, except they love God, 
bear the image of Christ, walkin his steps, and 
aim to obey and honour him ; and whatever men 
may object against these things, they who are 
thus chosen, called, and justified, shall without 
doubt be eternally glorified; nor. will a single 
exception be found to.this rule, though many 
will at length appear to have deceived them- 
selves and others. If. God has determined, to 
save us, whocan destroy us? If he spared not 
his own,Son, but. delivered him to death for us ; 
how should he refuse any thing-to us? If this 
was not tog large.a gift for his enemies, what 
can he withhold from his friends and children 
Ifhe justifies us, who can condemn us? If our 
crucified and risen Jesus pleads. and fights for 
us, who can plead or fight againstus, with any 
possibility of prevailing ? If the Judge ‘himself 
is our Friend, who can pronounce a sentence 
against us? Or what can separate us from the 
love of him who bled for us, when we were so 
wile, that hell was our, desert, and the doom. for 
which we were. meet? Whilst, therefore, we 
rejoice in these privileges and this security, and 
cheerfully expect to be more thaheonquerors in 
every conflict, and immense fa 
and tribulation, till. death be swe 
victory ; let us show the holiness © 
by sparing none of our lusts, shrinking from no 
hardship or expense in the cause of Christ, will- 
ingly enduring our cross, obeying his command- 
ments, and beiny  “ steadfast, unmoveable, and 
always abounding: in his work, knowing that 
® our iabour is not in yain in the Lord.” 


NOTES. 
CHAP. FX, V..1—3, This appeal is evi- 
dentiy equivalent to a solemn oath. Now, an 


"| * Ok, separated. 


|B ver. 6 Gen. 32.) 8 1 


taineth the: 2 


f 11. 1. Gen, 29. 14, 

_ Esth. 8. 6. Acts 7.fi 
23-26. & 13, 26. 
28. Ex. 19. 3—6. a 
Dent. 7.6. Ps. 73. 
1. Is. 41. 8. & 46, ak %. 
3. John 1. 47. 29.1. ¢ 

h Ex. 4, 22, Deut. : 


oath being an act. of 


apostle, by thus appealing to is 
to the Hely Ghost, clearly shows as L 


Jews ; it motes have " su] 
had no great attachment» 
even that the pe’ perseeutions 
from them had set him ag 
therefore about still f 
ject of the rejection of the Jew and 
of the Gentiles, and to res 


his Judge, and with a sole 
he did in no degree devia’ 
science also, being enlightened 
the Holy Ghost, bare witness t 
declaring, that the unbelief an 
Jews excited exceedingly great 
depression, and constant ue ling! 
somuch, that he would-even 

‘be thentedd as an map rae oa 
manner of Christ; to be e: 
his visible Chureh, loa 
ed, or in any way put 
disgrace ; or even for ; 

all the comfort of communio 
shut ‘up under the deepest hoi 
mind which could be Rabe 


* 


consist with his final salva 
his beloved brethren a 
tional “and personal d 
about to come upon th 
belief. (Note, Ex. xxxii. 32.) ” 
be the utmost that the apostle Leal 
would be utterly unlawful, on any co 
whatever, ‘to wish to be eternally mi 
an implacable’ enemy of ae alt 
will be, (Marg. Ref.) . 

« (if it were proper tom 
© would avail to make so 
if pys), 1 could even wish 
© my brethren, though mi 
© happiness,” (Whitby. 
here translated from Christ, f 
after the exumple of Christ. *« oie pe erve 
“from my forefathers ;” thatis, after the anes ¥ 
of my forefather 8. (2 Tim, 8) 


kt 


‘ A Maat oe fae) akg ‘ 
itl BI ey aia iieoas ss ee SE 


d| not all Mierael, | which ate of Israel ; 


1. 7 Neither * because they are the seed, 

; Fins and of rion of Abraham, are they all children ¥ but, 
the hoe Chri ist cume,\4|¥ in Isaac shall thy segd be called. 

8 That is, ¢they ‘which are the children 

. ‘lof ‘de flesh, these are not the children of 

ae the ey le God God: but the children of the Be a 

take hone effect. For " they are|are counted for the seed. , ui 

at (Fractical Obeervattons.~ ; ‘ 

6.) 4 epee 9 For'this zs the word oi promise, > At 

Beeb ot Poke 2 | this time will I come, and Sava shall haye 


‘Cor, 14. 16. 
B51 ason. pisaehs 


Aah Tae 


“154, 55. i 
Acts 2. 39.] 5. 2. Jol 


Tim . Tale Sg 

a) 8—| Num, 23. 19. is. 55. 
" ; | 11. Matt. 24, 35. 
+ 25> 72, 19.4 Jolin 10. 35. 2°Tim. 
Bor i. 31 1) 2 13. Hebe 6 17, 
Tim. 6.15, ) | J 18. 
Is Deut. ar 15, &edu 2. 28, “o9.. Re oAs 
1 Kings 86, 1 12-16. John. 1. 47. 
Chr. mee fe Ps 41. Gal. G. 16. 


x Luke 3. 8. & 16.|z 4. 11—16. Gal. ay 2520. 1 Jolm 8. 

24, 25. 30.. John 8.] 22—31. Eig Pe ois 

37—39. Phil. 3. 3.Ja Gen. 31.15. Ps,|b Gar 17-21. & 18. 3 

y Gen. 21, 12, Heb} 22. 30. & 87./6,| 10. 14. & 21, 2 

Al, 18, ‘ Shee Te 13, Gal. 3. ‘| Sarah. es 
12. 17, 


to evade the ‘conclusion, unavoidably deducible 
from this text, namely, by rendering the clause, 
« Who is over all, God be blessed for ever- 
“ more ;* rests on'a most harsh and unnatural ” 


Ay Se ‘Th apostle % was 1s pectiliarly Prieta 
to think, th the distinguished favours,shown 
to his people, ‘should terminate in the rejection 
of them for opposing Christ.. They were the 
descendants of Israel, who wrestled with God 
and prevailed ; they, had long been the profess. 
ed peeetioe of Jeuovan, to whom the typi- 
ad ertained. _The covenants m6 
Isaac, es “Aaron, and Davi 
gi at mount, Sinai, and the national 
nt grounded on it, belonged to them, and 
m ny peculiar, honours and advantages’ 
their becoming the spiritual people of 
he temple, which was 
C Christ’s satvation, and the means! 
d communion with God ; and the ark 
part, the symbol and pledge of. the 
us’ aa neh them, pad for 


duced; at the same time that it destroys the an- 
tithesis, without which the verse would be desti- 
tute of propriety and animation. 

_ VN. 6—9. Though the Jews had rejected the 
Gospel, and were cast off by the Lord; it must 
not be supposed that his word hgd failed of ac- 
complishment. Their ‘national covenant had 
been fulfilled to them, till it was finally forfeit- 
‘ed; the promises respecting the Messiah had 
been’ perfor med ; and the spiritual covenant and 
promises did not belong to them as anation, but— 
to such of them only as believed, in common 
‘with other believers: for all were not the true 


«| from Jacob. Indeed this had been intimated in 
| the case of Abraham and his seed : for the spe- 
j cial covenant, made with him in favour of his 
children, did not include all his posterity ; but 
it was limited to the line of Isaac, when the Lord 
assured him, “that in Isaac should his seed be 
“ called.” So that his children, in the ordina- 
ry course of things, were not all re has as Pi 
ut’ 


wa 

by him; and ite the bes pectic’ 
had. been born. among them, as: one of 
vation according. to. the flesh ; even, He, 
is also ‘“ God over all” rn blessed 


| children of God, even in a ‘typica L, 


those only, who sprang from ‘hit 
the promise, and by the extraor: 
God performing’ it, when Saral 
past child-bearing. (Marg. Ref. 
evidently speaks of a true Israel, among'the de- 


The expression « geonrtes to. the 
‘implies that Christ hada far higher 
r nature: even as when Paul used it 
the, Jews, his brethren, &c., (3,) he 
e is.sorrow that they were not. his 
en, asthe children of God, born of the 
and believers in Christ. This, with every 
consideration, undeniably proyes, that the 
¢ here meant, in the most decided manner, 
he Deity of. Christ, as One with the 
d equally ‘the Gbject’of universal and 
a adoration, There is no’ example, 
L w Testament, or in the Greek 
Old Testament, fin which the} 
» “Blessed be God,” is expressed i 
" ‘words, and arranged in the same man- 
in is place. So that the only way,, in 
Socinians and Arians have attempted | 


from the ‘Ration at: large; and he introduces the 
case of ‘Abraham and his two sons, and after- 
wards that of Esau and Jacob, not as examples, 


were carefully noted, the perplexity which in- 
volves the Teasonings of many learned men on 
this passage, would, in a great measure, vanish, 
© The children of the promise,” are ‘ those, 
* whom God gives to Abraham, by a spiritual 
* generation, whether alone, as in the case of us 


|< in the case of Isaac, and of all believing-Jews? 
* They who interpret “the children of pres. 


| 
t 
q 
Ba 
i 
| 
mit 
‘ 
i 
Fi 
ql 
: 
; 
i 
ti 
t 
z 


construction, of which no example can be ad- © 


“ Israel of God,” who were naturally descended © 


—The apostle | 


scendants of Israel ; od remnant, as distinguished ° 


but asdlustrazions of his main subject. If this 


‘ Gentiles, or added to the earnal generation, as 


~ ‘Rebeccaa 


ing to election might stand, " not of workn 


_mised some time before his birth ; and the faith-| 


; : rae 3 
ae par oa mis ones even shi 
by our father Isaac, ae 
11 (For © the children being not yet} 
born, neither having done any good or 


evil. {that the purpose of God & accord-| there unrig 


forbid. | 


i but of him that calJeth,) 


© 5,3, 11. Luke 16,jf 8 28-30. Is. 14:]% 11. 5,7. Eph. se 
26. 24. 26, 27. & 23. 4) 4,5 1 1. 4. 
@ Gen. 25. 21. Re-] & 46: 10, il, Jer 2" 

* bekah, 51. 29. Eph. te 9—}h UL. Ge “ah, 2 9, 
led. 17. Ps. 51. 5 bie & 3,11. 2 Tims! Tit, 3, 5- 

Eph..2. 3, | 1.9. 18. 28. 1 Thes. 2. 


14, 1 Pet. is, 10.}m 
Rey. 17. 14, 

‘k Gen. 25, 22, 23, 
‘2 Sam. 8. 14, 


Kings 22. 47. 
¥ “Or, ater. 
T Ox, lesseTs 


irs earipireaienil  St ~ 

s* mise,” to.mean, those, who by faith embrace | was said to Rebe 

© the promise ; say indeed what is fact, but do| the younger; (J 

* not speak with suitable precision : for the apos- 

« tle does. not,.in this place, distirtguish the 

« children of Abraham from others by their faith 

¢ as known; but he discourses concerning the 
€ primary. cause, that is, the fountain, of their 

© faith itself, namely, the eternal purpose of 

€ gratuitous election,’ (Beza.)—Isaac was pro- 


fulness and power of God having fulfilled a 
promise, he was “the child of promise,” 
whom Abraham’s “ seed, should be called ;” sad 
4m whose. “seed the nations should be. blessed : Fi 
but Ishmael was not thus previously ‘promised ; 
andthe, chosen nation, «which was -to_ inherit 
Canaan, and from whom, the Messiah was to 
spring, would ie descend from him, but from 
Isaac. In like manner, all the: descendants of 
Israel were not entitled to the spiritual blessings 
of the covenant ; but only. ae the remnant accord- 
“ ing to the election of grace,” which, was foun 
among them : and these, being regenerated, and 
having believed in Christ, were brought into the! 
family of believing Abraham, as the children 
of promise, in whom the proreises to him, con- 
cerning his numerous posterity and their extra- 
ordinary privileges should be especially fulfilled. 
(Notes, iv. 9-17, Feb. vie. 1S—17.). In thus 
adducing. the case of Isaac and Ishmael, the 
apostle certainly did not decide on the cternal 
state of either of them : yet the subject, which 
be thus illustrated, namely, a remnant of believ- 
ers among anunbelieving nation, must refer, not: 
to outward | dvantages and disadvantages ; but 
‘salvation or damnation; for “he that 
eth and is baptized, shail be saved, and 
« he that believeth not shall be damned”? “And 
this is. equally clear, whether it be held, that 
this remnant. believed, in consequence of their 
being elected; or that they were chosen, in con- 
sequence of their faith, either as foreseen, or as] 
actually exercised, nut deterr ae any thin 
V 10—14. As Isaac was Abraham’s only son aoe sh character, an t 
by Sarah his wife; it might have been supposed : 0 hi 
that the covenanted blessings were limited tole, 
him on that aceoint. Yet not only Ishmael, 
Abraham’s son by Hagar the bond-waman, sad | 
his children by Keturah were excluded; but|. 
even Esau and his posterity, though the elder hs 
son of Isaac and Rebekah, and twin-br other to 
Jacob. Even before they were bern, and con- 
sequently before they had done good or evil, it 


n| profane anc 
and holy : 


the cause of them, 
born in. sin; and 
to themselves, they wi 
life : but, (for reasons 
purposed to change Ja‘ 
Esau to his native 
ly loved Jacob, me 
love Esau. _ Wieke 


source, 
intended as ani illus v 
‘towards the fallen race f man, 
been urged, that Jaco Esau w 
much personally intendec 
‘and that temporal, ai 


never had sleet ) 
oealtale t 


gus .tor of Christ ; so ; : ‘ 
not belong to. © ve sapien f grace,” 


: 


4 4D. 61. 


_ 


- wh *, Pre 
- + 


G 


oar.” 

Fe 16s 18, 19, 

"Ex. 33.19. & 33. 
®, 7.) Is. 27. 11. 
; bbe 


Ben 7. 18. - 
Tota he 110, 


eluded from the true Church, had no part in 

Christ, and no inheritance in heaven: but the 

reverse is true of “ the election of grace.” They 

were called, and in consequence believed : they 

were justified in Christ and glorified. (Vote, 
. vii,: 


2,13, 14. Tit. 3. 
3—5. Jam. 1.18. 1 
Pet. 2. 9, 10. 

H. 4 Gab 3 8. 
22 & 4.30. . 


11. 25, 26, Luke 10. 
2% John 1 12, 13. 
& 3. 8. i Core 1 
—3l. Eph. 2.4, 
Phil, 2. 13. 2 Thes 


3. Ts. 650]. | 


18—31:) and the same is the. case in re- 
of men in all other ages and nations. If in- 


ce there were any of our race, not fallen like 


other men; or not) by nature dead im sin, and 
children of wrath, even as others: if there were 
-any inclined without Preventing grace, to repent, 


‘and to believe the humbling holy Gospel of 


Christ, to love God and obey his will; then in- 
deed the election might be made with respect to 
their foreseen faith and obedience. But then, 
what ground would there be for the objections, 
which the apostle evidently supposes would be 
‘made to his doctrine ? Or what reason to silence 
them, in the manner which he afterwards. does ; 
*when he might easily and consistently with truth 
have given an answer far more satisfactory to 
the objectors, by clearly explaining his meaning? 
It is then inquired, First, Are all men, as born of 
‘Adam, equally depraved? and seeondly, Is man 
willing of himself to do what is spiritually good ; 

_ or does the grace of God make him willing? 
' When these questions are answered, according 
© to’ the seriptures and the articles of our church, 
it will readily be perecived, that no good, fore- 
seen either in the hearts or lives of sinners, could. 
be the cause of their election to eternal life. If 
then God loved Jacob, and hated Esau, (or show- 

_ ed him far less favour.) without reference to 
» their works, as comparatively gocd or bad ; could 
' any injustice be objected te him? By no means: 
» he did Esau no wrong in leaving him to his own 
choice ; and he and his posterity received more 
favours than they deserved - did the un- 
_ merited love of God to Jacob and his posterity in 
- any measure injure Esau. Even in respect of 
holy creatures, we must either allow, that God 
may justly permit them to sin, and punish them 


for it’ sand so at least foreknow, both the per- 
ina and the punishment : or else we must 
y 


ve 
a 


‘that he can act as a moral Governor of the 


_ universe. For if this were not just; God would 


ae ~~ e's 


__ be bound to prevent all his creatures from sin- 


hing ; and if they were left to sin, He only would 

be the cause of it. So that men ‘are not aware 
: at blasphemy is involved in their bold objec- 
onthis subject. Much more then may God 
ously leave fallen creatures to themselves, 


U 


CHAPTER 1x. 


| ) proceed in rebellion, and sink into destruction. 


A. D,.61, 


he hardeneth. 
8 See on. Ex. 9. 16.) 15. & 18, 10, 11-]z 1. 24—23. & 11, 7 
t 1 Sam. 2. 7, 8.) Josh. 2. 9, 10. & 9.| 8. See on. Ex. 4 
Esthe ¢- 14, 15, &| 9. 1 Sam. 4. 8: Ps.] 21. & 7.13. Deut 
10. 5,6. & 45. 1—3.| 83, 17, 18. Prov.) 2. 30. Josh. 11+ 30. 
Jer. 27. 6, 7 Dan.! 16. 4. Is. 37. 20. Is. 63. 17. Matt. 
4, 22. & 5. 18-21, |s John 17. 26, > | 13. 14, 15, Acts 28. 
u Bx. 10. 1,2.& 14./y ver. 3 & 5.| 26-28. 2 Thess 2, 
17,18 & 15. 14,1 20, 21. Eph. 1.6. | 10—12. 


He might justly have thus left all; it is of in- 
finite mercy that any are saved ; and their sal- 
yation can be no injury to those, who are only 
punished according to the desert of their own 
sins : and it is probable, that most of the objec- 
tions brought against these doctrines originate 
from the want of a deep conviction, that God 
would have been just, had he leftour whole fallen 
race under final condemnation. The election of 
nations to special privileges and religious advan- 
tapes, not vouchsafed to other nations, ‘which 
some expositors suppose to be here meant, (con- 
trary to the whole tenour of the context,) is liable 

to the same objections as personal election ; and 

can only be vindicated in the same way. All 

might justly be left without them: and when 

some are ‘mercifully favoured with them, “ that 

‘the purpose of God according to election might 

“ stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;” 

ho wrong is done to the others. : 

V. 15—18. ‘ Mercy presupposes misery, and 
‘this sin, or the voluntary corruption of the hu- 
‘man race ; and this corruption presupposes 2 
‘creation in purity and uprightness” (Beza.) 
Moses, for whom the Jews professed the highest 
deference, had written as strong language con- 
cerning the sovereignty of “God jn showing 
mercy, as the apostle used : when JEnovan de- 
clared, “Iwill have mercy on whom Ihave mer- 
“cy ; and I will have compassion on whom E 
‘* have compassion ;” for the latter clause is in 
the present time; which implies, that he would 
by no influence be induced to alter his fixed 
purpose of showing mercy, or executing ven- 
geance. (Voie, Ex. xxxiii. 19.) In the’ case 
of Jacob, it indeed appeared, that he was willing 
to obtain the blessing, and he ran at his mother’s 
word; thus he prevented Esau, and Isaac, con- 
trary to his purpose, blessed him : but the whole 
transaction was disgraceful, and merited the in- 
dignation, rather than the favour, of God: (Votes, 
Gen. xxvii.) The establishment however, of 
the covenant with him and his posterity did not 
originate from this, but from the electing love of 
God : whose purpose respecting him had been 
made known long before. Thus believers great- 
ly desire the salvation of Christ, and labour to se- 
cure it: yet these are streams from the fountain 
of electing love. They “were by nature children 
‘of wrath, even as others: but God, who is 
"rich in mercy, for his great love wheirewith he 
loved them ; even when they were dead in 
**sins, hath quickened them’ togg{her: with © 


‘¢ 


A.D. 61. 
19 Thou ® wilt say then unto me, > 
Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath 
resisted his will? 
20 Nay but, ¢ O man, 4 who art thou 
that * repliest against.God? ¢ Shail the 


A 3.8.1 Cor. 15. 12.) Acts 2, 23. & 4.27,/* Or, answerest 
35. Jam. 1. 13. 28. again. Job 14.3. 
b 3. 5—7.. Gen. 50.Jc 2. 1. Mic. 6. 8. 1] Tite 2. % on, dis- 
20.) Joo 9 12=15.| Cor. 7.16. Jam.2.20.) purest with God, 
49. & 23.18.14. Ps./d Job 33, 13. & 36.) 1 Cor..1.20..9 Time 
‘76.10. Is. 10. 6, 7] 23. & 38. 2, 3- &) G5, 
& 46. 10, 11. Dan. @ Ts. 29, 16. & 45. 
4. 35. Mark 14, 21, 9—1L ; 


40.2 5. 8 & 42. 
2—6. Matt. 20. 15. 


® Christ” Thus he makes them willing by re- 
generation ; and they are disposed to the diligent 
use of means, and. through these they are made 
partakers of salvation; the sinfulness attending 
their very diligence being graciously forgiven. 
Whereas they, who are not hus willing and 
diligent, are not made unwilling by any positive 
act of God; butit is the consequence of their 
own pride, self-will, love of sin, and aversion to 
holiness. it springs from innate depravity, and 
is increased and strengthened by habits of dis- 
obedience ;/and can never be removed, except 
by. an act of almighty power, which God cannot 
be bound iz justice to perform for any of his re- 
bellious creatures... Men, are indeed naturally 


willing to be saved from misery and made happy;. 


and are often very diligent in proud and unbe- 
levine endeavours in order to it: but. this is 
widely different from acordial willingness to be 
saved from sin as well.as misery, and made holy 
and happy, inthe humbling method of the Gos- 
pel. This subject was exemplified in the case 
of Pharaoh. .God the Creator advanced him to 
great authority and prosperity, and spared his 
tife through the several plagues of Egypt: but 


at the same time he left him to harden himself. 
in enmity and rebellion. This he declared to be. 
intended, that in his destruction he might make: 


known his power and glory throughout the earth. 
So that it mdst be allowed, that he hath mercy on 
such of our apostate race, as he sees good ; and 
that he hardeneth whom be will, by leaving them 
to themselves, and underthe power of satan; by 
erdering his dispensations respecting them in 
such a manner, ashe knows will exasperate their 
enmity and embolden their presumption ; and by 


judicially sentencing them to final obduracy, that’ 


his justice in_ their punishment may become the 
more conspicuous. © (Votes, &e. Ez. iii.—xv.) 
* This hardening also is voluntary, becatise the 
* Lord, offended by their depravity, makes use 
* of their own will, in executing this judgment 
* on those whom he hardens. Then follow the 
¢ fruits of this hardening, namely, unbelief and 
€ sins, which are the real causes of the condem- 
« nation of the reprobate.’ . (Beza.) 

¥. 19—21., The’ unhumbled objector would 
he sure here to cavil, and to inquire, Why the 
Lord blamed or punished Pharaoh, or indeed any 
man, forhis sins? . Who had resisted his sove- 
reign will and appointment? FEyen they, who 
most rebel against. his precepts, fulfil his de- 
crees : his will is therefore universally done, 
and no creature makes any opposition to it. As 


if the secret purpose of God could be a rule of pious men appear,sometimes 


duty to his, creatures! Oras if a man could 


‘ 


ROMANS. 


£ ver. 11. 18. Is. 64, 


thing formed say to him tha 

Why hast thou made me thus? 

21 Hath'not € the potter p 

the*clay, of thé same tu p to ma one 
r, and another unto 


vessel unto hone 
honour? ieee tie 8 
[Practical Observations.) 


& ver. 
8. Jerei8. 3-6. |22. 2B, 


mean to do tlie will of God, 
press commshyaalahiel ont of e 
to gratify his own lusts! To this 
eaviller, (and such are very numero: 
both avewed. enemies and false friends 
doctrines are inclu 2 al 

by demanding of him 
he was, that he should 
to reply against God, 
justice or want o d 
he had expressly sp 
proper for the crea’ 
2ecount, for havin 
Would not men. 
sovereign right to mz 
tion, as the potter exe 
clay, when of the same 
sel. to a more honour: 
meaner use ? (Votes, Ie. 
10.) . Would they give th 
justice, wisdom, truth, an 
could not, fully comprehend - 
from his infinite perfection, that he 
wrong, however it might appear to 
could there be any danger from 
absolute sovereignty, by infinite 
would they ..dare to dictate to the Lord, ot 
termine what he ought to do, or to cal 
an account for what he had done? _ 
froma the whele context, that Ul e apostle 
mean, that God might justly m e 
tures miserable by prerogative, aS 
least to suppose : for he goes u 
tion that the divine sovereignty is that, 
wisdom, justice, truth, and | ) Mere“; 
words, “have mercy, on whom e wave). 3 
« mercy,” imply that. all deserve th : so. 

that the lump of clay ih.the 
roust refer to men, alrea ting | 
foreknowledge, :as fallen, creatures. _ 
apostle intended to repress the art 
ignorant presumptuous worms, who yentti 
speak about injustice, cruelty, tyranny, & 
discoursing of their offended Cre: n 

who conceive in their own imag 
infinite God ought to act; 
who He is, and who they are, ¢l 
ly, and say, that if such and 
indeed, then God is,—but the 
to.be repeated. This very c 
such a compound of arregance, irrevel 
folly, that it seems the most glaring [ 
man depravity, which. even this Ww 
exhibits ; especially when it is ey ' 
it It is 


C OF “ 
wonder= ae 


controversy, to be betrayed into it. 


22° What if God, ' k willing to shew his 
a Cae and o make his power known, i 
endured y vith much long-suffering ‘ the 
vessels o of wrath 7 fitted to destruction ; 
}- And that he! might make known 


mi ) which m he had afore prepared 
unto elory, 


eee us, = whom he hath called, 
& of the Jews only, but also of the 
entiles? 


25 Aséie saith also P in Osee, 4 I will 
‘call them my people, which were not my 


‘people ; ana her? r beloved, which was not} 


“WBelored-s: re 
“Bh ver. 17. wel eaty | s188. 1 Thes, 4) Ps Pet. 5.10. Rev, 19. 
rot 2.4 & 5. 20, 21. sen 29, 30. & 4.11, 

‘Eph. 1. 6—8. & 2. 


4. 7.10. & 3. 8. ‘16. 
ek. 1, 27. 2 Thes. 
27. 


10—12. . 
< “1 Chr. 29. i 480% 15-145 & 21. 


12. & 10. 12. & 11. 
11—13, & 15. 8-16. 
i ‘xm. = ih a 18. Gen, 49.10. Ps.22. 
Belly 12, Lam. 3. 
22. 1 Pet. 3.20. 2 
Pet, 2. 3, 9. & 3. 
3,9. 15. Jude 4. 
Rey. 6, 9—11. 
me +83 2k. 1 


Luke 1. 17. Eph.| 17—20. Gal. 3. 28, 
2.3—5. Col. 1. 12.) Eph. 2. 11—18. & 


2 Tim. 2. 21. "Tit. 
5 “a ae 1 Pet 1 


+ be elles Com: ae. ts 1 Cor. 
15. 16. Matt. 23. 1.9. Heb. 3. i. 1 


ful that the great Mr. Locke should confidently 
_ assert, that the apostle here speaks of men za- 
_ tionally, and not personally, in reference to their 
eternal state ; when the rejection of thegJewish 
nation, with the reservation only of a remnant 
Ma according to the election of grace,” was the 
main’ subject, to illustrate which all the other 
‘examples are introduced — This remnant consist- 
ed of a small number of individuals, not of a na- 
, tion; and: the Gentile converts were individuals 
ont of theiryseveral nations, forming, with the 
Jewish conv rts, the Christian Church; and not 
whole nations, or one whole nation, chosen as a 
_ collective body, ‘to succeed to the external ad- 
vantages, which the nation of Israel had forfeit- 
ed: and surely “the vessels of mercy before 
* prepared unto glory,” which the apostle next 
mentions, must have been chosen, not to external 
\ advantages, but to. eternal life. GNore, Vili. 23— 
‘31. ) . Poy Sr a Ss 
_ -¥: 22,23. “Suppose that God was pleased, 
‘(asi in the instance of Pharaoh,) in order more 


P Hos. 1. 1,2. Hosea. 
q_ Hos, 2. 23, 1 Pet 
2.10. 


John 16, 27- 


conspicuously to display his powerful wrat he 


inst’ his enemies, to endure their proyoca- 
- tions ‘with patience for a long time, till they had 


‘ac led ‘out the desperate wickedness of their 


arts, and filled up the measure of their sins, 
\d. so became ripe for signal vengeance = whut 
stice could there-be in this? In allusion to 
otter’s vessels, they were in themselves 
ress 1s of wrath; and their wicked dispositions 

d actions rendered them fitted for destruction. 
Nor could they ‘have been preserved from it, but 
y an act of omnipotent power, as well/as by the 
kercise of unmerited mercy : this God was not 
oO md, and did not ‘see ‘good, to bestow ; me 


‘or even to accept of it. "They despised 
es ys “hat long-suffering that spared 


CHAPTER Ix. 


s of his glory on the vessels of} 


Acts 13. 47, 
2 Thes. 2. 13, 14.] 3. 6—8. Col. 3, 11.. 


rl. 7%, Ez. 16. 8 


he will with his own. 


A. D. 61. 


26 ean * it shall come to pass; thas in 
the place where it was said unto them, 
Ye are not my people; t there shall they 
be called the children of the living 
God. - 

27 4 Esaias an crieth concerning Is- 
rael, * Though the number of the chil- 
dren of Israel be as the sand of the sea, 
y aremnant shall be saved : 

28 For he will finish the * work, z and 
cut z¢ short * in rightegusness ; because 
a short work will the Bond make upon 
the earth. 

29 And as Esaias said pefire, b Except 
the Lord of ¢ Sdbaoth had left us a seed, 
d we had been as Sodoma, and been made 
like unto Gomorrha. 


s Hos, 1. 9, 10. 

t 8. 16. Ts. 43. 6. 
John 11. 52. 2 Cor. 
6. 18. Gal. 3. 26. 1 
John 3. 1-3. 

u Ise 1.1. Isaiah. 

x See on, Is, 10. 20—| 
23. 


11. & 24. 13. Jer-}b Is. 1. 9. Kus 
5, 10, Ez 6. 8.) Lam. 3.22 — 
Mie. 5. 3--8. ¢ Jam. 5. 4. 

* Or, account. d Gen. 19. 24. Is. 
iz Ise 28, 22. & 30.) 13.19. Jer. 49. 18 
12—14. Dan. 9. 26,) & 50.40. Lam. 4. 
27, Matt. 24. 21, 6. Am. 4.11. Zeph. 
22. 2. 9% 2 Pet. 2. Ge 
Sodom. Gomorraha 
Jude 7. 


y 11. 4~6. Ezra 9.la Ps. 9, 8. & 65. 5. 
8. 14. Is. 1. 9. &} Is. 5.16. Acts 17. 
“10. 20, 21. & 111 Sl. Rev. 19. 11. 


them; they rei up wrath in the _impeni- 
tency of their hearts; and at length received 
their due recompense. (ii. 4—6.) And if, on 
the other hand, the Lord chose to display the 
abundance of his. glorious power, truth, and love, 
in his dealings with some of the same lump, 
whom he had selected t@ be vessels of mercy, 
what was this to others?) They were not any 
more meet for the felicity intended them, than 
the former; but he was pleased to repare. 
them before for it, by his converting m3 sancti- 
fying grace ; as well as to make them capable 
of actively glorifying him here on earth, But 
did'his free love to them imply i injustice to ethers? 
Their cause for gratitude is immense: but have 
those who suffer no more than they deserve, any 
ground for complaint? while he withholds from 
none their due, he has surely a right to do what 
(Notes, Matt. xx. 1—16.) 
The different language used concerning “ the 
« vessels of wrath, and the vessels of mercy,” 


is of vast importance in stating this doctrine : so- 


idly an scripturally : the former are “ fitted’ 
“ for destruction ;” it is not said, that God had 


fitted them. For he saw them, in themselves, 


hoth deserving wrath, and fit for the place of 
torment, and the society of fallen angels: but 
God himself before prepared the vessels. of 
mercy, for that glory to which he intended to ad- 
vance them. The term, “vessels of mercy,” 
implies, that they too had deserved wrath ; and 
the preparation before-hand for. glory, shows 
that in themselves they had been unprepared. 
(Wates, Eph. ii. 1—10. Tit. iii. S—7.) | 
V. 24—29. The vessels of mercy,| or eon- 
‘verts to Christianity, had been called forth from 
‘among both Jews and Gentiles : this gave great 
offence to the unbelievi ing Jews, yet their owe 
prophets hadforetolJ it. Hosea had predicted, 


} 
eee 


Ww. D. 61. , ROMANS. 


30 What © shall we say then? That ‘| 32 Wherefore ? ‘Because they OU, 
the Gentiles, which ¢ followed not after| 2 not, by faith, but as it , 
‘righteousness, have attained to righteous- works of the law: for ™ they’ stumt 
hess,» even'the righteousness which is| at that stumbling-stone ; ih 
of faith; 33 As it is written, » Behold Ay 2: ay 
31 But Istael, which i followed after| Siona stumbling-stone, and rock 0 ’ 
the law of righteousness, * hath not at-| fence : 0 and whosoeve believeth on him 
tained to the law of righteousness. {shall not be + ashamed. aki 8 + ee yeh, 


‘ 
© Seen, ver. 14, &} 9. & 21. 91. Is. 51.Ji vera 30, 32. & 10. habe : “eh vad 
14. 16. & 10. 5 Fon Lea day " : 54, 4 
Matt 19, 16—20./n Ps, 118, - 8.) Joel 2. 26,27. Phil. 


3.5. 1. 1 Tim. 6, 11. 2—4. Gal. 3. 31,, 

£1. 18—32. & 10./h 1.17. & 3.22 &) Phil3, 6.5 * 

20. Is. 65. 1, 2 1) 4. Q@ 11. 13, 22. Rik 3, 20. Be 4.14, 15.| John 6. ge 14, 1S) & 286 

Cor. 6. 9—11. Eph.! 5. 1- & 10.10. Gal.} & 11. 7. Gal, 3. 10,| Acts 16,.30—34, Matt. 21, 

2.12, & 4. 17—19.| 3. 8. & 5.5, Phil] 1. & 5. 3, 4. Jam.| John 5. 913. 1 Pet 2 Gre Veo 
Mil. 1) Matt. 13.Jo 5, 5, & ¥ Leip yPet. 
57. Luke 2. 34, & 23. 3, 4. 20. Is, 45 hes 


1 Pet. 4. 3. 3. 9 Heb. 11. 7, 2,10, 11. 
g ver. 31. Prov. 15, 


that they would be beloved aa God as his people, 


who had not been so; and Isaiah had shown, 
that but a remnant would be saved from the in. 
numerable multitudes of Israel; and that God 
would finish his work with that nation, in a 
righteous but compendious manner ; or by taking 
a short, account of the chosen people among 
them, and consigning the rest to just destruction 
throughout zie whole land. The passages refer. 
red to have already been considered ; and though) 
the version is somewliat different, being from 
the Septuagint, yet the meaning is “nearly the) 
same. (Notes, fs.i. 79. x. 22, 23. Hos. i. :) 
—10. ii. 21—23.) 2 sced is here put for “ avery. 
*€ small remnant,” in Isaiah; but the twenty- 
eighth verse considerably differs from the pas- 
sage, as it stands in the original ‘of the prophe- 
cy. ‘From comparing the original with the 
5 Septuiagint, no one can deny, that the Greek 

‘interpreters have in fact rendered the pussage 
“very negligently, as fur as words are concern. 
‘ed. Should any one ask, why the apostle) 
«nevertheless used, that translation; T “answer, | c: 
“that hie did this very properly, because they 1 to 
‘ whom he wrote, had been used to that transta- 
“tion; and that as far as the sentiment‘s con- 
© cerned, in support of which Paul adduced this 
‘ testimony, the Greek interpreters had preserv- 
© éd it sufficiently faithful. Nor does it signify 
* any other, either in the Hebrew or the Greek, 
“than that God had determined to render the 
“number of an ungrateful people extremely | 
‘small’ (B¢2a,) 

V. S@—S3., The apostle haying shown, that 
both the purposes 2 and predictions of God were 
falfilled, in thie rejection of the unbe ere Jews, 
and the. calling of the Gentiles, here proceeds 
to show by what means this had been effected ; 
which tended to prove that the Lord had acted 
righteously, and the Jews wickedly, in this mat-| 
ter. "fhe Gentiles, who before lived in the 
grossesit iguorance, idolatry, and wickedness, 
without: at allinquiring or follgwing after right-}c 
eousnesis, had suddenly, through the surprising: 
grace of God, been brought into a state of ac- 
ceptance with Him, being called to partake of 
“ the ri; fhteousness of God by fuith.? But Israel, 
who hacl the law, which contained the rule of} ner, the method of his’ dealings wit 4 
righteousness, and shadowed forth the way of}large. And if we are not allowed, to infer gene- 
justifica‘ion, and who had sedulously paid te-| ral conclusions, from the commands, testimonies, ” 
gard to iit as * a law of righteousnéss,” had not! promises, and dispensations of God, in respect of 
attained to the righteousness for which they “indi iduals ; it does not appear, bk chee 85) 


sought. Not living up to their 
condemned by it, yet cleavin 
Christ and his salvation Wi 
they failed of acceptanc 
God’s decree ? Or did he ref 
in the same way as the Gen 
No, truly = but they. refuse 
byffaith,, as an anm 
in claiming it by a ‘law, 
This they did, as dt were, 
law: they. did not ret is: 
the law, but they expected to 
ficiencies mone respect, 
or by repentance and, by ab 
sacrifices, or b supers tic 
serving the’ ‘traditi ¢ 
the bigssing from i 
upon them; and aes 
who was intjsed up to | 
stumbling-stone they fel 
dicted: (Votes, Is. Vili. 1 
obstinate pride ante 
cause of their ruin, and G 
in tighteousness, to give 
their own hearts. Some ex] 
the apostle had teference toa 
Jews, with ‘ail their advanta, 
coming in before the Ge 
left far behind: “ ce 
* the first last?’ Mr. Lec! 
argue, that the apostle only 
tiles had embraced the trite 
they were brought into a st 
surely, if they “ attamed 
* the righteousness whi 
justified persons, children, 
of God, and heirs of heaven; and thos 
professed the Gospel were hot of thid 
yet none else were partakers of the 
“ness which is of faith”? It is also 
these learned expositors maintain, | 
ings of God with the Jews, and not 
conduct towards mankind at lar, 
eternal concerns, is the prime t 
chapter: but the dispensati 
rael are explained, illustrated, 
such principles, ss establish in the 


ita 


giite 
a 


A D. 61; 


CHAP. X. 
‘The apostle again shows his earnest desire of Is: 
rael’s salvation ; testifying to their zeal, stating 


the Scriptures, or a great proportion of them at 
least, either for doctrinal, or practical purposes ; 
cites or encouragement, warning, or instruction 
in fighteousness.  “ Whatsoever things were 
. & written aforetime, were written for our learn- 
‘ting.” ‘* All these things happened unto them 
fer ensamples; and they are written for our 
# admonition ; upon whom the ends of the world 
“are come. Therefore let him that thinketh he 
«€ standeth, take heed lest he fall.” (Jtom. xv. 4, 
i Cor. x. 11, 12.) The Jews, as 2 nation, had 
ouiward privileges ; so have Christians as a col 
lective body. Most of them trusted in these out- 


ward privileges, and rejected the salvation of 


Christ; and so do the bulk of professed Chris- 
tians. A remnant, however, believed and were 
saved, while the rest were hardened and reject- 


CHAPTER 


\ 

x. 
“wherein it was erroneots, and distinguishing be- 
tween the righteousness of the law and. that of 
faith, 1—11, He maintains that Jews and Gen- 


A D8}. 


V.9—21, vatsiat 

The whole Scripture shows the difference be-. 
tween the professed Christian, and the real be- 
liever. Outward privileges are bestowed on 
many, who are not the children of God. These 
are born of the Spirit, according to the promise 
and purpose of him who “ worketh all things 
“« after the counsel of his own will ;”” and not be- 
cause they were any better by nature or of them- 
selves than others. For the Lord hath mercy 
‘on whom he pleases to have mercy,” and it 
“is not of him that willeth, nor of him that run- 
 neth, but of God that showeth mercy” Yet is. 
there abundant encouragement to the use of 
means. The promises, invitations, and exhorta- 
tions of Scripture, are perfectly consistent with 
the secret purposes of God. Where there is 2 


ed: the case is the same with professed Chris-| willing mind, and humble diligence in seeking 


tians.’ 


“grace :” and so is the remnant of true Chris. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—8. 
~ The command of loving our neighbour as our- 
selves, and the example of Christ, require us to 
mourn over obstinate transgressors, ‘especially 
when near to us according to the flesh ;' at the 
same time that we vindicate the justice of God 
in his dealings with them. This sorrow and 


This remnant was “ the election, of| him, the blessing will certainly be given ; and 


the happy believer will in due time ascribe even 
this willingness to electing love. But if men 
wilfully harden themselves in disobedience and 
impenitence ; he will show his power and ven- 
geéartice in thcir destruction, and cause all their 
abused prosperity to increase their condemna- 
tion and his own glory in it. Who could have 
previously thought, that any of our race would 
have presumed to say, that there is Wnrighteous- 
ness with God! To quarrel with his judgments, 
and pretend that none hath resisted his will ® 


heaviness, springing from natural affection, will} Shall criminals cite their offended Sovereign to 
indeed alloy our present consolations : but they) their blasphemous tribunal? If they do, let them 
are active principles, exciting us to use proper|see to it, for evilis before them. He that sittethr 


means for the conversion of those around us,|in heaven will deride their folly, and vex them in 


and to submit to hardship, reproach, loss, or 
_ suffering in our compassionate endeavours for 
their good : and the more such affections rule’ in 
out hearts and influence our conduct, the’ more 
we tescmble Him, who was made a curse for us, 
to redeem us from the curse of the law. We 
cannot now know the purposes of God respect- 
ing others ; it will be soon enough for us to be 
“ without natural affection,” when perfected ‘in 


Holiness ; and to rejoice in the destruction of 


_ his enemies individually, when the event makes 
them known to us. In the mean time; insensi- 
: bility to the eternal condition of our’ féllow 
3 creatures, is contrary both to the leve required 
by the law, and the mercy of the Gospe!: and 
‘More we can appeal to our heart-searching 
Judge,'through the testimony’ of his Spirit in 
int consciences, that we sincerely pity, pray for, 
| would suffer any thing to save, our most 
nt despisers and persecutors ; the greater 
dence we May use in affectionately warning 
hem of their danger, and of the delusions into 
; which they are fallen. For no external forms, 
“Rotions, Means, promises, or intercourse with 
eminent saints, can profit such’as have not the 
Ver 0 ' godliness. Nay, if we stood related to 
himself, according to the flesh, we should 
etter for it; unless we submitted to him, 
sted, and worshipped, and obeyed. him, as 
Tover all blessed for ever.” " 
YOu. VR ; 


‘use. in disputing against‘those ’ 
the truth ; that they may not appear to counte- 


his hot displeasure : he will go on with his own 
plan, exercising his holy sovereignty as he sees 
good, and distinguishing between those who 
adore, and those who blaspheme, the depths 


which they cannot fathom: and he will number 


with the latter, such as pretend to believe the 
doctrines in question, and then take occasion 
from them to sin with greater presumption, But 


‘surely all who love and féar God, however such 


truths may dazzle and dismay them, should re- 
verently keep silence before him. And even if © 


they hear them stated unscripturally or licen- 


tiously, they should take care wl at words they 
wie thus pervert 


nance the impieties of infidels and ungodly men. 
in short, modesty, caution, humility, and pro- 
found awe of the holy Majesty of God, should 
restrain and guide the tongues and pens of alk 
who speak or write on such ‘subjects ; however 
satisfied they may be with their own views of 
them, . 1 Se beis tg 
LAO A des Gabe ee . 

Sinhers need no preparing for destruction ;, 
they are vessels of wrath, and God’s long-suffer- 
ing towards them is very wonderful. But the 
vessels of niercy were originally of the same 


lump; and that new creation, by which they 


are “afore prepared unto glory,” is as great & 


display of the riches of Gaod’s grace and mercy, 


K 


‘ be employed in adoring his pardoning mercy and|n 


‘ 


A, D. él. E ‘ts 


tiles were in this respect on equal terms; 12, 13; 
that it was proper to preach to all, fhough many 
‘would not believe, 14—18.; and that the prophets 

. had foretold the rejection of the Jews, and’ the 
Bg of the Gentiles, 19—21. 


RETHREN, @ my heart’s desire ana} 
prayer to God for Israel is, that they} 

for righteousness Signetaione: that be= 
lieveth. 


peste be saved. 

2 For >1 bear them record, ¢ that they 
hive a zeal of God, * but not priory 
to knowledge. 


&9. 1-3. Ex. 32,) Cor. 9. 20-22. 22. 3.2% & 26.9, 
10—13, 1 Sam, 12./b 2 Cor. 8. 3. Gal. 10. Gale-d. 14. & 
23. & 15. 11. 35- &| 4. 15. Cole 4613. 1/4217, 18, Phil. 3. 6. 
16.1. Jer. 17.16. &je ver. 3. 32, 2 Kingsid Ps. 14. 4- Prov. 19: 
18, 20. Luke 13./ 10.16. Jobn 16.2} 2. Is. 27.11. % Cor: 
34. John 5934. 1| Acts 2l. 20, 28&| 4.4, 6. Phil 1.9, 


as the inheritance which he freely bestows upon 
them. If we have experienced something of this 
change ; surely, in ow: own case, we must allow 
that the Lord-alone hath made us to differ : and, 
instead. of disputing against that free electing 
love whence all our happiness flows, we should 


new-creating’ grace, or in giving diligence to 
make our calling and election sure. And they, 
who know nothing of this. change, ought to be 
far otherwise employed than. in disputing. either 
for or against this doctrine. Let them strive to 
enter in at the strait gate, before the door be for 
ever shut; and leave such discussions to those 
who are walking with God in the way to heaven. 
As many of us have now obtained mercy, and are 
the people and children of the living God, who 
once were far off from him: so we may pray, 
and-use means that this. may be the case with 
others. throughout the earth. For, alas ! even 
among the vast number of professing Christians, 


it is to be feared that but a remnant will be, 


saved; sand the Lord. wiil be tighteous in ‘the 
destruction of an, immense majority of them. 


Blessed be his name, that he hath left us also a’ 


seed of true believers, to preserve our land from 
being as Sodom and Gomorrah ; yet this will not 
prevent many individuals from perishing witi 
stilh deeper destruction, Whilst. numbers care 
for none of these things, and. perish ‘through 
open impiety « and while some are snatched from 
amon, them by an unexpected conversion, and 


~ pass from death to life, through the righteous 


ness of faith and. the grace of the Gospel : others, 
who seem intent.on felowing after the law of 
righteousness, attain not to it; “ because they 
“ seek it not by faith, but, as,é were, by the 
** works.of the law ;” by some confused observ. 
ance of an imaginary rule, and. expecting to’ 
atone for sin by forms, sacraments, alms, and su- 
perstitions, and by some general notion of 
Christ’s making up the rest. At this stumbling- 
stone how many fall, and lose the race! Being 
offended at the humbling, levelling doctrines of 
free grace, they even» make the precious: Feun- 
dation for our hope, which God himself hath laid; 
and on which whoever trasts shail never be 
ashamed; a stone of stumbling, and a rock of 


_ ROMANS: 


'e 1. 17. & 3. 22, 26. 


-such vain and perHous- end 


3 For they being ignorant oe e s 
diebioouaall and going about f to fo ; 
lish their. own righteousness, have not 
$ submitted, Gann unto the Tight | 
( 


eousness of God. 


4 For © Christ: he end of the ie 


cng ON BY, pte “5 € 


& 5. 19. & 9 30, 
Ps. 71. 15, 16. 19. 
Is. 51.6. 8. & 56s 
1, Jer, 23. 5. 6 g Lev. 26. ‘ah. We 39. 1 Cor. 1. 306 
‘Dan. 9. 24.. John! 9. 33. Joh 33. 27. BGs arf 
i 9, 2% 2 Cor. 5.] Lam, 3. 22. Dan. 10.77. 9. Tom 
+ 2 Pet. 1.1. 9. 6—9% Luke 15] 14, & 10. 8— : 
f:9, 31, 32. Is. 57] 17—21. sae bi ‘inal 


ti) (OTESS Qt tote Siok» 

CHAP. x. Vv. 1—4. ‘Aware of the eee y 
which his doctrine would give the Jews,andeven 
many of the Jewish Christians, the apostle res 
peated his protestation of his « earnest. desires and 


feryent prayers for the salv 
otwithstanding their. prejudic 
het the persecutions which hi ured from 
them. He was also ready to bear aint for 
the Jews, that they had “ a zeal of God ;” or z 
very great zeal in things $ relating to God and Te- 
ligion ; they were very zealous for the spy 
of God, according to the law of Moses, ee! 
ubelersthcel it ; but it was an mise 
ignorant. zeal, founded on am struc 
the law itself, and of their tated oe nant, % 
and so leading them fatally to fae king. % 
dom and salvation of their” promi Messiah, 
For they, not being acquainted with the per 
justice of the divine character, law, anc 
ment; and not understanding the n: 
rigbteousness, which God had provided ; 
justification of sinners ¢ tently with k bi own 
glory, had gone about ae ous devices 
tablish their own righteo 
ous ground of their justification : i n: 
they had actually refused t “ae 
justice of God in their co! 
mit, to seele righteousness « ash is f 
alone. The expression, ‘ esta 
* righteousness,” seems to be t 
son, who allows his house to’ 
in some danger of falli 
vinced that the foundation destroyed 
it must come down, and be entirely reb 
new ‘foundation. i ‘He therefore endeav urs 
props and buttresses, and various repai 
make the house stand : but all his 3 
labour are thrown away ; and ifhe persi 
vain endeavour, it will be likely’ to a! 
bury him in its ruins. Thus the 
mense numbers in every af ge ds he s 
convinced of defects in thei ir 'm 
ness, “endeavoured to repair t m : 
or superstitious observances : : nor woul 
convineed; that, they were 
foundation ; that they m 


offence, and so | perish with-an aggravated de-| for a free: salvation to. Christ, 
struction... From such a downfall good Lord de-} Gentiles did. To this they. 
diver us ! Amen. lee eney ae not kriow 1 


uid ete 
ct ee 


= 


ee ee 


% 


@. D. 6. : 

5 For Moses describeth the righteous- 
ness which is of the law,i That the man 
which doeth those things shall live by 
them. | 

6 But the righteousness which is of 
faith speaketh on this wise,! Say not in 
thine heart, Who shall ascend into hea- 
yen? (that is, ™ to bring Christ down 
From above :) 

_ 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? 
that is, ® to bring up Christ again from 
he dead.) 

8 But what saith it? ° The word is 
nigh thee, eve in thy mouth, and in thy 
heart ; that is, P the word of faith, which 
we preach ; 

9 That 4 if thou shalt confess with thy 


iley. 18. 5. Neh ym John 3. 12, 13. &! 17. Is. 57. 19. Mark 
9.29. Ez. 20. 11.) 6. 33. 38. 50, 51.| 16. 15, 16. Acts 10. 
23.21. Luke 10.| 58. Eph. 4. 8—10.| 43. & 13, 38, 39: & 
27, 28. Gal. 3. 12,| Heb. 1. 3. 16. 31. Gal, 3. 2. 5. 
ie 3, 22. 25. & 4. 15.]n 4. 25. Heb. 13,20.) 1 Tim, 4. 6. 1 Pet. 
& 9. 31. 32. Phil.lgi Pet 3.. 18. 22.) 1.23.25. 
‘3.9. Heb. 11. 7. Rey. 1. 18. 
} Deut. 30. 11—13.Jo Deut. 30. 14, 
Prov. 30. 4+ 


q 14.11. Matt. 10. 
32, 33e Luke 12 8. 
P ver, 17, &(1. 16,) John 9. 22, &. 12, 


end and scope of the law for the justification of 
all believers. The strictness and sanction.of the 
moval law showed men their need of a free sal 

yation; and the ceremonies shadowed forth 
Christ and his work, as fulfilling the righteous- 
ness, and bearing the curse, of the law ;. so that 
‘even under the law, all, who were justified before 
God, obtained that blessing by faith, which in 

terested them in the perfect righteousness of the 
promised Redeemer, Some argue, that if the 
apostle had, in the preceding chapter, meant, 
that the reprobation of the Jewish nation was 
abgolutely decreed, he would not have prayed 
for them ;, but he knew that a remnant was ex- 
cepted : he did not know to what number this 
extended, and his good will, (so the original 
word signifies,) towards them was so strong, 
that he prayed for thé conversion of Israelites, in 
away which implied a longing desire that they 
all might be saved. Had it depended on him, 
this would have been the case; he prayed ac- 
cording to the knowledge which he had, and left 


~ secret things to God, adoring his wisdom and 


justice, even in those events which were contra- 


ry tothe feelings and desires of his heart. The 


thor can answer for one, that the belief of per- 
election and the divine decrees, does not 
the least interfere with his joining heartily in 
t prayer of our excellent liturgy, ‘That. it 
y please God to have mercy upon all men.’ 
; 9-11. Moses had repeatedly stated the 


i ata, ®t : 
‘Yighteousness. which the law demanded of a 


Man, in order to his justification: (Marz. Ref.) 
and his description showed, that without a sin- 
less obedience to every precept, no man could be 


‘ors from every hope in this way. But the 
pateousness of faith might be introduced: as 
using the words of Moses, on another occasion. 
: (Note, Deut, xxx, 11—14.) The self-condemn- 
ed sinner needs not to perplex- himself with in 


‘“viries, how it could ke obisined magneeds not 
{ Be | } 


GHAPTER X. .— 


‘accepted by it ; and effectually cut off all trans-. 


#4 


A. D. 6}. 


mouth the Lord Jesus, * and shalt be- 
lieve in thine heart that God hath raised 
him from the dead, thou shaltebe saved. 

10 For * with the heart man believeth 
t unto righteousness ;- ¥ and with the 
mouth confession is made unto salvation, 

11 For the scripture saith, * Whoso- 
ever believeth on him shall not be 
ashamed. ; oe 

[Practical Observations.} ‘ 

12 For y there is no difference between 
the Jew and the Greek: for the same 7 
Lord over all is 2 rich unto all that > call 
upon him. 


Zz 14.9. Be 15. 12" | 


42,43. Phil, 2.11,[¢ Gal. 2.16. Phil. 3. 
~| Aets 10. 36. 1 Cor® 


1 John 4, 2,3. 2) 9 


John 7. u ver. 9. 1 John 4.| 15. 47. Phils 26,11 
ft 8,34. John 6. 69) 15. Rev. 2. 13. Rey. 17. 14. & 19 
—71. & 20. 26-—-29.'x 9. 33, Is. 28. 16,| 16. 


a2. 4. & 9. 23. 3 


Acts 8. 37. 1Car.| & 49, 23. 
Cor. 8 9. Eph. 1. 


1 Pet, 2, 

15, 14-18 1 Pet.| 6- : ) 

5 Bat) fy. 3, 22.29, 30. & 4.) 7. & 2.4.7. & 3.8. 

s Luke 8.15. John} 11, 12., & 9. 24] 16. Phil. 4. 1% Col. 
Js 12,13. & 3. 19—) Acts 10. 34, 35. &] 1.27, & 2-2/3, 

21. Heb. 3. 12. &} 15.8, 9, Gal. 3. 28,)b Ps. 86. 5. & 1450 
10, 22, Eph, 2. 18—22, &]} 18. Is. 55. 6. Acts 

i 3:6, Col. 3. 21. 9.14.1 Cor. 1. 2 


‘say in his heart, Who shal! ascend into heaven, 


to fetch down one who may introduce such a 
righteousness? For Christ has already come 
down, and finished that work. “Nor needs he 
inquire who should. descend into the grave, or 
the place of departed spirits, to bring back the 
erucified Saviour from the dead: for that also 
was done, and he waa exalted at the right hand 
of the Father to confer the blessing on all who 
applied for it. Nor was the information respect- 
ing the means of obtaining an interest in it at a 
distance, that men should travel into far coun- 
tries to inquire after it : on the contrary, it was 
nigh to them, in the word, of faith which the 
ministers of Christ were sent to preach; it was 
inthe mouth of all who professed the Gospel, 
and in the‘hearts of all that believed it. In short, 
if a man confessed his belief in Jesus, asthe Lord. 
‘and Sayiour of lost: sinners, and really believed 
in his heart that God.had raised him again from 
the dead, inattestation of having accepted’his . 
atonement; he should certainly be saved, by the 
righteousness of Christ imputed to him through 
faith... For that faith, which interests a sinner in 
the merits of Christ, bas its seat especially in the 
heart of a humble penitent, and produces cordial 
desires after him and love to him; and the bold 
confession of hisname and truth among enemies 
and in the face of danger, evidences a man’s 
faith to be genuine, and gives a sure hope of 
complete salvation, according to: the prophecy 
before referred to, (ix: 33.) The distinction, 
between confessing with the mouth and believing 
in the heart, shows that the apostle was discours. 
ing, not of a mere profession‘ of Christianity, but 
the genuine sincerity of him who made that pro. 
féssion. Qn the other hand, they who refused 
to make this open profession, in times of. perse- 


‘eution ; had little reason to conclude, that in 
‘their hearts they truly believed in Christ fox ' 


righteausness and salvation, 


PT ema he he 


phe ee ee pak) 


Ley AN r 


> 


‘whom they have not believed? © and 
Fd shall they believe in him of whom 
they. have not heard? and how shall they 
hear without a preacher? 

WulS And? how shall they preach, ex- 

cept they. be sent? as it is written, & How 

beautiful are the feet of them that, preach 

h the gospel of peace, i and bring glad 
tidings of good things ! — 


16 But * they have not all ! obeyed the 


gospel: for Esaias saith, ia Lord, who 
ee believed * our report? 
17 So by vsiee igen cometh by. hear- 


ey ee 232— Acts 24 ae 22, 91, I. 

Ge "1% 28, 29. 

a i "Kings 8. 41—4 43) | Core spit, Eph. 

Jon. 1. 5s 14, 16» 3.8.& 4.11, 12. 

& 3, 5-9. and i. 1 Pet. 1. 12. 

6. Jams 5. 15. g@ See on. Es. §2- 7. 

el. 5. & 6. 25, 96 ewan. (Ana 
rk 16. ‘15, 16.{h Is. 57. 19. Luke 
uke 24. 46,: 47,| 2.14. Acts 10. 36. 
2 20, 31, Acts} Eph. 2, 17. & 6. 15. 

Gs. & 2. 17,18 |i Is. 40. 9. & 61. 1: 

“2"Fim. 4 1%. oh) “Luke 2v 105 & 8. 1. 


17. & 16, 26. Ts. 
50. 10. Gal, 3. 1. 
& 5.7 2 Thes. 1. 
8. Heb: 5.9. & li. 
8.1 Pet. 1.22. 83.1, 
m Is. 53. 1 John 
12. 38—40, 
a cao! the hearing 
us OFy our 
precchinee’ 
In ver. 14. & 1. 16. 
» Luke 16.2930 1 


Cox. 1. 1824, Col. 
1.4—6, 1 Thes. 2. 
13,°2 Thess 2. 13, 


Acts 13, 265 


Jer. 23. 32.-Matt.|k 3. 3, & 11. 17 
P tee: Pity 1-6. 10, 26. Acts 


 -p& 28y aig Ene - 24. Heb. 42.) 14. Jam. 1 18-21. 
“Si. 1, 5 pee 1 Per. 2.8. 1 Pet. 1. 23—25. & 
Aets 9. a Be Pag. & 298. & 6) 21,2 | 


is 


"V.12—17. In respect of the subject: spoken 
of there was no difference: between Jews and 
Gentiles : for'as none of them could be justified 
by their works, or saved in unbelief, so the 
infinite Creator and Governor of the'svorld; be- 

" ing rich and plenteous in mercy towards all who 
humbly call on him for salvation, would never 
exclude-any from justification who believed on 
his Son. 
cerning the times of the Messiah, that  whoso- 
ever should call on the name of the Lorn 
s* should be saved.” (Votes, Joel in. 28-32. 
Acts ii. 16—21.) The Jews in general called 


upon JexovaAn for temporal deliverance and) 


eternal salvation, even while they rejected 
Christ ; but they called in vain: this therefore 
could not be the intent of the prophecy. By 
calling on the namé of the Lord, we must un- 
derstand, either inyoking the Lord Jesus person- 
ally, as the incarnate Word, the co-equal Son of 
God, “ God manifest in the fiesh ;?. or calling 
upon the Father by faith im the Son, and through 
‘his intercession: but the former sense best ac- 
cords to the apostle’s argument, and is by far the 
most obvious construction of the words. Alt 
believers thus called on the name.of the Lord 
Jesus, and none else would, that is, humbly and |; 
Sincerely : therefore all, whether Jews or Gen- 


‘tiles, who thus sought help from him, would be. 


saved. But how. should any call on the Lord 
Jesus the divine Saviour, who-had not believed 
in hithas such? ~Or how could any believe in 
him, who bad never heard of him or his salya- 
tion ? Or how could, the Gentiles hear the things 
' pertaining to Christ, if none of the Jews, to 
whom they were immediately revealed, were 


SS te eae Te ene eee 


Thus the prophet had foretold, con- 


I" eyed te 


AD, 6h 


* BSS ae is 

“A: D. 61. " ,  %. | ROMANS. ‘ 
13 For ¢-whosoever- shall call upon the |ing, ° and. hearing by the word of God. 

name of the L ,ord shall be saved. "18 But I: oF ve they n heard? 
14 How then ¢ shall they call on him | Yes verily, 9 heir sound went into 


earth, and their words F unto the € 
the world. : 


19 But * I say, Did not | Israel know | 
t First Moses saithy I Ww. it rovoke you 
to jealousy by them ¢ aie “no people, . 


and by a ¥ foolish nation es Ki 
20 But Esaias is * ver 
y1 was found of them 


not; 7 I was made mani 
that asked not after me. Sens 
21 But to Israel he saith? . AL day 


long I have stretched forth my 
unto > a disobedient and gainsay By ‘peo | 


pie. 


o Jer. 28. 28, 29] 1Cor. 1a. 
Mark 4.24, Luke| 29. & 10. 19.. 
9. 


Pad 
eye! 9, ‘10. 
it. Hi eat 1John 


8. 11.21. & 11. 28.) 225% 
2 Cor. 2.17. Heb.|t 11. 
4. 12,13. Rey, Ie 
Pp Acts 2. 511. 
26. 20, & 28. 23.) 


19. 4, Matt. 4, 14.| 20. Jer. 10. ‘ei 
& 26; 13. & 28, 19.7 1 Cor. 12. 2, T 
Mark 16.15. 20.f 30.3: 
Col. I. 6, 23. x Prov, 28 26° Is] 

t Ps, 22. 27. S aesry 58.1, Eph. 6, 19) 27 
Tse 24,16. & 49 6.| 20. if 

| 4—6. Acts 


& 52, 10. Jer. 16.)y 9. 30. Is: 65s 1. ’ 
z Is. 49. 6. & 52.15.) 52. 1 Thes, 2. 16, 


19. 
s ver. 18. & 3.26.) & 55.4, 5e “Matt.| 1 Pet. 2. 8. 


sent by God and his Church to preach to them } ? 
Why then should the Jews blame the apostle 
and others, for engaging in this ‘needful and be- 
nevolent work, to which God had | called them ? 
‘The necessity and importance | of 7 pre: gt 
Gospel had been stated in strong terms by th 
prophet, (Vote, Js. lii. 15.) who had Lar | 
described even the feet of those 1 O- 

the Gospel of peace, to be beauti 
the Gentiles had not Daisarnit w 
vation of Christ, (any n 
to receive it with an obedient 
had been intimated by the $2 
expressed his grief and su 
inattention to the glad tidin p 
suffering Messiah. (Ate, os 
the phrase which he Usec 
Gospel “ our report,” 
argument, that faith | ren 
hearing. @ report ‘of Christ, ‘hb 

the faithful preaching of the word of 
is the means which God hath “ap 
chiefly blessed for this purpose; 8 ac | 
fore man’s duty to use it in expects 
ro The manner in, Pee ay 


ite 


ce aye er : 
tg ea 


Deity. ; ute 
66 MG 1821. are then ‘the rear 
port concerning Christ, ' w: 80 ne 
in him,, could ‘it be said, | 

had an fe ay of ‘ioe 


wells “of David, respecting ¢ sbenln = Bik ae i 


est by the lopninaries ofheare, 


i , i yA 
“3 wl PT rm? 


4: D. 61. ey 


_ CHAP. XI. 
‘The apostle shows, that God had not so cast off Is- 
rael, but that aremnant would be saved by grace, 
» Rot by works, 1—6 ; while the rest were blinded, 


‘ typical of the Son of righteousness,) might 


be well applied to what had already taken place. 


(Note, Ps. xix.4.) But the Jews especially had 
almost universally heard it, The apostles, the 
seyenty disciples, and others, by the express 


command of the Lord, preached in the cities and 


villages of Judea hate Galilee, for a long time, 
before they addressed the Gentiles : and even 


St. Paul, the apostle of ‘the Gentiles, constantly 
first preached to the Jews, in every city whither 


CHAPTER XI. 


A. Dy 61. 
® 4 


as foretold by the prophets, 7—10. He predicts 
that this rejection would not be final, and es 


the consequences to. the Gentiles, both. of the fall 
ofthe Jews and of their recoyery, 11—15. 


He 


that important concern, we must also insist upon 
the absolute necessity of its being regulated by 
the word of God ; without which it can only the 
more speciously deceive and ruin the souls of 
men. ‘Sinners could never persist in their vain 
endeavours to repair the baseless edifice of their 
own righteousness ; if they knew either the jus- 
tice of God as a Governor, or his righteousness 
as a Saviour. But being i gnorant, through heed- 
lessness, pride, and prejndiees of both the law and 


the Gospel, they stand out against their partial 
convictions : they do not allow the justice of the 
/sentence denounced against them’as’sinners de- 
serving the wrath of God; and they. will n 

submit to be saved by * the righteousness of 
‘© faith,” in the same way with the vilest of the 
human species. Manifold are their devices and 
endeavours to establish a legal righteousness of 
‘theirown ; but all their labour is lost, and their 
‘souls continue in the most imminent danger : for 
in opposition to all other methods of obtaining 
the. divine favour, whether forged by ignorance, 
superstition, philosophy, enthusiasm, or grave 
morality, we must still insist upon it that ‘* Christ 


he went. Very few of that nation therefore 
could plead, that they had had no opportunity 
of hearing this report: and their unbelief was 
not the effect of ignorance or want of instruction, 
but of obstinate enmity against the truth. Again, 
. could the Israelites pretend, that no intimations 
had been giverrthem, that God intended to cast 
them off for their unbelief and disobedience, and 
to take others in their stead? Even Moses, in 
* that prophetical song which all were command- 
ed to learn throughout their generation, had re- 
presented Jeuovau declaring that he, would 
excite them to jealousy by those who had been 
no people to him, and raise their indignation by 
his favours shown to a nation, which had been 


despised as foolish, because idolatrous. 


of the Gentiles had excited im the Jews; when 


it should have stirred them up to an emulation, 


not to be surpassed i in faith and holiness by those 
who had before been so ignorant and far from 
God. (Note, Deut. xxxii. 21.) Isaiah, also, in 
"very bold language, which must have given very 
great offence to his contemporaries, had intro- 
duced JeHovan declaring that he was found as 
a Saviour, and ‘acceptably worshipped, by those 
who just before had not so much as sought for 


him ; and that he had freely bestowed his favour 


and "conferred his special grace on those who 
had not previously made any inquiries after him: 

but in respect o act’ he deciared, that he had 
stretched out his hands full of blestings, and with 


most earnest and affectionate invitations, toa 


- disobedient and perverse people. (Noie, Js. 
_iny. 1, 2.) Their voice. (18.) Learned men 


“have shown, that the word rendefed in the nine- 
eenth Psalm, “their line,” may signify “ their 
loud voice,” as the apostle here quotes it from 


€ ‘paket 


‘a 


take PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Lies x. 1—11- 


; ae ministers bear most affectionate good 
‘will to those from whom they receive the great- 


‘est injuries ; and offer their fervent and persever- 

" ing prayers for the salvation of the very persons, 
against whom they denounce the wrath of God if 

cr ‘nd sh ersist in unbelief. Not only are careless 
Perce profligates, infidels, and’ blas- 


bane in the broad road to destruction, but’ 


many also. who haye a zeal for God and rr eligion : 
_ and } ile we ‘should incilesite e urnestness in 


“(5 Oe 


This 
had been rémar kably accomplished, in the viru- 
lent opposition to the Gospel, which the calling 


.* is the end of the law for righteousness to 
every believer ;” and that every unbeliever re- 
‘mains under the curse of the law and the wrath 


of God. If a man object to this, and dispute 
about the difference between moral and ceremo- 
nial ‘obedience, and argue that the former may. 
help to justify a man though the latter cannot ; 
let him hear Moses describe the righteousness 
of the law, and then let him inquire whether he, 
can claim eternal life according to it, Let him 
take the law of God, (for, rules that men pre- 
scribe to themselves and to each other are out of 


the question,) and, having produced a sinless. 


obedience to it, through the whole of his continu- 
ance here, in thought, word, and deed, let him 
then demand the reward asadebt. But if this. 
be a desperate attempt, let him submit to the, 
degradation of a condemned criminal, and ap- 
ply for pardon to the clemency of his. offended 
Lord, and for eternal life as his free gift through 
Jesus Christ and by faith in him. . The humble 


‘trembling sinner has, howéver, nojcause for dis- 


couragement. The righteousness of faith in- - 
vites him asit were, to acceptof it: the Surety. 
hath finished his obedience and. atonement, and - 
is risen and exalted to be our all-prevailing Ad- 
vocate, Nor need we cross the seas, or explore 
‘far distant climes in quest of divine knowledge : 
this is. brought nigh to usin the Gospel, and if 
we receive it by living faith: in our hearts, and 
confess that faith with our mouths in this evil 
world, without doubt the blessing is ours. But 
we alould not trust in a faith, of which we are 
afraid or ashamed, to make a confession’: much 
less ought we to depend on any mere confession, 
of faith, or assent to divine truths, which we have 
not believed in our hearts. Fer no faith is juati- 
fying, which is not efficacious in sanctifying the 


theart, ane Feguiating all its affe etions in subser- 
' 


Py 
gale aoe 4 ~ 


A. D.61. %. ROMANS: 


‘ exutions the Gentile converts not to boast against!) 3 Lord, t g they have killed thy. ore pb ze 
the Jews, but humbly to profit by. this example of}), ‘and b digged down thin e altars; Ff A 


;, 

God’s severity and goodness ; and foretells glori- ‘left alone q 
ous times, which would at length arrive, 16—32. | ater pire. they ee my. pe ae i 
« ‘He adores the depths of the divine wisdom, and ‘Saith | e answer God , : 


» the glory of his unsearchable judgments, his unde-| unto him? #1 have: reserved to “myself 
| Tived all-sufficiency, and his. universal sovereignty, | seven thousand men, wh t have not bowed i 


appa the knee to the image of * Baal. ts 
SAY then, * Hath God cast away his} 5 Eyen so ‘then ! at this pr gilt 


resent time 
people ? b God forbid. © For I also) ajso there is a remnan accordin ng tothe | 

‘ am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, m election of grace. i pa gi o : : 
of the tribe of Benjamin. By 6 And ™ if by grace, then is zt no oe ‘| 

2 God hath not cast away his people of works: otherwise grace,is no more ' 
Dia 


a 


4 which he foreknew. ¢ We ye not Migs grace. But if it be of works, then is it ie 
the scripture saith * ‘of Elias? how he "| more grace : otherwise work is no more 


maketh intercession to God against Ts-| work. gue, 
rael, sayin Ge Se Ge Ue | 
5 ym) yard Me os g 1 Kings 18. 4. 13, PKibgt. 16. 31. 2) Eph. 1.5,6. Me ‘| 
4 1Sam. 12. 22. Sle 9, 3 Acts 22.3.) 32.1. Acts3.17.&| & 19.10.14. Neh.| Kings 10. 19, 20. e 8.27, 28, & 4., ¥ 
Kings 23. 27. Ps.| & 26,)4. 2 Cor. 11.) 7, 40. Phils 1. 22% (| 9, 26, Jer. 2, 30. | Jer. 19.5. “Hos. 2.) “&' 5. 20, ot 
71. 7 & 4s 14s} 22. Phil: 3. 5. * Gr in Elias.) h 1 Kings 18. 30, 31, ‘ yy) Berks: Zephy (Tout of 4Ro 4 
i ae on. 1 Kings 19, Cor, 15. 10. Gal. 2s 


f Num. 16. 15. Jer. 
15) 48. 1 Pet. 1.2. | 18.1923. Jom 4. 
e Gen. 44 15. Ex,' 1-3, 11. 

Page PAWS Oe 
viency to the love of Christ. Of such a faith no 
sinner shall be ashamed before God; and he 
eee eee to ae. in it before man. 

. 12—21. 

“th the great concerns of eternal salvation, there 
is now no difference between one nation and an. 
} . other: for our rich and gracious Lord most wil- 
) ingly regards the desires of all who call upon 

him ; and ‘none receive the less, because of the, 
numbers who share the blessings with them. As 
therefore faith, (whence all true prayer pro- 
ceeds,) comes by hearing the word of God ; we 
should be careful to be found among those ‘who 
obey the Gospel; and we should zealously and 
diligently endeavour to communicate the same. 
blessing to others, even to the ends of the earth, 
with all the influence which we have; that the 
Sun of righteousness may diffuse his ‘healing 
beams, wherever the sun in the firmament gives 
light to mankind. When we hear of the success 
of the Gospel among the ignorant, the barbarous, 
or the profligate; “instead of being displeased, 
as proud Pharisees are, we should cordially 
adore the riches and power of the grace of God, 
in his being thus found of them who sought him 
not: and we should excite ourselves and each 
other to a holy jealousy and increasing diligence, 
' lest we should be left behind by those who once 
were so far below us in spiritual advantages. 
“Thus we shall obtain the assurance, that we are 
not of that immense number, to whom the Lord 
gays, “ All day long have [ stretched out my 
¢ hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people.” 


23. Acts 13. 48. & 1 ‘Sans 6,°7 See on. 
(& O27. 


mn vers 28. & 9.114 


33. 24—26. Hos 
17... Am. 9.8, 9. 
bb See on. 3. 4 


21. & 5.4. Eph. 
2. 4-9. 2Tim. I, 
Tit 8. 5. Ripe 


” 


Jer- 3%. 36, 37 7.8 ae 30. & % ses 


k Nom. 3 253, Deut 
4,3. Judg. 2 13. 


Messiah, by which they of course fo 1 their i 
privileges, This appeared fi rom. the. eady re- 
ception with which all met, who were wing to ; 
become the disciples of Christ : ‘of this, St _ Paul 
himself was a most remarkable. instance ; 4 fory” q 
being a descendant of Abrah am, and notwith- ‘ 
standing his furious Oe es he Church, . 
he was now become the apostle. of if Chee te - 
Gentiles. God had not therefore cast away his, 
people, whom he had foreknown as in due t 
to be called and justified, to whom especial 
‘promises had respect : though he h 
rest to fall by their unbelief. (Note vii. 
‘But as a considerable remnant. was rese 2 
the Lord in the days of Elijah, when the pr 
was ready to conclude that he alo ne was le 

serve him, and used such ‘wo: tein ‘in prayer, as 
might be considered as racing y against | Israel, ; 
(Notes, 1 Kings xix. 10—14 ;) pao there, 

was a remnant reserved of many ten thousand 

Jews, yea, a far greater pr rtion ¢ 
irate supposed, at that ¥ “a ric 
nation was castoff from being the people of Go 
This remnant was a ding to the 


2 
get 


“ election of grace :” no 
‘less undeserving of : ee 
because God was pleased to. ve mercy, on, he 
for reasons best known to hi W 
they too would have Vanek tin rhea 
then this election were of grace, die ld 
more be pretended to be of works, eith 

formed or foreseen ; as this would — terre 

something naturally in the abjec ch Spiel 
mined the Lord’s pce 

originate in his mere grace. For if, apg nig 
or degree, it were of works, it woul ae part at 

least be of debt, and not of “enti ree favour ; 


NOTES. i 
j 
: 
otherwise. work, as it stands relate to. election ! 
fi 
, 


CHAP. XE VW. 1—6. The apostle next sup- 
poses, that it would ‘be inquired, whether God 
had utterly cast away his chosen people, and so 
failed of performing his promises to their fathers. 
This inference from his doctrine he decidedly 
disavowed. Indeed the Lord could not so pro- 
periy be said to have cast them off, as they to | some work performed : as the price of one far- 
have cast him off, by their determined ‘Opposition | thing, paid for what is worth a thousand pounds, 
io the kingdom and selvation of the promised jnust in exact propriety of icone essentially } 


and justification, would lose, its very nature. 
For, an entire free favour must be absolutely dis- 
tinct from a reward, conferred in consequence of 


f ire! i f a 
sie Pid MA ak kh a a 


sii 
s Saekan 


4, DB. 61. 


7 ° What then! ? Pp Israel hath not ob- 
tained that which he secketh fér ; abut 
the election ‘hath obtained it, * and the 
rest were * blinded, 

8 (According as it is written, * God 
nue them the spirit of ¢ slumber, 

that they should not see, and ears 

that they should not hear,) “ unto this day. 

9 And ~* David saith, Let ¥ their table 

odieds a snare, and a*trap, and a stum- 

bling-block, and * a recompense unto 
them : 

*10 Let 2 Hees eyes be darkened, that 


629 & & 15. Thes. 2. 10-12. $2. 13—15. 1 Sam. 
rg 10, 19. Phil..|" Or 25. 36-38. Job 20. 
on. % 18. 20—23. Prov. 1. 32. 
at 31, 32. & 10. 3.}s Is. 29. 10. Is. 8. 13,14. Luke 
Prov. 1. 28. Lake!t Or, remorse. 12. 20, & 16. 19-25. 
13. 24 Heb. 12. 17.|t Deut. 29. 4. Is- 6.| 1 Tim. 6. 17—19. 


q.ver, 5. & 8 9. Jer 5. 21. Ez.jz Deut. 32. 35. Ps. 
So. & 9. 23. Bph.| 12.2. Mark 4.11) 28. 4. Is. 59, 18. & 
acts hep iny 2. 13, 12, Luke 8- 10.) 66. 6. Heb.2. 2. 


14. 1 Pet. 1.2. Acts 23. 26, 27. \2 vers 8. & 1.21. Ps. 

ee ie ae 186 2 Kings 17. 34-41. 69. 23. Zech. 11. 
Matt. 13. 14, 15.| 2 Cor. 3. 14, 15. 17. Eph. 4, 18. 2 
John 12.40. 2 Cor.|x Ps. 69. 22. Pet. 2. 4.17. Jude 
3. 14. & 4 4. 2)y Deut. 6. 10--12. &} 6.13. ) 


‘Oe 
distinguish it from an entirely free gift. This 
text is so decisive on the subject, that great pains 
have been taken to explain it away : but really 
the arguments of the most able and learned men 
on the other side, prove nothing so much as the 
weakness of their cause. I shall therefore only 
®observe. in general, that, im fact, they are not 
called, who to our apprehension are best dis- 
posed to perform good works, but ofien the con- 
as the examples recorded in Scripture 
undeniably demonstrate ; that every real 
ition in an apostate creature must be 


the effect, 
* the grace of God bestowed on him; that God 
did not act without reason in choosing one rather 
than another, though we are not made acquaint. 
ed with his reasons ; and that the display of the 


infinite riches of his mercy, the omnipotence of 


his grace, and the glory of his own sovereignty, 
in converting the Most unlikely persons in the 
world, are far more probable reasons of his 
choice, than any foreseen comparative goodness 
of natural disposition in those who are saved, 
above those that perish. “The election o} 
“grace.” (5.) 
‘bet those whom grace chose ; that is, those 
‘whom God freely chose? ‘ Neither. would 
hag be grace, if we were in the smallest de- 
e chosen for our foreseen good works; nor 
«would work be work, if in any measure it need- 
‘ed the help of grace? (Beza.) (Nute, iv. 4, 5.) 
V. 7—10. What then was the precise state 
of the Jewish nation? In general they had not 
obtained that justification unto life which they 
sought for ; because they clave to their own de- 
vices, and rejected the Gospel of God : but “the 
& election, ” or the chosen remnant ainong them, 
hed obtained i it, whilst the rest were blinded : so 
the rejection of the latter was the punish: 
ment of their own sins; but the calling of the 
former was neither the consequence, nor reward 
of their own works.. The election here men- 
_ tioned, as distinct from israel, “God's chosen 


CHAPTER XT. 


and cannot therefore be the cause, of 


* Not those who chose 


A. dD. Gi. 


they may not see, »and bow down heir 
back alway. 


[Practical Observations.) 

il I say then, « Have they stumbled 
that they should fall? God forbid: ¢ but 
rather through their fall salvation ts come. 
unto the Gentiles, ¢ for to provoke them 
to jealousy. 

12 Now, if the fall of, them be f the 
riches of the world, “ ¢ diminishing 
of them the riches of Gentiles, how 
much more & their fulness ? 2 

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, i inas- 
much as I am ® the apostle of the Gen- 
tiles, I magnify mine office :_ 

14 Ifiby any means I may 


b Dent. 28. 64—68.] 23. Eph.3.8. Cok 
Is. 51. 23. & 65. 12.} 1. 27- 

e Ez, i8. 23. Sa oes, er, lass. 
33. ii. ver. 25.1s, 11s i1— 
d ver. 12. 31. alg 126& 60.& 


in provoke 


P 15. 16—19. Acts9- 
5. & 22: 2le & We 

in 18 Gali. 6. 

& 2.2.7-9. 

3. & 1Tim, 2: Z 


13. 42. 46-—4S.. &] 66. 8—20. Mie. 4. 
18, 6» & 22. 18-21.! 1,2-& 5.7. Zech.ti 
& 28, 24—238, 2. 11. 

e ver. 14. & 10.19. | 
fiver. 15. 33, & 9 


Rey. 11. is—19, & ver. il, 


people ; (that is, an election within an election ;} 
clearly marks the difference between a collectize 
chaice of a people te special external privilezes, and 
@ personal choice of individuals to eternaliife - and 
it fully refutes the sentiments of those, who would 
confine all these scriptures to the former kind cf 
election, besause they Know not what else to do 
with them. . This judicial blindness of the en- 
emies of Christ had .been clearly foretold, and 
might therefore have been previously expected. 
(Notes, Deut. sxix. 4, Ps. lxix. 22—28. Js. vi 9, 
10. xxix. 9—12.) These scriptures have already 
been explained in this sense: but we may add 
upon the version here given of David’s words, 
that the provision made for the souls of the Jews, 
(as well as their temporal plenty,) were, in right- 
eous judgment, made the occasion of their bei 
more deeply ensnared in guilt, and smking under 
more dreadful condemnation, as the recompense 
of their unbelief ; till at length they were totally 
blinded, and given upassiaves to the oppressior 
of their enemies, to be bowed down continually 
with the heavy burdens laid upon them ; anem- 
blem of their base and ruinous bondage to sin 
and satan. The apostle seems rather to have 
given the sense of several prophecies to this ef 
fect, than the exact words from the Septuagint, 
or the literal translation from ti@Hebrew. “God 
hath viven, &c. (8.) ‘This by no means imphes, 
‘ that God infuses any new viciousness ; hut that 
She, asa just Judge, delivers up Mobis: who are 
‘ destitute of his grace,-unto satan and to theix 
‘own lusts, to be more and more blinded” 
(Beza.) This venerable reformer certainly 
adopts what is generally called the supralapsa- 
rian doctrine ; and ventures on expressions, 
which few modern Calvinists, (as they ate cali-. 
ed,) would subscribe : yet he by no means ad~ 
mits those consequences, which numbers, who 
speak eri of what they understand not, indis— 
criminately charge on ail who bold the dectrine 
of personal election to etcrsal life. 
- 


‘ 


- BPN Lt ORY 


VED 1 Bait ~ . JSROMANS. >, 
to. emulation them. which are ‘my flesh,| 18 * Boast not against’ the bran 
and ™ might save some of them. ‘but if thou boast, ¥ thou beatest | 


15 For if * the casting away of them de] root, but the root thee. ae 
°¢ the reconciling of the world, what sfal/) 19 Thou wilt say then,’ T he Palicnes ‘a 
the receiving of them be,P but life fr om} were breken off, * that T a be gvafed 
pts 


ne dead ! ? in- . 

; [Practical Observations-] 20 ® Well; » bahia! of unbelief hey i 

16 For aif the first-fruit 4e holy, the] were broken ‘ote Si id thou standest by 4 

jump i is also holy : ¥ andif the root be holy,| faith. 4 Be not high+m’ ce €but fears — 
so are the branches. - “21 For tif God spare hot the natural 


17 ‘And if* some of the branches: be} branches, take heed isthe aie spar not 
broken off, and thou, t being a wild olive-/ thee. 
tree, wert graffed in * among them, * and 
with them partakest of the root and fat-| 7.0.4.3 sonar 
ness of the olive-tree 5 Be Penta 
19.3. Philem. 12. | 4-6. 


‘Leer e. foe. ea 3-5. 


47, & 18-6. Heb. 4, Pe 
1 Kings 20. 11. hy eee 


ia Ges alee 6, Revi de I 
mn 1Cot- 7. 16. 11q Bx 2229. K 23, 1a Ps. 80, 11-16. Is.| Prov. 16. 18, Matt. Sst get 
“Fim. 4. 16. Jams 54) ‘16. 19. Let, 23, 10.} 6. 13. & 27, 11. Bi.) 26. 33. Luke 18-9---}¢ _ 2. 2 Chr. 20. thie. 28.14. Ts * 
» 25. 1721s] 1S. 6—8. Matt. 8,, 11. 1 Cor. 10.12, | 20. ts 7. 9 1 Cor. ¢ +2. 1 Cor. 10, 12 
hi 


il. 2. 12, Heb. | 4. 


a John. 4, 17, At Ue Luke 18. 23 


“20, 
m ver. 1, 2. 11, 12. “Dent. 18. 4. & 26.4 11, 12. & 21. 43.) y 4.16. Zech. 8. Pe 16. 13. 2 Cor. 1.24. 


© 5. 10. Dans 9.24.| 10. Neh. 10. 35—| John 15:6. 23. John 10, op Sal Ayes 1Pet. 5.) 1. ¢ Pet. 1.17. 

2 Cor. 5+ 18-20.) 37. Prov. 3.9, 10.;t Acts 2.39. Gal, 2./ ie 3.29, Eph, 9. 12. oad 17-19 & 8 
pel 1. 10, Col. 1 Bz. 44. 30. Jam. 1.| 15. Eph. 2, 11—13. ver, 18 Be 12. 16. 25. 28 
Qhe 48. Revs 14. 4. & 3.6. Col. 2.13. Ps Be, api 12. white: Ps. 138.6, Prov, 28, 49, 1 Cor. 10. 
bas 37. 11a. rover 17 Gene 17./" Or, for them. 24. ’ X ty De dom 
Rey. 11. 11. & 20.] 7. Jer. 2. 21, 1 Cor. u Deut. 8 8. Judg. | a 
— — = — ‘ 

--V. 11—15. The apostle next inquired whether | would read his agains peers in the charac. 


the nation had so stumbled, as jinaily to be ex-: ter of the apostle of thie Gentiles Me commend 
eluded from all further share, in the blessings! designation of Christ, and aimed to | 
covenanted to their fathers ; or, whether God and magnify that office, as honourable to 

had no further en@ in that mysterious. dispensa-_ self, (though he was vilified for it,) and’ i 
tion, than merely their fall and ruin. He would. important for the good of mankind. At 

by no means‘admit either of these suppositions, same time, by a most judicious and ¢ 

for it actually appeared) that the Lord intended. turn, he represented his zeal for the con 
through the fall of the Jews to communicate ‘his\ of the Gentiles,’as animated by the desiresiof 
salvation to the Gentiles. The persecution of stirring up his brethren the Jews, whon 

the Christians in ‘Judea drove them into other garded as his own flesh, to emulate their faith 
regions : and the Jews in every place rejeeting and aspire to their privileges ; ; that thus he ? 
the Gospel, excited the preachers: mote speedily; might be instrumental in saving some ‘of ther 


and openly to address the Gentiles ; by which | also, though he knew that the sentence 4 
means vast multitudes had been turned from ‘nounced upon the nation was irt db <a 
idols to serve the living God. Yet even this was English word provoke, being now fixed ‘in cor a 
suited to excite the Jews to a holy jealousy, and) mon use to the idea of cnt Hy orate y 
an emulation with the Gentile) worshippers, in‘ very apt to confuse the reader's 1 mind, | and to — 
zeal for the service of Jexovan, and earnest- | prever-t his clearly seeing, that the apostle spoke — 
ness in seeking’ the blessings of the Messiah’s j of exciting them to holy, and not nboly pas- 
kingdom ; though it too generally had the con-| sions ; though the latter was rene: ect 
trary effect, through their pride and bigoted of his conduct, contrary to his in eT AS 
prejudices. If then their fall had been over-i therefore the righteous | e unbe- 


tuled for the enriching of the world in general lieving Jews had proved the ibibisioh’ of such 
with the blessings of the Gospel ; if the diminu-; multitudes of the Gentiles, throughout the world, 
tion of the numbers of that long-favoured people, | being reconciled to God and walking at peace 
by the expulsioff of so large a part of them from) with him; what would their future réception 

the visible Church, and the subsequent judg-| into the Church introduce, but such a ja 
ments inflicted on them, was the occasion of) ‘as would resemble a general resurrection | oft 
communicating such rich blessings to immense) dead in sin to a life of righteousness, in 
numbers‘of the benighted. Gentiles ; how much | part of the world ; and'a propo sin 
more would their conversion, when the poe of spiritual life to all who tetote i 


stb to their long-despised Messiah ! ! For this in so open and signal a manner, ‘that nfidelity in 
they have ever since been preserved a distinct| every form must be finally confuted and si- 
people, almost by a continued miracle : and as|lenced ; and the attention of the most heedless 
their conversion will probably be effected by the) must be excited to the astonishing display of | 4 
fulfilment-of other prophecies ; so it i ly-that| God’s power in performing his word : and as “hey 
it will conduce to the conversion of the nations delighteth in mercy, he will effectually concur 
in general. For Paul, addressing himself to the | with these impressions, by pouring out his Holy 
Gentile converts, (though-he was awarethat both | Spirit to convert the nations, and to render ge- 
the Jewish Christians and the uncoavé?ted Jews |nuine Christianity universally trivmphant. 


— 


AD. 61. 3 CHAPTER XI. See Bea: 
‘tive ‘Behold # therefore the goodness|and severity of God: on them which fell, 
£24,589. 22,23. Num. 1d, 18-22, Dent. 32, 39-49, Josh.23,| 15,15, Ps. 58. 10,11. & 78.49—52. & 136. 15-22. Ts. 56. 14,, 


WV. 16=2L The apostle here speaks of Israel, they were not the root of this well-culcured fruit~ 

e visible church of God, the repository of| ful tree ; nor had they naturally sprung from it, 
and ordinances ; the vineyard which} but of free grace had been grafted in to share 
inclosed and planted, but; which. he was|its advantages. Abraham’s race had derived no 
gut to leave desolate and exposed. The} spiritual good from them ; but they derived all 
e reader will readily perceive, that re-|from Abraham’s race. They might indeed say 
We holiness, or consecration to God, is here] that the natural branches had been broken off to 
felusively meant. The first fruits of the dough, | make way for them, and it was indeed true that 
being presented to God, sanctified, as it were,| God had preferred them ; yet'it was not on ac- 
the whole lump to the use of his people : thus} countof their works, but of mere . Through 


the patriarchs, the first-fruits of Israel, being | unbelief, the offspring of pride, the Jews had been 
2m, | broken off, and through faith the Gentiles had 
been grafted im: they ought therefore to beware 
of self-confidence, self-preference, © every 
kind .of pride or ambition; lest having’ only 2 
dead faith, and an empty profession, they should 
apostatize from God. and forfeit their privileges. 
For if he had not spared the natural bratches ; 


chosen and set apart, with their seed after them, 
as 2 holy people. to the Lord through aii their 
#enerations ; a measure of this relative sanctity 
attached ‘to their posterity, notwithstanding 
their rebellions and visitations ; in consequence 
of which all their males were circumcised on 
the eighth day, as. the professed people and 


worshippers of Jenovau. But another simili-| they ought surely to fear lest they too should be 
tude still more aptly illustrated this subject: if|-broken off. This doubtless: refers to the collecs 
the root of the tree were holy, the branches tive body of professing Christians, and not to 
“must be supposed to be the same. Now Abra-|individual believers: the latter are indeed pre- 
ham was, as it were, the root of the visible | served through humility and “holy fear, yet there 


Church in all subsequent ages. After Ishmael 
Ta den broken off, 


and the sons of Keturah. 
the W up in Isaac’: then Esau being broken 

_ off, it shot forth abundance of branches 
and his twelye sons. When any Gentiles were 
proselyted, they were gratted into this tree by 
circumcision, as long as the legal dispensation 
lasted ; (but by baptism after the Christian dis- 
jensation entered;) and they with their posteri- 
ere from that time considered’ as branches 
fthe tree, a part of the visible Church as spring: 
ing from Abraham. Notwithstanding all former 
rebellions, the Jews were the branches of this 
, till asa nation they rejected the Messiah ; 
(though the most of the ten tribes had before 
been broken off ;) but after that, their relation'to 
Abratiam and to God, was, as it were, suspend. 
ed; they were broken off from. the olive-tree in 
vast multitudes: they were east out of the 
Church, as the children of the bond-woman, or 
as profane Esau ;. neither they nor their posteri- 


ty any longer, retained even the: outward seal. 


of the covenant; (fer circumcision lost its ¥a- 
lidity, and baptism became the sign of vegenera- 
ion ;) and they were thenceforth deprived of the 
« inances of God. At the same time the Gen- 
tiles were. grafted into this tree in their room : 
by professing faith in Christ, and being baptized 
; inte his name, they were admitted into: the visi- 
ble Church of God, and attained a relative holi- 
i they were favoured with thé means of 
and the ordinances of God; “for their 
“good, and that of their children after them,” as 
the: Jews formerly had: been; and multitudes, 
_ that had been the branches of the: wild unfruit- 
ny olive-tree, were thus madeheirs of Abra- 
's faith, holiness, and blessedness. Yet the 
“© entile Christians ought by no means to copy 
the dews, in being proud of their distinction, or 
an Psi ting oyer those who had been rejected to 
make room for them. But if any of them were 
ther should reapllect, that 

ee 


disposed to do this, 


VOL. VI. 


is no real danger of their being cut off. It has 
also a peculiar prophetic energy, when we con- 
sider ‘it as addressed to the Roman Chareh, 


in Jacob} which so’ soon attempting to domineer over. 


other Churches, to be the metropolis ‘of the 
Christian world, and at length to be infallible, 
fell through pride and presumption, till it be- 
came “the mother of harlots, and of abomina- 
“tions of the earth.” - dt is obvisus te observe 
that; though the iilustration of grafting, excel-) 
lently suited: the apestle’s purpose, yet the re- 
verse takes place im the case ‘before us, than,in 
natural grafting = for there, the good Cion com- 
municates its changing efficacy to the wild 
stock ; here the good stock imparts its efficacy 
to the'corrupt branches, which by divine power 
are grafted into it: «Dhe apostle’s reasoning in 
this place strongly evinces the oneness cf the 


visible Church under every dispensation; and - 


the change of the initiatory ordinance since the, 
coming of .Christ is manifest: his statement. 


therefore implies more substantial arguments in, 
favour of infant-baptism, than has generaliy been 


supposed.  ‘ We ought indeed te glory in Ged ; 
€ but not so as to despise the Jews, whom it be- 
« comes us rather to excite to a hely emulation. 
‘ And they doubtiess do suffer, and wilt suffer, 
€ the punishment. of this neglected duty; who at 
* this'day call: themselves Christians; and yet, 
‘impelled. onlys by their_own’ wickedness’ and, 
‘ perverseness of mind, by ail means vex that 
* holy people, {as it respeets: their fathers ;) and 
‘also harden them more| 2nd more, by setting 
‘ before them the ‘examples of the basest and; 
* most insane attachment to idols., But indeed, 
‘LT would daily and most willingly thus pray for 
‘the Jéws ; O Lord Jesus, thou indeed justly 
‘ avengest the contempt of thyself; and that un- 
‘ grateful people is worthy. of thy severest jude- 
‘ments; but, G Lord, remember thy covenat, 
Sand pity them for thy naMe’sisake. And grant 
‘unto us, the most-unworehy wf atl men, whom 

is i 


= 
+ 


Meet 


<<. tee 


» 15. 2. Rey, 2. 5. 


A, D £1; ROMS 


thou continue in Ais goodness: 4 other- 
wise thou also shalt be. cut off 

23 Aid they also, * if they abide not still 
in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God 
is abie to graft them in again. 

24 For if } thou wert cut out of the 
olive-tree which is. wild by nature, and 
wert graffed contrary to nature into a 
good olive-tree: how much more shall 
these, which be the natural brapebans be 
grafted into their own olive-tree ! 

25 For ™ 1 would not, brethren, that 
ye should be ignorant of ™ this mystery, 
(° lest ye should be wise In your own con- 
ceits:) P that * blindness in part is hap- 
pened to Israel], @.until the fulness of the 
Gentiles be come in. 

26 And so? all Israel] shall be hes: yh 


h 2. 7. Luke 8. 15.Jm Ps, 197-43. Hos,! 23. & id: 9-27, 
John 8. Sly & 15.| 14.9. 1 Cor, 10, 1.) Luke 21, 24. Rey, 
4—10, Acts 1}. 23. 5 12%. 2 Pet. 3.) il. 15. & 20.2—4. 
& 14, 22.° 1 Cor. 15, ris. 11. 11-16. & 
2. Gal. 6.9.1 Thes. 4 16, 25. Eph. 3, 3,] 45. 17. & 54. 6—10, 
3. 5. & Heb. 3. 6.} 4.9. Rev. 10-.7. Jer. 3. 17-23. & 
14. & 10. 35—39.Jo 12, 16. Prov. 3.! 30, 17-22. & Sl. 
1Jchn 2.19. Jude] 5-7. & 26. 12. at 31-37 &% 32. 37— 
20, 21, f Ts. 5, 21. 41. & 33. 24—26. 

2 Ez. 3. 20. & 18. p Sre on. yer. 7,8} Ez. 34. 22-31, & 
24. & 33. 17-19.) 2.Cor- 3. 14—16. 37. 21-28, & 3% 
Matt 3.910. Johny" On, hardness. “fi 25-29, & 40-48. 


i 


s 


t 


x 


q Ps. 22. 27. & 72.) Hoss 3. 5. Joel 3. 
ie.) 8—14. 17. & 117.) 16-21. Am. 9. 14; 
Is 2,1—3. & 60..&}. 15. Mic. 7. 15—20, 
66. 18—23. Mie. 4.) Zeph. 3. 12—20. 
1—3. Zech. 8. 20—} Zech. 10. 6—12. 


kk Zech. 12. 
Matt. 23. 39,2 Cor. 
3.16. 

? ver. 17,18. 30. 

‘nevertheless thou hast distinguished by thy 

‘mercy, that, making proficiency in thy grace, 

“we May. not be the instruments of thine anger 

© against them; but that rather, both by the 

«knowledge of thy word, and by the example 
¢ of a holy life, we may, through the power of 

¢ thy Spirit, recall them into the right way ; that 

«thou mayest be glorified for ever by all nations 

‘and people. Amen? (Beza 

V. 22—24. Instead of boasting over the re- 
jected Jews, or glorying in themselves, the 

Gentile converts should contemplate with won- 
der, aye, and gratitude, the unmerited good- 
ness, and righteous severity, of the Lord; on the 
falien Jews severity, but to themselves most 
astonishing goodness. Yet, considering them as 
professors of christianity, concerning whom there 
was no absolute demonstration that they were 
all true believers, it was proper to add, **if ye 
** continue in that goodness ;” that i if in 
humble faith they received and lived upon the 
grace displayed in the Gospel. But if any of 
them, either personally or collectively, were un- 
believing and presumptuouz, and renounced the 
truth, they too would be .cut off. Whereas, if 
the Jews were not obstinate in their unbelicf, 
they would be grafted in again ;, which might be, 
easily accomplished by. the divine power. For 
if God had taker’ the Gentiles, as branches of 
the wild. olive-tree, the descendants. of; those 
who for so many ages had been, ignorant- and 
Heentious idolaters, and aad, by his Word and 
Spirit, grafted them in. among his own people 
anh, worshippers ® sonkits ss» he would much 


S) 


a a nnana 


t 


x. ee Sie 


Sion the Deli 
RE 


are without repentan 


believed God, yet have © 
mercy ¢ through their an 


also may obtain mnetey"* 


upon all. 


2. John 1. 29, 
y Ver. 11. 30. Matt.| 13. 14. 


more in due time graft the Jews, 
branches, into their own Olive- 


tacy of the Roman Church, and 
version of the Jews. © This “ grafting 


wise the mystery of iniquit 


fore he laboured the mo 
gress.. He would not at 
mysterious purposes of God respe 
cient people, lest their present disti 

render them proud of their own wisdon 
Lord, in his righteous sovereignty, 1a 

ted blindness in part to happen even 
not a partial, but a. total bl 
tended only to a par¢ of the 
tion-was preserved from 
nue to be the case, till th 
for the conversion of the 
In the intermediate ages: vast. 
would be gathered into the Ch 
the time of the last great harvest of 
the blindness will be removed 0 

the nation. saved from its rejected 
state, and be brought i ina bc to embrace th 


? 


NS. 


27 For * th 


x when I shall take 2 
28 As. conce 


30 For ¢as ye in 
31 Even so have these 


32 For ® God ee aed themall — 
n-unbelief, » that Lage ee cy 
P14. 7. Be 106,] 6. 1 F } ne 


47. Is. 59. 20, Z vers 
Matt, 1. 21, Act o. 


3.266 Fite 2.14. a Gen. : ¥ Cor « oo 4 


Qh. Jer. 31, 31-84, ye 
& 32,38—40. Heb.| 8. & 8. 7 
8. 8—12. & 10, 16. 
Is. 27. 9 & 43. - 
45. Jers 50, 20, Ez.| Mice 
36. 25—29, Hos. 14,) 54. 


21.43. Acts 13, 45,[¢°1 Cor. Ge, 
46, & 14. 2. & 18, “Eph. 9. 1,2 


poken prophetically, both resp 


seems to import, that the Jews: 
flourishing nation again, eS 
ity in the land of Ys te 
reinstated again in the p 
ham, Isaac, and Jacob. 1 
for good reasons, be 
out here ; but in the 
aye intimations of it? 

. 25—32. Perhaps the 


he Chureh at Rome, ( 


numb 
acti 


sréel, 
i aiteioed 


of De Gini hips ; * 


$310'* the depth of the ¥ riches both of} 
the wisdom and knowledge of God!" how 
shable are his judgments, and. his} 


finding out! 


h 


ee 25.3. Ephull Job 5, 9. & 9! 104 311. Dan. 4. 95. 

& 11.7-9. &. 26 |m Job 15. 8 & 36. 
“2. A & 9% 23.) 14. & 33. 13, & 37,1 22, 23. Is. do. 13. 
Eph. 1. 7 & 2. 7.) 19.23) Ps. 36-6, & Jer: 23. 18. 1 Cor. 


"Be 3.8 10. 16. Colt 40. 5, & 77.19 &| 2- 16, 
1, 27. & 2. 258. ° +1 


ite 5s = a7. 2 a 


“Gospel : peapably it will be restored to the holy 
Jand, and most of the Jews at least will become 


true we vers. This accords to a prophecy, 


eve 


which as he 
from ti BP oricidat i in Isaiah, predicts the spiritual 


coming of Christ, to turn away from the Jewish 
Nation ungodliness, impenitence, unbelief, and 
* enmity to his kingdom and salvation; that, by 
thus removing the guilt and power of their sins, 
his covenant may again be ratified with- them. 


(Note, Is. lix. 20,21.) — For, though in respect 


of their rejection of the Gospel, and their indig- 
Ration at its being preached to the Gentile’, they 
were considered as enemies to God ; which was 
_ over-ruled for the calling of the Gentiles, through 
‘Special love ‘to, them: yet in’ ‘regard to the 
4 original election of that people in Abraham, and 
_ the immense number of elect persons, that are 
yet to spring from them, they are still to be 
ured, for the sake of their p Pious fathers : see- 
God will, in his persevering : ‘love and kind- 
t that | race through all ages, show, that 
 Mowever i ne is said to repent of his threatenings |0 
and. judgments, andis thus better than his word 
-he never repents, or is said to repent, of his|s 
‘special gifts, or distinguished favours, bestowed 
‘on, or promised to, fallen man. So that as the 
‘a entiles, who. had once no Knowledge of Gad, 
had at length obtained mercy, through the un- 
Belief of the Jews, and by means of their preach- 
ers ; éven so the unbelieving Jews might at 
length gbtain mercy, through. the mercy shown 
to the Gentiles, and. receive the Gospel, from 
themin their turn. For God had alternately lef 


both of. them in unbelief, shut up as ina prison, | 


for the appointed time ; in order that at length 
he might have mercy upon. them all, by bring: 
ing both Jews and Gentiles, and all nations, to 
the knowledge of his salvation, by faith in Jesus 
eee : 
2837-36. . The apostle breaks forth in 
exclamation, as filled with astonishment, 
_ £ at the exceedingly admirable wisdom of God ; 
' £ which, he also thus teaches, should he piously 
€ and reverenily adored, and not profanely and 
* curiously searched into heyond the boundaries 
© of revelation? ( Beza._) He had gore as far in 
nravelling, | illustrating, and vindicating, the 
Sterious designs of God, as was proper or 
ofitable : yet he well icnew that much dark- 
and difficulty must still rest on them ; and 
sumption, pride, and. unbelief, waitlal 
still mu ved eS and objections. Thus he 


CHAPTER Se eae 


fa or who hath known ie mane of 


| 4. Dan. 2. 20-23) 


ere quoted, not materially differing 


A. Dz 63. 
35 Or» HE fh fivst given to hinr, 


and it shall he Tecompensed unto him 


again ! Ae Yu * 
36 For °'of. inne and through iihtashy nee 


4 him, are all things: P ‘to Whom be ey 
| for’ ever. 


Amen. 
‘Eph. 4. 6—10. Cols] t Tim. 16 17. & fia 
1.15—17. Rev 21] 16. 2 Tinw 4, 18. 
Heb. 13, 21. 1 Pet. 
6. 1k. ZPet, 3- 180 
Jude 25. Rev. ib 5,65 
& 4. 10, 11. & 5. 12 
=14. & 7s 10—12» & 
19, 1. & 7. 


n Job 35. 7 & 41. 
11, Matt. 20. 15. 1) 
Cor 4.7. | 

@ 1Chr. 29. 11, 12, 
Ps. 33, 6. Prov. 16. 


6. 

p 16.27, Ps, 29.1 
2. & 96. 7, 8. & 
115, 1. Is, 42. 12 


6.13. Acts 17,25,| 38. Gal.1.5. Eph. 


& 4.3, 34 Matt} Luke 2: 14. & 19. 
26.28, 1 Cor. 8. 6.} 3. 21. Phils 4. ph 


‘absurd arrogance, pretend to reduce all possible 


existence, truth, and knowledge, to the size of 
their own intellect, and to believe no more than 
they can comprehend ; ; orto those, who know 
‘no end of speculating and disputing, and of argu- 
ing'from révealed truths to their unrevealed 
causes and consequences, as they supposed them 
to be. Instead of this he closed the subject, by 
breaking forth into admiration and adoration, of 


{the unfathomable depth, and infinite treasures; 


of the wisdom and knowledge of God. His 
views are immense and-eternal ; and his reasons 
for every part of his vast designs are taken from 
himself, ‘and his purpose of glorifying his own 
perfections : to us, therefore, they must be im- 
‘penetrable and inexplicable, but they are all con- 
sistent with the riches, or infinite abundance ‘of 
his justice, truth, and love. His judgments and 
determinations, and his wisdom in them, cannot 
be fully: investigated or comprehended by any 
created: being, much less by us sinful worms. 
ae dealings with his creatures cannot be traced 
t; for they area vast deep, where his’ foot- 
steps cannot be known: We should then be 
satisfied to understand, and receive by faith, the 
information which he graciously reveals ; and ta 
believe that he acts with perfect wisdom, justice, 
truth, and goodness, when we cannot compre- 
hend what he is doing; or when his dispensay 
tions seem ta us, not reconcileable to these his es- 
sential perfeetions. ° This must be the duty of 
created intelligences ; for what being hath an 


lintuitive acquaintance with the mind of the grea¢ 


Creator, that he should be able to discover His 
unreyealed designs? Or who can pretend, that 
te hath counselled the Most’ High, and there= 
fore understands his intentions and: can: unravel 
‘his decrees? Or who hath first given any thing 
to. the Lord, or rendered him any service, previ- 
ous to his having received so much from him, ag 
to be bound by the’ strongest obligations to ‘das 
vote his all to him? Hany can prove that the 
Lord is thus indebted to him, he shail certainly 
be recompensed: but all such claims, and all 
men’s disputations against his decrees, dispen- 
sations, truths, and precepts, involve in them 
the most irrations) arrogance and horrible blas- 
phemy. For, of Him, as the self-existent, all- 
sufficient, and eternal Fountain of being and. per- 
fection, all creatures were originally derived ; 

by and through Him they all subsist, are provid- 
ed for, and disposed of ; and to Him they ail are, 
or ought to be, wholly devoted ; and in one 
yf way or eon they all shall proclaim, or dis: 


4. D. 61: - ROMANS. 


-.that grace abound, in the conversion of the chief 


 gwful psn bo yet their eyes were so biind- 


pina PR. CXtT. 
The apostle exhorts Christians, by the mercies of 
God, to be devoted to him; and conformed to his 


ministers of 
worthy in ot 
as tending unspe; 
mankind, (provi 
than all arts, se 
ments whatsoever, 


play, the glory of his perfections, and the honour 
of his great name. Instead, therefore, of mur- 
muring and objecting, all men should, and all 
believers will, most cordially say, “ Te Him he, 
af “ glory for ever. Amen.” 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
Vv. 1—10: 

“G08 never casts away those whom lic hath 
foreknown, and predestinated to be conformed 
to the image of his Son ; and ifthis seal be affix- 
ed to our collie) we may be assured of his ever- 
lasting favour. We may also cheerfully hope, 
that he hath reserved for himself'a larger pro- 
portion’ of such persons in the worst of times, 
than fall under our cognizance, or comport with 
any of our computations : and instead of revil- 
ing, or making intercession against, the multi: 
tudes of worthless professors of Christianity, with 
whom we are surrounded ; we should still hope 
ahd pray, that a remnant, according to the 
* election of grace,” may yet’ be gathered from 
amon them. For as our salvation origimates 
wholly from the free grace of God, without any 
Tespect to our works ; so we may expect to see 


we are called to minis 
eye also to others, and e 
prejudiced against us; if 
excite them to emulation, 
save some of them; for they 
flesh. Though the Lord over-rv 
judgment, to the ore f 


self, yet he most deli 
will ere long~ display 


While welWwait andj 
happy times to the 
fer our engrafting, un 
tree, into the holy tree 
take of the root and fat 
ing of Abrabam might 
faith. But let the 
the natural branches 
to rest in external p 
not to boast, or prefer 
indulge carnal security. If 
« by faith:” this “implies that | 
polluted, and helpless in eae ae 
us to be humble, watchful, anc 
ing ourselves, or of being ove: 
tion. Alas! how hath the 
church of Rome fallen, by 1 
tle’s caution! And ho 
and individuals, har 
the same path! Bu 
always, and walk hum 
template, with holy awe and - 
the severity, and the goodne 
revealed in his word, ai 
yidence; who are hie a 
“ watch unto prayer: 
«-coritinue in his ‘¢ 
complete effect in- tert vation, 
if any presume themselves to be the per 
people of Gad, and despise others, though 
selves strangers to his A eae 
will at length be cut off, and : 
branches into the fire : while! ‘sueh ai 
most estranted from the truth: 
sion to all the privileges of 
abide tot i in unbelief. 

Vi 252586. bs 

As pride is the genuine of 
soa spiritual knowledge ¢ 
aud dispensations of Ga 
our being “ ‘wise in our Own cone it 
dealings with his creatures” 
ent, when viewed in detached parts; wal what B 
hev will doy avhen seen as is sachet’ 8 most te 


of sinners of every description. But, though 
grace must have the whole glory of our salva- 
tion, yet sinners perish for their own wicked- 
ness ; andthey, who seek the favour of God in 
unauthorized ways, will never obtain it. . Num- 

bers are thus left to be blinded, and given up to 
the spirit of slumber and to presumptuous confi 

dence, till all their advantages ensnare and’har- 
den them; and bind them fast in the bondage of 
satan ; andit is only by the mercy of God, that 
any of us are preserved from these strong delu’ 

sions, which might justly have been awarded 
us, as therecompense of our pride and ungodli- 
tess. 


V. 11—15. 

The Lord over-rvles the fall and ruin of some, 
to the salvation of others. His awful judgments 
on daring transgressors, frequently warn their 
companions or neighbours to Hee from the wrath 
to come’: and on the other hand, the conversion 
of notorious sinners sometimes excites othes to 
inquire after him. But wiiatextensive, perma- 
heut, and most glorious effects may be produc: 
ed, in the whdle creation of God, through eternal 
aEes, by the fall of angels and men, by our re- 
demption in Christ,and by the dispensations of 
God towards his Church and the world, we can- 
nottell. However, a hint ofthis, a glimpse 2s 
it were, into the invisible world, should remind 
us, that the Lord may have ten thousand wise 
and gracious reasons, for his most severe and 
terrible judgments, of which) we can form no 
conception: Thus the fall ofthe Jews was the 
occasion Of the Gentiles being cnviched with’ the 
unsearchable treasures. of ‘Christ; and } his jus- 
tice, truth, and wisdom, were glorified inv that 


od, that thoy cotid see 116 glory i int) We, the jt 


eat (2 y 


f 


t, 6—S; to mutual love, 


CHAPTER XII. 


A, Dd. 1. 


oud perform the duties of their several stations| holy, € acceptable unto God, which is your 
for the common benef 


ence, hope, prayer, hospitality, 
condescension, 9—16 ; toa peace- 
and becoming conduet towards all 


a persevering Wagginess to enemies, 


“2BESEECH you therefore, brethren, 
by the mercies of God, that ye 
; your bodies 4a living sacrifice, 


: ‘30. 1Cor. 1-] Cor. 4.2. & 5. 14)d Ps. 69. 30, 31° 
0.2 Cor. & 20. &| 15. 2 4-16.) Hos. 14. 2. 1 Cor- 
1& s-Eph. Phil. 2.1—5. Tit} 5.7, 8 2Cor. 4 
2 3. 4-8. iPet. 2. 16. Phil 2. 17. 
moked. 2h Rich. 10-125 Heb. 10. 20—22. & 
; pene 13- 16.16. i Pet. 
ire & 9. 23. - 13. 15. 19, 20.| 2.5. 


V1. 30, 31. Ps. 116.) Phil. 1..20. Heb. 
12. Luke 7. 47. 2 120. 22.— 


‘whole. Zion’s great Deliverer saves 
mn wrath, but those who are separated 
; for his covenant with his peo- 
ieee Sctuesion, as well as their 
justification, His “ gifts and calling are without 
ntance,” in respect of his true * Church ; 
this he hath shadowed forth in his dealings with 
Israel as a nation. Their captivitics, dispersions, 
and exclusion from the Church, are emblems of 
the believer’s. corrections and rebukes for his 
transgressions: and the continued favour of the 
Lord towards that people, and the final mercy 
intended for them, denote the persevering  pa- 
tience, and victorious love of Gad to those, whom 
he ball bath ‘ chosen in Christ before the foundation 
= — ie world,” and will finally save for his 
_we therefore have obtained mercy, 
tog te unbelief of the Jews ; let us pray, 
use proper means as we can, that through 
our mercy they may speedily obtain mercy - 
(Notes, His. i. ii. iti.) instead of perplexing our 
minds about secret things, let us walk in the 
_ light which the Lord bath graciously. afforded 
us; and, conscious of our inability to compre- 


bia 


reasonable service. 

2 And be not conformed to this world : 
but § be ye transformed by the renewing 
of your mind, that ye may ‘ prove what is 
that * good, and acceptable, and perfect 
will of God. 


e ver. 2. & 15. 16.) Eph. 2. 2. & 4.17—fi ver. 1. Ps. 34. 8 
Ps. 19, 14. 3s. 56.) 20. Jam. 1. 27- &| Eph. 5. 10. 17. 1 
7 Jer. 6-20. Eph. 4.4. 2 Pet. 4. 18.) Pet. 2.3. 

5.10. Phil. 4, 18. & 4.2. 2 Pet. 1. 4k ver. 1. & 7. 12. 
1 Tim. 2. 3. par & 2.20. iJohn 2} 14.22. Ps. 19. 7— 
1 Pet. 2. 5. 20. 15—17. & 3.13. &}) 116% 119. 47, 48. 
f Ex. 23.2. Lewe13.) 4. 4,5. & 5 19.) 72. 97. 103. 128. 
29, 30. Deut. 18.| Rev. i2. 9. & 13.2.) 174« Prov. 3. 1—4. 
9—14. John 7. 7. &le 13—18. Gal. 5. 22, 


13. 14. Ps. 51, 10. 
14. 30. & 15.19. & ez. 18. 31. re . 5. 9. Cal. 
17. 14. 1.Cor. 3019.| 26. 2Cor. 5.17 1 Thes. 4.3, 
2 Cor. 4. 4. & 6. 14] Eph. 4. 22—24. Col. Me Ne 16, 17. 
Gal 1. 4.15. 10. Tit. 3. 5. " 


=i. 


crifice unto him. The allusion seems to be made 
to the living animals, which were presented as 
sacrifices before the altar, that they might be. 
slain, and thus offered to God upon it. Thus 
Christians should present their bodies before 
God, to be empicyed in his service, and to be * 
spent and worn out by hardships or labours for 
him; that so they might be wholly devoted to 
his glory. The body, with its members, senses, 
and organs, is the instrument of the carnal 
mind, in executing its purposes and gratifying 
its evil inclinations: when, therefore, the mind 
is made spiritual, the body should, in like man- 
ner, execute. its holy purposes and express its 
spiritual affections. (JVotes, vi. 12—16. (Marg. 
ftef.) | Thus the soul becomes the consecrated 
priest, and the body the living sacrifice unto 
God through Jesus Christ, In general this sa- 
crifice must be presented alive, to be employed 
in the worship and work of God ; though some- 
times at length it must.also be offered up toe 
death. by martyrdom. As the legal sacrifices, 
(which, that of Christ had now superseded,} 
were to be without spot or blemish ; so the bo- 


hend his deep designs, let us adore the riches of | dies of believers must be separated from the 


his wisdom and knowledge, whose judgments 
are not to be investigated, nor his ways traced 
out ; whose mind none can penetrate or com- 
prehend ; whonecds and regards no counsellor ; 
who first gives life and all things to every one ; 
and to whom none can render any thing which 
he! hath not first received from him. 
« Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all 

things, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” 
{Ren iy. 34—37.) ; 


aes = ~ 
4 We NOTES. 


he. ‘doctrinal. and argumentative part of his 
tle, (which is so carefully guarded, as to be 
Very practical tendency,) proceeds here to 
' pé more particularly a variety of important 
: duties from evangelical principles. He entreated 
orexhorted, the Romans, as his brethren in 
“is in the most earnest and affectionate man- 
, by the mercies which God had shown to 
_ Cone election, redempticn, conversion, 
nd =e privileges, that they would evi- 
sincerity of their love, and honour the 
by presenting themselves as a living sa- 


practice of all iniquity, or they cannot be fit to 

be living sacrifices to God ; but, being sanctifi- 
ed by the Holy Spirit, the worship and obedience 
performed by them, as the instruments of the 
renewed soul, are far more pleasing and ho- 
nourable to God, than legal sacrifices could be. 


“ For of} This is a reasonable service and worship, suited » 


to rational creatures, and to their relations and 
obligations to Gad, as redeemed sinners ; where- 
as, the oblation of bulls and goats, when Separat- 
ed from its typical meaning, «was not, in this 
sense, a reasonable service. 

V. 2. In thus wholly dedicating themselves 
to the service of the Lord, Christians must go 
entirely against the course of this evil world, 
and incur the censure, ridicule, and enmity of 
ungodly men, which would greatly interfere with 
their worldly interests. They must not there- 
fore-seek happiness fromthe world, or conform 
to the maxims, customs, and fashions of man- 
kind in gener They must not comply with 
common usages, as to their pursuits or employ- 
ments, in any respect, where such usages are 
contrary to the bh mmands of God, the spirit 
of the Gospel, the iterests of piety, the pruspe- 


3 For! ae Prchclh ia. grace given scion 
a me, 0 every man that is among you,|man_. fe 
-m not to think of himself more highly than] as we 

he ought to think; but to think * painegia 


* Or, to sobriety. 
t Vime: 26) 9 15, 


Ons ver. 6-8. & t. 5] 16 18, 19. & 25. 
& 15.15, 16. 1 Cor.| 27. & 26, 12. Mic. 
158. 10. & 15. 10.) 6.8. Matt. 18. 1-} Tit. 2. 2) 4. 6.012. 
Gal. 2. 8,9. Eph.j 4. Luke 18. Ile 1p 1) Pet. 1. 13, & 4, 
5.3.4. 7, 8&4. Cor. 4. 7, 8. 2 Corp 7.& 528.) : 
UF. Cah 2. 20.) 12. % Gal Gs 34m’ versio: dubm.3 ae 
i Fim: 1. 14. 1 Pet.}, Phii, 2.3—5, Col-| 1 Cor 
4.11. 2.18. Jain. 4. 66 1} 7—L. 
‘By 11, 20. 25. Prov-| Pet: 5. 5. 3 Jobn 3. ‘Eph 


5 Sop we, eh 
Christ, and ever 
another. 


© 1 Cor. 12. 27. Eph. 
4. 15, 16. 
P ver. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 


&'4. 5 


Christians, as those of the hea 
case is the same in respect of 
countries called Christian. 
‘ he calls the state of unregénerate 
« out any exception?) (Beza.) Th 
no longer required to offer th 

the Gentiles must renoune 
Led ; and were not 


rity of their own souls, and the mprovement of 
their talents. In all these. thing Teproach 
_-of singularity is honourable, the want of it suspi- 
cious, and to be fashionable is to be wnehristian. 
A serious regard to thisrule, and.a few others of 
a stnilar nature, would soon show men, in what 
things they ‘*must not be conformed ‘to: this 
** world :” ‘and it would easily convince them, 
that on the one hand, affected singularity, in} 
things minute or indifferent, comes far short of 
the spirituality of the exhortation : and on the 
other, that they excuse their vain amusements, 
splendid decorations, expensive feastings, eager 
“pursuit of wealth, power, of distinction, ‘waste 
of time, and other parts of their conduct; be- 
cause they love the friendship of the world, sa. 
vour earthly things, and cannot endure. self-de- 
mal or the cross; net because’ they can) fairly 
prove that the maxims and customs. of the 
world in these respects are so agreeable to the |: 
spirit of the Gospel, that they may safely con- 
form tothem. In order to. escape these and other 
snares, the apostle called onthe Christians” at 
Rome “to be transformed by the renewing of 
« their mind.” (Marg. Re. f.) This transforma- 
tion of the soul into the holy image of Christ; 
this daily renovation of the judgment and: affec- 
tions by the power of the Holy Spirit, is the only 
‘effectual cure of “ conformity to this world ;” 
because it produces conformity to ‘ the spirits || 
«* of just'men made perfect,” and a capacity for © 
delighting in such society and employments, as of faith, and the benefi 
most resemble the inhabitants, worship, and joys | he might neither bury bis 
of heaven. Animated, urgent, and affectionate | undervaluing it; nor yet gt 
exhortations to seek this inward. transformation, above the duties of his |} 
as essential to duty and happimess, are the ap.|Charch, or disposed to ag 
pointed means of leading Christians to plead the for which he was not 
promises, and attend on the ordinances of God, | oppose suchas Hee 
in order to attain unto it more and more. Thus 
they prove, or make trial of, and ‘experience the |‘ 
happiness to be found’ in obeying the salutar Ys 
excellent, and holy will of God, made known ‘in 
his spiritual law, and now enforced by the bless- 
ed Gospel : they manifest their cordial approba- 
tion of it, and show to others its excellency and 
beneficial tendency. This alone can be an ac- / 
ceptable service to God, being perfect in its own {in tumstle diligence, ; 
nature, and suitéd to the perfecting of the soul in evicting ee quietness. 
holiness; and then the body will indeed be pre: 
sented as a living sacrifice unto him. ‘There 
does not appear in these verses,,any distinction 
intended between the Jewish and Gentile con- 
verts ; or any reason to conclude, as some have} 
done, that the Gentiles wenlMespecially address- 
ed. -‘T’he customs and practices of the unbrliev- 
ing Jews were as little to be conformed to by the. 


wae tiv the: affections 
but this is in'that of a 
ing to the distinguishing 
his call to be the 
Paul charged the’ Romans 
pride, to which thei 
might peculiarly exy 
Let ‘no one” of them, 1h 


sew of himself, than c 
of his case and character as 
‘by sovereign grace. — 
of his peculiar disti 
they were bestowed, and 
quired of them. Let none 


an 


2 or authorised his 
But.let every one sober 
his own gifts and att 
Lord had dispensed 


Head, fet ae by one Sp it,, 
different gifts, Chri istians hea 


(Ge. y eat ewoovest every 
* of those gifts, which he h: 
* Lord, that he may. perform his duty 
fe good consciences. But there are Bp lc 


wu. a 

6 Having 9 then gifts differing accord- 
ing to the erin hat is given to us,* 
whether prophecy, lec us pirofihesy sac- 
cording to the | 


proportion of faith; 
Fer). Ee RE iS i ae 
7 Ort ministry, let ws wait on owr minis- 
J ot +2 oeae wes ( ; J 
4cTing 2 ior he that teacheth, on teaching : 
Gi } 
Cor. 1.5—] 12.1 Thes, 5:20. | I 
. 12Js ver 3. Acts 18.24!u Deut 33, 10. 1 
: —28. 2 Cor. 8.12} Sam, 12.23. Ps, 
4.10, 11.] Phil. 3. 15. 34, 11. & 51. 13 
£23.34. Lukelt Is. 21. 8. Ez. 3.) Be. 12.9, Matt. 28. 
@. Acts 2, 17.| 17-21. & 33. 7—9.] 19° John 3. 2. Gal. 
‘#11. 27, 28. & 13.) Matt. 24. 45-47.) 6.6: Eph, 4. 11. 
4. & 15. 32. & 21.) Luke 12, 42—44.} Col. 1. 28, 29. 1 
9, 1 Cor. 12. 28. &) Acts 20,20 28) Tim. 2. 7. & 32, 
14-1 3-5, 24.29) Col. 4. 17, 1Tim| & 5.17. 2 Tim. 2 


32. Eph. 3. 5. & 4.) 4.16. 2 Tim. 4. 2.) 24. 


——————$——— 


¢ ries, within which the sobriety and moderation, 
* required by the apostle, are included. The 
¢ one, that we arrogate nothing to ourselves 
* which we'do net possess ; the other, that we 
« donot glory in what we have received ; but use 
« them, as gifts conferred on us, with trembling, 
‘ tothe glory of God.” (Beza.) The measure 
of faith, It is commonly-observed that faith ts 
here put) for those spiritual gifts, which were 
generally conferred on believers, and exercised 
in proportion to the measure of their faith. Vet 
it is evident, that in some instances, even mira- 
culous powers were possessed by those who had 
not saving faith. ( Votes, Matt. vii. 21—23: xvii. 
‘19—-21, xxi. 20—.22.. Marg. Ref) —* For 
< wirreag, (faith, ) in one manuscript we find 
“yuptres,’ (grace.) (Beza) = 
“WV. 6—8. As God, the Giver of every good 
gift, had imparted to each of them abilities, pro- 
vidential advantages, spiritual gifts, miraculous 
powers, or qualifications for that office in the 
-@hurch, to which he had been called; and as) 
none had any claim upon God for the least of 
these benefits, which he had an undoubted right 
0 bestow in that measure and proportién he 
saw good, as an act of mere grace and favour : 
so every one ought to be satisfied in his place, 
and with his work and ability to perform it. If 
any One, therefore, were endued with the sift of 
prophecy, and was enabled either to foretell fu- 
ture events, to deliver any message from God, 
or to explain his word for the edification of the 
Church ; let him exercise this gift according to 
his ability, which would be in proportion to the 
degree of fuith, by which he depended on the 
‘teaching of the Holy Spirit : or, (as some explain 
it,) let him show himself to be truly inspired, by 
‘Speaking in ebtire consistency with the analogy 
of faith, or that system of divine truth, which 
‘God had made known to his Church by his pro- 
_ phets and apostles. If a man were called to the 


1 Pet. 5. 1—4- 


oa ‘of a deacon, in receiving ‘and dispensing 
Qe ' charities of believers among the poor, the 
» the prisoners, or others ; or in any other 

ay tominister to the common benefit, by mana 
5 th concerns of the Church : let him faith. 
lly, diligently, and steadfastly attend to that 
500 work, and serve Christ and his brethren in 
 Ifany man were called to teach young per. 
$ or new converts, the first. principles of 
stianity, or to instruct others in the truth 


iy 


be 


CHAPTER XII. 


A.D. bis 
8QOr xhe that exhorteth, on exhortation: 


y he that * giveih, de¢ him do 2 it + with 


simplicity ; * he that ruleth, > with dili- 


gence ; © he that showeth mercy, with 


cheerfulness. . 
i (Practical Observations. 


x Acts 13. 15..& 15.) 1—4. Acts 2. 44—|a 13, 6. Gen. 18. 19. 
32. & 20.2. 1 Cor 46. & 4, 33-35 &} Acts 13. 12. & 20. 
14. 5. 1 Thes. 2. 3s] 11. 28-30. 2Cor) 28. 1Cor 12. 28+ 
1 Tim. 4. 13.) Heb} 8. 1—9. 12. 1 Pet.} 1Lhes. 5. 12—14. 
10.25, & 13, 22. 4.9-11.. } 1 Tim. 3. 4,5. & 5. 

y ver: 13. Deut. 15-)* Ov. imparteth. 1) 17- Heb. 13. 7, 27. 
8—ll. 14. Job 31.) Thes 2:8. | 24. 1 Pet. 5: 2,3. 
16--20. Ps, 112 9}z 2 Core 4. 12: & 11h Ec. 9 10. 

Prov: 22.9 He-11/1,] 3. Eph. 6.5, Col |e Deut. 16.11.14, 15. 
2.6. 18-32. 5, 868 58.) 3. 22, ; Ps 37. 21. Is. 64+ 


7-11. Matt. 6, 2—4./+ Or, liberally. 5. 2Cor. 9.7. 
& 25 40. Luke 21. ; 


—_— 
duties of that station, well satisfied with his 
work; and let him neither envy his superiors, 
nor despise those beneath him. If another were 
called to the higher functions of the pastoral 
office, by authoritatively counselling, encourag- 
ing, exhorting, admonishing, instructing, or, 
reproving his fellow-christians : let him be chief- 
ly concerned to fulfil! his ministry ina proper 
manner, and to give himself to it, as the great 
business and pleasure of his life. He who, hav- 
ing this world’s goods, was enabled to. serve the 
common cause, and to provide for his needy 
brethren ; let himdo it liberally without covet- 
ousness, and in’ simplicity without ostentation, ’ 
or assuming authority on that account ; but 
with a single design of glorifying God by doing 
good tomen, He also, who was called to exer~ 
cise authority, either in the Church over any de- 
scription of its ministers, or in any magistracy 
or presidency in the community: let him deenr 
himself advanced, not for his own bonour, but 
for the good of others; and let him accordingly - 
employ himseif diligently, m the performance of 
his proper duty. And finally, m whatever way 
any one might be called to exercise compassion, 
or to alleviate misery, let him do it with cheer- 


| fulness, notwithstanding the expense, hardship, 


danger, cor disgusting circumstances, to Which 
it might expose him; counting it his happiness 
by any means to be useful., I am aware, that 
these verses are commonly explained exclusively 
of the diferent orders of church-officers and ru- 
lers'; and so every man endeavours to find his 
own system of ecclesiastical polity in them : but 
though the yarious duties of the ministry in all 
its parts are principally intended, there seems to 
be no proof that the apostle meant them restrict- 
ively. He seems rather to have inculcated a ge- 
neral improvement of every man’s’ talents, for 
the common benefit of the Church, whatever his 
gifts and place were. And as there were saints 
in Cesar’s household soon after ; so it is possible 
that Christians might be called to the lower 
functions of the magistracy. The epistle, how- 
ever, was intended by the Holy Ghost for the 
edification of the Chureh in allages: so it may 
be supposed, that the duties of Christian magis- 
trates, as well as those of Church-rulers, are 
hinted at in the general lanzuage used by the 
apostle. Some consider’ the word rendered 
mimisiry, (7.) tobe a general term forthe differ. 


IV of God tek him give himself up to th z oe orders ot ‘ministers in the Church, which are 


: 
J 
: 


* fessed love of each other was sincere,-and: free 


#. D. 61. 


9 Let dlove'Se without dissimulation. 
e Abhor that which is evil; 
that which is good. 

40" Be & kindly affectioned one. to an- 
other * with » brotherly love ; ‘ in honour 
preferring one another ; 

1 Not slothful in business 5 
in spirit; ™ serving the Lord ; 


l fervent 


d'2Sam. 20. 9, 10.] 15. 17. & 16+ 21.) 6. 6—9. Se 10, 26+ 
Ps, 55. 21. Prov.! Acts.4. 32..Gal. 5-| & 13. 4. & 18. 9 
26.25, Ez. 33. 31.| 6. 13. 22. Eph. 4;) & 22.29. & 24. 30— 
Matt. 26.49. Jobn| 1—3. Col. 1.4, 1) 34. & 26. 13—16, 
12. 6, 2 Cor. 6. 6. &} Thes. 4. 9, 2 Thes.} Ee. 9/10. Ts. 56. 10. 
8.8. 1 Thes. 1. 3.| 1. 3, Heb. 13, 1. 1] Matt.25, 26. Eph» 
Jam.2. 15, 16. 1) Pet. 1. 22. & 3. 8! 4628. 1 Phes, 4. 11, 
Pew 1, 22. & 4.8.) 9. Pet 1 i 12. 2 Thes: 3. 6-12. 
1John 3-18—20, | John'2. 9-11 & 3.) 1 Lims'5. 13. Heb. 
e Ps.34, 14. & 36] 10-18. pS- 64s 11,| 6. 10, 11. 
4. & 45. 7. & 97.| 20, 21. & 5. 1, 2. | Matt. 24. 12: Acts 
10. & 101. 8. &|* Or, én the love of |) 18. 25. Col. 4. 12, 
119, 104, 163. Prov. the brethren. 13. Jam. 5.16. 1 
8.13. Am, 5. 15. Ee Ps.-133.| Pet. 1. 22. & 4, 8. 
Heb. 1. 9 Reve 26 4.'& 3. 15, 
£ Acts rs ae Bice: 18.9. Matt.) 16. 
Thes. 5 15. Heb.| 20.265. Luke 14. 10.|m ‘1 Cor. 7. 22. Eph. 
= 14. 1 Pet. 3. 10, Ponte 3. 1 Pet, 5:| 6.5—8) Col. 3, 22— 
24, & 4.1. Wits 2. 
ie Ex. 5. 17. .Proy.] 9, 10. 


& a8 13.34, 35. & 


afterwards. enumerated ; but». the disjunctive 
particle or, seems unfavourable to that interpre- 
tafion: the original word may poiit out the 
office of the primitive deacons ; but the exhor- 
tation to “ give with simplicity,” or liberality, 
appears more properly addressed ’to those, who 
distributed their own property, than, to the dea- 
cons who were intrusted with the treasures of 
the Church ; and to whom, faithfulness,’ pra- 
dence, and impartiality, were especially necessa- 
ry. Gifts. (6.). Many seem to think ‘that spi- 
ritual or miraculous giftsare exclusively intended 
by this word: but the office of a mifiister, of 
whstever order, is itself a distinct thing from a 
man’s qualifications for it: other endowments 
Were even then necessary to the due perforin-' 
ance ‘of the ministerial duties, even moreso, 
than supernatural gifts ; and the money, which 
some distributed, whether their own-or the 


such to be received and improved. é 
V. 9—135. The apostle next axhdited the 
Christians at Rome to see to it, that their pro- 


from that dissimulation, that unmeaning and de- 
ceitful compliment, with which the ‘world 
abounded, notwithstanding its selfishness. This 
hollow ahd of affection, the counterfeit of gen 
ine love, they ought by all means to avoxl; and 
to be cordial, faithful, liberal, compassionate, 
jorgiving, and: kind in their whole temper and 
conduct. Depending on divine grace,they must 
also learn habitually to detest and dread’ all 


teraptation they met with. 


ROMANS: 


* cleave: to| tribulation ; 


‘dm5.'% Se 15. 13-4 1 


it acceptable to God ; and it’ wo 
quitted himself better: 


called on to rejoice in the hope of 
Church’s, was a talent of entirely another na-| inheritance, which. the promi: 
ture: yet all were the free gifts of God, awe as | to'them': 
; 6us trials with submission,’ D 
hess, and meekness, Andias they 
of these. things ef them 
persist. in’ constant eat 
standing all the discourag 
would’ feel, and ‘the temp 
meet with, to’ ‘render them slack in th . 
Not only ought the wealthy, but all of them, ac: 
cording to their ability, to distribu Wa) 
cessity of their poorer brethren; est 
to entertain in’ ahaet houses, su 


other cities; or were in any wai 
Kinds of evil; and to love and delight in everysing im God to provide for the 
thing good, kind, excellent, or useful, and tojcutred. “Given toy &c. Or, P 
cleave constantly to it, whatever opposition or| (Hed. wu 24. 1 Pet. iii. nt 
By a kind of natural} * occasions of this kind force | BS? 
affection for their brethren in Christ, the effect of} * you, and mneh less, till impé rtu matort: the 
regeneration and progressive sanctification, they | ‘favour, but, like Abraham, Jook ont for proper 
should delight in every exercise of mutual love ;|* objects of such a bounty, and follow after them — 
and, in deep humility, and-a disposition to ani-|* to bring them back to yours houses, 


12. 70a8 


13. 4 Dist 
saints; "giv 
14.5 Bless th 
bless, and-cur 


Ps. 16. 9—11. & 71, 
'20—23, & 73. 24—-] 5. 
26. Prov. 10. 28. & ‘i 
14. 32. Lam, 3. 24—! 6. Rey, 1 
26. Haly3. 17, 18.) Gen. 5 
Matt. 5.12. Luke] Job 27, 
10, 20. .1 Cor. 13: 
a3, Phil. Sel. & 4. 2! 
4. Col. 1. 27. 1} 12,13. Dari, 9. 18,1x 
Thes. 5. 8 16. 2 19. Luke 1h. 

Thes. 2, 16, 17. Tit. 
2. 13. & 3,7 Hi 
6, 17—19, eee ts 
3—8. 1 John 3..1-3: 
0 27« 8 5, By 4k 
8.25. & 15.4. Ps. 
37%. Te &. 40. 7, 
Luke & 15. &)21s 
19, Col. 1. 12. 1] Ze 
Thes. 1, 3. 2 Thes.} 
W4. & 3.542 Tim. bq Se 
3.10. Heb. 6. 12.) 


Se ee oe ee 


gifts-and graces’ 
prefer and honour one another to yield 
respect and precedency ‘to” ee 
tious'men claim to themselves’; 
honour, and induce ethers té hoi 
ble conduct of their brethren, 
count or another, were disvegarde a roe 
ed. Whatever business any of them were call 
to, they ought to’ avoid all's 1 

do it in.a ‘skilful, ditigent, and ass 
ner, from love to Christ, snd zeal ft 
of the Gospel, with fervericy of spi 
the Lord in their most ordinary en 
This would ennoble every “business, 


the ‘credit of the Gospel; ee 
undertook, ‘than: other ‘pee, 


aid thus to bear 


Ce eS eee, ae 


tions” they wo tf 
duty td hae” 


(Ded. 


madyert on their own fiudts, and to uotice the | aridge.) euaes, 


15 ¢t Rejoice with hen that do Tejoice,| 
wand weep with them that weep. 
16 Be* ofthe same mind one toward 


another. ¥ Mind not high things, = but}selves, but rether f 
* condescend to men of low estate. *Be| for it is written, & 


not wise In your own conceits. 
[Practical Observatiens.] 


~ of all men. 


Matt. 6. 25, 26. 


Acts 11. 23. 1Cor.| 45. 5. Matt 18.1—| Tim. 6. 6-9. Heb. 
~ 12.26. 2 Car. 2.3.] 4. & 20. 21—28,) 13. 5. 

Phil. 2. 17, 18.28. | Luke 4. 6-11. &/a 11.25. Prov. 3.7. 
u Neh. 1. 4. Job 2.| 22. 24—27. 1 Pet. 5.| & 26, 12, Is. 5. 21. 
“Wk Ps, 35. 13, 3. 3John9. Rev, 1 Cor. 3. 18. & 4. 
Jer.9. 1. John 11- 
19. 33—36, 2 Cor.jz Job $i. 13-16. &| Jam. 3. 13—17. 

11, 29 Phile 2. 36. 5. Proy. 17. 5.|b ver. 19. Prov. 20. 
Heb, 13. 3. & 19, 7. 1% 22. ee 39. 1 


32. 39.) 11. Luke 6. 20. &} 3.9. 
Acts’ 4. 32. 1 Cor.} 14. 13. Jam. 2. 5,6.\¢ 14. 16. 1 Cor. 6. 
1.10. Phil. 1. 27," Or, Ge contented| 6,7. & 13.4, 5. 2 
& 2 9, 8, & 4.211 with mean things! Cor, 8.20, 21. Rhil. 


{ 16,66. 10-14. Luke) 1 Pets 3.8 
1, 58. & 15. ree Ps.131. 1,2 Jer. Phil. 4. 11-13. 1] Come evil with good, - 


13.7, 8. 10. & 6 5. & 8.2.) 212. & 3. 16, 
d 14, 17. 19, 2 Sam.le ver. i4. 17. 


SS. @HAPTER XII. 


wey oe 


4. D. 612 


» 18 If¢ it be possible, as much as lieth 
‘in you, live peaceably with all men. 
19 Dearly beloved, ¢ avenge not your- 


aa place unto wrath ; 


engeance is mine; I 


will repay, saith the Lord. 

20 Therefore 5 if thine enemy hunger, 
@.. 17 » Recompense to no man evil for|feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink : 
_ eyil. © Provide shines honest in the: sight | for in so doing thou shalt heap‘ coals of 


fire on his head. 


21 Be*not ceuenac of evil, but over- 


4.8.9. Col 4. 5, 
1 Thes. 4 12. & 5. 
22. 1Tim, 5. 14. 
Tit. 2. 4,5. 1 Pet. 


20,19. Ps. 34. 14, 


9. Mark 9.50. 1 
Cor. 7. 15. 2 Cor, 
13,11. ro 5. 22. 


14, 15. 1 Thee. &. 13. 4, Deut. 32° 
13, 2 Tim. 2, 22) 35.43. Ps. 94 1-3° 
Heb. 12.14. Jam] Nab. 1.2, 3. Heb- 


11, > 


19. 18. 
& 120. 5—7. Prov,} 26. 33. Prov. 24 
12, 20. - Matt. 5. 5.) 17—19. 29. Ez.25. 
12. - 

€ Matt. 5,39, Lake/k Prov: 16. 32. Luke 
6. 27—29. & 9, 35, 
Eph. 4. 3. Col. 3,! 56. 


3. 16=18. 1 Pet. hse 


Ex, 23. 4, 5. 1 
Sam. 24, 16—19- & 
26. 21. Prov. 25. 
21, 22. Matt. 5. 44. 
i Ps. 120. 4- & 140. - 
10. Cant. 8. 6, 7- 


1 Sam. 25. 


6. 27—30, 1 Pet. Se - 


‘Pray for their os Ra dete all men, and neyerjing all contention, as the greatest evil to their 

own souls, and to the cause of true religion ; ex- 
hnaao antl one. Instead of grudging or|cept it were a meek, but steadfast, contention 
envying the prosperity of their brethren or|for the truth. When they were insulted, de- 


allow themselves to utter bad wishes or impre- 


bs cones they. ought benevolently and un- 


frauded, or assaulted, even if no redress could 


‘sympathize ° with, and eeverpiase to comfort | on any account presume to avenge themselves ; 
those who mourned. Thus they all ought to be | but rather give way to the wrath of their enemies, 
. united in one mind and affection, and to judge and without opposition endure the effects of it = 
or, 2S some interpret it, they should give place, 
diyidual of the Body, to which they were joined.jand leave it to God, whose wrath they had in- 
Nor ought they to covet, value, or aspire to high | curred, to punish them, if he saw good ; as pri- 
vate persons must give place, and leave the pu- — 
nishment of those who had robbed or assaulted 
sociate with men of low estate, or to stoop to|/them, to the magistrate; remembering, that 
God had declared that vengeance belonged to 
him ; so that when an unauthorized person pre- 
rich. And — especially, they should avoid all |sumed to avenge himself, he invaded God’s pre- 
conceit of their own wisdom, as if they were |Togative, and, as it were, attempted to wrest his 


themselves interested in the welfare of every in- 
1 Atises. such as wealth, honourable connexions, 
~ preferments, reputation; but be satisfied to as- 


mean.and low accommodations; being content- 
edly poor, or condescendingly and benevolently 


above ordinary rules, had no occasion to ask|sword of justice out of his hand. 


(Nate, Deut. 


wisdom of God, or to regard the counsel of their | xxxii. 35.) On the contrary, they ought to wait 
brethren ; or as if they ought to be at the head | for the opportunity of their enemy being in dis- 


done if they were not consulted about. it.) The 
‘marginal, references form by far the best com- 
‘Ment on “the comprehensive and sententious 


apter consists. 


ther conduct among their unconver ted neigh- 


of every business ; and nothing ld be well| tress, in order kindly to supply his wants and 


alleviate MWS sufferings ;*as a man would feed, 
and give drink to a weary, wounded, fainting 
traveller. In doing this, they would use the 


iy 
- practical hints, of which the latter part of this} proper method for melting down his obdurate 


heart into reciprocal affection ; like the founder, 


WV. 17—21.. The preceding exhortations had | who not only puts fire under the hard Piece of 
principally respected the behaviour of Christians | metal, but heaps fire over it also, that by fire on 
one toward another: but these mainly relate to} every side, it may at length be melted. (Nates, 


Prov. xxv. 21, 22.) In this contest of love against 


No provocation ought eyer to induce |hatred, they should persevere with a fixed de- 
2 to render evil for evil to any man, how-}termination, not to yield, or to be overcome by 
ver-vile his character were. In every part of|any degree or number of injuries, or by any in- 


? conduct and in all thei dealings, they ought | gratitude or ill usage, so as to give way to re= 
sentment, or to cease from embracing the op- 


‘ re peeled hat uprightness, punc- 


d by every sasrifice and concession, ! L. 


BS . + - 
4 


> FY 
y re t a * ‘i P 
a MN RN he Sra ot hia ga 


ord towards. the 
ij 


ity, might evidently} portunity of returning kindness : but with a holy 
> sight of their most severe. pertinacity to agian © in the endeavours of over- - 
. By the most - harmless and forbearing COENG. evil with 


d, after the exatmple of the 
~(Votes, Xe. Hatt, Y. Se 


- 


- Dr! Whitby too readily takes it for granted, that 


A, D. 6. 


CHAP. XIII. 

The apostle strongly inculeates subjection to rulers, 
the payment of tribute, and rendering to all their 
dues, 1—7. He exhorts to love of each other, as 
the fulfilment of the second table of the law, 8— 


Al, Luke, vi. 27—35.) ‘ He is overcome of evil, 


* who sins in his conduct to another, because} 


‘the other sinnedin his conduct towards him?’ 
Heap coals, &c. (20.) <I believe the sense is 
* pather this, that if he persevere in his enmity; 
‘after these kind offices, thou by thy.patience 
* shalt engage the wrath of God to fall upon him, 
‘and to maintain thy cause against him. So 
* Rrov. xx. 22. «* Say not thou, I will recom- 
‘© pense evil ; but wait on the Lorp, and he 
é ghall save thee” ‘This 1s the import of the 
‘ phrase in the Gid Testament, where alone it 
©occurs.” Pe. cxl) 9, 10. Je» xlvii. 14. Ez. x. 
2. Sept. 2. Esdras. xvi. 52.  ( Whitby.) Those} s 
commentators, who argue that this cannot be the 
meaning, for that would be ‘ applying to revenge, 
« and building uponit,’ while it is expressly for- 
bidden, seem not to have duly adverted to some 
other parts even of the New Testament. (Like 
xviii. 7, 8. 2 Thes. i. 5—9. Rev. vi. 9, 10. xvi. 
5—7. xviii. 20.) To expect that God will avenge 
himself'on those, who injure us: out of hatred to 
him, and are’ not won over by. any. kindness 
shown to them ; is very different from avenging 
ourselves: and it is evident, that in some cases 
to desire, that God would deliver his servants by 
taking vengeance on their persecutors, or to re- 
joice when this is done, is not an unholy passion. 
At the same time it is asserting far too much to 
suy, that in all cases, (or in any case without the 
special grace of God,) our. kindness, will melt 
down our obdurate enemies. On the other hand, 


in the passage in Proyerbs, which the apostle 
quotes; coals of fire, mean the vengeance of God ; 
and one text at least he has overlooked, in which 
that expression is used of the intense fervour and 
great strength of love. (Cant.viii.6, 7.) Upon 
the whole, it appears to me, that both interpre, 
tations may stand. The line of cur duty. is 
clearly marked out ; and ifvour enemies are ‘not 
melted down by persevering kindness, they will 
be consumed by the fiery wrath of the God: to 
whom vengeatce belangeth. (Notes; 1 Sam. 
XXiv. B—15. xxv. 39. xxvi, 8—12. Prov. x® 
222) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
Vv. 18. 
Surely they strangely misunderstand the ge 
trines which the apostle teaches, who suppose 


them” inconsistent with exhortations, and ine 


struction in the particular duties of Christianity ; 

ar as inimical to the practice of them ! The same 
inspired writer, who most fully established, and 
most earnestly argues for, the doctrines of grace, 
is also’ most exact ‘and particular in exhorting 
Christians to their’ various duties. They, who 
seem afraid! that his doctrines'may tend to licen- 

tiousness, will be cqually averse to the impracii- 
cable strictness of his prece and many, who 
pretend to be zealous friends "to the former, are 


7 


‘sufferings of a devoted holy life,.o or by, laying 


10; Bs let 
tion, to put away all the works of darkness, 
seek pe ee 

sus, 11—14, a iy : 


But the mercies of, 
and experienced in the 
motive to all willing 0 
Christ, abounding in our so! 
earnestly to. desire, that our 
work of his creating power 

his redeeming blood,) ane 
him as a living sacrifice ; that he may be magni- _ 
fied in and by them, whether by the actions and. 


them down for his sake; whist 
t our reasonable 
with a willing mind, bri 
ee consecrated to the 
righteousness unto 
the soul by the me hn 
duces so holy 2 judgment, 
heavenly affections ; that it will 
in what respects we must ayvoi 
‘the world ; and it will lead us. ; 
tance from useless singt 
nal, and dishonourable com 
world. possess, or have a J 
heart, some excuse will be invented 
the favourite inclination. al 
show us, how good and pleasant the-accep 
and perfect will of the Lord is : so that the m 
we refuse conformity to a vain and wi 
that we may walk with God in his 
the more indifferent we shall grow to 
mer, and the greater delight we sha 
latter: Every avenue ‘ 
guarded against pride : py re] 
on this subject are nee bg 
to those who are in any. 


considered from ca cha da what 
ceived them, and how far we have ec 
a proper improvement of them ; 
all tend to our humiliation, as} 
of cur gratitude; and thus 
improve our talents, : 
shame for not having-t Je \ 
‘<6 think of iaraslran eee tel thn W 
“to think :” and this leads us to 
glory of God, and our duty as_ mem| 
Body of Christ ; and to indulge 
tion, contests for prec 
‘others, and discontent with 
and work... Lét.us then wai 
‘this evil; and whatever our g 
may be, ‘let us .endeavour to 
reas humbly, diligently, cheer fu 
plicity ; not seeking our own 
but the good of many... : 
Bt. Fy5 aM ies Fs ty ; ¥ 
It is ‘our duty, and should be. ipuamonatank en- 
deavour, from undissembled love, to exceed i mo 


s 


‘A, D. 61. 


2 Wheaebwer, therefore, ¢ resisteth the 
power, “resisteth the ordinance of God : 
e Jer. 27. s—17, & 28,14—17, Tit. 3.1. dis. 58.201 Pets 2- 13, 


ROMANS. 


Lee 


and oe that exist, salle 


as an excuse for refusing subjection. It is evi- 
dent that the apostle did not mean to determine 
the divine right of absolute monarchy, or exclu- 
sively of any form of government; but to in- 
culcate subjection to the ruling powers of every 
_ place and time, in which believers lived. But 
as the benefits of civil government are many and 
great, and it is the appointment of God for main- 
taining order among the apostate race of men; 
so any man, who set himself to oppose the esta- 
blished government of that nation in’ which he 
lived, would be considered as resisting the pro- 
vidence, and rebelling against the authority of 
God, who gave the rulers their authority, and 
will nimself call them to account.for the use 
which they make of it. * All other governments 
¢ derived their power from God, as well as that 
* of the Jews’; though they had not the whole 
¢ frame of their government immediately from 
¢ Him, asthe Jews had.’—* Whether we take 
6 powers here, inthe abstract, for political au- 
thority, or inthe concrete, for the persons ac- 


tion, the sense will be the same.’—* How men 

come by a rightful title to this power, or who 
€ has this title, the apostle is: wholly. silent, 
* and says nothing of. ‘To have meddled with 
* that would have been to decide of civil rights, 
¢ contrary to the esign and business of the Gos- 
* pel, and the example of our Saviour, who re- 
¢ fused meddling in such cases, with this de- 
€ cisive question, “ Who made mea Judge ora 
** Divider over you ?” (Locke.) | The words, 
rendered, “the powers that be,” or “ the ex- 
« isting authorities,” seem intended to exclude 
all such inquiries. Whatever be the form of the 
existing government, or the way by which it 
was established ; while it continues to exist, it 
roust be regarded and submitted to’as the ap: 
pointment of Providence. Perhaps nothing in- 
volves greater difficulties, in any instan- 
ces, than to ascertain, ‘to who ither. indivi- 
dually, or collectively, thé authority juscly be- 
longs; or, in. fact, what constitutes a lawful 
title to authority. Ifthen, the most learned and 
intelligent men find many difficulties, and differ 
widely in their opinions respecting this gubject ; 
how shall the bulk of the people be able to de- 
cide it? And if Christians:are first. to determine 
concerning the right, by which their ralers pos- 
sess and exercise authority, before they think 
themselves bound to obedience; they must: yery. 
commonly indeed be engaged in qpposition to 
¢ the existing authorities.” But the anostle’s 


€ 
¢ tually exercising political. power and jurisdic- 
« 
¢ 


design was to mark out the plain path of duty, | 


to Christians, however circumstanced. © The 
¢ resistance, which consists in refusal to yield 
€ actual obedience to the law of the superior, can 
* only be allowed, when the matter of the law is 
¢ sinful, aadso forbidden by the higher Power ; 

* not when it is judged inexpedient or unprofit. 
* able only; for of this subjects are not to 
€ judge; but the law.giver only. “They lawfully 

° may, and therefore to avoid scandal and pee 


< ‘nishment, and eer res 
' vicégerent, ought toc 
ought to obey their frow 
dren their parents, in 
this from conscience te 


sword. For he that thus ca U 
sword without authority, fror 
‘belongeth vengeance; and 80 1 
ty from Him to whom the power 
originally belongs. Where a people he ; 
‘ ferred a government according to. the | ‘abe, 
‘ they must be supposed to have Teen to 
* themselves a power neces sary to preserve their’ a 
‘ laws? (Whitby.) Thus, in mixed govern- 
ments, there are legal and ope che rind 
by which the ea ts of onc part of the 


government upon 
be resisted. But 
have not much concern dar 
cases. may possibly caee 
rules or counsels can 
Submission. in all things : 
authorities, is our duty at a 
ses ; though in civil fers 8, | n 
revolutions, and sudden ehanges in gov 
there may, sometimes, for a sea: on, be a di 
culty in determining which are to be conside 
as the existing authorities. To claim the’ 
tection of the law, against the dleral vi 
even of magistrates, is not * Tesi isting the po’ 
ers that be.’ (Wates, Acts xvi ‘34— 
The word rendered damnation, pro 
judgment: andis by many e€xpositor 
exclusively. of the punishment i 
magistrate : but the apostle 8 5] 
duty to God, in obeying magi: 
we neglect, He will call | us to a 
finally condemn. us, except “wer 


have urged, against the interpretati 
that if this be indeed the role of 
lays it open to the charge of ‘ 
and being inimical to civil lik 
hend, that this is not hee 
committed by usurpers, ty1 
are at least as severel} ys a 
as those commi ; 
religion cannot just R garded as i de oonclae zy 
tyranny, or as inimical to civil sey Pt 4 
nounces the severest vengeance on 3 ‘Wwhb'abt # 
‘tyrannically, and unjustly depriy Tiber. © 
ty. The apostle was not writ fi reatis 
politics, but teaching a 
Christians their duty. id I 
Nero, or any other oppressiv 
by Feliz, he would doubtle 
* with him on righteousness, 
* come:” and had he been sent imme 
God to rulers, as the prophets were, | 
doubtless have plainly told them their if 
protested against particular instances o! their » 
tyranny and. oppression, in the “ spirit aabewee er 
« of Elijah 5 2 and of sb ake when: ‘he 


ww 
a 


PRS a ee a ee ee 


3 For‘ rulers are not a terror to good 

“works, but to the evil. 

not be afraid of the power ! do that which 

is good, and thou shalt have praise of the 
Same: sia i 

4 For he is the minister of God to 

for good. But if thou do that which 

ibe afraid ; for he beareth not the 


il, 
in vain: for he is the minister of 
yka revenger to execute wrath upon 
fat ‘that Maes evil. ; 


a7 


Npliver. 4. Dent. 25; 1. 0. 2 Chr. 19. 6. Ps.ji 
- Prov. 14. 35. & 20.) 82, 2—4. Prov. 24. 
2. Ee. 10. 4—6. Jer] 23, 24 8 31. 8, 9- 
22 15—18. Ec. 8. 2—5. Is 1. 
eae No use 17. Jer. 5. 28. Ez. 
TR 22.27. Mic. 3. 1— 
‘w ver 61 Kings 10, 4.9. 


i Prov. 16. 14. & 20. 
2. 8. 26 

k 12.19, Nume 35. 
19—27. Josh. 20. 5-- 
Q, Ez. 25. 14. 


ey 


wah, to ‘Herod, concerning Herodias, ‘ It is not 
“ Jawful for thee to have her.” But it should 
Fa considered on the otherhand, whether the 
eharge of oe seditious, and ‘ hurtful to 


CHAPTER XIU. 


ALB. 61. 


5 Wherefore 1 ye must needs be sub- 


7 


gs Wilt thou then ject, not only for wrath, but also for ™ con- 


science’ sake. 


6 For, this cause ® pay ye tribute 


also: for they are God’s ministers, ° at- 


tending continually upon this very thing. 
7 Render P P therefore to all their dues : 
tribute to whom. tribute is due ; custom 
to whom custom; 4 fear to whom fear; 
* honour to whom honour. 
[Practical Observations.] 


12. 14—17. Lukelq Ley. 19. 3. 1 Sam. 
26. 21—26. & 23.) 12. 18. Prov. 24. 
2. 21. Eph. 5.33. & 
o 12. 8 Ex. 18. 13—) 6. Se 1 Pet. 2.18. 
27. Deut. 1. 9—17.Jr Ex. 20. 12. Lev. 


1iSam, 24. 5, 6 
Ec. 8.2. Tit. 3-1, 
2. 1 Pet. 2. 13—15. 

m Acts 24. 16. Heb. 
13, 18. 1 Pet. 2. 19. 


& 3.16, 1 Sam. 7..16,47. 2 19. 32. Eph. 6. 2, 
n Ezra 4, 13. 20. - Sam. 8.15. 1Chr.! 3. 1 Lim.5.3. 17. 
6. 8 Neh, 5. 18. 14. Job 29.7—| & 6. 1. 


1 Pet. 2 
Matt. 17, 24—27. & 17. 17. & 3. 7. : 

22. i7—21. Markjp Luke 29. 25. 

Bec BEng Bie Te 87 aes ae ee 
would be free from: terror in this respect, should 
live honest and imoffensive lives ; and then they 
will commonly be = cheatin yias protected, and 
even commended, by their rulers ; and may look 


*§, Kg provinces,” has not in every age | on them as the ministers of Pena for their 
in against the zealous worshippers of | good, in defending their persons, property, and 

God ? (Votes, Ezra iv.) Whether this has not} habitations from the violence of wicked men. On 

been, and is not at this day, the main pretext of | the other hand, the evil door ought to be afraid - 


and of those who would exclude 

the preachers of the Gospel out of their several 
districts? And whether the necessity, which is 
laid on. Christians “to obey God rather than 
* man,” is not in many cases, likely enough to 
eosrierethiee, ixit of haughty princes, without 
hat there are other cases, in 
‘which at © not bound to obey them? Cases, 
whieh in fact call their right to authority in ques- 
tion; and directly impeach their wisdom and 
cea Surely this is suited to increase that 
“Pprofessora ‘of the Gospel, in the minds of rulers, 
in all parts of the world, which to this day forms 
one grand barrier to the propagation of Christian- 
ity. A barrier, insurmountable, except by the 
power of God. Had'the primitive Christians ex- 
plained the apostle’: s doctrine, with “so many ex- 
Ceptions and limitations, as numbers do at pre- 

- Bent, and acted accordingly ; ; and had ‘Chris- 

- Aianity assumed that political aspect, which it has 
rally borne in later ages, (as arising from 

‘ “the circumstances of the times ;) nothing but a 
“eonstant succession of miracles could have pre- | 


us pe tors. But in this respect, the-apos- 
es, and | primitive ministers and Christians, and 
» thei successors for some ages, when situated 
_) as lambs amidst wolves,” were indeed, “ wise 
as serpents, and harmless as doves.” 


aberodibagy: ieridelbes’s are Mdnionsalted of 
' duties | to their subjects, (Beza.) In 
rr course of human affairs, rulers are 
2 error to honest, quiet, and good subjects, 
rs and malefactors : and on the 
: 2 benefits of g government, even when 
stance oppressive, far more than 
ce a So. Mee: they, “who 


ae inky 


d its extirpation by the rage of its nume- } 


for the magistrate does not bear the sword of 
justice in vain ; butas the minister of God’s pro- 
vidential overnment of the world, as a revenger 
by his authority, to punish those who violate the 
peace of the ‘community : so that it is absolute- 
ly necessary for men to submit to the authority 
of the magistrate; not only from fear of his in- 
dignation, but aiso for conscience’ sake to- 
wards God. If the ruler abuse his authority, 
God will call him to an account for it ; there are 
legal and constitutional checks upon these who 


the ministers, missionaries, and*} want to introduce tyranny; and on great occa- 


sions, the people will sometimes, with one con- 
sent, arise against a cruel oppressor, and sub- 
vert his government ; (asthe Romans did against 
Nero, who was condemned by the senate to die, 
as an enemy to mankind,- with the approbation 
of the whole world :), but Christians seldom need 
take any active or leading part in such transac- 
tions. Iflaws be unreasonably formed, or iniqui- 
tously executed ; this should be endured as a 
cross laid on them, till they who are legally au- 
thorized, apply a remedy to the evil: and if we 
be required, by human authority, to sin against 
od, we must steadfastly refuse obedience, and 
cheerfully and meekly endure the consequence, 
well satisfied with the blessing pronounced on 
those who suffer for righteousness’ sake. 

V. 6, 7. For similar reasons it is the duty of 
Christians to pay taxes also ; as the advantages 
of government are great, so must its. expenses 
be very large.. Rulers: are the ministers of Pro- 
vidence, who are called to attend constantly to 
this very thing. Itis proper, and even for the 
‘good of the community, that they, their fami- 
lies, and attendants, should appear in dignity 
and splendour: they are, and ought to be, taken 
from the highest ranks in the community ; as the 
temptations of such situations must generally be 
irresistibly strong, to those, who have been edu- 


_ redressed, - 


8 s Owe no man any thine, but to Idve 
one another : for he that loveth another 


hath fulfilled the law. 
.9 For this, t Thou. shalt no 


t Ex. 20. 
Deut, 5. 16—21, 
Matt 19. 18, 19) 


8 ver. 7. Deut 24. 

14,15. Prov. 3. 27, 
28, (Matt. 7. 12. & 
22,89, 40. 


18,20. é 
U7. 7, Be 


cated in comparative indigence. Both govern- 


ors and governed are fallencreatares ; and there- 
fore selfishness can, by no method whatever, be 
excluded. Some excess, of expenditure, some 
improper accumulation of treasure, some waste 
of it in providing for relatives and dependants, 
muy be expected, though not excused. Taxes 
_vaust, therefore, be iniposed, 


scrupulously paid. Sometjmes they will be op- 


pressive or very heavy; but this grievance should 


be patiently endured, till it be constitutionally 


ness, ashe would pay any other debt. 
use no collusion, or fraud ; 


duties imposed on any commodity, and every 


- species of this kind of imposition, are direct 're- 
bellion against the providence, and most express 


commandment of God: and, however such con- 


duct may be palliated or yarnished over, it 1s not 


merely a defalcation of the revenue, butit is a rob- 

bery of all who pay taxes: for, such collusions will 
not prevent the sum required, from being raised 
tipon the public, so that when one tax falls short, 


another is imposed ; and when he who should} 


pay five pounds, pays but three, his more con- 


écientious neighbour must pay seven instead of 


five, and is therefore directly robbed of forty shil- 
lings. At the same time all the atrocious crimes 


of the whole body of smugglers, and others; 


who combine to defraud the revenue, are abetted 
by every one, who puts his hand to such a dis. 
honest business. In such acase to declaim about 
the vices and extravagances of rulers, is to add 


one sinto another : these thing's never were worse, 


than'in the days of Nero; they are inseparable 
from human nature; the great Law-giver was 
aware of them, when he gave the commandment ; 

and if no man pay a tax, till the character and 
administration of all coacernedin managing pub- 
lic business, and the disposal of the public mo- 
ney, and the tax itself, met his full approbation ; 
nothing would ever be paid bythe selfish and un- 
reasonable part of the community, andthe pub- 
lic exigencies could never be answered. This 
subject is the more enlarged on, because the 
arguments and examples of some avaricious pro-|i 
fessors of the Gospel draw in well meaning peo- 
ple to wound their consciences and disgrace the 
cause, by evading or refusing taxes, in a disin- 

genuous and fraudulent manner; whicii is as 
contrary to simple truth, .as to common honesty. 
Morcovei, the aposv< enjoins { Jaristisns to ren- 

* 


* commit 
adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt 
not steal, Thou. shalt net bear false wit- 
ness, ¥ Thott shalt not covet; and if ‘here¢ 
ea] Mark-10. 19. Luke 


and ought to be 


So that the Christian must render to 
yulers, the tribute, custom, excise, or impost, 
demanded legally from him, with as much exact- 
He must 
be shoald not hesi- 
tate or murmur ; and all smuggling or dealing 
in contraband goods, all withholding or evading 


10 Love y v0 
bour: therefor 
nee law. a 


x Lev. 19. 18. 34.) 14. 
Matt. 22. 39. Lukely 4 Cor. 
10. 27... Gal &, 13, 


der fear, or reverence and 
whom they belong, on ace 
rank, orany other civil distineti = 
posing that religion requires a stiff 
singularity, in refusing customary 
pressions of honour and respect to 
that it allows that petulance. and s 
which many delight to vilify oe 
conduct of their rulers, and. those 
tions. Their faults should in 
ed with candour 
tion is conspicuous, an¢ 
great.:) and though the hon 
rank and authority may eons 
bation of their conduct ; y tw 
and defamation of them. he sam 
which commands children to honot 
rents, commands subjects 
and they should honour ¢) 
ner. (Wote, Ex. xx. ease 
V. 8—10. It cannot 
apostle meant to prohibit 
debts.on any account, whi 
ble to the greatest part of mai 
direct Christians to pay ail leg 
out needless reluctance and. de 
great punctuality: and. he they 
il superfluous expense, ey 1 
served from debt, and fap ome 
credit, of not, renderi 
when all such deman 
would still owe loye o.all 
that result from its e 
learned Erasmus long. sinc 
clause might as properly | 
“owe no man any thing, 
“ other :” and though subs 
almost wits exception, | 


apostle was, exhorting Christians: e 
their dues: and, having branched. o 
ral Rag into a few particu a 


he ha Foatgt 5 © All that I would 
© ducible to this—obey the law « 
«in all its branches, and then y 


¢ call their dues.” The se’ 


terpreté on, seeming at le 
to contract any debts, and. to 
pape at present discharge 

racted, may embarrass the 
upt ight, and requires some. 
pounding it, so as to Psa by 


5 
, 


MY a  CHAMBERETE:  ~ ALD. 61: 


» 11 And that, «knowing the time, that|, 
now >it ie high time to awake out’ of 
sleep: ¢ for now is our salvation HEAPET 
than when we believed. 

12 The # night is far spent, the aie is}> 
= let us therefore © cast off the 


13 Let us walk * honestly, i as in the 
day; ‘not in rioting and drunkenness; 
"not in chambering and wantonness, ™ 
not in strife and envying, 

14 But ™put yé on the Lord. Jesus 


Christ, and make not provision for the 


t works of darkness, and let us & put on] flesh, to fulfil the lusts hereof. 

eel . P E h Luke 1. 6. Gal. 54k Prov. 23. 20+ Is) 3-542 Pet, 2. 14.18- 
the « our of light 16. 25. Eph. 4.1) 22. 12, 13. & 28. 7,}20. Jude 23. 
a Is. 21.11, 22. Mat.| 21-28. 1 ‘ore 7 29 Pet 2. 1. bea. & 5%. 8.15.) & Alm 6. 4=61m Gal. 6. 15:21. 96. 
‘16. Ge & 24 42—44.| —31. 1 Pet 4-7 7\€Job 24. 14—17-| Phil. 1.97. & 3.16] Matte 24. 48—51,| Phil. 2.3. Jam. 3- 
ae . §. 1-3, 2 Pet. 2. 1315, Johns, 19-21, Eph-| —20. & 4. 8, 9.1 Luke IG. 19 & 17.) 14—16. & 4: 5. 2 
b Jon. 1. 6 Matt, Rey. 22. 12. 20. 5. 11, i Thes. 5.) Col. 1. 10, 1 Thes.| 27, 28. & 21.34. 1] Pet. 2 1, 2. 
25. 5—7. & 26. 40, Cant. 2.17«1John} 5—7. 1 John'l. 5= 2.12. & 4.12. 1 Pet.| Cor. 6 10. Gal, 5 n Gal. 3. 27. Eph 
‘Al. Mark 13«35—| 2. 8+ 7+ & 2. 8,9. 2.12. i John-2. 6.) 21. Eph. 5. 18. 1]) 4.24. Col. 3. 10-125 
87. 1 Cor 15, 34.1 Is, 2.20. & 30.22:1g ver. 14. 2Cor- 6.) 2 John 4. , Pet.2.:11.& 4,3—5.|0 8 12, 13, Gal. 5. 


read 14.1 Thes. 
c ag 9. ‘10. Lukel 


* Or, decently. 1 Cox. 6. 9. Gal. 5, 16, 17: 24, Col. 3s 
i Acts‘2. 15, 1 Thess}. 19. Eph. 5. 3—5,) 5—8. 1, Ret. 2. 11, 
5.7. 2 Pet.213, | Col.3. 5. 1Thes.a.| 1John 2 15—17- 


~+—— 
Christianity that followed : but he seems rather 
to speak of the state of believers in this world,, 
and their expectation of approaching complete 
salvation. It behooved them to consider how 
long they had heard and professed the Gospel; 
and the shortness of the time, that might yet re- 
main to them, in which to glor ify. God among 
men. Thus they would perceive, that it was 
fall time for them to shake off all remaining sloth 
and supineness, and to attend to eyery duty with 
increasing zeal and vigour : as the day of salva- 
tion approached continually, and was then actu- 
ally much nearer than when they had first be- 
lieved in Christ ; and consequently their term of 
‘remains usefulness on earth was proportiona-; 
bly abtidged. The redemption by which salva- 
tion comes to lost sinners, was finished with the 
humiliation of the Sayiour, and when he expired 
on the cross. Salvation becomes ours, and is 
begun, when we come to him by faith ; it will be 
finished as to the soul at the heur of death, and 
as to the body at the day of judgment. The life 
of faith might be called day, in comparison of the 
darkness of the idolatrous and unconverted 
state : yet it was but night, or twilight, in com- 
parison of the light of heaven. But shis maht, 
‘was far spent, thaé day was at hand: it was 
therefore incumbent on them to prepare for it, 
and anticipate it, by casting off their former sins, . 
in which they had live during their heathen 
darkness, as aman would st off filthy and rag- | 
ged garments; or as he would put off his night- 
clothes, before he went out of his chamber. And 
they ought not only to put on their day- clothes, 
but their-armour also ; by praying for, and cul. 
tivating, all those holy dispositions, which arm 
the soul to repel temptation, and are at the same 
|time its omament and beautiful attire : even as . 
the burnished ‘armour is deemed the conqueroy’s.- 
most honourable decoration. The apostle there- 
fore exhorted the Romans to Join with him, in 
walking” ‘after. a becoming and ¢ consistent manner, 
as those who. enjoyed. the light of the word of 
God and the hope. of heaven; keeping at a dis- 
tance from all excess or intemperance ; from aj 
sloth, and unchastity, and every wanton look, 
word, 0 or action ; and from all contention, envy,, 
and malevolence. ‘And then, instead of mulli-. 
plying exhortations, he called upon them “to pac 
“on the Lord Jesus” himself, and thus do the. 
whole at once. Let the mind and example of 


KE phe 4s 22 Col, 3. Col 3. 10-17, 1 
8, cs Jam. 1.21. 1] Thes. 5. 3. 


Ez, )-18. ¢ 81,° raf 6 Eph. 6. 11—13- 


ment. No doubt, it is the duty ofall Christians 
to avoid contracting debts, which they have not 
a reasonable prospect: of discharging punctual- 
ly; ~apd to submit to any mconveniency in order 
to pay their debts in a creditable manner: but 
the obvious interpretation of the text as dmpera- 
tive, Seems inconsistent with the ; gituation of al- 
most all men in the present state of the world. 
The usual exposition of the next clause, ‘ but 
sto love one another ;” ‘Be not a debtor to 
* any man of aught, but love and affection, which 
“ye ought so to pay, as that ye should have moré 
*to pay,” (Bp. Hail ;) is not to me, at least, very 
satisfactory : for why should we be alowed so 
‘to come short in rendering love to whom love is 
be as to be always there in arrears, and there 
? If we daily rendered all that love to our 
neighbour, whichis due to him, we should not 
remain in his debt. The next day would indeed 
require afresh payment, but there would be no 
‘ rrears due. Upon'the whole, therefore, though 
would speak with caution and hesitation, I can- 
“not but prefer the indicative construction ; “ Ye 
“4 do owe, &c?”. In’short, the whole of Ee the 
apostle would inculeate was the exercise of love 
in. its various branches ; so that he who ‘loved 
another, actually fulfilled the law, in respect of 
its requirements towards his neighbour : and 
this love of our neighbour as ourselves, in obe- 
dience to the command of God, would also be 
_ the best evidence of our ‘loving him with all our 
i hearts, according to the first and great com- 
-mandment of the law. (WVetes, &c. Ex. xx. Eev. 
“xix. 18. Deut. vi. 5.) The apostle, by thus’ ap- 
ing to the moral law, as the standard of duty, 
fter having so fully shown that no’ man can be 
stified by it, completely establishes the distinc. 
a between the law as a’covenant, and the law 
L rule ; and. proves. that our deliverance from 
in the former sense, is in order that we might| 
‘itin the latter. ‘Worketh no evil, &c. “Not 
tthe law is exactly fulfilled by doing no evil 
‘neighbour : but, because in Christ’s in- 
retation, the neglect of doing any good we 
a 
S able, “and have opportunity to do for him, 
1s z evil? “Charity i is. also kind,” ¢ and 
eth us “by love to. Serve ove another.” 
) ind Ref) 
“4 14." Some think that the apostle here 
approaching destruction of Jerusa-. 
" more complete Sete ‘of 


= 


A. I. 6). 


(oCHAP. XIV, 

Directions to receive candidly the weak in faith, and 
not to despise or judge one another, in respect of 
things doubtful or indifferent, 1—6 ; but to consi- 

ES She RR a aes Ss EE 
Christ be reflected in all their tempers and con- 
duct; that all, who saw their piety,,purity, ‘zeal, 
benevolence, and self-denial, might recognize 
the image and character of Christ in them. That 
as they stood justified before God in the robe of 
his imputed righteousness; so they might ap- 
pear before men adorned with his image for 
sanctification. Then they would not contrive 
means for gratifying any of their carnal lusts, 
nor would they be anxious to provide for the in- 
dulgence of their appetites ; but they would find 
the:r satisfaction in such things, as pertained to 
the life of their souls. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—7. 
The grace of the Gospel directs our thoughts 
to the providence of God, as well as to his pro- 
mises and commandments : and thus it induces 


’ gubmission and cheerful composure, where pride 


and the carnal mind see nothing but cause for 
murmurs and disquietude. Christians should 
always remember, that there is no power, but 
what is derived from God; “that the powers 
« that be, are ordained of God,” though not ac- 
cording to what we might think the most eligible 
plan ; and therefore, “ that every soul is bound 
* to be subject to the higher powers :” that 
while so many, disdaining every yoke, ‘are not 
« afraid to speak evil of dignities,” and want to 
level all other distinctions ,that themselves may 
rise to distinction, by “ resisting the power and 
s* despising the ordinance of God ;” there may 
be also a protest in the land against such turbu- 
lent innovators, entered into by a great multi- 
tude, “ who fear God, honour the king, and 
« meddle not with those that are given to 
* change.” Indeed it is far more agreeable to 
the pride of man, to rise to reputation by de. 
claiming against kings and princes, than to be 
employed in humbling himself before God for 
his own sins, and in diligently mortifying his 
lusts. But surely there can beno sufficient rea- 
son, why ministers of the Gospel and private 
Christians, should leave their peaceful duties, 
and bring the truth inte disgrace, by becoming 
volunteers in such services, as apostles, evangel- 
ists, and martyrs, never intermeddled with! In 
our happy land, however, the advantages deriy- 
ed from civil government are immense; our 
grievances minute and often imaginary ; and 
rather the fault of human nature, than of our 
constitution or public administration. For spe- 
culators on this subject, (even such as profess 
to believe the doctrine of man’s entire depravi- 
ty,) almost universally blame this or the other 
form of government, for those evils which in fact 
are inseparable from our fallen nature ; and 
they expect that benefit from the change of 
forms or persons, which can only be produced 
by the renovation of men’s hearts to the holy 
image of God, and the mortification of that car- 
nal self-loye which is universal to mankind. Lev 


* 


ROMANS: 


der their relation and actinides ; 
7—12, Exhortations to caution, charity, hu 


ty, and self-denial, in usin ir chr il 
13—23. yey ; 5 thee. ae 


Oe iy 
f 34 
‘ 


angers ar 
’e is short ; 


frims in it; that 
it is their wisdom and @ 
things as they find them 

providence and comma 
peaceable subjection to 
refusing this subjection, 
and must give an account to f 
neral, our rulers are, what all ri 
* a terror to evil doers,” and not t0 those 1 
do well; asthe honest and conscientious h: 


ever they choose to worship God; and that 4 
few, if any exceptions, none are made afraid, 
but those who to fear; even they whom 
the magistrate, as the minister of God, a ret 

la 


er to execute w erie) mu 
ish, unless he Would bear the sword in vain. 
“ that in every way it becomes us to be 

“not only for wrath, buat also for cons 

* sake.” At the same time magistrates m: 
hence learn, from whom and for what, they have 
their power, and what account they: render 
of it; that they too may attend to duty in 
the fear of God, with whom there is no 

of persons. Itis also incumbent upon 
to be exact and exemplary in paying tribu 
custom ; considering their rulers as God’s 
nisters for their good, and saat 1 ‘from t 
personal interests for the public go 
should therefore avoid,all appearance 
covetous and fraudulent practices, by which so’ 
many plunder their fellow-citizens, in withhold-_ 
ing their share of the public revenue. And 
ought also to refrai from contumelious and 
respectful language concerning their go 
and set an exaimple of § ring fe: 
fear, and honour to whom h 
then, those who eagerly dec. 
berty, without exactly dis 
licentiousness, seriously ask 
ther their reasoning car be 
such Scriptures as these 
apostles, or his primiti 
their zeal about such topics” 
15—22.) And whether such declam 
frequent invectives against those, 
Scripture commands us to honour 
be for the credit of the Gospel, an 
of true religion ?—As to the 
any where made by those on: 
constitutionally devolve, to’ 
or assist the real liberty of man 
al, civil, or religious ; or to ch 
of despotism or oppression, 
climate, complexion, or 


‘¥ 


g 


Meh, 


order ofthe community. “9 ip 
, V.S—14. me er 
While we rejoice at deliverance from t 


cin at 


1}; Mat. 124 20. estes 9 92 


‘our hearts, and transcribed into our 


He paendsnce, nenettaaae ppt 


aS § ea 


1 n hs ie ab re ross injuries to. 
their pe: co hex ORY, ‘property, or charac- 
ters 5 but we s don ‘kin “or degree of evil 
ff any man, bat. shall ‘study, to be useful. and 
eneficia very re ‘ tion and station of life — 
The I heard and professed the 


he more, should we deem ourselves. 
hak oa all sloth : i, and the. nearer our 
0; acheth, the. more diligent should 
nish the work of life, and to go forth 

0 ne ‘Lord. “Emerging { from the night of" 
C1 ence and the: twill ght of our first glim 
merin: G\ieve a AG a pie and looking 
t fot ote a knowledge and 
ce from. the. works of 

a “whole armour of | 

ae to at in a manner con- 
Houourable le ‘to, our profession ; 3] 


) » a 
uf 


L all. spiritual, as well as carnal | 
, inste ad of. making provision 
its lusts ; ‘let “us study to, 
shrist, to imbibe his spi-! 


to walki in every respect 


iA 2 


ast “Weak i in ‘faith, 4 That 
Hibhce’ ot the benefit” of Christ ; 
bene ibe ter ived from him? “(Beza.) 
oe ya Controversies of disfi 
by Saale Bes of UL spit ers oO: of nea. 
at ‘altercaiions of dis: 
ties. of. disputations ; 
lepart more Uncertain 
au vyarious. and | perplexing 
‘ [ponttoversies,” or turn pate with disturbed | 
£0 science. Erasmas renders ates “not : to, the 
e minations of disputes” © Yet indeed | 
weak ‘should be received, in order to ‘the 
letermi nation of disputes ; that is, ‘that, at 
eth, | y no ring: the truth, he may become 
ut the apostle orders this to be 
! very Feet that there 1 may be no con, 
, or yain and unseasonable disputation, 
“a ches ee they should be instracted with 
ld ness lenity; and so that in those 
i ( which: he is spe King,).¢ we ought 
oak oursely es to their i igor: ance} 
a gard to to. the law of charity” (Beza ) 
ie Lyd Notwithstanding the authority 
A in bis apostles, “and their. in| 
1 dlleeeing his, doctrine. to niankind, | 
FES 0 of opinion prevailed even among | 
sth: _ or did ‘St. Paul, by an express | 
“you V1 command, pat a fin ak termination | 
i Vou. VL 4 


. Le. i ‘ ) a v) 
© pu tations, or ys i 
e th at is, Aest he shold 2 


are 


er ei 7 | 
ceive ye, ¢dur * not to rasranen disputa- 


/46. Zech. 11. 16. eres be 


a the law, may. its 5 precepts. be 


.| exeellency of the doctrine, _ 


or admitted: hta_ th 
(2 John 9. 10.) But 
fessed i in words, 2 and not d denied in works, a man 
ought at least to 
eNweak f £0) he faith, >? and meekly helped forward, 
though, he. ™: 
prejudices and Mistikes.” 
~ apostle’s admirable. reasoning in favour of can- 
pes dour and mutual condescension, 
Re va vated by saving, thai there was no se paration 
md 


© the things, judged indifferent by the latter, and 
oN 


AD. @f. 


Ag eleey) eps Se Oyo at, 


Bec 8 e Meat) eek 
2 John’ 10. ‘8Johoy* not tojudge his 
) 8—10. uf 2am thoughts. 


soe 


13. 8 1 
) 13, 205 Phils 4 


viii Bande mad lvery 2-5. i } 


¥E 


to them, A peigiion indeed diye? certain 
and. important t th, yet. the heart tannot profit- 
ably receive ttl ‘suitably disposed ; ; ahd a man 
| must himself perceive the “nature, ¢ evidence, and 
and the ‘grounds ‘on 
| which, it rests, before he et ‘make profitable. 
use of it; so that to profess S assent _or conform, 
would, without conviction, in general be hypocri- 
sy and aiways, unavailing. — So “essential are the 
rights” and exercise of private judgment, i in all 
possible cases, to the existence of true ‘Teligion | ! 
And so useless an encumbrance would an imfalli- 
ble judge be, for deciding controversies, and 
producing unanimity mong Christians! The 
apostle had sufficiently dectared his mind re- 
specting the Mosaic law ; and where attention. 
to itwas likely to interfere with the simplicity of 
men’s  dependance « on Christ, he zealously con- 


tended against | it: : yet many ‘sincere believers 
could not be convinced that they were under no 


obligations to observe it. If the method of sub- 
sequent ages had been then in use, these pers 
sons would have been excluded from the Church, 

and anathematized _ as obstinite heretics ; or 


kind oft excess and inexpedient in- ; driven, { for relief to their consciences, to separate 


from those who imposed on them what they 
counted ‘sinful, and afterwards they would have 
been shunned as schismatics. But St.Paul, in 
all the plenitude of his apostolical authority, 
could endure his feHow-christians to differ from 
him in opinion, | as to matters’ of inferior conses 
quence ; ard, instead of peremptor 'y injarictions, 


: he gave : a genera al rule of Fast importance for our 


conduct i in all such cases. He exhortetl the pas. 
tors and members of the Church at Rome, to’re- 


ceive among them, as a brother, the week beliey- 
er; and not to per plex him With disputations 
about such things, as might appear doubtful te 
conscientious persons, but to leaye him, under 
the general use of means ahd loving: instructions, 
to. grow stronger in faith and: riper in judgment, 
by the inward teaching of tlie Holy Spirit. 


This 
eneral rule appiies to many particulars, both 


vespecting doctrine, aera: and practice, Ifa 
Than « do, not profess. repentance, “and a believing 
}dependatice, as a lost sinner, on the merifs and. 
atonement of | Christ, € God manifest in the 


‘ flesh,” and a reliance on the” Holy Spirit for 


teaching” and sanctification ; ; it does: not appear, 


that he can properly be regarded as a believer, 
ommeunion of the saints, 


y these things are pro- 


be received us one that is 


ay yet be under the power of may 
© The force of 


cunnot be en- 


setween Jewish and Gente Christians. Had 


a, ; ae 


4D. 61. > ROMANS. *! ” 


' and then endeavour to make the cause of their 


ote ee ee eee 


2 For one beliéveth 4 that he may eat 
all things: € another, who-is weak, f cate} 
eth herbs. 

“3 Let not him that eateth, rm despise ‘ 
him that eateth not} and Jet not him ting ‘no 
Which eateth not, » judge him: that-eat~|¢4*e- Let 
éth; ; 1 for God hath received him. Pe: suaded i in his ow ee 
4 Who art thou that judgest another] | 6 He epee ia 
man’s servant? to his own, master he} oe 
standeth or falleth; yea, ! he shall be gardeth not the day, te 
dyer. 14. 1 Cor. | Luke 18,94 I°Cors} 1 (Cor, 45 4) 5. Jam. nok regard bs, He 


25. Gal. 2. 32. a) 8.113, wy 4. 11, 12. i the Lerd, Pp for he'gh 
im. 4. 4. Tit. 1 ver. 13. tt. 7 1 vere. 5. & 11,28. 
45. Heb. 9, 10. &} 1,2. & 9114. Keli | 16. 25. Deut. 33,47 | RE that euteth not, to 


45,9, 18, 19. 1 Cor. 10.) —2% Ps.17 5. & a 
© Very 22, 23. 29, 30, Col, 2. 16,) 37. 17. 24. 28 8 nets and giveth God thanks 


P Gens 1, 29. & 9) 1% ¢ Te es | 1a. 216, 2170 John} m Gal. 4.9, 10; Col.) 5 
3. “Prove 15, 17:1) Acts 10. 84,44. &1 10, 28—30. Rom.8.| 2, 16, 17. 
Dan. 1. 12. 16. ‘15.8, 9 31-39. Heb..7. 25} n vere 14, 23, 1 Car. 


2 ver.10.15.21. Zech. 
4,10 Matt.18. 1) 


3, 7—L1, 


k 9.26 "Aes Ti. 17.) 1 Pet. 1, 5. Jude 24. ; 
‘| bd Or,assured.t John ; 


ay 


these unhappy ¢ 
“ be poured upon v 
expected geen! 
place. _ It is;how 
dividuals should 


< apprehended sinful by the former, been!ims 
*,pesed,a separation of communion would have 
* ensued, and the schism on the apostle’s prin- 

“ieaples would have been chargeable on the im 

“posers When it shall please God to awaken 

$,in the, governors of established protestant 
« churches, such a spirit of moderation and geod- 
“ness, joined with a true zeal for religion; as 
“to leuve, such thisgs in that natural state of in- 
© difference, in. which almost all sensible men 
* confess it is best they should bie left, many se- 
* parations will cease of course.’ (Doddridge.) 
Thus the guilt of schism is reciprocally charged 
by ail parties on their opponents ; and. indeed 
truly, when not done exolusively ; for the same 
stut2 of mind and heart. generally prevails, in 
thoss who impose unscriptural terms of com- 
mhunion ; and in those who separate themselves} 
from their bicthren, without sufficient reason ; 


fe fightings i in the 
what is indispens 
minate them. 


One Cheieees pater 
who had got over the 


out regarding the 
respect; another, either 
‘one who had imbibed 


conipany with Genti 
unawares eat some 
showed that he was 
the faith : yet it évin 
Here:tlien mutual 

the Christian, who 
must not despise his y 
or superstitious ; and 
with him, or use cont 
specting him; and on 
pulous believer must 
brother, as self-indu th 
or shun him, and spe: 
count... For God! 
‘him into his fami 


separation 2ppearas great as they can, to justify 
themselves. Sv that. not only the governors of 
protestant esiallished churches, but the leading 
men among dissenters and seceders also, need ta’ 
be brought, by the illumination and grace of the 
Holy Spirit to a fuller, knowledge of the Serip- 
tures, and more entire conformity to the temper 
there inculcate. In proportion’as men approach 
nearer in judgment and disposition to the word 
of God, they will be brought nearer’ to each 
other; as the lines from the circumference of 2 
circle approximate to each other and to the 
cejtire, proportionably.. ‘Then each person con- 
cerned, (instead of decidedly justifying every | tinetions + and» eat ibe: 
particular, among those with whom he is.conneet~| judge’ ‘and condemn another? 
ed; and disputing against every thing in’ use’ Eagles hic own master did n 
among such) as he differs from ;) »will seriously | was only aecountableto his 
compare all particulars von: every side with the |justify or condemn hin, t 
sacred oracles; and in consequence will discover, | him ‘to fall, as he saw hj 
4hat neither party is entirely right, and neither | and if thdeed he was a be 
entirely wrong. And this conviction, avowed and promise of God were er 
reduced to practice by the leading men, would|and were abundantly ga 
gfaduaily be communivated to the rest of the | (ates, &e. viii 23—39. 
body ; and would make way for such amend|  ¥. 5,6. The case wi 
ments, retrenchments, and €oneessions, onal  ertanoktoF days. Some € 
sides ; and such fairness, gentleness, and” dens thee Jewish sabdbaths, new is _and oth 
dour, in debating/on the controver ted subjects, | iemnities to b- stiliin foree, and : ‘so requi 
as would, im process oftime, effectually terminate | the law fGod ; and. mb neti they 


iS 


pe 61. 


7 Fora eK us liveth to himself, 


_and no man dieth to himself. 
8 For whether we live, we live unto 

|; and whether we die, * we die 

ie L ord: s whether we live there- 

die, we are the Lord’s. 

‘For to this end‘ Christ both died, 

O' Band revived, that he might be 


“Lord both of the dead and living. 


‘qyer-9. 1Cor 6, 30.1 Thes! $10. 1.21. Rey. 1. 13. 

q 20. 2 Cor. 5.15.|s 1 Cor: 3. 1 23. &Ju Matt. 28.18. Johu 
Gal. 4.19, 2. Phil] 15. 23. 1'Thes. 4.] 5. 22, 23. 27-29, 
“i 20o—24, wea] tevise Reve ‘14, Acts 10. 36. 42. 
‘W4. 1 Pet. 4.2. ph. 1 20-23. Phil. 


E 
i ee ioe Acts tnieSaO-1e/Rine 2 10,11. 2 Tim. 4. 
13. 36, & phi SR] tw 2 es L. 1 Pete. 5. : 


21, 13. a 12. 2, 1 Pet 

them in a | religious ‘manner ; others were satisfi- 
the ritual law was abrogated, and. that 
i |appointments were no Jonger obligatory, so 
pc ole this respect, they ‘regarded every day 
alike : (for we cannot suppose that they. did not 
observe the Lord’s day, or any days of fasting 
and prayer.) In such mattersit was chiefly ne- 
cessary, that every man should be fully satisfi- 
ed in his own mind as to his own’ duty, and that 
he acted from proper motives in it. If thena 
Christian regarded a day according to the law of 
re: ‘or conscientiously set it apart for devo 

; he might be supposed to do it from rever- 

e to the authority of God: and if another 
Christian, deeming these distinctions to be su- 
perseded, omitted all regard to those days, which 
the other» accounted holy, it should be suppos- 
ed, that he did it with a-view to the honour of 
pte of his legislative authority, and his ful- 

at ofall the ancient typical observances. In 
like manner, the believer, who ate any kind of 
food, shoulil be considered as regarding the will 
‘and glory. of the Lord init ; while he returned 
thanks both for his food and for his Christian 
diberty : on the other hand, he that refrained 
from this or the other meat, being contented with, 
and thankful for, what he did eat, should be con- 
sidered as doing it froma self-denying and con- 
Seientious regard to the will of the Lord, even 
though his scruples were judged to be ground- 
less. Fully persuaded in’ his own mind. Let 

“ every man freely enjoy his own sentiment ;” 
oa go on in his own way without impediment 
or censure.’ (Doddridge.) This interpretation is 
ancient: but it does not seem to be the most 

| construction of the clause. * Leta man 

e that full persuasion of the laifulness of 
that he doeth, or abstains from, as will pre- 
‘ve him from sinning Against conscience im 
_ him not search into the judgments and 
sof other men, about these matters, to 
mn them for them.’ (Whitdy.)—* Ido not 
@ with those, who think that the apostie 


ee dbe careful not to do any thing with a 
yor hesitating conscience. For it is 
gh, that our conscience consents. to 
jo; but it is necessary, in the first 


tour.  Sputigeraae be certified from the 


CHAPTER XIV. 


Jude 14, 15. 


yeant , Nothing more, than that each person| | 


el ff ee 


Ae D. 6. 
lo But why dost thou judge thy bro- 


ther? of why dost thou * set at naught 


thy brother? y for we shall ail arth be- 
fore tie judgment-seat of Christ. 
tL For it is written, 4s I lived ait 
the Lord, severy knee shall bow to ine; 
and every tongue shall » confess to God.” 
12 So then © every one of us shall La 


account of himself to God. 


[Practical Observations.] 
X ver. 3, 4s Luke23.) 20. 1-18 9 Jb 10. &% & 15 
11. Acts 4. 11. 
y2- 16. Ee 12.14. 
Matt. 25. 31, 32. 
John 5. 22. Acts 10. 
42, & 17. 31. 1 Cor 
4.5. 2Cor. Se 10. 
Rev. 


Z Num. 14. 21-728.) Matt, 10.32 1 John 

Is. 49. 18. Jer. 22-] 4. 15, 2 John 7- 

24- Ez. 5. 11. a 9. Matt. 
& 182° 23, 

Re a3 16.2. 

Gal. 6. 5. 1 Pet. 4 

5 : 4 ‘ 


229 

a Ps. 72. lle ‘Fat asi 
22-25. Phil. 2,10. 
Rev. 5. 14. 


‘V, 7—9. It was an acknowledged. principle, 
that no real Christian allows bis own humour,* 
indulgence, interest, or credit, to be the end for 
which he lives, or acts, as to the general tenour 
of his conduct; nor dees he even avoid, desire,- 
or meet, death from selfish motives : but whether 
his life be prolonged, he aims to spend it to the 
glory of Christ, or whether death be expected, 
he refers it to him to be ordered in» all respects 
for the glory of his own name ; so that whether 
the Christian lives or dies, he belongs to the 
Lord, to be disposed of as he pleases ; and is his 
beloved, to be taken care of by him in all possi- 
ble events. For to this very end, Christ both 
died on the cross, and rose again, and liveth 
anew in heaven ; that in human nature he might 
be the sovereign Lord of all his people, both 
during their lives and after their death ; as they 
willingly devote themselves to him, and are 
prompt to labour, suffer, or die for his sake ; as 
he orders all things respecting the time and cir- 
cumstances of their death, for his own glory and 
their good; and as, when they die, they are 
taken to be with him for ever, and he wilk raise 
their bodies to share the same felicity. Christ is 
also the Lord of all the, dead; and. of the living 
who do not ‘believe in him: he spares their 
lives, cuts them off by death, and executes 
vengeance upon them as he sees good; yet the 
former sense seems to have been principally in- 
tended. It is worthy of observation, that the 
apostle most cogently showed professed Chris- 
tians what they ought to be and do, by stating 
the character and aims of true believers, and by 
teaching them what charity would suppose, con. 
cerning their brethien who differéd trom them, 
if their conduct were in other respects consist- 
ent with their profession... «The Lord,” evident- 
ly means Jesus Christ, these werses ; which 
contain a very conclave argue in proof of 
his Deity, that. the ne: rsés undeniably con- 
firm ;. for to what mere creature can we be thus 
entirely devoted, without manifest idolatry ? 

V. 10~12. This suggested another reascn, 
why Christians should net judge or despise dhe, 
another ; as they/must all stand in judgment be- 
fore. Christ; when it wouid be known from what 
Motive every man had acted. The. prophecy re- 
ferred té fiaa been- before explained of Christ, 

as “ Jenova, our Righteousness,” iG pies fe3, = 


er 
=" 


—) 


‘A. D. 61. ROMANS.» 
‘Lord Jesus, i that there is nothing * un-} 
‘thy meat, ™ now walkest thou not f cha- 


_ & 16.17. Lev. 19/}t See ons ver. 2. 1,4, 55 Gal 5. 13. 


- "aecount of ourselves to God,” shows how fa- 
_gniliar it was to him, to understand the prédic- 


“That is, shall adore and acknowledge me as 


/ (Whitby.) (Note, Phil. ii. 9—14.) 


' of his,subject, by exhorting Christians, especial- 


es Ne a ee erent 


TURES pe eh Sp os PEA Ogee rr a J Ve Cr ti ye, | 


13 Let ms! not therefore # judge one|ri 
another any more : © but judge this rather; 
that no man f put a stumbling-block, § or 
an occasion to fall, in Ais brother’s way. 

» 14 know,» and am _ persuaded by the} 


peace, and joy in 
18 For he that 

jeth Christ” is ac 

approved of men. 


niCor. 8 Il 2) 5,6. 
Pet. 2. 1. 1LJobii} Matt. 6, 
2. 2. 1. 30, 

© 12.17. 1 Cor. 10} Phil. 3. 
29,30. 2 Cor 8. 20,! 1, Le ; 
21. 1 Thes. 5. 22. fs 5.1, 5. & 

p Dan. 2,44, Matt} 16. & 15. 13. Is, 
3. 2. & 6-33. Luke] 12. & 6b, Se Acts & 


14. 15. & 17. 20,) 31. & 13. 52. Gab} 

21. John 3. 3, 5. 1) 5622, Phil. 2. 1. &) 4. 
Cor. 4. 20. & 6.9.) 3; 3 & 4, 407. € 
1 Thes. 2. 12, i121, 1 Phes 
q.1Cor. 8. 8. Col 1 Pet. 28.5 
2. 16, 17+ Heb. 13. 91 vers / 6. 
ry Is. 45.24, Jere 23] 125 


ly tended to the rm 
died ; seeing it tempt 
rally leads to condem 
ply that the weak bro 
but the contrast is made, 
Christ to the weak believer, w! 
to save him, and the want of love 
brother, who would not 
meal, from regard to 
rather prove an occasion of 
hazard the loss of the soul of ¢ 
might hope to be a believer, than. 
self in the exercise of his Christian I 
may, however, observe, that the’ 
write in that exact systematical style, w! 
some affect, otherwise they would serupul 
have avoided such expressions. In ] 
liberty therefore, which was guodin | 
tians ought to be careful notto do 
guarded a manner, of with such: 
might give occasion to its being evil 
for the privileges of the 30 
consisted in meats and drinks 
ments did : so thata believer, ¥ 
liberty, at any rate and at all: 
due a stress on the ind n 
pensation, as a mye con dic ° 
nial distinctions of the eld ¢ stan 
fied before God, to be at hee with him, to 
sess peace in the hear 1 conscience, at 
experience that pure joy h 


clean of itself : but to him that esteemeth 
any thing to be unclean, * to him i¢ ie 
unclean. 4 af 

15 But if! thy brother be grieved with 


‘d ver. 4. 10, Jam. 2.| 2 Cote 6. 3. Phil. 1.Jk ver! 23. 1 Cor. 
4.&4. 11. 10. Rey, 2<14,). 4 8. 7. 

e Luke 12.57. 1[g 2Sams 92.14, 1/1 Ez. 13.22, 1Cor 
Cor. 11, 13. 2 Core} Fim» 5. 14.1 John} 8.12. 
5, 14, : 2-10, m 13. 10. & 15, 2. 

£9. 32,33. & 14. 9h Acts 10. 28. 1Cor, 8. 1. & 13, 


44. Ise 57.14, * Gi. conmon. Acts} Phil-.2. 2—4. 

14.3, Matt 16. ‘10.14, 15. & 11jt Gr. according to 
& 18.7. Luke 17.) 8,9. charity. 

2. 1Con 8 9-13, . 


xly. 20—25 :) but the apostle’s transition from 
“ the judgment-seat, of Christ,” to “ giving an 


tions uttered. by Jenovau, as the words of his 
divine Lord and Saviour. . Shall confess te God. 


* God’? (Beza,) ‘If these words, which the 
* apostle certainly spake of Jrnovan, be well 
£ applied by the apostle to Christ ; Christ must 
$ also be the Person intended by them: for how 
¢ could the apostle prove, that ‘every knee 
must how” to Christ, from the words of God. 
*. to me every knee shall bow ;” § if Christ were, 
£ in his whole nature and essence, as different 
¢ from that God who spake those words of him- 
¢ self, as is a creature from his great Creator ” 


: 


V. 13—18.. The apostle concludes this part 


ly the Jewish converts, not to judge, censure, or 
condemn one another any more : and he then 
enters on another exhortation, in which the’Gen- 
tile converts were principally concerned., This 
he introduces by using the same word, in some- 
what of a different sense, Instead of exercising 
their judgment about others, let them learn to aet 
judiciously in their own conduct, that they might 
“not ensnare their brethren, or occasion them to 
sin: as if a man should heedlessly lay a stone or 
atrap, in another’s way, which might occasion 
his falling or being hurt. This they would be 
apt to do, by an inexpedient use of lawful things. 
The apostle knew, by the doctrine and revela- 
tion of Christ, that no kind of food was any. 
ionger polluting in itself: yet if a man supposed 
the ceremonial distinctions to be still in foree, 
the meat which he ate, contrary'to his judgment 
and conscience, would be unclean to him; and 
he therefore gught to abstain, till more fully sa- 
tistied. “Now if a strotiger and. better informed 
believer induced his weaker brother, by his ex- 
ample and influence, to eat such things as his 
conscience forbade, and so to bring guilt and 
distress upon himself; it was obvious that he 
did not walk charitably, For his conduct direct: 


* 


bedience, ac 

grand requirements of the moral la 
‘sarictification of the Spirit, 1s the subst 
duties of the kingdom: niee , who in suely 
things serveth and obeyeth Christi s acceptable 
to God, and is approved before men to be a true 
believer, and should therefore. e received as 
such by his brethren, without respect tovhis d 

ferences of opinion or practice. "Po" infer from 
hence, as some have incad ushy done, that a 
peaceable exemplary Christian, who is not too 
rigid in las sentiments, or tinctured with: 


j 


~ . 61. 

) 19 Let us. efore y-follow after the 
“things which mi: e for peace, * and things 
> wherewith on e may edify another. 


2u 4 Peg meat destroy not > the work 
of God. »¢ All things indeed are pure ; . 
a but é¢ is evil for that man who eateth 


: It is e good neither to eat flesh, nor 


Pasa. 14, % & 14, 12—17.jc ver- 14. Matt. 15. 
ll. Acts 16. 15. 
1 Tim. 4¥ 3-5. Tit. 
bas.oh 

ver. LS 21. TOs 
“Col. 3. 12-15. 
12. 14. Jam. 
3 13-18. 1 Pete 3.) 13- 10.31 ¥ ac 

u. Eph. 2, 10, hit} ‘21 Cor, 8 13. 
BS. 2 1 Cor. 1641 DoBe 6 Ae um 


will y be tinea and loved by man- 
kind ; F would imply a censure on Paul, on the 
er. S, on the. prophets, on the most 
‘eminent -believers in every age, nay, on Christ 
himself, as if they had not been so candid and 
liberal as we ought to be: for we know what fa- 
your the world showed them. ‘But in fact the 
men of the Church, and not those of the world, 
are exclusively meant. 
* mind, to make greater account of food, than of 
‘ a brother’ ’s salvation; which they do, who can 
_¢ endure to at, when it L causes a brother to of- 
fend, and 65 gives him occasion c of turning aside 
"¢ from the Gospel. We ought to copy the ex- 
‘ ya ample of Christ, who, so be from destroying 
_£ the weak for food, Poured, out his life for them.’ 
Beza) 

bide’ ss 19—23, The apostle proceeded. to incul 
“cate an assiduous and persevering attention to 
ae interests of peace among Christians, and to 
ali those things by which mutual edification 
~ might be promoted. . Let then none of those 
~~ who understood their liberty, allow their own in- 
- dulgence in any kind of food to counteract the 
work of God, in the conversion ofthe Jews, the 
spread. of the Gospel, or the sanctification of be- 
lievers ; or suffer it to destroy any of |:is rational 
creatures. . Indeed the apostle would have it 
_known, as his decided. judgment, (though he 
_had been educated a Pharlsee,) that all kinds of 
_ Meats were alike pure in themselves : 
__ would be evil fora man to eat them, when it had’ 
_ adirect, tendency to seduce a weak brother into 
Sin, Nay,:so much ought love to preponderate 
over all such considerations, that it would be 
rand right for 2 man to abstain wholly from 
» flesh and wine, and every other indulgence by 
«which his brother would be tempted to. sin, 
uneasy in his conscience, or weakened inhis 

“, hope. and the vigour of his obedience. So that 
, they who had. stronger faith, and assuredly be. 
qitienes. ‘that they might. lawfully eat any kind of 
id; should net make ostentation of it, or im- 

erly seize on every occasion of acting ac- 
ing to it; but rather possess it as in the 


fe 


w hen others judged them on that account: and 
them use their liberty with humility, caution, 


"oem self-denial ;, and without seeming 


CHARTER XIV. 


oa 17. & 15: aI, 
[8 ver 2. 5. 14. 23.}1 1 Cor, 8270 


‘Tt evidences a cruel 


yet at” 
the Jatter. 


God, who would know their uprightness |5 


A. D, 61. 


to drink wine, nor any thing f whereby 
thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or 
is “made weak. 


4 CPracticut Observations.) ” i 

22 Hast € thou faith? have it to thyself 
before God. » Happy és he that condemneth 
not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 
23 Andi ihe that * doubteth 1 is * damn- 
ed if he eat, because he cateth not of 
faith: | for whatsoever i is not of faith is sin. 


BIG 
f ver. 13. Mal. 2 8. ay 6. 1. ‘Jam. $: putteth a difference, 
Matt. 16. 23. & 18-}' 8 Ob between meats. 
+-10, Luke 17. 1, hb ms 15. 24. ‘Acts 24. k.13. 2. 1 Cor. 11.- 
2. Phil. 1. 10, Heb. 16. 2 Cor. 1.12. 1) 29—31- Gr. 

12. 13, Rev. 2 14s} John 35 234.55 Tit 1. 15. tell 
11.6, 


* Or, discerneth, or, 


‘man, to be free from all doubt or self-condemna- 


tion, in those things, which he allowed himself to 
do; but if any one questioned whether any in- 
dulgence were lawful or not, and yet example, — 
persuasion, or inelination prevailed with him to 
venture upon it; he would certainly commit a 
sin, for which his conscience would condemn 
him, and for which even God would condemn 
him, if he did notrepent ofit. For as he did it 
not in faith, as he was not fully persuaded in his 
own mind, that he was allowed by the Scripture 
to do it; he would be guilty of preferring his 
own inclination to the dictates of his conscience, 
and the supposed will of God. In general, every 


action must be sinful, which is not done in a belicy- 


ing apprehension that we are acting according 
to the command, or by the allowance, of God, 
and may therefore consider ourselves to be in 
the way of his promised blessing. It is obvious 
how groundless the scruples of some serious per- 
sons from this text, concerning the Lord’s sup- 
per, must be: for the apostle’s argument is 
wholly about a cad entirely of anether na- 
ture. 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—4. 

It is of great importance for us to distinguish 
between those who are weak in faith, and such - 
as are strangers or enemies to it: for we ought 
to receive, “and affectionately to cherish, the 
former,,but to beware of, and withdraw from, 
It is, however, very difficult for us to 
bear properly with the mistakes, infirmities, and 
prejudice s of our brethren; or to make proper 
allow ances for the weakness of natural capacity, 
the bias of bad education, or the effects of partial 
and erroneous instruction under their first reli- 
gious impressions. We are afl prone to make 
our own Views the standard of truth, to deem 
things certain, which to others appear very doubt- 
ful, to expect by eager disputation to bring men 
to sce with our eyes, fo perplex new converts 
with topics which they cannot as yet understand, 
andto expect them at once fo acguiesce in all those 
truths, which we have been learning for years, 
So that i it is almost impracticable to prevail with 
‘those to receive and hold communion with"each 
other,’ who have been received by the Lerd, and 
enjoy communion with him! Thus some ‘have 


nselves, or to despise their weaker |been expelled by their brethren, or have sepa~ 


re Sarronity be a enyat happiness to a [rated from them ; and contests or schisms, have 


? 


A. D. 61, 


i MRAP. XV, 
“In condescension to the weak, the strong should give 
up thet own will for the good of others, after the 
disgraced the Church, grieved her best friends, 
and rejoiced her enemies : thus Christians have 


despised, or condemned, each other about ioubt- 
ful or unimporiant matters, as if the aye essence’ 


of faith.and piety had been concerned ! ‘The dis- 


_ 4inetions. between meats and days were at ieast| 


as important, as many things which are now 
scontroverted among us; and it was far more 
‘eertain on which ‘side the truth was found ; yct 
men might be real Christians, who could not re- 
@eive even the apostle’s determination of the con- 
troversy. Surely then we should enlarge our 
eandour beyond those narrowlimits which inany 
would assign to it: and if we could demonstrate 
every tittle of our doctrine, and every part of our 
worship, to’ be seriptural ; yet we ought not to 
despise or condemn a man, becaus¢ he is not 
able 'to see)the conclusiveness of our arguments ; 
and if we must assume it as undeniable, that he 
is just as far’ mistaken, as he differs from us ; we 
should at least treat him with that tenderness, 
‘which we show to one, who wants an eye, a leg, 
er an arm. All, who love the Gospel, ought to 
hun such persons as excite divisions among 
those who appear to hate sin and love Christ: 

sand such ‘shibboleths. as -tend to multiply, 
to perpetuate, or to exasperate them; let us 
wease to despise, or judge one another, especial. 
ly about things which are not essential to salva. 
tion: let us beware, that we do not attempt to 
reject, or to cast down, those whom God hath 
zeceived, and will uphold; orto judge and con- 
sdemn his conscientious servants. 

V. 5—12. 

It behooves us to remember our own unworthi- 
mess and fallibility, and the numerous instances 
in which we have been entirely mistaken, when 
confident that we were inthe right : and endea. 
vouring to be fully persuaded in our own minds 
about our conduct, let us leave others to the 
judgment of God. Thus if some deem it expe. 
dient to observe'a day, in commemoration of 
any of those great events which relate to our sal- 
vation, let them spend it in a holy manner to the 
glory of God: and if others judge it best not to 
observe such days, let them act with humble 
simplicity, in dissenting from the opinion and 
practice of their brethren. Then all may be 
done in a quiet, peaceable, thankful, and Chris- 
tian Manner ; a8 it becomes those who profess 
neither “ to live hor to die to themselves, but to 
“shim who died forthem and rose again,” and 
«« ever liveth to be the Lord both of the dead 
¢¢ and of the living.” , Instead, therefore, of cen- 
suring, reviling, deriding, or. despising one an- 
other; let us all prepare to appear before’ the 
judgment-seat of Christ ; as he hath sworn, that 
every knee shall bow, ‘and ey ery tongue shall 
confess to him. We should therefore ‘carefully 
judge ourselves, both as to our state and con 
duct; that our confession of Christ may be 
proved genuine, by our devoted obedience to 


V. 1323. 


ROMANS. ~ > 


Christ, who died for the as’ well as the 
strong.) if: Respuinaias satisfaction in 
competition with thi \dofour breth-. 
ren. Verily it must be $5 weare. 
often faulty in such matters: and good 
comes to be evil Spoken of, beea use ot 4 
ful things in an uncharitable pean send manner.” 
But let us remember that the par pi , 
dience of the Gospel aréjalike saperigr to meats 
and drinks’; and that sy aatagtl “righteous. 5 
** ness, peace, and joy, the Holy Ghost: and 
that when we most highly yalue these spiritual ts 


While we snun sup 
sert our Christian liberty, let 
ual pride, and self-preference: and whilst we i 
pity such as are yet ens! needless observ- — 
ances, let us be careful ot t ) abuse ‘our liberty 
by an inexpedient use of | hinges I 
venturing upon such as_ 
consider what bee our cone 


always: proper. to Jeuthieud the ‘serupul 

some persons; yet when there ‘is; probability 
of grieving, offending, or turning aside, a Weal 
believer, or of stumbling, a hopeful inquirer ; we 
should waive our liberty, if nothing call for t 
exercise of it, excep a on wn indulgen ce... Far : 
surely it cannot be’ an imits tion of Sie love of 


privileges, and abound i in these spiritual duties, | 
we. enjoy the greatest assurance that we are ac- ~ 
cepted by God, and best approve ourselves bes ; 
fore men, to ha, real believers. abaaithe pith ; 
low after all those. things, whieh - neg.) 
and mutual edification; let us. study. SA tien anh 
difference about the most lawful earthly enor 
ments; und learn to renounte w > comes» 
in competition with the welfare of our/brethreny 
the peace of the Church, and the. glory of God. 


Let us pray for more hui ty and self-denial in 
the exercise of our know! more to.regurd 
aur acceptance with God, and less to desire <) mY 
applause of men. . In, every doubtful or indif. 
ferent matter, “‘ happy is he, who 

* not himself in the thing which heal we Pui 
Numbers venture into places, ; pon. actions, 
against which their own: $s revolt, bes) 
cause they are iuduced by inclination, and em 
boldened by. the exam Binge seh onaome,.. ; 


account have, pi cae wom reputation of pious» 
men. But whether the things themselves be 
lawful or not; as. they cannot do them, in faith, 
as. they hesitate concerning. Aigal arameeeaahy 
them, and as they, cannot heartily pray” we: % 
presence and blessing of Pos Soe ; 
condemned for indulging themselyes inate ‘a 
ful case, . But few are so happy as! quite 
free from self- condemnation in 4 that. 
they.allow; a sound judgme: heart,. 
a tender conscience, and an a aie denial, — 
are necessary for the enjoyment of this comfort; 
and most of us see frequent cause to condemn 
ourselves, and, by daily repentance, faith, and 
prayer, to deprecate the merited conderanation 
of our God. 52a, SS Oe 


ial ; ) 
vt D's 1 CHAPTER XV. | : . A yt 


+ «ship of God, 575 shows that the scriptures fore- | _ 5 Now ithe God of patience and con-: 


tell the union ofiJews and Gentiles in the service of solation, grant you to'be like-minded’ 


God ; subjoining his prayers, 8— 135 that he thus) Ohe toward: another; * Sennen to Christ 
exhorts the Christians at Rome, as the apostle of]: 4 


PoaRh Rus 
the Gentiles, 14—16; and his extensive labours Bit us 
hea bss 17—21 : he avows his purpose of 6 That ye may, mi with». ‘aneh ‘mind, ‘and, 
; Rome, i in his way to Spain; desives their] one mouth glority God, even # the e ather 
respect of his previous journey to Je-| of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 9) 
om, with the contributions of the Gentile con-| 97 W7h-yefore: © receive ye one an ak ery 


is, 2282; and prays for them, 33. Pas Christ also it Mi us, 4 to the ¢lor 
1% , ’ glory’ 
7 then that are ® strong, > ought of God. Me 


yy e weak 
/¥__ tobear the infirmities pbine weak, 8 Now *I say, that § a pak Christ was a 


i 
and not to © please ourselves. i ‘ 

FE 2 Let every one of us 4 please his minister of the circumcision. for the truth 
of God, to confirm the prosaic: made une 
neighbour for his good to sti aah haha fotlieanh , 
3 For ¢ even Christ pleased not him-| i : | 
self: but, as it is written, ‘The reproaches| ic And: <pocpobee Gentiles might glorify 
of pet tha ‘reproached thee, fell on me. | 19. & 10. 35, 36 4, 5: ls x01 eile, eat 


4 For’ ‘whatsoever things were written Jam, 5. @—31, 1)m ver 9—11, Zeph, 


f Pet. 1.13, {3.9 Zech. 1 s 9. 4, | Matt. 1. 
aforeti me were. written for our learning ; 


Ni ver, 13. aliens 6 hice 4.24, 24, & 20.28, John! 
s¢ | PS- 86-15. 1 Pet. 3.1) John 10,.29,.30. &| 1.11. Acts 3, 25,26 
h that we through patience; and comfort} 30; 2 Pet. 3.9, 15.| 20. 17. 2 Cor. 1.3, ie & 13. 46, Gal. 4.4, 
‘ k 2Cor. 1.3) 4 8] & 11.31. Eph. 1, 
of the scriptures, might have hope. ae ke ee Be bad i025 
ft 4.20. 1 Cord, 10.) 19-22. & 10. 24.) Ps. 69, 9. 20. & 1112. 16. 2Chr. Soo 14.1—3. Matt. 0. Mic. 7.20. Luke be 
2 Cor. 12. 10. Ephi.| 33. & 11. 1, %& 13} 89-50, 51. Matt: 10+) 12. Jer..32. 39, Wz.) 40. Mark 9. 54—56. Aas 
6. 10, 2 Tim. 2. 1} 5. Phil. 2. 4, 50) 25. John 15. 24. 11, 19, Acts 4. aay Luke 9, 48. Cor. 1. 20. 


John 2 14. ~ 


"Lit. 2.9, 10. eg 4.23, 24. 1Cor.9.) 4 Cor. 1s 10. Matt. 11..28—30, 
bi4.kd “Core 94 22% 


ie Ps. 40. 6-8. Matt} 9, 10. & 10; 11. 2) Cor. 13. 11s bP hil. Luke 15, 2. John 6. 
& 12. 22-24. Gal.| 26. 39..42. John 4, Tim, 3. 16,17. 2) W27e& 2% qe 37. & 13: 34, 
6.1, 2 1 Thes. 6.) 34) & 5. 30. -& 6.1 Pet. 1-20, 21. : 

Ans Arana “& 12[hs. 3-5. & 8: 24, 


uw yer. 16, & 9 23. 

24, & 11. 22. 30. Is. 

24, 15,16. John 10. 
ver. 9, Eph, 1.6—| 16, Eph. 2, 12—23, 
a 12. 18° 2 Thes.| & 3. 1—8. 1 Pew 
1e10—12. 2.9, 10. 

r 3.26, 1 Cor. 1.12» 


2. 1 Pet. 3. 8. 

* Or, after the ex 
j ample of. ver. 3.) 
‘Eph.5. 2. Phil. 2, 


-¢ See on, ver-3- | 27,28, & 14, 30,33.) 25. & 12,12. Ps.119, 
44. 19, 1 Cor. ‘od & 15. 10. PI il, 2.8. 81—83. Heb. 6. 10- 


ih: Tue en 
BY aad ae “NOTES. written for their instruction, as much as for that, 
; CHAP. KV. 'Vi1-3.”” The apostle here pro-|of those to whom they were first delivered ;. 
‘ceeds with the argument of the preceding chap-| whether they contained types, or predictions, ‘of 
ter. He admits that they, who knew their liber-| Christ, |gracious promises, precepts, admoni« 
> “in respect” of the distinctions of meats and] tions, or examples ; in order that by patiently 
‘days, ‘were generally stronger in faith, as well as| cleaving to the Lord in faith and holy obedience, 
“sounder in judgment, than their more scrupulous amidst all their trials and temptations, and by 
‘brethren. But for that reason, they who were] taking comfort from the daily, perusal of the. 
Sable to do it, ought’ to bear with the infirmities of| Scriptures ; they might possess a joyful hope of 
' the weak, who were not able to rise superior to| heaven, notwithstanding past sins and present: 
‘them ; and not to despise them ; but even to dear} manifold defects. He therefore prayed | for them, 
their infirmities by patiently submitting to self:|to that God, who is ‘infinitely patient and long. 
denial on their account, and meekly enduring suffering towards us, who commands us in, like 
their uncliaritable censures ; while they perse | manner to bear with one another, and who is the 
~-yered' in endeavours to promote their welfare, ‘Author and Giver of patience to his people, and 
“and to maintain a peaceful’ communion with the: Source of all their consolations, that he would. 
them. So that, instead of pleasing and gratify. render his exhortations effectual ; and grant 
ing themselves in. the indulgent use of their them to be of one judgment and one heart, dis- 
liberty; or humouring pride, self will, or resent ‘posed to entire harmony and affection, and ful§. 
ment; they ought readily to recede from: their} of disinterested love’ and compassion for each, 
; oWn inclinations, in order to please their neigh” other, ‘after the example of Christ, and accord 
*bour as far as could conduce to his good, or to’ ing to his commands. That s so nothing might, 
mutual edification, by obviating his prejudices, hinder them from. joining, as “ with one ming 
d gaining: ‘upon’'his affections. » Thus Christ,| and one mouth, * in the: worship of God, ire 
' love to sinners, renounced his own ease, glorifying him for his mercies, and adoring his’ 
mfort, and reputation ; exposed himself to the perfections, as the Father of our Lord Jesus 
proach and revilings of the enemies of God ;|Chirist ; who is approached by sinners, through 
d lived in this polluted, miserable world, ex-| his beloved Son, and is,become their reconciled: 
id’ to contempt, calumnies, and persecutions, Father in him. And he again exhorted them to 
he finished his sufferings by the ignominious lay aside prejudices and disputes,.and to receive 
h of the cross, amidst the insults of his em | one another us brethren, without regarding the 
ved murderers : according as it had been| distinctions of Jew and Gentile, or differences of | 
"predicted of him by David, who spoke as a type ‘opinion on these matters : even as Christ had re. 
ofh im. (Notes, &e. Psi 1xix.9./20.) °° | ceived them, without making exceptions to any _ 
Shit The apostle took occasion from | of them; that God might be glorified in their, 
7 at the heal at eth salvation, as he also would be in. their mutual 


HGishtifes's and laud him, all ye people, 


As ms 61. 


God for his mercy; as it is written, * For 
this cause I will confess to thee among 
the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 

10 And, again. he, saith, 1 Rejoice; re 


Gentiles, with his people. 
41 And again, 2 Praise the Lord, all ye 


‘12 “And again Esaias saith, “There shall 


‘bea root of Jesse ; “and he that shall rise 


to reign over the: ‘Gentiles, ¢ in him shail 
the Gentiles trust. {asses 

“43 Now, ‘¢the God of popes e fill you with 
all joy and peace in believing, that ye may 


ts girscnapethir. en the power of| glory through Jesus Christ # nt 


the Holy Ghost. - 

14 { And & I myselfalso am persuaded 
of you, my brethren, that ye also age »follli 
x 2 Sam, 22, 50. Pay 6: Dan, 2. 44, & 74 5+2% Eph. 2. & 

18. 49. | 14. Ase 4¢1—3. &) 5.18, 19. .2 Thess 
y Deut. 32 43. Psi}, 5. 4. 2.16,17- 1 Pet. 4. 

66, 14. & 67. 3,4./c Jer. 16.19. & 17.| 8. 

& 68.89. & 97%. 1.1'5—7. “Matt, 12. 21. £5.4,5. & 12) 12. 

& 94.3.4. & 138.| 1 Cor. 15. 19. Eph.!' 2 Cor. 9. 8. Heb. 6 

4, 5. Is. 29a. 14—16.| “1. 12, 13, 2 Tim. 1.) 11, 


& 42, 10—12. oy Marg, 1 Pet.1.|g Phil. 1.7 
& Ps. 117.4. 1, 5, Philem. 2. 
i Is. 11. 1. 10. Rev. a aR 5. Jev. 14, 8. usb 9. 2 Pet. 1. 


5. 5. & 22. 16. Joel 3.16. 1 Tim.) 12. John 2, 21, 

B Gen. 49. 10. Ps.} 1.2 h Phil 1. 11. Col. 1s 

= 4a—12. & 22, 27,/e 14. "17. Ts. 55.12] 810, 2 Pet 1, 
R72. 8—10, 17.) John’ 14..1.27. Gal.| 58. . 

may 42, 1-4, & 49, : 


“V. 8—13: In order to unite Jews and Gen- 
tiles in one church, and ‘conciliate them to each 


ether, Jesus Christ had assumed his human na- 


ture among the Jews ; he had’submitted to cir- 
cumeisign, and exercised: his personal ministry 
with unwearied labour and self-denial, among 
circumcised persons; and he com anded his 
apostles to preach the Gospel to the Jews in the}: 
first place, Thus he fulfilled the predictions 
and promises delivered to the fathers of that na- 
tion : the Gentile converts could therefore have 
no pretence’ for despising them. On the other 
hand, after Christ’s ascension, the Gospel ‘had 
by his command been extensively preached 
among the Gentiles, and with vast success ; that 
they also- might glorify God for his mercy, as it 


had been predicted by the ‘ancient prophets; | 


(Notes, Deut. xxsii. 43. Ps. xviii. 49; exyil. 2s. 
xi. 1—10.) So that the Jewish converts could 
have no reason to exclude or shun the Gentiles, 
whether they regarded the’ will of their ascend: 
ed Lord; or the prophecies of the Séripture. In 
the last quotation, it had been shown that the 
Gentiles were to trust, or hope, in’ that Messiah, 
who was to reign over them: hence the’ apostle 
took occasion to pray, that God, the Author and 
Object of hope, wouid’ fill them with abundance’ 
of spiritual joy and peace, by enabling them sim’ 
ply to believe in him, as Pevéaled in his belayed 
Son, and as relying on his ‘gracious promises 7 
that so they might attain to an assured; abiding, 
realizing, and anticipating hope of éternal life, 
through the’sanctifying and comforting energy 
of the Holy Spirit. - Aejoice, &e: (10.) ©The He- 
‘brew interpreters ender’ the oripinal, (Deut. 
XXxii. 43.) ** Celebrate, O ye nations, his peo- 
** pie.” * Certainly the nations could not cordial- 


© ly extol the people as happy and blessed; un: ye dba towards them also. — "01 it 


* 


area ot ". 


ROMANS. 


|ing sanctified by the 


had never seen them, 


|as well as with Knowle dg e ib 


same particulars, to put d em in’ 


‘ 


of goodness,” filled! with aw 
i able ate eae nionis! 


has) putting you D 
grace that is given to me 
vole That ® l'showld 


Jesus Christ to the Gen 


the gospel of God, hat? the 
of the Gentiles might 


(Practical Obseromonn) a 


'-17 I have therefore hy wh 


sey which pertain t 


1 Cor, 3.10, Be 15, hs ee 20, 24 
10..Gali 1. 15,16.) 3. % 17 
& 2:9. Eph, 5%, 


« apostle, as it were, se 
‘hortations with prayers ; tne 
* bestow on them the = things whic hhe c 
‘ed? (Beza.) Reign over, &c, (4 
* which is out of the Hele Me ightly 

for an ensign,” § is by poe | 


eek 
* to bear rule :” ¢ cei eet % 
‘king to defend, and ms. 
‘ people.” Te pe ja 4 ns er 


V. 14—17. The ap postle, be 
clude his epistle, shows d > Ro 


earnest and copious a ‘ms 
arise from any doubt that 

cerning them ; for he was ful 
they, were replete with t 

and affectionate spirit, w rich. 


Gospel, so as to be able to 4 
without other. assistan 
written with the ‘more 


of their duties and their 
had peculiarly favoured him 3 
hith to bé the apostie’ an¢ _ th 
Christ: ‘to the ‘Gentiles. | ( ec 
try’ required him to preacl h the ( 7 
the’ Gentiles, and to superi e 
(as She } priest used to do the 
burning of incense,) in ord 
aud service Ss might be prese| 
ceptable’ aniner, by the Ni. : 
Priest within the yeil, being 
gifts and graces of the Holy’s Spirit ; : 
tore thought’ himself called on to at 


lw ee 


“st fy ? 
eras Pe 


3 


COAPTER XV. « 4 


ALD. 61; 


18 For t iwillnot dare to speak of any dest Ishould ¢ build upon another man’s 


of those things " which Christ hath not 

wroughys by me,* to make the ca 
dient, ¥ by: » word and deed, 

c qeecueh z mighty signs and won- 


yall Jerusalem, and round about 
| Hlyricum, I hayes fully pepectiod 
1¢ Gospel of Christ. it 
. Yea, 4 so have I strived to preach 
‘the Gospel, not where Christ was named, 
2 Cor. “10. 4, 


t Prov- 25. 14. 2; Se] 11. 1 Pet. le 126 
Heb. 5, 9: & 11. 8Jb ver. 24. Acts 9. 28, 


10. 13—18. &) He 
- & 12 6.y Col. 3.17.2 Thes.} 29. & 13. 4,5, 4 
ude 2.77. Jam. 1. 22. 51, & 14. 6. 20, 21. 
O aleck: bien Acts} 1 John 3. 18. 25, & 16. 6—i2. & 
14, 27. & 15. 4, 12-\2 Acts 14, 10. & 15.] 17. 10415. & 18. 1. 
eke 16. 18. & 19, 
11, 12. *2 Cor. 12. 
a Gal. 3. 5. Heb. 


Matt. 12,28. Acts 
18—20. Acts 26.20.' 1. 8. Src aers 


e Acts 20. 20. Col. 
«2 Time 4. 17. 
a. 3 Core 10. 14—16. 


ant. trust he had some. ground of eines not in 
himself, buf in the unmerited and rich favour of 
Jesus Christ towards him, not in carnal things, 
but in those that pertained to God and his 
worsliip. 

V. 18—21.. “The apostle’s success had cor- 
epgnendest to ‘the importance of the trust dele- 
Eivist ha him. He would not speak of what 

t had not indeed wrought by him, in bring- 
ing the heathen nations to obey the truth, in, 
word an and deed, It seems some teachers were 
forward to do this: but he would not venture to 
do himself, hoes he condemned as folly and sin 

er men. (Notes, 2 Cor. x. 12—16. Jude 

What had been done was indeed entirely 
= ‘work, of Christ ; but he had chosen to make} < 
use ‘of him as his instrument. His preaching 
had been attended with extraordinary miracles, 


wrought by the power of the Holy Spirit, whose 
divine agency | ‘had also disposed the hearts: of 
the hearers" to. embrace the Gospel. So that 


from Jerusalen sm, in a very extensive circle of 
some thousands of miles, even to Illyricum on the 
borders of Italy, he had fully preached the Gos- 
pel of Christ, and instructed vast multitudes with 
t accuracy in that holy doctrine. Indeed it 
Fed been his ambition, (so the original word sig- 
fies,) to carry the glad tidings of salvation to 
thas who had not before heard of Christ ; and 


fir “assault on the kingdom of satan, in 
ag Nor was he disposed in general to 

id on ‘the foundation laid by other ministers, 
vere competent to carry on the work which 
‘happily begun ; but rather to fulfil the 
pture, which foretold, that many nations and 
Would see and understand such things as 
had before been strangers to. (Nore, Is. 
) « Probably, i in mentioning this, he may 
those false apostles, who crept into 
which he had planted, and endea- 
establish their own reputation and in- 
e, by alienating the hearts of his 
from him ; while, like some in 


the power of the Spirit of God ;} » 


face the dangers and hardships of making 


3 ey b built on his grand and noble} 
r~ 8 


foundation : 
2i But.as-it is written, To otlee he 


was not spoken of, they shall see: and 


they that have not heard, shall understand. 
[Practical Observations,} 


22 For which cause also I have been 
* much hindered from coming to you. 

23 But now having no more place in 
these parts,» and having a great desire 
these many years to come unto you; 

24 Whensoever 'I take my journey into 
Spain, I will come to you; fort trust to 
see you in my journey, Kand to be brought 
on my way thitherward by you, ! if first I 
be somewhat filled ¢ with your company. 


e1 Cor. 3. 9—15.) or, oftentimes. Ik Acts 15.3. & 21. 
Eph. 2, 20—22, h ver. 32. & 1. 10—| 5. 2 Gor. 1. 16. 

5 22. 1 Thes. 3.10. 2|1 1. a 1 Cor. 16. 
ei 13. 1 Thes. 2. 


Tim. 1 s— 

i ver. 3. © nets 19. {ts Gr with you. ver. 
bd Be: many ways,| 2. 
‘foundation, an edifice of wood, and hay, and 
©stubble.” By word and deed: (18.) ‘ By the 
‘ manner, in which. he hath enabled me to speak, 
‘and the things which he hath strengthened me 
©to perform.” (Doddridge.) As there is no pre- 


position in the Greek, the clause may be ren- 
dered, “in word and deed,” and applied, as 


above, to the obedience of the Gentiles ; and this 


‘seems better to accord with the general language 


of Scripture. (Marg. Ref) Unto Dlyricum. 
(19. ) ‘I do not think, ; that these words necessa- 
« rily import, that St. Paul had penetrated into 
“Ilyricum ; but rather that he had*tome to the 
« confines of Iilyricum ; and that these confines 
« were the external boundary of his travels. Ily- 

vicum adjoins unto Macedonia; measuring 
« from Jerusalem towards Rome, it lies close be- 
‘hind it. 1f therefore St. Paul traversed the 
‘ whole country of Macedonia, the route would 
‘ necessarily bring him to the confines of Illyri- 
‘cum. Now the account of St. Paul’s second 
‘visit to the peninsula’ of Greece is contained in 
* these words. ‘* He departed for to go into Ma- 


“ cedonia, and when he had gone over those parts, 


‘and had given them much exhortation, he 
“came into. Greece.” ‘ This account. allows, 
“or rather leads us to suppose, that St. Paul, in 
. going over Macedonia, had passed so far to the 
west, as to come into those parts of the coun- 
‘try which were contiguous to Illyricum, if he: - 
‘did not enter into Iyricum itself. The history 
© and the epistle, therefore, so far agree ; and the 
‘ agreement is much strengthened by a coinci-. 
‘dence of time. At the time when this epistle 
* was written, St. Paul might say, in conformity to 
‘ the history, that he had come unto Mlyricum = 
* much before this time he could not have said 
‘so ; for upon his former journey into Macedo- 
‘nia, his route is laid.down, from the time of his 
‘landing at Philippi, to his sailing from Corinth ; 
‘which confines him to the eastern side ef the 
‘ peninsula, and therefore keepshim all the 
¢ whileat.a considerable distance fiom Hivricum.” 
(Paley. 2 eee 


25 But now ™ I'go unto Jerusalem, to 
minister unto the saints. 

26 For ™ it hath pleased them of Mace- 
denia and Achaia to make a certain con- 
tribution, for ° the poor saints which are 
at Jerusalem. 

“27 Tt hath pleased them verily; Pand 
gest debtors they are. For if ‘the Gen- 
tiles have been made partakers of their 
spiritual things, their duty is also to ‘mi- 
nister unto them in carnal things. © 

“28 When therefore I have performed 
this,;'dand have sealed to them this fruit, 
*T will come by you into Spain. 

- 29 And lam sure that when I come 
unto you, I shall’come *in the fulness of 
the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 


™m ver. 27-31. Acts] 11. Matt, 25. 40. &Jq Phil. 4. 17-. Col, 
18. 21. & 19. Ql. &] 26. 11. Luke 6. 20.) 1. 6: 
20. 16. 22. & 24.17.) & 14, 13.1 Cor. 16./r ver. 24. Prov. 19, 
1 Cor. 16,1—3. Gal., 15. 2Cor. 9. 12) 21. Lam. 3. 37, 
2.10. Ebileme 5. Jam. 2. Ha 4.13—15. 


n Acts 11. 27—30. 1.11. Ps. 16, 11. 

2Cor, 8. & 9. Gal. ry abe 17, rages Ez. 34 26. Eph. 1. 

6. 6—10. 11, Gal. 6. 3. & 3.8, 19. & 4. 
-— @ Prov. 14.21.31. &] Philem. 19. 13. 

17. 5. Zech. 11. 7+ 


V. 22—29. As the’ Romans were already fa- 
voured with the Gospel; it did not accord with 
the apostle’s plan to leave his more urgent em: 
ployment to go among them ; and'this had long 
hindered. him from visiting them. © But, as he 
had now brought the churches which he had 
planted, to establishment in the faith; and as he 
’ had no immediate call to any new scene of ac: 
:' 4 tion, in the parts where he had before laboured: 
. so he purposed to gratify the desire, which he 

had for many years experienced, of ‘going to}i 
f Rome. Buthe also intended a journey into Spain, 
‘ a large country still much further to the west, 
where probably the Gospel had ‘not’at that time 
\ been preached : in his way he purposed to stay 
ey! for a time at Rome; and when he had in part 

Satisfied his affectionate desire of communing 
with the believers there, heiexpected they would 
help him forward toward Spain. But in the mean 
. time, he must take a long journey in the oppo- 
j 


site direction, in order to perform an’ important 

service to the poor Christians’at Jerusalem, for 

whom the Gentile converts had raised’a very li: 

beral contribution.  Fhis they had done'willing- 

: ly ; but indeed they were in'some respects debt- 
orsto them. For the Jewish preachers had first 
carried the Gospel among them’; and the’primi- 
tive believers there had impoverished themselves 
in promoting that doctrine, the blessing of whieh 
} they now shared with the Gentiles; whose duty 
| it therefore Was to communicate to themof that 
temporal abundanée, which was’so generally 
spentin a carnal manner. When, therefore, he 
had performed this service, and ‘had affixed his 
seal, as it were, to this good fruit produced by 

' the Gentiles, in order to conciliate the minds of |; 
their Jewish brethren ; he intended to. pass by 
Rome to Spain, And whenever he should be 
permitted to come to them, he was’ confident, 
hat he should be employed to communicate to 


A. D. 63. ROMANS. > 


‘gether with me in your prayers to God 


“my service which I ss : Jerusalem 5 


* 6. 19, 20. Col. 2.1, 


vs Aets 21, 27—31.je Acts 18. 


_ 30 Now I beseeth you, ‘brethren; 
the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for — 
the love of the Spirit, * that ye striveyto- — 


for me ; <a 
a i ered from the 


in Judea ; Zand 1 a2 
may be * accepted of the s in 
32 That >i may come w 
joy °by the will of God, 
you be refreshed. "5 ehaneemenel 


33 Now «the God ee bo 


all. Amen. 


i > Aa nage. | oy 


t 2 Cor, 4.5. 11. &] 25.2, 3.24.1 Phes.) Cor. 16.18. 2 
12. 10. 1 Tims 6.| 2-15) 1 A fi -1‘Thes. 
13, 14. 2 Tim. 4, 1.]* Or, are i 0) Caen 
ys Bs 143. 10. Phil.|z ver. 25, 26 O 

"Ge 32, 24—20, eemlpe 
x cn, — S22. 
2 Cor. 1. 11. - 


12 eases Ee 


& 22,24. & 23. 
Proy. 25. 13. 


—24, & 24.1-9. & 


1. 
2. & 4. 12, ae i}, 4 
Thes. 5. 7 i 
Thes. 3.1. ike 2—1 


them an abandant sup} 
consolations, and blessi 
to sinners by the Gospel of Chi 
would certainly be edified, e i 
ed, ‘and increased in numbers, - by 
bis preaching, and the miraculous - 
he should be employed to impart 
the apostle never lost sight of bis 
slip any opportunity of meule 
between the Jewish and Gentile hate 
1.18. ii. 1.) It is not known, wheu 
the ever accomplished his intend 
Spain. But as Clement, | 
the first'century, said,) tate 
« utmost bounds of the west ;” 
ble that he did. He, tower 
a very different nn ee 
I go to. Jerusalem. 
* Here at length, but. oe 
ent writings, we have o 
circumstances, which th 
mans brings toge 
Achaia for the Chri 
tribution in Maceds 


rusalem.  We'have these. circumst: st: 
by some hint in the passage in 
‘tioned or by the date of the 


and we have that time, 
‘amination, to be invall 
wards the close of St. 
« peninsula. of Greece,’ 
the writing of this epistle ul 

the narrative of the Se 


€ 
& 
‘ 
‘ 
‘ 
. 
¢ 
‘ 
c 
s 
« 
- 
‘ 


those'events Wobk place. ‘Some date ¢ 
58, others A. D. 60, or 61, 
~W.'30—33.. The opel nded | his 
ney ‘to Jerusalem as of so Bi th 


5 


” oe: 


A. D. 61. 


‘CHAP. XVI. 
The apostle eommends Phebe to the Christians at 
Rome; and sends salutations to many by name, 
1—16. He warns them against those, who eaus- 


he t not to decline it ; yet he was aware, | 
‘be attended with great danger and 
ty, through the enmity of the Jews, und 


the ei prejudices even of the Christians 
against him; which neither his zeal in their be- 
half, nor the liber ality of the Gentile converts, 
could counterbalance. He therefore besought 
the Romans, for the sake of Christ, their com. 
mon Lord, and for that loye’s sake which the 
Spirit of Christ had wrought in their hearts to 
each other, (according to his own most loving 
nature and conduct towards them ;) that they 
would earnestly unite in.prayers for him; that he 
might be protected from the malice of the unbe- 
lieving or disobedient Jews, who would other- 
‘wise disappoint all the plans which he had form 
ed ; and that the prejudices of the Jewish be 
lievers might be so removed, that they might ac- 
€ept and take in good part, the service which he 
went to perform. That so, if the Lord pleased, 
he might not come to them grieved and disap 
pointed; but with joy and comfort; and also 
have his spirit refreshed and enlivened by join- 
ing with them in thanksgivings to God, and by 
what he witnessed of the grace bestowed upon 
them. In the mean time-he prayed, that the 
God of peace, as reconciled to believers in Christ, 
and as disposing them to live together in peace 
and harmony, might be with them all, for their 
comfort, and to prevent all disputes and divi 
sions among themselves. 
SROGEICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

4) y. 1—7. 
“The powerful’ of this world often domineer 
over the weak, but it ought not to be so in the 
Church of Christ : on the contrary every one, in 
proportion as he is strong in faith and grace, 
should be tender, patient, and compassionate, to 
the feeble-minded, to those who are compassed 
with infirmities ; perplexed in their views ; ha- 
rassed with scruples, doubts, and temptations ; 
and unable to enjoy the peace and comfort of the 
Gospel, though they appear to walk in the obe- 
dience of it. Even if their infirmities be attend- 
ed with bigotry, censoriousness, or peevishness’; 


we ought still te bear with and pity them, and to. 
submit to self-denial for their good : and instead. 
‘of pleasing ourselves whatever may become of 
em, we ought to give up our own humour and 
imclination, as far as we can please them for their 
‘good to edification ; though we must not be men- 
pleasers, or help to deceive them by our flatter- 
If any man deem himself 


2s and compliances. 
=, and he be at the same time disposed to 

ile, despise, condemn, and reject, the weak 
nd scrupulous, because they. cannot accede to 
s whole system, it is evident that pride and 
shness are stronger in his heart, than faith 
t ce; and that he hath more of “ the 
noe that puffeth up, than of the love 
that edifieth.” He i is the most advanced Chris- 


CHAPTER XVI. 


4. D.6i. $ 


' ed divisions and offences, 17-20. He names sv- 
veral brethren, who joined in their salutations of 
them, 21—23. | He concludes with prayers for 
them, and ascriptions of glory to God, 2i—27. 


and to endure reproach and suffering, after His 
example, and in prosecution of that great design 
for which He shed his blood : and. if, in doing 
this, we are reviled by furious zealots, and un- 
charitable bigots, we may, with humble accom- 
modation, use the Redeemer’s wards, * the re- 


* prdaches of them that reproached thee, are 
“ fallen upon me.” For whatever is written 


either in the Old or the New Testament, is in- 
tended for our instruction, and may be applied 
to our case, for our direction and encotrage- 


ment ; that by patient faith, persevering obedi- 


ence, and comfort derived from the word of God, 


‘ we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the bless- 
‘ ed hope of everlasting life, as given to us-in 
© Jesus Christ. Thus relyi ing on the mercy and 
truth of the God of all patience and consolation ; 
we should | pray continually, that we, and our 
brethren in Christ, may be like minded towards 


one another after bis example ; that the divisions 


of the Church being healed, all who are called 
by his name ** may glorify God, even the Father 
“of our Lord Jesus, with one mind and with 
“ one mouth.” And till this perfect union shall 
be effected, we should learn to agree, notwith- 


standing our. differences about non-essentials ; 


and to receive one another as brethren, w hile we 
hold the great doctrines of salvation for sinners 
by the blood and Spirit of Christ ; and this*will 


tend greatly to the credit of the Gospel, and the 


glory of God. ; 
V.8—21. 

. The whole plan of redemption is suited to re- 
concile us to one another, as well as to our gra- 
cious God ; and we may say of every contention 
among Christians, ‘An enemy hath done this.” 
The fulfilment of ancient promises and prophe- 
cies, in the coming of Christ among the Jews, 
and in the great success of the Gospel among ~ 
the Gentiles, and through distant nations and 
languages, that they might glorify God for his 
merey, and hope in that * Branch from the Root 
* of Jesse,” who was raised up to reign over 
them, should teach us to cease from our mur- 
murings and disputings, and to join in grateful 
praises and thanksgivings to him, who glories in 
his merciful victories among the heathen, and 
hath called them to rejoice with his people. If 
we would have the God of hope te fill our 
hearts “ with all peace, and joy in believing,” 
(anda sinner can have abiding holy joy and 
peace in no other way,) if we would “ abound in 
hope by the power of the Holy Ghost ;” we must 
rely on, and pray for, the teaching and influen- 
ces of that divine Agent ; and we must be care- 
ful neither to grieve him by our evil tempers or 
sinful. passions, nor to quench his sacred fire, 
by negligence, .or procrastination : for thus we 
often bring. darkness and disconsolation upon 
ourselves. We should hope the best of others, 
and commend what is good in their conduct : 
but they who. are really most full of goodness 
and knowledge, and able to admonish one an. 


AyD ‘61. . ROMANS.) )- 
ie a COMMEN ca untor you Phebe bour '| succourer of; iiiany. 


church hich 3 is at a Cenchrea : 

sgl ‘That ¢ ye receive her in the Lota, 
fas. becometh saints; and that ye.assist 
her in whatsoever business. she hath 
need of you: & for she hath. been a 


a 2 Cor. 3.1. 9, 10. 2 John 10. 3 John } 
Db Matt. 12. 50. Mark Fy ‘Acts 18. 18. 6—10. 

10. 30. 1 Tim. 5. 2i!e 15. 7. Matte 10. Eph. 543. Phil. 1. | 
Jam. 2.15. 1 Pet.| 40—42, & 25, 40.) 27. Bie 2. 10, 
1. 22, 2 Phil. 2.29. Col. 4.) Tit. 2,3, ‘ 
e€ Luke 8. 13, 1'Tim.! 10. Philem. 12. 17.[e vere 3, 4 ‘. 9% 23, 


sive ra her ee ne aie 
the Gentiles, ) > 
Acts 9. 36, 39. 41. °. 16.) 22, 42. Mie. i 
Phil. 4 14-19, 2 ‘16. ey ee heh Bae ee 
ann ay 
ny whee 2. 


Tim. 1. 
& 
“| 
4 


h Acts 18. 2. 18, 26, Phi. 80 
i a 1922 Tim-} 3.16.) 
I Josh 


a pl a ee 
other, will be most thankful to be reminded of their 
duty, and cautioned against danger, ‘by these who 
are authorized to watch over them; who have 
obtained grace to bé faithful in their’ ministry ; 
and who evidently desire that the persons “and 
“services of their brethren may be acceptable to 
God, through Jesus Christ, being sanctified by 
the Holy Ghost. It is indeed an honour to be 
employed by the Lord Jesus ; and for him to 
work by us, in those things which pertain to. 
God, and in rendering sinners obedient in word 
and deed. But the whole glory must ultimately 
be referred to him : osténtation should carefully 
be avoided in speaking on such subjects ; and it 
is seldom expedient to mention ourselves in these’ 
Matters, except as we want to obviate men’s 
rejudices against our ministry, when they im- 
~- pede our usefulness. But indeed, how trivial 
are the labours, and how limited is the useful- 
ness of most of us, when compared with those 
of the apostle, whose ministry was attended with | 
the power of the Holy Ghost, in so remarkable-a 
degree, and whose unwearied labours would ad-} 
mit of no bounds, but those of the human: spe-|) 
cies, or of his own life? It is honourable, when 
“ministers, who have the opportunity, boldly face. 
opposition and hardship im earrying the Gospel | 
to those places,"where Christ hath not:yet. been 
named; and when ‘they would rather make 
‘irruptions into the uninvaded provinces of satan’s 
dark domain, than stay to garrison such as have 
already been torn from him, This is a noble 
ambition; but as most of us must-in some mea- 
sure build upon the foundation that others ‘ave 
laid before us; we should at least take heed |: 
how we build thereon, that our superstructure e} ATS ) 
may not disgrace or expose pee foundation, ' person in “gtd circumstance i: LTim, 
as is too often the case.’ L |v.9—16.). The Chiistian’ atRome were exhort- — 
Si & Vi29—5 | led to receive her to their fellowship, and also to 
Our best desires may meet mee many hitter. assist and support her in the business) whi 
auces ; our well concerted pians may be disap-| brought her thither ; asshe had been helpful to 
“pointed ; ‘our very prayers may seem to remain many~ Christians, | and’ to’ Paul also, “who was | 
nanswered : but, proceeding in the path of du-/not backward to achieve dge his obligations — 
HOSE Sat} a ‘peli dts he 
V8, 4 Aquila afiiaee 
turned to Rome; thoagh 
they had been at Ephesu 


of blessing in the coibe ‘of ¢ ee, 
should expect to know and to communicate, but 
with which numbers are totally unaequainted, — 
and which most of us experience ina degree far 
beneath what the primitive believers did) We 
should, therefore, strive together in our prayers. 
for each other, that for Christ’s sake, and by the 
love of the Spirit, a great’ ble. 1g may come © 
upon the souls of Christians, ithe labours of | 
ministers ; that env s prejudice, and a va party- — 
spirit may not pitipadethe: faithful . zealous ser- Re 
vants of Christ from being accepted by the saints, 
in theirdisinterested endeavours to do them good, 
(as frequently is the case,) but: chonane 
meet the people, wherever they go, with Je Ag 
and may by them be refreshed; and that 't 
God of peace may be the ever present Comforter 
of all, who “love the Lord” Jesus Christ in’ sin- 
**veerity i: Amen’) 656 Aika tp dahlia fae 
: eh ER a A) 


g) Saleeee NOTES. Si aR eS ig it : 
“CHAP. XVI V. 4, 2. “It is) probable, that 
this epistle was sent by Phebe, ‘accordi 
what is added at the end ofiit in our Bibles; Ps 
as these additions aré of no atithority, and some- — 
times: palpably erroneous, they are not here in- 
serted, Cenchrea was the Sea:port of | ‘Corinth, — 
(where a separate Church was: founded,)- which s)which 
shows that the apostle wrote from Corinth. Phe- 
be acted’ as a servant, or a a ‘to the 
Church at Cenchrea, and was probably en , 
in relievi ing the ine Peengegs amon; 


“ty with self-denying zealand ‘lovey: endeavouring 
to conciliate the minds of Christians’ to one. 
another, and to excite them to emulation only in’ 
good works; and seeking ourcomfort in comman- s 
“ion with God and his saints; all wili surely termi-|1, 2.2428. 4 Cor vi 19.) hey had 
hate to our advantage ; and even-the services, éd their lives: in protecting ‘the apostle at 
which we would have performed and could not, /sus, aa if they. had béen Higa to 
‘sshall be graciously accepted and rewarded. The |their own necks, and to’ be behe 
rich believer should deem himself a debtor to|stead + and «2s his life was so useful tO. 
' the poor, ‘and they who have ‘been made parta-| churches of the Gentiles, they 
kers of spiritual blessings, ‘should count it their | were under the Steines” 


duty to minister in’ carnal things to those, ee, gare’ his « 


J -z 4 bin. i sf -_— « 


mea... -3 
5 Likewise greet =the church that is 


in their house. Salute °my well-belov-|’ 


ed E penetus, P who is the first-fruits of 4 
Acasa brist 
6 Greet Mary, * who bestowed nero 
us. 
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, * my 
msmen, and t my fellow-prisoners, 
‘are of note among. the apostles, 


y 
i. 


15. Jams 1.18. Rev.| 35. Tim. 5.10. 
14. 4. $s ver. 11. 21. 

q 15. 26. Acts: 18./t-2 Cor. 11.23, Cole 
2+ 27, 2 Cox. 1, 1s ‘ a Philem. 23. 


9. 2. 1.9. 
r ver. 12; Matt. 27.,u Gul se, ti 


paatt. 18. 20. 1 
‘Gor. 16. 19. Col. 4. 
hilem- 2. 
aot ©. ¥p. 3 John, . 
oe 


'p 11.16. 1 Cor. 


good wishes to- aan, and to the Church in their 
house; or to the several Christians, of whom 

their family. was composed, and who met con- 

to worship God. ‘ Priscilla 


tinually 
¢ and. Aquila had originally been inhabitants of) ¢ 


CHAPTER XVI. 


A D. 61. 
who also * were’ in Christ. before’ me. 

8 Greet. Amplias” y my beloved in the 
Lord. 

9 Salute Urbane,” our helper in n Christ, 
and Stachys my beloved. 

~10 Salute Apelles *approved in Christ. 
Salute them which’ are bof Aristobulus’ 
* household. 

11 Salute. Herodion my insman. Greet 


X81. Is. 45. 172 Eph. 2. 10. 1 John 1 Cor. 
| Cor. 


25. Jolin 6. 56. &| 4.13.& 5.20. | 
3.10. 1 Pet. 1.7. 
} 2 Tim. 4. 19. 


y ver. 5.Phil. 4, 1. 
14. 18. Deut. &. alt Or taenas 


11,49. 2 
9.& 
1s 80. 2Cor.| 1 John 3. 14. 


5. ay 21. Gal. 1.)z ver. 2, 3. 21. © 
22. & 5. rah eeon 


© tradiction would have ensued ; firaty: because, 
* when the epistle to the Corinthians was writ- 
* ten, Aquila and Priscilla were along with St. 
* Paul, (1 Cor. xvi. 19.) and because, secondly, 
the history.dces not allow us to suppose, that 


* Rome.” (Acts xviii.2.) ‘ They were connect-} 
¢ ed, therefore, withthe place to which thé sa-}* 
« lutations were sent. St. Paul became acquaint- |‘ 
«ed with them at Corinth during his first visit} *. 
¢ into Greece. They accompanied him upon his | ‘ 
¢ return into Asia ; were settled for some time] ‘ 


between the'time of their becoming acquaint- 
ed with him, and.the writing of that epistle, 
they could have gone back to Some, so as to 
have been saluted in an epistle to-that city ; 
and then have come to St. Paul at Ephesus, so 
as to be joined with him in saluting the Church 


€ at Ephesus; (Acts xviii. 19-26.) and appear! 
€ to have been with St. Paul when he wrote from 

© that. place his first epistle to the Corinthians. 

© (1 Cor. xvi. 19.) Not long after, he went from 
« Ephesus into Macedonia, and after ‘he had 
gone over those parts,” proceeded from thence 

© on his second visit into Greece ; during which 

¢ visit, or rather at the conclusion of it, this 

¢ Epistle was written. We have, therefore, the 
/£ time of St. Paul’s residence at Ephesus, after 
-* he had written to the Corinthians, the time 
-* taken up by his progress. through Macedonia, 
‘and his three months’ abode jin Greece : we 
have the sum of these three periods allowed 
_* for Aquila and Priscilla going back to Rome, 
*.so as to be there when the epistle was written. 

* Now what this leads us to. observe, i is the dan- 
.* ger of scattering names: and circumstances in 
* writings like the present ; how implicated they 
-* often are with dates and. places; and that 
-¢ nothing but truth can preserve consistency. 
«Had the notes of time in this epistle fixed the | 
_ $ writing of it to any date, prior to St. Pauls 
_.“ first residence at. Corinth, the salutation of 
-¢ Aquila and Priscilla. would have contradicted 
)& the history; because it would have been-prior 
st ‘to his acquaintance with these persons. If the} ¢ 
_# notes of time had fixed it during that residence. 
/ * atCorinth ; during his journey to Jerusalem, 
< when he first returned out of Greece ; or dur- 
ing his progréss through the Lesser Asia, upon 
hich he proceeded to Antioch ; an equal 
contradiction would have been incurred : be- 
use it appears, (Acie xvii, 2—26.) that-dur- 
ing all this time, they were either with St. 
_ or abiding at Ephesus., Lastly, had the 
tes of time in. this. epistle, which we have 
; be perfectly incidental, compared with 
notes of fime:i in the first-epistle to the Co- 
ed oe nme to be either contem-, 


at Corinth. As it is, all things are consistent.’ 


[ (Paley:) The author has transeribed this pas- 


sage, chiefly to give the less learned reader an 
idea and a specimen of the manner, in which 


‘able critics can, almest in all cases, detect lite- 


rary forgeries, and establish the authenticity of 
ancient writings. »This is peculiarly needful, in 
an age of bold infidelity, in which'the most con- 
fident assertions are made, and suppositions ad- 
vanced, without the shadow of proof: as if 2 
literary forgery were’ attended with little difficul- 
ty, or danger of detection ! when in fact it is 
nearly the most difficult thing that can possibly 


-be attempted, and scarcely ever escapes detec- 


tion. ©‘ St. Paul’s contention at Corinth was with 
‘unbelieving Jews, who.at first “opposed and 
s blasphemed,”-* and afterwards “ with one 
“ accord raised an insurrection against him.” 


Aquila and Priscilla adhered, we may con- 


© clude, to St. Paul, throughout this whole con- 
* test (Acts xviii. )—It is highly probable, they 
* should be-involved in the dangers and persecu- 


6. tions which St. Paul underwent from the Jews, 


«as they, though Jews, were assisting to him, 
‘ in preaching to the Gentiles at Corinth. They 
« had taken a decided part in the great contro- - 

« yersy of that day, the admission of the Gen- 
*« tiles toa parity of religious Situation with the 
© Jews. ,For this conduct alone, they may seem 
* to have, been. entitled to thanks from the 
* Churches of the Gentiles. at gg 

-V. 5. The apostle also desired to be remem- 
bered with the same expressions of affection to 
Epenetus 5 (for the words greet and salute are 
the same. in the original.) He was peculiarly 
beloved by the apostle, having been his first con- 


yert in Achaia, and the earnest of his subsequent 


usefulness: Perhaps he was the first of the 
household of Stephanas, who embraced the 
cons a stot x1 uae) 


A, D. Gt. 
them that ‘be of the f Aowseiold of Nar- 
cissus, which are in the Lord... ~ 

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who 


e¢labourim the Lord. Salute the beloved 
Persis, which laboured much.in the ‘Lord. 


13 Salute 4 Rufus ¢ chosen in the Lord ;| 


and £ his mother and mine. 


14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Her- 


mas, Patrobas, Hermes, & and the bre- 
thren which are with them. 

15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Ne- 
reus, and his sister, and Olympas, » and 
all the saints which are with them. 

16 Salute one another * with an holy 


kiss. k The churches of Chrisy salute you. 
(Practical Observations.) 

17 4 Now I beseech you, brethren, 

i mark them which ™ cause divisions and 


2 offences, contrary to the doctrine which] % 


ye have learned; ° and avoid them. 

T Or, friends. 19. 27. 1 Tim. 5.2,/m Acts 15. 1—5, 24. 
© Matt. 9. 38. 1@or.jg 8. 29, Col. 1. 24 1 Cor. le 1O—13, & 
15. 10. 58 %& ‘Y6.) Heb. S. 1. 1 Pet.1.] &. 3. & 11. 18. Gal. 
26. Col. 1. 29, &} 22, 23, 1 7% & De 4. 
4.12. 1 Thes. 1. 3.th ver. 2. & 1. 7+ Is.! Phile 3, 2,3 Cols 2. 
& 5. 12,13. 1 Tim | 50.21, Eph. 1.1.] 8 2 Pet. 2.1, 2; 1 
4. 10. & S..17, 14.) 1 Pet. 2 John 2.19. 2 Jobn 
Heb. 6. 10, 11. i Acts 20.37. 1Cor | 7—19. Jude 19. 

d Mark 15, 21. 16, 20. 2Cor, 13.{n Matt, 18.7, Luke 

© Matt. 20. 16. John; 12. 1 Thes. 5. 26.4 17. 1. 


15,16. Eph, 1. 4.) 1 Pet. 5. i4. o* Matt, 18.17. 1 Cor. 
2 Thes, 2. 13, 2}k ver. 4, 5. 9—11. 2 Thes. 3. 
Johii 1. | Phil. 3.17, 2 Thes.} 6. 14, 1 Tim. 6: 
£ Matt. 22. 49, 50.} 3. 14,15, 3—5. Tits3. 10. 2 
Mark 3. 35, John John 10, Ll. 


V. 6—15. Itis not known what’ Mary this 
was, or in what respect she had’ bestowed much 
fabour on the apostle and his friends ; but she 
had in some proper manner been very active in 
providing for their support and comfort: An- 
dronicus and Junia, being Jews, and of the same 
tribe and family with St. Paul, had on some oc- 
easion been imprisoned with him for the sake of 
the Gospel. They had probably been converted 
on tle day of Pentecost, or soon after ; and were 
well known and esteemed by the other apostles, 
while Paul had been a persecutor ; as they were 
én Christ, that is, believers, before the apostle 
was. Of the persons who are next mentioned, 
nothing certain is known. Apelles had approv- 
ed himself to be a true believer by his exempla- 
ry zealous conduct. Probably Aristobulus was 
not a Christian; but he had several in his house- 
hold of whom the apostle had some knowledge. 
Narcissus is supposed to have been a very pow- 
erful and wicked man, of whom many things are 
recorded in the Roman histories ; yet he too had 
believers in his family! Rufus seems to have 
been the son of Simon the Cyrenian ; and his 
mother had showed such attention to Paul, that 
he deemed her deserving of the honour and re- 
spect due to a parent. It is remarkable, that 
the apostle, amidst all. his engagements, should 
be so well acquainted with the names and cha- 
racters of many Christians, residing in a city 
which he had never visited. This shows his in- 
defatigable diligence ‘and attention to every thing 
relative to the churches of the Gentiles. It may 
also be observed, that he never mentioned the 


name of Peter, which he doubtless would have 


ROMANS. 


18 For they that are such P serv 
our Lord Jesus ‘Christ, a but OW! 
belly; and * by good words and: fai 
speeches deceive “the hearts of * th 
simple. ik We reece 

19 For t your obedience 
unto all men. "Ta glad 
your behalf: but * ye 
wise unto that which | S go 
ple concerning evil. | ge 

20. And ¥ the God of” 
¢ bruise Satan under your feet — 
a The grace of our Lord Jesus | st 
with you. Amen. ' tb 


4. 2 Thes. 210. 1 Set ie 
12..26. Gal. t. 10. : 


Tin, 6. 5. m 
Phil. 2.21. Col. 3. 18. *e 3.]* sob ae 


24. Jam. 1. 1. Jude] 2-6.’ Tit, 1. 10— ‘Luke 108" 
1. Ber: Ll ae 5. 

1Sam, 2. 11-17.) 20. 1 - 

29. Is. 56. 10—12.} Jude 16. pln 4 
Ez-13, 19. Hos. 4.}s vers ED Ps 
8—ll. Mic. 3. 5, 
Mal: 1. 10. “Matty 5. & 1 
24, 48—51. Phil. 3.) 3. 
19. 1 Tim. 6, 5. 2}t Is 8. 1 
Pet, 2. 10—15. Jude} 8,9 
12. 

r2 Chr, 18. 5. 1 


27. Is. 30, 10,12.) 1. 2,3, & 
Jer. 8. 10, 11. & 23,)x phe 
17%. & 28. 1-9. 15—| Ps: 101.2. 

17... Et. 13. 16, i, 

Mie. 3. 5. Matt. 7.) Cor, 14. “10 


ee 
15. &24. 11.24. 2 Pea = 22 
2.83 160 2 a ia 


Cor. 2.17 & 4. 2. 

& 11. 13-15. Col. 2, 
ee: had he then resided at Rome i 
erfully militates against all the traditions of 
tiquity respecting fim, on which ‘so enormous 
fabric of usurpation and ae triacs 9 
erected. — Ed 

V. 16. A holy kiss. This ae sts 
ritual affection, to which the 
them, to show that his epistle h id 
intended effect in promoting ‘tank 
them, has been supposed to 
men and women separately = ye 
terwards to have been laid a: 
abuse or slanders, that opinion 
groundless, and rather the effe 
of propriety, resulting from licent 
than suited to the pure sim 
tive times. The apostle 
that the several Chul 
had visited, desired to express their 
regard to them. 

V. 17-20. Simple. (18) "The word: fat a 
rendered ‘simple, is different from that which ie _ 
translated simple in the next verse ; and conveys — 
the idea of well-meaning, though not inforn 
ed persons. The apostle wrote from the’ 
of his heart: and: therefore, when he seemed 
be concluding, his overflowing love induced 
to begin again, as some further topic was sig 
gested tolhis mind. Thus he here interru 
his subject, to warn the Christians at Rome, 
note, and as it were, set a mark on, the person: 
whose. conduct, doctrine, or insinuations 
to make divisions in the Church, or to stu 
or mislead inquirers ; and: to avoid them, a 


p Matt. 6, 24. John 


{eege 


would such as were infected with some infectiqu 


‘AD. 4. CHAPTER XVL "A.D. 62. 


21 4» Timotheus my ¥ work-fellow, and|° and the preaching of Jesus Christ, P ac- 
re Lacias cy an ason, and Sosipater, cording to the revelation of the mystery, 4 
sicily ‘salute you. which was kept secret since the world 
Ss, & who wrote this epistle, began, ; : 

5. 26 But? now is made manifest, * and 
s mine host, and of the whole] by the scriptures of the prophets, t accor- 
uteth you. & Erastus the} ding to the commandment of ® the ever- 
lain of the city saluteth you, and} lasting God, made known unto all nations 


‘a brother... x for the obedience of faith : 
Ta The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ} 27 Toy God # only wise, de glory 
be with you all. Amen.” La hege through JesuyChrist for ever. Amen. 


48. Acts 6.7. 

y 11. 36. Gal. 1.4 
5. Eph, 3. 20, 21. 
Phil. 4. 20. 1 Tim. 
127.& 6. 16. 3 


25 1 Now ™to ‘him that is of power Sb ant cor a & 10. 43. & 26, 
to stablish you® Siar to my Pub p 


Cor. 4, 5. Eph. 2. 20. Rev. 
pl Cok 2.2: Col. 1-] 19. 10. 
26 


t Matt. 28. 19, -20. 


a 


q Ps.78,2. Dan. 2.) Mark 16.15. Luke} Tim. 4. 18. Heb. 


& Acts 1 Pa Kl taets 1821, - fl See on. vers 200, 22. Am. 3, 7. Matt.|' 24. 44—47. Acts 13.) 13. 15. 21. 1 Pet. 2 
17. 14, mt 3h Acts'17. 5 _ fra_T4. 4, Acts 20, 32+) 45,17, 35. Luke 10,| 45, 47- & 26.17.18] 5. & 5. 10, 11. & 
19. 32, & 20. Acts 20.4, Sopater.| Eph. 3. 20, 21- 1] 93,24. Eph.) 3.3.5,|u 1. 20; Gen. 21. 33,| Pet 3. 18. Rev. L 

Philif ver. 7.11. ~ Thes. 3. 13. 2Thes-} 0, 11. 1 Pet. 1.10—) Deut. 33. 27. Is.| 5,6. & 4. 9—11. 

3 2. 1s ie Gal. 6. 11. 2 16, 17-,& 3. 3.) 49,90, 5° « 9.6. & 40. 28, Mic.) 5.9—14. & 7. 10— 

‘Th Set eo 2.Jh ver. 8- Col.3.17. | Heb. 7. 25. 1 Pete|y Eph. 1.9. Col.1.] 5 2 1 Vim. 1.17.{ 12. & 19. 1-6. 

+6. S 1.1. 1li1 Cor. 1. 14, 3! 5. 10. Jude 24,25. | 96° 2'Tim.' 1. 10.) Hebs 9. 14. & 13,jz 11. 33,34. Ps. 147~ 
¢ 2. & 6. 11.| John 1. 1-6." n 2, 16. 2 Cor. 4. 3- Tit. 1. 2, 3. 8, 1 John 5. 20.| 5. Eph, le 7, 8 & 

‘20, 2 Tim. 1. 2.Jk Acts 19. 22, 2 Gal, 2. 2, 2 Thes+}5 3, 2, & 13, 21. &f Rev. 1. 8.11. 17. (93.10. Col. 2.2, 3. 

‘Heb. 13.23, | Tim. 4-20, } 1.44. 2 Tim. 2. 8- | a5, 4. Acts 8, S2—!x See on. 1.5. & 15. 


Jude 25. 


disease. For, whatever they pretended, they did | to whom John addressed his third epistle. Being 
not serve Christ, or seek his glory in what they |a man of affluence, he hospitably entertained 
did : but they rather sought the indulgence of| Paul and his company ; and he was so liberal in 
their appetites ; and advanced, or zealously con- | services of this kind, that he might be called the 
tended fo , their opinions, in order to support} host of the whole Church. | Erastus, as the stew- 
ve 9, and live in plenty without labour.| ard or’ treasurer of Corinth, must have been a 
‘Thus, by their affectionate and flattering lan-| person of considerable rank who had embraced 
guage, and plausible harangues, they imposed | the mips 
upon: the judgment, : and insinuated themselves 25—27. The apostie at length concluded, 
into the affections, of those persons. who were fa- vib ascribing glory to God in such a manner, as 
yourably disposed | to, hear the Gospel, but were} to direct the faith and dependence of those whoa 
unsuspecting: , and “undiscerning. The apostle|he addressed to be placed on him.. He was 
was the More earnest to caution the Romans| aware that nothing but the almighty power. of 
gainst as artful deceivers, because their un-| God could preserve them from the fatal assaults 
served obedience to the will of Christ was| of their subtle and potent enemies. But God 
; where spoken of with great approbation. | was able to establish them in the faith, hope, and 
e was therefore greatly rejoiced with this good | obedience of the Gospel, which he had preached 
report of them, and wished it to prevail still] to them, in consistency with the doctrine of 
MOre 5 yet. he would have them to be obedient Christ, respecting the salvation.of sinners and 
om an established judgment, as well as from a| the calling of the Gentiles. . This great mystery 
proper disposition of heart : he desired that they} had been concealed from mankind in general 
might be wise and prudent in every good work ;| since the beginning, and had only been in part 
and simple and inexperienced, only concerning | revealed to the Jews: but at length it had been 
evil, and unacquainted with its painful effects ;| openly manifested, according to the wr itings of 
and so harmless and inoffensive, according to the | the ancient prophets, and by the accomplishment 
exact meaning of the original word, He knew of them; and by the preaching of the Gospel ac- 
that : satan, who was permitted to bruise the heci| cording to the commandment of the eternal God 
of ‘the Seed. of the woman, (Voie, Gen. iit. 15,) to his apostles. and evangelists - that it might be 
“would annoy them to the uttermost : but the re-}made known to the nations, in order to. deliver 
eonciled God, the Author of inward and outward them from their idolatries and iniquities, and lead 
. would shortly bruise that enemy and.all} them to the obedience. of faith. To this God of 
agents “under their feet, and give every be-| infinite wisdom and knowledge, from. whom all 
‘an entire and final victory over him. He| wisdom originates, all glory and worship ought 
ore prayed that the pardoning mercy and |to be rendered for ever, through his Son Jesus 
ing grace o of Christ might always be with} Christ. By the only wise God we must under- 
stand the _ Deity, without respect to the distinc- 
_ CAeta xiii, 1. xvi 1—3. xvii. 7.| tion of persons ;, or the Father, without exclud- 
ane apostle, not being: an expert writer|ing the Son or the Holy Spirit; who in many 
e Greek language, generally employed an Scriptures are shown to be coequal with the Fa- 
en Tertius, who wrote this epistle, ther, i in all divine perfections. But as the God- 


s 


ca Ise Silas i in Hebrew signifies | Word, our divine Mediator ; ; so we mist in him 
ses in Latin; but this is} see the glory of God, and our adoration and . 
aps was the same person, worship must in the same way be presented. 


aE US &.. 


A. B. 6. ae ROMANS, 


| PRACTICAL’ OBSERVATIONS. belong to our Prin 
| Ne 16.07" " of their pelfgh igus 
or their 


_ ‘True religion teaches men, humbly and frank- 
ly to acknowledge their obligations even to, those; 
who in many respects have been their inferiors ;| 
. and it becometh saints to receive and be helpful 

to each other for the Lord’s sake, as they have 
opportunity, and to requite the kindness that 

] hath been shown to any of their brethren : and) 
: the whole Church is under obligations to those 
t who venture their lives, or lay themselves out, to 
preserve or assist the useful servants of Christ. 

if an apostle so kindly remembered each of those 

who had bestowed labour upon him; much more 

will the Lord remember all the services, which 

have been performed from love to him and the 

Gospel. Seniority in faith gives a real preceden- 

A cy ; and the bonds of grace are nearer than those 
of nature. ‘Christ’is as much present in the 
family-worship of those who meet in his name, as 

in the more public assemblies of his saints. Be- 
a lievers are often found in those families, of which 
a the principals are unconverted ; and they should 
1 perform their several relative-duties with cheer- 
; fulness and ‘a deference to their superiors, 

though strangers to the grace of God. 

} V. 17—27. vouring to make kno: 

Inorder to maintain uninterrupted our com-j to the Scriptures of t 

munion with the Lord and with his saints ; those | mandment of the evel 
persons must be marked, disgraced, and avoid-| ing that we are ca lec 

ed, who aim to prejudice believers against each | and that every de 

other, to draw them off from faithful pastors, or} only wise God ; we 
to seduce them into strange doctrines contrary to| and deed to render 
the simple truths of God’s word. For notwith-| Christ; that so the - 
standing their zeal and confidence, as if they only| Christ may be with us 

were the servants of Christ, they evidently do not esa ee 


persons ; and , 
their plausible 
give Christians m 
obedience. hitherto, 
Means to render them w 
and to keepthem ine: 

evil ; as well as to encou 
we the assurance, thai 
“ bruise satan under eet 
expression of the most endeared 
be ‘used among believers, but 
and holy manner. They, wl 

showing kind ) 
ed of him by 


was so long kept 


7 


Spee Leif coec as: 
oe ST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE 
hippie)" (oe | ‘e-AR OTHE <7.) | 4 ts 
CORINTHIANS. 


The ‘malate of the ‘apostle’s successful ce at Corinth; has been considered, (werden Mets 
‘‘Eviii. 1-18.) But speedily after heeft the Church which he founded thete; other teachers » 
“came among them, who made great pretensions to eloquence, wisdom, and knowledge of their 
“Christian. liberty ; and thus undermined his influence, and the eredit of his ministry. By these — 
» -Means the Corinthians were divided into, parties, engaged in eager disputes, and seduced into 
“various, irregularities, abuses,-and errors.‘ It appears, that. this letter to the Corinthians was 
© written by St. Paul, in answer to one which he had received from them, (vii. 1.) and that the 

vs seyenth, and some of the following chapters, are taken up in resolving certain doubts, and ree’ 

ee gulating certain points of order, concerning which the Corinthians had consulted .-him.— 
~ pone they had written to St, Paul, requesting: his answer ahd directions, in these points 
had not said one syllable about the enormities and disorders, which had crept in among 
ethe, and i in the blame of which they all shared ; but his information concerning these irres 
or gularities had come round to him from other quarters, by more private intelligence,’ (Paley.) 
pe eee epistle was therefore written, not only as an answer to the inquiries of the Corinthians by 
© letter; but in order to oppose and terminate the various corruptions in doctrine and practice, 
¢ ‘which ‘prevailed, to subvert the influence of the false teacuers, and to re-establish the apose 

- © tle’s own authority in that Church” By general truths, ne, with great address and prudence, 
‘made way for a more direct and particular opposition to the several gross irregularities and dane 
‘gerous errors, into which they had been seduced. He stated the truth and will of God in various 

" particulars, with great energy of argument and animation of style; he resolved the severak 

“questions, that had been proposed to him; he, with great tenderness and wisdom, intermixed 

“exhortations and directions with his other subjects ; ; and he concluded with affectionate and 

pathetic prayers for them. Though thisepistle is not so systematic as the preceding one: yet 

“it is replete with important instruction, and contains the fullest and most interesting declaration 
and demonstration, of the resurrection of believers, i in consequence of the resurrection of their 

Lord, which is any where to be found. It is most evident, that the epistle was written by the 

, apostle when residing at, or near Ephesus, and some time before he left that city. (Note, xvi. 
5—9.) Many learned men calculate, that it was written about A. D. 55, or A. D. 57.— In the 

»* ninth year of Claudius, says Orosius, in the tenth, say others, in the twelfth, says Dr. Pearson, 

“© the Jews were banished from Rome; and St. Paul coming to Corinth, finds Aquila and Pris- 

€cilla. (Acts xviii. 2.) He stays there a year and half; at Ephesus, three years, and at the 

© close of these three years, he writes this epistle, according to Dr. Pearson, A. D. 57° (Whit. 
(by) But this learned writer has allowed no time for the apostle’s voyage and jodrney to Jerus 
salem, and his progress through the chuvches of Syria, Galatia, and other parts of Asia Minor; 
‘and the same oversight has been fallen into by most of those, whom the author has had the 
| @pportunity of consulting, who date the epistle soearly. ‘A.D. 54, Paul‘at Corinth, meets with 

Bs Aquila and Priscilla, A. D. 56. Paul departs from Corinth, and passes to Ephesus; thence 

'* he sets out towards Jerusalem, he lands at Cesarea, goes down to Antioch, and comes into 

© the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming the disciples in all these places. A. D. 57, 

Paul returns to BEphesus—A, D. 60. About this time a schism ariseth in the church at Co2 

rinth, which causeth Paul, (now in or abeut Ephesus,) to write his First Epistle to the Corin- 

ians’—(Indew to the Quarto Oxford-Bible, 1794.) The person who compiled this index,, 
ns to place the writing of the epistle, subsequent to the tumult at Ephesus, whitch it cere 
inly was not. (Notes, xvi. 5—9. 2 Cor.i.8—11.) It could not, however, be writteM long be- 

: the apostle left Ephesus ; and probably, the index above quoted does not allow too much 

ie for the apostle’s progress from Jerusalem to Ephesus. (Note, Acts xviii. 18—23.) This 

tation, therefore, the author has fixed on as more satisfactory, than any other which he 

. The epistle contains no express “prophecies : but nothing can exceed the decided 

‘ine inspiration, which the writer advances. (Notes, ii.) He either therefore claims 

was not entitled to; or his epistles ate not only a and authentic, bat diving. 


4 


; 
* 


A. D. 60. 


? ‘ 3 

CHAP. I. 
The apostle salutes the church at Corinth, 1—3; 
thanks God for the grace and gifts conferred on 
them, 4—7 ; and expresses his assurance of their 
“final salvation, 8, 9. He exhorts them to unity, 
and reproves their dissentions, 10—16, The 
preaching of the cross, though foolishness to them: 
that perish, is the power and wisdom of God to 
the salvation of believers, 17—25. To exelude 
boasting, God hath not called the wise, the mighty, 
or the noble ; but the foolish, the weak, and those 
whom man despises, 26—29. Christ is our 
Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Re- 
demption, that we may glory ia the Lord alone, 

30, 31. 


a AUL, * called to de » an apostle of 


a pace: 11 Gal. 2. John. 20. 21. Acts]. 12, Gal. 1. 1. Eph. 
tte. F = 4,11. 1 Tim yl 
bs 9: Ren, 1, 2. &} 21.. Rom™ 1. & 2. 7. 


15. 9. Luke 6. 13. Cor. eS & 3% 


NOTES. 

CHAP. I. V.1,,2. (Wotes, Rom. i. 1; 2.) 
There seems to have been a party at Corinth, 
who depreciated Paul’s ministry, and questioned 
his apostolical authority : it was therefore proper 
for him to begin his epistle with an express de. 
elaration, that God had by his grace and sove- 
reign will called him to that office: and it was 
conciliatory and condescending to join Sosthenes, 


with him, in this salutation and address ; as he | 


meant to reprove’ many evils which had crept 
in among the Corinthians. It is probable that 
Sosthenes, was one of them, who, having been 
appointed to the ministry, accompanied Paul in 
his travels.. (WVotes,-Acts xvii. 12—17.) He 
addressed the church of God, or the collective 
body of Christians, at Corinth, as * sanctifted in 
“ Christ,” which some explain of their having 
begn separated, or set apart for God, in bis 
eternal purpose, as chosen in Christ to be saints 
or holy @ersons; others of their being actually 
sanctified By the communication of his Spirit.— 
With them he also joined all those in every 
.place,; who called on the name of the Lord Je- 
sus; (probably with an. immediate reference to 
the other churches in Achaia ;) who was equally 
the Lord of the apostle, of Sosthenes, and of 
every believer. ‘This shows us how inseparable 
the invocation of Christ was to the profession of 
Christianity in those days. Some would indeed 
render, it, “‘ those, who are called by the name of 
** the Lord Jesus :” but it may be shown. to. be 
inconsistent with the proper construction of the 
Greek language, thus to render it; aud proba- 
bly- this interpretation would never have been 


adopted, if the previous opposition of men’s minds | 


to the divine adoration of Christ, had not in- 
duced .e to have recourse to it; though in- 
deed sonfe have contended for it, who by no 
means questioned the Deity of Christ. ‘This 
‘+ in the New-Testament: is. the character of a 
« Christian ; he is one that calleth on his name. 
¢ That these words ought not.to be rendered 
* passively, is evident from the Septuagint, who 
* still translate the phrase Yikrah beshem, (he, 
* shall call en the name;) by similar words. (Gen. 
* iv, 26, Mii. 8. sili. 4, xxi. S Ps. inns, 6: ‘Xeix, 6. 


Ne ? ; : *. 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


and 4 Sosthenes our brother, 


Jesus Christ, e through the 


2 Unto € the 


at Corinth, f to 
in Christ Jesus sa 
all that in every pla 
of Jesus Christ ba 
and ours: 

3! Grace be ante 5 WPAN sc ithe, fra m. 4 
God our Father, and from 1e . Jes 
Christ. ae, 


¢ 9. 16,17. John 28g vers30- Be 8, - 2 Thess, 
16. 2 Cor. 1. 1. Gal, 11. John.17. 1719.) 16, 17 

1.15, 16, Eph. 1, 1.f Acts 15. 9. & 26.) 22, 
Col. 1. 1. 18, Eph. 5.26. ca ks. ) 
ee 40. 12. 


d Aets 18. 17. 12-11. & 10. 10% & 
© Acts 18. B11. 2 13. 12. 9, 2 Con Se 
Cor. 1. 1, Gal. 1. 2.,h Rom. I. 7.1 Thes. Phils: Ott: J 


1, Thes. 1s 1. 2f 4,72. Tim. 1. 9.1) 19. 16. 
Thes: 1.161 Tim.) Pet. 1.15, 16. See on, 
3,15. i Ps. 45. 1l. Acts 7, Saat ye at 
f Jude 1. } 59, 60. & O 4 & 


exvi. 4. Is. Ixvi. Ag Tam, ii. 55. Zech, xiii. 9) ) 
But when the phrase runs thus, Shemka nikra 
that is, (thy name is called én tag @F ate are 

by thy name,) they use the passive pret ; 
or first aorist. (Deut. xxviii. 10. 1 Kings y 
43.2 Chr, vii. 14. Isp ive 1) xii. 19. Jers 
9. xv..16. Dan; ix, 18, 19. Am. ix. 12.) 

disciples were first called. Christians 
tioch. Now before this time we 
only Stephen calling on’ this name- ay 
ing, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ;” 

St. Paul bid “to wash aay his sing, ¢¢ 
“on the name of the Lord :?—*But A 
« speaks to the Lord Jesus of St. Paul, “He h 
«* authority from the high priest, to bind all: 
\call on thy name :’ “and of him it is s 
* He destroyed them that called on this 
« at Jerusalem.” (The original is the 
as in thie place.) *Dr. Hammond, who hel 
« translates this phrase passively, doth elsewh 
* translate it-actively ; the context forcing 
‘ soto do. So Rom. x, 13, * Whosoeve 
* callon the name of the Lord ;” * that is, 
« and adhere to Christ. And Acts ix. i“. 
“e hath authority to bind all that call vu 
«« thy name :? ‘that is, saith he, that public 
“ly own the ‘worship of Christ? (Whitby. )— 
(Note, Acts ix. 10—14. Marg. Ref) To exe 
plain the terms sanctified and saints, as imply- 
ing no more'than the’profession of Christia nity, 
and including all sominal Christians, as n 
learned men do; would enervate the sl n 
of the apostles, and confound the disti 
tween the form and power of godliness, as it 
is his grand object to maintaim No doube 
there were unconverted persons, inthe | 
churches, even in ‘those days: but the a 
addressed their epistles to the collective 
according to their. profession; thus te 
them what that profession implied : but 
were not truly saints, they were no more 
ed, than if they had not been called C 

The arguments by which ee 
support their opinion, wo ‘equally prove, 
mee aha persons in the church at a 
indeed the temples of ‘the Holy | t 
, of the pri? God, and» entitled to 


aos 


a na nnn nnaenmn Aw 


CHAPTERI. “A. D. 60. 
waiting for the * coming of our Lord | 
Jesus Christ : Weide 

8 Who shall also * confirm you unto 
the end, that ye may be ¥ blameless in’ 
zthe day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
9 *God is faithful, » by whom ye were 
calléd unto © the fellowship of his Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

[Practical Observations.) 


<a 
“ . 60. * AS Pie 
4 1™ thank my God always on your 
ehalf, for 2 he grace of God which is 
given you esa Christ ; 
in 


5 That © every thing ye are enriched 
by hum »Pi all utterance, 9 and in all 
lease 5 : ; 
ven as * the testimony of Christ 
* was confirmed in you. of 
"7 So thatt ye come behind inno gift ; » 
my Son. Rom.1.9. 


I ll. 33. & 21. 
20. & 26. 


Jude 24,25. _ Rey, 19. 11.- 

z Ph 6. 10, &|> ver. 24. Rom. 8. 
2. 16. 2 Pet. 3.10. | 28. 30. & 9. 24. 
1 Tim. 6. 14, 15. 1{a 10.13. Num, 23.[ Gal, 1. 15. 1 Lhes, 
Pet_1013. & 4, 13.119. Deut. 7, 9. &] 2.12. 2 Thes. 2.14. 
& 5.4. 1 John 3,2.| 32.4. Ps. 89. 33—l 2 Tim. 1. 9. Heb. 3. 

& Ps.37. 17.28.Rom.| 35. & 106.5. Js. 11.) 1. 1 Pets 5. 10. 

14. 4. & 16. 25. 2] 5. & 25. 1. & 49. 7) ver. 80..& 10. 16. 
Cor. 1.21. 1 Thess} Lam. 3, 2%, 23,j John 15. 4,5. & 17. 
3. 13. 2 Thes. 3, 8., Mats24.35.1 Thes.} 21. Rom. 11. 17. 


1 Pet. 5. 10. 5. 23, 24. 2 Thes.; Gal. 2,20, Eph, 2. 
y Eph. 5. 27. i 3.3. Tit. 1, 2. Z| 20-22. & 3. 6 


* Gr. revelation. 
Luke 17. 30 Col. 


4. 6. Eph. 1. 17.) 11.17.21. Rom. 15. 
$. 4. 2 Thes. 1. 7. 


P ¥. Phil. 1.9. Col, 1. 9. 19. 2 Cor.12.12.Gal. 
B ver. 3, John 10.) 10. & 2,3. & 3. 10.| 3. 5, Heb. 2. 3, 4. 
 S0.8& 14. 14.16, 17.1 Jam, 3. 13.2 Pet. 3t 2 Cor. 12. 13. 

26. 15.2601 Tim} 18. \. fu 4.5, Gen, 49. 18. 

1. 14. ¥ 2.1, 2. Acts18. 5.) Mat. 25.1. Luke 
® 4.7—10. Rom: 11+}. 21. 24. & Z2,| 12, 86, Rom. 8. 19, 
42. 2 Gor, 9. 11-] 18 & 23. 11. &} Phil. 3.20. 1 Thes. 


Tit.2.13, Heb. 9. 
28. & 10, 36, - 37. 
Jam, 5. 7, 8. 2 Pet. 
3.12, Jude 21. 


Rom. 15: 4. 2 ET Mark 16.20. Acts 


215, Col. 1. 22.| 2. 17. & 6. 28. &| Heb. 3.14. 1John 
1 Thes. 3. 18, & 5.) 10, 25. & 1d. 11.] 1.3.7. & 4.13, 
23, 2 Pet. 3. 14 


* Gol. 4: 8, 4. 9.8 12. 1k. 17. & 
@ 8. 11. & 13. 2 8.) 19.10. ~ i 


ww 


certainly be the case, if they were what they 
professed and appeared to be: seeing God was 
faithfal to his promises and covenant, which he 
ratified with them personally, when he effectual. 
ly, called them to be partakers of Christ and all 
his Blessings, and to a life of communion with 
him, Tkough he afterwards intimated his 
doubts of some of the Corinthians; yet he here 
addressed them, as being in the judgment of 
charity, what they professed to be. Out of the 
abundance of his heart he repeats the words, 
** Our Lord Jesus Christ,” so often, that there 
is a danger of those readers being disgusted 
with them, whose hearts are-strangers to that 
holy affection, which occupied that of the apos- 
tle.— Blameless, &c. (8.) * He calls them blame. 
* less, not whom none had ever blamed, but 
* those whom none could justly blame ; that is, 


© those wha are in Christ J sus” (Rom, viii. 1, 
33.) (Beza.) Certainly ee ‘spotless inno. 
cence, nor sinless perfection, nor such a tenour 
of conduct from their first. profession of Chris- 
tianity, as was wholly wnd/ameadle, could be 
meant; for the apostle blames many things af. 
terwards, that were very general among them :, 
yet their renewal to holiness seems intended, at 
least equally with their justification ; and this 


a and eternal blessings, equally with true be- 
lievers. (iii. 16, vi. 11. 19. 2 Cor, vi. 16.) ‘Even 
_* here from the beginning he lays the. founda- 
~* tion of his future reasoning : for if the Corin- 
_ © thians and all other believers, were called by 
‘one God, and sanctified in one Christ ; if they 
© all bad, and owned, the same Lord; whence 
did the dissentions arise and get strength 
“* among them; as if Christ was divided ?— 
(Beza.) | 

~~ V3. (Notes, Rom.i.7.) * Is not this to de- 
sire for them grace and peace from God the 
\* Father, and consequently to pray for it? Why 
© therefore is it not also to desire the same bless- 
“ings from God the Son?” (I hitby.) and conse- 
“quently. to pray for them ? 

 V, 4—9. Before the apostle entered on the 
immediate subject of his epistle, he endeavoured 
‘to conciliate the affections of the Corinthians, 
by calling to their recollection the benefits, which 
* they had derived from his ministry. He always 
‘thanked God on their account, for having be- 
stowed his grace upon them, through Jesus 
“Christ, by which they had been turned from 
idolatry to the faith of the Gospel and the wor- 
ship of God. They had also been enriched 
by him with all spiritual gifts, and miraculously L ior 
enabled to speak in divers languages, and filled jia all'believers will be perfected in the day of 
“with abundant knowledge of divine things. As|Christ. (Mare. Refi ‘ God will make food 
cm testimony of Christ had been. confirmed |‘ his promise, if you do not fail yourselves,’ 


among them by the miracles of the aposile;|(Hammond.) It seems, that the system, which 
‘they too had been enabled to work miracles after | this learned writer adopts, cannot be maintained, © 
‘they had embraced it: so that they came behind | without “ adding to the word of God :” for he 
Churches in no spiritual gift, before the jand his coadjutors, frequently insert a clause of 
w teachers came among them. Thus they {this kind, as if the inspired writers had forgot- 
preparing themselves. and each other, as |ien if, and had expressed themselves itcautious. 
jose who waited for the coming of Christ their |ly ! But though all professed Christians at Co- 
rd and judge, (Votes, Myit, xxv, 14—30.)|rinth would not be * kept by the power of God 
who by the continued supplies of his grace} through faith, unto salvation ;” for some were 
sonfirm them to the end of their course, |not true believers; yet all those, whom the apos- 
faith and hope of the Gospel} that they |tle specially addressed, would; namely, « the 
rved blameless in their conduet |‘ saints,” even those whom God had “ called to 
id coimpletely justified and |* the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ.” (izom, 


f judgment. This would | viii. 30.) . , 


- 


" bY 


. 
- is 


a ae en al 
pte. 1. CORINTHIANS. 


10 & Now 4 TI beseech you, brethren, ‘of - 
€ by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,| Apollos ; oe m Cephas; and I 
Christ. 
13 Is7€ eat « rates 
cified for you? P or mere ye hapsiged 


* that ye all speak the same thing, and 
that there be no’* divisions among you ; 
out that ye be perfectly joined together 
the name of Paul? _ Bate 
14 14 thank God that eY Niptized none 
of you, but * Crispus and §| Gaius ;° 


in the same mind, and in the same judg- 
‘ment. » 
15 Lest any stot eae! * t Th be 
baptized in mine own name.» 


_ ki For ¢ it hath been declared unto me 
‘of you, my brethren; by them which are 
of the house of Chloe, » that there are 
contentions among you. : 

12 Now ‘this I say, thaf every one of 
@ 4.16. Rom. 12. 1.] 15. 5, 6.8% 16. °17.} 42. & 37. 2. 1 Sam. 
2 Cor. 5.20. & 6. 1. 2 Cor. 13. 11s Eph.} 25; 14—17. 
& 10.1. Gal, 4.12.) 4. 1-—% 31, 32.jh 3. 3. & 6 1—7. 
Bph. 4. 1. Philem.} Phil. 1. 27. & 2.) Prov. 13, 10. & 18. 
9,10. 1 Pet, 2. 11. | 1—4, 1 Thes. 5.13. 6. 2 Cor. 12. 20. 
g Rom. 15. 30. 1) Jam. 3, |3—28. 1) Gall 5. 15. 20. 26. 
Thes. 4. 1, 2. 2] Pet. 2, 8, 9. Phil. 2, 14: 1 Tim, 
‘Thes. 2. 1. Tin. * Gr. schisms. 1. 6: 4, 2 Fim. 2, 23— 
5.21. 2 Tim. 4. 1. | 18: & 12. 25. Mat.| 25. Jam. 4. 1, 2, 
f Ps, 133-1. Jer. $2.) 9. 16. Mark 2. 21.}i 7. 29, & 15. 50. 2 
89. John 13. 34,35)’ John 7. 43} & 9.j' Cor.9. 6. Gal. 3. 
& 17.23. ‘Acts 4.| 16.°& 10,19. Gr. | 17. 
22. Roms 12. 16. &lg 11. 18. Gen. 27, 


On 
V:10—16.. After this conciliatory introduc- 
tion, the apostle proceeded to the subject, on 
which he particularly wrote to the Corinthians; 
and. to point out that leading eyil, which gave rise 
to the other evils which he meant to repyove. 
He besought and exhorted them by the name, the 
honour, and the authority, of Christ, to cease 
; . from murmurings and disputings ; that they 
y ego all join in the same language of faith, avoid 
bi _ all schisms, contentions, or disunion of heart, and 
ie perfectly united together in the same mind 
and judgment. . Considering the-different-capa- 
cities, educations, habits, and prejudices of man- 
kind, it seems impossible to avoid all difference 
of opinion : but it is equally true that fallen men 
will never on earth love God with all their hearts, 
and their neighbours as tliemselyes ; yet the rule 
and exhortation must not be changed on that ac- 
gount, As we haye one rule and siundard of 
truth, and one Spirit to be our Teacher: so, in 
proportion ‘to our humility, simplicity, and dili- 
gence, we come to be of one mind and judgment, 
in the great concerns of religion: and were we 
‘perfect in these things, we should also be per- 
fectly united in sentiment and affection: This 
will be the case in heaven; and it will at length 
be so in a great degree on earth. The nearer 
we come to it, the more we approximate to per- 
fection: all our divisions arise ftom a sinful 
cause, which must not be excused; but while it 
subsists, we should endeavour to bear with each 
other in respect of it, and so to ‘* keep the unity 
«© of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Yet we 
should continually pray for the more abundant 
pouring out of the Spirit of truth and love, on 
purselyes and all our fellow Christians, that we 
may be ‘* perfectly joined together in the same 
‘¢ mind and judgment.’ The apostle gave the 
Christians at Corinth this seasonable admonition; 
because-he had been informed by those, on whom 
be could depend, and whom he did not hesitate 
to mention, that their Church was troubled with, 
gontentions: they were in a divided state; and 
he might say, that every one of them was attach. 


\ 
5. 
bei 
5. 
ar’) 
% 


16 And I-baptized al 
of « Stephanas : besides, I 


ther I baptized any other’ 
[Practical Obse ons. ]. 


ks. ey he 21-23. &y 14:9. 2 Cor. 5. 143 z 
4. 15. Tit.2.14.- 
1 ie. "12. Acts 18-24 
—28, & 19, 1. 

m 9% 5. ws a 4 5 


ra 


‘Iq ¥ venpaiciie as 18-| 7.18, 2 Cor. 11. 

in 2 Gor. 11.4. Gal.| 2 Cor. 2.14. Eph.|u 16, 15. 17. Acts 
1.7. Eph. 4. 5+ 5. 20. Col. 3. 15-} 16.. 
0.6, 19, 20, Rome “ 


ed to some mens aes 
others. . As if-one professed - 
to Paul’s party, another to that of the eloqu 
Apollos, another to Peter the great apostle oft! 
circumcision ; and_as if others -professed them 
selves the disciples oF Christ valone, to _ 
their disregard for all his ministers! Tt ras 
thought with probability, that the apostle 
not mention these names, as really the heads 
the parties into which the Corinthians had. 
ed: but to show the evil-of the thing itsel 
the absurdity of dividing the Church, out - 
disposition inordinately to honour some’ 
lar teacher; or to: despise faithful ministers un-_ 
der pretence of honouring Christ. However res- 
pectable the names might be which were thus 
used, the thing was indefensible but it. would | 
give less umbvage for himsto mention Apollos — 
and Cephas, than expressly to name the fa 
teachers, who were the authors of the disco: 
He therefore demanded of the Corinthians, whe- n 
ther Christ and his salvation, ory pike mystical © 
body, could be thus divided, : 
opposition to another } Had P 

their other teachers, acquired a to them by” 
atoning for their sins ontnntegl Or mage any 
of them been baptized in the name of Paul, as y 
his disciples, who. were in all things without re- 
serve to be devoted to.him aed honoyr him? As” 
things had turned out, he was thankfal, that he 
had. baptized so few of them; lest his opponents, 
should have averred that he. baptized them in his’ 
own name. He could recollect but a few, m: 
he had baptized; (nor was it necessary that 
should be immediately inspired with the reme 
brance of so immaterial a fact;) the rest k 
been baptized by others, according to the 
pointment of Christ, without any 1 
apostle’s name in it, as they very ; 
word rendered contentions, is ions idibens 
and the marginal references will show the rea 
who understands Greek, the several places 

which it is used in the Ne ieee The 
word here evidently signifies. i 


a eel 
a ea 


iS et 
ie! a 
/ D.60. va Sy a 
eT For Chitist sent me * not to bap- 
- tize, but to preach the gospel : y not with 
wisdom of + words, 7 lest the cross of 
~ Christ should be made of none effect. 
g For * the preaching of the cross: is 
shem that perish, ¢ foolishness ; but 
y Us which are saved, it is the power 
of Got. 
ba kee For itis written, e] will Bateny the 
“wisdom of the wise, and will bring to 
= pothing the alee of us pru- 
dent. 
20 Where ¢is the wise ? where zs the 
scribe? where is the disputer of this 
* world? & hath not God made foolish the 
wisdom of this world? » 
x John 4, 2 ely Gal, 6.12—14. 


Pray 
3. Rom. 1, 16. 2 
2} Cor. 10.4. 5. 1 Thes. 


o 10, 48. & 26. 17,18.|b Acts 13. 41. 
1. 5. Heb. 4. 12, 


nga 18. 2Cor.| Cor. 215, 16, & 4. 
4, 2. 81053, 4. 104 3.2 Thes. 2: 10, fe 3. 19. Job 5» 12, 
" le ver. 21. 23. 25. &l 13, Is. 19, 3.1h & 
2. id. & 3-19. Acts} 29, 14. Jer. 8. 9: 
ae Zz 2 $a .} 17 18. 82. f Is. 33.18. & 53.1, 
° A yer a3. 24. & 2.'d ver. 2. Ps. 110 2,lg ver. 19. 2 Sam. 15- 


-» among persons who heid the same grand doc- 

'. trines, and met together for worship in the same 

i Ste ordinances. Thus schisms, as the word is 

here used, differed from heresies, which related 

_. to doctrines: yet the meaning varies materially 
from the modern use of the term. 

» ¥ 17—19. Some’persons, supposing the ad- 

* ministration of sacraments to be the most ho- 

_ nourable part of the ministerial work, have con- 


“CHAPTER I. 


1] Mat. 2. 


ee D. 60. 


21 For after that,» in the wisdom of 
God, i ‘the world by wisdom “knew not 
God, it pleased God ‘by the foolishness 


| of preaching to save them that believe. 


22 For! the Jews require a sign, and 
™ the Gateeks seek after wisdom : 

23 But" we preach Christ crucified, 
° unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and 
unto the; Greeks P foolishness ; oe 

24 But unto them which are 4 called, 
both Jews and Greeks, Christ * the power 


of Sex, and § the’ bhi of 08. ee 
319 Re 16.23. & 17.) 8. 11,12. Luke 11.| John 6. 53-61. 
14.23. Job 12. 17.} 16. 29. Johm-2. 18.| Rom, 9. 32, 33, 
20, 24. Is. 44.25.) & 4. 43. Gal. 5. 11. 1 Pet. 
Rom. I. 22. m Acts 17,18—21. 7 2.3. 

h ver, 24, Dan. 2. 


n ver. 18) & 2. 2|p yers18.& 2.14. 

20. Rom, 11. 33.j\ Like 24. 46, 47-/q ver. 2.9. Luke 7. 

Eph. 3. 10. Acts 8. 32-35. &) 35, Rom'8- 28-304 H 

i Mat..11. 25. Luke} 10. 39—43. 2Cor.| & 9. 24. 

10.21, Rojns1.20| 4, 5. Gal. 3. 1. &ir ver. 18. Rom, 1 

—22. 28. 6,14. Eph. 3. 8. 4. 16, * E 

k See on, ver. 18. ‘Jo Is.,8,14, 15. Mat.|s ver. 30. Prov. 8+ 
38, 39.) 11. 6. Luke 2. 34.) 1.22—30. Col. 2. 3. 

& 16. 1—4. Mark’ 


God, was foolishness to ail those who continued 
in the way to destruction. “The sensual, the 
covetous, and the ambitious, must perceive that 
it was incompatible with their favourite pursuits ; - 
the Pharisee and the moralist would exclaim 
against it, as needless, and tending to licentious- 
ness. The Scribe, the Sadducee, and the heathen 
philosopher, would each have his reasons for de- 
riding and reviling it; and the antinomian would 


NA anciaiag several reasons, why St. Paul did not} foolishly suppose, that Christ was crucified, to 


baptize. the Corinthian converts: but the reason 

- which he: assigns, entirely subverts these i imagi- 
»- mations. Christ did not send his apostle to ‘bap- 
Bs = “tize men in his name, (which*ottward form 
_-» might be administered with equal validity, by 
~ those of inferior station and endowments ;) but 
to preach the Gospel, which was a far more im- 
portant and difficult service. So that he left 
others to baptize those who embraced the truth. 

But some of the Corimthians might be ready to 

. think, that he was net so compétent to preach 

_ the Gospel as this statement seemed to imply : 
. te -and he readily allowed, that he had not used the 
wisdom of words, or those plausible reasonings, 
_ rhetorical flourishes, and arts of oratory, with 
+. which they were so fascinated by some teachers. 
: _ For Christ had sent him to deliver an important 
"» message in plain language: and he was aware, 

' that such decorations, instead of giving efficacy 
to his doctrine, would degrade it, and even ren- 
der “ the-cross of Christ of none effect.” These 
|» studied arts of pléasine would haye enervated 
‘the solemn, affecting subject, and eAscured. its 
ory. If indeed the preacher did not seek his 
“own honour, in the display of these endowments, 
ye he: would at least excite men’s attention to him; 
and admiration of him, rather than of his mes- 


" ey his new- creating spower, when. the 
dit would be given to.the instrument ‘rather 

As oak In oa preaching of sal- 
$s, by the ignominious and 


»: > and the Holy Spirit would not accompany. 


procure for him the license of gratifying his evil 
propensities; But they,'who were brought into 
a state of salvation by “ faith of the operation 
s< of God,” knew*this despised doetrine to be 
the suitable means, by which the power. of God, 
wrought, in pulling down the kingdom of satan, 
and converting sinners to himself. And as to the 
opinion of the wise men of the world, God had 
declared that he would destroy their wisdom and 
bring it to nothing. (Notes, Job v.13. Js. Ris. 


14.) 

V. 20—24,. (Note, Zs. xxxiii. 18.) The wise 
philosopher learned scribes, and the dispu- 
ters of th » Were in ‘general employed in 


confuting each other's ‘systems: they” searecly 
agreed in any thing, except i in rejecting and des- 


‘pising the Gospel: and it was evident that their 


wisdom and learning had been of little use to 
mankind. What indeed had they achieved? 
What traces of their success, in meliorating the 
state of the world, could be discovered? And 
could it be denied” that God had exposed the 
folly of this kind of wisdom, in the most conspi- 
cuous manner? In his infinite wisdom, he bad 
left a great part of the world to follow the dic- 


tates of their own boasted reason ; and the event 


had demonstrated, that the wisdom of fallen man 
as incompetent to find out, or retain, the know- 
ledge of God his Creator’; so that idolatry, athé- 


ism, or skepticism, was the universal effect. 2 


When this experiment had been sufficiently tried ; 
it pleased God to send forth hisposties and 


on of. the incarnate lias of eeengalists to preach that doctrine which was 


+ 


34 


1 Res Oe Da 
eS er 5 
A. D. 60. L CORINTHIANS. ne” 


_25 Because t the foolishness of God 
is wiser than men 3 and the weakness of 
Goat is stronger than men, 

[Practical Observations.) 

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, 
how ® that not many wise men after the 
flesh, * not many mighty, not many no- 
ee are called: 

f But God Y hath chosen the foolish 
shies of the world to.confound the wise ; 
and God hath chosen the weak things of 

e world to confound the things'which 


“are mighty ; 


28 And base things of the world, and 
things which are despised, hath God 
chosen, yea, and 2 things which. are not, 


27—29.{”Luke,10. 21. John Zeph. 3. 12. Mat. 
17. & 14.},7. 47-49. Jam. 3.! 4. 18—22. & 9. 9. 
\3—17, & 21. 16. Luke 19; 
Judg. 7. 2-8. & 15.4x Luke 1. 3. Gr. &| 39,040. & 21.15. 
35, 16. 1Sam. 17.! 18. 24,25, jJobn 4. ‘Acts 4. 11—2le & 
40—51, 1 Kings.20. 46—53. & 19. 38,1 6. 9, 10. & 7.35, 
14, &e. Zech. 4.6, 39. Acts 13, .7. 124 54, & 17. 18> & 24. 
7. *& 12.7, 8. Rom.| & 17. 84. Phil. 4.) 24, 25. 2 Cor. 4. 7. 
il. 33—26. 22. Jam. 1.9—11. 
u ver. Tigercat & 2.5. 2John 1. 
13. 3. 18—20. 1 Ps. 8, 2. .Is, 26. 5, 
Mate Il. 25, 26.16. & 29. 14. 19, 


£ ver. 18. 
Ex. 13, 
2—4. Josh. 6. 2-5, 


810, 4, 5.10, 
z Rom. 4: 17+ 2 Cor 
12, 11. 


derided as foolishness, and they delivered their 
message in the most artless and unadorned man. 
ner: when, behold, most wonderful effects fol- 
lowed! Vast multitudes believed the report, 
were saved from idolatry and iniquities, and be- 

,came the worshippers and servants of the living 
"God! The Jewish Scribes indeed, not satisfied 
with all the demonstrations from miracles and 
prophecies, that Jesus was the Messiah, as not 
savouring his spiritual salvation, demanded a 
sign from fieaven, and waited for a Messiah who 
should come with outward observation: and the 
Greeks wanted a doctrine adapted to their philo- 

sophy, and supported by similar reasonings and 
speculations. But the servants of God * preach- 
s¢ ed Christ crucified :” this was the grand pecu- 
liarity of their doctrine, the centre of their in- 
structions, and the topic with which they enforced 
all their exhortations. This doctrine of a cru- 

eified Messiah ; this testimony, that he, who had 
been put to death by the rulers of ‘the Jews as 
an impostor, was their long expected Deliverer 
and King, to whom all subjection was due, and 
from whom ‘all blessings were to he expected, 

was a.stumbling-stone to the Jews, who took of- 
fence at it, and persisted in unbelief: whilst the 
philosophizing Greeks derided, as the excess of 
folly, the idea that a Jew, and one whom that na- 
tion had crucified with ignominy, should be ho- 
noured as the Governor and Judge of all man- 
kind, trusted as the only Saviour from everlasting 
misery, and even adored as the infinite and al- 
mighty God. But all they, whether Jews or 
Gentiles, who were called according to God? 
eternal purpose, not only saw the power of Go 

yin the miracles by which the Gospel was con- 


firmed, in the resurrection of Christ, and in the 


acomplishment of ancient prophecies ; and_his 
wisdom in the glorious plan of redemption, as 


harmoniously honouring all the divine perfections, | 


/ 


He that glorieth,, let | 


ay ae ee ee | 2 


@ to bring to nought 


29 That no uld § 
presence. a a 
30 But of hi are yer i 


who * of God is q 
and Righteousness and | & mie 
and Redemption: — 


sy 
31. That, according as it i 


Lord. 


a 2,6. Deuts 28. 63. 
Job 34. 19, 20. 24. 
Ps. 33.10. & 37. 
35, 36, Is. 2.11617. 
& 17, 13, 14, & 37. 
36, %& 41. 12, Dan. 


d Rom. 11, 36. 


Cor. 5. 13—21. Ms ase 2 Os 


ete : eee 


& 8.5. Dan. 2.20.| 522-24. Epbs > _ 
Luke 21, 15, John] 10. & 5. 26, 11 ats 
Bia ra.86. 3 hers 54—57. 
14 ree 5 

Cor. ra bie} 1.17, | 13. 14. Rom) 
18. Col| & 

2.2, oe o's, 16. 2 

Tim. ‘3.  15:—17. 

Jam. 1. 5. | 

If Pse 71.15, 26 I 
45. foe! 17) 
Jer. 23 6.& 
Dan. 9, 


2. 34, 35. 44, 45. 
Rev. 18. 17 

b ver. 31. & 4, 7. & 
5. 6G» Psi 49.6. Is. 
10.15. Jer. 9 23. 
Rom. 3619. 27. & 
4.2. & 15. 17, Eph. 
2D- 

c¢ 12.18.27, Ts. 45. 
17. John 15. 1—6, 
& 17, 21—23: Rom! 


8. 1. & 12. 5. & 16. gered fs 

7. 11+ 2 Cove 5. 17.! 4. 6.8 5, 19s 

& 13.2. Eph i. 3) 2 Cots 5+ 216 Phil 10, 17. Gal. : 
4. & 2,10. ‘| 3 9. Pete uM Phil. 3. 3» 


and magnifying the divine laws but er. cape. 3 4% 
rienced Christ to be * the Power and | Wisdom of | 
“ God,” to deliver them from the bondage of 
sin, ang to make tham wise unto salvation; and . 
they observed him and his Gospel to be the grand - 
medium, by which the power and :wisdem of 
God. were displayed, in the subversion of satan’s 
kingdom of idolatry and sin, and in confounding 
all the subtle devices of him and his servants. 

V. 25. Those doctrines and dispensations of 
God, which proud men decried as foolish and 
weal, were far superior in wisdom, much — 
more efficacious, than all that men ever could — 
have devised and attempted for the same or 
similar purposes. Thus the doctrine of: salva- 
tion by faith in a crucified Jew, which appeared _ 
to the carnal mind a foolish device; and the - 
preaching. of it by unlearned and obscure per= ~ 
sons, which appeared a weak aoc. rs 
by the power of God accom ‘it, done 
more in a few years towards “men wise “9 
and holy, than all the heii Jewish scribes 
and Pagan philosophers, or the power of armed 
legislators, had-ever been able to effect, or ever” 
would have effected to theend oftime. 

V. 26—31. The persons, who had'been con- 
verted to Christianity, and then sent. forth ‘to. whl 
preach the Gospel, were a living demonsingsan > 
of what the apostle’ inculcated. .This,the. Co- 
rinthians oe see for themselves: for, as the: 
Gospel had not been preached te them “ with 
“ wisdom of word8;’ or with a display of learn: 
ing and philosophy ; so, but very fewof the s je a8 
politicians, mighty princes, or warriors, or 
noble and honourable of the earth, had one 
ie They had Paghaps heard of a fewi ee 

of this kind, in whom the omnipotence ¢ mt 
grace had been displayed. The pat digas how-. 
ever, whom God had employed, preaching | 4 ‘'e 
the Gospel, seem especially intended 5 and the. ie 


‘fi 


The apostle a, 6 that 2f nea hat come among 
the Gi Sl $° with excellency of speech and 


‘ 


Hee prtation, are not in the original. 
(Marg. Ref.) The apostles, and evangelists, and 
other ministers, whom God had chosen to publish 
hig salvation to mankind, were not in general 
‘called to that service, from the schools of the 
learned, from the courts of princes, or from 
“noble families and eminent’ stations. On the 
contrary, they were men whom the world count- 
ed foolish, because not remarkable for eminent 
“talents, and because destitute of human learn- 
ing : and indeed, such persons were selected for 
_ this purpose, that by them God might confound 
the proud reasonings and scornful objections of 
heathen philosophers and Jewish Rabbies, In 
like’ manner, ‘he had chosen men of low birth and 
mean circumstances, unarmed fishermen, tent- 
makers, and others, destitute of authority, pow- 
Ge er, and influence, not renowned for courage and 
vigour of mind ; but gentle and mild in their de- 
portment : that, having endued them with hea- 
venly wisdom and strength, aad enabled them to 
confirm their testimony by stupendous miracles ; 
he might, by their holy lives and heroic constan- 
cy, their patient sufferings and successful la- 
“bours, shame and’ confound the mighty of the 
earth. God had even chosen some, who had 
previously been of immoral characters and dis- 
' reputable professions; that being made wise, 
holy, and useful in the ministry, by ‘his grace 
and blessing, they might confound and astonish 
those, who formerly counted them even beneath 
contempt. Nay, he had raised up eminent mi- 
nisters from among the Gentiles, who, in the 
_ proud language and sentiments of the Jews, 
were considered as scarcely existing in respect 
of God and religion; that he might’by them con- 
found and shame the Scribes, Pharisees, and un- 
believing Jews. In short, the Lord had ordered 
every thing, respecting the conversion of sinners, 
the preachers of the Gospel, the plan of redemp- 
‘tion, and the way of acceptance, in such a man- 
her, 4s to give no one of the human species any 
ground of boastin. or “ glorying in his pre- 
_ “ sence;” either in respect of abilities, learn. 
y ing, noble birth, privileges, achievements, mo. 
ral-character, or natural good dispositions ; or 
_ any other distinction, either before or after con- 
' yersion. Why then should the Corinthians so 
ts) value these endowments in their teachers, when 
God had evidently pourefl contempt on them? 
ven that distinction, in which alone they might 
aor, was not in ahy respect of themselves. | By 
_ tlie sovereign choice and regenerating grace of 
‘they, sinners of the Gentiles, were in Christ 
Bi: ‘who, by his appointment and free mer- 
was ‘made to all believers the whole of salva- 
y ‘For they being in themselves ignorant, fool- 
guilty, polluted, enslaved, and condemned ; 


7S ORE 


ht receive ‘that instraction and a \ 


Lee a 


De. i 


‘* dom, imputed to us, &c,’ 


by ‘constituted to each oF them “Wisdom, 2 
his word and Spirit, and from his ‘ful- |p 
raged ‘of wisdom and knowledge, | 


Be 
A, D.t 60. 


wisdom,” but had preached Christ orunified, with | 
plainness and humble diffidence ; ‘that their aia 
might stand in the power of God alone} 1-5, 
The gospel contains’ the hidden ‘wedom. of God in 


which would render them wise unto cabvitin$ 


and fit for every service to which they were call- 
ed: “and Righteousness,” that being justified 
by his. obedience unto death imputed to them, 

and ¢ made the righteousness of God in him, 2 
they might possess a title to eternal life: « and 


“ Sanctification,” that. by the power of the Spi- m 


rit of Christ they might be gradually renewed t 

his image, and made perfect in holiness, and 
meetness for their heavenly inheritance: “ and 
‘© Redemption,” that by his power: and grace 
being delivered from the bondage of sin and. 
satan, they might at length be completely res- 


‘cued from all remains and traces of this hateful 
slavery, and be saved from the condemnation ~ 


and all the consequences of sin; till, by the re- 
demption of the body from the grave, “ death 
« itself should be swallowed up in, everlasting 
“victory.” Thus, according to the ancient pro~ 
phecy, (Vote, Jer. ix. 23, 24.) they who “ glori- 
“ed, might glory in the Lord,” and in his spe- 
cial favaue, all-sufficient grace, and inestimabie 
salvation ; though in themselves they had no- 
thing to glory i in, but every thing to be ashamed 
‘of. Here again the apostle refers to Jesus, 


« the Lord our righteousness and Strength,” — 


what the prophet had spoken of Jznovan: 
(Marg.Ref.)—* They who say, that Christ is 
© made our Righteousness, by his righteousness 


* imputed to us, have the same reason to say. al, 


‘so, that he is made our Wisdom, by his wis- 


might ‘be some weight in this objectio 
were the only passage of Scripture, by. which ~ £ 
they, who hold imputed righteousness, support ~ 
their doctrine; ; if there were any other passages 
in the sacred. oracles, which even seem to coun- 


‘tenance the notion of imputed wisdom, &c. and 


if the nature of the case were not essentially. 
different. 
low me to. receive theswages which he has 
earned ; thus his payment and his labour are 


‘set down to my account, or imputed to me for 


my adequate advantage. y t who can have wis- 
dom, health, or liberty, by imputation } ee 
Rom, iii.'iv,) 
Me PR ACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. | 
vV.1—9, 

The true church a God comprises all those | 
in every place, who are * sanctified in Christ 
“« Jesus, and cailed to be saints ;? who call on 
him as * God manifest in the flesh,” for all the 
blessings of salvation, and who acknowledge 


|and obey him as their Lord, and the Lord of all 


(Whitby.) -There ; 
if thts 


Another may pay my debt, and al- 


saints, of all men, and of all creatures : and it in- © 


and peace from God our Father and from the 
Lord: Jesus Christ ; we should thank God for the 
grace bestowed on them by Jesus €h hrist, with 
an especial femembrance of those, with whom 
We are more ep cihcb nee ‘conhected ; and we 


cludes no other persons, ‘In behalf of all such, we. 
should pray continually for an increase of grace. : 


ES mdi eat 


as cama 


| ale ese 
A, D. 60. 
_. bringing men. fo glory, which could not be dis- 
covered by any sagacity of man, 6—9; but God 


_ py his Spirit had revealed it, 10—13. The na- 


should rejoice in those gifts and that knowledge, 
by which the testimony of Christ is confirmed 
among them. But ministers, with a mixture of 
authority and affection, should remind _ their 
flocks, that an account must be given of all their 
advantages at the coming of Christ, and cail on 
them daily to wait.and prepare: for that event. 

_He will confirm his true discipies unto the end; 
and they may confidently trust in him to preserve 
them blameless to that day, and to “present 
« them faultless before ‘the presence of his glory 
ss with exceeding joy.’ But many appear to 
. be Christians, and are endued with useful gifts, 
who have ‘not been called to the fellowship of 
Christ : itis therefore highly proper to exhort all 
who profess the Gospel, to prove the reality of 
their faith and the sincerity of their love, and to 
Wait for the coming of their Lord, by watchful- 
ness, diligence, and 2 careful improvement of 

their talents. How striking is the contrast be- 
tween the language of the apostle in these verses, 
and that of many modern divines !° ‘The name of 
the Lord Jesus Christ was %o Aim the sweetest 
melody, or ‘‘as ointment poured forth 2 they 
seem to fear nothing so much, as a too frequent 
or too honourable mention of him! and what- 
ever repetitions they may fall into, they will be 
sure to offend no man, by too often enlarging 
upon his dignity and condescension, his love and 
atoning sufferings, his character and offices, his 
merits and salvation ! 

V. 10—16. 


- 


Satan hath always endeavoured to stir up strife 


among Christians, ‘as one of his @rand devices t 
yagainst the Gospel: we should therefore use all 
our influence to prevail with them, by the name 
and for the honour of our common Lord, to avoid 
contests of every kind, and as much as possible 
to speak the same thing, and to be perfectly 
joined together in the same mind and judgment ; 

and we should persevere in praying’ for this most 
desirable’ harmony. For it must greatly pain 
every serious and judicious believer, to see, or 
hear of, the divisions which take place, through 
the spiritual pride, ambition, selfishness, and ma- 
lignant passions, of turbulent and’ designing 
men; and through-the prejudices, instability, 
want of judgment, love of novelty, and eager 
spirit, of some real believers, Thus the Church 


is divided into parties; congregations are dis- 


tracted: by intestine contentions ; and men are 
drawn away from their faithful pastors to rank 
themselves under the banners of some confident 
deceiver, who ** privily brings in damnable here- 
«« sies,” couched in plausible language, propa- 
gated under specious pretences, and varnished 
over by an ingenuity, which might have been 
better employed. ‘Thus professed Christians be- 


come the disciples Seren: and, regardless of} puters of the world. Such persons are in 


the apostle’s expostulations, they still glory ‘in 
ranking themselves amiong the partisans of this 


1 CORINTHIANS. 


tural man cannot reseive it, 
ly discerned ; 
things, and is 


We should be very | 
preserved from giving § 
to such disgraceful Gon e 
ly avoid all appearance of hoa own i i 
dit, instead of the ¢lory of pats and pray 
continually for « the meekness of wisdom,” that — 
we may know how to counteract the pestilent 
endeavours of the firebrands “of aie Turek,” a 
without giving them any ie | or ais weg 
Bretante against us. ° bia ces s+ 
Ve 17—25. AN 
They, whom Christ Sends to preach his Goa 
pel, are often incapable; and. should never be 
studious of “that wisdom of words,” which car. 
nal men admire; nor should the beirers of the ~ 
Gospel look for, such worthless decorations of — 
that-divine doctrine, which is most beautiful in — 
its native simplicity. “Too « “the cross of © 
“ Christ .is rendered of - effect,” through 
the vain affectation of the preachers, to recom.” 
mend it by the affected graces of elocution, or 
the ostentatious parade of learning and “philoso. 
phy. Thus its edge is blunted, its convincing 
plainness’is obscured, its genuine beauty. and © 
glory are tarnished; ‘the preacter has his worth-.. 
less reward in human applause or useless popu. 
larity: but the Spirit of God disdains to set his 
seal to, the word thus preached; it proves the 
mere shadow of a feast, at which’ the’ ‘Quests are 
starved ; and an amusing display. of ingenuity, — 
instead of an assault on the st holds of sa. 
tan by the power of divine truth. © Indeed: all 
attempts, to make the real Gospel palatable to. 
worldly men, must be unsuccessful: it always ~ 
was, and-always will be, foolishness to such as 
are in the road to destruction + + andthe only way 
to render it inoffensive, is to leave out, or slight 
ly touch upon, che offensive parts of it: and this 
is too commonly done, when preachers study t 
embellish their doctrine and recommend theme, ~ 
selves, by the wisdom of words or the excellen- 7 
cy ofspeech. But the true mimister of Christ is — 
no man-pleaser : he will with: great plainness of — 
speech deliver his whole _ however it 
may be derided or reviled; that by it, asa sure |) 
touch-stone, men may-learn their real state and | 
character. Thus while to numbers if appears — 
foolish, to those who are saved if provesthe 
power of God. It is his determination,to ‘de- 7 
“ gtroy the wisdom of the wise, and to bring te | 
* nothing the understanding of the prudent: 
he will not honour carnal weapons, or self-suffi- 
cient-instruments ; he will pour contempt | 
carnal wisdom; and will abase, either in 
humiliation or final destruction, all the learne 
scribes, the wise philosophers, and the eager dis 


commonly found among the despisers or oj 
sers of the doctrine of Christ crucified ; 


. or thé other preacher, as if Christ were divided! | what have ther done towards” rendering the | 


Or as if that teacher, whomt they extol, while | world wise and holy ? Or what have they nahh 
they despise others, had been crucified for them, pose, e) eacellent, as to merit a a prefe 


seri * 
Pr yn ie ee 


ee ' 7 ¥ wd 


CHAPTER Ih aD. 6d 
, tof thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and 
» with excellency of| him: crucified. 


you, ; ‘ 
_ speech of of om, declaring unto nye 3 And I was with you © in eeoknes. 
ce the tes ‘ ‘and in fear, and in much trembling. 


» 


ch al And? my speech and my preaching: 


“vee. 


e 4.16~13. Acts 19. 6. & 6. LELS 5. | & 13. 4. Gal. 4 13, 
6—11. & 20.18, 19.} & 10, 1.10. & 11, 


e. Is. 8. : & 11—13. Rev. 
14, 
2 Cor. 4s 1.712 29, 30. & 12,5—10,jf Acts 20, It 


Acts 20. 2}. & 22.) 1.2.9. & 19. 10. 
18, 2 Lhes. 1. 10. Id 1+22—25, John 17. 

Tim. 2. 6.. 2 Tim.| 3. Gal. 3. le & 6. 
10. a Riicm tioNaace 14, Phil. 3. 810. 


- 


that Gospel which latlide raion “Undeniable facts| rence, they may yet “ glory in the Lord and his ¢ 
evince the folly of this wisdom, and show that) ‘ salvation ;” and hope to glorify bim on earth, 
amidst all the displays of the eternal power and|and to be preserved as monuments of his. love, 
God-head, with which we are surrounded, bu- i. praise him for ever in his heaenhy tebicity 
man reason and learning know him not, but uni- 
formly lead men to idolatry, impiety, or infideli- NOTES. 
ty : and on the other hand it hath pleased God, CHAP. II. V. 1, 2, When. the apostle camé, 
from eee - to age, by “the foolishness of preach-| as a Jewish stranger, among the polite, speculat. 
ing,” > (the despised doctrine of salvation by| ing, and licentiows Corinthians ; he did not ate 
Bile crucified Saviour, God in human na-|tempt to catch their attention by affetted eles 
| ture, ** purchasing the Church with his own| gancy or sublimity of language, by the trappings - 
« blood, sy té save multitudes, even all that be-| of human oratory, or by the speculations of phi- 
fieve, from ignorance, delusion, and vice; andjlosophy. For, -his object. was fo declare the 
| to make them meet for his heavenly kingdom. testimony of God, concerning the only method 
For, the true minister of God insists especially | of salvation from ‘eternal misery, and of obtain- 
upon this great doctrine, which is no less ajing eternal life; and,such a message would not 
stumbling-block to some and foolishness .to| admit of these worthless embellishments, Whats 
others, at present, than it was in the apostle’s|ever knowledge therefore he possessed, either 
days’: but which is known and experienced to/of Rabbinical or.Grecian learning, he determin- 
| be the wisdom and power of God to all, who}ed to keep it out of sight; and to preach, as 
artake of the high and gracious calling of God | if he had known no other subject than that of 
an Nerriacioentad aR Jesus the Messiah, even him who was crucified, 
V. 26—31. ‘ and who was generally despised and execrated.; 
Shere is scarcely ‘a stronger demonstration of| and those things that related to redemption for — 
ite depravity, blindness, and folly, than this| sinners through his blood. This was the centre 
_ eireumstance ; that neither facts, nor arguments,| and substance of his preaching; but it is ev?- 
pages beprces his arrogance in treating the wisdom /|dent that he didnot confine himself wholly to 
“God manifested in the Gospel as foolishness, | this one topic, so as to exclude other parts of | 
the power of God as weakness; though no hn-|the revealed truth and will of God: for we are | 
\ man devices or efforts have ever produced ef- we from his own writings, that he preached’ 
' fects in the least comparable to those, which! man’s relation to God, as his Creator, Benefacs 
have been and are wrought by it, Let them then| tor, and Governor ; the glorious perfections and 
calbit folly, enthusiasm, weakness, madness, or | the holy law of God ; the future judgment and an | 
what they please ; may we show in our lives,| eternal state of righteous retributions; the lost. fA 
| thatit is a wise, holy, and blessed doctwine ; and} estate of man, regeneration, repentance, conyers 
we shall feel in our hearts thatit gives a“ peace| sion, the necessity of personal holiness, atten- 
“ of God, which passeth all understanding.”— tion to relative duties; and in short, “ the whole 
_ And though we too see, that but few of the wise, | * counsel of God,” as the great circumference 
the mighty, the noble of this world, are called to| to that circle, of which Christ crucified is the 
‘the knowledge of the truth, or employed to pro. centre, in which all the lines meet, But upon 
Paha the cause of righteousness : yet we per. } the most mature deliberation, he had determin- 
ceive also, that God employs the foolish, weak,|ed to know nothing, even among the refined and 
despised, and base of this world, to confound the} philosophical Corinthians, which did not “eluci~ — 
evices, ‘oad expose the folly of the wise, to dis.| date, recommend, eVince, or adorn, thi great g 
Pa the designs of the mighty, and to dis-| doctrine of salvation by .the cross of Christie Der . ae 
“and bring into contempt the honourable/ elarmg. (xeerayyeArAwy.) The apostle’ wy 
of the earth: so that in every thing he takes/as a messenger simply to deliver a message.om 1 
hat no flesh should glory in his presence.| What extraordinary claims are advanced, what 
tus not fear knowing how foolish, guilty,| pretensions made in this chapter! How point. pe: 
d, and enslaved we are; for by deep con-| ed is it upon the subject of inspiration! If the — 
s of this kind, the Holy, Spirit leads poor| sacred writers were in any degree ¢rue men, they. 
3 to believe in Christ, “who of God is|were men fully ispired in all which they eaughele 
them Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanc-| concerning’ religion. The miracles which itheyigen” 
1, and Redemption : ”?.s0 that having wrought, prove them frue men, whatever their 
may be sutisfied to have nothing | pretensions might be, and their own words show ¥ 
‘ee when most “covered with | what these provangn were, : i 


i 7 wabhorel ae : A ieee S88] 


“+ en 
) 
* 


A, D,. 60. 


was © not with * enticing words of man’s 
wisdom, ® but in demonstration of the 
Spirit and of power ; . 

‘5 That your faith should not ¢ stand 
in the wisdom of men,‘ but in the power 
of God. | : 


6 Howbeit, ‘we speak wisdom among] of glory. . 


them that are perfect: yet ! not the 
‘wisdom of this world, nor ™ of the princes 
of this world, that "come to nought: 

7 But we speak the-wisdom of God in 


Fagin 4: 20. John 16.f Col. 4.12. Heb. 5: 


Judg. 14. 15. & 16. 
*5. 2Sam, 14. 17— 


8—15. Rom. 15.19.) 14. Jam. 3.2, 1 Pet. 

1 Thes, 1. 5..2'Pet.} 5. 10. ; 
20. & 15.2—6. 2) 1.12, IP ver. 1-13. & 1.18, 
Kings 22, 13,14. 2!b Gr. de. 19; Luke 16. 3, 2 
Chr» 18. 1921.41 1. 17. & 3.6. Acts} Cor, 1.12. & 4. 4. 
Prov. 7. 21. & 20.} 1614.2 Cox 4 7. &} Ephe 2.2, Jam. 3. 
19. Jer. 20, 10. Bz.{ 6. 7. 15. 
13. 6. 10, 11. Rom.|; 14. 20. Gr, Jobjm) ver. 8. Job 12.19. 
16.18. Cok 2.4).27 42 1. Ps. 37. 374 21. Ps. 2.1—6, Is. 

» Pot. 1.16.8 2 18. |] Mat. 5. 48) & 19} 19. 21-13. & 40, 


* Or, persuusilile} 21 2 Cor. 13+ 1)} 25. Acts 4, 25-28. 
Acts 26.28. Gahl.}| Eph. 4, 11+13.|n Sce on. 1. 28s 
10, Phi 3. 12-15. 


a8, SOE eee eS ee 
V. 3—5. In adhering to this determination, 
the apostle had been deeply sensible of his own 
fveakkness and insufficiency, and aware of the 
prejudices and opposition which he had to en- 
scounter : and he was even oppressed with much 
fear and trembling, lest his infirmity should pre- 
“yent his success, or disgrace his glorious doc- 
trine, So that he had acted among the Corin- 
thians with much diffidence, modesty, and meek- 
ness; and without any thought of making him- 
self the head of a party, as some of their present 
teachers did.” His address and style’ of preach- 


«* demonstration of the Spirit,” and the exertion 
of his divine power. This many expositors un- 
derstand exclusively of the miracles, by which 
the Holy Spirit powerfully demonsttated the 
truth of the Gospel; or the prophecies which 
were fulfilled in those things which the apostle 
preached concerning Jesus and ‘his. salvation: 
but these proofs, however conclusive, without 
the internal operation of the Holy Spirit, as the 
Author of divine life in regeneration, would not 
have produced true faith ; and itis unreasonable 
to confine the expression to those operations, 
which were peculiar to one age, and to exclude 
such as are alike necessary, and to be depended 
on, in every age. The annexed reason, however, 
puts it beyond atl reasonable doubt, that the 
jatter were principally intended : for the apos- 
the would use’ no other arts of persuasion, than 
* that plain, and faithful add@ess to the hearts and 
consciences of men, which the Spirit of God al- 
ways makes use of in convincing them: of sin, 
‘and in powerfully demonstrating the truth-and 
preciouspess of the Gospel to their souls: be- 
cause he would not have their faith to stand 


on the 
“els 


* Go Now that faith, Which is produced by 


ue: bt ae 1 
I. CORINTHIANS. 


a. mystery 


10 Ps 78. 2, ¥ss- 480 


wisdom of:men, but on the power of! tion. 


yy © even the 
which God ordained b 
P unto our g 
8 Which 4 


world knew: ¥ 
they would not 


9 But as itis wri 
‘seen, nor ear heard, 
into the heart of m 
God hath prepared 
him, 


28, 
6,7. Mat. 11. 25.) John 7, 48). 
& 13. 35.. Rom. 16.jr Luke 23, 34. 


t. 
25, 26. Eph. 1. 4.| 8.1927, &/B. 19.) 3 


16, 1 Pet. 


il. 
Rev. 13. 8 


to the end. 
V. 6—9. Thou 


| method of saving sinners, an 
tions of providence ; and thus th 
admiring adoration, and rei 
intelligent in divine’ things, at 
their trye interest and whole du 
other persons in the world th 
rinthians had’ not been initiated i 
of this divine wisdom, it : 
not proper recipients of them. But this y 
dom was totally distin m, and. even in 
things contrary to, the wisdom of this worl 
and of its princes and rulers; whose sagat 
and policy would not prevent the speedy 
nation of all their grandeur, and th 
ing ruin, or,that of their subjects an 
For it was the wisdom of God 
mystery, even in the mysteriou 
fying his holy name and all 
redemption of sinners, by 1 
atoning sacrifice of his coequ 
ordained and, intended by him 


began, in order to bring his chosen pec 

everlasting glory ; but it had been entirely 
den from men, except as made known by 
jation, and as faith simply 
So that the Genti 
{lations, knew nothing, 
2 ir 


Rae 3 Sa ae 


s @ by his Spirit 
eth all shinee ite b the deep Stoic of}. 
God. ue 


man; save the spirit of man which 
nm? even so the things of God 
. th no man, but the Spirit of God. 
ae 2 Now we have received, © not the 
spirit ofthe world, f but the. Spirit which 
is of God; § that we. might know. the 
things that are freely given to us of God: 
“213. Wihich things - also we speak, » not 
in the words which man’s wisdom teach- 
ite i but which | ae Holy. Ghost sean 


y viata an rb Job 12. 22, Ps. 99.] §. 19, Reve 129. 
Paces 5, 6. Dan, 2- -22.'f Rom. 8. 15, 16+ 
& 16. at Rom, 11. 33—36. |p 5. 22. John 16. 14, 


e Proy. 14. 10. &20.{ 15. Rom. 8. 32. 1 


ke'2.26. & 10. 
1, Eph. 5.3. 5.1! 5427. Jexv.i7.9. Jolin 2. 20, 27. Rev. 
Ret 1.12. Rev, t.1.|d ver, 10. Rom. 11.] 21. 6. 
zis. 48. 16.& 59] 33. Wer. 4. & 1. 17: 
21. John 14. 26. &je ver. 6. Rom.8. 5.) 2 Pets le 16, 
. 46.13, 1 John 2, 20, 6.2 Cor. 4.4. Eph, 112. 1-3. & 414. 2 
27. 3 2.2. Jam. 4. 5.1] Luke 12. aie 
@ ver “® & 12. s—| John 4. 4 wel & 2. 46 1 Pet. a. 12, 
Lh Rom 8. 26, 27.) 


| believing Jews and their most. learned. Scribes 
| Were wholly Wnacquainted with it; the old dis. 
pensation d only conveyed some general inti- 
| mations of it; but the Gospel had now discover: 
edit mers fully to all, who were brought to em- 
rac Yet none of the princes, or great men 
in the world’s estimation, had known any. thing 
of it; nay, their policy was diametrically oppo- 
| site to it: for had Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas, or the 
| Jewish ralers, understood this divine mystery ; 
e, would, at least by fear, have been restrain. 
| from erucifying the Lord of glory, that di- 
it ne Person, who, even when he hung upon the 
pany was the Lord and King of glory, God in 
| human nature, the Governor and Judge of all the 
world, Thus the prophecies had been accom- 
| plished; and what had of old been written by 
Isaiah, might be applied to the glorious redemp- 
_ Gon now proclaimed to mankind, and the bles- 
| sings confered on, and prepared for, those who 
| were taught by the grace of the Gospel to love 
and obey God; and which far exceeded all, that 
ad been seen, heard, or thought ox, by men.— 
ie. Ts. Uxiw. 4.) 
« Y-10—-13. The apostle, and the other preach- 
et of salvation by Jesus Christ, had not disco- 
‘Own superior sagacity: but God had revealed. it 
ten “ his Spirit ; who not only searennd all 


f his ee mind. For as no man can pene- 
hole of his thoughts and intentions, in the 
Way, that his own soul is conscious of 
) none can know, discover, or compre- 

: ings | of God, but his own infinite 
ie aap with the sae and the Son 


CHAPTER If. 


hath’ revealed them unto eth 5 comparing k spiritual things 
it : for the Spirit search- spiritual. 


' 13, Col. 3, 16- 


the recesses of another’s heart, and know} 


|the rational soul; it may be supposed to 
tlreferengs, to the powers of his mind, as wel 


1D. 602 


=e 


14 But ! the natural’man ™ acceiveth 
jnot 4 the things of the Spirit of God: 
| for ° they are foolishness unto him : P nei- 
ther.can he-know thezry, acetal they are 


spiritually discerned. e 


15 But'4 he that is spiritual . * judendy 
all things, * yet he himself is + judged of 
no man. 

16 For s who hath known the mind 
of the Lord, that he $ may instruct him? 
* but we have the mind of Christ. 


K vers 14. & 9. 11. 


18.15, & 25. 19. & 
&10.3—5, Eph. 5. 


26..24,25. «. 

P Prov. 14. 6. John 
115. 44. 46. Jam. 3.) 5. 44, & 6. 44, 45-\y 4. 5.2 Sam. 12. 16 
15. Jude 19. Gr. Acts'16. 14. 2 Cor —23. Acts 15.1—5. 
m Matt. 16. 23... | 4. a—6, 1,John 2-f Be 1604. Galie'te 


10. Gr. 1 Thes. 5, 
21. Heb. 5. 14 1 
John 4. 1. 


John 3. 3—6. & 8.) 20. 27. & 5. 20 

43. & 10. 26, 27. &} Jude 19. ° + Or, discerned. 
12.37, 38. Romjq 3 1. & 14, 37%.|s Job. 15.8. & 22. 
SAE Gal. 6,1. Col. 1,9.) 2. & 40. 2, Is. 40, 
nm ver- 12. John 14.]* Or, discerneth> 2} 13, 14. Jer. 23. 18> 
26. & 15.26. & 16:} Sam. 14. 17-1 Kin} Rom. 11.34. 

8—156 3P9—11. Ps. 25-14.|f Gr. shell. 

o 1.18.23, John 8. 
51, 52. &l 10. 20. 
Acts 17, 18. 32. & 


decisive testimony, both to the Deity and person- 
ality of the Holy Spirit. Now the apostles had 
not received the spirit of the world : they were 
not actuated by those worldly principles, nor 
guided by that carnal prudence, of which satan, 
the spirit that worketh in the children of dis- 
“ obedience,” is the concealed author: but they 
were inspired and actuated by the Spieit of God, 


that they might know and communicate to the - 


Church the things, which God. freely bestows 
on all believers.. These they declared, not in_- 
such words as carnal wisdom would. have suge 
gested, but in simple plain language dictated by 
the Holy Spirit ; which sacred style was formed 
by comparing one part of divine revelation 
with another; the spiritual nature of redemps 
tion with, the holiness of the divine charac. 
ter and law ; the former discoveries of the truth 
and will of God with thése later ones ; the types 
and prophecies with their accomplishment; and . 
the remedy proposed, with the state of mankind, 

and their need of it. Thus their spiritual medic 
tations, discoveries, and affections, under. the 
teaching of the’ Holy Spirit, led them.to use a 
solemn, energetic, and faithful method of speak. 
ing, which accorded’to the majesty and i impor. 
tance of their subject, and the style of the’ sa. 
cred oracles ; but totally different from the af. 
fected oratory or enlicing words of man’s wis- 
dom. The apostle here undoubtedly speaks of 
himself, as divinely inspired, both in what he 
preached, and in what he wrote. , 

V. 14-16. It was not to be expected, that” 
the faithful and solemn preaching of the Gospel 
would please mankind in general; as “ the na» 
* tural man receiveth not the things of the Spi. 
“ rit of God.” The term here used occa. 
sioned ‘much disputation ; but as it is. detived © 
‘from a word, that sometimes at least si 


ars 
as 


{ 


PS 


Proy. 28.5, Ee. 8:}1 John Bs 5. & 1G. 
5. John 7. 17. Eph. i 13-16. & & 
4. 13; 14. Phil 1! Gal.1.12.Eph-3} 


me 


ih) CHAP. Il. 

he apostle postle shows, that he could: not ingtruet the} 
Corinithi in the deeper mysteries of the gospel, 
Son ney were carpal, 1—3; as it appeared: 


‘ from their ‘dissentions, 4.. AJl ministers are ser- 


" -yants to one Lord, 5; who employs them in cul-f. 


 tiyating his field, and in puilding his church, 6—9. 


fo his inferior inclinations, ‘Jt 1s opposed to 
* the regenerate man; and to the glorified, that 
é is, the perfectly regenerated man. ‘A man that 
¢ hath only natural abilities and perfections’ 
(Zeigh.) Qne that has not the Spirit cf God:— 
(Murg. Ref) The apostle’s argument abso- 
lutely requires, that, by “ the natural man,” 
we understand the unregenerate man, how- 
ever sagacious, learned, or abstracted from sen- 
sual indulgences: for he opposes him to the 
ppiritual man s ‘and the pride of carnal reason- 
ing is at least as opposite to spirituality, as the 
most groyelling sensuality can be. Wo man, as 
naturally born into the world, and not superna: 
turally born again of the Spirit, ‘can see the 
¢ kingdom of God,” or receive in faith and love! 
ei. mysteries of redemption by the eross| 


wrist, ‘To all unregenerate men, these things 
in one way or other appear foolishness, irra: 
ional, uninteresting, unnecessary, inconsistent, 
or absurd : and doubtless proud reasoners have 
scofied at them, more than ever mere sensualists 
did, Wo ingenuity, address, or reasoning, of the 
preacher, can prevent this effect; no application 
of fhe man’s own mind, except in humble de- 
pendence on the teaching of the Holy Spirit, can 
enable him to perceive the real nature and glory 
of them. “For they are spiritually discerned,” 
that i is, by-the illuminating and sanctifyi ing work 
of the Spirit of God upon the mind; by which’ al 
spiritual capacity is produced, that discerns, ad- 
gives, loves, and delights in the divine excellen- 
cy of heavenly things. When this change has 
tgken place, and 2 man’s spiritual senses have | 
been matured by growth and: exercise, he may 
be called “¢ a spiritual nian” and he perceives 
the spititual glory and excellency of every truth 
and precept of the word of God ; he distinguish- 
€g one object from another by a spiritual taste, 
or 2 kind of extemporg judgment, and se he be- 
gomes a competent judge in such matters. Yet 
his yiews, principles, and motives, fall not under 
he judgment of any other men: none of them 14 


ate competent to decide on the propriety of his | « to know nothing but Chrigt crucified,” a 
egndict, as they are strangers ,to these views | gracious message which he is sent to deli 
and discov reries, which direct his determinations. his name. 
Pir, ‘what satura? man hath ‘understood the }even St. Paul to fear and tremble, 


jnind of the Lord, that he should be able to in- 


gtruct hit, who is under the tuition of the Holy humble and ‘difadent, when ealle 


hes _ ad 
aad ot Bs in. 


~ Ut >. Saas 
judes of their cond uct 
thing to be tried by th 
thing must be justified é 
not accord with that rule, ' 
ed. But the inspired ag 
state that mind of Christ, b 
ples and actions must be juc ‘ 
respect they could not be liable to ged b 
any man. Some indeed. explain the last | ver 
as an inquiry whether any man had so kno’ 
the mind of the Lord, us to be’ competent to 
him any counsel or instruction ? (Notes, 
xi. 34—36.) But the context rather Taos 
meaning to the preceding in 
the apostle intended to exp 
a carnal man presuming 
man, in respect of spiritué 
dinaty Christian or teacher 
sure, or dictate to an ‘inspired 
declared himselfto be. It. 
apostle had in mind the 
Isaiah ; but he does not, 
(Notes, Ts. xl. 12—17.)° 
PRACTICAL Boa & 
Vy. » a Pures Cd 
How surprising 4s it, that this mos onout 
servant of Christ should be con 
his excellent and useful pre: 
very: persons who had been c 
this surprise should be co 
ing admiration of the divine 
occasion from that circu 
Church most. valuable. instr 
the best method of declars 
God to sinners. This” abs a 
speech or of wisdom to enforce it; 
most venerable, when the witness for € 
gardless of human applause or ensure 
his whole soul is occupied 
nour of his Lord, and com 
of perishing sinners; Whe 
among the learned 
ignorant jn other respe 


But if this arduous service 2% 


scious weakness: what: reason- 


Spirit?” As therefore the apostle’ and other in-|same testimony to mankind! How 


spired persons were made acquainted with the | fear disgracing this honoura 
ind of Christ, by whom the Father reyeals him-| own folly or sin! 
self t6 men: so none of their self-appointed | we keep from all ambition 
judges could be competent to decide, either up-} Haw carefully should awe Tel 
of their doctrine, or their manner of communi: | sufficiency is of God alone! Su 


eating it, ‘They’ were above such instructors or meekness adorn, and give: 
censure who ‘could not possibly understand ‘constancy and boldness 
the principles: on W ich they. acted. Ina mea-|plead the cause of G 


set all spiritual * 


nen” ‘have the ming of | of éternal things, of th 
et hehrist,” aud nataral men ra incompetent [ger of eo men, 


At wha 


Mae. 9 «CHEAPER EE. His: 


able to dear it, neither yet now are ye 
BOMB kid bw foi a 8 <2 nm 
) 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereag » 
‘there is among you envying, and strife, 
Cabs gent at A 
and * divisions, are ye not carnal, § and 
walk + as men? SEAR fs i 
fl. EIB lm | fA B® a, e294, 
1. 18. 2 Cor, 12,1" Or, factions. Tit. 3:3, 1 Bet. 4:2, 
20. Gal. 5. 15.19—|p Hos. 6. 7. Mark|?t Gr. according to 
21. Jam. 3. 16, & 4.| 7. 21, 22. Eph. 2) man. : 


ND J, brethren, could not speak un- 
to you as unto spiritual, but» as 
unto carnal, ‘even as unto< babes in Christ, 

21 have fed you with milk, and not 
sat: © for hitherto ye were not 


d Heb. 5. 12-14. 1 
© 14,20. Rom. 2, 20,| Pet. 2. 2. 
& 2. 14.] Eph. 4. 13, 14. 1je Jehn 16. 12. Heb. 
6, 23. Rom] John 2, 12+ "511, 125, 


_ ahd the importance of our message, will counter. 
“act our natural propensity to trifling, or to an 
| affectation of “* the enticing words of man’s wis- 
| 8 dom.” ‘The: more deeply we are convinced, 
that no arguments or eloquence of man can, by 
their own efficacy, produce saving faith; the) will either oppose, despise, or abuse the things 
| \ greater care we shall take to speak in a plain, | of the Spirit of God : he cannot cordially receive 
“serious, and scriptural manner, and in imitation |or rightly understand them: they will remain 
| of those preachers of old, whose word was. at-| foolishness to him, because he wants a spiritual 
Wet tended with « demonstration of the Spirit and of} discernment. On the the other hand, he who is 
_ © power ;? depending singly on his effectual | born of God, however ignorant or illiterate, will 
| ‘operation to bring our hearers to believe to the; become spiritual, and so, capable of discerning 
» ‘salvation of their.souls. ‘The.maxims of human}the harmony and glory of divine truth: he will 
» wisdom, whether philosophical or political, will! experience its sanctifying effects in his heart, 
goon come to naught, and sink into contempt—}and produce correspondent fruits in his life. 
But experienced believers are shown such glorie | His judgment and conduct will be formed upon 
ous displays of wisdom, as eclipse ail that they|the word of God; and they, who presume to 
\hefore admired, even as the rising sun obscures | judge, condemn, or deride him, for violating the 
| the glimmering lamp. The things, which God or-| maxims of carnad wisdom, will only show their 
'dained before the world, in order to bring his;own ignorance and arrogance. They cannot in. 
» chosen’ people to glory, are such as “ angels de-| struct him in spiritual things by their carnal rea. 
' © sive to look into ;” they give the humbled and | sonings, and they have not known the mind of the 
' enlightened mind such yiews of God; and his! Lord Jesus, or they would not condemn him for 
‘perfections, works, and ways, as fix it in aston- {acting according to it: and they canno more 
ishment, excite it to adoration, inspire it with | argue him out of his principles, experience, hope, 
dove and gratitude, raise it above this earthly | or duty; than a man with good eyes could be con- 
~ elod and allits puny concefns; and enlarge it|vinced that there isno light from the sun, or that 
into the most exalted, holy, yet humble, ambi. | light is neither pleasant nor profitable, by the in- 
tion after true honour and greatness, But this| genious sophisms of a man that hath been blind 
- wisdom must still be hidden from the proud, the | from bis birth. : 

- ¢arnal, and the unbelieving, notwithstanding the 
fulness and clearness, with which it is revealed 
| inthe Gospel, .The same. principles, which in- 
_ fluenced the princes of the world to crucify the 
» Lord of glory, still possess the minds of men. in 
| general: and avarice, sensuality, or carnal am- 
__ bition, still despise those gocd things, which 
* God hath prepared for them that love him,” 

| though they pass man’s understanding, and in 


| fimitely excel in glory and value whatever he 


7%. 14, 


holy discernment will increase, and we shall ac- 
quire a faculty of speaking on religious subjects, 
in language suited to their diyine nature and in. 
finite importance. But whoever teaches, or what 
language soever is employed, the nazural man 


ure NOTES. — | 

CHAP. I. V. 1-3. Some of the Corinthi- 
ans had been seduced into a mean opinion of 
the apostle’s ministry, because he had not fully. 
instructed them in those deep points of doctrine, 
en which their other teachers had particularly 
insisted, and about which they speculated: he 
therefore here assigns the reason of his conduct _ 
in this respect. Though they had beén’plente- 
~ hath seen, heard, or imagined, {ously endued with supernatural gifts and know- 
Rahat wcinih, 54 V. 10—16, Hedge ; yet he had observed those things in their 
No man truly understands, or properly values, | disposition and conduct, which rendered it im- 
liyine revelation, except that divine Spirit, whoj proper for him to speak to them as to spirztual 
' searcheth all things even the deep things of] men, who were competent to receive the deeper 
od,” and who revegled them to the apos-.| discoveries of divine wisdom: and thus he was 
s, removes the veil from his heart, and enables | constrained to address them “ as carnal, even as 
N to perceive their real excellency. On this} babes in Christ.” For though he looked on 
Teacher we must simply depend, while we | them in general as sincere converts, and thus in 


ie lt ee Les 
ae 


God” to his people, and to obtain the as | 
at that we belong to that favoured compa-' 


niet 


‘sacred Scriptures; and,|not digest. ‘The simplest truths, of the Gospel, 
| things with. spiritual, 
et ; é a mii 


oe, 


i j 
ft. Dd. 60. 

4 For while one saith,» I'am of Paul ; 
and anathgt, I am of Apollos; are ye not 
carnabiran | } 

§ Who then is Paul, and who zs Apol- 
los, ‘ but ministers by whom ye believed, 
even as the Lord gave to every man ? 

+ 61T have*planted, ™ Apollos watered ; 


but ® God gave the increase. 


3.27, Rom. 12. 3—tn 1. 30, Re TR, 10- 
6. 2 Pet 4 10, 11.) Ps. 62.9, 11.°& 92. 
Ll ver. 9. 10. & 4. 14,) 18-15) & 127. 1. 
26. 14, 15. 2 Cor.) 15. & 9,1. 7-1] Ise 55. 10, 11. & 61. 
S$. 6. °& 4:1 5. 7) & U5. 2-11, Acts} 1h. Acts 11,19. & 
Re 6.1. 4. & 1h. 23.) 16.4112 Cor. 10.7 14, 27. & 16, 14. & 
E ver. 10. & 9 17} 14,15. 21.19. Rom. 15.18. 
& 12. “4—11. 23.0» Prov. 12.25. Acts} 2 Cor. 3. 2—$,) 1 
Matt. 25.15. John] 18, 26, 27. & 19. 1.{ Thes. 1.5. 


hl) 19. & 4. 6. 
Eyer. 7. & 4. 1, 
2 Luke 1.2. Rom, 


mercy of God, regeneration, repentance, and 
works meet for.repentance, faith in our Lord 
Jesus Christ, the necessity and nature of holit 
ness + the influences and fruits of the Spirit ; the 
day of judgment, and eternal happiness and mi- 
sery, délivered in the simhplest plainest language, 
suited them far better, than those deeper mys- 
teries, which led to more speculation, and which 
afforded the teacher a fairer opportunity of show- 
ing his knowledge, ingenuity, and capacity. On 
these the apostle did not much insist, because 
he knew ‘he Corinthians could not bear them, 
But that such instructions would feec their car- 
nal passions, instead of their faith and love.  In- 
deed, though a ‘considerable time had since 
elapsed, they were nat yet able to receive, anda 
make a good use of, these sublimer truths, be- 
cause they were still under the influence of car- 
nal principles, This needed no other proof than 
their well-known conduct: for while they envi- 
ed one another the gifts which God had bestow- 
ed on thera, and with emulation sought their 
own credit in the exercise of them; while there 
subsisted eager contentions and lamentable di- 
wisions among them; could they deny that they 
were carnal, and acted more like the men of the 
world, in their competitions and contests for ho- 
mours atid distinctions; or for the interest of a 
party, or the credit of a favourite orator, or phi- 
Eosopher, than like spiritual men? The princi- 
pies and affections of the natural man were more 
prominent in their conduct, than the hamble, 
meek, loving, and peaceable dispositions, which 
spring from regeneration. (Marg, Ief:) It is 
evident that by carnal, and as men, the apostle 
does not here intend the prevalence of sensual 
appetites, but that of malignant passions; not 
the propensities of the animal, but those of the 
fallen spirit: and this may confirm us in the in-' 
terpretation given of this and similar words jn 
other places. As spiritual is opposed to canal, 
it must relate, exclusively to’ the sanctifying 
grace of the Holy Spirit, and not at all to mic 
raculous endowments. The Corinthians were 
enriched with the latter; but some of them 
seemed altogether destitute of the former, and 
the generality of them were but babes in Christ. 

VW. 4—9. The apostle still cautiously forbore 
-€o mention the false teachers, who had done the 
mischief. Even if Paul and ‘his beloved brother 
&pollos, had been set up for the heads of the 


¥, CORINTHIANS. 


| but God that gi 


‘receive his own 
bit: 6 


been brought to bel 


en a 7 pre, 
Be wh ne 


7 So then, © 
any thing, 


et 
8 Now P he th, 
watereth, are one 


own labour. 


haart 

0 13.2. Pe, 125+ J.) Re Yee BBs Ted, 
Ts,.40. 17. & 41 12, Dani We ay 
29. Don. 4, 38. 2) 5.11, 12. & 10. 
Cor. 12-11. Gal. 6.5.) 42. & 16.2 
Heb. 6:10» 1 Pot. 5: 

q 4. 5.8 9. 17, 18 esas. | 


contending parties, the contests of th 
ans would have proved them to 
who were Paul and Apollos?” 
God’s heritage, but’ inistering 
for Christ’s sake; by whose 

to the gift of God, both | 
converted by them—*’ 
‘ regard either the one or the o 
* consideration but that of tal 
* have in common with many } 
* to the Gospel? Or ought 
® ferent view ? even be 
‘ters of Christ, &c? ¢ 
had been sent to enclo: 
vine-yard at Corinth; 
this, Apollos had follow: n t 
God alone had given the inere 
the plants to grow and becom 
* power of growing, im this sa 


parison with the great 
“labour is vain; for faith ec 
« but first, God does not use th 
* cause he needs either it, or the 
to do without them: ag 
form what they do; un 
mercy had constituted — 
But especially, because al 

nal, God alone claiming to himse! 

all that is iwardly done in man’s s 
that his Restorer unto life eternal, m 
and the same who was his €re: 
* sent life’ (Beza,) Yet both 
as one; both acted as servants 
and with the same intention, 


a aman nanan 


they were jellow-labourer, 
Church at Corinth was hi }: 
he employed and wrought 

“© God’s building,” whic 
their means, according to 
own glory, and to be his | 


ss, 


did the work which he set 


AD. 60 0. 


Ps CHAPTER Ill, 


(AD. 69 


God: 5 ye are God’s * husbandry ; ; tye are |Foundation,° gold, silyer,? precious: stones, 


_ God’s building. a) 
) 10 According % to the grace of God 
~ which. is given unto me, * as a wise 
a der, ¥ I have laid the Founda- 
rg another buildeth thereon. 
but Jet every man take heed how he 

eth thereupon. 
For b other foundation can no man 
: ay than thatis laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
A Now i any man build upon this 


» 


“Ps. 65. 9-13. &| 6 16. Eph 2, 10. Rom: 15, 20. Eph. 
92. 16. & 80. 8—11.| 20—22, Col. 2. 7. 1] 2. 20. Rev, 21. 14. 
Is, 5. 1—7. & 27.2) Tim. 3, 15. Heb. 3.) 19. 

$3. & 28, 24-29.) 3)4.1 Pet. 255. |z 15. 11, 12. Acts 

& 32.20, & 61. 3.!u vers 5. & 15. 10.118, 27, 798. 2 Cor. 

‘5. 1. Jer. 2. 21.) Rom. 1. 5. & 12.3.) 10,15. & 11. 13-15. 

Matte 13. 8-9, 18-} & 15. 15. Eph. 3.la Ree 12. 9. Luke 
$0. 36—42» & 20. 1} 3—8- Col. 1. 29. 1] °11. 35. & 21. 8. Col, 
$3—4d4.) Tim. 1.11-14,1 Pet.} 4.17. 1 Tim. 4.16. 
29.4 4, 11. Jam; 3. 1. Gr..1 
&is 1 Kings 3. 9—21.) Pet. 4.11. 2 Pet. 2. 
2 Chr. 2. 12. Dan.| 1-3. 
12. 3. Matt. 7. 24./b Is. 28. 16. Matt: 


© Or, tillage. 
t ver. I. & 6. 19.) & 24 45. 2 Tim.| 16. 18. Acts 4. 11, 


r Ps. 118.22. Am. 9.} 2. 15+ 12, 2 Cor. 11. 2—4, 
‘UL, 12. Zech. 6. “$3, y Sve on, ver. 6. $ | Gal. 1.7—4. 1 Pet. 
13. Matt. 16- & 9,2. Zech. 4. 9.) 2,6—3. 


Acts 4, lle 2 Cor. 
t 


--¥. 1015. Thus far the apostle proceeded 
| > onthe supposition, that the labourers were skil- 
‘ful and faithful; but he meant to Jead the at- 
tention of the Corinthians to some who were not 
$0: therefore he declared that, according to the 
Stace bestowed on him, (to which all the glory 
iY was due,) he had laid the Foundation of ** God’s 
* building” among them, like a wise architect ; 
and he knew that it was capable of supporting 
the whole weight of the intended ‘superstruc- 
ture. But since he had left Corinth, another 
1 had builded on his Foundation; nay, several had 
" been employed in that work: but let every one 
\ of them take heed with what materials, and in 
_ what manner, they carried. on\the building. He 
knew that no man could Tay any other founda- 
sion of a spiritual, temple, for the elory of God, 
or for the sinner’s hope of salvation, than what 
| hehad laid in his preaching, and which God. 
had laid in his purpose and by the Gospel; 
namely, the Person, mediatory office, righteous: 
| Mess, atonement, intercession, and grace, of the 
» Lord Jesus Christ. If any man pretended to lay. 
“any othier foundation than this ; he could not be 
considered as the minister of God, “a worker 
” together with him?’ It was not therefore to 


Yet even on this Foundation ve- 
- ory some 
Ni . aight carry on the Cie with gold, ailer, and 

E ue stones ; others with weod, hay, or stub- 


(ual worship and holy obedience,  Oth- 


ae ceremonies, and philosophi- 
jons ; or 
doc neat ee (Mang. Ref. zt 


e Ps, 19, 10. & 119.) & 3.7.8. 13,& 45 1o—16. 


d is. 54. 11-13. Rey.) 2 Tim. 3, 


season. 


and Raith them to oe ies here pee 


deduce licentious inferen- 


e wood, hay, stubble ; 


{3 Every f man’s work shall be made 


manifest; for & the day’ shall declare it, 
because * it shall be revealed by fire 5 
h and the fire shall try every man’s work 
of what sort it is. 


14 If i any man’s work abide which 


he hath built thereupon, he shall receive 
a reward. 


15 If any man’s * work shall be burned, 


lhe shall suffer loss: but he himself shall 
be saved ; ™ yet so as by fire. 


(Practical. Obser vations] 

1. 9—|i ver. 8. & 4 Se 
& 3, 9-115} Dan. 12. 3. Mate- 
24, 45—47 & 25. 
21—23. 1 Thes. 2 
Ever. 14, 15. & 4.5. 19. 2 Tim, 4, 7, & 
= 9. 
g 1.8 Mal. 3.17, 18.| 2.8—11. 


73. Prov. 3210. &| 3, 4, Tit. 
16. 16. Is. 60. 17.1] 11. 
Tim. 4.6. 2 Tim.| Heb. 13. 9. Rev. 
2 20.1 Pet 1. 7.1 2,14, 15. 

Rev. 3. 135 


2k. 18—21. 


e Prov. 30. 6- Jer.) Rome 2. 5,6. 16. 21: ver. 12, 13. Rev- 


23. 28. Matt. 15. 6! Thes, 1.. 7—10. 2! 3. 18. 

—9. Acts 20, 30. Tim. 1. 18. 2 Pet.j1 Acts 27.21, 22.44, 
Rom, 16, 17.2 Cor.}. 3, 10—13. Rey. 20. 2 John 8. 

2,478 & 4-2, Col} 12 ‘jm ere lt. Zeclis 
2. $-19—28. 1 Tim.|* Gr. is revealed. 3. 2. 1 Pet. 4. 18, 
4,1—3. 7. & 6. 3.jh Is. 8: 20. & 28. 17. Tudo 23. 

2Tim. 2. 16—18.) Jer. 23. 29. Ez. 13.| \ 


Thus the building would be deformed and weak 
ened, by such additions and base materials, as 


would never stand the trial which was appointed. 


Ror the time was coming, when the nature and 


value of every man’s work would be made ma« 


nifest: the day of judgment would openly de- 
clare it. The materials of this spiritual build- 
ing, and every man’s work in it, must be tried 


as by fire, during the discoveries of that solemn 
This will prove them of what sort they 
are; the gold, silver, and precious stones will 
stand the fire, and even be purified by it; and he 
that hath built with such materials will receive 
an “abundant reward; but the wood, hay, and 
stubble, willbe burned; and he, that hath spent. 
his time and labour in building with such worth- 


Jess materials, will suffer great loss, even in res- 


pect of the degree of his future glory ; yet, pro- 
vided he is indeed fixed on the good Founda- 


‘tion, he shall finally be saved; but it will be, as 


a man is preserved from the flames of his house, 
when he escapes naked through them, and so 
narrowly saves his life with the loss of all his 
property. So extremely dangerous is it to teach 
false doctrines, even in connexion with funda- 
mental truths !—The absurdity of the papists, im 


7 be parpeeds that this was the case with any of producing this passage in favour of their doc- 


trine of purgatory, is very obvious: but it is to 
be feared, that the zealous abettors of that doc- 
triney and many others of a similar nature, will 
be found to build whoily without a foundation, 
(Notes, Mait. vii. 24—27.) 

Y. 16,17. This metaphor, of a building, led 
the apostle to inquire whether they did not know, 
that they were the spiritual temple of -God, who 
dwelt in them by the Holy Spirit given unto them. 
| Now, if any man defiled or profaned the leraple 


jof God, he would be exposed to his indignation, 


and. might expect the most terrible destriction ; 
because of the holiness of the temple, Ss ¢on- 
seoraied i God. fi Mars: Ref.) It wou there-’ 


me 
4 


1 Pet. 56164. Revs | 


“ED. 60. 1. CORINTHIANS. | 
16 ™ Know ye not that ° ye are the|any man among-you seein 


temple of God, and that P the Spirit offin this world, “let: him ° 


Go dwelleth i in you? 

17 If 4 any man + defile the temple of 
God, him shall God destroy: * for the 
temple of God is holy, which temple ye 


are. 
18 Let no man s deceive himself: t If 


n 5.6. & 6.2, 3. %Jq 6. 18—20. Ley T5.[s 649. & 16. 33. Is. 
16. & 9. 13. 24.) 31 & 20 3, Num. 44, 20, Jer. 37. 9 
Rom: @ 3. Jam. 4.| 19 20. Ps. 74.3. &} Luke 21. 8. Gal. 6. 
4. 79.1. BZ. 5.11. & 7s} 3, 7. Eph, 5. 6. 2 
2 Cor. 6. 16, 17.! 22. & 23. 38,39.) Time3s23. Lit. 3. 
Eph. 2 21, 22. Zeph. 3. 4, 3. Jom. i ‘aad 26.1 
Be 6. 1 Pet, 2. t Or, destroy, ‘John 

rv Gen. 25. 17. Bx,{t 1. a-ak & 4, 20. 
yi 36. 37. John s 5» 1 Chre29, 3.| & $..1, 2, Prov. 3. 
14.17. Rom. 8. 11.; Ps. 93.5, & 9%. 9 5.7, & 26. 12, Is, 
2 Tim.2. 14, 1 John} Is. 64. 11, Ez. 43.{ 5. 21. Jer: 8. 3. 
& 12. 15, 166 j (2. | Rom.11. 25.& 12,16, 


Yore be extremely dangerous for any one, by 
false doctrines or a Hicentious example, to defile 
the Church, or any of its members: and if their 
teachers were chargeable with such crimes, they 
wotld have reason to fear the severest judg- 
ments of God; aid would be presumptuous in 
expecting to be saved even as by Bre. (/fars. 
Ref.) —‘ They are said by the apostle to defile 
“ the temple of God, who corrupted the purity 
* of the Gospel by carnal eloquence ; and who 
* rent the Church by factions.’ (Beza.)—* The 
* like words used, (vi. 16—19,) by way of de: 
* hortation from fornication ; and (2 Cor. vi. 16.) 
© from communion with heathen, in their idols. 
€ trous rites and heathen practices;. and by 
* way, of inducement to ‘cleanse ourselves 
** from all filthiness of flesh and spirit,” (2 Cor. 
* yii. 1.) more naturally incline us to refer these 
* yerses to the corrupting of the temple of God, 
* by uncleanness and fornication, or by idola- 
* trous practices; both which the Corinthians 
* did? (Whitby.) It does not, however, appear, 
that there is any necessity of confining the inter- 
pretation to this or the other kind of defilement: 
and in proportion as the declaration is made 
general, it becomes more and more important. 
The verb rendered destroy, is the same. with 
that before translated defile. The Jews pollut- 
ed the temple of God by their crimes, and were 
given up ito the hands of their enemies as pol- 
iuted, to be destroyed by them: and part of the 
awful doom of the wicked is thus expressed, 
“ He that is filthy, let him be filthy still.” 
V. 18—23. ‘ The Corinthians were induced 
* to eat things offered to idols, in the idol-tem- 
* ples by men pretending to great knowledge, 
$ (viii. 1, 2.)—They also introduced among them 
€ the doctrine of the lawfulness of fornication. 
.* (v, 1.)—These teachers seem to have been the 
* Nicolaitans, who received their doctrine from 
the philosophers.” ( Whitby.) However this Taay 
be, the persons more immediately concerned in 
the preceding warning, would probably despise 
it, especially from one whom they disresarded, 
as far beneath them in knowledge and wisdom: 
but le: them not deceive themselyes in this mat-] 
ter; if any of them appeared to be wise in this} 
world, instead of trusting to such a distinction, 
let hin become a fool in his own opinion and 
that of worldly men; as this would be absolute- 


sured to them, tilt their work was don 


pointed hour, would ‘co 
liver them from sin’ 
them to théir Father’s mans 
forts and trials would concur 
advantage; and the future 
‘eternal consequences woul 
their favour. Thus all thin 
as much as if the whole p 
had been vested in them ¢ 
to Christ, the Heir of al 
with him, his chosen ap 
members of his body, 
of his victories, and’ ‘the jev ls 

and as “ Christ is God’s, his beloved ded 
appointed Surety, the Brightness of he ah 
and the grand Medium of displaying all 
fections in the sight of all worlds, Sisto Si 
nity. » These were truly houourable di 
and they ought to recollect, that by | 
men, they acted’ inconsistently with: 
tion and obligations to Christ, to 
they showtd unreservedly devote tt 


state and’ wants of their | Sa 
them such things, as more im 2 
their edification, rathee thi st 


that he may be w: CT ee 


foolishness with ¢ od: | 
2 He taketh the ' se j 


20 And again, ® 
the thoughts of ge 


u Mat.18. 4. Markly Job é. wena 
10.15, alk 18.17 |% Ex. 1.10, & 
SL. 19, 20. & 2. 6] 11, 2 Same 15 p 
‘te 19 eres & & 16.2308 17014 ‘Shea, rik 
2% » 1G & 44,1 23,) St ea 


ly necessary, in’ order to:his: ‘Wess 1 
unto everlasting life. For God accounted’ thi 
world’s wisdom to be folly: he ensnared t ne! 
worldly-wise in theif ¢ lev 
their reasonings and im 
worthless. (Votes, Job! 
11.) Let therefore none. 
some eloquent, learned, ‘« 
were -2 great honour to" them, | 1 they 

value themselves on fe oes en 0 him ; 

as all things were theit’s, if : y 
believers : the abilities, » 
apostles and ministers, 


benefit ; the world, and ae 


to them, as far as it coul 


possessions would be given pe 
fitable ; ita enmity would discip 
heaven ; and all providential appo 


promote their sanctification: life v 


ea ae 


Vv. 3 
Misisters should suit maa ; ru 


ee D. 60. AY. 


21 Thereforeslet no mah © glory in 

men; ‘ for all things are yours ; 

| 22 Whether « Paul, or Apollos, or 

; Cephas, x or the world; or life, or death, 

cia &e. 
& 8 


Rev. 21. 7. Eph. 4. 11; 12. 
le ver. 5—8. & 9. 19/f Rom. 8. 3739. 
«| —22, 2Ger. 4. 5.) Phil, 2.21 


mF. 4.15 
s subjects, which are agreeable tothe incli- 

ations of any party. Babes in Christ must be 
‘fed with milk, and not with strong meat : many 
@octrines, which they may hereafter feed upon, 
‘would at present be useless or pernicious ; be- 
tause they are not able te perceive their tenden- 
cy, or their harmony with other truths. Men 
may have much doctrinal knowledge, and yet be 
mere beginners in the life of faith and experi- 
ence: nay, their fondness for speculations, and 
their acuteness in them, may prove them:to be 


CHAPTER Til. 


| Fm | 
A. Ds 80: 


or things pfeserit, or things to come; ell 
are yours ; ‘ 
23 And ye are € 
is God’s. 


hrist’s ; # and Christ 


g 6.19, 20. & 7.28.) Cor. i0 
& 14.23. John 17. 9, 


10; Rom. 14; 8 2lh 8.6 


proportioned to their zeal, diligehbe, and sabe 
cesa: * 

Rte d Ve ae 

It is 4 great comfort to the ministef of Bit 
when on refiection, he is hdmbly constioiis 0 
having, like a wise moster-builder, laid a right 
foundation : but every one should also take heed 
what be buildeth tipon it. For while many ate 
tempt in vain to substitute some othe? foundas 
tion, in the stead of Christ, and so pe?ish wi 
their deluded followers ; there are also nimbefs; 


in a great degree carnal, and but imperfectly; who lay the right foundation, and yet builé 


grounded in the first principles of experimental 
and practical religion. Thus many professed 
Christians, and preachers too, show themselves 
to bejyet carnal, by their vain:glotious emula- 


worthless rubbish. upon it, to their own #reat 
loss and danger, and to. the gréat detriment of 
their fiearers. in expéctation therefore of that 
solemn day, when every man’s work shall bé 


tions, their eagerness for controversy, their sel-| manifested and tried as by fre; we should now 

fish fiery zeal, their disposition to prefef and ex-| be careful to build with approved and preticti# 

alt themselves, and to despise and revile others ;| materials: we should avoid superstitious ifivefis 
and their apparent delight in disturbing the}tions, unscriptural doctrincs, enthusiastical dé- 

peace of the Church. ‘This is the, tendency of|\usions, and philosophical speciilations ; a2 welt 
sin, not of grace; the temper of the carna/, the} as a variety of trifling inquiries and disputatiotis; 
natural, and not of the spiritual man: and we|about which many; who séefi to ldy the right 
need much of that “love which hopeth all| foundation, waste their tinte and lose thei las 
t things,” to suppose, that such wranglers have/ bour, while they injure the building and endati= 
any spirituality, or are even babes in Christ. It}ger their own souls. We should bestow paihg 
is, however, an universal rule, that these dispo-|to procure gold; silver, and precious stones for 


sitions are proportionably proofs, that the carnal 
“mind of worldly men is prominent and prevalent : 
and while so many are saying, “Iam of Paul, 


: 


this work ; that by sound doctrine ahd scripttis 
ral instructions we may build up the gouls oF 
beligvers in knowledge, hope, love; and obedi= 


's* and Lof Apollos ;” we may fairly demand of] ence; that by our labours, example, and pfayefa; 
‘them, whether they be not carnal. For what|they may grow up a holy temple to the Lord; 
(are the most able ministers, but servants of Christ | that so cur work may abide the trial, that #é 
and of his people? They do not come in their| may receive a full reward, and have an alitin= 
own name, or about their own business; they|dant entrance into the everlasting Kingdom oF 
‘seek not their own glory: sin and folly are ali}Christ. It is then peculiarly incumbent upeit 
lthat they have of their own, and their wisdom] ministers, in all their studies, ~ptirsuite, seit 
and grace are wholly from the Lord. By his} mons, publications, arid conversation; to récol- 
|help they may plant and water; but he alonejlect that their work must be tried by fire ; #8 
lean give the increase: so that they are nothing, | anticipate the setitiments, which the day 6f 
and he only must be considered as the Object of |judgment will obtrude upon them, converning 
vadoring love and gratitude. Faithful ministers] their present occupations ; and to reflect on thé 
are afraid of receiving undue honour: though | irreparable loss of spending their time of setvicé 
heir rank and abilities may differ, they are all]/to no purpose, or perniciotisly ; to considef the 
; they are engaged in the same work;, and | tendency of their undertakings, to compare theifi 
at the same object : they ate fellow-labour- | with the word of God, and to judge themselves 
of God, in his spiritual husbandry and build-} that they may not be judged of the Lord. For: 
and he will eruciously reward the services, | € shame and sorrow could énter heaven; stire< 
» by his grace, they have performed. In-|ly the minister, whose work sfiall be burned; 
all those, who, in their several places, la-| yet he himself saved a8 through fire; would b¢ 
y scriptural means to promote the cause |overwhelmed with then ' 

© religion, are “‘ workers together with » | V.16—25- : 
2” but all ungodly men; especially per-} When faithful admonitions have no effect oa 
ors, false teachers, seducers, tempters, and|meh’s minds, their state is very awful. It ig 
iploy their ingenuity in disseminating | proper, however, to warn them with all sofem: 
iety, and licentiousness, are fellow-|nity concerning the guilt and danger of defilinig 

= devil, in rendering others wick-|the temple. of God, by their false doctrines an 

©; and their recompense will be|bad examples. Many of them will indeed des: 

jaa . ,pise the warning and decsive themselves. The . 


\ 


- important offices : 


A. D. 60; 


CHAP. IV. 
The apostles and preachers of the Gospel, should be 


accounted of as servants to Christ, and stewards of 


the mysteries of God ; and they are required to be 
faithful, 1,2. ‘They must be left to the judgment 
_ of the Lord at his coming, 3—5. The apostle 
exhorts the Corinthians not to be puffed up for 
oué against another; as all have their different 
endowments from God, 6, 7. 
yain-glory with his own despised and afflicted state 
> and lowly conduct, 8—13, He ‘warns them, as 
their only father in Christ, and exhorts them to 
imitate him, 14—16, For this purpose he had 
sent Timothy unto them, 17; and mtended to 


reputation of being wise’ in this world is no fa- 
yourable evidence of a man’s character; as the 
wisdom of this world! is foolishness with God, 
who takes the wise in their own craftiness, and 
exposes the vanity of their counsels and specu- 
lations. ‘Tt cannot therefore be too earnestly in- 
culcated on all, to cease from their own wis- 
dom, and to be willing to think themselves fools, 
and to be thought so by others ; ‘that they may 
become wise by the teaching of the word and 
Spirit of God. But we should all remember 
that true Christians are the temple of God, who 
dvyvelleth in them by his sanctifying Spirit : and 
they who know not this, can hardly be thought 
even babes in Christ. [f we are conscious of 
this spiritual consecration to God to be his living 
temples ; let us be careful to have our sacred 
character adorned by a holy conversation; and 
to avoid whatever may. defile, either ourselves 
or our fellow Christians: And surely he is de- 
ceivéd, who dcems himself the temple of the Holy 
Spirit, and yet is unconcerned, or but little con- 
cerned, about personal holiness, or about the 
peace and purity of the church. ' Ifindeed we are 
the children of God, we have something nobler to 
glory in, than in men, and our relation and ‘at- 
tachment to them : for all things are ours, apos- 
tles, prophets, mimisters, ordinances, providen- 
tial dispensations, earth, heaven, life, death, 
things temporal and things eternal: because we 
are one with Christ, and bis purchased and re- 
deemed people ; and he js One with the Father : 
so tliat, as'the glory of God is displayed in Christ 
his Son ; our salvation is secured in Christ our 
Head, who will cause us'to sit down as conquer- 
ors through him “ upon his throne, even as he 
« hath overcome, and hath sat down with his 
s* Father upon his throne.” 


NOTES. > 

CHAP. IV. V. 1. List the’ Corinthians 
should suppose, from what the apostle had said, 
that little respect or affection was due to theif 
ministers ; he here showed them in what estima- 
ticn they ought to them, and by wliat mea: 
sure they ought to te their regard to them. | 
Whether they were apostles, evangelists, or ordi- 
nary teachers, they were to consider them, not 
indeed as lords, but as the ministering servants 
of Christ for their benefit, in the highestand most 
even’ as the stewards of the 
mysteries of God; that, as his immediate repre- 
sentatives, they should by his authority preside in’ 
his family, take care of his interests and honour, 


I, CORINTHIANS. 


He contrasts their} ver. 13, 2 Cor. 12.) 1—3. 5 a 
. a) 1 4.3. 17Tim. ad { 
6. stipe STAR “Be 7. 2! 


come himfelf, and make trial 
those who opposed him, 1821, 
ET a man so ® accoun 


» the muitos oF ve Bi 


ards of the 4 my; i 
2 Moreoyer, i 9 ired in stewa 
Mey Pe 


e that a man be J 


b3.5.&9, PPE A 


8,10. 


Mat. 24. 45. 2 Cor. 
4,5.& 6.4.& il, 
23. Col. 1. 25, 
Tim, 3.6, 

¢ Luke 12. 42. & 16. 


instruct and direct the services of their brethren, 
and give every one his portion in due season 
(Note, Matt. xxiv. 45.) Thus they! were in: 
trusted with the mysterious and sublime truthé 
of the Gospel; that they might preach them to 
the.people, and apply them with suitable admo. 
nitions, exhortations, encouragements, and w 
ings, as every one’s case reguired ; in order t 
the conversion of sinners, and the establishment 
and edification of believers. Some by the mys- 
teries of God, understand also. administra e 
tion of the sacraments, which were commonly 
called mysteries by the fathers: but though 
is a part of the minister’s work; yet the exter. 
nal ordinances are not calied mysteries in scrip 
ture; and this name, afterwards given them, 
helped to lead men to form a wrong judgmen| 
concerning them. ~ I was, howeyer, well knoy ., 
that exact fidelity was the most essenti lie 
fication ‘required in a steward: a. M 
probity, attached to his faashidaintece. and | 
partial in his conduct towards his fellow-s 
vants, might be a valuable steward, though his 
accomplishments were but moderate : but no. 
thing could compensate for the want of rein 1- 
ness. Thus a minister, who ' m- 
ply sought the glory of 
souls; and who impartially (ee 
of God, without respect of persons, or. 
his own interest, honour, ease; or indulg, 
would be accepted by. the Lord, and ought 
valued by: believers ; though not so eminen 
natural endowments, or eyen in spiritual 
and. attainments, as others = $01 
themselves in their admi 
V.2—5. The apos Cpe La er smal 
matter, ‘compared ue he. saat te hii 
gracious Lord, what judgment the. Corinthians 
or any man, formed of him, whether they si 
posed him to be faithful, omnot ; or whether 
were offended with hiss fortis ‘faithfulness 
despised him because he had not ec 
cellency of speech or of wisdom. . Indeed 
not rely on hisown judgment concernin, 1g hi 
because he was aware of the deceitfulne 
human heart, (which their selhensaey 
ers ought more deeply to study) 
was not conscious of ane unfaithfulnes: 


cient to justify him before God, ‘ana 
that evilin the heart which pride hid 

man himself. He therefore sought to t 
to judge him ; and so wait 
he must appear before | 


si ee. 60. ree CHAPTER Iv. Br A. D. 60. 


ra 3 But with ‘me fit is a very small] of darkness, and will’ make manifest the 


thing that I should be judged of you, or counsels” of the hearts: and. then “shall 

| of man’s *j ene 2 yea, I ines not} every man have " praise of God. 
mine own 8 self: 6 And ° these things, brethren, I have 
4 For . in a figure transferred to myself and ¢o 


b ae am T not hereby justinede : i but He 
judgeth me is the Lord. 

ui 5 Th herefore * judge nothing before 

the demas, lunti] the lord come, ™ who 

both will bring to light the hidden things 


Prov. 21. 2. xml 46. 1 Thes 5. 2. 


Apollos, P for your sakes; 4 that ye might 
learn in us not to think uf men above that 
which is written, that no one of you * be 
puffed up for one against another. 

7 For s who * asl tage to differ 


re 1 1Sam. 16. 
‘7. John 7,24. 
® Gr. day, 3.13, 


n Mat. 25. ‘21. 23, 
John 5. 44. Rom.2.! 
7. 29. 2 Cor. 10.18, 


q Job 11. 11, 12. Ps. 98, 29. John 3. 26° 
8. 4. & 146, “3. Is, Col. 2. 18, 

2. 22, Jets 17. 5, 6/8 12. 4—1b & 15. 
1 Pet.1.7.& 5.4. |\ Mat. 23, 810. oe Rom. 9. 16—15, 
oO 1.12. & 3,4—17.| Rom. 12. 3. 2Con! Eph. 2 35, 2 
2 Cor, 10. 7.12.15.) 12. 6. ° hes, 2, 12—14. 1 
& 11.4.12—15,. fr 3, 21. &'4.18, 19 Tim, 1, 12-15, Tit, 
‘P_9. 23. 2 Cor. 4.15, & 5.2.6. && 1.) 3.3—7, 

& 12. 19. 1 Thes.| & 13.4. Num. 11./" Gr, distingutshoth 
1.5.2 Tim. 2 10, thee, 


PRR SEEN Iie Re SR ee ies Es 
* the persons who sat in the theatre, in order to 
‘ confer the crown on the best performer,) so 
« boldly extolled or depressed whotn they would, 
| ¢ But indeed, says Paul, I cannot pronounce con: 
© cerning myself, in that manner which ye do, 
* concerning me and others. * (Beza.) (Note, 2 
Cor. i. 12—14.) ‘This only forbids our censures 
‘ of things uncertain, of which no rizhteous 
judgment can be passed. This appears both 
* from the words and’ the occasion of them.— 
* From the words, for they respect “ the hidden 
* things of darkness,” and ‘the counsels of” 
* the heart’? ‘From the occasion of them; 
* they passing their censures on St.’ Paul, and 
questioning his. fidelity in \his office, of whom 
* they had no authority so to judge, nor occa- 
§ sion so to judge.” ( Whitby.) 

V 6,7. In speaking of those, who had been 
considered as heads, of different parties at Co- 
rinth, the apostle had chiefly mentioned himself 
and Apollos; and thus to avoid giving offence, he 
had, as by a figure, transferred the case from 
those who were really concerned, to persons 
whom he could not be thought disposed to un- 
dervalue ; that in them the teachers might learn 
not to be wise in their own conceits, and the peo- 
ple not to think too highly of men, calling them 
master's, or glorying i in being their disciples ; and 
thus esteeming them as something more than 
servants or stewards, or above what he had writ- 
ten according to the word of God, and on other 
accounts than because of their uiulness In- 
deéd, both they and the teachers, (whom they 
placed i in competition with each other, and about 
whom they were puffed up,) should inquire whe 
had made them to differ, either in spititual gifts, 
or even by converting prace, from their idola- 
trous neighbours or their fellow Christians. Was 
this difference the effect of ‘their superior merit, 
docility, or goodness? What had they, which 
they had not received as free gifts, or as talents 
committed to their stewards!ip? Why then did 
they glory in them, and boast of them, as if tWey 
{had been the independent authors of those en. 
dowments, by. which they were distinguished 
from others; and were authorized to: employ 
| them to their own glory, or advantage, without 
being eronabie to God for them ! Surely, such 


3.19, 20, & 4. 2 Jam, 5 7. 2 Pet. 3, 
i ver. 5. Ps. 2b. 2. &} 4.12. chi toh Rey. 
| @ Job 27, 6. Ps. 7.) 50. 6.2 Coy 5 10. | 1. 7. 

3—5. John 21.17, 2/k Mat, 7. 1,2. Luke!m 3. 13. Bia Arov 

Cor. 1. 12. 1 John] 6- 37. Rom. 2.) & 12. 14. Mal. 4. 

3, 20; 21. 1. 16. & 14, 4. 10—} 18. Luke 12, 1—3.| 
vh Job’ 9.2 20.8 15.) 13, Jam. 4. 11. Rom, 2. 16. 2 Cor. 
| “Id. & 25. 4. & 40/1 1, 7. & 11. 26. &| 4. 2, Heb. 4. 13,1’ 
4. Ps. 19, 12. by 15, 23. Mat. 24. 30.) Rev. 20, 12. 
180.3, Be 143. 2.) | 


| | 10-15. .) But Sta ins that many of them were 
| Gisposed to judge unfavourably of him, through 
the artifices of their seducers ; he exhorted them 
not to judge such matters ‘before the time, but 
to leave them, till the Lord should come to' 
Judgment, when characters and actions would 
appear in another light than’ they then did.— 
|For he would both discover the secret sins of 
| men’s lives, which they had veiled in darkness | ‘ 
_ from the view of their neighbours ; and disclose 
| the motives and intentions, which lay concealed in 
| the: impenetrable recesses of the heart; and 
| which would in many instances appear to be de. 
| signing, ambitious, and selfish, when a man’s 
| words and works were most specious and plausi- | ‘ 
ble. Then the faithful steward would be propor- 
ionably honoured with the commendation of 
God himself, which would abundantly counter- 
Balance the contempt and reproach of men; but 
‘it must be a day of detection and confusion to all 
ypocritical, ambitious, and self-seeking teach- 
ers, however admired and extolled. © Hence note, 
© that Jesus Christ must have the knowledge of the 
|¢ secrets of the hearts of all men subject to his 
6 judgment ; and so must be that God who alone 
e knows the hearts of all men.’ (Whitdy, 

\(Marg. Ref.) ‘This saying of Paul,’ («Judge 
\* nothing before the time,”) ‘ must be restrain. 
‘ed to a certain hypothesis : for both the spirits. 
re to be tried, and we ought to “judge our- 
selves whether we be in the faith?” «The 
postle does not even condemn the private 
gments of charity; and much less either 
il or ecclesiastical polity. For he is not 
roperly discoursing about the examination of 
en’s doctrine or manners ; ; but Rather con. 


Phare Mtinaiive when he says, that he 
nothing by himself ;” *it must be refer. 
9 the subject of which he was treating, 
, the ministerial | office ; which he testi- 


elf with thin or negligence. 
y suited,both those teachers, 
ihn selves so excellent incom. 

is hese bearers, who, (like| 


; 


ib 
dogs f 
Meg, 


4. B. 60, 


thou didst not receive ? now if thou didst 
receive if, 
chou hadst not received it 2 

EBractical Obsérvations.} 

8 Now * ye are full, now ye are rich, 
ve have reigned as kings ¥ without us; 
% and I would to God 2 ye did reign, 
that we also micht reign With you, 

9 For »I think that God hath set forth 
us the apostles last, © as it were appointed 
to death: for 4 we are made a + specta- 
ele unto the world, and © to angels, and 
fo men. 

10 Wef are fools & for Christ’s sake, 
1 Thes. 3.3, 
c Psa 44. 22. Rom. 
8. 36. 1 Thes, 5. 9, 


10+, Rev. 6.9—11. 
a pe >, 10.35. & 11. 


{ 5. 3: & 7.7. 1 Chr. 
29. 11~16, 2 Chr. 
1. 712. Proy, 4 
6. Mat 25.14 y ver. 18. Acts 20. 
Luke 19; 13. Sonnt 29, 30. Phil. 1, 27. 
1.16. & 3.27. Rom,| & 2.12. 

1,5. & 22.6, Jam..z Num, 11.29. Acts) + Poe theatre. Acts 
1. J% 1 Ret. 4, 10. | 26. 29. 2 Cor, 11. 1.} 19, 29. 31. 

u 3. 6. 2 Che. 32. 23\a Ps. 122. 5—9. JesJe Heb. 1. 14. Rev. 
—29, Ez. 28, 2=5.) 28.6. Rom. 12,15. = 11—14. & 17. 6, 
& 29:3. Dan. 4. 30} 2 Cor.13.9. 1 Thes, 
—32. & 5. 18—25.} 2.19, 20. & 3. 6—9. 
Acts | 12. 22,23, 2Tin. 2. aq, 12. 
Hl. 4 & 3. 1, 21 Reyes 5. 10. : 

& 5.6. Prov. 13, 7./b 15. 30—-32. 2 Cor. % 7. Acts 17.° 18. 
& 25 14. Is. 5. oa 1. 8—10. & 4. 8—l 32. & 26, 24: 
Yuke 1..51--63, &! 12. Phil. 2. 29, 304g Mat. 5.11. & 10, 


6,25. Rom. 12, 
16. Gal. 6. 3. ier, 
3.17. 


en 18-20. 26-28. 
2.514. & 3. 18. 
ings 9. 11, Hos. 


gelf-exaltation myst be wmost absurd, ahominable, 
gnd sacrilegious. It is evident, that the apostle 
jg here more immediately speaking of natural 
akilities and spiritual gifts; and not of special 
and efficacious grace. Yet if we all are by na- 
ture entirely depraved ; if we must he born again, 
and-new created; if itis “ God that worketh in 
€€-us to will and to do of his good pleasure,” and 
if ‘‘ by grace we are saved through faith, and 
$¢ that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God ;” 
the apostle’s reasoning seems equally conclusive, 
‘against all kinds and degrees of spiritual pride, 
and glorying in gurselves and other men; as 
against that which he.was speciatly opposing. ~ 
Y. 8. After the apostle had left Corinth, and 
the Church had got more eloquent or flattering 
teachers, they were satisfied and pleased ; they 
thought themselves rich and happy, and seemed 
to reign as kings without him and his fellow- 
Ce who had treated them as children, and 
ept them under, more than was derecable to 
them. Many of them, it is probable, were in 
prosperous circumstances, and exempted from 
yersecution; they had abundance o spiritual 
gifts ; ; they. grew vain of their distinctions, and 
they deemed themselves pre-eminent above other 
Charches, and so ysed this improper language 
pne among another, But the apostle intimated, 
that this was a mere delusion: he most cordially 
desired, that they should be as happy, prosper 
pus, honourable, and eminent, as they thought 
themselves; for then he knew that he should 
have comfort in them, and credit among them. 
if they had really reigned as kings, he should 
have reigned with them ; instead of being des. 
pised by them, in addition to all his other trou- 
bles. 


Y.9—13. ¥t appeared to St. . Paul that God 


» 


See Yaa. 


I. CORINTHIANS. 
from. another pit and what hast thou = 


themselyes strong in faith, of g1 


but yé® are wise in Christ's #4 
k but ye @re stron: care. 
' but we are shoupiaat. ‘i 

11 Even ™unte this present: hour 
both hunger, and thirsty » and. are nal 
°and are bola and have no cert 
dwelling-place; 

12° And 4 laboury working with oul 
own hands: *being) reviled, we bless 
s being persecuted, we ‘suffer it ‘ 

13 Being defamed, ~ We entreat : t 
are made as the filth of thew a 


the off- “scouring of all Sita Te 


day, 
(Practical Observations’) 
14 1 4 write nok Veer things mi 


22—25. & 24, 9. kwaeksenae 
Luke 6. 22. Acts| &11.27. WT ae 4.) 


9. at Pet A. ary 


Mats § 44 


i 2.3. 2 Cpr. 10. 10. rere 
& 11,29. 12.910. 3, 11. 

& 13. 3,4.9, 0% 
k 3. 2. & 10, 12 
| Proy. 11, 12, Is. 
53. 3. Luke 10. 16. 
fees 9.1 Thes.4.}, 


had chosen the apost 
those condemned pers ublic 
who were brought forth last fred tiers 
sive armour, to fight with each other, or to | 
exposed to wild beasts, till they were ‘lain in tl 
sight of the spectators ; and who, if th 
at that time, were only reser 0 9 
of slaughter, being appdinted unto de 
having no hope of morg than @ short r 
Thus the apostles yee tl guish 

share of contempt, haraahipy 
any of their brethren, and. were a 
martyrdom at the énd of their cs, 
the only termination of th 
flicting with exceedingly u e 
distresses, in patient faith and | cde didi 
and supported by omnipotent grace orn 
be a spectacle to the whi 
both men and angels : 
held them with solic’ i 
‘ment; and unholy h malice, rages. n 
‘disappointment. » n this conflict, Paul and hi 
brethren were counted faols for Christ's cake 
only by unconverted Jews and: Ge 

the Christians at Corinth also; who eet to 
wise in Christ, through the admired inst 
of their speculating teachers, the libert 
they supposed themselves. entitle 
tie methods which they use 
tempt and persecution.—T 
tle and such as he, weak, 
Christians, mien of feebl 
ties, and inferior attain 


and superior to such pes ahd 
troubled others. Nay, it 
deemed themsélves hono 


their affluence, Hnowleds 


A D609. ' CHAPTER IV... A.D. 60. 
i you, but, as*my- beloved sons YI warn#ow.|be in Christ, as I teach every where in 
' 45»Forthough ? ye have ten thousand | every church. Re te 

“4nstructors in Chtist, yet have ye not ma-} 18 Now. some & are puffed up, as 

ny fathers: ® forin Christ Jesus I have though I would not come to yeu. 
begotten you through the gospel. 19 But 41 will come to you shortly, 
~16 Wherefore I beseech you,» be yej* if the Lord will, and will know, ¥ not _ 
wwers of me. ere the speech of them which are puffed ups 
‘V7 For this cause have ¢I sent. unto;but the power, es 
_ you Timotheus, 4 whois my beloved son,| _ 20 For | the kingdom of God és not in 
and © faithful in the Lord, who shall bring} word, but in power, 
~ you into remembrance of my ways which} 21 What will ye ? mshall I come unto 
rit. 1. 4. Philem.ja ver. 15-1 Tim 1,] you with ‘a rod, or in love, ® and ¢ the 
ae ay en aK 4. 25.{ Spirit of meekness ? 
'b 11, i. John 10, 4,; Num. 12. 7. Prov. ‘ : 
i 5. Phil 3. 17. 1-| 13. 17. Matt. 24. 
“90. $1. Col, 1. 28.) Thes.1, 6. 2 Thes.] 45- & 25. 21, 23, 
"i Then 5:14. | 3. 9. Heb. 13. 7. 1] Eph. 6. 21. Col. 1, 


“22 Tin. 43. | Pet. 5.3. 7.& 4.9. 2’ Fim. 2: 
a 3.6, 10. & 9.1, | 15. JO. Acts 19., 2, Rev. 2.10, 13. 


7 
ive 


os ver. 15, 2. Cor. 6. 

- 1113. & H, 1. & 

 'W. 14,15. 1 Thes. 
2. Al. 

y Ez, 3. 21. Acts 


ver: 6—8. 5.2. jk ver, 18.2 Cor. 13./m 5.5. 2 Cor. 10. 2, 
h 16. 5. Acts 19.21.) 1—4. 6.8, & 12. 20, 21. 
2 Cor, 1. 15—17.|! 1.24. & 2.4. Rom.| & 13. 2, 3, 10, 


23. & 2. 1,2. 1.16. & 14,17. “| 2 Cor. 10. 1. ¥ 


i Acts 18- 21. Rom.| 15. 19.2 Cor. 10. 4,} Thes, 2. 7. Jam, 3. 
15. 32. Heb, 6, 3.) 5.1 These 1. 5. 17. 
. Jam. 4. 15- { . 


Acts. 18» 4—11.| 21, 22. Phil. 2. 19.}f 7. 17. & 11.2. 16. 
- Rom. 15- 20.2 Cor.| 1 Phes. 3. 2, 6 &16.1.2Tim.3.10. 
| 3.18. Gala. 19. 

4 a 
_ despised the apostle and his friends as mean and 
“obscure persons, Thus, while they lived in plen. 

" ¢y, he and his companions in travel, (and proba- 
bly the other apostles,) continued even to that 
day, exposed-to hunger and thirst: they often 
wanted even suitable raiment to appear in before 
their auditories ; they were buffeted with con- 
"tempt and cruelty ; they wandered about without 
any settled habitation; and they earned: their 
mean and scanty subsistence by the labour of 
their own hands. Yet when they were reviled, 

_ they blessed and prayed for those who reproach- 
ed them: they endured persecution patiently ; 
_. they returned hamble entreaties for defamation : 
but, while thus rendering good for evil, they were 

_-treated.as the filth of the world, and the refuse 

and scum of the earth, even to that very time : 

|. they were considered as below contempt, or as 
worthy of execration, as pestilences and nuisan- 

‘ces, who oughi to be extirpated and purged ‘out 

‘of society; as the common sewer carries away 
the filth and offscouring of the city, to prevent 
infection and disease. (Marz. Ref.) Some un- 

_ derstand the words. of certain human victims, 

_ peculiarly mean and. vile, whom the idolaters 

| mised to offer to the infernal gods, with vehe- 

, gnent expressions of abhorrence and execration. 

_. V.14—17. The apostle assured the Corin- 

| thians, that he did not thus state his distresses 

and their prosperity and self-sufficiency, in order 
to put them to shame for néglecting him, and 

, adding to his troubles: but he affectionately 

ti warned them, as his beloyed children, that their 
abition, carnal secyrity, attachment to false 
ers, and. lamentable divisions, would expose 
to great dangers and evils. For though 


RR RR I RR 
them, As they were his children, he was ten- 
derly solicitous for their welfare: and therefore. 
he must speak with authority ss a parent, and — 
had a right to their respectful “obedience: he, 
however, would rather beseech them in love, to 
be followers of him, in preference to their new 
teachers; to adhere to the doctrines, regard the 
admonitions, ohey the commands, and imitate 
the example, that he had given them. For this 
purpose, not being at that time able to come him- 
self, he had sent Timothy to them, who was his 
beloved son, converted by his ministry, resem- 
bling him in spirit and conduct, and faithful in 
the Lord, as “ a steward of his mysteries,” And 
Timothy, when he came, would recall to their - 
remembrance the apostle’s doctrines, and the 
regulations he made in every Church which he 
planted; that whatever had been put into disor- 
dep since he left Corinth, might be rectified be- 
fore he came again. 

V. 18—21. Some of the teachers and their 
adherents at Corinth were so puffed up with their 
imaginary importance and superiority, that they - 
were confident the apostle would not dare to 
come among them, or attempt to intermeddle in 
their affairs. But he assured them that he fully 
intended to come, if the Lord would enable him : 
and then he would make trial, not of their ora- 
tory and tinselled eloquence, but of their power 
to support themselves in opposition to his apos- 
tolical authority, and the. miracles which he 
should perform in confirmation of it. For the 
‘kingdom of God was not set up in the world, or 
in men’s hearts, by well chosen words or elo- 
quent harangues ; but hy the power of God, ex- 
erted in working miracles to prove the divine 
‘Joriginal of the Gospel, and in the efficacious 
operation of the Holy Spirit to convert the souls 
of men. The Corinthians cou!d not but know,” 
that the apostle’s testimony had been thus con- 
|firmed among them. Would they then choose 
that he should come to them with the rod of cer- 
Jrection, denouncing spiritual censures, and in- 
; - | flicting miraculous judgments on the refractory, ~ 
in their conversion. to}as he had done on Elymas, and Peter on Apanias 


preaching the Gospel to |and Sapphira? Qr would they, that he should 
ore ale Dy EME RT Be. tee MER REE ir SCS SR ATT ie 


t 
Tak 8, 


A.D. 60. 
' CHAP: V. 


' The apostle sharply reproves ‘a scandalous incesf, 


protected from censure in the church at Corinth, 
1,2. By the autherity of Christ he orders the 


i] 


¢ome to them in the spirit of tender love and 
meekness, to encourage, commend, and comfort 
them ?» This would depend on their conduct, in 
yespect of those abuses which he was about to 
specify; for if they were not remedied, he must 
be compelled to exercise some salutary severity 
on the offenders, ¥ 


PRACTICAL’ OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1-7. 

The ministers of Christ should be deeply sen- 
sible of the importance of their trust, as well as 
of the dignity of their office ; that, as ‘stewards 
« of the mysteries of God,” they may be faithful 
to him/and to his Church ; disregard their own 
interest, mdulgence, and reputation ; and willing- 
ly endure reproach and suffering’, for the honour 
of their Lord and the salvation of souls. Thus 
they should apply themselves with diligence, im- 
partiality, boldness, and simplicity, to dispense 
the mysteries of God, and “ rightly to divide the 
© word of truth” among the people, according to 
their characters and conduct: remembering that 
faithfulness is indispensably requisite in a stew- 
ard; and that every other qualification must be 
contemptible, if this is wanting. Christians also 
should learn to value ministers, not so much in 
proportion to the brilliancy of their gifts, as by 
their integrity and disinterested faithfulness : and 
they certainly offend the Lord, who slight such 
as are true to their trust ; or who would tempt 
them to be unfaithful, by flatteries, bribes, frowns, 
censures, or contempt. Indeed, it ought to be 
the smallest matter with us to be judged of men, 
or blamed for that which God approves, even by 
those whom we most love: yet it requires a su- 

perior strength of faith and grace to be totally 
indifferent to, and uninfluenced by, the opinion 
of others; and many are thus tempted to waver, 
or warp from the constancy of their: testimony. 
Yet men must be incompetent judges: nay, 
though we’ know more of ourselves than any 
others can do of us, yet our own judgment is not 
to be depended on, in respect of our faithfulness, 
any more than our own works, in respect of our 
justification. We should therefore rely in this, 
as in all other things, on the Lord; beseeching 
him to preserve us from deceiving ourselves, and 
to plead our cause against unjust censures and 
suspicions: and in respect of others, we should 
in all doubtful matters refrain from passing judg. 
ment; waiting till the Lord come: (Vote, Matt. 
vii. 1—3.) Then every secret will be disclosed, 
every heart will be laid open, and all counsels 
manifested ; every hypocrite will be unmasked, 
every slandered believer justified, and every 
faithful servant and steward applauded and re- 
warded. Waiting for that solemn season, and 
preparing torender our account; we should be- 
ware of thinking of ourselves or of others, above 
wha: is written in God’s word, and of being puff- 
ed up for one against another ; lest we should 


“L CORINTHIANS. 


1are admitted into the kingdom of heaven. Th 


exconimunication of the incestuous 
He shows that thé leaven of sin mast 
out, in order to keep the’ true passover,. 
"in Christ, 6—8._ Seandalous professors of 
tianity must be shunned, 9—13, 
‘ See uae 5 | 


despise those whom God will then honour, 
plaud those whose ed things of daskness et 
will disclose, or trust im man instead of the Lord 
himself. If we duly consider what we ate by 
nature and practice; who hath made us in every 
respect to differ from others; and from whom 
we have received all our talents: we st A 
ground of glorying io ourselves on 
but rather of shame and humiliation b God; 
even if in some respects we are distinguished — 
from our brethren, and if we do not over-rate our 
endowments, Com aeiree hh S 
V. 813. Hr Faas) SA gona 
Fallen man is most apt to count himself full,” 
rich, and honourable, when he is most blind, 
poor, and naked; and mere’ professors of the — 


Gospel, like ¢low-worms, shine most in the 
as to their own opinion of themselves.  'T 
sence of faithful ministers concurs with the sm 


the’ cross, of at- — 
tempting to serve God and mammon, and of 

Jeeming self-indulgence the summit ofevangeli- — 
cal liberty. But such ministers a8 most desire, — 
and would most rejoice in, their real prosperity, _ 
will be the last to congratulate them on their ad- 
mission into this ‘ fool’s paradise’ and theymay 
know to what @ precarious and carnal kingdom 
they are advanced, by their shyness to those pas- 
tors who will also reign with them, if ever ‘ 


whom God hath most honoured, have always a 
been proportionably despised, hated, and abused 
by men; and their sufferings, even unto death, — 
have made them an intérésting spectacle to all 
the intelligent creation. The consideration that 
so many eyes are upon us, ml Hc Pa 
difficulties, or conflicting with temptation, shou 
animate us to unconquerable constancy and pa. 
tience ; that holy angels and saints may rejoice, — 
and that evil spirits and wicked men may be dig. 
appointed and confounded, ° ” i 

the strongest believers; and't 
of God’s ambassadors, have 
for Christ’s sake, an treated as weak. avid con. 
temptible,, through bodily infirmities, poverty, 
want of worldly accomplishments, and an unp 
ant faithfulness to the souls of men; yea; th 
hath been their estimate among Christians, 
even their owa converts, who have counted th 
selves wise in Christ, strong, and honourable 
exact proportion as they were inferior to t 
wiom they thus undervalued ! It is very | 
ive to reflect on the apostles, as invest 
the highest authority in the Church, endued 
miraculous powers, and conferring thei 
others, and most eminent in holiness and 
fulness ;, yet even to the end of their lives sa 
tirely poor‘and destitute, as oftento want 
very necessaries of life; earning their 
manual labour, and treated every where/as 


{ 


AD. Ea a CHAPTER Mi) , AD, 60. 


T is 2 reported commonly that there is present in spirit, have * judged already, 
af b fornication among you, © and such|as though I were present, concerning 
fornication as is not so much as named|him that hath so done this deed. \ 
among the Gentiles, 4that one should] 4 In i the name of our Lord Jesus - 
have his father’s wife. Christ, * when ye are gathered together, 

2 And ©ye are puffed up, and have|and my spirit, with the power of our 
father mourned, that he that hath} Lord Jesus Christ, 
‘this deed & might be taken away] 5 To! deliver such an one unto Satan 
om among you. for the destruction of the flesh, ™ that the 
For I verily, » as absent in body, but|spirit may be saved in =the day of the 
fait. Gent. 2. 9, 26. & 10,1—| Lord Jesus. 

1 Sam. 2, 24, 4, Lev, 18.8 & 20.) 64 Ps. 119. 136. 
Dver. 11. & 6.9. 13.| 11, Deut, 22.. 30:] Jer. 13. 17. Ez, 9% 
, 18 Acts. 15. 20.29.) & 27. 20. 2 Sar | 4. 6. 2 Cor. 1. 9— 
2 Cor. 12. 21, Gal.! 16.22, & 20. 3. 1! 11, & 12. 216 
s 19. E 5. 3.) Chr. 5. l- Bz. 22,)¢ ver. 5.7.13. Reve 
“Col. 3. 5. L Thes. pica 2.7. 2 Cor en aT pu: 
+ 2 Zhe . 0) . 
oh ihe 2a tel yor. 6, 4. 6—8. 18.) '& 13.2. Col.2. 5. 


¢ Jer. 2. 33. Ez. 16 Num. 25. 6, 2) 1 Thes,2.17. 
47. 51, 52 Kings 22. 19. Ezra 


. ON ana me a 
obscure, eritminais ! It would be useful to those, 
who imagine that the credit of the ministry de- 
pends, in a great measure, on their making a 

 ereditable, or, even a genteel, appearance, and 

” who emulate the affluent in the expenses of their 

families, to meditate carefully on the subject be- 

| fore us; that they might be led to conceive of a 

more excellent way, of maintaining the dignity 

| ef character, becoming the ministers of Him 
fe who. had not where to lay bis head.” If supe 

“rior rank in the Church were now attended with 
@postolical distinctions alone, it would not so eager- 

oe be pursued. . We should, however, not be 

much cast. down, if in some small degree we are 
conformed to. the apostles, a8 to these things ; 

, and if we too should be deemed fools for Chrisi’s 

ake ; weak and despicable, eug" by professors " 

the Gospel. Though unsble'to appear like ou. 

wealthy hearers, . we do not, generally »want 
wholesome fuod, decent raiment, or comfortable. 
habitations: and if sometimes a faithful minister 
| ‘be thus destitute, it iscommonly the reproach of 

- the people, rather than Any, disparagement. to 

him, We should persist in blessing, entreating, 
and being kind to, our calumniators and perse. 
cutors; and if we should be unable “to over- 
come evil with good,” but still be treated as 
the * filth of the world, and the off-scouring ‘of 
-* all things ;” we may recollect that far better 
men ‘than we are, have been thus vilified, 

ie if V. 14—21. 


et is peculiarly distressing, when a faithful 
‘minister sees his spiritual children turn away 
from him with’ disdain and aversion : but Tet 


d Gen, 35,22, & 49. 


* Or, determined. 1 20, 23.2 Cor. 2e10.] Thes. 3. 14, 15. 
iActs 3. 6.& 4.7—! & 13. 3.10, ,} Jam. 5. 19, 20. 1 
12, 30. & 16. 18.j1 ver. 13.2 Cor. 2) Jobn 5 16, Jude 
Eph, 5. 20 Col 3. ‘| 6 & 10.6. & 13. 10.) 22, 23, 

17. Acts 26.18. 1 Tim.!n is 8 Phil. 1. 6.2 
k Matt. 16. 19. &] 1. 20. Time 1. 18.2 Pet. 
18. 16—18. 20, &/m 11. 82. 2 Cor. 2.] 3.12. 

28. 18. 20. Johnj 7. Gal. vid, 2. 2 


attempting to do good to those, who are thus 
turned from us or against us: and it may be 
useful’ to put them in remembrance of those 
things, which they have formerly learned, but 
seem {o have forgotten.’ We should imitate the 
tenderness of wise and gocd parents, who are” 
not easily induced to forego all care, even of their 
disobedient children ; but who know how to em- 
ploy rebukes and corrections, as well as the lan- 
guage of love and the spirit of meekness., The 
kingdom of God is not set up, or supported, by 
florid metaphors or well-turned periods, but by 
a divine power ; and they are the most eminent 
ministers, not who speak most gracefully, but by 
whom God works most. powerfully. | Spiritual 
censures and Scriptural warnings are greatly to. 
be feared, though not followed at, present by 
sensible temporal judgments : and they who are 
so self-confident as to despise them, are most 
Kite to experience their dreadful effects. 


NOTES. 

(CHAP: V. V.1—5. After the preceding in- 
troductory observations, the apostle next pros 
ceeded to animadvert on the most flagrant abuse, 
which was conniyed at by the Corinthians. A 
‘Christian was guilty of incest with his mother-iny 
law, probably while his father was yet living? 
(2 Cor. vii. 12.) This was a crime, which even 
the licentious Gentiles never named without the 
most indignant detestation: yet it was well 
known and commonly reported, that this member 
of the Christian Church was guilty of it; and he 
seems to have habitually lived with his ‘mother- 
in-law as his wife. But though so scandalous 2 
wickedness was committed, and escaped censure 
among them, yet they were "puffed up with a vain 
conceit of their gifts and superior attainments, 
and were not ashamed of it, or concerned about 
it. Probably, the guilty person was of consider- 
able rank among them, and a zealous adherent 
of some of their popular teachers: so that a 
party-spirit, and a false notion of Christian liber- 
ty, secured him from censure. But, if they had 
been properly disposed, they wouid have mourn- 
fanfluénced by self or party-motives, ed over such an enormity ; and humbled - them... 

them off; on frivolous preten- selves" before God, with earnest prayers, entreat! 
fectionate care and faithful mi-| ing him'to remove all obstacles, that he whohad 
ie however, to Lbabaipin't in dl na this nefarious deed ve gna separated 


| experienced the same trial ; that he may not be 
_ bowed down with discouragement. No man in- 
d must be followed further than he follows 
yet believers should remember that a pe- 
regard is due to those, whom God hath 
pured as the instruments of their regenera 
); that itis very criminal to despise or grieve 
ich oA friends, as feel a real parental af- 


id. D. 60. 


6 Your > glorying is not good. | Know 
ye not that P a little leaven leaveneth the 
whole lump ?. 

7 4 Purge out therefore the old leaven, 
that * ye may be a new lump, as ye are 
unleavened. For even s Christ our Pass- 
oyer is * sacrificed for us: 


a ver. 2, & 3. 21. &iq ver. 13- Ex. 12.) 5,6. Is. 53. 7=10, 
4. 18, 19. Jame 4.) 15. & 13. 6, 7.{ John 1, 29 36, 
16. Eph. 4. 22. Col. 3.) Acts 8 32—35. 1 
Pp 15. 33. Matt. 13.) 5-9, ° Pets I-19, 20. Rev. 
33. & 16, 6—12./r 10. 17. 5.6—9. 

Gal. 5. 9. 2 Tim.}s 15. 3, 4. Ex, 12.|* Or, slain. 

2. 17, ‘ 


from their company. For, though the apostle 
was absent, and could not therefore exert him- 
self as he would otherwise have done; and though 
he was aware that his peremptory interference 
would give great offence: yet, “ being present 
' in spirit,” “haying the whole affair clearly be- 
fore his mind; (perhaps by a supernatural opera 
tion of the Holy Spirit ;} and being full of cons 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


cern for the honour, of Christ, and the welfare of 


the Church; he had already determined in the 
ease, and had passed sentence on the criminal, 
as if he had been upon the spot. He therefore 
charged them in the name, by the authority, and 
> forthe honour of Christ, that, when they met 
together as a Church, they would consider him 
as present in spirit among them, to ratify their 
sentence, with his apostolical authority, and to 
enforce it by the power of Christ; and thus to 
expel the incestuous person from their commu- 
nion ; that he might not be considered as a Chris- 
tian, but ag a heathen, a subject of satan’s king- 
dom. ‘Yet this was not to be done in hatred, or 
fot his ruin; but in hopes, that it would be the 
means of bringing him to repentance, and the 
mortification of his fleshly lusts, that so, his soul 
might be saved in the day of Christ.. Probably, 
the apostle expected, that this solemn sentence 
of excommunication would be attended by some 
miraculous infliction of pain and disease, to the 
wasting, or even the death, of his body: yet by 
«« delivering him over to satan,” he seems to in- 
tend his. expulsion from the visible kingdom of 
Christ into that of the devil, and not tliat satan 
would inflict the correction whicli might foliow. 
No doubt, evil spirits are able and willing to dis: 
order the body, or distract the mind, or destroy 
life, if God permit: yet it Seems more reasonable 
to think, that God by miracle inflicted the dis- 
ease, than that he permitted Satan todo it. It 
should, however, be noted that, when supernatu- 
ral visitations do not accompany ecclesiastical 
censures, temporal pains and penalties ought not 
to be annexed to them. Abuses of this kind 
have made way for the disusé or relaxation of 
salutary discipline, throughout a great part of 
the Christian Church.—* A mother-in-law marries 
‘ her son-in-law, with'no favourable auspices, by 
‘ po authority ! Ch! incredible wickedness! and 
¢ unheard of through life, except in this one in- 
* stance” © (Cicero. 

“Y. an Tt a evident that the Corinthians 
hadno good cause to glory in their eminence 
and prosperity: for, their ¢onnivance. atthe 
gross wickedness before mentioned, was alone 


* 


8 Therefore t let us kee 
* not withvold leaven, = neither 
leaven of malice and wickedness 3° 
with the unlea bread of since 
and truth. aise iy ; Ee 


it Lev. 23, 6. Num] Eph. f 
28. 16, 17, Deut.| Pet 42,3. 9 | 
16- 16, Is. 25. 6, 

T Or, holy duys Ps. 
42. 4, Is. 30, 29, 

u yer. 1. 6.& 6.9 
11, 2 Cor. 12. 21. 


sufficient to prove, that puré reli 
declined dmong them. What! did they 
know, that a little leaven would soon fermer 
and sour the whole lump of dough? And tha’ 
corrupt principles and.examples, if connived at, _ 
would diffuse their baleful efficacy through the © 
whole Church? The judgment of men would ~ 
thus be corrupted, their conduct would be lax 
and licentious, and they would altogether b 
come a scandalous community, As the Jews — 
therefore used to search with eutidles in every ~ 
corner of their houses, that. y migh{ cast out — 
all the leaven, before they made the unleavened — 
bread for the passover; so olight they to pu: 
out such crimes and offenders. ‘These evils, how 
ever congenial with theit-old staté of idolatr 
were utterly inconsistent with the purity of 
Christian Church ; whichshould be'a new lu 
as they were to resemble the unleavened ~ 
used atthe passover, The Jews, indeed, 
only the type and shadow of good things 
come, in their appointed feast : but Christ hi 
self, the true Pasggver, had been sacrificed 
his Church, to atone for their sins, and to be 
spiritual sustenence of their sauls. It behooved — 
them therefore to keep the sacred feast, notwith — 
the old leaven of heathen licentiousness, nor yee 
with the leavén of malice, ambition, and'conten- ~ 
tion; but with that simplicity and sincerity of | 
repentance and holy obedience, which were the 
truth and substance shadowed by the on. 
leavened bread. This might either be applied | 
to the habitual feast of communion with God, by 

faith in Christ, or to their co ing his’ 


. 


person was one of the teachers who opposed t 
apostle; or the opposing teacher, supposing, t! 
the apostle had a single false teacher in 
mind. But this is not probable: and in the se 
cond epistle, where he directs the Corinthians 
comfort the incestuous person, as brought 4 
deep repentance, and in danger of being * sw 
‘lowed up of over-much sorrow ;” he 
of ‘false apostles, ministers of satan, 
“ formed into the ministers of righteous 
which indeed wholly subyerts this su 
Lewdness,* is the old leaven to be 
‘ because the Corinthians were infamous f 
‘ to a proverb.” (Whitby.) — 
V. 9—13. Probably, the a 
previous epistle, (which has n : 


[ 


rr ened») 571 
CHAPTER v. a D. a0. 


covetous, gor an idolater, hora railer, 
iora drunkard, « or an extortioner; ! with 
stich an one no not to eat. 

12 For ™ what have I to do tojudge 
Must ye needs go out of the} them also that are without? ° do not 
. g ye judge them that are within ? 

now I have written unto you,| 13 But them that are without, P God 
cep company, if any man that is|judgeth. 4 Therefore put away from 
‘a brother be <a, fornicator, £ or| among yourselves that wicked person. 


y with fornicatérs 
together with the forni- 
s world, or with the covet- 


| 26 Proy.| John 17. 15. Phil. 1Thes.4. 3-8. Rev. a 7, 8. 14, 18—]l vere 13. Mat. 18.Jo 6. 1—5. 
Gs 17.} 2. 15. 1 John 5. 29.| 2; 14.20, & 21. 8. 17. Rom. 16.17. 2ip Ps. 50.6. Acts 175 
Rev. 12.9 Ke 22. 15. bo 10. Ps. 102.5. | Thes. 3. 6. 14,15.) 31. Rom. 2. 16: 
6: Ge Be Fe 12 15.|F Ps. 10. 3. Mark 7.| 3 11°21. Mat. 24,49} 1 Tim.6. 5. 2John| Heb. 13. 4. 2 Pets 
ke: 23.) & 8. Ile. Acts 9. 21—23.. Lnke 42 | —51- Luke 12. 45,! 10, 11. 29% 
Se 15+ 19. & 17. bs FAC he 15, &e. Eph. 5.5.| 45. & 21. 34. Rom.|m Luke 12.14. Johniq ver. 1. 5. 2. Dents 
: ; on, ver. 1. &| Col. 3.5. 1 Tim.3.| 13.13. Eph. 5. 18.] 18. 36. 13. § & 17.7.8 
"5: 9,10. Ps. 50, 16 3. & 6. 9) 10, 2} 1 Thes. 5:7, 8. m Mark 4. 17. Col} 24.°21. & 22. 21, 
. 2 Cor. 12. 20,} Pet. 2.-14, 15. k Ez, 22. 12, Matt. 4, 5. 1 Thes. 4. 12.| 24, Ec. 9. 186 
Gal. 5. 19—21. 


23.25. Luke 18. 11. 1_Tim. 3. 7s 
4 pls see Baa 
permit them to escahe unpunished. There™ 
fore, let the Corinthians proceed to do their du* 
ind of vate Some expositors indeed ty, by putting away from among them this noto 
are. opinion, that the apostle did not refer to} rious offender, without regarding the displeasure 
any epistle which he had before written; but to} that might be excited by it: otherwise, the apos:’ 
what he had enforced in the preceding verses of| tle would be compelled to come unto them with 
; this chapter. But this certainly is not the most! rod, and to exert his miraculous powers in inz 
obvious meaning of the passage. And why should} flicting punishments on them.—Dr. Hammond, 
| ‘we suppose, that all his letters, (any more than| and some others, by far fetched criticisms, inter: 


all his Sermons,) must be preserved as a part of| pret almost all the words here used of some kind 
volume? Can it be thought probable; | or-degree of lewdness. Thus the covetous, the 
on reflection, that this zealous apostle, so admi-| extortioners, and even the railers, are supposed to 


rably qualified to give epistolary instruction, who 
‘Tay so Jong in prison, and was, in various ways, 
so long kept at a distance from his friends and 
children, should in the course of his whole minis- 
try, write no more letters, than are now extant ? 
_ However this may be, he did not mean to pro- 
hibit all intercourse with fornicators, or with co- 
vetous men, or with such as oppressed the poor 
by iniquitous exactions, or even with idolaters, 
provided they were not professed Christians : 
for so general were these crimes, that such a 
prohibition would have been equivalent to a 
| command to leave their families and occupa- 
tions, and to become’ hermits and recluses ; 
which would by no means be for their good, or 
| for the honour of God: He would therefore now 
more explicitly say, that if one called a brother, 


. fornication, or similar crimes, or of reviling, or 
_ intemperance ; he ought not only to be excom- 
Municated, but his society should be shunned, as 


eyen to refuse to eat with him, till he had given 
evidence of his sincere repentance. Thus the 


vented ; and the most effectual method would 
o¢ taken to convince offenders of their guilt and 


ling those that were not professed Chris- 


_s 


a member of the Christian Church, was guilty of 


infectious, by every believer ; and they all ought 
infection might be stopped, and the scandal -pre- 


- But the apostle did not. deem himself 
or authorized, to determine any thing 


(which might be the reason why no men- 
ide. of censuring the woman, who had 
in this matter, she probably being a 
t did. it not belong to them, to ex.| citing those who are more immediately concern- 
ial authority over the members of ed, to prefer the honour of the Gospel to eyery 
rch, and to censure the scanda- personal or party interest ; to venture all conse. 
orthose without, they must} quences in bearing testimony against such scan- 
judgment of God, who would not|dals; and to separate from among them those 
s 


mean debauched or licentious characters, as if 
covetousness, extortion, and reviling, were not 
totally inconsistent with Christianity ; or as if 
such a writer, as St. Paul, would have needlessly 
accumulated words, in speaking of one species 
of wickedness, and not have dropped a hint con- 
cerning other kinds of wickedness, which are 
equally abominable in the sight of Ged ! 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
_¥. 1—8. 

How grievous is it, that those crimes’ should 
sometimes be notoriously committed by profes- 
sors of the Gospel, which heathens would be 
ashamed of? Wo be to the world, because of 
such offences? And wo be to them by whom 
such offences come ! yea, to those by whom they- 
are connived at !—Spiritual pride, ambition, and 
false doctrines and teacbers, directly tend to in- 
troduce and perpetuate. these scandals: for, 
men’s gifis, influence, notions, and connexions, 
are, in such circumstances, more regarded than 
their conduct. So that religious societies, as 
well as individuals, are generally most puffed 
up, when they have most need to be ashamed 
and to mourn: and sometimes those men are 
gloried in, especially when eminent in gifts or 
affluence, who must be taken away, as mortified 
limbs, before the Church can thrive in vital god- 
liness.: When a man has wisdom, zeal, and love, 
he ‘can: have but one judgment in cases of this 
kind ; and if be possess authority or influence, 
he will use it, whether present or absent, in ex. 


«who have done such deeds. 
bie, that all the midisters and Churches of Christ 
were enabled toexercise this salutary discipline, 


SR OE Ske RE Me OTe Yer 


Ae Di BOs. ie 


CHAP. VI. 
Phe hetiiacia are reproved for going to law be 


fore heathen magistratés, instead of settling their 
. differences among themselves , 1—6, and re self- 
‘ishness and dishonesty, 7, 8. Neither fornicators 
_ adulterers, &c. nor thieyes, nor covetous persons, 
_ nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor. extortioners shall 
inherit the kingdom of God, 9, 10. ° Some of the! 


Coriiithians had been such, but they were, washed, 


&c. 11.. Alllawful things are not expedient, 12. 
Christians, whose bodies are the members of 
Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit, must 
flee fornication, as a sin against their own bodies, 
13—19; that, as bought with idiiad they may 


. glorify God in body and soul, 20 


ARE any of you, Ravine aa matter 
againstyanother, » go to law before 


the unjust, and not before © the saints? 


2 Do ye net know that 4 the saints 


a Mat. 18. 15—17.) 16. 1.15. 


b ver. eee ae Zech. 14. 5. Mat} & 20. 4. 
e 1, 8, & GA. 33. & 


jn the name and by the authority of their Lord ; 


and to.deliver over into the visible kingdom of 


satan, all who evideutly disgrace their profes. 


sion: and that those, who have such discipline 
among them, did always exercise it with exact 
unpartiality, due solemnity, and tender compas- 
gion to the souls of offenders, But, alas! it hath 
been so generally abused by mén’s carnal pas- 
sions, or rendered inefficient by family-connex- 
ions, secular and party influence, and an undue 
regard to the rich above the poor; that a more 

complete revival of pure and spiritual religion, 
seems necessary, before it can produce its full 
effect. Far more, however, might be done in 
most places than now is ; if fear of man, respect 
of persons, and carnal policy, did not sometimes 


deter those concerned, from decidedly acting ae- 
cording to their judgment. 


** your glorying is not good.” Few seem suffi. 
ciently aware, that a little leaven leaveneth th 

« whole lump ;” and that the honour and suc- 
cess of the Gospel, and the flourishing of the 
Church, require that the old leaven be diligent. 
ly sought out and purged away; though the 
numbers and wealth of the society should , be 
greatly diminished by it; and that none should 
be deemed a part of the true Church, who does 
not appear to have renounced and mortified his 
old sins ; that thus the whole company may be 
a new and unleayened mass, So far is the sa- 
crifice of “ Christ/ our Passover for us,” from 
rendering this personal and public sanctification 
unnecessary ; that it furnishes the most cogént 
reasons’ and effectual motives for it; else we 
can neither live by faith in him, nor ‘Join in his 
ordinances with comfort and profit. This feast 
cannot be solemnized, thése previsions cannot 
be relished, along with the old leaven’of sensual 
indulgence, or that of malice and wickedness; 


1 19 28. Luke 22: 30. i 
fais re 14, 15. & d Ps 49. 146& 149] 1 Thes, 3.13. Rev. 
19. >—-9. Dan. 7- 18.) 2. 26, 27, & S, V1. 


Tt would be desira- 


But, alas! many 
even glory in their prosperous state, when abu- 
ges prevail, which fully authorize us to say, 


4 If then ® ye hay e juc 
pertaining to this li 
iwho are least estee 


that there is not a wis 
no, not one that sha 
between his brethren’ 

6 But ™ brother goeth t 
ther;-and that before the. u 


ph 4 
e ver. 4. 2 Cor, 4h 512 
18: 1 John 2. 16, 17: {Acts 6.28. 


2.4. Jude 6. 
g ver. 4. Ps.17. 14.1) 3 
Y Luke 8, 14.812 
Se 

0. 


of sincerity and trath 
Be 
When sndlveiduatey aati “en 
have done evil, eatinot prevail 
away from among them ; they 
associate with them,’ ‘and protest 
scandals by withdrawing from 
we should not be severe on th 
even the occasional falls, of 
bled for them ; yet when any « 
es the Gospel; ‘is oct o 


with i ittae even more thalimctanaiie 
guilty of similar crimes; who make no profession 
‘of religion ; lest we should allow of 
his sins, because” he ia of our party: ‘and A. 
timents. But how’ grievous is it, 
needs still go out of the: 
Christian,) if we should’ ae 29h 4 
tercourse with such characters as/are here | 
Scribed! So prevalent’ is vice’ on € 
We must, however,’ leave at are W 
out, and who are ‘Strangers or enemies to 1e 
doctrines of grace,’ to the dgment of God 
We should first ju , and take he 
to give no offencé’to others; ‘then we" ‘sh 
shun such professors of the Gospel'as wo 
an offence to ts, and a reproach to th 
and thus attending to our own haf this: 
pect, we should wait and pray 
er ii ie in the Chureh of God. coe te 
SO : ‘oe 

c NOTES: “fe ! 
CHAP. VI. V.1—6; “The apostle he 
proved another lamentable evil in the © 
Church. He abruptly inquired, a8 on 
éd, whether'any of them could could venture 
jaw with their brethren before | 
gistrates, who were’ unrighteous 
might be expected to bet 
matters. Whereas they” 
all their differences, '(if such. there 


= there is utterly a 
yecause ye go to law 
© why do ye not ra- 

g? why do ye pr rather 
wes to be deirauded ? 
® ye do wrong, and defraud, 
your brethren. > 
et Marg, Mark 1o. 19. 


Col. 3,25. 1 Thes. 


i eid 2. 19-23. 
4.6. Jam. 5, 4. 


20. Rom. 12. ie Mal. 3. 5. 
p tev. 19 13. Mie. 


22. Mat. 
Fe] 5 


sicration of the. -anints, the holy disciples of 
brist. What, with all their superior know- 
ee ‘did they not. understand’ that believers, 

ng first ied righteous and heirs of God, 


"e ‘they not actors to be entrusted with the 
sion of such causes, as related only. to the 
“comparatively. trifling concerns of this life ?— 
“Whereas, even fallen angels, whose slaves they 

‘once were, and by whom they were long harass- 
ed, will be judged by them; and the punish- 
ment of those proud and malignant spirits wiil be 
embittered by this mortifying circumstance.— 
«if then, they had causes rélative to.secular mat- 
ters to determine, they need not take off the mi- 

sters of the Gospel from their work, nor select 
ich as were qualified for other’ services: even 
eee of inferior abilities and. estimation in the 

» Church were competent for this business. At 
present they acted in such a manner as was very 
shameful ; for after having greatly gloried in 
their wisdom and gifts, there seemed to be not 

$0 much as one wise man among them, not one, 
| that couldbe trusted as an arbitrator between 
his brethren! So that such disputes were carried 
before the unbelievers, who would thence natu- 

Tally conclude the Christians to bea seifish and 
litigious set pf men. Doubtless, therefore, there 
was a great fault among them, which could not 
be palliated: their quarrels proved them carnal 

and selfish: this effect of them was. exceedingly 
dishonourable to the Gospel; and their conni- 
vance at these scandals proved, that the Church 

i was far from being in a flourishing state—The 

| Jews were allowed to settle matters of property 

| among themselves, according to their own law; 

| and Christians would doubtless be admitted to 

| exercise the same kind of authority: yet volun- 

tary. reference to arbitration seems rather to be 
| seagaa The apostle is not treating concern. 
Ve cause to be judged between’believers 

-unbelievers, nor of the public administra- 

of justice ;. but of those differences, which 

ng hindered from being settled by private 
tion. . If the Corinthians had been such 
iin to have been ; this question would 

n superfluous : for no one would have 

s brother any occasion for litigation. — 

ich mutters as,these, they ought by 

employ the pastors, or teachers, or 
of the Church, or the deacons ; 
ied in their sacred func- 


_ 


CHAPTER VI. | i A. D. 60. 


“9 4 Know ye not that the « unrighteous. 
shall not inherit the kingdom of God? 
be not deceived: neither * for nicators, 
nor idolaters, nor + adulterers, nor effe- » 
minate, nor ® abusers of themselves with 


mankind, : 

q ver. 2, 3. 15, 16. 
"ho: & 3.16, &9. 24. 
r Ex. 23,1, Lev. 19 
15. 35, 36 Deut. 
25. 13—16. Prov. 
11. 1. & 22. 8. Is. 


4. Rev. 21.8. & 22. 
15. 

.ju Gen. 19. 5e Ley. 
18. 22. & 20. 13. 
Deut. 22. 5. & 23. 
it Judg. 19. 22. 
Rom. 1. 26,27. 1 
Tim. 1. 10. . 


| 25. Ban. 1.18. J 
Tim. 1. 9 

3 ver. 10- & 15, 50, 
Mat. 19. 29) & 25, 
34, Gal. 5. 21. 

t 5.3.10. Gal. 5.19 
—21. .Eph- 5. 5. 
Heb. 12.16. & 13. 


10. .1, 2 & 55,7. 
Zech. 5. 3. Acts 24, 


‘tions: but rather they should choosé some of 
* those (afterwards called the laity,) who being - 
‘ less taken up in sacred services, might be tore 
‘at leisure to attend to these secular concerns.’ 
(Beza.)—The word rendered deust esteemed, i8 
elsewhere translated, despised, or, set az nought. 
(i. 28. xvi. 11. Luke xviii. 9. xxiii. 11. Acts iv. 
11. Rom. xiv. 3, 10. 2 Cor. x. 10. Gail iv. 14, 
1 Thes. v. 20.) ‘ itis full of sense, signifying to 
* ésteem a man to have-no worth in him, to dis- 
* dain, vilife, and nullify aman; to set atnought, 
‘and basely to esteem of a thing’ (Leigh.)— 
“Tf you still retain your secular judicatures, you 
* set them to be judges over you, who are des- 

*pised inthe Church’? (Whitby.) This learned 
writer reads the clause interrogatively ; “ Do ye 
“set them to judge, whe are despised in the 
Church?” But did the Church avowedly des- 
pise and set at nought those very magistrates, 
whom the apostles commanded them to honour 
and obey? Mr. Locke understands. it ee 
persons not appointed to the magistracy : but it 
does not appear, that the original word was ever 
used in thatsense.- In fact, none of the inter- 
pretations above given ate fully satisfactory: for 
the ™eanest Christian could not be despised and 
Set af nought in the Church; except as that 
Church was corrupted. But may net the apostle 
refer to the vain-glory and self-wisdom of the, 
leading persons at Corinth ; who would, by ne- 
cessary consequence, despise such as were iife- 
rior to them, in knowledge, utterance, and spi- 
ritual gifts, in proportion as they exalted them- 
selves? Yet the meanest real and experienced 
Christians, whom they set at nought, were com. 
petent to decide such causes, as they br ught 
before the heathen magistrates: perhaps more 
oe anes than their despisers. 

V.7,8. ‘There is a fault among you, that 

“you go tolaw atall; it being cither, on the oné 
side, want of patience and Christian coutent- 
* ment, that you do not rather bear some injuries, 
¢ than thus sec +. to redress them; or on the other, 
* covetousness and injustice, which move you to 
‘do wrong to, and defraud, your brethren. 
(Whithy.) No doubt there were faults on both 
‘sides, though the dishonest party was most crit 
minal.—Fault, (xryapa.) ‘ That is, a want of 
‘fortitude of ming, which causes you to be 
“ overcome with evil”’—whence disputes and 
«litigations arise? (Beza.) (Marg. Ref. ) 

V.9—11. The apostle here plainly declared 

his doubts concerning some of the professed 
Christiai=, at Corinth, as their conduct was so 
contrary to the precepts of God’s Word. Wha:, 


My 


s 


© 


A. D. 60. I. CORINTHIANS. 


10. Nor * thieves, nor ¥ coyetous, por 
arunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioner's, 
shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

11 And 2 such were some of you: 
&® but ye are washed, » but ye are sanctifi- 
ed, © but. ye are justified, in the name.of 


the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our 


God, 
[Practical Observations} 


12 4 All “things are lawful unto me, 
3.3. 1 Pet. 4..2, 3.4 2 'Lhese 2.13. 1 Pete 
a Ps, 51. 2-7- Prov. 1, 2.22. 

80.,12. Is. 2, 16.je Is. 45, 25. & 53. 
Jer. 4. 14. Ez. 36.) 11, Luke 18 14. 
25. John 13. 10.! Acts 13.39 Rom. 
Acts 22, 16, Eph.| 3.24. 2630. & 4. 
5. 26. Tit 3.6.) 5& 5.19.88. 
Heb. 10.'22. 1 Pet.| 30.33. Gal. 2. 16. 
$. 21, Rey-1, 5. &) & 3. 8.11.24. Tit. 
7,14: 3. 7. Jam, 2, 21—26. 
b 1.2. 30, d 10. 23. Rom. 14. 
18, Gal. 5, 22, 23.1 14. 


g Ps. 50.17, 18. Is. 
1. 23. Jer. 7- Lt, 
Ez. 22. 13. 27. 29, 
Mat. 21.13. & 23, 
24. 33. Juhn 12-6. 
Eph. 4,28, 1 | 


4. 6, 1 Pet. 4. 15, 

y Sce on, 5. 11. 

12, 2. Rom, 6.17 
—19. Eph. 2, 1—3, 
& 4- 17-22. & 5. 
8. Col. 3. 5—7, Tit. 


Acts 26. 


ee ed ee ee ee Sa eee 
did they not know that unjust, or dishonest per- 
sons, shall not inherit the kingdom of God? 
There is vast energy in these inguiries, when we 
consider that they were addressed to a people, 
who were puffed up with an imagination of their 
superiority to others in wisdom and knowledge. 
if, however, they did not pay a proper regard to 
so plain and evident a truth; he must warn them 
not to deceive themselves or each other, and to 
take heed that satan did not deceive them: for 
they would certainly find, that persons who lived 
jn the practice of any of the vices and iniquities 
which he proceeded to enumerate, would be ex- 
cluded from heayen at last, whatever their pro- 
fession, gifts, or creed had been. The word 
effeminate does not seem merely to denote. per- 
sons of a soft and self-indulgent temper and 
conduct, in other matters ; but such as violated 
the order‘of nature by abominable practices, 
only to be named with those of ‘the abusers of 
#* themselves with mankind.” » He did not, how- 
ever, mean, that they, who had been guilty of 
these or similar abominations, were excluded 
from salvation ; for even some of the true Chris: 
tians at Corinth had been habitually criminal in 
gnany of these respects ; and probably most of 
them in one or other of them. Bu# then, they 
had been washed, not only by the water of bap- 
ism, but in ** the Fountain opened for sin and 
6 uncleanness ;? so that they were sanctified 
from the love and practice of sin, and to the love 
and service of God, by the operation of the Holy 
Spirit, as well as pardoned and justified by faith 
inthe name of the Lord Jesus. Thus their cha- 
acter and conduct were changed, as well as their 
state: butif any one of themstill practised these 
yices, he deceiyed himself, if he supposed him- 
self to be an accepted believer. The arrange 
ment of the expressions in the eleventh verse 
ghows, that no argument can be drawn merely 
from thai circumstance, in respect of controyerted 
points of doctrine. Here is the figure called 
* Hyperbaton : for we ‘are justified in the name 
«of the Lord Jesus,” © and ‘sanctified by the 
s Spirit of our.God.? (So Philem. 5.)—‘ Fo be 
¢ justified still signifies, (in all Paul’s epistlés,) to 
¢ be absolved from the guilt of sin, and approved 
§ as righteous, either at pregent, or before, God’s 


fornication, i but. 
Lord for the body, 


own power. 
e 8.4, 7—13. & 9. 


* Or, profitable. 
£9.27. Rom. 7. 14.{ 12, 13, & 7 4. 


g Mat. 15, 17. an 2 


‘ tribunal. And so, the name of C 
« we are said to be just : 
‘faith in Christ dying 

“all that believe be j 

© The apostle begins with tl 
‘a rich and hixurious city abour 
© warning them, that 
‘ justification and sanctification, 
© indissoluble bond. 


should speak of the Ju € ay 
authors of the divisions ecue ae a 


of meats; yet all things — 


‘power over him, so that he cannot 


14 And * God hk 


h 10.3—5. Jo 
272 49. Cok 2. 
23. ye 

i ver. 15. 19, 20; 
3. 16, 17. Rom.6.! P! 


1%. & 10, 24—33, 
Rom. 14. 15—23. 
2 ‘Llies. 3.9. 


se 
Jude 12. 2 Cor. 5, 15. & 11} 6. 39, 40, 


Heb. 12, 15, 16,| 12. 1. & 14: a ohn 
Ih. 5. 23. 1) 26. Eph. 1. 
= 3s—7. . |" Phil. 3) 21; 


7.19. Rom. 14.17. | Thes. 4. 


2 ” 
ntance 


V. 12—17.. It is x 


Re 


\ 


philosophising disposition, and their abuses 
Christian liberty, plainly show them to hay. 
speculating Gentile converts, mie an. into 
opposite extreme, and in’ ced a speciot 

tem of antinomianism. As all meats mij 
fully be eaten, the ceremonial law being no. 
er in force; they were disposed to extend 
same principle even to fornication 
were only prohibited by the ceren 
as if the moral law also had lost its fo 
false principle, added to their 
and habits, seems to have 
connivance at the conduct 
son, 
of this position, that “ all th 


4 


a iS Sys. 
ht lawe 


Now, says the apostle, 
“ Christian,” which might 


him, or consistent with 
of his brethren or neigh! 
liberty must be used under certain | 
(Notes, Rom, xiv. 13—23.) Moreover, a. 
tian should habituwate all his natural inelin 
to subjection ; and not allow them by str 
ed indulgence, even in lawful things, ae 

itis requisite that he should. Indee 
of food were created for the support of 
and for no other purpose ; and the st ha 
bowels were formed to receive, digest, and co 
vert them into nourishment: yet both the 
and the body, (in respect of its present s 
ence,) will soon be destroyed, according to” 
appointment of God. But he did not | 
body to be employed in fornication and p 
cuous intercourse of the sexes; which cot 
act, and, if universal, would entirely defe 


| a Gon. 44. 17, esi Ges 2.24. Mat 
2 


Christ, and make them’ 

an harlot? ™ God forbid. 

know ye not. that he which 
2° an harlot is one body? P for 

th he) shall be one flesh. 

ut 4 he that is joined unto the 

ord is one spirit. 

18 * Flee fornication, 


mm ver-19. & 11. 3.| 17. & 3. 21. & 6.14, 
& 12. 27. Rom, 12.0 Gen. 34. 31, & 38. 

“5. Eph. 1. 22, 28: 15. 24. Judg. 16. 1. 
& 4, 12. 15, 16. &) Mat. 21. $1, 32, 
"6. 23.30. Col 2. 19/| Heb. 11. 31. 


Every: sin Y ehalt 


& 17. 21—23, Eph. 
4.3, 4. & 6. 30. 
Phil 2.5 

r Gen. 89, 12—28. 
Prov. 2. 16—19. & 


19.5, 6. Mark 10.) 29. & 7. 5, &e. & 
4. Ge 31 & 6 2.15; 8. ‘Ep bh. 5. 31. 9. 16—18. 2 Tim. 
& 7% 7-13. Gal. 2i\q 12- 43. John 3. 6.] 2.22. 1 Pet.2. 11. 
a aa 


0. 16. Rom, 3, 3, 


deste of. the Creator, i in making them male and 
FMA mely, the increase of the human spe- 


| pe and the proper training of children, and all 


the comforts and advantages of relative and do- 


| mestic life, as. springing from honourable mar- 
| giage. But even this was a very subordinate 


end, for which their bodies were created: for 
they were ¢ € for the Lord,” to be employed in his 


service ; especially the hodies of believers were 
| for the Lord Jesus,” to be presented as living 
sacrifices to him, and employed as instruments of 
. vighteousness to his glory, (Votes, Rom. vi. 12, 
| QS—16. xii. 1.) and the Lord Jesus was appoint- 
ed to bé the Saviour, Proprietor, and happiness, 


‘of the body, as well as of the soul: for God had 


_ vaised him up from the grave, as the earnest of 
| the resurrection of all his people by his power, 
| to glory and immortality. And did they not 


know, that their bodies were members of Christ’s 
‘mystical body, the Church? Was it then meet 
that the body of a believer, which stood in so 


‘high and honourable a relation to the Lord of 


glory, the incarnate Son of God, should be dis- 
raced and abused by a vile intercourse with a 
harlot? They ought to know, that this was to 


| become one body, or flesh, with a licentious wo- 
man, by a most degrading ‘and pernicious devia- 
| tion from the original institution of marriage. 

‘Whereas, he that was united to the Lord was 


‘one spirit with him; this union was formed by 
the communication of the Holy Spirit, and was: 


of a spiritual and sacred nature, comprising a. 
jevery account the Lord’s, they were bound to 


‘conformity of judgment and disposition, and a 


) sympathy of soul: and could a Christian think 
_ of being one spirit with Christ, and one flesh 
| with an harlot? 

| -V.18—20. As this vice was so inconsistent | 


‘with | Christian holiness; and a8 the temptation 


| of the Corinthians to it, from former bad habits, 


xample of their neighbours, and abundant 
tunities, would be many; they ought to 
om it, as from an enemy whom they dared 
ae Maed should shun all incentives to it, 


CHAPTER VI 


ja man doeth 3 is without ‘the body ; ; but he 
that committeth fornication ‘3 ‘sinneth 


5. 3—15, & 6. 24— 


A. D. 60.. 


against his own body. 
- 19 t What! know ye not that 2 your 
body is the temple of the Holy Ghost 
which is in you, which’ ye have of God, 
x and ye are not your own? — 

20 For y¥ ye are bought with a price : 
therefore # glorify God in your body, 
and in your spirit, which are God’s. 


24. 1] Chr. 29. 14, Ps, 12. 
4, & 100, 3. Rom. 
14. 7—9, 2 Cor. 5. 


15. Tit. 2.14, 


s Rom. 1. 
Thes. 4, 5. 
t ver. 15, 16. 
u_ 3.16, 2 Cor, 6. 16. 


12. 1 Pet. 1. 18, 1% 
2Pet. 2,1. Rey. 
5.9. 

Z 10. 31. Mat. 5,16. 
y 7. 23. Acts 20. 28.) Rom. 6 19, & 12, 
Al Gal, 3. 13. Heb, 9. ‘| 1, Phil. 1, 20. 


Eph. 2. 21, 22., 1 
Pet. 2. Se 
x1 Kings 20. 4. 


bours, and their own souls, but against their 
own bodies also; dishonouring and abusing them 
to the vilest purposes, and bringing upon them 
the anost painful, loathsome, and destructive dis- 
eases. Thus they, as it were, take their bodies, 
and, by an act of cruelty to themselves, and gra- 
dual suicide, present them for sacrifice to the 
filthiest demons: This is in some degree the 
case in other kinds of sensual excess ; but far 
more in respect of this vice than any other : : as 
every one must know, who is acquainted with 
the horrible effects of lewdness in populous ci- 
tiés; and with the vast multitudes that are an- 
nually cut off, in early life, and in the most de- 
plorable manner, by the various diseases, with 
which it bath pleased God to show his abhorrence 
of it. Moreover, Christians ought to know, that 
their bodies were consecrated to be the temples 
of the Holy Ghost, who dwelt in them, as the 
gift of the Father through the Son, fo consecrate 
them to God, and prepare them for his glory ; 
so that in this respect too they were no longer 
their own, but the property of God the Spirit, 
who had taken possession of them as his holy 
habitation. For they had been redeemed from 
merited condemnation and hopeless slavery, by 
the atoning sacrifice of Christ; who, having thug 
bought them with a price, had acquired for him. 
self, and for the Father and the Spirit, as One 
with him, a new and endearing right to them and 
their services, in addition to that which he had 
as their Creator. So that being wholly and on 


devote both body and soul to his glory, in every 
service to which he called them, and to make no 
other use of either body or soul, than was con. 
sistent with that holy and entire devotedness to 
God.—The language of this chapter is remark- 
able: God the Father will raise the bodies of 
“ believers by his own power?’ (14. John v.’ 
25—28.) Their bodies are members of Christ, 
and for him, (as he for them,) his property, to be 
devoted to him, having been bought with the 
price of his blood. “And they are also the em. 


ples of the ‘Holy Ghost, and thus his property, so 
{that they are not their own, but God’s, to glorify . 
jhim. Does not all this demonstrate, that St. Paul 


considered the God, to whom Christians especial. 


d jly. belonged, as subsisting in three divine persons, 
|The Lag the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to each 


/ 
- 


A, D. 60. 
GHAP. VIL 


; Dircetions concerning marriage, as a remedy against 


fornication ; and the conduct of husbandsand wives 
te each other, 1—5. The single state has advan- 
tages to those who are capable of it, 6—9.  In- 
structions how to act, when one of the parties isan. 
unbeliever, 10—-16- Fryery one should abide with 
God in the state in whieh’ he was called, 17—24, 
Farther intimations of the advantages of @ single 


of whom he shows their peculiar relation ? “Phis 
accords with the form of baptism and. benedic- 
tion.—‘ The question, * Know ye not this?” is 
* repeated six times in this one chapter ; which 
* may seem to carry with it a just reproach to the 
“Corinthians, who had got anew-and better in- 
*structor than himself, in whom they so much 
© gloried? (Loeke,) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
VY. 1—11. 

The high privileges and gloriona prospects of 
believers, should suggest arguments to them! 
2gainst sin, and for the practice of every Cuty : 
that so, a just sense of the dignity gratuitously 
bestowed on them, may render them superior to 
fhe debasing allurements of vice, and the love of 
worldly vanities. Surely, the saints of God, and 
the assessors of Christ in judgment on men and 
angels, should not so eagerly contend with each 
other about secular interests, as to make rita 
appeal to the enemies of religion! \Surely, they 
are competent to decide such comparatively in:' 
significant causes among themselves! If there 
were not utterly a fault among them, such dis- 
putes would rarely occur: and if at any time 
they became unavoidable, it would be easy to 
decide them by arbitration, were not professors 
of the Gospel too tenacious: of their supposed 
right, and too much on their own side: for, real 
Christians, even of moderate abilities, might ge- 
nerally determine such matters with sufficient 
equity, if they were impartially set before them, 
and unreservedly left to them. It must, however, 
be a shame to any religious company, if there is 
no man among them so wise and faithful, that his 
brethren dare trust him to determine their secu- 
Yar differences. Indeed, law-suits with those that 
ere without need seldom be had recourse to, if 
Christians were disinterested and forbearing in 
due measure; if they would, in all tolerable 
matters, suffer themselves to be defrauded and 
injured, for the sake of peace, and the credit of 
the Gospel. But brother would never go to law 
with brother before unbelievers, if there were 
not a very ‘great fault on one side or both: and 
much deliberation, counsel,’ prayer, and endea- 
tour for accommodation should surely precede 
before a man dare to enter upon so’ perilous and 
disgraceful a business. But, alas, many profess- 
ors of the Gospel not only refuse to: bear and 
forgive injuries ; but they do wrong, and defraud, 
and that their brethren! Whether such men act 
contrary to their consciences, or are misled by 
false principles, they should be reminded, that 
“ the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom 
* of God :” for no one, continuing an adulterer, 
a fornicator, or lascivious, a dishonest, covetous, 


fraudulént, drunken, or malicious map, can haye 


I, CORINTHIANS. 


property to the vile pu ses 


life in that. troubled. state 
memento. concernin 

ty of earthly 

ing the ma 


a Yer. 8. 26, 27.37, b 
20, Mat. 19. 10,11 


tion of God and his ‘saints. — 
selves and others in these. 

is impracticable, and the 
presumption. As many, h 
true Christians, were once si 
they, who are nbw the most prea ni 
come Christians ;, but then they must be “ wash 
“ed, and sanctified, and justified, in the nam 
« peti Lord sed and by He gee a 


Satan takes ad 
pride, and lusts, 
to another. Thus wl 
superstitious scruples, they 
or even unlawful, ‘indulgen 
fy rom aRONE teaches: a man. i 


stroman and to. exert 
own inclinations ; ‘that 
under the power ‘of: any. 
ficult lesson, but of va 


present Jife shall terminate, gt Yr 
teach us moderation in the mosti 
fications, and arm us against tempta' 
as are unlawful. Our bod 

ed, as * forthe Lord,” and be 
service, that they may at length sha 
rection, and be made like to his ; 
How degrading then, how ungrat 
legious, to make the members of Chr 
bers of an harlot! Or to defile : 
Holy Ghost, and to alienate 


is, however, needful to fortify ur I 
side against these da us 
which so many eminen 
down, and shamefully 
view even the horrid. 
who thus sin against 
profitably reflected upon 
and inexperienced ; in| t 
flee from so destructive a vice, and.to ke : 
utmost distance from all its fascinating 
ments. But nobler motives should ar 
believer’s soul: being united to. 
spirit, and bought with a | 
value; he should consider hit 
Lord?s; by the most endearir 
ties ; that, seeking all his happ’ 
he may live wholly devoted to him 
« glorify him in body and spirit, 
(Notes, Prov. ii. 16—20. v. vi. 24—5 
eae NOTES, ey 
CHAP. VIL V.1—5. “It seems, that 
who retained their regard to the apostle’s 


CHAPTER VIL’ . = hs Umea. 
Satan tempt you not for your incontifien- 


cy. ak Ae $f RES 
6 But I speak this iby permission, ard 


: }to avoid fornication, 
fan have his own wife, and 
nan have her own husband. 
é husband < render unto the 
¢ benevolence : and likewise also 
unto the husband. 


not of commandment. | 

7 For® 1 would that all men were even 
aS I myself: ‘but every man hath his 
| proper gift of God, one after this manner, 
and another after that. ~~ ; 

8 I say therefore ™ to thé unmarried 
and widows, it is good for them if they 
Bbide eveti fas’ Thy) ag yO 

9 But if they cannot contain, "Jet them 
marty: for it is better to marry than te 
burn. ~ eerie’ 

[Practical Observations.) 


- n body, but the wife. van 


hee Defraud ye not one the other, & gts 
eept it de with consent for a time, that’ 
ye may give yourselves to fasting and 
prayer; and come together again, » that 
RODE Es aan a ar ss 
Pic ukcd! aes € Hos. 3. 3. Mat. 19.) 12—14. 
@ Prov. 18-22. 8 19.' 9. Mack 10, 11, 12)]h Mat. 19, We 2 
14. Mal. 2. 14, 15.|g Ex. 29. 15. 1 Sam,| Thes. 3. 5. 
 -Bph, 6. 2% 33. 2 : 
Sly at Corinth, had written to him desiring his 
decision of several questions, which had been 
Bes aes them: and he here proceeded to 
| answer their inquiries, especially respecting mar- 
) riage. While some of them pleaded for the 
lawfulness of te ORY others seem to have 
| imbibed the sentiments of the Pythagoreans, and 
to have deemed marriage itself inconsistent with 
Christian purity, or at least inimical to intellec- 
tual improvement. On the other hand, the Pha- 
risees generally taught, that it was sinful for a 
man to live unmarried beyond his twentieth 
year; but at the same time they laid down many 
superstitious rules concerning the conduct of 
married persons. In determining, therefore, this 
matter, the apostle first allowed, that, in many. 
‘cases and circumstances, it might be profitable 
to a man to live unmarried, and might render 
‘more useful to others: provided he were 
ble and willing to live with that entire chastity, 
‘which the single life required. Nevertheless, 
\ because of fornications,” on account of those 
propensities which God originally, for wise rea- 
sons, implanted in human nature, and which 
‘man’s sinfulness has rendered generally too pre 
deniinst, to be kept in’ absolute subjection ; 
in rder to prevent fornication and other lewd. 
practices, and to remove the temptations to them, | 
let every man have his own wife, ‘and every! 
woman lier own husband.” In all cases this] 
Nowable; in very many it was far best that, 
should be so, Nor ought they to imagine it a 
virtue in them to live apart; or that it was even, 
allowable for one of them to withdraw, without, 
the consent, or contrary to the inclinations, of, 
er: but in every respect, they should con- 
tual compliance and afftction an incum- 
y; and thé proper means of living in, 
hy and purity, and at a distance from, 
mn; remembering that they had an un.. 
operty in each other’s prrson, in res-, 
the purposes for which marriage was: 


i ver. 12. 25. 2 Cory 29. 35. 
8.8. & ll. 17- 1 12. 11, Mat. 19. 12.Jn ver. 2. 28. 36. 396 
kK 925015. Acts 26.lm 1. 26; 27. 32. 34,j 1 Lim. 5. 11. 143 


married persons to deprive each other of that 
preservative against temptation which is their, 
due : so that they ought not to separate, but yy, 
consent, for, the spiritual work of fasting and ~ 
prayer.on extraordinary occasions: and even this 
should not generally be for any long time; lest 
satan should take advantage of their weakness, 
to harass and defile their minds, by improper . 
thoughts, or,even to tempt them. fo unlawful in> — 
dulgences. 5 

_ Vv. 6—9.. These things the apostle spoke to, 
them as what were allowable, not as giving an 
absolute commandment. Men might use their 
‘own, discretion about marrying; and matried. 
persons, concerning their conduct in that state: 
provided they did not needlessly cross each 
other’s inclinations, do injustice to one anotherg 
or throw. any temptation in the way. For, the 
apostle would have wished, that all his Christian 
brethren had been as free from. disquietude in 
that respect as he was;. that if the glory of God 
and the circumstances in which they were placed 
tequired,it, they might live unmarried with as 
much content as he did. Some think thathe was ~~ 
a widower, but this is uncertain. We cannot - 
suppose, that he wished marriage to cease among. 
Christians ; but only that every one might be en« 
abled calmly to use his prudence in that respect, 
without being necessitated to marry, when other- 
wise it would not have been advisable. But the 
apostle knew, that his experience in this matter 
‘was not a rule for other men: as this superiority 
to the animal inclinations. was a special gift of - 
‘God, which he gave to.one and not to another, 
as he saw good; and, that in different .propor- 
tions. (Votes, Matt. xix. 9—12.) He would 
therefore remiad unmarried persons, and such as 
had been left in. widowhood, that their condition 
had many advantages, which rendered. it good 
for. them to abideinit: but if'any of them found 
that they could not obtain.the gift of entire con. 
r tinence, it was allowable, and even incumbent on 
This places the husband and the| them, to marry; as it would be far better for 
rely on the same ground ;.and as much,|them, more holy in itself, and more becoming 
im to take another woman, as it does her| their profession, to marry; than to be harassed 
nother man: so that.it is abso-| vith polluting temptations, and continually in 
against polygamy. Nor onght)danger of being drawn into forbidden gratifica. 


trees 
Fat eae 


e’married I command, 
°yet not I, but the Lord, Pp Let not the 
wife depart from her husband : 

11 But and if she depart, let her re- 
main unmarried, 4 or be reconciled to ker 
husband: * and let not the husband put 
away zs wife. 

12 But to the rest * speak I, not the 
Lord; t If any brother hath a wife that 
believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell 
with him, let him not put her away. 

13 And the woman which hath an hus- 
band that believeth not, and if he be 
pleased to dwell with her, let her not 


leave him. 

© ver. 12, 25. 40. Luke 16. 18. 

Pp ver. 15. Jer. 3, 20./q Jude. 19.2, 3, Jer. 
Mal. 2. 14-16. Mat.) 3. 1 

5. 32. & 19. 6—9. r Deut. 22. 19. Is. 
Mark 10. 11, 12.1 50.1. Mark 10. 2. 


s ver, 6.25. 2 Cor. 
11.17. 
t Ezra 10. 2, 36 L1— 
19, 


tions.—‘ This whole passage is framed against 
“those, who condemn second marriages, when 
“the first has been dissolved by death” (Beza.) 
* V.10—14. As to married persons, the apostle 
did not counsel, but command them ; and not by 
his own authority, but by that of Christ, and ac- 
cording to his precepts, that they should not se- 
Parate from each other; which was common 
among the Gentiles as well as the Jews, and that 
on very frivolous pretences. The wife must not 
leave her husband: or, if she had been parted 
from him, she must not think of marrying again ; 


'~< rather, she ought to make every advance and 


concession, to bring about a reconciliation with 
* him; and the same rules were to be observed by 
the husband. Doubtless, the exception is impli- 
ed, which our Lord made in the directions given 
by him in this particular. And though Jesus had 
not given express rules in the following cases ; 
yet the apostle deemed himself authorized to 
enjoin, that the Christian who was married to an 
unbeliever, whether a heathen or a Jew, who 
chose to live with him notwithstanding this dif- 
ference of religion, should-not put her away ; as 
the Jews, for reasons peculiar to their situation, 
were required to do by their idolatrous wives. 
(Notes, Ezra x.) Christians, indeed, ought not 
to marry unbelievers : yet if that relation had 
been entered into, either before conversion, or 
through inattention to this rule, it would cause 
great confusion and scandal to dissolve it on that 
account. The same held good in respect of a 
Christian woman, who had an unbelieving hus- 
band, that chose to live with her. Nor ought 
any person to suppose, that this union, as one 
. flesh with unbelievers or idolaters in lawful 
Marriage, was inconsistent with being one spirit 
with the Lord, as fornication had been declared 
to be, (vi. 15—17.) forthe unbelieving husband 
or wife was sanctified to the believer, by the ap- 
pointment and command of God; so that their 
marriage was holy and’ honourable. If this had 
not been so appointed, but Christians had been 
commanded to put away their unbelieving part- 
ners, as the Jews did their idolatrous wives ; the 
children of such marriages would have been ac- 
counted relatively unclean, and so, excluded 
from baptism, as those of the Jews in the above- 
ates, 


I CORINTHIANS. 


14 For = the suing 
sanctified by. the wife, and the. unbelie 
ing wife is sanctified by the a ; 
‘= else were your children unclean ; 
now are they ho c 

15 But if the aibpliévinis depart, let ; 
him depart. ‘yA brother® or a ‘sister’ 
hot under bondage’ ae cases? * by 
God hath called us’ * t 

16 For what: knowest” 
whether thou shalt save 
+ how knowest thou, oe 
thou shalt save thy wife? ~ 


is ag 
sree ae 


1 6. 15—17.' Ezra 9,:y Mat. 13. 50, Jam. 
1, 20 ITims 46.5, Lx? 

Tit. 1,15, oe Rom. 12,]° 
pak 2. Is, 52, et ie 19. 2 Cor. 


a0 
Gal. 5.22. 5. 19, 2001 
Heb. Fea 14. Jam. Gn wheat. 


+ Mal. 2. 15, Acts} 13. 1s 
18. 28. Rom, 11. 


16. Seay, a 
mentioned case were hens acnceer but 0 7 
the contrary, they were esounted holy in the 
Christian Churches, and thus admitte, oa among 
them, asa part “ of the visible kins 


This exposition of the Script 
indeed been much controverted ; and. 
explained /oly, or unclean, to mean leviti: 
illegitimate: but in all sak places, vhere 
words are found in Scriptu = ‘is ne 
that will fairly admit of rece No do 
the children of heathens, who Were lawfully mar: 
ried, were as legitimate as those of Chir tial 
yet they are never said to be Aoly.” 
more must be meant, by the believer 
the unbelieving party, than merel 
their marriage ; for that would have ee 
case if both had been unbelievers : ‘and the cl 
dren would not really be more holy in re 
their nature if one parent was a believer, than 
both were unbelievers. But as the word. unclean 
is frequently used ina relative sense, denoting - 
unfit to be admitted to God?s or 28, and holy 
the contrary ; as in this sete ne anal han 
of the Jews were holy, and so co 
cumcision; while those of the Genti 
such as had one idolatrons Parent; were 
and excluded from circum 
but conclude, after long atte 
that the baptism of the in 
tians is here referred to, is 
in the Churches; and | 
that this was not objected to, when only one 
rent was a Christian.—* Hence then the: um 
‘ for infant-baptism runs thus: If the 
‘ among the Jews was therefore tabe enc cis- 
*ed; and to be made federally holy by rece 
‘ the sign of the covenant, and” 
«into the number of Géd’s ho’ ne 
‘they were born in sanetity, or were 
‘holy; for “ the root Spree holy, so se 
“ branches also :” * then by like 
* seed of Christians ought to be acai 
* tism, and receive the sign of the Chri 
‘venant, “ the laver of regeneration ;” *an 
‘be entered into the society of the’ Chri: 
‘Church? (Whitby) : 
V.15, 16. The apostle further © 
ifthe unconverted wife or husband’ i rs 


_ lei 


.D.60: 


* 17 But > a8 @od hath distributed to 
every man, as the Lord hath © called eve- 
ty One, so let him walk: and 4 so ordain 
i in all churches. Mes 
Yi (Practical Observations.] * 

18 Is any man called ¢ being circum- 
ise 2 tet him not become uncircunici- 
sed: is any called in uncircumcision? 
et him not become cifcumcised. . : 
19 ©Circumcision is nothing, and un 
tircumcision is nothing, sbut the keeping 
“of the commandments of God. 

20 Let every man ® abide in the same 
‘calling wherein he was called. 
ver. 7% Mat. | 24.28. Gal. 5.1—8.) §. 19. John 15. 14 


» 12. Rom. 12, 3—8,} Col. 3..12. 1 John 2. 3,4. & 3. 
UY Pets 4:10, 11. ff 8 8 Rom, 2. 25—~| 22-24. & 5. 2, 3, 
 & ver. 18-21. 29. & 3,30. Gal: 5.) Rey. 22. 14. 

d 4.17. & 16. 1. ab & 6. 15. h ver. 17. 21-23, 


Cor 11.28. ig 1 Sam. 15. 22.{ Luke 3.. 10--14, 
| & Acts 15. 1.'5. 19.! Jer. ¥, 22,23. Mat.{ 1 Thes.-4. 11s 2 


part, and to disannul the marriage, according to 
- the laws of the community ; the believer was not 
| wequired to act in opposition to it, or as if in 
| bondage by the preceding contract. Yet sepa; 
| yations ought to be avoided, if this could be 
done: for God had called them to live in peace 
! with all men, ‘as far as possible; and therefore 
| they ought so to act, that if a separation took 
_ place, no part of the blame should attach to the 
) Christians Such an union, indeed, would occa. 
siom much grief and trouble with an unbeliever ; 
"yet that ought patiently to be endured; for how 
_ did the believing wife and husband know, but 
ho God would make use of them, for the con- 
| Version and salvation of their unbelieving com- 
| panions, by their pious, affectionate, and exem- 
plary behaviour, edifying converse, and fervent 
| prayers ?—The fathers in general interpret this, 
: as allowing the deserted person to marry again. 


« Such a total and perpetual desertion must, (on 
| © this interpretation,) dissolve the matrimony, 
‘and render the deserting. person as dead to 
®the other. A brother or q sister is not en- 
| © slaved, after all means of peace and reconcilia- 
| Stion have been in vain attempted, and the un- 
| believer hath entered. intoanother marriage, or 
| © rather, hath dissolved the former by adultery ; 
| © as may well be supposed of those heathens, who 
“thus separated from their Christian mates. And 
“this intérpretation seems to be confirmed, from 
*the former words relating to the case of the believ- 
‘ing wives and husbands; “ if they depart, let 
| * them remain unmarried ;” ‘it being notto be sup 
|) © posed that believers would dissolve the bond of 
| “matrimony by adultery. Therefore the apos- 
®tle seems to grant this in the case of unbeliey- 
3, departing from Christians on the account 
heir faith” (Whitby.)—Total and perpetual 
tion, when accompanied by evident adulte- 
the deserting party, undoubtedly sets the 
er party at full liberty, according to the’ 
ptural rule; for deserting a husband or 
to live with another man or woman, or io 
evidently adulterous, must as much dis- 
marriage, as a divorce explicitly given 
nt of adultery. (Votes, Matt, xix. 1—9.) 


j 


Vso 


- CHAPTER Vil. 


» Thes. 3, 12. 
i 12. 13/ Gal. 3.28. 


—24. 
kk Luke 10. 40, 41, 


L Luke 1. 74, 75.) Jude 1. 


~ 


y 


¥s 


UB. 


_ 21 Art thou called t being a servant?» 


k care not for it: but if thou mayest be 
made free, use z¢ rather.» 6 
» 22 For-he that is‘called in the Lord, be- 
ingaservant,!is the Lord’s} freeman : likee 
wise also he thatis, ealled, deing free, ™ iS 
Christ’s seryant. shies 4 
23 Ye» are bought with a price; ° be 
not ye the servants of men. 
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein 
he is called, therein P abide with God. 
[Practical Observations) 4 
Rom. 6. 18~22,in’6. 20. Lev. 25.42. 
Gat, 5. 1.13. Acts\20. 28. Tit. 2 
6, 5, 6. Col. 3. 22—4 14, 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19- 
24. Philem. 16. 1] & 3. 18 Rev. 5. 9% 
Pet. 2. 16. 
t Gr. made free. 
& 12.29. Marg. &jm 9. 19. Rom. 1. 1- 


21. 34, Phil, 4.6. Gal. 1.10. Col. 4. 
11. 1 Pet. 5. 7 1% 2 Pets. 1. a 


Col. 3. 11, 1 Tim. 
6. 1—3. 1 Pet. 2.18 


o Mat. 
Gal, 2. 4. 

P10. 31. Gen. &. 22 
—24. & 17%. 1 ZF 
Sam. 14, 45, Gl. 
3. 23, 2de 


John 8. 32-36.) 


c . 


apostle to digress to a more general topic. In 
ordinary cases, and without good reasons to the 
contrary, it was proper that every man should 
continue to serve God, by the improvement of 
those gifts that he had distributed to him, and 
in that situation in which he had called him. 
This was the general rule, which the apostle 
gave in all the Churches. Thus, if a Jew, or 
circumcised. proselyte, had been converted; let 
him not deny, conceal, or be disquieted about 
his circumcision ;\ or refuse that regard to the 
ceremonial law, which might tend to conciliate 
his unbelieving brethren : but let not the uncir- 
cumcised convert submit to that abrogated ordi- 
nance, or at alltake that yoke upon him. For 
in fact the difference was in itself immaterial, 
unless they put such matters in’a wrong place + 
but obedience to the commandments of God was 
the great concern, While the Mosaic dispensa- 
tion continued in force, it was proper that its re. 
quirements should be complied with; and it, 
might be still expedient for the Jewish converts 
‘to pay some regard to them: but the Gentiles, 
had nothing to do with them, and need only re- 
gard the precepts of the moral law, and the in. 
stitutions of Christ, from a, principle of faith in 
bim, and love to him. It is obvious, that the 
apostle is not here speaking of the way of justis 
fication, but of the conduct of justified believers, 
In like manner, it was commonly advisable for 
‘every man to abide in that profession, trade, or 
‘station, in which the grace of God had called 


23. 8—lle . 


. 


him to the knowledge of Christ; provided it | 


were an honest employment. For the Gospel 
would teach a man how to behave in any con- 


dition, and patiently to bear its inconveniences. 


If then any one had been converted in a state 6¥ - 


servitude, even to a heathen master, (which was 
the common tase of the servants in those days ;} 
let him be less solicitous about his liberty, than 


about glorifying. God in that trying situation: . 


But as it would frequently deprive him of reli- 
gious advantages, especially that of meeting with 
his brethren on the Lord’s day, or at other times ; 
and as it would expose him to many temptations ; 


{if he had a fair opportunity of obtaining his free- 
.. The preceding subject led the 


dom, he would do wellto embrace it, Tire.con: 


: a 
‘aut 


2 


ea 


ie 


3 


ee 
es 


af. D; 60. 


\ 25 0% Now) 4 concerning virgins, 1 
* have ne commandment of the Lord :) 
yet L give my judgment, as one that hath 
® obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful, 

26 I. suppose therefore t that this is 
good for the present * distress ; J say, that 

#tzs good. for a man so to be. 

27 Art ™ thou bound unto a wife? seek 
not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from 


a wife ? seek not a wife. 


] ver. 28. 34, 36—-)s 4. 2, & 15. 10, 2) Mate 24.19. Luke 
33. Ps. 78. 63, Cor. 2. 17. & 4 1,) 21° 23. & 23. 28, 29» 
£ ver. 6. 20. 12. 40,| 2.1 Tim. 1, 12 1 Pet. 4. 17- 
12 Coy. 8. 8—10. Kit ver. 1. 3. 28. 35—|* Or, necessity. 


li. 17. 38. Jer. 16. '2—4.ju ver. 12—14. 20. 


verted slave, however, was called to the noblest 
liberty, as the freedman of Christ, and emancipa. 
ted from satan’s ydéke: and the Christian, who 
enjoyed his outward liberty, should consider 
himself as the ‘servant of Christ, his property, 
and bound to devote himself to him, and.obey 
his will, As therefore all Christians had been 
bought with ay invaluable price to be the Lord’s 
Servants; they ought not by. choice, or from se- 
cular motives, to become the servants of men; 
because that would interfere with their devoted 
obedience to their common Lord : so that.every 
man ought contentedly to abide with God, by 
constantly performing the duties of that situa- 
tion, in which he was converted to the faith of 
Christ. As ministers.were at that time entirely 
taken from among the converts to Christ in every 
Church, many of whom had doubtless been pre- 
viously employed in other occupations ; and as 
seminaries’ for educating men. for this service 
were not then known ; so, it is evident that the 
apostle did not mean to forbid that change, when 
it could be made advisedly and on good grounds, 
as well as from proper motives; and in other 
respects his general rule might admit of some 
exceptions —‘ They should not change, upon a 
* presumption, that Christianity gave them a 
« new and peculiar liberty so to do.’ (Locke.) 
The context favours the supposition, that those 
changes, which some might be induced to make, 
from an erroneous judgment, in respect of their 
liberty, or ‘Guty, as Christians, was the pri- 
mary object: which the apostle had in. view: 
yet, bis general language seems to imply, that 
he ‘meant to extend the rule to various other 
case$.—Dr. Whitby and some others explain the 
words, “ Ye are bought with a price,” of those 
slaves, who had been charitably rahsomed at the 
expense of their fellow-christians. But their 
fellow-christians,obtained. no property in them 
by thus ransoming them, as Christ does by ransom- 
ing us: the advice is general, and.not limited to 
these persons; and it is far more obvious to sup- 
posethat the apostle used this expression, in the 
game sense in which he had done before. (Vote, 
vi. 18—20.}—Abide with God, &c. * Neither de- 
* serting his master upon pretence of being 
‘ God’s servant, not’ doing any thing against 
* the laws of God, in obedience to his master.’ 
(Vhitby.) It may be added; But serving God 


“by faithfully, diligently, and meekly ¢ serving his 


§ master, in all things lawful?’ 


> 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


| both those,” &¢. So itis understood by some 


28 But andiif thou marry, = thou hast” 
not sinned; and if a virgin marry, 
hath not sinned. ¥ Nevertheless 
shall have trouble in the flesh: 


spare, you. Rises Sh ee 
[Practical Obseroations:] . 4 


29 But this I say, brethren, * the time 


PEERS Te, ae 
10, & 3103 15, m 
Ec. 6. 12. & 9 10./b 


xX ver-36, Heb. 13. 4/1 
y ver. 26. 32—34, 
zver. 35, 2 Cor.1023-| Rom. 13. 21, 

a Job14. 1, 2. Ps| Heb. 1S, 13, 14. \ 
39. 4—7, & 90. 5—I Pet. 4. 7. 2 Pet. 3. 


VY. 25—28.. The apostle here resumes hii 
former subject, with especial reference to the 
who had never been married: for he seems f 2 
use the word rendered virgins in this latitude, in: 
cluding both young men and young women, 
Christ had given no mandment in this mat. 
ter, but had left them frée to marry, or not, as 
they saw good; and the ar received © 
no special revelation about it t there. 
fore speak authoritatively 5 
counsel, according to the 
which he possessed, as 0 
mercy to be faithful in his 
mysteries ; for he ascribed 
compassion and mercy of 
markable expression, pitied e ft 
Considering the dete Bf 
and the persecutions to’ or 
be, exposed, he considered i : 
live unmarried ; that they might SS enc 
bered in removing from city to city, I f 
fewer temptations to shrink from imprisonmei 
and death; and that they might be 
gaged, ene Rey for any service w 5! 
be proposed to them for the furth of | 
Gospel: as their RA) ac upations, att 
ments, and impediments youll be wer, in 
single than in the married state, But ifa 


were either married, or contracted to a 
under promise of marriage, he o 
means to attempt the violation of his 
ments, in order to eae more berty. 
service of God: though the unmarried mig 
be counselled to avail fiueaibeles of their 
vantages, and not to involye themselves in ad- 
ditional difficulties, during those distressing 7 
times. Yet if either man or woman. should 
deem it hest, all things considered, to marry 7 
they would break no law of God, and ought 
to be blamed for it. Indeed, they would p 
bly have additional outward trouble and s 


V. 2931. In speaking on this s 
was proper that Christians should be remi 
of the shortness of iife, and the transitory 
of-earthly things, atall times, “ The n n 
‘© of their days was short, or contracted; sot 


= 


Rt D. 60. 


> 


they wept not ; 
though they 
buy, as though they possessed not ; 


id passeth away. . 
32) But 


(Practical Observations] 


| eth 
“how he may please the Lord: 
- 33 But he that is married, 4 careth for 


¢ Ps. 30. 5. & 126. & 11.2, 9, 10. Mat. 
5,6. Ec. 3. 4. Is] 240 48-50. & 25. 
‘25. 8. & 30. 19.) 14-29. Luke 12.15 
‘Luke 6 22. 25. &| —21.& 16.1,2.& 
16.25. John 16. 22,! 19. 17—22. & 21. 
Rev. 7. 17. & 18.7.) 34. 1 Tim. 6. 17, 
| @ 9. 18. Ee, 2,24—] 18. Jam 5. 1—5. 

26, & 3.12, 13, &je Ps. 73. 20. Ee, 1. 
$s 18-20. & 9. 7-10.] 4. Jam. 1. 10, 11. 


: v 
De ee 


2.17. 


Phil. 4, 6, 
f1Tim. 6.5. ~ 


| €o the preceding part, of the verse. 


_ be habitually prepared for a separation: that 


——— 


| serious recollections; that they, who were pur- 


| gertainty of their tenure, and not deem them- 
_ selves owners of such fleeting possessions; and 

that those who were laying out their worldly 
riches, should be careful not to abuse them, or 
| to expect happiness from their pleasures and en- 
| Joyments: seeing, “ the fashion,” tbe whole 
scheme, form, and show of this world, was pass- 


_ street; and would soon vanish as a phantom. 
| So that the spirit of a pilgrim and traveller ought 
| in all cases to be maintained.— To have and use 
4 these things, as though we had them not, or did 
‘ not use them, is to be moderate im the enjoy- 
‘ment of; not to be much affected with them, 
| (when we have, or much afflicted, when we want 
| Sorlose, them.” (Whitby.) } 

_ ¥V. 32—35. By the preceding counsel the 
} oe meant to preserve helievers from perplex. 
} ing cares, in that unsettled state of the Charch. 


For he was sensible, that an unmarried man, 
having grace proportioned to his state, and being 
led to live in it superior to its temptations, 

ht wholly employ himself in contriving the 
st methods of serving and pleasing the Lord : 
and, ot having the charge and expense of a 
mily, he might employ his time, talents, and 
ce, more entirely in promoting the glory 
and the good of mankind ; and be ready 
ito any part of the- world for this’ pur- 
n opportunity presented itself. But the 


concerns ; 


Ie 


‘that he might provide for and attend 


ware: s 
AR OM EEE ee LS Ree ee ere ee 


CHAPTER VII. 


30° And they © that weep, as though 
t; and they that rejoice, as 
rejoiced not; and they that 


81 And they that 4 use this world, as 
abusing it: ¢ for the fashion of this 


1 would have you without 
eng & He that is unmarried car- 
for the things that belong to the Lord, 


1¥Pet, 1, 24.1 John 


f Ps. 55. 22. Mat. 6. 
25—-34, & 13. 22. 


h Neh. 5.1—5, Luke 
12. 22. 1Thes, 4 
11, 12. 1 Tim. 5. 8 


who join the words, rendered “ It remaineth,” 
Or, it re. 
mained therefore to be observed, that married 
|, persons should reflect how speedily their union 
| Must be dissolved, that they might sit loose to 
_ the satisfactions of that endeared relation, and 


they, who mourned any temporal loss, should: 
moderate their grief; that the prosperous and 
_ joyful also should repress their rejoicing, by more 


chasing houses or lands, should consider the un- 


ing away, 88 a pageant or procession through the | 


who was married, must needs employ 
thoughts and time about secular 


A. D. 60, 
ithe things that are of the’ world; i/ how 
he may please Ais wife. ms 
34 There isa difference also between 

a wife and a virgin: the unmarried wo- 
man * careth for the things of the Lord, 
that she may be holy ! both in body and 
in spirit: but she that is married careth 
for the things of the world, how'she may 
please Aer husband. © © . ; 
_ 35 And this I speak for your own pro- 

fit ; m not that I may cast a snare upon 
you, but for that which is ® comely, ° and 
that ye may attend upon the Lord with- 
out distraction. Paine? 
36 But if any man think that he behiav- 

3. 5. Tit. 3.8, 3. Phil. 4. 8,9. 4 
1 6. 20.. Rom. 6.13.] Tim. 16 10. Tite 


& 12.1,2. Phil, 1.) 2. 3. 
20. 1 Thes. 523. f ver. 33, 3de Luke 


4—8, Eph. 5, 25— 
33. Col. 3. 19. 1 
Pet. 3. 7. 

k Luke 2. 36, 37, 2 
Cor. 7- 11, 12. & 8. 
16. & 11. 28.1 Tim. 


iver. 8. 1 Sam. | 


m yer. 2. 5—-9. 23.) 8. 14, & 10, 40— 
36. Mat. 19. 12. A2, & 21. 34, 
Rn ver. 36. Eph. 5: 


to his family, and render things agreeable and 
comfortable to his wife, whom he was command. 
ed to love and cherish as his own flesh: and this 
would exclude him from several active services, 
to which he might otherwise have been compe- 
tent. The difference between a virgin and a 
married woman was of a similar nature: the 
former might wholly dedicate her time’ and 
thoughts, her body and soul, te the service of 
God, in following after holiness, and in doing 
good: but the latter must be engaged in the bu- 
siness of the family, and in other duties of her 
station, according to the will of her husband, 
whom God had commanded her to obey. So 
that, though marriage was most suited to men 
and women in general; yet individuals, who de- 
sired peculiar advantages for progress in personal 
religion, and for doing good, might possess them 
in an unmarried life; and fo such it might be good 
not to marry, even if the times had been more 
favourable. This counsel of the apostle was far 
from countenancing them to shut themselves up 
in convents, and thus to put the lighted candle 
under a bushel: on the contrary, it instructed 
them to “let their light shine before men,” by 
an uninterrupted series of active services, for the 
elory of God and the benefit of the world. Yet, 
he only gave them this counsel for their profit; 
and would not by any means cast a snare on 
them, by persuading those to a single life, who 
had not a sufficient command over their own pas... 
sions. He meant not that this was required” of. 
them; but that in some cases it would be come-, 
ly, and enable them to wait upon God in his or- 
dinances and commandments, without having 
their thoughts: or affections divided or distracted 
by other cares or attachments. 

¥. 36—38. Hitherto the apostle’s meaning 
has been evident; but these verses are not with. 
out difficulty. Some explain them ofa man’s 
resolutely continuing in a single state ;suppos- 
ing * the necessity” mentioned, to be matter of 
personal consciousness, and not any thing arisin 
from the conduct of another; but such a con; 
stryction of the original, is, by their own allow: 


r we 


’ 


EET RES 


LD. &. 


eth himself uweemely toward his virgin, 
if she pass P the flower of Aer age, 9 and 
need so require, let him do what he will, 
* he sinneth not ; let them marry. 

37 Nevertheless, he that.standeth stead- 
fast in his heart having no necessity, but 
Kath power over his own will, and hath 
so decreed in his heart that he will keep 
his virgin, doeth well. 

88 So then, he that giveth Aer in mar- 
Fiage * doeth well; but he that gi- 


PD 1Sam. 2. 33. q ver. 9.37. r ver. 28,’ s yer. 2. Heb 13. 4- 


ance, without example, Others would refer them 
to the case of a man who had betrothed a virgin, 
and was in doubt whether he should complete 
the marriage : ‘but Yo marry is not the same as to 
sive in marriage. It seems therefore most obvious 
to explain the passage, of a parent, or guardian, 
who bad the charge of a virgin. if such a one 
thought that he acted unsuitably, in letting the 
virgin live single, till she had passed the prime 
of her life ; and if any attachment, or other cir- 
eumstance, rendered it needful ; let him deter- 
mine as he saw good, or, as it may be rendered, 
as she willeth,” without supposing it sinful to 
allow her to marry. ‘But on the other hand, ifa 
man was established in his judgment, that it was 
best for his daughter, or ward, to remain uomar- 
ried in such evil times ; and if he saw no neces- 

sity from ahy ting in her behaviour, disposition, 
or attachments, to deviate from his’ own inclina- 
taons respecting her, and he so determined in his 
mind to keep her unmarried, he did well. So 
that the parent or guardian, who gave a virgin in 
marriage to a proper person, did well, and was 
by no means to be blamed; though she might 
thereby be exposed to additional difficulties in 
those unsettled times; on which account, he who 
did not give his daughter or ward in marriage, 
did better; that is, he acted more for her real 
advantage, provided shé were satisfied in the 
cyte state. 

V. 39, 40, The law was still in force, which 
bound the wife to ber: husband as long’ as “he 
lived, (that is, except when legally divorced for 
2 sufficient reason;) but afterwards she might 
without sin marry any other man, provided he 
were a Christian, and in the judgment of charity, 
a true believer. The apostle, however, judged 
that widows. would be happier, if they continued 
in that condition, in the present state of the 
Church: and, whatever some “of the Corin- 
thians might suppose, he thought himself to. be 
guided by the Holy Spirit, in giving these’ coun- 
sels and tnstrections. ‘The language employed 
in several places of this chapter has led ‘most 
expositors ‘to conclude, that the apostle did not 
write by inspiration in the’ particulars: referred 
ta: and’ doubtless these intimations, thus under- 
stood, would: rather prove, than invalidate, his 
samediate inspiration in other parts of his writ- 
ings. Vet there seems no stffficient ground for 
the distinction: sometimes he’spoke by way of 
permission concerning what’ was ‘allowable ; 


‘agmetimes by way of counsel, concerning whrat 


1. CORINTHIANS. 


| married to whom she will 


duties of this relation, and with the mut 


BA ai Me Nn 


ane 


veth her not in’ marriage & doeth | 
39 The wife is bound by the 
long as her husband liveth; but if her 
husband be dead, she is at liberty ‘toh 
1; * only in 


Lord. ay San, 


40 But ¥ she is happier if she so abide ' 
after my judgment: and I think also 
that I have the Spirit of God. he 
ten 1 8, 26. 32—»x. Gen. 6+ 2. Deutdz 1 


Mal 
uw ver: 10.15. Rom. 2 Cor: 6. 14-16, 1 
7.2, 3. ver, 1. 8. 26+ 350 


sist gS cian aia as Sell ana 
was advisable; and at other times we ro 
ment, concerning what was. absolu 
on their consciences, But in all this,’ a might 
be, and doubtless was, guided by the Spirit | 


Cy tyre 


a righ = opsenv! ATIONS. 
— . 
That which is good in itself, 
be best for a man, when all ciren ay nt 
weighed; and all the variety of inward evils ar 
outward temptations, connected with it, are dul ns 
considered. So that those things, whieh 
good for one, may not so much as ee nd- 
ed to another; because he is ‘incapable ‘of over- 
coming the difficulties to which 
For, though none may be ‘dispensed | ‘with i 
breaking the divine law, even that perfect 'f 
leaves men at liberty to serve God’ in tha 
which is most suited to their ca 
circumstances ; of which others ‘are often it n= 
petent judges. Thus, if they, who find adv. 
tages for serving God in the single state, im ; 
that others might do the same; they show th 
selves to be’ ignorant ofthe situ: of | 
man in this ensnaring world vide there: 
doubt, but many, who from various’motives 
unmarried, experience that circumstance’to bea 
great hinderance to theminrespect of their souls ;. 
and are unable, or unwilling, to persevere in that 
kind of celibacy, which the apostle describes a 
good. ‘To prevent therefore’ the fatat effects: 0 
unchastity, it is generally expedient, and a 
allowable, that every man should have his 
« wife, and every woman her own’ husband. 
restrictions of this allowatice uniformly te 
licentiousness; and no tongue can express. : of 
mischiefs, which arise from covetous, lice DUS, 
and constrained celibacy. Every ‘part of the 
conduct of married persons also Mpa 
regulated, as to render them agree af 
satisfied with, each other. ‘Whatever ther 
on either side, tends to give satar tunity 
of tempting the other party as enpof-thobe ¢ 
which marriage was instituted to prevent, or” 
render it ineffectual for any of those ends: 
which the Creator appointed it; must be hi 
criminal, under whatever ing Paty 
may be done; and the offen 
able to God, "for the eprops ne = 
tion. from bis commandments.” For peor 
adultery and polygamy are inconsistent with 


Lai 


& D. 68. 


4) Oe CHAP. VIII. “ 

Humble love is preferable to that knowledge which 
puffeth up, i—3. Idols are nothing; seeing 
Christians worship only one God, through one 

~ Lord d Mediator, 4—6. yet this knowledge, 


petty of matried persons in each other; but also 
hatever is disobliging, and tends to weaken the| 
ment, and to open the. way, for. either of 
them to look with more satisfaction on another 
- “object. Every thing in the Christian’s conduct 
‘should be regulated in subserviency to his com- 
-munion with God. Abstinence, and abstraction 
from lawful indulgences, may for a time be great- 
ly subservient to that end: yet, when carried 
‘beyond proper bounds, they often produce con- 
trary effects, and give satan peculiar advantages 
against. us. . They, who, like the apostle, are 
‘enabled to live with purity and contentment in 
an unmarried state, should copy his example, by 
Jaying themselves out with double diligence to 
glorify God, and to be useful to mankind: they 
should also imitate his prudence and candour, 
| in not prescribing to others, or despising others, 
. 


Saar 


who are not endued with the same gift; remem- 
_ bering that in this also God had made them to 
| differ. In counselling others, we should use 
|  eaution; lest by exciting a man to grasp at ad- 
| vantages which are out of his reach, we should 

east him into circumstances of inbuperable tempt- 
ation; urge him to that, which is contrary to his 
| eduty; and dissuade him from what is best for 
| -pbim, and indeed incumbent on him ; for, in such 
| matters, no’man is competent to judge for an- 
| other, but every one must determine for himself; 


, show he ought toact.. —- 
Ney 4) V. 10—17. 
|.» It is the express commancment of God, that 
| smarried persons should not separate from each 
| sother, if it can possibly be avoided; and that 
-auch as have separated, should endeavour to be 
' reconciled, or else live single. It is also his will, 
that husbands and wives should, be careful to 
| please each other in lawful things, though it 
leave them less time for religious exercises, than 
they enjoyed in a single state. Hven if a believer 
-hath.been married to an unbeliever, either be- 


union must be patiently endured, and the duties 


_ -kindness, by a good example, and by fervent 
» prayers, the unbelieving party may be won over, 
»and the immortal soul saved. Nor need any 
| sdoubt, but that, even in that case, fhe marriage 
tate is sanctified to them; and they may still 
hope that their children would be made parta- 
_ ers of the spiritual grace, as well as the outward 
sign, of baptism, by means of their redoubled 
| diligence to “ bring them up in the nurture and 
Sad Monition of the Lord.” In every state and 

Telation, we should remember that God hath 
alled us to._peace: and that every thing should 


By, a8 far as truth and holiness will permit. 
| OSE LV A824, 29-31. ites 


So 
Sie ~~ 
OY Far 


CHAPTER VII. 


‘oand the liberty connected with it, may be so used 
as to enfeeble or stumble weak believers, 7— 11. 


-or rather; he ought to.seek counsel from God. 


| fore conversion, or by inattention to the rule of 
| | the’sacred word ; the cross of that incongruous 


-of the relation cheerfully performed; that by. 


that pay deference to their judgment. 
e done to promote domestic: and social harmo- 


that eyery man should walk with (allowed, or gondemning them for what they 


s 


&: D. 68. 


_ 


“In this case we sin against Christ, 12. ‘The apos< 
“tle would rather for ever abstain from meat, than 
thus stumble a weak brother, 13.0 : 


God, according to the giftdistributed to him, and 
the duties of his station in the community. Be- 
lievers should not show an inconstant and unset- 
tled temper. Even a disposition to change from 
one sect to another, on frivolous pretences, is 
frequently injurious and dishonourable; for thess 


enerally are as nothing, compared with that 


cheerful. obedience to God’s commandments, 
which both evidences our faith in Christ, and re- 
commends his.Gospel to others. So, superior 
area believer’s privileges to all temporal things ; 
‘that even the want of personal liberty, the most 
valuable of earthly blessings, should not much . 
disquiet him: nor ought he to be careful about it, 
though called to serve God in.2 state of slavery. 
If the Son of God has made. him free from sin 
and satan, he has a far nobler liberty, even in 
bondage, than his unconverted master ever form- 
ed an idea of. The lowest condition of his freed- 
men is honourable ; and, being * bought with a 
price,” we are all his servants, and should abide 
with God in our proper place and work; well 
satisfied with his appointment, and not desirous 
of achange, unless a substantial reason can be 
given for it: nor ought a believer so to attach 
himself to any man, from secular motives, as to 
restrict himself from his liberty in the service of 
God. But whatever our state or service; may be, 


we should remember that the time is short; our 


temporal comforts and trials will soon be'termi- 


nated ; our season of preparation or of usefulness 
will speedily expire. Let us then, study to sit 


loose to earthly satisfactions, to bear up under 
temporal sorrows; to be sober and considerate 


in prosperity, and cheerful in adversity ; to deem 
heaven our sole inheritance; and ** to use the 
“things of the world, as not abusing them,” 
seeing the fashion of this vain world is passing 
away like a shadow. Thus we may be helped 
forward by them in our pilgrimage ; kept out of 


‘the way of temptation; and enabled to serve 


God and our generation to better advantage, as 


| we pass through the world to heaven. 


OV, 25—28. 32—40, ’ 


They, who have obtained mercy of the Lord 


‘to be faithful, and who have most studied the 


word of God and human nature, Will be the most 
candid and cautious in giving their judgment, or 
passing their censures: for, whatever may be 
good, in Tespect of present difficulties or peculiar 
circumstances ; they Know that marriage is ho- 
nourable, and fornication is abominable, in all 
persons and circumstances. They will therefore 
be careful not to speak as if marriage were sin- 
ful in any ; and not to throw a snare upon those 
And 
though they foresee, that others will have trouble | 
in the flesh, by marrying in certain circumstan- 
ces, and might‘in some respects be happier in a 


_ {single state: yet they will spare them, without - 


attempting to restrict the liberty which God hath 
do, 


A. D. 60. 


OW as * touching things offered un- 
to ‘idols, we know that» we all have 
¢ Knowledge puffeth up, 


knowledge. 
4 but charity edifieth. 


2 And © if any man think that he know- 
eth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet 


as he ought to know. 


3 But if any man £ love God, the same 


& is known of him. 
4 As concerning therefore the cating 


of those things that are offered in sacri- 


fice unto idols, 5 we know that an idol is 


@ VEr, 10. & 10s 19)°13. “dy Ise Spo BLf 4,19, & 5.2.3. 
22.28. Num. 25.] Rom. 11. 25. & 12./g¢ Ex. 33. 12.17, Pse 


—~-22, 28, 


2. Acts 15. 20. 29. 16, “i 6. & 17-3, & 139. 
& 2. 25. Rev. 2d 13: 8-13. Eph: 4: 2, 2: Nal 1. 7. 
14, 20. 16. Mat. 7. 23. Jobn 10. 


b ver. 2. 4.7% 12. &je Prov. 26. 12. & 30. 
1. 5e8c 4. 10, & 184 2-4. Gal. G3. 1 
2, & 14, 200. & 1. 
34. Rom. 14,34 22.jF 2.9. Rom. 8 28.) Rev. 2.9. 13.195 & 
Col. 2.18.5 Jam. 1, 12. 8. 2:5 3. 8, 9. 15, 16. 

¢ 4s 38s Be Se 2- 6, &} 1 Pet.1. 6 w lasts 10, 19, 20. Ps. 115. 


14, & 21.17. Rom: 
8. 29, & 11, 2. Gal. 


conscientiously. ‘They will only counsel them 
for their profit, and to what is comely, and that 
they may serve God without distraction. Great 
discretion is also needful for parents and guar- 
dians, in their conduct respecting young persons ; 
that they do not, by layimg down rules and mak- 


ing determinations, according to, their wiews of 


what is most for their interest, lead them into 
dangerous temptations: for it may be doing well 
to permit young persons to marry, when their 
attachment or inclinations are that way; when 
otherwise it would be doing better to prevent 
them: as even apparent imprudence, and its 
troubles, are better than sin and its effects, How 
absurd then, must vows of celibacy and perpetual 
virginity be! especially in young persons, and 
perhaps at the instance of others! The probable 
gonsequence of them will be, either the violation 
of the vows; or a life spent amidst temptation 
and mental aeblentents or still worse. This was 
man’s policy. How different from the wisdom 
of God, even in this chapter, which contains in] i 
it more in favour of a single life, than all the rest 
of the Scripture taken together does !—Believers, 
when under no other restriction, should be sure, 
in contracting marriage, to remember that of the 
apostle, © io in the Lord.” ;/WWhat miseries 
have many endured through thé femnant of their 
lives; and what bad consequences have they 
entailed upon their families, by transgressing it 
on some vain pretence or other. 


NOTES. 

CHAP. Vill V. 1-6. I is probable that 
the Corinthians had proposed another question, 
concerning the lawfulness of Chiristians eating 
the flesh of those animals, which had been sacri- 
ficed toidols. It was customary with the idolaters 
to feast on these oblations, both in the temples 
and in their own houses ; and many of them were 
publicly sold inthe shambles, On this flesh se- 
yeral.of the Christians at Corinth would feast 
without scruple ; declaring that they knew the 
idol to be a mere senseless log, and the supposed 
deity represented by it, a mere nonentity.. This 
was, in some respects, taken from ‘a misunder- 


1. CORINTHIANS. 


Tim, 1. 5-7.& 6. 4.| 4.9. 2 Tim, 2. 19. 


nothing in the world; asa bi? f ie Dis 
none other God but one. §° f°” 

5 For tho there be ® that are 
gods, whether 
there be gods 


ithe Father, ™ of 
® and we * in apa 
Christ, by whom are 
by him. 


hae Ts, 41. 24. &} 2. 11. 28: Re At, 15 5 
44. 8,9. Jer. 10.) Dan. 5. 4. John 
14. ey 17, 18.) 34. Gal. 4e 8. 
Hab. 2+ 19, 20. "Acts| Thes. 2.4. 


19, 26, Seen ven e: 
i ver. 6, Deut. 14 ty 1. Fon} 
- 4. hs 


10... ‘Mark ae abl 2,34 ( 
Eph. 4, 6.1 Vimt-jm Aces 1,28, om, 


ie Bont? eee abe ire) ae 
standing of these Seript 
idols as panity, They thei 
was an evidence of superior know 
of such sacrifices, even in the very temples 
the idol! Now, says the stle, N 
all of us, who are 
have this kind and mea 
we are also aware; that 
men up in a yain conceit of their 
ties and attainments, and foster ah 
sufficient, unteachable temper ; Ww iam 
trically opposite to genuine sin ; 
prevents a man from maki 
spiritual and experimental pd uat 
dom: whereas, holy affections, and itl ; 
to heavenly things, and to the prepare 
men for receiving further i instruction, and tend te 
their edification. If any one t 
that he knew any thin pre 
despised warnings and instr 
knew nothing in that holy, 


ll and sought his. gl 
denced to be known and: 
though his speculative 
ratively little : or, (as 
“ was known of h a savi 
(Note, John xvii. 3). “Tn respect therefore of ti 
question, it might be allowed, as "yell no’ 
among Christians, that an idol had nor 
ence, further than the senseless image, 
specifically represented nothing in the. world 
there were no such deities as y 
temples were consecrated : ‘(thor 
evil spirits were virtually worshipped in t 
all;) and that there was but one true and hi 
God. The Gentiles indeed” 
celestial, terrestrial, and infernal ; su 

inferior ; who were ‘adoredias4 ndependent. od 
oras constituted lords and tigdiatovs § ‘Chrise — 
tians knew, that there was but one ae 
Father ; of whom, as the self-existent Aut 
all things, every creature proceeds, in wh 
Christians had their spiritual life and I bapr pin 


4 ; i ee 


| 
| 
| 


things at first 


| boasted of their knowledge in this respect, and 
‘assi 


}| partaking of the sacrifices even in the temples 
f the idols. But, had there been no other rea-. 


AyD. 60. : 
a Howbeit, 9 there is not in every man 
that knowledge: for some, * with con- 


science of s idol, unto this hour, eat 27 
as a thing offered unto an idol ; and their 


mee being weak, is defiled. 

But * meat commendeth us not to 
od ; for neither, if we eat, * are we the 
etter ; neither, if we eat not, t are we the 


bling-block to them that are * weak. — 
10 For if any man see thee, ¥ which 


Bh gs‘ 
+ Or, have we the 


t ver. 10. & 10, 24. 
29. Mat. 18. 6, 7. 
‘10. Luke 17. 1, 2. 
Rom. 14. 20, 21. 


yer. 1.10, 12s 
F ver. 9, 10- && 10, 
,29. Rom. 14.14. 


3 6.13. Rom. 14.17. 
cal 20-23. 
® Or, have ws sad | 1 
more. u 


Rev. 2. 14. 


6. 2 Pet. 2. 19. 1.2. 
20, 32. Lev. 19.'y vere 1; 2 


—_——_—_—__—C 
and unto whom they were devoted : and one Lord 


Jesus Christ, the appointed Mediator between 
God and man, the Lord of his redeemed people, 
and of all things for their benefit; by whom all 


Kevers were redeemed and reconciled to God.— 
he Lord Jesus cannot here be spoken of, in 


The L 


: sore ct of his original nature, as if inferior to the 


, any more than in those texts, which speak 


of his mediatorial Person, character, office, and 


| 


authority. The One God, even the Father, sig- 
nifies the Godhead, as the sole Object of all reli- 
gious worship: and the Lord Jesus Christ denotes 
the Person of Emmanuel, God manifest in the 
flesh, One with the Father and One with us, the 
ppointed Mediator and ‘Lord of all; through 
be we come to the Father, and through whom 
the Father communicates all blessings to us, by 
the influences and operations of the Holy Spirit. 
So that this passage proves, that Christ the Me. 
diator is the Object of our worship, as One with 
the Father and the ‘Spirit, in the unity of the 
Godhead ; and as opposed to all other pretend- 
ers to divine adoration. 3g 
V.-7—13. Christians, who were matured in 
knowledge and judgment, knew indeed that an 
idol was the senseless representative of a nomin- 
Corinthians, being puffed up with a ground. 
less conceit of their own superior attainments, 


al deity, which had no existence: and many of 


it as the reason of their conduct, in 


ms, why they should refrain from doing this, 
which the apostle afterwards purposed to con- 
der, Vote, x, 18—22.) regard to their weaker 
mn, should have sufficed. For not every 
rofessed Christian, no, nor every true believer, 

ca 

A this knowledge: so that some of them, even 
o that time, ventured to eat of the idol-sacrif- 

S, ae a superstitious regard to the 
supposed invisible object of worship. 
had an impression upon their minds, that they 
ste joining in an idelatrous sacrifice ; and thns 


CHAPTER VII. 


this liberty of yours become " a stum- 


14. Is. 57,14. Ez- 
14. 3. & 44 12, 


ix ver. 12. & 9. 22. 
Is. 35.3, Rom. 14. 
Gal. 5.13. 1 Pet.2.| 1,2. & 15.1, 2 Cor. 


were created, and by whom be- 


They 


A.D. 60. 


hast knowledge ® sit at meat in the idol’s 
temple, * shall not the conscience of him 
which is weak be + emboldened to eat 
those things which are offered to idols ? 

11 And through thy knowledge, ® shall 
the weak brother perish, for whom Christ 
died ? ; 

12 But © when ye sin so against the 
brethren, and wound: their’ weak con- 
science, 4 ye sin against Christ: 

13 Wherefore, © if meat make my bro- 
ther to offend, I will eat no flesh while 
the world standeth, lest J make my bro-. 
ther to offend, ie 
Zz 10.20, 21. Num. 

25.2. Judg, 9, 27. 
Am, 2, 8. 

a10, 28, 29. 32. 
Rom, 14. 14, 23. 

t Gr. edified. ver, 1. 


“b ver. 13.%& 10. 33.& 
11.1. Rom. 14, 15. 


f 20,21. & 15, 1~3. 
ce Gen. 20. 9. & 42, 
22. Exe 32, 2% 1 


18. 10, 11, & 25.40, 
4S. Acts. 9. 4, 5. 
e 6.12. & 9.12.19 


14. 2). Cor. 1i, 
id 12.12% Ex. 16,8.] 29.2 Thes. : 
Mat Wa) ansbo es. $. 8, 9, 


through weakness their consciences were defi. 
ed. Now, for what purpose did the Corinthians 
thus lead their brethren into temptation and 
sin? Meat, of whatever kind, did not recom- 
mend them to God, or give them any religious 
advantages above those’ who abstained from it 
whether out of scruples ef conscience, or re. 
gard to their brethren. They ought therefore 
to be far more cautious and circumspect, in 
using, what they considered as their liberty and 
privilege ; and not to act in such a self-confi. 
dent and imprudent manner, as tended to sea 
duce those into.sin, who were weak and uncon- 
firmed in the faith. - For if a person of this de- 
scription saw a Christian, who had the reputa- 
tion of superior Knowledge, sit at-meat in the 
idol’s temple, he would be encouraged to follow 
his example; and induced to do that, which 
either brought on him the guilt of acting against 
the dictates of his own conscience by eating 
while he doubted the lawfulness of so doing; 
or to commit real idolatry, through an erroneous 
conscience, thus emboldened to think that it was 
not inconsistent With Christianity, to pay some 
degree of regard to those idols, which they had 
been used to worship. The word, translated, 
-emboldened, is literally edified : and thus the apos. 
tle intimated, that instead of edifying their weak- 
er brethren, in their most holy faith, by their 
example and endeavours; they were confirming 
them in the superstitious regard, which in some 
degree they still retained for idols, and even in. 
ducing them to join in those idolatrous rites; b 
which the worshippers had “ fellowship wi 

“ devils.” Thus their Knowledge, of which they 
made so ostentatious a display, directly tended - 
to the ruin of those for whom Christ died: and 
whatever might be the event, through the special 
grace of God preventing the fatal consequence, 
yet, by thus giving a wound, mortal in its nature, 
to a member of Christ’s mystical body, they 
committed a very heinous sin against the Saviour 
himself; which would not pass\without severe 
rebukes. On this account, the apostle declared 
that rather then thus cause his weak bother to 


) ‘as D. 6p. 


‘ CHAP. IX. 

The apostle asserts and proves his authority, 1—3; 
and shows that the ministers of the gospel have a 
right to marry, and, with their families,’ to’ be 
supported by ‘the people, 4—=14; yet, he had 


offend, or thus displease his gracious Lord, he 
would to the end of his life ea® only vegetables, 
‘and taste flesh no more for ever. (Vote, Rom. 
xiv! 15.)—The word rendered weak, often means 
sick or diseased : and some learned men explain 
these verses, not of a doubting conscience, but, 
of an errengous conscience; that is, not of one, 
who ate, thosgh he dowbted the lawfulness of so 
doing ; but of one, who erreneously thought he 
might lawfully partake of the sacrifices, with 
some degree of regard to the idol, and in expect- 
ation of some advantage to himself or family. 
And indeed, considering the inveterate habits of 
such as had been brought up; and perhaps grown 
old, in idolatry, and likewise the corrupt state of 
the Corinthian Church, it is not unlikely, that 
some professed Christians retained a hankering 
after their former usages ; especially, as feasting 
with their neighbours and relations, on these oc. 
casions, would in part exempt them from re- 
proach and persecution. The apostle, however, 
by *¢a weak brother,” seems particularly to mean 
the man with a doubting conscience; not him 
with the erroneous one;/at least; not exclusively, 
Ur. Whitby, after endeavouring to refute the ar- 
gument, which some drew from these verses, 
against conformity to the ceremonies of the 
Church of England, because they doubted the 
lawfulness of so doing,’ makes the following im- 
portant remark : * Nevertheless, this seemeth to 
¢ press hard on them, who believe that the schism. 
¢ of such weak persons will finally tend to their 
¢ pain, and render them exiles from the flock of 
¢@hrist; and yet for things indifferent, will, in 
* that dreadful sense, cause their weak brother 
* to offend :—since this they do, for that « which 
6s commends them not to God,” ‘which doing 
‘they are not the better, or omitting they are 
«not the worse. For if schism and idolatry be 
« equally damnable, and equally cause my brother 
to offend, and him to perish for whom Christ 
¢ died ; we are equally to take heed in both cases, 
¢ fest our power, to do the thing indifferent, be- 
é come a stumbling-block tothe weak, or the er- 
é roneous in their judgment of these things. For 
¢jet men imagine what other difference they 
€ please in the’case, while the sad issue or event 
‘is in general-the same, to wit, the perishing of 
«my brother; and my power to have abstained 
«from that, which through his erroneous con- 
€ science gave occasion to it, Is the same, I fear 
e the guilt will be the same” This cannot easily 
be answered, by those who think non-conformity 
a fatal schism, and yet require things allowedly 
indifferent as terms of conformity. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—6. 

Satan as effectually injures some men’s souls 
by tempting them to be proud of their intellectual 
powers, as he does those of others by alluring 
them to the grossest sensualities. That know- 
ledge, therefore, which puffeth up the possessor, 


1. CORINTHIANS. ‘ite 


and renders him self 
unteachable, is as dang 
righteous pride; even th 
creed be the object of it: and they, who ai 
elated, because they thus know r h 
truth, know nothing yet as 
and need to be sent to school to | 
rudiments of heavenly wisdom, For witho 
holy affections and divine love, all human know- 
ledge is worthless, and far beneath the attain-) 
ments of apostate angels: but sanctified affec- | 
tions and humble grateful love are ‘not only evi- 
dences of the Lord’s merciful acceptance, 
are important steps to * good understanding 
‘the way of godliness’ The proud Speculz 
i” “ep fn: the top of his attainments : 
the loving disciple, though comparatively igno- 
rant, shall daily be eaibek Bae ries in 
heavenly wisdom ; so that he shall be abundant-: 
ly enriched from the fulness” " 
we refuse all kinds and degrees 
the many; that are called gods and lords, and t 
ich t J ie i t 


hath devised for mediators; rememb 

“by whom are all things am 
whether we really come to God by faith in thi 
divine Saviour : whether we be spiritual worships 


Poca the living and true God, according to hit 
word.’ Pas Se 


cisive, and our views distinct and satisfacto 
let us bless God for the consolation 


‘knowledge, sitting at some of tt 


ition, Might be turned aside and utterly per 


not availed himself of this right; 

ny things waived the exercise of Tang . 
mote the salvation of souls, 15—23. He p 
to them the example of his exceeding earnes 4 
in securing an incorruptible crown, 24—27, “7 
ent atical, an 
US at ast; “as hs : 
pure evangelica 


much about the 
it to know 
1 the jirsé 


shall be al 
of Christ. “While 
of worship to 


Vv: 7—13. 
If our evidence of conversion is clear 


F solation ;"but let us 
not suppose that this measure of knowledge and 
assurance is vouchsafed to all believe: ledge Nas 


self-preference, vain-glory, and selfindulg 
and of despising those who are disquieted 


of approaching to the verge or appearance o| 
evil; “lest by any means this liberty of # 
“ should prove an occasion of stumbling others,” 
if not’ of guilt to themselves. For, should a 
weak believer see one, who is reputed to have 
some of those’ places of public concourse, fot 
which many plead, (perhaps as plausibly as the 
Corinthians in behalf of eating in the idol’s 
ple;) might he not be tempted to do the s 
though contrary to the convictions of his 
conscience? And thus, through such a man’s 
knowledge and carnal self-indulgerice, would the 
soul of a weak believer, for whom Christ died, be 
endangered and his conscience wounded 
one, who’ was beginning to inquire ¢ 


4 H 


> 


apostleship are ye in the Lord. 


3. 1.4 1 Tim. 2. 7.2 Tim, Cor. 6.1. 

. Acts 9,| 1. 11. ate 1. a e John 6. 27. 2 Cor. 
3 81-3. & 12. 12, 
A Acts 22, le & 25, 


936-17, 18. Kom. 1. 17. 
5. & 116 La 2 | ae B23, 2 Tim. 4.16. Gr. 
or. 11. 5. 1. IL & 26, 16—18. |g 14. 37, 2 Cor. 10, 
Tn 2. Gal. lag 6. & 4 14, 1547, 8. & 12. 16-19, 
15-17. & 2 7,8 “Acts 18, 8—11. 2 & 13.3. 5. 10. 


sin against their brethren, and 
love, without offending Christ 
ng their own souls. too;, seeing 
cor trary to the spirit of the ‘apostle, 
y would have eaten’no flesh to the end of life, 
] rather than cause his weak brother. to offend ; 
7 to the mind of Him, who shed his precious 
ood, and poured out his dying prayers, ke his 
Bivanited, murderers? 


How can men thus 
| alate ie bane 


|| 
i 


Wi ; "NOTES. bi 
| "CHAP. Ix. V.1—3. Some expositors seem 
to think, ghat the apostle here began.e new 
' ject, and entered upon a formal. vindication 
, of his conduct among the Corinthians : but he 
appears rather to. have digressed. from His sub. 
be ect, in order to illustrate it by his own example 
&c.; and accordingly he resumed and. conclud. 
i eit in the next chapter. He had before de- 
- clared his readiness to deny himself the eating, 
: of flesh, during the remainder of his life; rather 
\ghan stumble his weak brother ; and he here 
nresreded to show what he had actually done in 
his respect, to promote the Gospel. But in or- 
ler to state this clearly, it was necessary to 
"prove ‘his apostolical office, and that he had a 
ere toa maintenance and other privileges in 
at character. He therefore inquired, Whether 


| were not free as wel as. the Corinthians, if he 
those to exercise his. liberty. Indeed’ he was 
"aware that some of them would. question his 
| apestleship : but could they deny that he had 
"Been the Lord Jesus, who repeatediy appeared to 
a that he might be an unexceptionable wit: 
ess of his resurrection and glory? And were 
ot they his work in the Lord, who, by employing 
is ‘ministry for their conversion, had affixed his 
to his apostolical commission? For he cer- 
Bay would not thus have attested a direct. im- 
posture. So that they were the last persons, 
1% tho ought te have made a doubt of this; being 


This therefore might serve as a brief, but suf- 
: a answer to those, who examined him 
erning the credentials of his commission. 
Gnswer, 8c. (S.) ‘ Namely, what is said in 
eceding verse : therefore this is impro- 
by some joined to the next verse. He 
ds this by the way, as if he had said, So far 
ould you be from doubting of my apostle- 
Pp: that I Tam used to answer those, who eall 


CHAPTER IX. 


© A&A M* Ino postlé ? barn I not free? 
| 4% ¢ have Inot seen Jesus Christ our} 
Lord? 4a ye my work in the Lord? 


I ‘not an apostle unto others, 
ss Tam to-you: for the:seal 


f answer to € them that do ex- 


he were not an apostle; and whether he too} 


selves the seal anf demonstration of it—| 


4 Have h we not power to eat and to 
drink ? 

5 Have we not power i to lead about 
k a sister, * a wife, as well as other apos- 
tles, and as ! ae brethren of the Lord, 
‘m and Cephas ? * 


we power to forbear.working ! 


h vers 7—14. | Mat.| 9,10. 12. & 5.1, 2. Mark 1. 30. Jolin 
10, 10. Luke 10. 7. Rom. 16,1. 1 Tim. 1, 42. 
Gal. 6. 6, 1 Thes.| 5. 2. n Aets 4) 36. & 11: 
2.6. 2Thes. 3,.8,)" Or, woman * 
9. 1Tims 5.17, 18.)1 Mat. 12. 46—50. 84! & 14,12.8:15.36,37 
i 1 Tim. 3, 2, RK 4! 13.55. Mark 6. Slo 4. 11,12, Acts 18; 
be a 4.6. Heb Jdhn 2. 12. Acts 1.] 3. & 20. 34, 35. 2% 
14, Gal. 1. 19, ‘Phes. 2.9. 2 These 
Pa) 5. 39. Cant. 4.lno. 1. 12. Mat. 8 14.| 3.7, 8 


¢ that in question, by declaring. what the Lord 
© hath by me done among you.’ (Beza.) 
VY. 4, 5. It being then determined, that he 
was| the apostle of Christ: he next ‘inquired, 
‘whether he had not an indisputable right to eat 
and drink at their expense. And even, whether 


believing woman, and of taking her along with 
him in his travels ; receiving from the Churches 
‘« maintenance for her and his family also. This 
several of the apostles did; especially Peter, 
the apostle of the circumcision, who was attends 
ed by his wife when he went to different places 
to preach the Gospel; The words. “ a sister, a 
« wife,” are so determinate, that they leave no 
doubt but-several of the apostles were married, 
and. took their wives with them to those places, 
where they more statedly resided. To render 
them a sister, a woman, as some do, would form 
an unmeaning tautology, or rather one calculate 
ed to mislead the reader: for, a sister must be 
awoman; and the latter: word would be wholly 
redundant, if not intended to show in what rela- 
tion she was supposed.to stand ; namely, that of 
a wife, according to the general acceptation of 
the word.—* This declares in effect, that St. Pe- 
* ter continued to live with his wife after he be- 
came an apostle ; and also that St. Peter had 
no rights, as an apostle, which were not come 
mon to St. Paul. A remark utterly subversive 
of popery, if traced to its obvious consequen- 
ces.” (Deddridve.)—‘ Clemens of Alexandria 
not only saith, that he that marrieth) hath the 
apostles as examples, and that St. Peter carris 
-ed his wife with him till his martyrdom: but 
confutes the enemies of martyrdom from these 
words. Adding that they, carried about their. 
wives; not as vai but as sisters, to: thinister 


é 


to. those who w Aistresses of families, that 
so the doctrine) of the Lordmight, without any 
apprehension, or evil suspicions, enter into the 
apartments of the women, (JVhitdy:) The 
former part of this quotation shows what the 
records, or tradition of the Church in that centu. 
ry was; the latter is a proof how soon antichriss 
tian notions about marriage began to prevail. 

V. 6. The apostle further inquired whether 
he and Barnabas alone were destitute of the 
right of being supported, without earning their. 
bread by labour, .These two useful servants of 
Christ were called to the apostolical office after 
the ascension of Christ, and set eut together fo. 

Seay 


nnn ann a Re KR ARR A 


6 Or I onl and n Barnabas, ° have not | 


22. & 13. 1, 2. 500 © 


he had not the privilege or liberty of marrying a... 


Dee ‘ 


” 


%-boun? 


A. D. 60. 


7 Who P goeth a warfare any ‘time at 
his own charges? who 4 planteth a vine- 
yard, and eateth not.of the fruit thereof? 
¥ or who feedeth a flock, and § nates! not 
of the milk of the flock ? 

8 Say I these things tasa man? “or 
saith not the law the same also? 

9 For itis written in the law of Moses, 

x Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of 
thé ox that treadeth out the corn. ¥ Doth 
God take care for oxen? 


P 2Cor. 10.4,5: 1 Tim. 5, 18 


28. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 
Tim. 1. 18. & 6|s Prov. 2727. Is. 7 "ly Num. 22. 28—35. 
22, 2 Tims 2+ 3, 4} 22.4 Deut. 5. 14. Ps. 
4+ 7. t 7. 40. Rom. 6. 19.) 104.27. & 145.15, 


q 3.5—8. Dent, 20.; 
6. Proy.. 27, “38. 
Cant: &. 12. 

r Jer. 23. 2,3. John 
21. 15—17. Acts 20. 


preach among the Gentiles. The circumstan- 
ces, ih which they found themselves, probably 
led them to adopt the method of subsisting by 
their own labour, in order to promote the Gos- 
pel; and they both persevered in it after the: 
separated : while the other apostles, setting out 
among the Jews, who had been used to sup- 
Port their teachers, were generally maintained 
by them without working ; and were supplied 
when they journeyed to other places, where 
Churches had not been planted. Thus Paul 
and Barnabas, by not requiring a support, seem- 


1 Thes, 21% & 
4, 8. 

n 14, 34. Is. 8. 20. 
*Rom. 3- 31. 

ix Deut. 25. 4. 1 


16, & 147. 8,% Jon: 
4.11. Mat. 6. 26— 
30. Luke 12, 24— 
28. 


ed to have lest, their right to one; and were. 


generally left to labour, and struggle. with diffi 
culties and necessities, for want of adequate as. 
sistance. This view of these verses renders 
their connexion with. the foregoing chapter very 
clear. The apostle was; preparing to show the 
Corinthians, how he waived the exercise of his 
liberty, in order to do good ; that they might 
see, as in a glass, the i impropr icty of their selfish 
exercise of their liber ty, in eating the things 
* offered unte idols.” 
V:7—12, Had the Corinthians objected, that 
St. Paul, by not receiviyg a maintenance from 
them, seemed to allow that he was notan apos- 
tle, as same suppose ;, it would Haye been need- 
less for him formally to, prove A right to it: 
but this was absolutely necessary, if he meant 
tacitly to instruct them by his example, to give 
“up their right and self-indulgence, from love to 
their brethren. Heefirst shows, that he, as well 
as other ministers <f,the G 1, bad’a right to 
a@ Maintenance on che princes of natural equi. 
ty: for who expected othetsito employ their 
time, strength, and millyin their service; without 
affording them a jort? ‘The soldier, when 
fighting for his daanton, being thereby deprived 
of the opportunity of attending to his private 
concerns, had, his charges borne by the state, 
The person; employed in planting a vineyard, 
was allowed a Maintenance from its produce: 
and he, who tended a flock, was used to eat the 
milk of the flock.. And who could think it equi- 
table to refuse thei this recompense for their la- 
Ought not therefore the ministers of the 
Gospel, who gave up other prospects of support- 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


pecially for the sake ¢ 


10 Or saith he ge 
sakes ? 2 for our sakes, 
written: * that he that pi 
plow i in hope: sai 
in hope should 

AL Ifwe have b ; 
things, is i¢ © a gré 
reap your carnal th 

12 If 4 others be ng 


& but suffer all things, 
h hinder the gospel of Ch 


Z Mat. 24. 22. Rom.) Gal. 6. 6. 
15. 4, 2 Cor, 4. 15.j¢ 2 Kings 5. 13, 
a 3.9. Lule 17. 7, 8.1 Cor. TL 15. 

John 4. 35-38. i? 2 Gori. 20. 


Tim, 2 6. « je vers 2. 4.14. 
b Mal. 3. 8, 9. Mat.|f ver. a 18. un 
10. 10. Rom. 15.27.! 20, $1—34, 2 Cor 


ing themselves and their 
with great peril and hards 
ual good of others, to na 
and comfortable manner by 

‘ and Theophylact phageves 
‘ Who goeth to war: nd i is n 
* plants a vineyard, a and heaps 

* the fruits of it ? Who feeds fede ck 
* not a merchandise ofthe sheep ? 
* that the spiritual pastor s mite 
® little, and seek only what, is. ae sary 


* what is superfluous.’ Whitby.) 
merely the dictate of human reaso: 


the law gave an emblematical 
when it forbade the Israelit 
which was br in a 


patient minister shout 
who received. far ri 
mentality. For, could 
made such particular laws 
oxen? He jndeed req a 
te. the beasts, and his. provic 

bounty extend to all creatur 
this prolibition was enti 
of the human’ species ; 
his neighbour’s service 


should be supported in a suitable m 
a recompense for their useful fect: 
labours, Thus, when endeavouring. to. , 
gate the Gospel among Gentiles, or wh 
bouring amidst. great hardship and 
among unconverted persons, whi 2 no 
could be expected, any more than 1 the aad 
when plowing the ground ; sey ight L 
raged, by the hope of futu fi cis + ts 
persevere in the work : and, bod pst i 
furthering the joy and growth of TS, 
might be partakers of the expected reca 
and have some refreshment a: relief # 
hardships, by a comfortable serinagey. > 
oxen eat of the corn, when treading it o1 
benefit of others. And indeed, if the. 
Christ had sown the spiritual seed of th 


now, that! they which 
things * live of the 
things of the sarap? and they which 
Wait a are partakers with the 
altar teh? 

1 Byen*so hath the Lord & ordained, 
at they which preach the gospel should 

of the pespel. 
aay 1T have used none of these 
ings: ™ neither have I written these 
ee that it should be so done unto 
me: ™ for it were better for me to die, 
than that any tan should make my glo- 
rying void. 

16 For shouglt I preach the gospel, 


7 * Or, feeds & 12.13—18. 
See on, ver. 4. n Mat. 15.6. Acts 
‘See on, ver. 12 20.24. Phil. 1. 20 
-\m 2 Cor. 11, 9—12}| —23. ° 
Be ey eee m2 . 28. 


eee ai was about to taeda for the benefit 
of the people, the excellent and permanent fruits 
of salvation ; ought they to deem it a great mat- 
ter, a large” expense to themselves, or a great fa 
| vour si their ministérs, if they allowed them to 
a portion of their carna! things; which 
were of an earthly nature and could not Jong 
be preserved, and which would prove them car. 
nal, if they either tesaciously hoarded them, or 
| luxuriously spent them on themselves? If then 
_ other pastors, and even the false teachers at Co- 
rinth, had been allowed to partake of this privi- 
lee, or authority over them, much more was 
‘this due to the apostle and his helpers, who first 
hed the Gospel among them. Neverthe- 
less, they had not availed themselves of this their 
undoubted right; but had chosen rather to en- 
ur ‘labour, pinching want, aod every extremi- 
than to prevent the success of the Gospel: 
yet the Corinthians would not abridge them. 
selves of the indulgence of a luxurious meal, 
out of love to their weaker brethren ! ‘This is 
evidently the contrast intended. 

V.1S—18. The apostle here adduced indies 
roof of his right to a maintenance among them. 
‘They could not but know, that the priests and 
ites, who attended on the worship of the 
ample, (and so spent their time in that service 
as not to be at leisure for those employments, by 
which the other Israelites supported themselves 
and their families,) were maintained from thé 
r at-fruits, oblations, and sacrifices there present- 
in like manner, the Lord Jesus had appoint- 
that the ministers of his Gospel should be 
ported by the people for their services in this 
function, and not be obliged to engage in 
er. (Mutt. x. 10.) Some expositors argue 
the apostle” 's frequent reference to the law, 

Selly teachers were his chief oppo- 

it Corinth: yet, the contrary is evident ; 
btless all professed Christians would be. 
acquainted with, and might properly be re- 

he holy’ ‘scriptures, which are replete 
2 with instructions to us at this day, 
t : thinks of obeying the ceremonial 


Fe 


CHAPTER IX. 


A, D. 60. 


° J have nothing to glory of: Pp for neces- 
sity is laid upon me ; yea, % woe is unto 
me, if 1 preach not the gospel. 

17 For» if I do this thing willingly, I 
shavea reward: but if t against my will, 
« a dispensation of the gosfiel is commit- 
ted unto me. — os 

18 What is my reward then? Verily 
that, * when I preach the gospel, I may 
make the gospel of Clirist without charge, 
¥ that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 

(Practical Observations.] = 


o Rom. 4,2. & 15) 8 12. Philem, 144 2.7. Eph. 3. 2-8. 
HG 1 Pet. 5. 2—4. Colt. 25. 1 Thess : 
p Jer. 20.7. Am. 3.|s 3.8.14. Mut. 10. 2.4.2 Tin. 1. lim 
8. & 715. Acts 4) 41. 

200% 9. Ge 15s &'t Bx. 4.13, 14. Jer, 
26. 16-20. 20. 9. Ez.<3. i. 
q Is. 6 5. Luke 91) Jon 1.3. & 4,1--3, 
62. Col. 4. 17. Mal. 1. 10. 

r 1 Chr.,28. 9. & 2s. iv ras ver. 15, &ly 
5. 9¢ 14. Neh. 11, 1. Mat. 24. 45 
2 Is. 6. 8. 2 Cor. Tas 12. 42- Gal. 


13. 
x See on, ver. 6, 
2 Cor. 41. 7—9. 
12. 13—181 These, 
2.6. 2 Thes .3,8,% 
7. Sto '& 8. 
“Rom. 14, 15. 


he had not insisted upon his right in any of these 
things, nor did he thus write to them, in order to 
induce them to raise him an income : on the con- 
trary, he deemed himself to have such a ground 
of glorying, (though not before God, yet with® 
them,) in this self-denying disinterested conduct; 
that he should account it more desirable to die 
of want, than, by receiving any thing from them, 
to render it void. Probably, he had seen some 
things in the disposition of the Corinthians, whiche 
first induced. him to decline receiving any ie 
from them. What had passed since he left them, 
still more confirmed him in his purpose: he | 
thought himself unkindly used by them, and in 
this way only would he -show them his sense of _ 
their misconduct. He knew that the false teach- 
ers wanted an occasion against him: but this 
disinterestedness gave him an advantage over 
them, and it was very important that his exaniple 
should be contrasted with their own conduct ; 
which he could not so properly have done, had 
he not previously determined to receive nothing 
-{from the Christians at Corinth. Indeed, he had 
nothing to glory in, (though he had faithfully’ 
preached \Gospel,) as peculiarly expressive 
of his zeal and , and which he might oppose 
to the vain-glorious boasts of false teachers. For 
‘he had been called to this work in so singular a 
* weeets that a necessity. was laid upon him, and 

e could not decline the service, or execute it 
unfaithfally, without incurring the heaviest con- 
demnation. If ind he had, without an ex- 
press command, cis revihusly embraced 
the Gospel,) deliberately and willing gly engaged 
in the work of ‘the ministry, from love to Christ *” 
and to the souls of sinners, ahd zeal fur the glory 
of God; he might have been assured of a gra- 
cious and abundant recompense. But, as he was 
so wonderfully arrested, when violently persecut- 
ing the Church, and intrusted with a dispensa- 
tion to preach the Gospel, without any previous 
choice or willingness; a line of conduct of a 
peculiar nature was requisite for jim, in ord-r to 
show that he was not actuated by slavisn fear, 
or mercenary principles. For, if this bad been 


hians, however, well knew, that/the case, where would have beea bis reward 


~ 


. @ ver. 1, 


_ the ritual law, he became as one of them; and 
joined with them in their worship and purifica- 


A. D. 60. 


19 For though * I be free from all 
men, yet have 4 I made myself servant 
unto all,» that I might gain the more. 

20 And © unto the Jews I became asa 
Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to 
them that are 4 under the,law, as under 
the law, that I might gain them that are 
under the law : bk] 

21 To ¢ them that are without law, as 


d Rom. 3. 19. & 6. 


18.15. Roms 11: 14, 
14,15, Gale 4.5, 21. 


2. Gal. 5. 1. 1 Time4. 16. 2 Tira. 

@ 10.33. Mat. 20.26] 2. 10...Jam. 5.19, & 5. 18- 

—28.. John 13. 14,}. 20. 1 Pet. 3.1... je Acts 15. 28. & 16 

ce Acts 16.3. & 17.1 4. & 21. 25. Rom. 
3. & 18, 18. &] 2. 12) 14. Gal. 2. 3, 

21. 20—26. | 4.12—14. 


Rom. 15. 


15. 2 Cor 
Gal. 5. 13. 
b ver. 20—22,. & 7. 
16. Pro. 11.30. Mat. 


4. 5. 


(Notes, Matt. vi. 1—5. 16—18.) Or, how could 
he, in his peculiar circumstances, distinguish 
himself from mercenary teachers, and thus have 
ground of glorying, through the grace of God, 
in this distinction? Or how might he possess 
the assurance of a reward? Truly, by preaching 
the Gospel freely, without putting his hearers ‘to 
any expense; and by enduring poverty, hunger, 
and labour, rather than make an inexpedient and 
improper use of his liberty and privilege, as an 
apostle of Christ. Thus he evidenced that he 
acted from genuine principles of zeal and love, 
and so enjoyed much comfort and assurance of 
hope in his ownsoul. As ministers, to insist on 
our due, and use our liberty, when this hinders our 
usefulness, is to “abuse our power in the Gospel.” 

V.19—23. The preceding instance was not 
the only one, in which the apostle thus denied 
himself. ‘Though he was free from obligation to 
comply with other men’s inclinations, or to con- 
form to their customs: yet he had voluntarily 
become as a slave to all men, or to men of every 
nation, rank, or religious opinion; by renouncing 
every personal consideration, and making allow- 
ance for their prejudices, mistakes, and infirmi- 
fies, as far as he could consistently with his duty ; 
an order that he might win over the more to the 
faith of Christ. So that he conversed among the 
unconverted Jéws, as though he had considered 
the Mosaic law to be still infor e had cir- 
¢umcised Timothy, that he might them no 
offence ; and he paid that'¥egard'to their rules, 
which consisted with his duty as the apostle of 
the Gentiles, without regarding the trouble and 
self-denial of so doing. "Thus he endeavoured 
to win upon them, to attend to his doctrine for 
theit good. Even ‘to the Jewish converts, who 
still deemed themselves under the authority of 


tions, as far as he could without misleading them ; 
in order that he might soften their prejudices 
and be made useful to them. He conversed as 
freely among the Gentiles, as if he had ‘been 
unacquainted with the law of Moses, in order 
that he might win them over to embrace the 
Gospel. Yet did he not disregard the authorit 

and commands of God, but considered himself 
to be “ under the law to Christ,” bound to re- 
geive the moral law from his hand as a rule of 
puty, taught by his grace to love it and delight 


I. CORINTHIANS, 


‘things. This would, in many cases, 


without ‘law, (being f not without’ law 
God, but under the law toChrist,) tf 
I might gain them that are’ without law 

22 To & the weak became [as weal 
that I might ain th 
all things to all men, that I might by ¢ 
means ' save some. 9) > sy 

23 And this I do & for the gospeli 
sake, | that I might be partaker ther 


mS 


with ¢ A PBR AD .. , 
bal SH TR dacit 

f 7.19.22. Ps. 119. 2. 2—19, Hebe 8k ver. 12, Mark 

32. Mat. 5. 17—20,} 10- PE Si, 

Rom. 7+ 22.25. &j|g¢ 8-13. Rom. 15. 1.| 2. 5. 2 Tim, 

8.4. & 13..8—10.) 2 Cor, 11. 29. Gal.)] ver, 25—27. 2 

Gal. 5. 13, 14. 22,} 6. 1. | 2.6. Heb. 3. 

23. Eph. 6. 1—%.jh 10, 33. 1 Pet. §:1, 1 

1 Thes, 4.1, 2. Tit.!i See on, ver. 19. 1.3. fA ( 


in it; and, being delivered from its curse; "€ 
gaged by additional motives to yield a promy 
obedience to it. In like manner, he condescent 
ed to the infirmities and scruples of the we 
faith, as if he too had at athe abridgin 
himself of his liberty, lest he should ‘gtieve ot 
ensnare them; without making’ any ostentatic 
of stronger faith or greater knowledge, or s 
ing any neglect or contempt of them. Thus 
all things-lawful, he became all things to all mén, 
by an habitual, cheerful, ‘patient endurance o 
their infirmities, and toleration of their prejud 
ces and mistakes in things unessential ; that b 
every means which he could devise, he 1 
save some from the several descriptions of 
among whom he laboured. This he did 
love to the Gospel and a valuation of its 
ings; that he might not only be a partaker'c 
them himself, but that he mig t share them wit 
numerous converts, and especially with the Co: 
rinthians ; not being satisfied, as it were, to’ be 
saved himself, without he could prevail for th 
salvation of others also. Nothing could be more 
suited to shame them out of'a selfish use of thei 
liberty, than this statement of bis own principles 
and conduct; or more strongly mark the sur 
prising change which had taken place’ in 
since the time, when, by cruel persecutit 
wanted to make all men conform to his religion 
V. 24—27. To illustrate his ect, the apos 
tle called their attention to the 
which were celebrated 
not well know, that thi I 
to run for the prize ; yet it was only award 
the victorious person, and the rest were 
pointed? This induced each of them to 
himself to the uttermost in order to’be si 
ful. Let then the Corinthians do the’ same 
their Christian course: let them run with 
estness, self-denial, and patience, without shri 
ing from hardships or perils, and without k 
ing from attention to worldly allurements ; 
they might obtain the prize, which selfuind 
professors would come ‘short of. They 
knew that every man, who contended in 
athletic exercises, must prepare himself for 
hy, rule, in respect of his diet, and all 


culiar temperance and self-denial ; witho 
they could not expect to succeed. | 
submitted te this for a garland of het 


i 


} 


f 
hy 


1] 


| 
I 


| JA. dD. 66. 


— 249 Knowsye met that ™ they which 


2 run ima race, run all, but one receiveth 


the prize? ° So run, that ye may obtain. 

25 And eyery man that P striveth for 
the mastery is 4 temperate in all things. 
_ Now they.do it to obtain a corruptible 
crown ; ; * but we an incorruptible. 


1. 6; 
ris. 54, 2 Tim. 4. 
'8. Heb. 12. 28. 
om 1,.12. 1 Pet. 
4. & 5. 4. Rev. 
oie &3.11.& 4, 

4. 102 


; re. oe 9.|p Eph. 6. 12—18. 
1 Tim. 6. 12. 2 


oO ee Gaa2| kim a6, & am 
ie Phil. 2. 16.! Heb. 12. 4. 
& 3. 14.-2 Tim. 4,|q Gal. 5.23. Tit.1, 
7, 8 Heb. 12. 1. Bs Peer a nl 
lagtergeriy 


greens, which auld soon Pope and decay, even 

“as Eiite honour annexed to them must be very 
transient : but Christians contended with the en- 
emies._ 0! f their salvation, in hopes of obtaining 
tible crown of glory and felicity ; and 

_ neotenic not to shrink from any self- 
denial or suffering. For his part, the apostle 
_ eould truly say, that he did not so run in this 
_ ¥ace as to leave the event of it uncertain, or as 
willing to be left among the obscure undistin- 
guished multitude of losers. Nor did he fight, 
as the pugilists used to exercise themselves, 
when. their blows only beat the air, having no 
opponent to contend with; but as they did, when 
actually engaged in the contest. Thus he got 
the better of his animal inclinations; as they 
“used to subdue their antagonists, when by violent 
_ » blows they beat them down to the ground, and 
kept them under till they yielded the victory. 
For he not only refused his appetites unlawful 
or inexpedient indulgences; but he habituated 
~ them to brook denial in every thing, when there 


 Wwas a call to it: and he inured his body to hard 


+ labour and patient sufferings; and thus wore it 
»» out, of which the marks and scars might be visi- 
ble to every one. In this way he sought and 
‘possessed the assurance, that he should not, after 
having preached to others, (like the heralds who 
Galled the combatants to the conflict,) be himself 
rejected, as having no title to the incorruptible 
crown. This did not imply that the apostle at 
all doubted of his acceptance or perseverance ; 
but it showed the Corinthians the nature of his 
assurance, and forcibly cautioned them not to 

» rest i in such hopes, as were consistent. with indis- 
etiminate self-indulgence even in things lawful, 
He had abundant occasions and methods of thus 
“bringing and keeping under his body, without 
using the tortures, austerities, and flagellations 
_ of the papists: while he willingly endured hun- 
gery thirst, fatigue, and imprisonment, in preach- 
- mg the Gospel ; and was frequently in watchings, 


he and prayers, as well as habitually tem- 


i in all things. The apostle seems design- 


ily to contrast the continence and temperance 


j of the heathen combatants, for a fading crown, 
, with the luxurious self-indulgence of the Corin- 


| Christians, whom no motives, either taken 
‘the good of their brethen, their own spi- 
advantage, or the honour of the Gospel, 
uce to aay, esancs the ahi 


CHAPTER IX. 


-A, D. 68. 


26 I therefore so run, ’.not as uncer- 
tainly ; tso fight I, not as one that beateth 
the air: - 

27 But "I keep under my body, and 
bring z¢ into subjection ; * lest. that by 
any means, when I have preached to 
others, I myself should be ¥ a cast-away. 


32 Cor. 5 1. 8.Ju ver. 25. & 4. 11,| 16. Mat. 7, 21—23. 
Phil. 1.21. 2'Tim.| 12. & 6. 12, 13. &l Luke 12. 45—47. & 
1. 12. & 2,5. Heb.| 8.13, Rom. 8. 13.) 13, 26, 27. 2 Pet. 2. 
4.1. 1Pet.5.1. 2) 2 Cor. 6.4,5.& 11y 156 


Pet. 1, 10, 11. 27. Col. 3. 5.2 Tim. f Jer, 6. 30. LukeS- 
t Mat. 11. 12, Luke] 2.22, 1 Pet. 2.11. | 25. Acts 1. 25. 2 
13,24. Eph. 6, 1244s 18. 1-3. Ps. 50. 


Cor. 13. 5,60 
Col. 1. 29. ; 
a malefattor = but the ody, or animal frame, 
must by wholesome, and sometimes sharp, disci- 
pline be brought under, and kept under, as a well 
educated child. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
Vv. 1—18, 

When the Lord hears the prayers of his minis- 
ters, and blesses their labours in the conversion 
of sinners; he sets his seal to their commission. 
This should satisfy the conscientious in respect 
of their own call to the work, and be deemed 2 
sufficient proof to others, especially to those 
converted by them: though no occasional use- 
fulness will prove an unholy man to bea real 
Christian, or a self-confident boaster to be a faith- 
ful minister—However expedient the single life 
may be in some cases; yet marriage not only 
consists with the office of a stated pastor, but 
with that of a missionary or an evangelist, as it 
did with’ that of the holy apostles: and though 
ministers may see good, in some circumstances, 
to labour for their bread, yet they have an un- 
doubted right to a decent maintenance for theme 
selves and their families; whether natural equity 
or the ward of God, be appealed to. They who 
judge it best not to use this power, are the most 
proper persons to enforce the equity of it: as 
they may do it with less suspicion of wrong mo- 
tives; and as otherwise their conduct might be 
misconstrued to the disadvantage of their bre- 
thren. Nor ought they, who reap the spiritual 
benefit of the minister’s labours, to yield a pro- 
portion of their temporal goods as if it were an 
alms, or a great favour conferred on him : for it 
is at least as much his due, as the soldier’s or the 
labourer’s wages. ,How should it be expected 
that men will give up the prospect of lucrative- 
employments and creditable professions, to en- 
gage in this warfare, to r in the Lord’s 
husbandry, or to feed hi if they cannot 
do it in hope of living ofession? Ho; 
can they face the dang Lendure the hard 
ships of plowing one fallow ground, by preach- 
ing to the ignorant, careless, and profligate, if 
pinching want be their only prospect, however 
diligent and successful they may be? Or how 
can they minister to the comfort and edification 
of believers, when they are burdenedjwith debts, 
destitute of necessaries, surrounded by indigent 
families, or driven into other employments for 
bread? How can they but suspect that their hear- 
ers are deceiving themselves, in professing to love 
Christ and the Gospel ;, while they enjoy plenty, 


y the 


those things, which were sacramental signs of spi- 
> witual blessings, yet most of them died in the wil- 
derness, 1—5. ‘Their examples are recorded as a 
warning to professed Christians not to imitate 
their crimes, 6—12. God will not suffer his ser- 
yantsto be tempted so asto have no way of es- 


and lay up for their children, and leave their 
pastor to wear out his life in poverty ?) Ministers 
have passions and feelings like other men; they 
find as much inward and outward opposition, to 
the exercise of faith, and hope, and patience, as 
their brethren, and commonly more: so that 
their spirits are often depressed, and their hands 
weakened on these accounts ; when a regard to 
the real dignity of their office forbids them to 
complain, and induces them to suffer in silence 
and submission. On the other hand, it behooves 
ministers to be as disinterested as possible ;: they. 
had better suffer all things, and even lose their 
lives, than give reason to suspect that they act 
from love to filthy lucre ; or that any should make 
their glorying void, when they avow that the love 
of Christ, and of souls, dictates their affectionate 
persuasions and solemn warnings. But if they, 
to whom a dispénsation is given to preach the 
Gospel, and who act according to it, have no 
ground of glorying; because necessity i‘ laid 
upon them, and wo is to them if they do not: 
what will be the case of those, who willingly as- 
sume this office, and seek a designation to it; and 
then bestow no pains to preach the Gospel, or to 
preach at all, but only aim to appropriate as much 
as possible of those funds, that were established 
for the maintenance of such as labour in the 
word and doctrine? Wo! wo! to sueh idle 
shepherds, to such. hireling priests ; yea, to all 
who encourage and reward their unfaithfulness ! 
But in proportion as we honestly lay.ourselves 
out in this good work, and willingly embrace op- 
portunities of preaching the Gospel without 
charge, when they offer themselves; and give 
up our right, lest we should abuse our power in 
the Gospel ; we shall be assured, that we act 
from genuine principles, and shall have a gra- 
cious reward: for ‘ when thegghie ief Shepherd 
** shall appear, we shall receive a crown of glory 
s* that fadeth not away.” 
V. 19-27. 

While we refuse to flatter the person or pal- 
jate the vices of any man, or to deviate from 
truth and duty wait favour or applause: we 

a be ready to give up our own interest, hu- 
our, credit, or inclinations, and to be servants 

to all men that we may gainghe more. A mind 
freed from narrow bigotry, enlarged by compre- 
hensive views of the grand object of the Gospel, 
and taught to keep the great end of doing good 

¢ continually in view, will know when to waive 
sminute discussion§, to connive at less dangerous 
“prejudices; and to venture down towards the 
ground of other men, in order to argue with 
them upon their own principles, and to bring 
them to saving views ‘of the Gospel, But w hile 
a man postpones or subordinates every other 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


‘and corruptible interests of this world 3 it 
make us ashamed of shrinking from any. 


eape,13. Christians sac ta ea 
They cumnots lias fellowship with) Chr 
lievers in the Lo: i 
those sacrifices whieh 

22. In the use c 
should be consult 
done to the eloryof Gr 
fence to man, o)aied 


thing to this grand shjetieyil 
important truth and duty: 
things to all men, that he. 
share with him in the great b 
tion, and to be useful to persons o 
sentiments and descriptions ; ; and- wie on 
other hand, he will not give place for a mom 
where essential truth or the salvation 
are at stake: he must expect to be dee 
time-server by bigots, inconsistent by the 
rant, a bigot by the unprincipl , and unsour 
weak, or unfaithful by the sé ‘conceited. in= 
deed, we should always watch against extremes, 
If we have to do with those, who a p 
tious or self-righteous ; while we 
necessity of good works, and ‘connive. at t 
mere external forms; we must be very c 
to warn them against re on such things, 
in leading them to tes ge 
have to do with those, who seem to 
law, and would endeavour to show Mion. 
true religion requires of us no injurious or 
less observances ; we must still remember, 
we are not * without law to God, but woder 
“law to Christ ;” and we must not countenance 
or connive at their loose principles or practices = 
and, in condescending to the weak and injudi- 
cious. we must not tolerate those errors or faults, | 
which may ejther injure them,. or disgrace the 
Gospel.’ But a simple heart, a single eye, and © 
an babitual reliance on God for heavenly wis wisdenty 
will carry. a man through such services i 
past such dangers, as cannot be pe bey 
guarded against by any rules, If, however, 
would. be deemed in earnest eens the si 
vation of other men, we mneb be remiss 
securing our own. 
gorously, if we would have 
“ they may obtain,” 
practise our own exh 210 si = 
mastery, we must be pean in all pon! : 
aad in fighting the good fight we must ¢ 
as those who know they are opposed by real 
formidable enemies. Thus subduing our sini 
passions, habituating every gery cues: 
** Keeping our bodies under, and 

‘< into subjection,” we shall Fakcs the | Se 
surance, that when we have prea to others 
“ we shall not ourselves be cast-aways ;” for t 
though tremendous, it is to be feared, is 
at all uncommon. And when we consider 
labour, self-denial, self-abasement, and | 


verance men submit to, for the fading h ' 


ship, abstinence, self-abasement, or - 
that may be needful in securing the: 
ble crown, for which seit 5 


tl oa hi Ai \ 


i 60. 


OREOVER, brethren, 2 I would 

not that ye should be ignorant, how 

‘that all > our fathers © were under the 
and all passed through the sea; 
ere. all baptized unto 1 Moses 


{fdideatall the same spiritual meat ; 
4 And ¢ did all drink the same spiri- 
ual drink : {for they drank of that spiri- 
t al Rock that * followed them ; and 
‘that Rock was Christ.) 

“yd But ; with many of them God was 
oh well pleased; for they were over- 
thrown in the wilderness. ‘ 


; [Practical | Observations.1 
6 Now k these things were our ¢ ex- 
a 121. eo Eas BB.Je 1. 18—16, Ex. 14.] 38 & 7. 17. Mat 
31. mE 28, 20.) 13, 38,39. & 26, 
26-28, Gal. 4. 25. 
Col. 2. 17, Heb. 
Deut. 8.3. Neh. 9.} 10. 1. 
15./20. Ps, 78, 23—|i Num. 14. 11, 12,28 
ee, Ss 14,| 25. & 105. 40. John| —33, & 26. 64, 65. 
ie . Neh.| 6. 22—58. Deut, 1. 34, 35. & 
Roar . 19. Ps. 78.1¢ Ex. 17. 6. Num.| 2. 15, 16. Ps. 78.32 
| 14. & 105. 39. 20.11. ‘Ps. 78, 15.! —34. & 90. title, 
| ; 14, 22. 20:| 90. & 105. 41. Is.] 7,8. & 95. 11. & 
“Num. 33.8, Josh,| 43. 20, & 48. 21.| 106.26. Heb. 3. 17. 
4.23. Neh. 9. 11.) John 4, 19, 14. &} Jude 5. 
Ps. 66. 6. & 77.16} 7.37. Rev. 22. 17. |k ver. 11 Zeph. 3. 
—20. & 78. 13. 53,|* Or, went with) 6,7. Heb. 4.11. 2 
& 106. 7—11. &, them. Deu. 9.21. | Pet. 2. 6» Jude 7. 
1a 3-5. & 136, 13'h 11. 24, 25. Gent Gr. figures. Rom. 
§. Is 6. 11—13.. 40. 12. & 41. 26.} 5.14. Heb. 9. 24, 
BH. 29, Rey, Ez. 5. 4,5. Dan. 2} 1 Pet.3.21. 

35. m3 ‘ i ; 
vere", "NOTES. 
CHAP. X. V.1—5. In prosecuting his sub- 
| ject concerning things offered to idols, the apos- 
tle next referred the Corinthians to the case of 
}\ Israel,’ and the judgments of God which came 
}|tipon them for their carnal self-indulgence. He 
/ would not have them ignorant, how that all the 
fathers of the Jewish nation came out of Egypt 
under the guidance and protection of the cloud, 
which the them light by night, and was an 
lovershadowing canopy to them by day; being 
}) anemblem of the Lord’s providential care, and 
|| gracious guidance of his people: and that the 
|| whole nation was safely conducted through the red 
‘sea, in which the Egyptians were drowned. Thus 
‘they were initiated, ys by baptism, into the true 
religion, under the instruction of Moses, the 
ySyPe of Christ ; by the overshadowing cloud, 
|, and by the waters of the sea. Thus the whole 
| nation, men, women, and children, were acknow- 
| ledged as the visible Church of God; even as 
all professed Christians were admitted into the 
\Church by baptism. (WVotes, Ex. xiii. 21, 22. xiv. 
xy.) They all likewise, without exception, 
sustained by the manna, which miraculous 
ah 

on might be called spiritwal meat ; as it 


‘18. 21. 22. & 
ae a Nam. 9. 


: 


the true Israel: and they all drank of those wa- 
ters, which flowed from the rock, and which fol- 
| ential as a Tiver, Sawin a most of their 


sled ears Viheutize thit Rock 


CHAPTER X: 


ed Christ, the Bread of life to the souts of} 


| |was: Christ, ve of him who was wounded and | 


A. D: 60. 


amples, to the intent we should not! lust 
after evil things, as they also lusted. 

7 Neither ™be ye idolaters, as were 
some of them; as it is written, " The 
people sat down to eat and drink, and 
rose up to play. 

8 Neither ° let us commit fornication, 
as some of them committed, and fell i in 
one day three and twenty thousand. 

9 Neither let us P tempt Christ, as some 
of them also tempted, 4 and were destroy- 
ed of serpents. 

10 Neither * murmur ye, as some of 
them also murmured, and * were sgatroy 
ed of the t destroyer. 


11 Now all these things happened un-— 


to them for * ensamples : * and they are 
written for our admonition, y upon whom 
the ends of the world are come. 


1 Num. 11. 4.31—34.]p Ex. 17.2. 7. X23.) 46—49. 
Ps. 78, 27—31. &] 20,21. Num. 21, 5,|t Ex. 12.23. 2 Sam. 


106. 14, 15. Deut. 6.16. Ps. 78,) 24. 16. 1Chr. 21. 
m ver. 14.20—22. &! 18. 56. & 95.9, &| 15.2 Chr. 32. ai. 
5. It. & 6. 9. & 8! 106. 14, Heb. 3,\ Mat: 13. 39—a2. 


7. Deut. 9.12. 16—| 8-11. & 30 28—} Acts 12, 23-2 Thes. 
21. Ps. 106. 19, 20.} 30. 1.7, 8 Heb. iL 28. 
1 John 5. 21. q Num. 21. 6. ‘Rev. 16. 1. 

Af Ee 32. 6—8.17—\|r Bx. 15. 24. & 16, 2|" Or, types. 

—9.% 17. 3, Num)x 9. io. Rom. 15. 4. 
y Phil. 4. 5. Heb. 
. 10. 25. 37.1 John 
2018. ss 


° ae. 18, Num. 25.| 14. 2.27—30. & 16. 
1—9. Ps, 106. 29.] 41. Ps.106.25. Phil 
Rey. 2 14, 2.14, Jude 16. 

s Num. 14, 37. & 16. 


municated to our ‘perishing Souls. (Votes, Ex. 
Xvi. xvii.)—Nothing can more clearly show the 
absurdity of forcing figurative language into a 
literal meaning, and so grounding doctrines upon 
it, as the Papists have done in the monstrous 
notion of transubstantiation, than this text. By 
such @ mode of construction we might prove, 
that the rock was Jiterally the person of Christ ; 
and that the rock followed the Israelites in the © 
wilderness ! (Marg. Ref.)—The Israelites, in 
respect of these things, seemed all alike the 
people of God, and dear to him: yet was he far 
from being well pleased with the most of them ; 
so that they were destroyed in the wilderness in 
such multitudes; that their dead bodies ay in 
‘heaps upon the goad, as after the carnage of 
some terrible battle —Our fathers. (1.) The 
ancestors of the Jewish nation.— The same, &c. 
'(4.) ‘In fact, the sacraments of the ancients 
© were the same as ours, as_ they had respect to 
‘Christ alone.” (Beza.) Some make their sa- 
craments types of our sacran that is, shadows 
of shadows + T 
our Church, to be * an 0 u 
‘of an inward and al It is not, 
however, obvious, ‘that the word: ‘same refers in 
either sense to the Christian sacraments : though 
the apostle evidently intended to warn the Co- 
rinthians, not to presume on their baptism, or 
{attendance on the Lord’s supper, or any external 4 
forms, professions, or privileges, as securing to 
~| them the favour of God, notwithstanding their 
Sins: and wothing could be better suited to his 
DORR Gs, than the pepe of Israel. 


smitten for our sins, that salvation might be com- _ 


i 


A. De 60. 


12 Wherefore z let him‘ that thinketh 
he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

13 There ® hath no temptation taken 
you but such as is ¢c6ommon to man : 
b but God is faithful, ¢ who will not suffer 


Z4. 6-8 & 8. 2.) 12, 13. Heb. 11) & 49. 7. Lam. 3 
Proy. 16,18, Matt. 35—38. & 12. 4. 23. Hos. 2, 20. 1 
26. 33, 34. 40, 41.{ Jam. 5, 10, 11. 1} Thes. 5.24.2 Thes. 
Rom. a. 20. Rev.) Pet. 1.6, 7, &5. 8,9.| 3. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 11— 
3.17,-18. Rev. 2. 10. & 3°10. 13. Heb, 6. 18. & 
2 Jere 12.5. Mat.24.|\f Or, moderate. 10, 23. & 11. 11. 1 
2124. Luke 11. 4./b 1, 9. Deut. .% 9} Pet. 4. 19, 1 John 
& 22.31. 46. 2 Cor.) Ps. 36.5. & 8% 33.| 1, 9, Rew, 19, 11. 
11. 23—28, Eph, 6.) Is. 11. 5. & 25. 1eJe Ex. 13. 17. Ps. 125. 


. 6—12. The apostle, in n applying his sub- 
tg next observed, that these events were in- 
tended to be instructive examples to the Chris- 
tian Church, or figurative representations of 
God’s dealings with his professed worshippers, 
in all ages: that by the fatal consequences of 
Ksrael’s disobedience and rebellion, others might 
be deterred from allowing an evil concupiscence 
after sinful or inexpedient indulgences. (Votes, 
Num, xi. Ps, \xxviii. cvi.), The apostle, therefore, 
warned the Corinthians-to * flee from idolatry,” 
of which they Were in great danger; because 
they loved the luxurious gratification of their 
appetites, and the pleasures of a feast, whatever 
other reasons they assigned for their conduct. 
(Notes, Ex. xxxii.). Some expositors suppose; 
that the word, rendered Zo pluy, signifies to com- 
mit fornication: but the Israelites are not, on 
that occasion, charged with this crime, or others 
of the same nature ‘ and a jovial festive religion, 
without gross and scandalous immorality, is pe- 
culiarly congenial to human nature, as circum- 
stanced in this workd ; in which regard to cha- 
racter and worldly interest, and some remaining 
feeling in the conscience, restrain Vast numbers 
of unconverted persons from. direct licentious- 
ness ; especially where the word of God is so 
far known, as to render those crimes shameful, 
and uneasy to the conscience, which the Gentiles 
practised without shame or remorse. In the 
next verse the apostle warns. the Corinthians 
against fornication; (to which the inhabitants 
of Corinth’ were so addicted, that one Greek 
word, signifying.to commit fornication, is taken 
from the name of that city, zo follow the cus- 
tom of Corinth >) and he adduces the example 
of Israel, when, by the couridel of Balaam, the 
daughters of Moab were their tempters, and 
their fornication was connected with the wor- 
ship of Baal-peor. Twenty-three thousand died 
of the plague, besides one thousand slaia by the 
sword, at the © arene of Moses. (Notes, Mum. 
» xxv. Marg. Ref) He then cautions them against 
‘tempting Christ, by provoking him to jealousy, 
wearying out his patience, and putting his love 
and power to the proof, as the Israelites had 
done in the wilderness, when he was vith them 
as Jenovan of Hosts, their Redeemer: and 
from murmuring ungratefully, at the Lord’s dis- 
pensations towards them, the restrictions laid_on 
them, or the spiritual authority exercised over 
them, as the Israelites had done ; and for which 
they had been cut off by desolating judgments, 
and the destroying angel, whom the Lord em- 
ployed against them. (Veses, um. xiii. xiv, xvi. 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


you to be Ey iehe above that'y 


3 Luke 22. 32)d 
John 10. 28—30.) Ps. 
Rom. 8. 28—39, 2} 26. 

Cor. 1. 10. & 12|e Rom. 


8—10. 2 Tim. 4. cons a i 1 
18. 1 Pet. 16 & 2| & 12. ci Ii 
Pet. 2.9. 


XViie XX. Xi.) These transacti 
been fully considered; and the ap 
them to the conduct of the Corinthians. Ae 
obvious to every attentive reader. ‘The, aed le 
therefore further assured them, that those things, 
which. seemed so severe in respect of Israel 
were merciful in the object ; being intended as 
examples to. others, warning them to- restrait 
their appetites, and -passions, and to exercisi 
holy caution and humble fear, _ Especially thes 
were written for the admonition. of Christian: 
on whom the completion of the ages was 
had the Substance of all’ shebshiolaes 
accomplishment:of all their prophecies; whi 
joyed those advantages, which were the end ai 
perfection of the old dispensation ; and who live 
under the light of the last and most complet 
revelation, which was to be vouchsafed to ¢ 
world. For, in proportion to their light, priv 
leges, and encouragements, so ought their ho! 
obedience to be: their guilt would otherwise: be 
more aggravated, than under the darker dispe 
sation of the law; and would be punished w 
more terrible judgments. It therefore was 
per that every man, who supposed him 
stand secure of God’s favour, and strong in th 
faith of the Gospel, without being troubled by 
weak and superstitious scruples, should take: 
heed that he did not fall away from his'self-confiz 
dent profession, and at last lie-under the righte e- 
ous condemnation of God, having only 
“ form of godliness :”. or lest, being areal C 
tian, he should, (like Peter, when through’ 
confidence he neglected to watch and pray,) fal 
into grievous sin, and thus wound his conscience 
expose himself to severe rebukes, disgrace his 
profession, and injure or ruin the souls of others, 
Many writers: suppose that an evil angel is mez 
by “the destroyer:” but this is not probab 
for holy angels are continually represented 
employed)by the Lord, in executing: ven 
on his enemies. (Marg. Ref) 
V..13, 14, The Corinthians would ba the ‘ 
inexcusable should they, through, self-coni 
and. unwatchfulness, fall into. sin; 
temptation had befallen them, but such as 7 
in general must meet with, from their one h 
the suggestions of Satan, and the allure 
the world. They had not been tried. by. 
persecutions to. deny Christ, or conform to 
customary idolatry; as many had : 
would be, The apostle, however, did not 
to discourage the humble and fearful, by 
mentioning much. stronger temptations — 
thase which they had met with: for, if 
wr ee 


if y a) ig Oe 


@ D. 60. sat, CHAPTER X. A.D. 60. 


® are not they which eat of the sacrifices ~ 
partakers of the altar? 

19. What say I then ? P that the idol is 
any thing? or that which is offered in 
sacrifice to idols is any thing? 

20-But J say, that the things which 
the Gentiles 9 sacrifice, they sacrifice to 
devils, and not to God: and | would - 
not that ye should have fellowship with 
devils. ; 

21 Ye ¥ cannot drink the cup of the 


9. 3—8. 2Cor. 11.) 8.4.& 13.2. Deu.) 39. 2 Com 4. 4. 
18.22. Eph. 2. 11,) 32.21, Is. 40. 17] Rey. 9. 20. 

12. Phil. 3, 3—5.| & 41.29. 2 Cor. 12,|r ver.'16. & 8 10+ 
o 9. 13. Lev.3.3—5.] 11 Deut. 32. 37, 38. 1 
is & 7,11—17. 1'q Lev. 17.7. Dent.) Kings 18.21. Mat. 
Sam. 2, 13-16, &) 32. 16, 17 2Chr.| 6.24. 2 Cor. 6. 16, 
9. 12, 13. 11.15. Ps, 106, 38,} 17. 
p12 & 3. 7.& 


15 I speak, & as to wise men; judge 
ie what I say. : ie 
- 16 The ® cup of blessing which we 
bless, is it not? the communion of the 
blood ’ Christ ? * The bread which we 
sak, is it not the communion of the bo- 
‘) dy of Christ ? ; 
17 For ' we, deing many, are one bread, 
; one body : for we are all partakers of 
t one bread. 
18 Behold ™ Israel after the flesh: 


| gd. 10. & 6. 5. &li ver. 20, & 1.9. &f 28. Eph. 1. 22, 23° 

| Be ds & Ue 13. &] 124 13+ John 6.53—} & 2-15, 16. & 3.6. 
| “TA. 20. Job 34. 2, 3. 

| 4 Thes. 5.21. 


58. Heb. 3. 14 1) & 4. 12, 13. 25. 
John 1. 3. 7. Col. 2. 19. & 3. 11. 
| Be ver. 21. & 11.23—' 
29. Mat. 26. 26—] 20. 7. 11. 


k Acts 2. 42, 46. &] 15. 

A : m yer. 3, 4, 21. & 
28. Mark 14. 22—|I 12, 12. 27. Rom. 
24, Luke 22. 19, 20.] 12. 5. Gal. 3. 26— 


11. 26—28. 
n Rom.4. 1 12. & 


on their superior knowledge and wisdom; and 
the apostle would speak to them as wise men, 
and call on them, impartially and discreetly, to 
judge of what he had further to adduce against 
their feasting in the idol-temples. Would they 
not allow, that the cup of wine, which was used 
in the Lord’s)supper to represent spiritual \bless- 
ings, and as an act of praise and thanksgiving to ’ 
God, after it had been blessed and set apart by 
prayer for that purpose, was a token and pledge 
of their‘communion in the blood-of Christ as the 
atonement for sin, and their being made joint 
partakers of it? And was not the bread. which 
they broke, a token of their participating of his 
body! Did not a man’s joining in that ordinance 
imply a profession of faith in Christ crucified, 
and of adoring gratitude to him for. this salva: 
tion? Certainly every one would put this con- 
struction on it: and ifa man really intended in 
his heart, what he thus professed, he would ac- 
tually have the communion of the Saviour’s 
blood. shed and body broken for the sins. of the 
world. For, all Christians, by this ordinance 
and the faith in it professed, and the grace im- 
plied, were united, as the grains of wheat in one 
loaf of bread, or as the members in the human 
body ;- seeing they were all united to Christ, and 
had fellowship with him and one another, by 
partaking of the same bread, as a token of their 
feeding by faith on the same spiritual nourish- 
ment for their souls. In like manner, to join 
with idolaters in their feasts, at the temples. of 
their idols, must be understood,:as a professed 
act of communion with the idol.and its worship- 
pers: and if this was not intended, it was a sort 
‘of hypocritical profession—‘@he apostle calls 
‘ it “the cup of blessing,” ‘because, when we 
‘ have it in our hand, ‘we ‘praise ‘and bless, with — 
‘ admiration of his ineffable gift, him who shed © © 
¢ his blood for us; and not only shed his blood, 
« but has made us all partakers of it.” (Ambrose.) 
* These words, the loafor bread, is one, and we 
s-all partake of one loaf, and therefore are.one 
¢ body, show how grossly the Church of Rome | 
© has varied from Christ’s institution, in. distri- ~ 
‘ buting to the communicants severally an. un- 
© broken wafer; so that they are neither parta- 
* kers of one loaf, or bread, or of bread broken.’ 


they truly believed, the faithfulness of God to 
bis promise and covenant, would secure them 
| from being finally overcome by any temptation. 
He would so direct and over-rule every event, 
“and restrain the malice of tempters and persecu- 
_ tors, as ‘well as communicate strength propor- 
tioned to their trials; that they should never be 
tempted above what they were able: but, in 
some way or other, he would, in his providence, 
or by his grace, make a way for them to escape, 
that they should be enabled to bear the trial, and 
come forth out of it unhurt, however sharp or 
_ durable it might be. This cannot mean, that all 
elievers should be rendered victorious over 
every particular temptation; because in that 
| case they must all be kept from actual sin, which 
“is contrary to fact and Scripture: yet it must 
| Imply, that no concurrence of circumstances 
| should ever cast them into such temptation, as 
| would render the commission of sin unavoid 
| able; and that nothing should ever occasion 
| their final apostacy and condemnation. (Rom. 
Vili. 33-39.) However the examples and warn- 
| ingsy which had been given, sufficiently proved, 
that they ought to flee to the greatest distance 
from all approaches to, and occasions of, idola- 
| try: for if so small a temptation as a feast was 
more than they could resist, how could they 
hope to withstand in the evil day of fiery perse- 
_cution? The word rendered, a “ way to és: 
| cape,” is suited to lead the reader’s thoughts to 
| hee of a poor shipwrecked mariner, who 


has indeed escaped to dry ground: but the 
winds roar, the billows rage, the tide flows, the 
cliffs overhang; and death, inevitable death, 
Ls still to pursue him, when at length he 
discovers an opening, or gate, (such as are com- 
mon,in some places, where the cliff is high and 
steep;) and thus a most welcome outlet, or way 
icape, is unexpectedly afforded him! The 
serience of some Christians, who have been 
uliarly tried and tempted, till ready to give 
pe; and yet at length rescued and filled 
hiring gratitude, will show the peculiar 
yof the illustration. (Heb: xiii. 7. Gr.) 
or, taken from them, who “ being sur- 
1 by thieyes, are in danger on every 
he Corinthians valued themselves 


uf. D. 60. 


the table of devils. | - 


22 Do § we provoke the Lord to jea- 


lousy ? tare we stronger than He? 


23 All «things are lawful for me, but 
all things are not expedient: all things 
are lawful for me, but ‘all things * edify 


not. 


24 Let no man ¥ seek his own, but 


every man another’s wealth. 


25 Whatsoever is 2 sold in. the sham- 


lu 6.12. et Rom} Tim. 1.4. 


14. 15, 20, 


s Bx. 20.5. & 34: 
ide Dent, 4. 24. & 
Gs 15. & 32. 16. 21,|x & 1. & 14. 3-5. 
Josh. 24. 19. Ps. 7S) 12, 17. 26. Rom. 
8. Zeph. 1, 18. E 19. & 15. 2. 2 


*y & 13. 5. Phil. 2. 
4.5. 


t Job 9.4) & 40. 9-14,} Cor. 12. 19. Eph. 4.| Tim. 4, 4. AG 1. 
Be 22. 14. Heb. 10.}' 29. 1 Thes. 5. 11. 1] 15. 


V. 18—22. » The: subject might»be illustrated 


by the case of “Israel after the flesh,” the na- 


tion of Israel as’ distinguished from the whole 
They, who feasted in 
the courts of the temple; upon the flesh of the 
sacrifices and peace-offerings, of which part had 
been burned upon the altar, were understood to 
. have fellowship with Jenovau and his worship- 


company of believers. 


‘pers, and to expect a share of the benefits aris- 
ing from such sacrifices : and was not the mean- 


ing similar, when any one. feasted. with idolaters 


in” their idol-temples, upon their sacrifices ?— 


Would they then suppose him to mean, that an 
idol was a real being to whom worship was  ren- 


dered; or that these, sacrifices differed mate- 


rially from other food? ‘Thus he knew that some 


of them would speculate to excuse their self-in. 
dulgence.’ But though the deities to which they 


sacrificed, were non-entities, and all the account 


of their origin and exploits mere fables; yet he 
must inform them, that their sacrifices were ac- 


tually presented to. devils, fallen angels, malig- 
nant demons; and that these ambitious rivals of 


God were gratified by them, in proportion as God 
was dishonoured and provoked. Perhaps some 
might fancy, that the name was not essential, and 


that God was worshipped imthese rites though | 


under another title; (as modern speculators 
have asserted, that Jenovan, or Jupiter, &c. 
ares virtually the same; and that the supreme 
Being is worshipped with equal acceptance, in 
every age and clime;) but the apostle assured 
them, that these sacrifices were not presented to 
God, ‘but to the determined enemies of God and 
man: and he woild not on any account have: his 
beloved Corinthians join themselves with devils 
and their worshippers. Indeed, they could not 

e the ordinances of Christ to consist with 
these abominable rites : and if they attempted it, 
they would provoke'the Lord to jealousy by this 
familiarity with his detested rivals; as if they 
were stronger than he, and could defend them. 
‘selves against his judgments : even as a woman, 
though nat guilty of gross adultery, must, excite 


the suspicion and indignation of her husband, if| ness were. the Lord’s ; the ¢c 
she associated very familiarly with the man, of| defiled food, but might be. supplied | 


whom he entertained. a peculiar. jeatousy.— 
(larg. Ref.) The apostle joined bata in 


I. CORINTHIAN Ss. 


Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot |bles, that eat, asking no. ie 
be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of| conscience’ sake : 


ver. 33. & 9. 19— 


z Rom 14, 4 1 


<i 


26 For b the earth is the Lord 
the fulness t hereof. n 

27 Ifanyo of them t that believe. ‘not ce \ 
you to a feast, | ye be disposed t to g 
whatsoever is se : before you, eat, ask ki 
no question ¢ for conscience” sake. 

“28 But if any man say unto you, Thi 
is offered in sacrifice wu eee dols, f eat n 
for his sake that shew » and. for col 
science’ sake: & for yes th 
Lord’s, and the fulness the reo 


a ver. 27-29. & Sie 5.911. Luke 5}F8> 10-16, 
7. Rom, 13, 5. fog. aoe 15, 2, &h 14 45, 


19. 5.) 19. 7 
Deut. 10, 14. ie Luke 10. 7. 


41. 11. Ps. 24.014 &le ver. 25, 2 Cor. 1} 5, 6. Matt. 
50. 12-1. Lim..6. 17.| 12, & 4.2, & 5 1. 32. dit 


these inquiries, to show how greatly he abhy 
red such a conduct, and, how he should dre 


the consequences of beit 
* Dare you then, being e to C O= 
* yoke the Lord to je co ete pre 
‘ spiritual whoredom'? * Are you stron; a 
*« he,” ‘and able to resist him, i! n 
* let loose his fury against y' Ne 
V. 23—28, A Notes, vi. 13 13. viii.) Th 
feasting i the idol-temples having been 
to be direct idolatry, the apostle next proc 
to prove, that some limitations aed be. 
ed to their liberty; and. and 
cation consulted in the use, 
things. He exhorted them, therefore 
seek their own indulgence or satisfactio 
sively or principally ; but to Study | 
and advantage of their brethren and roth? 
whom they ought to love as. Paced 
whose greater good. they ought to give u 
inferidr interest. He ‘wo rever, 
them to eat. without seruple, w at they 
the public market; ele. I mu ae 
whether it had. been offe 
lest they should receive an 
tend to perplex or vane e 
the brethren, if their own were Be a - 
for, as the earth and its ful ER 
Lord, they might partake of h oun is 
hesitation, if they. ah no | 250 n to 
ry.. In like manner, unbelieving frie el 
relation invited them. ria house, and 
disposed to go; (which in many cases w 
Jawful, and in some even expedient ;) 1 
eat of the provisions sct before them, 
asking any questions. Bat if an 
them that this or the other dish 
idol sacrifice, let them refrai 
because it would be pro] er 
against idolatry, and to Dey A a 
it, for the benefit especial c 
them, whether he were a Christ a os 
liever; and that they mi ee aN 
science of any man. And, as. the earth and i 


meat, though they abstained from it, 
sions and manuscripts. mit the 


a. 60. 


i\ + 


“99 Conscience, T say, } not thine own 


judged of another man’s conscience ? 


* Or, thanksgiving: 
k Rom. 14. 6. 1 Tim. 


ver 49. & & 9 
, Re 14 156— 


ae 7162 Cor. 
+ 1 Thes, 5.22. 


23, 1,Pet. 4.11. 


A4.3,4 
t a ae Deut. 12, 2 


an “but there appears to me a dealing beau. 


jmanner. All things are lawful, &ce. (23.) 
|* tullian, speaking of women’s apparel says, 


* things lawful ? 


|« to that which is unlawful.” © (Beza.) 


| Pee 29—33. 


\for he supposed them able to discard ‘such ig- 


\brethren. Yet they would inquire, why their 
liberty was to be thus censured and restrained, 
jout of regard to other men’s consciences ? 
‘why they were to be blamed and slandered, in 
e ting those things for which they gave thanks, 


fieving frame of mind? Thus we may explain 
ie passage, as the objection of the Corinthians to 
; apostle’s directions : but it may be under- 
ad as his inquiry, Why they should so incau 
tie isly use their liberty, as.to give cause for its 
being ‘condemned i in the consciences of other men? 


God, which they 1 received with grace and thanks. 
E ving, as to give cause for slander or offence ? 
He therefore concluded this subject by admo- 
| ishing them, whether they ate or drank, in any 
iplace or company, or whatever they did, to do 
= with an habitual aim at the glory of God; ; by 
considering his precepts, and the propriety, ex- 
ency, appearance, or tendency, of their ac- 
is, and the construction which others would 
ut upon them: and by acting with prudence, 
erance, thankfulness, consistency, and cha- 


conduct would show the excellency of the 
ee conduce to win over others to it; b 
cht the name and perfections of God would be 
Pebone known, adored, and glorified. This 

ea Sab aaa they ought habitually to have in view : 
te ver interfered with it ga to be avoided ; 


pie to. it. sti would then be 
ive no needless offence to any man, 


s or Gentiles ; and not to give cause 
he Church, or any believer : but to fol- 
Ie as he followed Christ, (xi. ») ac- 


CHAPTER X. 


‘but of the other: for ‘ why is my liberty 


! 30, For, if es grace be a partaker, 

why a nt spoken of for that * for 
which ] ee Paaics 2 

de hether therefore ! ye cat, or 


11. Neh: 8 10-12, 
Zech. 7, 5, 6. Luke 
“4141. ‘Col. 3.17. 


ty in the repetition, and entirely in the apostle’s, 
‘Ter. 


| How much more easily will she fear things un- 
* lawful, who is cautious and scrupulous in 
‘Thus Clement also, ‘ They 
\* who do whatever is lawful, will soon glide in- 
The apostle observed, perhaps 

vith reference to ‘the self-confidence of some at 
\Corinth, that he did not so much mean they were 
9 abstain for the sake of their own consciences ; 
\norant scruples : but for the sake of other men’s 
lconsciences, especially those of their weaker 
Or 


land which they received in a thankful and-be- 


ie whey they should so use those good gifts of 


y, in every thing. Thus the whole tenour of 


any stumbling-block in the way, 


A, D. 60, 


‘drink, or whatsoever “ye do, do all to the 
glory of God. 

$2 Give ® none offerice, neither to the 
Jews, nor to the. * Gentiles, nor to » the 
church of God: 

33 Even casT please all men in all 
thing's, not seeking mine own profit, but 
the frofit of many, that they may be saved. 


m yer. 33. & 8. 13.Jn 11. 22, Acts’ 20.) 19—23. Rom. 15, 2 
Rom. 14. 13.2 Cor.| 28. 1 Tim. $. 15.] 3. 2 Cor. 11 028, 29. 
6.3. Phi 1.10. |. vers 24. See ot, 9.) & 12+ 196 


9 


* Or, Greeks. 


cording to what he had shown them of his prin- - 
ciples and conduct ; (WVotes, &c. ix.) in which he 
had endeavoured to please men of all descrip- 
tions, and in all things, as far as consisted with 
faithfulness ; in nothing consulting his own 
emolument or satisfaction, but the good of many, 
in order to promote their salvation. (Marg. Ref.) 
“PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
V. 1—5. 

‘The mistakes and sins of professed Christians 
commonly originate from ignorance of the Scrip. 
tures, or from a partial attention to them. If 
this were not common, men Could not suppose, 
that forms, ordinances, or assent to doctrines, - 
would procure them:a license to indulge their 
passions, or impunity in the allowed practice of 
sin. ~ Men may seem to be converted; they may 
relate a specious experience, and make a credi- 
ble profession of faith ; they may be admitted | 
members of the visible Church, where the strict- 
est discipline is exercised, and statedly hear the 
most faithful instruction ;«they may be greatly . 
distinguished by external privileges and Bifis 5 = 
they may be baptized in any form, and receive 
the spiritual meat and drink of the Lord’s supper, 
in the purest societies; and yet, not ‘feeding on 
‘Christ. himself in their hearts by faith, God 
will not be well pleased with them, but they will 
die short of Canaan, and perish with the multi- 
tude of the ungodly. 

Vv. 6—14, 

The examples, recorded in’ the word of God 
for owr admonition, who in these latter ages of 
the world enjoy the full benefit of all preceding 
revelations, should warn us'to repress every evil 
lusting ; to avoid a festive, sensual religion, which 
gratifies the eye, the ear, the taste ; and. which 

connects with sitting down to eat and drink, and 
tising up to play; to keep at a distance from 
every forbidden indulgence; and “not to tempt 
Christ, by running ourselves into those dangers 
in which many have perished; and to avoid all 
murmurings and disputings, by which the enemy 
of souls hath made such ‘havaek in the Church. 
Above all, we should beware of “a haughty 
“ spirit, etch goes before a fall ;” and while we 
think-we stand, we should trust in God to pre- 
| serve us from deceiving ourselves, and from fall- 


Jing by temptation ; using every means of security 


against such fatal ‘and lamentable evils: In these: 
quiet times we have no: temptation to resist, but 
such as is common to man: and if we cannot 
now stand our ground against the world, the 
flesh, ‘and the devil, what should we do in the 
fiery. ‘trial of peniecation? ? If we are not prepared 


x 


al 


A. D. 60. 


The apostle exhorts the Corinthians to imitate him 
as h itated Christ, 1. He praises them for 
observing. his injanctions, 2. He gives directious 
concerning men and women prophesying, S—16. 
~ He blames them for abuses in their religious as- 
_ semblies; especially for their divisions, 17—19,;, 
and their profanation' of the Lord’s supper, 20—' 
22; reminding them of) the first institution of it 5 
and showing the danger of partaking of it ay 

— one 
a ye followers of: me, b eyen as an 

nae am of Christ... 

24. 16. & 10. 


33-| Heb. 6.12.) 1) 
Phil. 3.17. 1,Thes-b/Roms 15, 2, 3. 
- 1. 6. 2 Thes. 3. 9. 


] Eph. 5. 42 Phil. 
2 4, Be 


to give up a worthless interest or ‘indulgence for 
Christ’s sake, how. should we yield our bodies 
to the flames in his cause? Whether, however, 

the world smiles or frowns, it is a dangerous 
enemy: but. if we are believers, we shall be 
enabled to overcome it, with all its terrors and 
fascinations : nor will our faithful covenant-keep- 
ing God suffer us te be tempted above what, we 
are able. We may often be alarmed, harassed, 

baffled, and even cast down; but we shall rise 
again superior to our foes : for with every tempt. 

ation the Lord will be sure to make some *‘ way 
« for us to escape, that we may be able to bear 
& it’? Yet his fear put into our hearts will be 
one great means of our safety; and the greater 
our humble jealousy is concerning ourselves, the 
more we shall escape such. fatls, as, when not 
fatal, are productive of very painful consequen- 
ees. We should therefore flee from temptation, 
and not ostentatiously parley with it. 

V. 15—22. 

If we would be deemed wise, let us show our. 
wisdom by a circumspect conduct, and not by 
curious speculations.—Our union and communion 
with Christ. and his people, by partaking of his 
ordinances, should engage us to avoid all ‘ fel- 
#* lowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,” 
andvall, conformity to the vanities of the world. 
When we receive the outward signs of the body 
and blood of Christ; we should seriously inquire 
into the sincerity of this profession of faith in 


him and his atonement, and of our desire to five | 


devoted to his service, and united to his pecple, 
as one bread, and one body with him and them. 
For “¢ the world lieth in the wicked one:” un- 
godly men are the servants of the devil, and 
false religion is his worship, however ingeniously 
some may varnish over or deny this awful truth: 
we cannut unite the service, of Ged with that of 
devils; or have fellowship with Christ, and with 


those enemies whose works he was manifested |. 


to destroy : and they who aim at such a coalition, 


are commonly hypocrites in ae and, 


only sincere in, their idolatrous worship of mam- 
mon., If Christians will venture into those places, } 
anéi join in these sacrifices to “the lust of the 
«6 flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life;?* 
which are of no ill repute even in this land, they 
will certainly provoke the Lord to Jealousy : and, 
seeing they cannot endure his omnipotent indig- 
nation, why should they foolishly, #, as if ed 
were stronger than he? - 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


PORAP RA Se aie 
ye remember me in all things 


‘/you. 


ninth chapter, and it concluded the subje 


thiaes to be inztators of 
imitated Christ, ) especiall the chari 
cautious use of their Ch 
Rom. xv. 1—S. 
had in this respect followed others, who 
contrary to the will and the example 


2 Now el praise you, bre 


the * re) as I delivered ¢/ , 
, Age y 


rok ” 


3 But I would h ve are know, a 
fthe head of every 1 

the head of the womai 
the head of Christ is 


is Pe af 
al 


2. 10, 11. 
& 2. 


© Vers 170 22+ Pray: 
2.40. : 


31. 28—31. 

d 4,17. & 15. 2. 

e 7,17. 1 Thes. 4, 1, 
2.2 Thes. 26 15. 

* Or, traditions. 

f Eph. 1. 22, 23. & 
4: 15, & 5423: Phil. 


h Me 33. & 15.27, } 


; V. 23-33. 
Let us not be abused with vain words, 
the innocence of this or the: other worldly 
sure: thesé apologies are seldom: grounded in 
truth ; but if they were, are such indulgences 
expedient ? ? Do they tend to edibeaticn Do! - 
consist with charit' iy ‘the time an 
money be better efiiployed Brae rao oe exam 
ple grieve or mislead others ? Let) want Abn r 
so selfish, as to seek our own sides) ndulgi 
in preferencé. to the imp Ci ne ord tour neig 
bours. While we trust in the for 
poral provision, and thank 
gift; let us be perigee se Ov 
ty in such a manner, that 
“ appearance of evil,” 
and of whatever may occas 
cion; and that piety, char 
prudence may so regulate. 
meals, and every patt of 
‘¢ whether we eat or drink, r 
“« we may do all to the glory of Gad" ( 
ed with this great end, we a bona 
give no needless ofience to, occa 


judice in, the minds’ of ‘unbelie 


scription; and not toc 
Caurch, or disquietude er ater 
of weak believers: but 

all things to please others one 
as far as it consists with dle ate 1 
to their profit and salvation. 
ber, that he, who gives us the 
calls us to follow him 
the writer of those § 
declare the doctrines 0 


with these practical raetali anche “m: 
‘unable to perceive Slat consisten © 


Wy 

CHrAP. >. Sopem (dig fF 
ly, is connected with the ‘con tu: 
pe chapter: it referred to what 
had written concerning | his own 


} 


began in the eighth. He called 
ample, 


and he 


i AD. 60. 


“k having hegre coyered, dishonoureth 
his head. 
§ But every woman that prayeth | hd 
|  prophesieth with Aer head uncovered, dis- 
a. her head : for that is even all 
one as if she were ™ shaven. 
ve For if the woman be not covered, let 
p also. be shorn: ™ but if it be a shame 
‘a woman to be shorn or shaven, let 
be be covered. f 
re 7, For a man indeed ought not to cover 
“his head, forasmuch as? he is the image 
and glory of God: P but the woman is the 
glory of the man. 

8 For 4 the man is not of the woman ; 

but the woman of the man. 

9 Neither was * the man created for 
| the woman; but the woman for, the 
| man. oi 
' 10 Forthis cause ought the woman to 


i 10. 28. & 14-1,| 2.17, & 21.9, 6+ Jam, 3. 9. 

: ; m Deut, 21, 12, p ver, 3. Gen. 3,16. 
kK re 14.2 Sam. 15.Jn Num. 5. 18. q Gen. 2. 21, 22. 1 
30. & 19, 4. o Gen. 1. 26, 27. &|) Tim. 2. 13. 

1 Luke 2 96. Acts! 5,1. & 9. 6. Ps, 8.1r Gen, 2 ‘18. 23, 24, 


Vi 2-16. The apostle here entered on another 

_ subject, and began to discuss several particulars 
 Fespecting: the public assemblies of the Corin- 

. thians; which, with some digressions, he conti- 

» ned to the end of the fourteenth chapter As 
4 he was about to reprove various .abuses ; he 
deemed it advisable to begin by a general com- 
|. Mendation of their: conduct, in remembering him 
"and observing his injunctions, though this admit. 
_ ted of some exceptions, or misconstructions had 
‘taken place; and it would therefore be proper to 
\ show them his meaning in these things. In the 
_ abundance of spiritual gifts bestowed on the 
Corinthians, several women had been endued 
with the Spirit of prophecy, which enabled them, 
by immediate inspiration, to offer prayers for the 

_ congregation, or to give instructions, ‘or even to 
en | predict future events : for it is not reasonable to 


i 
he 
fl 
ie 


_ merely by being present when another prophesi- 
& ned. This seems to have been the only case, in 
| which women were allowed to speak in public, 
You) and in this respect some abuses had crept in. 
fut ‘Gay. 34, 35. 1 Dim. iv 11—13 7 In order to un- 
derstand what was becoming in this exempt case, 
sdithe apostle would have them to understand, that 


Eg eyery man among them: whose honour was con. 
ay cerned in their conduct: and that the man was 
site np. immediate head and ruler of the woman, to 
_/ whose authority God had subjected her, and who 
Pry would therefore be disgraced by any improprie- 


r, Was subject to God as his Head and Princi- 
i aie whose glory his whole conduct in bis 
orial government was referred. As there- 
vist did the will, and sought the honour, 
i SOE: Gat so the Christian should avow his sub- 
Psst ua Guat, doing his will. and Aceh his 


<x fore © 


CHAPTER XI. 
4 Every: man praying i or prophesying,| have * power on fer head 8 beeymsy of 


10, Heb. 1. 14. 


_ suppose, that a woman could be said to prophesy, 


‘Christ was' the immediate Head, or Ruler, of 


in. her behaviour : and that Ghist as Media- 


i | 
A, D. 60. 


the angels. 

11 Nevertheless, t neither is/the man 
without the woman, neither th oman 
without the man, in the Lord. 

12 For as the woman is of the-many 
even so is the man also’ by the bias pad 
u but all things of God 

-13 x Judge-in yourselves : is it comely 
that a woman pray unto God uncovered ? 

14 Doth not even: nature itself teach 
you, that ¥ if a man have long hair, 7 it 
is ashame unto him? | 

15 But if a woman have long hair, it 
is a glory to her: for her hair is eg 
her for ta covering . 

16 But if any man 2 séem to “ con- 
tentious, we have no» such custom, nei- 
ther ¢ the churches of God. 


[Practical Observations} 


* That is, @ cover—|t 7. 10—14- & 12.12|7 14. 35, 

ing in sign that) —22. Gal. 3.28, |t Or, veil. 

she’ zs under the\u 8.6. Prov..16- 4.Ja 1 Tim. 6.3, 
“power of her hus-| Rom. 11. 36, Hebb Acts 21. 21. 24. 
band. Gen. 20, 16.! 1. 2, 3. e 7. 17- & 14.33, 
& 24. 65. x 10.15. Luke 12.) 34. & 16.1, 1 Thes» 
s Ee, 5.6. Mat. 18, 67. John 7. 24, 2. 14. 
y 2Sam. 14. 26. 


glory ; and the woman should acknowledge fe 

subjection to the man, and, (in all things lawful,) 

do what was pleasing and honourable to him. 

According to the custom of those days, a veil on 
the head was the token of subjection and res- 

pect to superiors : if a man. therefore should 

pray or prophesy with’such a covering, he would - 
dishonour Christ his Head, by acting out of cha- 
racter, and appearing as if he was placed in 
subjection to the woman, instead of in authority 
over her. On the other hand, it would be incon- 
sistent with modesty, and hei state of subjection, 
for a woman to lay aside her veil on such. occa- 
sions; for thus she would seem to forget her 
place, and to affect authority; which would dis- 
honour the man, whom God had appointed to be 
as ahead overher. Nay, this would be so great 
an impropriety, that it would be of a similar 
meaning with the shaving of her head ; which 
was a disgraceful punishment, that was used to. 
be inflicted on women of bad character. If then 
the women would exercise their gifts uncovered, 

let them be shorn or shaven: but if they deemed 
this shameful, let them wear their veils: Some 
think that these prophetesses had their hair 
dishevelled, after the manner, of the Pythian 
priestesses of Apollo ; and ifthis was so, it would 
be an additional reason for the apostle thus 
strenuously to oppose ‘them ! The man indeed, 

being the image and glory of God, and appointed 
fas his representative in ruling over this lower 
world, ought not to be veiled on these occasions, 
But the woman reflecting, as it were, the man’s 
glory, being formed his counterpart, and the most 
honourable subject of his delegated authority, 
ought to avow her willing subjection by wearing 
the veil. For the woman was not originally 
created separately, but taken out of the man; as 
a Part of him, yet inferior to him: neither was 


4 
i 


e uae Yad Chee a 
: os 
AyD. 60. | “I, CORINTHIANS. 


17° Now in'this'that I declare unto jed may be made manifest amor 
you, 4 I praise you not, ¢ that ye come to-' 20 When ye come together 
gether se for the better, but for the/into one place, Pb ehis is not to € 
worse bis rs Bae Lord’s supper. ws bi ah 
18 For, first of all, when ye come to-/ 21 For + in eating ey eth 
gether in the church, £ I hear-that there} before o¢her his own ‘su 24 ae e 
- be *'divisions among you; and I partly|is hungry, and another is drunken. is 
22 What ! "have y i 
and to drink in? m OF des ise ye the 
church of God, and shame them § that 
have not? What shall Tsay to you? shall — 
I praise you in this? T praise you ot. 


~ 


believe it. 
19 For & there must be also t heresies 
among you, that they > which are approy- 


d ver 2.22, Lev. 19. 
5. 


FI. ioe. & 5. 1. 
17. Prov. 27. & 6. 


i bP ee Acts 5. 
7. & 15.5. Be 24. 


Mom. 13. 3. 1 Pet.j* Or. eneuiis See wis ee 2-5. & 
2.14. oh ai 10 Hee BA ee be [Practical Observations} ” 
© ver. 20.34. 8 14.23.|9 Matt. 18.7. Luke! Tit, 3. 10. Gr. ¢ Or, yecanndteat. | 12, 


17. le Acts 20. 30.jh Deut. 13. 3, Luke 
1 Tim. 4. 1,2, 2 Pet.| 2.35. 2 Cor. 13. 5~ 
2.1, 2 7. Gr. 1 John 2, 19. 


26. As. 1.13, 14. 3 
58: 1—4. Jers 7 9. 
10, Heb. 10. 25. 


i ver. 23—25. & 10. 
16—18, * 


§ 
- 32, & Prov: 
k 2 Pet. 2, 13. Jude Mie tt co 


bie, 20. 28,1 Tim! 2. 8, 6, 


a ie PAS Ts at by 
A oe a hab are 


but if any of the Corinthian teachers sohcal : 
inclinable to excite a contention about them ; he~ 

would only add, that he and his brethrén knew ~ 
of no such custom, as“ Sef mins toh them: 


nor was there any such in the Chure aa 
that had been planted e the other ee stles.. rs 


the tan created for the woman’s advantage, but 
the woman for. that of the man. -(Wotes, &c. 
Gen. ii, 20-25.) On this account therefore the 
woman ought to be covered with her veil, even 
when praying or prophesying, as an emblem of 
her being undér the authority of the man. . Many 
conjectures have been formed concerning the 
meaning of the following expression, “ because 
of the angels :” but probably the apostle refer. 
red to the presence of holy angels, (who had 
witnessed the creation of man,) as spectators, or 
even in some respects as joint worshippers with 
’ believers in their public assemblies ; which there- 
fore ought to be regulated with the most exact 
propriety, that these heavenly worshippers might 
not witness any thing unbecoming so holy an oc- 
casion. . But, though the, woman had been creat- 
ed for and subjected to the man; yet, no differ. 
ence was made between them in respect of their 
acceptance in Christ, but they were called toge-| 
ther to have fellowship with him., Nor ought the 
authority of the man to be exercised harshly, 
but in tenderness and love; seeing, that, as the 
woman was originally “from the man,” so the 
man. hath ever. since , been .** bysthe woman ;” 
born of her, and tended on in. infaney by her 
tender care: that as both were, reciprocally 
means of comfort and benefit to each other, so, 
they should live together in harmony. and affec- 
tion. But all things were to, be considered .as 
derived from God, and regulated by him, whose 
wise appointments ought to be submitted to. 
The Corinthians therefore might judge for them. 
selves, whether, according to the constitution of 
the Creator, it would be comely for a woman to 
appear uncovered in the act of worshipping him, 
Even nature would teach them, that if 2 man 
wore his hair long, and tired in the manner which 
custom had appropriated to women; .it would be 
a disgrace to him, and be considered as a proof of 
effeminacy and folly...On the other hand, long 
hair, when decently tired according to the cus 
tom of the times, ‘would be an honour to a wo- 
man, being given to her as a natural veil; and to 
wear her hair short, as. men used. to do, would 
appear*musculine and disgraceful: and for the 
same reason, ‘she ought to wear her veil on her 
head when praying ; that she might keep her 
proper place and appear in character. ‘These 
things the apostle stated as decent and proper : 


that he had bestowed. upon the Corinthians + 
when they came together, they behaved ‘oo diss 
orderly, that it tended to detriment 
than their edification; and s they lost makad is 
in one way, than they gained in others, in res — 
pect of religious improvement. For, in the first | 
place, when they assembled, as a society~ mt 
together for the worship of God, in which tl 
ought to have been of one heart and mi 
there were divisions, or schisms, among them 
Though they met in one place, he nih te: ep me 
tion; yet they were divided into parties, a 
were actuated by carnal co inncaed mutual 
animosity. . This disgrace a1 
heard; and he believed it inp: 
ing a part of them: for -he was sa = 
with human nature, and. the temper of 
rinthians; that he was aware 
would be followed by heresies a 
more entire separation of some of 
rest, out of zeal for the | petnicgye 
which they had espoused. _ sa 
* from hence, that heresy is ne 
‘than the sehism above- 
dridge.) This, satan — attempting; werk 
would permit it to take place, ae to dis. ; 
tinguish his approved servants, by their. stead-_ 
fast adherence to the truth, from ‘the unsound — 
professors. of Christianity, whieh had crept in |. 
among them. Their, assembling’ together 
one place with such divided hearts was ver 
evil; apd their subsequent conduct. et chase . 
nal, that though they professed to celebrate the 
Lord’s supper, they could not be said to do th 
but rather to substitute a catnal feast in 
stead of it. For, they brought their pte 
sions with them, and ate them separatel 
waiting for each other, or communicating 
each other ! So that a selfish or intemp 


and love! and, while the poor. went away h ht 
gry for want of proper provisions, the rich | 


ei end Seats. 


A D. 60. 


y 23 For,» I have received of the Lord 
that which. also. I delivered unto you, 
That the I ord Jesus, ° the same night in 
which he was. betrayed, P took bread: 


24, when he had given thanks, he 
brake if , and said, Take, eat; * this is 
ya, which is broken for you: this 


remembrance of me. 

fter the same manner.also te took 
Peg cup, when he had. supped, saying, 
* This cup is t the New Testament in my 


15,3. Deut. 4.5.) Luke )22- 19°20.) 3, a 18, 17. 
| Matt. 28.20, Gal 1.| Acts 20. 7. 1, for a remem- 
1.11, 12. 1 These 4.|q 5.7, 8. Ps. 22. 26. branie. Bx. 12. 14. 
ES 29, Prov. 9. 5.Cant.) Josh. 4. 7, Ps. 111. 
5.1. Is. 25.5. & 55.) 4-Cant. 1. 4. Is. 26. 
1—%. John’6. 53—} 8. Mat, 26. 13. 
em Matt. 26. 26—28.| 57. S ver. 27, 28, 

Mark Ade 22—24,\r ver. 26. 28. & 10.|t Luke 22. 20. 2 
uations plentifully, if not to excess! What 
could be said to such a scandalous profanation ? 
Had they not houses to feast in on their abun- 
dance, and to which they might invite their} 
friends ? Did they despise the assembled Church 
of God, as if it had been a company of intempe- | 
rate revellers? Or did the rich purpose to shame 
their poor brethren, because they had not suita- 


; 0, Matt. 26.2, 17. 


in “such profane, uncharitable, and sensual practi 
ces? ‘This he would not do, though glad to 

| praise them when he could. Such a refusal of 
| commendation implied the severest rebuke. It 
is almost unaccountable, that a Christian Church, 
ip in ashort time after this eminent apostle had 
left them, should run into so abominable a pro- 
fanation of this sacred ordinance. But the pub- 
Tic feasts of the Greeks were commonly conduct- 
tom in this manner, which appears to us as incon. 

| sistent with civility-as with piety. The self-con- 
hi penton os teachers carried their notions 
of Christian liberty to an excess almost incon- 
 Ceivable at present: ‘they not only joined in the 
_Wolatrous feasts of their neighbours, but. ‘they | 
_ introduced the customs of them into the Church, ' 
4 and so perverted this sacred institution : and, 
~ to show the folly of man’s wisdom, they ’ ‘were 
' Jeft thus to disgrsce themselves more thati other’ 
‘Churches, because they thought themselves 
"wiser than they. Itis also wonderfut that the 
i ap jostle should express so favourable a opinion 
the Corinthians in general, notwithstanding 
“f “Base gross abuses: and we should thence learn’ 
¢: tion in condemning whole religious societies, | 
) because of such evils as perhaps but few ap- 
5) ove of, though numbers are seduced to con- 
"© Mevety, to be drunk, is by the 
a, thought to have its original from 
very, (after sacrijicing,) because of 
‘ he fies drinking. they indulged in after their 
rifices. - The Judaizing converts thought 
nsely ves obliged to drink plentifully at their 
; four large cups of wine, saith Dr, 
at the paschal supper; and to be 
unk, saith Buxtorf, at the feast of Pu-' 
iby.) Yf such sentiments were 

a at the time when the apostle | 


is 


. CHAPTER: XI. wy 


| ble provisions? Would they have him applaud | *. 
2 |* to him from other quarters.” 


‘come, 


A. D.6& 
lauds this do- ye; as oft as ye drink zt, 
in remembrance of me. 

26 For.as often as ye eat this ‘bread 
and drink this cup, + ye do shew the 
Lord’s. death 4 till he come. 

27 Wherefore, * whosoever. shall eat 
this bread, and.drink this cup of the Lord 
unworthily, y shall be guilty of the body 
and blood of the Lord. | 

28 But let aman examine iiinéelf, 
2 and so let him eat of that bread, aha 
drink of that cup. 


Cor. 3. 6. 14. Heb.| 10. IJehn 2. 28. 
9, 15—20. & 13, 20,] Rey. 1.7. & 20. la, 
t Or, Sher ye. 12. & 22. 20. 

u 4. W2 & 15. 23.,.x 10. 21 Lev. 10.1 
John 21. 22. Acts 1, dl —3. 2 Chr. 30. 18— 
Vi. 1 Thes.4. 16.) 20. *Matt.. 22. 11. 
2 Thes; 2. 2, 3.) John 13. 18—97, 
Heb. 9.28.2 Pet. 3.Jy vers 29. a 


rr terns 


wrote, our astonishment at the facts advanced 
‘May be abated; but eur abhorrence should be. 
rproportionably increased. ‘Though the Co- 
‘ rinthians had written to St. Paul, requesting: 
© his directions in several pdints; yet they had 
'*€ not said one syllable, about the enormities 
‘ which had crept in amongst them, and in the 
© blame of which they all shared: his informa- 
© tion, concerning these irregularities, had come 
G11, 12. ¥. 4, 


Z ver-31. Ps.26.2—5e 
Lam. 3: 40. Hag 1. 
5, 7- Zech, 7. 5—To 
2 Cox. 13. 5. Gal» 
6. 4, 

a Nume 9. 10. 12% 
Matt. 5, 23, 24,» 


2.) (Paley) 4 


V.23—28. (WNotes, Mat. xxvi. 26—29,) To 


‘remedy the disorders which prevailed among 


the Corinthians, the apostle referred them to the 
‘original appointment of the Lord’s supper, willx 
which he had been’ made acquainted by imme- 
diate revelation from Christ, and which he had 
faithfully delivered to"them. This account of 
‘that ordinance entirely coincides with that which — 
|has been considered, and fully confirms the in- 
terpretation given of it. It was of great import- 
ance, that it should be here repeated and enforc- 
ed, that the obligation of the institution to the 


end of the world might be fully ascertained. Ik 
fis here added, that as oft as they drank of the 


cup, they were to do it in remembrance of 
Christ; inorder that the frequent recollection 
of his Tove, his' sufferings, and their obligations” 
tohim, might have a proper effect upon their 
‘hearts and lives : for as often as they attended . 


on this ordinance; they ‘would “ show forth the 


© Lord’s death,” that is, profess their faith in it, 


Yand declare the end and efficacy of it, till he 


should come to judgment. The manner in 
which the quakers evade this’ decisive declara- 
‘tion, (by saying, till the time when Christ should — 
by “his spiritual iMumination on their — 
minds, to take them off from carnal ordinances,) 

is a striking instance of perverse ingenuity used 
in defence of rooted prejudices, The apostle 
here repeatedly speaks of the bread, after its con- 
secration or appropriation to that particular use’; 
which is ' decisive againstthose absurd and mon- 
strous interpretations, t that have been put upon 
‘our Lord’s words. He further declared, that 
whosoever should partake ‘of this ordinance 
ee unworthily 5 ;? that i a ina profane, carnal, or 


u 


| 


A; D. 60. ‘ vil 


body.” 


30 For this cause ¢ many @re weak and 


sickly among you, and many ‘sleep. » 


(31 For cif we would judge ourselves, 


we'should not be judged. 


24. & 21. 6—9. 2 
Sam: 12.14—18. 1 
Kings 13. 21—24. 
Ps, 38, 1-8. & 78} 
30, 31. & 89. 31— 


2 Or, judgment. 30. 

* 32—34, Rom. 13.2. 
Jam. 3. 1s& 5s, 12. 
Marg. 

b ver. 24, 27. Ec. 8. 
5, Heb. 5, 14s 34. Am, 3,26 Heb. 

e ver. 32, Ex. 15.) 12, 5—Ll. Rey, 3. 
26. Num. 20. 12.| 19. 


2 Thes. 4. 14. 


5. Jer. 31, 18—20. 
Luke 15, 18—20. 
i John 1.9. Rey. 
2.5, 3.2, So 


irreverent manner, as an ordinarv meal, or a 
sensual feast, or for secular purposes, would 
s© be guilty of the bady and blood of the Lord ;” 
would be chargeable with treating them con 
temptuously; and, in a measure, witha share 
of their guilt, who wounded his sacred body and 
shed his precious blood upon'the cross. It was 
therefore proper for every man, however ap- 
proved by his pastor and brethren, to examine 
himself, concerning the reality of his faith and 
repentance, the sincerity of his profession, his 
intentions in communicating the state of his 
heart, and the fenour of his conduct; not in 
order to find some reason for absenting himself, 
but that, after such self-examination and serious 
preparation of heart, he might commemorate the 
Lord’s death in a proper manner, and according 
to bis appaintment. ‘This expressly shows it to 
be every Christian’s duty, to attend on this or- 
dinance; and that both the bread and the wine 
should be administered to all without exception. 
Indeed, in one place, (7.) it is in the original 
ee shall eat this bread, or drink this cup, eee 5 
and the needless variation in our yersion has 
caused some cavils of the papists; yet the verse 
would as readily prove, that the wine alone, as 


that the bread alone, should be received: but, 


in fact it only shows that both bread and wine 
should be received in a serious, believing, 
and reverential manner. ‘ The, true, form of 
* celebrating the Lord’s supper must, be sought 
* from its first institution, of which these, were 
£ the parts. The pastors must declare. the 
* death of the Lord by preaching his word ; 

© bless the bread and wine, having called on the 
* name of God, and explained the. institution 
* along with their prayers; and finally, deliver 


¢ the broken bread to be eaten, and the cup to. 


* be taken and drunk, with thanksgivings. The 
- © flock must prove Siemachean: that, is, carefully 
© examine their Knowledge, faith, and repent 
. © ance; they must show forth the death of 
“ Christ,” thatis, by true faith, consent to his 
*-word and appointment; and finally, receive 
¢ the bread from the hand of the. minister and 
€ eat it, and drink the wine, and give thanks to 
© the Lord., This was the liturgy of Paul and 
© the apostles.’ Show forth. § That is, public- 
¢ ly profess that you believe and embrace it with 
« thanksgiving,’ (Beza.) From one loaf our 
Lord, having broken it, gave a portion to each 
person present, and they all drank from the 


a 


CORINTHIANS. 


29 For-he that-eateth and drinketh un- 
worthily, eateth and drinketh ¢ damnation 
to himself,’ b not discerning the Lord’s 


id 15. 51. Acts 13.36. 
le ver, 28, Ps, 32.3-— 


eer arta or sealed f 


32 But when we are judged, 
chastened of the Lord, that we 
not be & condem#ed with the world. 

‘33 Wherefore, r 


come together to ty tarry one | 
other. Heine sie a ix 4 
34 And 4 if, pe ae let him 


eat at home 5 that ye ‘come not toget 
iinto* * condemnation: Paar phe 


f See on, ver. 30. 
Deut. 8 5. Job 5. 
17, 18. & 33. 18— 

30. X34. 31, 32. Ps, 
94. 12, 13, & 118: 


Zeph. 3.2. ; 
g Rom. Se 1% | 
John 5.19.0 


same cup, as a token that all believers alike p: f 
take of the blessings signified in that sacred \t. 
dinance, and have communion ‘with one another, 
as one in Christ.. How | t this, from from : 

number of people meeting together, t to make & 


meal each separately pp easions ich” 
they had brought wil 
written by some expos! 
feasts, which are supposet 
nied the administration of the Lor 
the primitive times, as having 

the disorders, which the apo 
but it is not certain, thathe at ited 
and indeed itis not probab 
this time in use. 

“V. 29—34.' To show 
sity of selfexamination, the : 
that every one, who unworthil Par! 
ordinance, would “ eat and. drink 
“himself :” his very attend: 
gious service would offen ie 
to his righteous judgmen 
proper discrimination bet 
wine _ which. represented” 
‘offered on the cross to be 
to be received by faith, an 295 
iThis irreverence, being. ‘ino 
doubtless subject a man 
if he did not repent : but iti 
tle did not.mean, that it was. 


curring those pee 
God chastised his: 0 
scraples and conse 
bers, who seem in other 
have.no ground in this pert 
apparent harshness of our trans 
the word that signifies judg; 
damnation, which common S 
nishment, Indeed, the cons US 
and lamented iiGrmiliee of those, .v 
express their gratitude for re 
widely different from chee 
Corinthjans, who yet were not at all 
ave sinned beyond the hope 
generally they, who deem the 
worthy,” are least likely to receive znwor 
which is commonly the sin of the Prov 
self-sufficient, But the apostle showed is 
ing in what follows : for he observed, ‘that 


@ 
CHAP Xil. 


‘ale 


The ae 


mt of these profanations, many of them 
sited with enfeebling and wasting sick- 
and several had even been cut off by 
'; which, being called. seep, was charitably 
supposed to be that of believers. For if men 
| ‘woull call themselves to an account for their 
hr and humble themselves before God in 
‘ep-Trepentance; they would escape many tem- 
pral calamities, as well as final condemnation : 
out when Christians were thus judged, and visit- 
fe, ‘with divers diseases, and sundryzkinds of 
© death, “ they were chastened of the Lord, 
by that,” bein ‘thus Ied to repentance, “ they 
% might not ae. condemned with the world.”— 
As ee was the case, the apostle exhorted them 
to tarry for eac other, and to commemorate the 
-death of their Lord in charity and peace, as well 
Bs in faith and piety : and let them satisfy their 
| hunger at home, and not think of making a full 
} meal or a sensual feast, of the Lord’s supper ; 
by which they exposed themselves to condemna- 
tion and. very painful visitations, even when 
™ together in the Saviour’s name. As to 
the rest, he meant to come shortly, and then he 
would regulate matters by lis apostolical au- 
jority. it is manifest, that the custom, which 
ne scrupulously adhere to, as a matter of con. 
pees, often to the injury of their health, of 
om ing the Lord’s supper fasting, has not ‘the 
est ground in Scripture, and is in fact a 
2 superstition: as is the still vastly more 
mmon “notion, that irreverence, or even inyo- 
tary defects and mistakes, in this sacrament, 
e far more heinous and Perilous, than in other 
of worship, or even in administering or re- 
pe Papten. 


- PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, ; 4 
fi VAG, 
We should imitate no man except as he fol- 

ows Christ, whose example alone is absolutely 

F ‘perfect : nor should we desire, that others 
id follow us any further, than we are ena- 

‘Bled to copy our Lord and Master. When we 

ust blame in some things; we shoul! show a 


isposition to be Pleased, by commending: and 


chow our duty in various particulars, we should 
curately study our relations to God, and to 
h other in society. His plan of government 
des’ much subordination, and materially 
from those of many who are deemed wise 
s orld. The immediate government of 
sind, especially of Christians, is yested in 
who bears our nature, and who, as Media- 
acknowledges the Father as his Head ; un- 
i -mediatorial authority, he hath appointed 
De the head of the woman, who imme- 
ules over her; that, as the image and 
d, he may in this, and other instan. 
tive authority, shadow forth the glory 
ons. po tt fhe, divine goverment, But 


, CHAPTER X11. 


‘the Corinthians in. the origin, | 

nature, riety, and, use of spiritual gifts, L—I11. 

He “itustrates the | subject, by slowing how : 
as ae 


&. dD. 66; 
‘the members in the homan body perform theis 


} several #metions for the benefit of the whole; 


12—26 ; and applies this'to the Church, and its 
different orders of ministers, 27—30. He cons, 
chides with exhortation, Sl. % 


the Lord ‘hath so arranged matters, both in the 
kingdom of providence, and in’ that of grace; 
that the authority of the superior, and the subs — 
jection of the inferior, relations, should conduce 
to the mutual help and benefit of all parties.— 
Eyen nature, and the commen sense vf mankind, 
require that men and women should preserve 2 
due distinction in their apparel, behaviour, and 
appearance ; and the contrary to this is con- 
temptible and odious. The particulars, by 
which tbis distinction shall be expressed, are 
greatly determined by custom; but, however ~ 
fashions may vary, an effeminate man and a mass, 
ctilixe woman, will always be disgusting and - 
shameful. The believer’s conduct should be 
50 regulated, that it may honour Christ, bis. 
Head ;.for even bis indiscretions and impro- 
prieties will in a measure disgrace his profess, » 
sion: in like manner the conduct of women will 
either do credit to their husbands, and those, 
who stand nearly related to them, or they wiik 
dishonour them.’ Much attention therefore to 
decorum is necessary: but especially in every — 
thing relating to the worship of God, where no- 
thing unseemly er improper for any one’s state, 
rank, or character, ought to be tolerated. 4 
not only should our sense of the Lord’s speciah 
presence influence our conduct in this matter ; 
bat even that of the holy angels, who in our a8. 
semblies must witness many things unworthy of 
the sacred services, and which should carefully 
be avoided, 
: Vy. 17—22. ‘ 

Alas! how often do even the professors of 
the Gospel meet together for the worse insteatl, 
of the better! Especially, how frequently do 
animosities, and personal or party-contentions 
divide religious societies, and corrupt the appas~ ~ 
renily united worship! Indeed, in the present 
state of human nature, such sciisms and heresies, 
cannot altogether be avoided; but whilst we- 
adore the wisdom of God, in over-ruling these. 
evils for the manifestation of those who are aps, 
proved by him, we must by no means palliate 
the guilt of such persons, as thus diyide and 
distract the Church. The Lord, indeed, can 
take occasion from the most horrid profihations 
to establish the most beneficis ‘regulations : but 
that display of his wisdom and goodness is fox 
from excusing the criminals, or exempting them 
from punishment. We: should rejoice, that. we 
are under no temptation to ‘pervert the Lord’s 
supper to an intemperate reval ; but we may 
seriously inquire, whether profanations, equally 
flagrant and expressive of contempt, are nof 
common among us. How often do avarice, am- 


bition, and extravagance send their infidel, im- ~ 


pious, or profligate votaries, to qualify for pre- - 
ferment by this sacred ordinance! How often 
do custom and ostentation lead sinners of supe- 
rior rank to exhibit their petty distinctions, even 
in 1 attending on this lamar taka 7h } How 


’_ an acceptable manner. 


a. D. 60. 


ow concerning ® spiritual gifts, 
brethren, > I sari ai have roe 
ignorant. . 

2 Ye know © that ye were tales, 
carried away untd these 4 dumb idols, 
€ even as ye were led, 


& ver. 4—10. & 14.) 1 Thes. 4. 18. 2 Eph 2 11, 12 & 
1.12. Eph. 4.11. | Pet. 3 4. 17, 18+ Tit: $- 3, 
b 10. 1, 2.Cor. 1. 8.le 6. i. “Ga ane. 1 Pet, 4. 3. 


often is it made the support of Pharisaical pride ! 
Or the closk with which hypocrites cover dis- 
honesty, or secret licentiousness! Shall we 
praise men for such things? Surely no! nay, 
we must strenuously protest against them. 

V- 23-34 


' They, who understand what the apostles re-| 


ceived from Christ and delivered to the Church, 
respecting the interesting season’ when this or- 
dimance was appointed, éven that very ordinance 
in which’ the Saviour was betrayed ; and con- 
cerning the meaning, use, and benefit of it, will 
perceive that a penitent heart, a simple reliance 
on Gad’s fre¢ mercy by faith in Christ, ‘accord- 
“ing to the New Testament in his blood ; a thank- 
fal recollection of his sufferings and of his love : 
a desire to show forth bis death, to profess our 
obligations to him, and to give up ourselves to 
his service, in doing good to his people, and to 
all men for his sake, constitute the proper pre- 
paration for acceptably communicating. All 
who are able tojcome in this frame of mind, are 
bound in gratitude,and by their professed sub: 
jection to Christ, to * show forth the Lord’s 
*© death till he come,” Such persons are not 
likely to eat and drink unworthily, or to be 
guilty of the body and blood of Christ; and 
their fears and scruples are commonly the effect 
of mistake: for every one is ft to come to this 
ordinance, who can pray for spiritual blessings 
* Gn. the name of Ghrist, without: hypocrisy and in 
There should, however, 
pe an habitual ‘self-examination; and a more 
particular one at some times when we have op- 
ortunity : this will tend to convince the huim- 
hie believer of the difference between his case, 
and that of profane, proud; and carnal communi- 
eants, The same method will tend to prevent 
other evils and mistakes, which might bring 
chastisements upon us. But the-end of such 
selfiexatnination should be renewed repentance, 
acceptance of Christ, and prayer for grace to 
enable us to “ discern the Lord’s body,” and to 
attend on this ordinance, ina humble, spiritual, 
and grateful Manner. In every respect we act 
most wisely for our present comfort, as well as 
for our future good, when we judge ourselves 
that we may not be judged. Gur personal and 
family-trials shotiid remind us, that the Lord 
hath a conttoversy with us : but, as we are apt 
to be partial’ or dilatory in judging ourselves, 


we should count it a,mercy to be chastened of 


the Lord, and not. condemned with the world; 
and to suffer’ any thing,-even unto death, by 


which we may escape the eternal ‘damnation of 


the wicked, Vet it is prudent for us to act with 
such cautions ‘piety, charity, seriousness, and 
temperance; that we may, as much as we can, 


4 CORINTHIANS. 


that f no man speaking by the 


&no man can say that Jesus leat 
but by the tin in 


d Ps. 115. a 
135.16, Hab, 2.18 fy 
19. rh sn aa 
e Mat. 15. 14. 1 Pet.|* “On. eri lies 
22. , Deut. : 
avoid chastenings, whi 


*¢ them who are exercised et ais 


favoured with a rich abundance of extraordi 
gifts and powers, by the o 
Spirit; which they exercise 
public assemblies : and, as 
into parties, it seems that they vied with 
other in the ostenta’ Po 2 ‘ 
ments, 
repinings, &e. which were € 
piety and charity. 
evils, the apostle bepan his» 
subject, by reminding them nr what ‘t 
been a. short pe before, He would n 
them ignorant of the one raid use | 
gifts: for though they pri themselves 
seh Gk 


their speculative knowledge ; 


3 Wherefore I give you tou iC 


God calleth Jesus * accursed: and 


ark 30, on Gal 1 
Ssahn 13, pat & 
oe. 26; 2 Core 11.45 


© not joyous, but grievou U 
** forth the peaceable fruits of > 


N OTES. 


CHAP. XI V.1—3. The shea 


of to aes 


Eagar apy div 


This gave rise to. 


“To re 


the 
danger of remaining entirely shee 
in many practical matters. ‘Yet 
that they had in general been Gentiles 
cartied away by a blind a 
idols ; even as they were led captiy ’ 
lusts, by their priests, and by fib eo! ’ "These w 
dumb idols, (notwithstandin ae vas 
of their oracles;) and the Mi re 
confer on their deluded volaia those gifts 
tongues, and that utterai mv 
to Christianity had now ‘received, d whi 
must be ascribed only to the sovereign | 
God. It was then, proper for them’ 
stand, that all stich gi 
the limits of the Cliristian — 
man, whether Jew or Genti 
the name of Jesus, of treatet 
deservin, the death ‘pf t 
Holy Spirit; but his 
spiration must be ascri 


no man could sintérely Biot ie 
Lord, the promised Messiah, 


“eps 


the So 


the Holy Spirit.. The retort 
this truth, and the boldness to profes 
come from that blessed Agen 
sense all trie Christians s 
nove ought either to despise anoth 
himself overlooked, if he were 1 
with:such as Were more covetéd, 
ble. Yet the subject rather leads us to : 
the apostle to mean, that this confession fi 
mouth, even of a nominal Christian, be 


junder the impulse of the Holy mB 


Bexz epee 4 : + 


rit; to another P the gifts of healing by 
the same Spirit; 

10 To another 4 the working of mira- 
cles; to another * prophecy; to another 
: discerning of spirits ; to another * divers 
kinds of tongues; " to another the inter- 
pretation of tongues = 

il But * all these worketh that one 
and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every 
man seyerally y as he will. 

Practical: Observations.) 


4 Now h there are diversities of gilts, 
but the same Spirit. 

S, And there are differences of * admi- 
nistrations,* but the same Lord. ‘ 
. 6 And | there are diversities of opera- 
s, but it is the same God which 
porketh ! all in all. 

‘7 But ™ the manifestation of the Spirit 
fiven to every man to profit withal. 
8 For to one " is given by the Spirit 

e word of wisdom; to another the word 

ae knowledge by the same Spirit ; 
9 To another ° faith by the same Spi- 
Byer. 8—11. ake Phil. 2 20. Job 32. 8. Ps 


£ 

Acts. 2. 412. & 
10. 46, 47. & 19. 6. 
19. 20—24. 2 Sam.{u ver, 30. & 14, 26 
Acts 3. 6—3,) 23. 1,2. Joel 2. 28.1 —98. 

29—31. & Se 15. & John’ 16. 13 Acts!x vere 4.8 7) 17. John 
10.°38. & 19. 11,! 2.17, 18.29, 30. &! 3.27. Rom. 12. 6- 
12. Jam. 5. 14,15. } 11. 28. & 21. 9, 10.] 2 Cor. 10. 13. Eph-- 
+] q Vers28, 29. Mark! Rom: 12.6.1 "Thes.|-4. 7. 

16. 17, 20. Luke 24.] 5. 20. 2 Pet. 1.20 Jy Dan. 4. 35. MatJ 
49, John 14. 12.) 21. Il, 26. & 20. 15. 
Acts 1.8. Rom. 15.6 14-29. Acts 5. 8.1) John 3.8. & 5. 21. 
19. Gen. 3. 5. Heb.| John 4.1. Rey. 2.2.) Rom®9. 13. Eph. 1. 
2.4. t yer. 28—30. & 13.] 11. Heb. 2. 4. Jam. 
r 13, 2. % 14. 1. 3.) 2. & 14, 2—4. 23.| 1. 18, 

5. 24. 31, 32. 39,] 27. 39. Mark 16.17. 


Pp Matt.1 10. 8. Mark 
6. 13. & 16. ao 
Luke 9, 2. & 1 


Num. 11. 25—29. 1 
Sam- 10. 10—13. & 


” ‘Rom. 12. 4-6. i 13, 21. 143.10. Prove 2. 6+ 
4.4. Heb. 2. 4 15,28, Eph. 1. 23.| Is. 11. 2. & 50. 4: 
Pet. 4 10. 1. 3. 11. & 59. 21. Dan, 2- 
* Or, ministries. yer }m 14, 5.12. 17. 19} 21. Matt. 13. - 
28. a 6] 22—26. Matt. 25.] Acts 6. 3. Eph. 1 


4. 11, 12.) 14, &c. Eph. 4. 7—] 17, 18. 
ie6 ‘att. 23. 10. 12. 1 Pet. 4.11. Jo 13-2. Matt. 17. 19, 
Acts 10. 36.Rom.|n1. 5. 30. & 2. 6—| 20. & 21.21. Mark 
14, 8,9.Phil 2.11. 10. & 13. % 8 ae 22, 23. Luke 17. 
| & ver.11.& 3.7. Job] Gen. 41. 38. 39.1 5, 6. 2 Cor. 4, 13 
| 83,29. John 5. 17.] Ex.31. 3.1 Kings Heb. 11+ 33« 
| Eph. 1. 19—22. Col.| 3. 5—12, Neh. %& 


wrought, but for the advantage of the ®Church, 

and even of those without, that the person, who 
possessed these gifts, or filled up any office in 
the Church, might profit others: for these things 
Were entirely distinct from that gracious state of 
the heart, which disposes a man to improve hig 
talents of every kind; and gifts were sometimes 
bestowed on merely nominal Christians. For 
the purpose of thus prefiting others, the Holy 


| Balaam_ phesied ;) was a spiritual gift which 
| might bene others, though it should prove of 
| no use to the possessor. (Note, 1 Johniv. 1—S.) 
| * Nor can they who confirm the doctrine of Christ 
i ie by miracles, be acted on by any other, but the 
“F oly Ghost: for no evil spirit would assist 
“fate 2m to confirm a doctrine so opposite to, and 
structive of, their kingdom and designs.” 
Wh itby.) The. expression, ‘ say that Jesus is 
‘the Lord,” more obviously signifies, the pro- 
ession of the true doctrine concerning Christ, 
_ than the exercise of saving fgith in him, especial- 
i. ly in a discourse concerning “ spiritual gifts ;” 
or, as some would render it, “ spiritual men,” 
(or men possessing spiritual gifts, such as. are 
afterwards enumerated, (8—10.) to qualify them 
for any public stations in the Church, (28.) 
Many have prophesied in his name, as well as 
| preached and defended. his truth, who were 
| workers of iniquity : yet, as far as they avowed, 
| “that Jesus was the Lord,” they spake by the 
if foly Spirit. (Wore, 1 Johniv.1—3. Marg. Ref. ) 


ess V. 4—11i. There was a great diversity in the 


by which may be intended such immediate dis- 
covertes of the grand scheme of salvation, at- 


as were suited to render other men * wise unto 


“the word of knowledge;” by which might be 
intended an exact and extraordinary understand- 
ing of the Gid Testament types and prophecies 5 
and a capacity of explaining difficult subjects, 
of answering objections, of determining cases of 
conscience, or of speaking suitable words to dif- 
ferent descriptions of persons. Another was 
endued with a remarkable degree of faith ; 


iritual gifts conferred en the Corinthians ; and 
y valued some of them far more than others: 
t ‘ge were all from the same divine Spirit, of 
e operations they were but instruments and 
There were also various different ad- 
st tr trations or offices, in which men ministered 
he benefit of the Church, according to the 
0 Signed, and the talents *intrusted tothem : 
Niithey wére all the servants of Christ; and 
e dependent on and accountable to the same 
d. In the effects which followed the exer- 
of their gifis, whether in miraculous cures, 
in the conversion of sinners; the whole was 
ed by the power of the same God, who 
all these changes on the bodies and 
me a, through his Son, and by bis Spirit, 
ory of his own great name. But the 
f the power and glory of the 

; extraordinary operations, was not 
| Sade for the credit of the man by whom he 


very perilous services; for which persons of 
more exact knowledge might be less competent. 
This kind and degree of faith was distinct from 
that: gracious faith which justifieth; and so 
might be considered asa spiritual gift, bestowed 
on certain persons to enable them to profit 
others. Some of them were endued with the 
gift of performing miraculous cures: others 
were enabled to work miracles of divers kinds. 


pernatural talent of discerning spirits; of per- 
or of what services they were capable. Some 


had not learned:; and ethers could. miraculously 
interpret them to the hearers who understood 
them not. Ali these ehdowments the Holy Spi. 
rit freely bestowed, in that measure and diversi- 
ty, which he saw good, and conducive to the 


FA i2;,< 
a See ——. 


| 4. D. 60.» be CHAPTER ‘IT: 4. D. 60: 
. es Ma 


Spirit conferred on one ‘‘ the word of wisdom; - 


“salvation”? To another the same Spirit gave 


which rendered him capable of engaging inv 


Some, predicted future events; others had a su- - 
ceiving by what principles mem were actuated, - 


could speak in various languages, which they © 


tended with such powers of discoursing about it, - 


# 


(& D. 60: 
12 For 2 as the body is one, and hath 


Many members, and all the members of Bhityh wer ie eeey? 
ae body; being many, are one body 5} 
yet but one bor 


that 
asoa 80 is Christ. 

13 For > by one Spirit are “we all bap- 
tized i into one body, * whether we be Jews 
er * Gentiles, whether we de * bond or 
free ; and have been all made © to drink 
jnto one Spirit. 

14 For? the bady is not one member, 
but many. 

15 If the foot shall say, Bieutiste Tam 
ot the hand, I am’ not of the body; » is 
gt therefore net of the body? 

16 And if the ear shall sayy/Because I 
am not the eye, lam not of the body; 
4s it therefore not of the body? 

17 If * the whole body were an eye, 
where were the hearing? If the whole 
were hearing, where were the smelling ? 

18 But now * hath God set the mem- 
bers every one of them in the body, ' as 
4t hath pleased him. 


¥ 1G. .17, Rom. 12.Je Rom... 29. & Ail 

4,5. Eph.1, 23. &} 11, Gal. 3. 28. Eph.th ver. 16. 22- Rora: 
4. 4. 12115, 16: &) 2, VI—16, 19-22.) 12) 3) 10, Phil. 2. 
5. 23, 30. Col. 1.13.| %& 3. 6. Col. 1. 27.}i ver. 2). 98, 1'Sam. 
24.&% 2.19. & 3.) & 3.11. 9.9. Ps, 94. 9. & 
2. * Gr. Greeks. 139, 13—16. Prov. 
ver..27. Gal 3:16. we 7, 21,22. Eph. 6, 


Kings. 14. 9. : 


20,-12, 
B10, 2: Is, 44. 3—5. kK ver. 24, 38. 
Ez, 36. 25—87.le regi $6.1. Ts. 41.[L See on, Ver 11.0% 


3.5. Re 15. 38. Ps. 
110.3 & 135. 6. Is. 
45,10. Jor}, ¥4. 
Enke 10. :21; & 12. 
32, Roms 12. 3. 
Eph. t. 5. 9, Rew. 
4. Ue ; 


Mat. 3121, Luke 3.) 97,18). 54.-1. Zech. 
46. John 1. 33, & 3.1 9.15—17. John a, 
§. Acts 1. 5. Rom.} 10.14. & 6. 63. & 
6.36. & 8. 9—11.! 7. 37—39, 

Eph. 5.45. Col, ai acts 12. 19, 20. 27, 
Hd 12. Tit 3. 4—6. Eph. 4. 95: 

3 Pet. 3. 21. 9, 8-15. 2 


lei Tae, 


‘ Gommon adyantage of the Church: so that no 
ene had any ground of glorying over others, or 
of repining, as if he were forgotten inthis digtri- 
bution. “fhis is a most-clear and conclusive at- 
¢estation to the Personality, Sovereignty, and 
Deity of. the Holy. Ghost... There is, indeed, 
much difficulty, at present In determining pre- 
cisely what the :apostie meant.by each of the 
terms here used, which doubtless were readily 
undenstood; at the time when the gifts spoken 
of were exericed: some by one, and some by 
another of them : but the sense which appeared 
most probable has been chosen; and great ex- 
actness on such a subject i is not at all is i 
(Marg y. Ref) 


V.12—14. (Note; Rom xii-4, $.), The apos- 


le next illustrated the wisdom and goodness of. 


tbe Holy Spirit, in his distriiution of these gifts, 
‘by the similitade of the haman body. This, |o 


_ though. formed. of -many- members, constitutes’ 


.pne harmonious whole: while every member 
has its proper use and capacity for the common 
benefit. . Thus ‘Christ mystical, or his Church, 


as united to him its glorious Head, was one 


great whole, reheat: of many parts. As the 
thing signified by the baptism of water, all true 
€hristians had been sbaptized into Christ’s body, 
by the commanication of bis life.giving Spirit, 
whether they.had been. before Jews or Gentiles, 
slayes or free-men; and by deriving Rayna 


I. CORINTHTANS, 


* 


20 But now are they ae 


you. oe 
22 Nay, ° much 
of the body, which | 
ble, are necessary: ~ 
23 And those mem 
which we think to be- 
upon these we } bestow n 
honour; and our uncomely 
more abundane comeliness. | est 
24 For ? our cothely jiarts h 
need: but God hath ‘tempered the | 
together, having given, more abun 
honour to that fart whic 
25 That 9 there: should ‘ 
in the body; but shat the 
should have * the bi a 
other, 
26 And £ whether on 
all. the members. suffel 
member: be honoure 
rejoice with it. 


[Practical Obsere ti 
m_ ver. 14, Tit, 29,10... 
n.Num. 10.51, $2. 1|+ Or, put on, Gen 
Sam. 28. 32. "Bava 39, Bp. £8 


10. 1-5, Neh. »4./p Gen. 2. 25. B3, 
11. 
q1. 10-12: & 363. 


John 17%. ee 


.16—21. Job 29. 15, 
0 Prov. 14. “28. Ee. 
“8, 92 /Gor) Iv 1k. 


maple of that gathe Spirit, 
earnest desires and belie in , 
more and more wc all 
the. apostle doubtless 

in the Lord’s suppe' 
ene, and hath one ¢ mmon - 
consists of many. member: 
be’ considered as incorp 

and the supply of na “oi 
possessed the same sift, th 
resembled a detached 1 


ian supposing there could be a di 
ness in each of the members of | 


ous, and useful station, s 
tion and the powers of the 
that, as ‘this was not gran 


its would not every on 


case, if the ear should 1 re 
in the office, and possessed. 
eye. For if eyery part of ¢ 
into an eye; where would 
of hearing? Instead of. such 
| tions, Go bath aby and k 


wil o 


27. Now it ye ave | the: body of Christ, 
bd members in particular. 
» 28) And = Go hath set. some dn the 


y teachers, after that mira- 
gifts of healings, helps, go- 
s, * diversities of tongues. 


‘Ser on, yer. 12.14) 13. 1—3- & 20.28) —13- Heb. 13. 17. 
“20 ae 30. | Rom. 12. 6—8.} 24. 1 Pet. 5,1—4- 
ef. 7-11. Acts] Eph. 2, 20. & 4 1ij* Or, kinds- vers 10. 
———— 
Ene. senses, and organs in the human body, 
i 


self-conceited counsellor could have direct- 
Insomuch, that the idea, of every member 


o be the most honoured part, is asso- 


ved. 
covetin 


which. | ily Consists of many different 
members, o formed and placed as to become 
ne regular whole. Thus, the eye could not 
- gontemptuously deny that it wanted the assist- 


/ euting, of which the hand is the instrument, 
» even sight would be of small value. Nay, the 
head itself, the seat or source of sensation and 
reflection, wants the help of the feet to convey 
it abo’ rom place to place. This appears still 
more elearly, in respect of those parts, which 
seem feeble and yet are absolutely necessary to 
life, or to the wellbeing of the whole: such ds 
' the various vessels, by which. digestion, nutri- 
tion, and circulation are carried. on; and by 
which nature. throws off whatever is redundant 
or detrimental, So far, in fact, are the more ho- 
‘nourable parts of the bodyfrom appropriating 
_ the whole of a man’s regard, that the contrary 
) often takes place: and those parts, which we are 
| ecesoned to conceal as less honourable, are 
vered and decorated with the greatest care 
“and. expehse. For, those that are deemed most 
“honourable, do not want such decoration, being 
comely.in themselves. And, if any part of the 
body is wounded, diseased, or pained, all other 
_ parts sympathize with it, and share the suffering 
“and, on the other hand, they all seem to rejoice 
_ nd share the pleasure | ‘of that member, which is 
n health and at ease, or which is employed in 
any honourable or beneficial service. 
V. 27—31, 
Militude to the case illustrated. The Church 
eos mystical body of Christ, and believers 
2 particular members of that body. | In plac- 
‘these members, God, of his sovereign wis. 
Jom s had constituted some in the first and most 
Ahonourable office of apostles ; to whom especially 
he had “ given the word of wisdom,” for the in- 
jst ae ofmankind. Next to them he had pice 


0 py 2” and after them he liad Sta- 
ioned pastors and teachers to superintend and. 
ict particular congregations, or to preach 

nally in other places. Besides the gifts’ 
ority conferred on these persons ; many 
were > endued with. ‘the power of work- 
and of healing the sick ; others 
¥ Kes and be assistant ta os 


CHAPTER MIL . 


t apostles, secondarily. pro-} 


t pleased him ; and unspeakably better than. 


ciated with that of the destruction of the body ; 


ance of the hand; for without the power of exe- 


; }of the apostle ; for, exhorting them to “ covet the 


The apostle here applies his si-} 


‘the support of spiritual pride.» In order to pre- 


* others ;” 


mies of God by wicked works, after which we 
were carried, eveh as satan, the workil and the 


of — a. or any anges to cenmyneis that 


4. D. 60. 

29 Are = all apostles? are all pro- 
phets? are all teachers ? are all + work- 
ers of miracles ? | 

30 Have all the gifts of healing ? - do 
all speak with tongues ? do all interpret ¢ 

31 But y covet earnestly. the best gifts : 
and yet 2 shew A unto you a more excel- 
lent way. 


K ver. 4—11. Hae 8.24 & 14 1 39. 


z. 13,1, &e, Phil. 3. 
t Or, powers. 5 


« Heb. 11.4. 


apostles in their labours ‘as evangelists, or as 
some explain it, to help the, pastors in the © ffice 
of deacons, and in various other services. Some 
were qualified to preside over, and manage the 
secular affairs of the Chureh, as governors : or 
they werdigitable persons to be left in authori- 
tv by the apostles, when they were forced away 
from newly planted Churches ; “ that they might 
set in ordersuch things as were wanting :” while 
others were best qualified, by speaking a variety 
of tongues, to attempt the conversion of those 
who had not-yet heard the: Gospel. But would 
it be proper that all Christians should be apos- 
tles, propbet$, teachers, or evangelists ! bo 
evidekt tly was not the case : and ifit could be thus 
ordered ; the Church would be like a body, that. . 
was alleye, all tongue, &c.; like an army, consti- 
tuted wholly of general 6iinensy or hke a ‘king- 
dom of all rulers. The Corinthians, indeed, co- 
veted earnestly, or were emulous of, the best 
gifts, or such as were deemed most splendid and 
‘honourable : but the apostle was about to show 
‘them a more exceilent way, even that of love, 

(Notes, xiii. ;) which would influence them to be 
content with the gifts already conferred, and te 
be principally zealous in making an useful im- 
provement of them. Our translation, indeed, 
renders the clause as an exhortation ; but it may 
with equal exactness be translated, ‘* Ye do covet. 
earnestly,” &c. and so, imply.a reprehension of 
the corrupt emulation of theCorinthians : and this 
certainly coincides far better with the argument 


* best gifts,” or those that were most valued, 
which the Holy Spirit distributed as. he saw 
good; would have sanctioned that axnbicius 
temper, which he evidently aimed to Repeats 


"\ PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

i V.1—11, re 

Acute speculators are often most apnoea in 
practical matters: they who are most elated 
with the gifts bestowed on'them, are commonly , 
most forgetful of the Giver, and the proper use 
of them : ahd spiritual gifts have frequently been 


vent these evils, we should often recollect what 
we were by nature and practice. We have not 
indeed been earried: after dumb idols ; yet “« we 
“were by nature children of wrath, even as 
we have idolized worldly objects 3. 
and most of us have ‘been actually the 


fiefh led us. If then we have any knowledge 


i 
. 
he 
f 


A. D, 60. I. CORINTHIANS. 
CHAP: XIII. tg ote eee eee 


; and tongues shall 
Gifts and miraculous powers, without love, are of] | perfected, &- 
no. worth or efficacy, 1--3. The properties.of 


hope, 13. 


knowledge to others; let us give the whole glo. 
ry toGod. There have been many pretenders to 


* satan’to buffet them | 
and less admired. bre 


inspiration or extraordinary illumination; but} of. : i 
all such appearances must be counterfeit in| — “¥. 12-91 
those, who refuse the Lord Jesus those honours,} We should first Rel. 


which he claimed to himself. For what'de such 
men, but call Jesus accursed ?. They may speak 
of him as a good Man ora teacher: but whilst 
they. reject his priesthood, and deny his Deity. 
his Oneness with the Father ; what do they less 
than charge him with blasphemy, and imposture, 
in evidently advancing claims to this equality ; 
and with abetting idolatry, in teaching’ * all men 
«* to honour him even as they honour the Fa- 
“ ther?” And do they not in effect justify the 
Jewish rulers for putting him to death, as an 
Anathema, for saying, ‘*I am the Son of God ?” 
Gan such men speak by the Holy Spirit, or ac- 
cording to the language of inspiration? But if 
indeed we can from our hearts say that “ Jesus 
*¢ is the Lord ;” if we adore him with, Thomas, 
saying, ‘‘ My Lord, and my God !” and if we as 
sinners trust and obey him as our divine Saviour, 
Veacher, and King; we may be sure that we pro- 
fess this faith * by the Holy Spirit ;” though 
wwe cannot explain-the manner, in which he 
hath wrought this conviction ; and though we 
be destitute of all other, spiritual gifts. We do 
not now expect miraculous gifts; but the word: 
ef wisdom and of knowledge, and divers special 
endowments by the same Spirit, according to 
our different services to the same Lord; and 
that. we may be the instruments in those opera- 
tions. of the same ‘* God, who worketh all in 
«© all, may yet be expected by us. Whatever 
station therefore. be allotted us, and whatever 
abilities we possess for the duties of that station; 
we should remember, “that they were given us 
* to profit withal.” Even a capacity to speak, ina 
proper and scriptural manner on any, topic of re- 
ligion, will, not profit any man; except he have 
grace, humbly and- simply to improve his :ta- 
lent for the edification of others, without seek- 
ing his own glory. Such endowments will, in- 
deed infallibly expose the possessor to many ad- 
ditional temptations : and, as he will need a larg- 
er measure of grace to keep him humble and 
spiritual ; so. he will probably meet with a more 
abundant share of painful experiences and hiu- 
miliating dispensations. We have therefore little 
cause to envy those, who are eminent in abilities 
and popularity, to covet such dangerous. dis- 
tinctions, to glory inany measure of them bestow- | 
ed on us, or to despise such as are destitute of 
them. Numbers have thus been ruined : being 
lifted up in pride, they have come short of that 
Salvation, which they preached to others ; or they 
have been betrayed’ into: such evils, as have caus. 
ed them to terminate their days in disgrace and 
distress, And the few, who have not. been ap-} We'should in that case every o 
parently injured by eminency in gifts and popu-| care for all the rest ; we should sympath 
larity; have generally had more to relate con-| the afflicted, tempted, distressed, or fal 
cerning ‘ thorns in the flesh, and messengers ofj liever, and help him as we coutd ; we shou 


baptized into the body of Chris! 
rating grace? And whether we are drit 
his Spirit, by receiving daily from his ful 
If this be our privilege, we should be abund 
thankful for so valuable a distinction, and_ 
tentedly occupy the place, which it ‘pleas 
God to assign us in his Church: we should 
tentively consider the relation that we sta 
to the Head, and to every member of this my 
cal body; seek to have our hearts filled 
love to the whole, and to eve: t of the Church 
of Christ; estimate soberly t tions of our 
them; watch against pride, ambition, envy, diss 
content, selfishness, ‘contempt of others; and 
thus seek the good of the Church, of 

our own sphere of ‘action, and of every 1 
dual, by properly improvit 
forming the duty of our s situa’ 
the lowest place, we'should isdain its 
ces as beneath us: if advanced to'a hi 
tion, we should not imagine, that we do not 
in need of the prayers and help of our f 
and most obscure brethren; eee 
tial to the perfection of the whole. 
should guard and take care of the | 
feeble believer ; even as the God of nat 
with exquisite skill and kindness, di 
parts of the body, which, though 
and health, might otherwise eusily 
wounded and destroyed; and cover 
tionate attention pie Bio do ee 
of those, whom we deem real believers, 


station, ‘and expect to “bi 


are exposed to disgrace and ¢ bid 
the more abundant honour mai given 
part which lacked ; seeing” ‘more hono 
part of our brethren have ‘ hh 
ance and support. Our 
tually provided, that tl 
in our natural body =: 


and lamentable divisions still 
V. 27—31. 
In proportion as the members of 
not the same’ care of others as | 
very injurious consequences will ap 
we all filled up our several places in 
equal love; there could be no envyings, 
sies, murmurs, vain-glory, selfseekir 
gard of others, any more than the 


ry 2 ‘ 
ea, CHAPTER Xill. 0 a ante 
r TOUGH ® I speak with the tongues |body to be burned, and have not charity, 
Bh of men and of angels, » and have not it! profiteth me nothing. ‘ 
charity, Lam become «as sounding brass,| 4 Charity ™ suffereth long, and ™ is_ 
inkling cymbal. kind ; charity © envieth not ; charity * 
1 thou vaunteth not itself, P is not puffed up, 
5 Doth not 4 behave itself unseemly, 


ough ¢ I have the gift of pro- 
e understand,all mysteries, and 4 beha 
r seeketh not her own, * is not easily pre- 
yoked, t thinketh no evil; 


edge: f and though: I’ have all 
1 Is,57. 12. Jer. 7s} 18.) Rom. 1, 29 aR 14, ‘S340. «Is. 


so that I could remove mountains, 
8. John 6. 63. 1] 13. 13. 2Cor, 12.)'3. 5. Phil. 4.8. 3 


have not charity, » I am nothing. 
And : though I bestow all my goods] tim,a,s. Heb.13.| 294Gal- 5. 91. 26. Thes. 3. 7. 

Jd 9, Jam. 2..14—17. 1.15. 1 Vim.tr 10.24. 33. & 1% 

ome. Tit, 3. 3.).25. Rom. 14. 12—~ 


0 feed the poor, * and though I_give my 


m Prov. 10. 12. 2 ‘ 
Cor. 6. 6. Gal. 5. - 8. Aa-H6. Bl 15. & 15.1, 2. Gal, 
22. Eph. 4. 2..Col,'4,5. 1 Pet. 2,1. (5. 13. & 6, 1, 24° 
Ts 1le & 3. 12, 2|* Or, zs not val Phil. 2,8—5.21. 2 


Wer, 2, 3.8 1% 8.le 4. 1. Mat, 13. 111] 8.4, 2 Cor. 12. 11, 

9, 30. & 14.6. 2) Rom 1. 25. & 16 Gal, 0.3. fhe 

“Cox, 12. 46 9 Pets 2e| 25. Eph.3y 4, & 6/1 Mat. 6. 14. 
“saat i io Gok 1. 26. 1 23. 5-. Luke 18. 22. 


18. 19s 

b 3.1. Mat. 26. 45.) Tim. 3. 16. 28. & 19, 8 & 21. 
Rom. 14.15. Gal.|f 12.9. Mat. 17.20.) 3, 4. John 12. 43. 
$. 6. 220 1.Lime 1.) & 21-21. Mark 11.) Gal. 5.26. Phil. 1. 
5.) 9 a2, 23. Luke 17.) 15—18. 

TALT Batti i 5, 6s “1k Dan. 3: 16—28. | 

“12, 810. 28.. ef yer. 1. 3. & 16.) John 13. 37, & 16. 


Vim. 2.25. & 8.) 1Sam. 25; 21, 22\! Tim, 2.120. 1Joha 
10. & 4.2, Jam, 5.) 33,34. 1 Kings 20.} 3-16, 17. 

17. 1 Pet. 48. °.| 10,11, Ps. 10. 5.19 Num, 12,328 16- |) 
n Neh. 9) 17. Prov.| Proy. 13. 10.'& 17.) 15. & 20. 10—12)) © 
19. 22) & Sle 20.) 14) & 25. 8—10\)" Ps. 106. 32, ) 33. 
Luke 6. 35, 36.) Be, 17.8, 9. & 10.) Mat. 5) 22. Mark 
Eph, 4, 32. Col,'3,) 4. Dan. 3. 1i9—22.) 3. 5. Jam. 1. 19,20. 
12, 13. 1 Pet. 3. 8.)p 4,6. 18, 19. & 5.Jt 2 Sam. 10. 3. Job’, 
2Pet.1.7% LJohn) 2. & 8,2, Phil. 2.1 21,27. Jer. 21: 19. 
$. 16-18, & 4. 11. | 1—5.: & 18. 18—-20., 8 
o 3, 8s Gen. 30. 1.)9°7. 36, Gre & 11} 40,2316. “Mat. 9. 
& 37-11. Met. 27.1 13-16, 18. 21, 22:| 4. Luke 7. 39. 


44/1. 6—9. Num,.| 22. Gal. 5. 6. 2%) 13, Acts 21. 13, 
1524. Mat. 7%] 1 John 4. 8. 20, 21. Phil. 1.20, 21. & 
ih ver. 3, & 719. Kl 2. Se ‘ ; 


2,23. 


feel ourselves sharers in the disgrace and. re- 
proach of the poor and needy ;,. deem ourselves 
honoured and prospered, in the reputation, suc- 
cess, and usefulness, of our more distinguished 
brethren ; and rejoice in the consolation of such. 
as were glad in the Lord.. The meanest Chris- 
tian would not then repine, or envy the most ex- 
| alted; but rejoice and bless God on his account : 
the most eminent would not disregard the mean- 
“est; but would peculiarly endeavour to encou- 
yage and help him. ‘Thus the good of the whole 
and of every part would be the uniform object 
‘of all, in every station, without any exception ; 
| and with the subordination of ali personal inter- 
| ests and satisfactions to this superior end. In- 
‘stead of coveting earnestly the highest stations, 
or the most conspicuous gifts ; instead of acting, 
‘as if all were to be apostles, prophets, teachers, 
| and rulers ; we should then unreservedly leave 
| the appoiatment of his servants to God, and those 
|| whom he employs. in his providence: and we 

should choose the more excellent way of loves, 
| endeavouring to occupy ‘with our measure of 
| ability and influence, for the good of our brethren, 
| till our Lord come: remembering that they will 
“Rot be most applauded at that time, who affected 
| the chief places; but they, who haye been most 
faithful to the trust reposed in them, and most 


Be AST i eli ale Ar lle do ed 
‘without charity, he should only resemble the 
unmeaning noise of the most common and legs 
harmonious musical instruments. Nay, could he . 
also deliver prophecies, which should be verified 
-by the most signal accomplishment; if he could 
understand and even comprehend all divine 
mysteries ; if he were possessed of all the natu- 
ral and religious Knowledge imaginable ; and if 
he could exercise that special faith on the pow- 
er of Christ, by ‘which miracles were wrought, 
to such a degree that even mountains should 
literally be removed at his word, to the univer- 
sal astonishment of mankind: yet, without char- 
ity he:should be nothing, not a Christian at all ; 
and so; far ‘beneath the meanest believer on 
earth. Nay, if from pride, ostentation, or simi- 
lar motives, he should give all his goods to feed 
the poor, even to the’starving of himself; or if 
from. party‘zeal’and obstinate attachment to a 
system, he should give his body to be burned as 
a martyr; yet, without charity, he could be no- 
thing better than a deluded hypocrite, and 
should derive no benefit from it. The apostle 
meant to show, in the strongest instances imas 
ginable, that nothing could prove a mana true. 
believer, who had not charity. Some of the - 
cases he states cannot be supposed to have ever 
existed : yet it seems evident from: Scripture, 
that aman might have the largest degree of that 
‘{faith, by which miracles were performed, with 
out any of the “faith that worketh by love ;” 
and that it is possible for a man to expend all 
s wealth in alms, and die a martyr for the 
trath, without saving grace! The word charity 
has been of late so appropriated to.oneexternal 
expression of love, which yet may be produced ~ 
from other principles; that it is desirable for . 
the word ove, to be here substituted, according . 
to the exact meaning of the original, in order 
render the passage more intelligible to common, 
readers.—‘It must here be taken in the noblest 
* sense, for such a love to the whole Church, 


i diligent in their Master’s work. 


q oe . 
Wears NOTES. 
/cHaP. xm0. ¥. 1—3. .The more effectual. 
to expose the radical error, of the Corinthians, 
in over-valuing spiritual gifts, and-seeking their 
ie oe ate in the use of them, without regard 
to the benefit of their brethren; the apostle in 
coh Sag declares the most eminent of these 
to be comparatively nothing, and love to, be 
thing. He had told them, that he would 


iety of he an languages most perfectly, and if|* and.the whole world, as arises from prince les 
OC ae y centres: in God” 


s 


aoe 


A.D. 60. 1 CORINTHIANS. a 
6 ¥ Rejoiceth not iw iniquity, bus xre-| 7 ¥ Beareth all» 5 be 
joiceth + in the truth ; things; —— things 
things. 4) 


4.8. & 7.8. Mic.| 129. 2 Cor. 7. G+) y See on, ver. 
te 8. Ag 65 19. 41,116. Phil. 1./4. 18.) Nam. 11. 12-14; 

& 22. 5. Rom.} & 2. 17,18. 1 Thes.]| Deut. 1. 9. Prd 
e ‘32. Phil. 3. 18, | 3.6—10. 2Joln 4.|’ 10.12. Cant, 8. 6, 
Rom. 15, 1. Gal. 6./a : 
2, Heb. 13. 13) 1h 20: BE 


n 1 Sam. 23. 19— 
21. 2Saim 4.10— 
12. Ps. 10. 3. & 
119. 136. Proy- 14. 
9. Jer.9.1. & 13.jx Ex. 18. 9. Joshd 3 John 3. 

“17. & 20.10. Hos.| 22. 22—338. Rom.!* Or, with. 


V. 4—7. The ance of love which are here} and selfishness, and 
enumerated, show that thejjapostie primarily in-| comfort, advantage, and honowi 
tended those exercises okt | holy affection, whom nature would regard as é 
which respect mankind. it is equally evi-|“ Love vaunteth not itself ;” it L 
dent that no natural benevolence, which subsists| ostentatious principle: it rr 
in an unbeliever’s heart, can at all answer to the| to boast, to push himself into 
description here given. We must therefore} himselfto others, to act pay pine et bee ny 
conclude, that he meant» that love which is’ the] lence, orin an.ove init. 
fruit of the Spirit in the believer’s heart, by) ‘ It is not puffed up; it never leads a. ¢ 
which especially his faith worketh. ‘The hum-|to be crate by efdowments, ‘offices, appla 
bled penitent, obtaining pardon’ and peace by} or popularity: for where love pi ils, these’a 
faith in Christ, finds his self-confidence and his} only regarded and vy - r 
attachment-to tht world broken down: he has/ others, communicat 
also been faught to love the perfections, the ho-| the honour of ie 
Tiness, and the cause, of God ; the person, eo" « béhave itself ' unseemly; 
and precepts, of Christ, and tis image in his peo, a gentle, beneficent, ° 
ple; to love his neighbours and even his ene-| respectful conduct, suited’ to. his em 
mies, after Christ’s example, and ‘in obedience | relative daties, age, and + and 
to his commands ; and he now desires that they preserves him from rash#iess, and those” 
should all be happy, and God be glorified ‘in| prieties, into which ats ex tray lone 
their salvation. This love therefore includes all, others; for he who is influenced by 
parties, nations, and characters, in itsexpansive | keep the good of mankind contin 
exercise, though still capable of more particular him as his object: and this” pene 
attachments: it regards both the temporal and; from those evil tempers and. 0 sisi 
eternal interests of mankind; and the external} ‘which would counteract his gtand 
comfort, as well as spiritual advantage, of be-|‘ Love seeketh notits own?? ‘it never 
Jievers: and, in subordination to the love .of mento seek their own ease, interest, 
God, it seeks to promote the benefit of mankind, indulgence, except in subordination to the w 
and the peace and prosperity of the Church, as fare of others and the glory of God; and it do 
its grand objects. This love is the unequivocal | not allow them to seek any selfish end, in the x 
évidence_of regeneration ; ; gnd it is a better! of their gifts and talents, which are conferred 6 
touchstone of men’s professed faith in Christ,|them’to profit others with. Love 
than even the love of God; because its effects | “ provoked ;” itis not passionate and 
may, more easily be examined, and there is lessygnore than revengeful;” hpi poms 
danger of false affections in it. It was also that| offence even at many Or 
part of the Christian temper, in which the Co- [pride and self-love eoiier 
rinthians were peculiarly defective: the apostle} Love thinketh no evil 
therefore selected this subject, to show them| and not apt to impute men’s 
how low an estimate ought to be made of their| tives without evident proof: can ther 
religion. . We must further observe that he de-|never prompt any one’to inven r circulate s k 
scribed love, as a man would gold, by enumerat-| ders, to believe mali 1 : 
ing its properties in the abstract. Wherever it lessly to expose ‘the | 
subsisted, it had those properties, whether its] rather influence him | extenuate | ; 
quantity were small or great: and by this a man| them. For * love rejoiceth not in nde 
might estimate his.own attainments in real reli-| is not gratified, (as pride and’ malevolen 
gion. Some love might exist, where great re-| with the report of the! viees and follies of 
mains of selfish passions obstructed its exercise ;| though belonging to any party, or r 
{as alittle gold may be mixed with a large alloy| opposers ; it rather influences a 
of base metal :) but it would then become less] over'it, and to desire that ‘it sho 
evident, and the man’s state more dubious.—|roneous. * But love rejoiceth in! 
*© Love suffereth long ;” it influences a man, a8}excites joy in the heart, | 
far as it prevails, to endure the most provoking) the truth and the holy lives” of 
injuries and affronts for a long time together,| are mentioned ; or when asper 
without resentment or retaliation: it “ is kind,”| yindicated by the truth being mage | 
even to the most injurious; persevering in en- en persons of any sort act with | 
deayours to overcome evil with good, and de-|cerity, and integrity, professing and 
lighting in showing Kindness to all sorts of per-| the truth of the Gospel. “ Lowe be 
sons, by word and.deed, — * Loye envieth not ;”| “ things :? it covers all faults, aS fat 
as far as it rales im the heart, it represses pride duties will admit ; it bears with the 


% 
£ 


AD. ©. _ CHAPTER XIIL A D. &: 


ME 3 - [Prattical ‘Observations.y |come, then that which i is in meee shall be 

ak 8 Charity > never faileth ; but whether done away. | 

_ ‘therebe phecies, they shall fail; whether] 11 When Iwas a child, & I spake 
pM as a. child, . L understood as a child, I 


there tongues, they shall cease; whe-~ 
| ther oka knowledge, it shall. d-yanish * thought asa child: but when I be- 


came a man, I put away childish things. 
9 For Pee know in part, pan we pro-| 12 Fornow © we see through a glass, 
part. t darkly ; ; but. theni face to face: * now 
oat “a f when that which i is, poate is}I know. in part; but then shall I know 
aes ‘ ., [even as also I am known. i + 
Beer 10, 13. mk oer? 49: 76 RT HOY 4.% Mat. 11. 27.) & 60. 19,20. 2Cor.jh 2 Cor. 3:°18..% 5. 12, 8, Matt. 5, 8. 


- 92..32. Gal. 5 Rom. 11.34. Eph} 5. 7,8. Rev. 21. 22.) 7, Jam. 1, 23, & 18,10, Rom, Se 
ia ver. 1. & 12, 10.Je ver. 12. & 2. 9. &! 3, 8. 18, 19. Col, 2.} 23. & 22. 4, 5. t Or, in a rade! 18. 1 John 3. 2. 
- 98—30. & 14. 39. 8. 2 Job 11. 7, 8.) 2,3. 1 Pet. 1.10—/ g 3.1, 2: & 14. 20.4 . 12-19. spree ag ilf 

| farts ante Ale Ry & 26. 14. Ps. 40. 5.) 12. 1 John 3. 2, Ee. 11.10. Gal.4.1. her 9, 10, Johm 
| 19 6. 5 1 6. Prov. 30,/f ver. 12, Is. 24, 28. | * Or, reasoned, i Ex. 33. ‘Ud. Num.| 10. 1 


* 


and mistakes of ay with candour and kind. ledge, which is acquired on earth, will, as it 
ness; ad it submits to any inconvenience cheer-| were, be eclipsed by the perfect knowledge of 
fully, eur this forbearance imposes. ‘ Love|heaven; as the light of the stars by the blaze of 
_ believeth all things .”. it disposes.a person to|noon: or the knowledge, by which some were 
believe the most favourably of all others, till the| qualified to teach, others the truth and will of 
_ contrary be proved ; to act as. counsel for the ac-| God, would be of no further use. Here indeed 
_ cused ; and even to credit a man’s apologies for | the servants of God ‘ knew in part, and so pro- 
his faults, his professions of zepentance, and his |‘ phesied in part :” they had a small portion df 
purposes of amendment. ‘* Love hopeth all| iis ways, works, and counsels made known to 
* things :” it prompts a man to hope the best of|them; but when the perfect discoveries of ane 
-another’s character and intentions, that the case! other world should be made, all this would be 
will fairly allow, him : to hope for the conversion | done away, as the useless taper in the day-time, 
€ sinner, or the recovery of the backslider ;|This. might. be illustrated by the difference be- 

to proceed with hope in his attempts to do good|tween the apprehensions of a child, and those of 
‘to the most profligate, obstinate, and ungrate-|a man. The apostle could recollect, that when 
| ful ; and it allows no one to despair of others, to|he was a child, he had talked in a childish and 
| be wearied out by their perverseness, or to give| unsuitable manner about the affairs of men; and 
} over all endeavours for their good. In this de.| he had conceived of them, been affected by them, 
sire and. hope of finally succeeding, at least in\and reasoned about’ them, with much ignorance 


some. instances, “‘Love.endureth all things :” it 
influences a man to bear any poverty, reproach, 
| persecution, hardship, suffering, or even death, 
seeking to do goad to the bodies and souls of 
en, after the example of Christ, and: in obedi- 
Hence to his commandments. It is obvious to 
every attentive reader, that in this beautiful de- 
‘scription of the properties and effects of love, the 
ostle meant to show the Corinthians, that their 
‘eonduct had in most particulars been an entire 
contrast to it. (Notes, Gal. v. 13—18, Jam, iii, 


deer Z. 
ts 


8—12. ‘The love, which. the apostle re- 
1ended, ** never faileth :” it never losethits 
le or excellency, it will never be changed for 
)any other thing, nor will it ever fail out of that 
in which it hath taken root. 
mid, even the gift of prophecy would fail: the 
rit of prophecy would soon be withdrawn from 
shurch ; the instructions, given by the pro- 
ets from immediate revelation, would soon be 
ded by more ordinary methods ; ; and even 
prophecies « of the Scripture. will all shortly 

somplished, and, having answered their 
L be, of no further use. 
was of no long continuance. in. the 
and in heaven no acquaintance with 
B ages will be of any value, That 
al knowledge, on which the Corinthi. 


y 


On the other. 


and misapprehension: but when he became a 
man, he not only put away his toys and childish 
pursuits, but his, childish mannér of speaking’, 
thinking, and judging ; as one ashamed of the 
impertinence and folly that had mixed with, 

even the little knowledge which he had acquired. 

Thus on earth, he could only conceive and speak 
as a child about divine things, when his present 
knowledge was compared with that of heaven. 
Though preserved from all error, yet he was 
aware, that he should find his views of them in. 
adequate, unsuitable, and widely different from. 
the real nature and a of those sublime ob. 
jects of contemplation, For he could here only 
see them “ through a glass, darkly ; » as by the 
imperfect reflection of a snirror, or in the obscure. 
description of »a riddle. This view of them by 
faith, through the medium of ‘revelation, i is suf- 
ficient for the present state; ‘but i it is inadequate 
and obscure, compared | with’ that view of them,’ 
which is obtained by those, who “ see face to 
** face. ;” and who haye an immediate, intuitive, 
and complete. discovery of God, of Christ, and 
of heavenly things. So that the apostle’s know. 


The gift ‘of jledge in part, ¢ of the truths and purposes of Go 


would be as ‘nothing, when he came ‘to know,” 
“as he was known ;” and to perceive those ‘obs q 
jects with that clearness, fulness, and adequate 
conception of them, which corresponds to ‘the 


“aoe d themselves, soon vanished asa dream ;|perfect knowledge of God himself, as He's as ae 
at kind and Scalia of religious mE finite mind can comprehend. infinity. 


Ah D. 60. 


°13 \And*now:! abideth ™ faith, » hope, 


(BUMP As Pet 4.254 17. VJohn’ 5. 1) 18.°23,-Cohe as 5. 
1. John 2 14. 24—} —5. 9—13. 27. 1 Thes. 5. 3. 


27. & 3.9, n Ps. 4211. & 43.1 Heb, 6. 11. 19.02 


m Luke? 8, 315.) 
& 22. 32. Gal. fae-| 21—26. Rom. 5. 4.) 3. 3. 
Heb. 10. 39. & 11.1 5. & 8. 24. 25. % 


‘Y. 13... Not only was Jove more excellent and 
more enduring,” than all spiritual gifts, miracu- 
lous powers, and prophetical discoveries ; but 
it even far exceeded in value all other Christian 
graces. After the ceasing of supernatural gifts 
in the Church, faith, hope, and love.abode, and 


“will abide, to'the end of the world, as the three 


principal graces, that distinguish Christians from 
other men; and in fact include all the others. 
Faith receives the testimony of Gad concerning 
invisible things, appropriate’ his instruction, and 
receives his salyation, by looking to and relying 


on’ the divine Redeemer, and the promises of)/do them good! But where does this heav ol 
God in him.’ Hope expects the promised bless-|love reside, which the | 


ings, as perfected in eternal life; and thus “it 
‘is the anchor of the soul,” keeping it steadfast 


in obedience and patient waiting, amidst every | Or does she dwell in some ie 


kind of opposition and discouragement. And 
love to God, and to mankind for his sake, as be- 
fore described, is the active principle of all those 
Willing services, in which the Christian does good 
‘to his generation, by the will of God. These 
three abide, and mus? abide, as essential to god- 
liness; under -every dispensation and in every 
age; whatever other changes take place: but, 
“the greatest of these is love.” Not that love 
can do the office of faith, in justifying the sin- 


’ mer, any’ more than the eye can perform the 


function of the ear; nor can this love be found 
ih any man, who is not a partaker of faith and 
hope, But faith and hope are the means, or the 
itterprediate acts of the mind, by which a proud, 
selfish, carnal, condemned criminal is brought to 
love 1 reconciled God, and to love men for his 
sake: they are as the scaffolding, without which 
the building cannot be erected ; yet the building 
is more valuable than the scaffolding, and when 
that is completed, the other wiil be taken down 
as of no more use, For love is the very nature 
and image of God, the bond of perfection, the 
essence of holiness, and the fulfilling of the law. 
Faith and hope are only requisite for us, as sin- 
riers, in this imperfect state: faith will therefore 
soon be lost in vision, and hope in fruition; but 
pérfect love will flourish for ever, the business, 
element, joy, and glory of heaven itself; uniting 
God and all holy creatures in the most perfect 


harmony and felicity, without the least alloy of /numerous admirers for their zeal 
any contrary principle, through all the ages of [contending for the sentiments, or fo! 


eternity. (Marg. Ref.) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
4 V. 1—7. 

Splendid abilities, extensive learning, admired 
eloquence, and exact knowledge in the mysteries 
of God, may be possessed by a proud and selfish 
man; who is as sounding brass, or a tinkling 
cymbal, in his most admired displays of his con 
spicuous endowments. . Indeed, the pewers or 
eloquence of angels, and atl imaginable gifts of 
miracles or prophecy, cannot demonstrate a man 
to be any better than Balaam or Judas: and even 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


° charity, these: three; but’® the 
of thesé Zs. ohayity, A aie math ; 


5. & 146.5, Larns.{ Pet. 1, 21, 1 John}: 3>2. Cox, 5. 14°15, 


ae under persecution evs 
eath, may spring from 
love; and in Paka it 
our heart-searching Jud 
deluded, who expect accepta 
those good works, which are in 
degree, as they. are corrupt and in. 
principle!’ And how are even Christians» ofter 
fascinated; to over-rate ostentatious eloquence, 
gifts, and abilities, and to undervalue © 
simple, and unadorned love, which seeks 


x y 


: ch the apostle so warmly p 
gytizes? Is she returned to Pa EY ly 
out with our contentions 


distance from the dispute 

the Church ? Creal j 
among’ us, has but few vc little 
ence; and is treated with negh 
earth, Alas! numbers, who might be su 

to be somewhat, if we “: 


different names and sentiments. 
seem incapable of long-suffering or Iki 
any but their own party : so that envy 
railing, ridicule, slander, and ac 
prominent features of the portr 
exhibit to the view of the public. 
unseemly manner they sound th 
vent their own resentments, ex 
over, their opponents, forget 
superiors, and turn religious 
vain-glorious, selfish, # 
for victory. It is evident, 
character are easily pro 
fied ; that they think evil 4 
in detecting the faults” i 
differ from them. In sho 
will perceive that ev: tt 
finition of loye forms a complete contrast to 
conduct of many, who in different ages hav 


own sect or party. But, alas! 
love than we generally possess, 
such abuses, without being be 
sure of imitation. Let us t 
whether this’ divine love in 
our hearts ?. Have we learned t 
to be kind? Are We taught tor 
to rejoice in the superior reputation, : 
of our brethren? Hath love instruct 
“honour toesteem others better than 
and cured us of insolence, rashness, 
tation? Hath this divine principle guide 
a becoming behaviour to our superiors, 


ad 


, -4 : - = 


CHAPTER XIV. _ ar 80. 


tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto 
God: forno man *understandeth 4im;fhow- . 
beit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries, . 

3 But he: that prophesieth, speaketh 
unto men fo ® edification;and 4 exhorta- 
tion, and icomfort. ~ . ; 

4 He that speaketh in an unknown 
tongue, * edifieth himself; but he that 
prophesieth, ! edifieth the church. 

5 1-™ would that ye all spake with 
tongues, but rather that ye prophesied : 
" for greater zs he that prophesieth, than 
he that speaketh with tongues, *except 
he interpret, that the church may receive 
edifying. — ; 
* Gr. Aeareth. Acts 

22.9. 

f 2.7610 & 13.2. & 
15, 51. Ps. 49. 3, 4.) Jude 20. Col. 4. 8 1 Thes. 
& 78.2. Matt. 18.!h Luke 3. 18. Acts! 2.11. & 3.2. & 4. 


ll. Mark 4 ii} 13) 15..& 14. 22. &] 18. & 5. 11—14 
Rom. 16. 25. Eph.| 15. 32. Rom. 12. 8./k ver. 14. 


ost] s the Corinthians to follow after 
jows that prophecy, as most cofidu- 
ition, is to be preferred to speaking 
1—6. Speaking in am unknown 
distinct musical sounds, is of no use 
s, 6—11. All gifts should be used 
most edifying manner, 12—20. ‘ongues| 
ed to convince unbelic but prophe- 
more useful in the public assemblies, and 
rs who resort thither, 21—25. Rules 
the orderly exercise of spiritual gifts in the 
hurch, 26—33. “Women are forbidden to speak 
there, 34, 35. A reproof of the self-sufficiency of 
©) gome teachers, 36—38. Gifts must be exercised, 
sft: all things done “ decently and in order,’’ 39, 
ee hel <p Rae abet 
* OLLOW after > charity, ¢ and de- 
_ sire spiritual gifts, but rather that 
yemay“prophesy. = sg 
.. 2 For “he that speaketh in an unknown 
| (a Prov. 15, 9. & 21. 


1 Pet-5. 12. 
iver. 31.2 Cor. B. 4- 
& 2. 7. Eph. 6. 22. 


15.3. Eph. 4. 12— 
16. 29.1 Thes. 5. 
11. 1.Tim 1. 4 


ver. 9—11, 16, 21,]. 


} 13. 2 Tim, 2. 22. 2) 4,14. 
|. 21. 1s. 51. 1.Rom.| Pet. 1. 7. - 3. 3-9. & 6. 19:} 1 Thes. 2. 3. & 4.|I ver 3. 18, 19. 
© 9,/30) & 14. 19. Ie 12, 1. 31. 22. Gen: 11. 7 &} Col, 1.26,27.& 2.) 1. & 5. 11. 14, 2)m_ 12. 28—50. & 13. 


>, Pimp 5. 10.& 6. 11. 42. 23. Deut 28.49.} 9.) Tim: 3.9. 16.) These3. 12. 1 Tim.) 4. Num. It. 23, 29. 


id yer. 3—5. 24, 25. 
‘ “12. 14. 1 Pet.! 37, 39 & 13. 2. 9.) 2. Kings 18. 26.| Rev. 10. 7. 4.13, & 6.2.2 Tim.|n ver. 1. 3. 
~ 3. 1113. 3 John} Num. 11.) 25—29.] Acts 2. 4—11. & 10. g ver. 4. 12, 26. &8.| 4.2. Tit. 1.9. & 2Jo ver. 12, 13. 26-28, 
) Bey ee | Rom. 12. 6. )14-46. 8 19. 6 1. & 10. 23. Acts 9.) 6.9. 15. Heb. 3, 13.] & 12. 10. 30. 
b See on, 13. 1—8.] Thes. 5. 20. 1 Tim, 31. Rom, 14. 19. &| & 10.25. & 13, 22. 


in an unconverted state; for so we now clearly 
see them to have been: let us learn to value 
things ascerding to their intrinsic. worth, and 
not, as children, admire all that glitters, whether 
it be gold or tinsel: let us cease from our child- 
ish pursuits about mere externafs and mon- 
essentials; that we may value ahd ‘seek an in- 
crease of faith, hope, and love, from the Giver of 
all good gifts: and whilst we contend, that faith 
alone can justify the simner by forming his rela- 
tion to the Saviour, and’ that hope only can sup- 
port the soul, amidst all the trials of life and 
death: let us remember, that Love is still great- 
er than these useful agd needful graces ; being . 
the evidence of our title to eternal life, and the 
meetness for, and earnest of, that holy and un: 
speakable felicity. fs 


-inferiors, opponents, competitors, friends, rela- 
“tivés, and all orders of men in the Church or the 
"community? Have we attained the habit of giy- 
€. ff Up our own interest or inclination, whenever 

“the good of others requirés it? Can we bear af- 
_ fronts without being easily provoked? Are we 
| disposed to be unsuspecting ; to mourn over the 
|) Sims of others ; to bear with their infirmities, 
Peng and perverseness ; to believe, hope, and 
' endure all things for their sakes? If some sparks 
P this heavenly flame have been kindled in our 
s; we know that there is much of a con 
nature to counteract its efficacy. Here 
‘then is a call for watchfulness, diligence, and 
“sprayer ; that our “love may abound yct more 
“ané more in knowledge and in all judgment ;” 
and that our selfish nature may be more entirely 
_ subdued and mortified. Hence we shall also see 
still more our need of the cleansing blood of 
Christ ; and shall learn to walk humbly before 
“God, and to bear with others; as conscious that 
| We need the patient forbearance both of the Lord 


NOTES. 
CHAP. XIV. V. 1—5. Having shown ¥ 
excellency of love, the apostle exhorted the Ce 
rinthians to follow after it, as the great object ~ 
of their unremitting pursuit, in preference to all 
other things :.and then they would do well ear- 
nestly to desire spiritual gifis, that they might 
be enabled to be useful to their brethren ; for 
ander the influence of love, they would certainly 
thus use them: especially they should value 
“* the gift of prophesying’’ By this the apostle 
seems to. have intended an immediate communi- 
cation from the Spirit of God, concerning the 
meaning of the Holy Scriptures, or some point of 
doctrine or practice, in which the Church or in- 
dividuals wanted instruction at the time. This 
was a gift bestowed on several, by which they 
became occasional, or extraordinary, teachers in 
the Church ; and it seems to have generally beén 
accompanied by the power of predicting futare - 
events, when circumstances. required it. .The 
Corinthians, however, did not value it so much 
‘as the gift of tongues, or of miracles, because it 


d of our brethren. 
: hei a fh ne ee aces 
If this love is planted in our hearts, (though 
8s an exotic in‘an unfriendly soil and climate ;) 
vill never fail, but will certainly grow up to 
ity : and it will flourish abundantly, when 
es shall have ceased, and when human 
and eloquence shall have vanished away : 
| even our highest attainments in divine 
ge in this present world, (which are in- 
ery small compared with those of the 
e,) will appear like the lispings, the imagi. 
d the reasonings of a little child. But, 
ble, indistinct tiew, which We obtain 
the mirror of the sacred word, be so 
have sometimes found it; with 
hall we “see face to face, and 
we are known’ Let us then 
nldish thing , Which amused us 


. the Holy Spirit he spake the most sublime mys 


A D. 60, 


6 Now, brethren, if I. come unto you 
speaking, with tongues, P what shall /I 
profit, yous except 1 shall speak to you 
either by 4 revelation, or by * knowledge, 
or by * prophesying, or by. doctrine ? 

@ AnG even" things without life giving 
sound, whether pipe or harp, *,.except 
they give a distinction in the + sounds, 
how shall it be known what, is piped or 
harped ? 

8 For .y if the-trumpet give an uncer- 
tain sound, who shall prepare, himself to 
the battle ? 


Pp 10, 33. & 12. 7. ray 
13. 3. 1 Sam. 12. 
2t. Jer, 16. 19. .& 
23. 32; Matt. 16.) Cor, 11.6. Eph. 3. 
26. 2 Tin. 2. 14,).4.2 Pet. 2.5. & 3. 
‘Tit. 3. 8. Heb, 13.) 18 Luke 7. 32. 

9, s See om ver. 1, &{+ Or, tunes. 

q ver. 26—30, Mat} 13. y Num, 16.9. Josh. 
11. 25, & 16.07%: Sit bers “26) Rom, 16.|: 6. 4—20- ia 7. 
Cor. 12. 1,7. Eph. 17. 2 Tim. 3., 10. 16—18. Neh. 4. 18 


1.17. Phik 8. 15; 
r 12 8 & 13, 2. 31 9 
9. Rom. 15. 14. 2 


Bs &i4..2,2 John 


u 13. 1. 
x ver, 8, Num, 10. 3- 
10, Matt. 11. 17. 


was less suited to excite admiration, but the 
apostic instruct d them, that it was greatly to be 
preferred by them, because more useful in their 
situation, For, ne who spake in a language 
which the hearers unde: -stood. not, did not speak 
to men, but to God ouly; nor would others, re- 
eeive ovy benefit, though under the impulse of 


teries of the Gospel, in the most suitable words 
Whereas, he that prophesied spake to men, to 
edify them indivine truth, to exhort them to ho- 
ly practice, or to comfort them under their mani 
fold trials. Indeed, he who spake in an un- 
known tongue, might derive instraction and _be- 
nefit from his own words, and his faith might be 
establisited by the exercise of this miraculous 
gift; in case he was not elated with pride and in. 
fluenced by ostentation, But he that prophesi- 
ed would. edify numbets, which would be far 
more desirable. As the apostle rejoiced in eve- 
ry thing conducive to their prosperity, he desir. 
ed that they might all be endued with the gift of 
tongues; but still more, that they should all be 
capable of instructing others, by the gift of pro 
pleas for the prophet was certainly a more 
qnourable and useful person, than he who spake 
with tongues ; except the latter were also endu- 
ed with the gift of interpreting his discourse in 
¢o the language understood by his hearers, that 
so the Church might be edified by what he spake. 
This was not generally the case ; for ¢ man might 
be miraculously enabled to speak in one, two, or 
More languages which he’had never learned: 
and yet, being left ignorant of others, he might 
be unable to explain his meaning to those, who 
neither understood the language in which he 
Spake, nor that which was his native tongue. Or, 
to counter poise this distinction, which tended so 
mueh to elate the possessors, they might be left 
fncapable of giving utterance with propriety, 
perspicuity, or promptitude suited to a public 
@ssembly, even in their native tongue, to those 


givine truths: which they spake fluently in an- 
other language, under the influence of the Holy 
Spirit; and another map might be miraculously 


1. CORINTHIANS.» 


the tongue words } easy to bewu 
how shall it be known what i ise 
2 for ye shall speak into 


of voices in the wo 
is without signific 


ing of the. voice, # 
that, speaketh a barbari: 
speaketh shall be a barbat 


zealous of * spiritual gifta, ¢ 
may,excel to the ca 


t Gr. significant. 
tb ye 


guage of the audience, owhat was 
who yet himself might be unable to. 
ly in the language which he interpreted, 
in ordinary cases, clearly understanding. 
guage, and being able to speak. 
very distinct attainments.  ¢ 
‘ tongues. conferred? That the ides hipeoluiat 
* God) might be openly made Known 
‘people and nations, . Then surely, 


‘ subservient, must be of nies 
( Beza.) 


out needless offence, of what he had h 
apostle put the case, that, when, he came. next 

Corinth, he should merely 
speaking in a variety of languages; shades 
in that case would his visit: be to them? 


cerning some‘doctrine Speae 


|sert, where their words would he lost in th 


9 So likewise ye; ‘except yeuw 


10 There areyit 


tl Therefore if: 


[Practical Observations.) pes. 
12. Even so ye, » forasmuch as | pal 


seek th 
of the’ chu 


21. Job.’ 39. 2479086, erat yd 4 
25. Is. 27. ig ds Boe are Fe Acts 28, i oF us 
3.6. Eph. 6 1-18. om. yh oa gaa 


ver. 19, 


1 
Why waste pa 


* to which the gift of tongues Wiberg 
V.6—12.. To convince the Corinth wi 
lay his ¢ 


ly of none; except he 
by immediate revelation. from God, or 
prophetical message suited to th 


were mistaken. Unless, 
(which indeed its is. di 
guish with exactness,) e C 
structions ; all that, he cou “party unl 
languages ‘would be an unmeaning. noise, 
even lifeless things that are used to _ ur 
such as musical instruments, can give no 
tion to those who are to-sing and dance to 
unless a proper distinction be obse: 
sounds ; and if the trumpet should. 
random, without any | 
sound which calls the combatant ‘tot 
other sounds of different n 
could understand when top 
battle? If then, an intelligible ¢ 
sounds was-necessary in 
life, much more must they be 50 ‘those. 
ion. For unless they uttered signi 
telligible words, how could the. hearers 
stand what was spoken? They might ¢ 


speak in an empty room or an u' 


eager 
ie »: 


AD. 60. 


_ 18 Whereforeslet him that speaketh 
inan wsecin, eiepaiaune 4 pray that he may 
interprets @ ©” 
14 For. if pray i in an unknown tongue, 
1  ehaaa but my understand- 
nitfule 
is it. then? & [will pray 
spirit, and I will. ‘pray with the 
ing also: { will sing with the 
»4and I will sine ane the under- 
standing also. 
16 Else when thou shalt. bless with 
the spirit, how shall he that occupieth 


a ver a7 28. & 1. £10. 19, Rom. 3. 5.| & 6. 18. Col. 3.16, 
21 a8 $1, Phil. 1. 18.}, Jude 20 
4 LS 14. ee 19. John 4. Jag) 47. 7. Rem. 


‘Acts 1. 14. & 4. 29] 23. 24. Rom. 1. 9.) by 3 
i ver2,14. 


—31, & 8. E 5. 17—%, 
ever, 2 15, 16.18. eh 


and never reach any human ear. There were in- 

-deed as many languages or idioms in the world, 
as there were differentregions : and each of these 
was significant to the persons accustomed to it. 
That circumstance therefore ought to be consi- 
dered ; otherwise, even in ordinary conversation, 
the speaker and hearer, who understand not each 
other, would appear reciprocally barbarians to 
each other ; however expressive, polite, and copi- 
e languages were in which they spake : and 

Id be more likely to despise each other, 

eg ‘to profit by the interview, or be satisfied 
withvit, | ‘Inthe common concerns of life, there- 
fore, it was thus requisite for men to understand 
each other; and stirely the Corinthians, amidst 
their zeal, and emulous desire of spiritual gifts, 
to act consistently with common sense, 


hey might edify the Churel; and not in such 


«of. strange languages, do not speak that which 


oe ? (Hammond.) 

h pray to be endued also with the gift of in- 
reting what was ~aryee or what others _de- 
hichbnat be a mere ‘ostentatious dis- 
: congregation, in an unknown tongue ; 


tor heart might indeed 
b eens oa of oil 


and him, so, his own 
fruitful, having no just and 
\c pote no benefit to his 


CHAPTER XIV.’ 


desire to excel in those things by which |j 


could only procure them irrational admira- 
tion !—‘ At this day, among the papists, they are 
© used, in their sermons, always to quote the sa- 
© ered Scriptures in Latin, without adding a 
‘translation in the vulgar tongue; nor do they 
© use any other method, in the singi.g and 
© prayers.” (Beza.)—‘ If you that have the gift 


* the auditors may understand ; (for to that end 

Senre were those languages given, that you 
ht speak to every one, in his own language, 
cts ii. 6.) how shall any one be better for 


V.13—19. If any of them must needs apewk 
‘unknown tongue among their brethren, let 


their powers, without meaning or use. | 
ng the apostle should come and pray 


Ye very devoutly 


. 


4D. 69. 


the room of the « unlearned say, } Amen, 
at thy giving of thanks, seeing he under- 
standeth net what thou sayest ? 

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, 
m but the other is not edified. 

18 I =thank my God, 1 speak with 
tongues more than you all: 

19 Yet ° in the church [ had rather 
speak five words with my understanding, 
that 6y my voice I might teach others al- 
so, than ten thousand words in an uz- 
known tongue. 


11, 12. John 7. 15.| 41. 13. & 72. 19.) & 22 

Acts 4. 13. & 89. 52. & 106./m ver. 4. 26 

} 1}. 24. 24¢Num. 5.7 48. Jer. 28. 6. Mat.jn 1. 4—6. & 4. 
22. Deut. 27. 1s 6. 13. & 28. 20.50 ver. 4,21, 22. 
&e. 1 Kings 1, 36. ‘ 


k ver. 23, 24. Is. 29.] 1 Chr. 16. 36. re eae a A 


Mark 16. 20. John 


inference from this observation? Truly, he would 
pray from the fulness of his spiritual affections ; 
and in the sober exercise of his understanding 
also, by using such words as might edify others 
and enable them to join with him. In like man. 
ner, when he sang the praises of God, he would 
endeavour to have his spiritual affections engag- 
ed as much as possible; vet he would alsé con- 
sider, as a rational man, what language would be 
best understood by the congregation. But if any 
of them, neglecting this dictate of common sense, 
should celebrate the praises | of God, and return 
thanks for his mercies, in the most spiritual and 
fervent manner, but in an unknown tongue ; ; 
how could he who occupied the place of a pri- 
vate believer, who had neither learning, nor the 
gift of tongues, give his assent to the thanksgiv- 
ing, by saying, men, aS was customary among 
them ; (Marz. Ref) seeing he had not under- 
stood any thing which was spoken? ‘The one 
might give thanks in a very proper manner; but 
the other could derive no benefit from it. Many 
indeed of the Corinthians supposed themselves 
‘to excel in this particular gift, and were pleased 
‘to make a show of it: but the apostle thanked 
God, that, as commissioned to preach to the 
Gentiles, of whatever nation, he spake with 
‘tongues more than they all, and was enabled to 
preach in more languages ; the whole praise of 
which he gave to the Lord. Yet he had rather 
utter five words, or the shortest instructive sen- 
tence, among believers in ,the public assembly, 
in a rational manner, So that others might under- 
stand him, and be edified by what he said, than 
irrationally t to speak ten thousand words, or the 
most copious discourse, in an unknown tongue 
which could be of no use tothem. Had the apos- 
tle lived about the. ZGra of the reformation, and 
itten expressly against the Church of Rome, he 
d not more emphatically have exposed the 
surdity and wickedness of worshipping God, 
and performing all public services in Latin, of 
1 the common people understand not one 
No wonder the rulers of-that Church 


erstanding: lock up the Scriptures also in an unknown 
River. tongue ; seeing they must otherwise bear too 

Now-| evident a testimony against them. With the un- 
‘would then be the prope erstanding. (15.) That is, say most commenta- 


\@f. D. 60: oN I. CORINTHIANS. 


20 Bréthren, P be not ‘children in un- 23 If therefore * the vite 
derstanding: howbeit 4 in malice be ye , 
children, but in understanding be * men. 

21° In ‘the law itis written, * With 
men of other tongues and other lips will 
T'speak unto this people ; and yet for all 
that will they not hee me, saith the 
Lord. 

22 Wherefore elvan are tfora sign, 
not to them that believe, but to ¢hem that 
bélieve not ; but aie tai serveth not 
for them that believe not, * but for them 
which believe. 

10.14. Mark 10. 154 3. 19. 

LPeb 2.2. Js Deut. 28. 49. Is. 
* Gr. perfect, or, of | 25, 11. Jer. 5.15, 
a ripeiage, 2.*6.t Mark 16.17. Acts 


Phil, 3.15, 2. 6—12. 32—36, 
r John 10. 34. Rom.ju ver. 3. 


in one that, believet 
ed, z he is convine 
of all : nae 
25 And thus are the se r 
heart made manifest; and 0 
down on his face he ‘will v 
and nah that » God" so 
p3.1,% & 13.1 truth. 
Ps. 119, 99. Is, 11. 
3. Rom. 16. °19. 
Epn. 4. 14. Phil, 1 lL, 
8. Heb. 5. 12, 13. 
4 Ps, 131, 1, 2 Mat 
a1: 25. Be 18. 3. & 


= 11. 18. 4, 28 ds. a. 
¥ Hos.9. 7 Jobn 10: [a3 “Ach. 4. 12,} 8. ie, 28. 
20. Acts 2. 13. & yee De iy Co a 

eo 


26, 24, 
22. 15, John 1,47 pen 18, Pe 12. 


instruct them by persons eadued 
tongues, to convince them of the 
this gift, when exercised st soe 
understand what w , 
ed rather as a sae at than- 
proper use, it was intended. 
lievers, in order to their conve 
prophesying was more immediatel 
the edification of believers. © Yt 
tongues might be so perverte 
prove excéedingly injurious to unbeliey 
this ought to be taken into the account. 
fore, the whole Church of Corinth s 
sembled in one place; and all who 
should speak with tongues, se at | 
otheré in succession, whilst the rest 
not 'what was spoken: and if any 
structed in Christianity, or to 4 
should come in to make his o sprations “wou! 18 
not such irrational and eer es 
confirm his prejidices, and 
clude, that they were a | he 
frantic enthusiasts 2 But if | 
atid one teacher after. ano 
it of God, and in a per 
convincing Manner; on | 
ot practice; the stranger 
among them, would hear 
one to convitice his wnders 
his conscience, and to move 

would find ‘his secret objectio 

secret thoughts divulged, his secret sins 
ed, and the real state of his heart and soul ma 
known to him, though before they were 
ceived, And this might be ¢ 
vine blessing, to produce 2 full 
truth and excellency of tl e 


Fiseee Ne ee Ge 


tors, so as to be understood. This indeed is im: 
plied, and principally intended: yet examples 
of such an-use of the words cannot easily be ad. 
duced, But might not the apostle mean, that 
they who spoke publicly in a language not un- 
derstood by the auditors, however fervent their 
affections, or excellent their gifts might be, 
Seemed to act like men without understanding, 
or who made no use of their understanding; 
seeing no man, however irrational and enthusi- 
astical, could act more evidently against the 
plain dictates of sober reason and sound judg- 
ment? Does not the apostle’s argument, about 
prayer, imply, that if any oné prayed or gave 
thanks extempore, in & language understood by 
the congregation, the people might, if nothing 
élse prevented, cordially say Amen to his words ? 
And does not this remark sufficiently. answer 
many Common objections, and arguments, against 
extempore prayet? It, however, by no means 
decides, whether that, ora liturgy, be most con- 
ducive to general edification, in the present 
gtate of the Church 

VW. 20—25. These intimations of the igno- 
gance and-childishness of the Corinthians, who 
were evidently in no stnall degree disposed to 
self-wisdom, are very remarkable. As they pro- 
fessed to have much knowledge, let them not 
be * children in understanding ;” for it was’ re- 
ally as trifling and vain to make a parade of the 
gift of tongues, merely to astonish those who 
could not understand therm; as any of the com- 
petitions and amusements of children could be. 
Let them indeed be as infants in respect of ma- 
lice, and every evil disposition; being of a gen- 
tle, forgiving disposition, without resentment or 
rancour: but let them be men in undepstaading, 
as those that were matured in judgment and ¢ 
perience, and capable of acting with propriety 
and wisdom in their whole conduct. In the la 
(or in the Old Testament,) God hath foretold, 
that he would: speak to: Israel by men of aber 
lips, and yet even they would not hear him. 
(Marg. Ref.) This seems primarily to have re- 
lated to the languages of those foreign nations, 
by whom God intended to execute vengeance on 
Israel: but it might also denote, that he would 


despiser would be suddenly. 
ble he and that under 


by them for tae. instruction of ‘the f 
(Marg ae ) 


26. How is it then, b 
: come toge her, * every one of you hath 
th a doctrine, hath a tongue, 


ition, hath an interpretation. 
D gs be done unto edifying, 


oy ‘keep silence in the ‘church ; ; and let 
him speak to himself, and to God. 

- +29 Let the prophets speak two or three, 
_and © let the other judge. 

30 If any thing bet reyealed to ano- 
ther that sitteth by, € let the first see 
his peace. 

‘31 For ye may all prophesy one by 
one, that © all may learn, ari * i all may be 
comforted. 


@ Seco et: &] 5. 11 

ou, 2 eto. le 12.10. 1 Thes. s 
a ver. 4, 6,12, Rom. =a 21. 1 John 4. 
14. 19. 2-Cor, 12) 

“19. & 13. 10.- Eph. iver: 6. 26. 

4.12, 16:29. 1 These Job 32. 15-20. & 


v- 26—33. How then ought their public 
meetings to be ordered, and conducted ?: When 
ey came together, all, who were endued with 
gifts, were ready eagerly. to seize the opportuni- 
ae exercising them: so that one would begin 
to sing a-psalm or spiritual song, another to dis- 
on. some doctrine, another to speak in an 
iawn tongue, another to declare some spe- 
al revelation that had been made to him, or 
other to interpret what had been spoken. 
Phus several would speak at the same time, in 
different parts of the assembly: and while every 
one was more desirous to be heard-and admired, 
! than to hear and be edified, the whole scene be. 
came confused ; and the great end of their co- 
| ming together was overlooked.= As a general 
rule by which such abuses might be remedied, 
‘they should always. take care, that all things 
“pens with a view to their common edifica-: 
_ If then any of them chose to speak i in an 
. wn torgue ; let no more than two, or at 
‘Most three, one after another, exercise this gift, 
1 ne meeting; and let some one interpret his 


83. 31—33..1 Thes, 
5.19, 20: 

h yer. 3. 19, 35. 
Proy. 1. 5.&% 9 
Eph.-4. 11, 12. 

i Rom, 1.12. 2 Cor. 


3 let him, who was about to speak in.an 
wn tongue, be silent ; and be content, on 
occasions, to speak to himself and to God 
ditation and prayer; without obtruding his 
elligible words upon the congregation, who 
to be more profitably employed. Let the 


vhat was spoken, tos 


ermine si! 


mig! ht creep in among’ re 

d be immediately revealed to one 
ch, required present attention i 
i veer intimation given, ‘keep | 


CHAPTER XIV: . 


brethren ? when| 


But. if none present were enabled to 


also speak by two or three at the same, 
in due order; and let :those prophets 
,» who were silent, exercjse their judg- 


bsen considered: OF, aS 


As D, 60... 


$2 And the spirits of the prophets 
are subject to the prophets. 

33 For God i is not the author of * con-' 
fusion, ! but of peace, : as, ® in all church- 
es of the saints. Pee, 


34 Let your ® women keep silence in © 


.{the churches : for it is not permitted un- 
to them to speak; but ° zhey are com- 
‘|manded to. be under. obedience, BP as also 
saith the law. nf 

85 And if. they will learn any thing, 
a let them ask their husbands at home ; 
for it is a shame for women to speak in 
the church. 

86 What! * came the word of God 
out from you ? or came it unto you only? 
1.4, & 7.6, 7- Eph.| 5.22. 2 Thes. 3. 16, bit ai Esth. 1.17 


6. 22. 1 Thes. 4.13.) Heb. 13. 20, Jam. 

& 5.11. 14. ; 3. 17, 18. q. Eph. 5. 25-27%. 2 
k yer. 29,30. 1 Sam. mm 4. 17. & 7. 17. & Met g. 7. 

10. 2613. & 19.1 11. 16. vr ver. 34, & 11, Ge 
19—24, 2 Kings 2..n 11. 5S. 1 'Tim. 2.} 14. Eph. 5.12, 

‘3. 5. Job 32, 8—11.} 11, 12, s Is. 2.3. Mic, 4.1, 
Jer, 20.9. Acts 4.lo ver 85. & 11.3. 7-| 2. Zech 14. 8. Acts 


19) 20. 
. Gr. tumult, or, un- 
guietness. 
17.15. Luke 2, 14. 
Rom. 15, 33. Gal. 


13. 1—3, & 15. 35, 

36. & 16. 9, 10. & 
17.1. 10, 11. 15. & 
18.1; &e. 2 Cor. 10. 
13—16. F' Thes. 1. 8» 


10, Eph. 5. 22—24, 
83. Col. 3.18. Tit. 
2.5. 1 Pet. 3.1.6. 
Pp yer. 21. Gen: 3. 
16. Num. 30. 3—8- 


some render it, let the other wait till the first 
had done speaking. For they needed not be 
eager to speak first; seeing by properly waiting 
they might all prophesy, (who had that gift,) and 
all be edified. . Nor could it be urged, that the 
divine impulse upon their minds constrained 
them to speak immediately, as the frantic hea- 
then priests and priestesses did; for the spirits 
of the prophets, (their minds when most power- 
fully influenced by the Holy Spirit,) were. sub- 
ject to government, and might be restrained, di- 
récted, and-regulated by reason and judgment, 
as at other times. That gracious God, whose 
Spirit spake by them, was by no. means ‘the Au- 
thor of confusion and disorder, (such as must en- 
sue from the vehement utterance of many speak- 
ers: at once,) vying with each other who should 
attract most attention: but of peace, harmony, 
mutual love, and good order ; as it was evident 


in the conduct cf all the Churches of the saints, _ 


in this and other particulars. 

V. 34, 35. (xi. 3—16.) . To reconcile these 
verses with the Scripture referred to, it seems 
most natural to suppose, that some of the Corin- 


not under any immediate. or extraordinary im- 
pulse of the Holy Spirit; and’ perhaps they in- 
terrupted the other speakers by i inquiries or ob. 
jections, according to the disputatious spirit that 
prevailed. The apostle therefore laid it down 
as.a general rule, (to which the foregoing case 

the only exception, ) that women must not 
be allowed to speak in the public congregation, 
or to assume the office of teachers or disputants ; 

is by no means consisted with the obedi- 
ence to their hushands, which the law of God in- 
‘eulcated, But if they met with any thing in the 
public.instructions, which they could not under- 
stand or assent to; let them wait till they went 
home, and then ask their husbands’ about it; 


4 


thian women were used to speak publicly, when _ 


w 


WD. 8. 


37 Ift any man think himself to be a 
prophet, or spiritual, «jet him acknow- 
ledge that the things that I write unto 


you are the commandments of the Lord. 


38 But * if any man be ignorant, let 


him be ignorant. 


t8. 2 X& 13. 1—3.4°10. 7. 12. & ie 4. 
Num. 24. 3, 4. 16.] 1215. Gal. 6.3. 

Rom. 12. 3. 2 Corju 7. 25. 40. Luke 
10. 16. 1 Thes. 4 


LZ. 
x Hos. 4. 17, 


who were supposed able and willing to inform 
them, and who were the most proper. persons for 
them to confer with. For it was inconsistent 
with modesty and propriety, and would be scan- 
dalous among their neighbours, for women to 
make a practice of discoursing in the’ public 


assemblies. 
V. 36—40. 


deemed themselves a model fer others to imi- 


tate! Was then theirs the mother-Church, from 
whom the preachers of the Gospel had first 
come forth? Or had the word of God reached 
them alone? As it was evident neither of these 
was the case; and as many Churches had been 
planted before them, why did they presume to 


set themselves up above, or against, the whole- 
some regulations observed elsewhere? Indeed, 
some of their. ambitious teachers might be 
strenuous in supporting the innovations, which 


had been introduced ; professing that “he was a 
prophet, or a spiritual man, ‘that is, one well 
¢ qualified, by religious instruction, to under- 


* stand and judge about spiritual things ; as Op- 
* posed to the carnal man, and ‘the babe in 
* Christ.’ (iii. 1.) (Beza -) ‘and if he really were 
so, let him show it, by acknowledging these 
things to be the commandments of’Christ by his 
apostle. But if any man was, of pretended to 
be, ignorant of Paul’s apostolical authority, and 
of the obligation of these instructions; let him 
continue ignorant, for he would not enter into 
any further debate with him. Upon the whole, 
therefore, the apostle exhorted them to desire 
to prophesy, in preference to all other spiritual 
gifts, yet not to forbid speaking with tongues: 

but let all things relative to their public assem- 

blies, be regulated with'a strict regard to deco- 

rum, propriety, and regularity ; as this must 
tend most to their own edification, and the cre- 

dit of the Gospel among unbelievers, as well as 
be most honourable and acceptable to God. To 
adduce this text, as a direct argument about any 
particular external ceremonies used in divine 
worship, (which always appear decent and or- 
derly to thosé who invent and impose them, and 
the contrary to those ‘who dissént from them,) 
is doubtless wresting it from its proper mean- 


ing. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

¢ V.1 : 

All our pursuits should spring from lovey” as 
the grand motive ; and this we ought to follow 
without wearying, though it seem to flee from 
us. Every endowment or possession is valuable 
in proportion to its popes ; and all public 


1—8. 2Pet. 3. 2 
1 John 4. 6. Jude 


Mat: 


The abuses here reproved were 
peculiar to the Church at Corinth; yet they 


jand vulgarity,) we may be ‘sare | 


prophesy, and forbid not to 
tongues. vb ee 
40 Let * all things be basi 
and in order, . 4 
‘abet 
Lai . 
i Bot an 8 Aas ie ah 


4, 3,4. ee a9 WO. 
12e 


ordinances should be cone 
tend to the edification, exhortation, and « 
lation of believers, and the’ conversion of sinneg 
Even fervent spiritual affection must be d 
by the sober exercise of the’ understandi 
else, with the best intentions, men will he ‘ 
great extravagancies, ny disgrace the tru ch 
which they mean to pro hat shall’ I pro- 
fit? Or, in what respéct shall T be profited ? are 
proper inquiries, wien we ‘are considering ii 
what manner to condact our meeting ‘togethe : 
for religious exercises, isters especially 
should not only study to exercise their g 
acceptance and reputation; but inquire in 
first place, what advantage their hearers 
derive from their subjects, and their manner c 
treating them, Alas! for want of this hae 7 
good speaker, in delivering an eloquent and ade 
mired discourse, is even more Re ate 
“ things without life giving sound ” and 
who play on musical instruments made no 
exact ‘distinction in’ their sounds, than 
preachers do in their doctrine and exhortiati 
they would be unfit even to direct the motio 
dancers, much more to call the ‘soldiers to a 
for'the battle. ; : 
« V. 12-25. ; 
While we reasonably acted 
and worship in an unknown tons 
God for emancipating, us from | 
‘position: we should inquire, whether ‘ 
use the language of ‘their'country, do 
such elegant phrases, such st 
such learned discussions; ~ 
themselves as unintelligible to ¢ 
ple, as if they preached in ranrere Set r 
alas! is sometimes in a meas 
preachers whose doctrine is wot 
for, as to many public te ; 
their best qualification.” Ifwe tel 


any respect above the capacities of eas 
illiterate and weakest hearers, to please 
who are more learned and ‘polite ; 
they, who most need instruction, ; 
spoken? Indeed, it might as well b 
the air. But if we speak in plain, simple) 

perspicuous language, which even ‘children 

understand, (and this does not imply coarsen: 


intelligent part of our audience oi De 
if disposed to receive instruction, ' And 
a minister,of Christ should more desire to * 
« cel to eet ng of the Church;”? | 
order too the character of a pa 
quent, or learned speaker! Whatever 
ment others may form; all who are actu 
the love and aeal of the apostle, will cb 


a a oe . XV. 


“De capo states the Gospel, which he had rans 


| ‘inth, and shows how fully the resurrec- 
a ar "ay Christ ‘had been demonstrated, 1—11. 
oc te the resurrection of the dead is in- 

i from that of Christ ; so that, the denial 
it is subversive of Christianity, and of all the} 
lopes. of Christians, 12-19: but Christ, the 
rst-fruits, being risen, all others shall.arise in 
: orler, till death, the last enemy, being subdued, 
‘the ‘kingdom shall he delivered up to the Father, 


sabe 


speak five words so as. ‘talbe understeod, ‘rather’ 
than ten thousand, words in an unknown tongue ;: 
and -will waive the. display of their natural. or 
Reale abilities from the same motive, that. 
i he apostle did | his gift of divers tongues. Whe-| 
ther. we pour out our prayers, sing the praises of 
God, or thank, him for his mercies ; we should 
be coreful | to unite spiritual affections with sober 
judg ment: and they, who ead in social worship, 
Ba 4 use such language, as may affect and.in- 
eu the meanest. fellow-worshipper, and. ena- 
ble him to add his cordial Amen to what is spo. 
Ken. We should indeed be as children, in res- 
pect of malice and revenge ; and a child-like 
docility, simplicity, dependence, and submission, 
become us: but childish deviations from the 
‘maxims of good sense and sober reason, are un. 
becoming the disciples of Christ, who should 
“endeavour to attain a/ripeness in wisdom and 
“understanding, and to “ walk wisely towards 
them that are without.” For though reli- 
‘gious ordinances ought to be peculiarly directed 
to the edification of believers, yet provision 
should also be made for those unbelievers, who 
May come among us to make their remarks: nor 
should any thing. be admitted which. may °rea- 
{ sonably. excite their disgust, or needlessly con- 
firm their prejudices: They are ready enough 
to conclude that we are enthusiastic or mad, 
withe out our giving them any ground » for the 
arge : and the more willing we are to bear 


CHAPTER XV, 


b 


de D. 60. 
'20--28'; otherwise it would be in vain for any to 
‘risk their lives, as. the apostle did, 29-32, He 


warns and'reproves the Corinthians, refutes ob- 
jections, and illustrates his doctrine, 35—41; 
_ shows the manner of the resurrection ; and the 
change which will be wrought both in the dead, 
and those who shall then be. found living, 4258. 
As death will at, length be thus swallowed up in 
victory ; he triumphs in hope over death and the 
graye, through Christ, 5457; and coneludes 
with an animated exhortation to steady and per- 
severing diligence in the work of the Lord, 58. 


——y 


‘willing, (unless the case require the contrary,) to 
speak to themselyes and to God, leaving others 
to edify the congregation to better advantage. 
When professors of evangelical doctrine, who. 
imagine themselves qualified and called to be 
teachers, aré so full of their subject, that they 
cannot refrain from speaking, howeyer unadvised 
or irregular their conduct may be; it is evident 


that they are more. influenced. by self-sufficiency 


ane ambition, than by humle zeal and love. 
For the Spirit of God moves the will and affec- 


tions, in a.manner consistent with the exercise of 
sober. reason and discretion, 
of the prophets were subject to the prophets;” 

and doubtless this must be at least equally the 
case with inferior teachers. 
Author of peace and good order, not of confu- 
sion: and.he never teaches. men to neglect their 
relative duties, to act unbecoming their age and 
station, or inconsistent with decency and regular- 
ity: 
garded by many, who deem themselves imme- 
diately influenced by the Spirit of God, and more 
spiritual and zealous than their prudent brethren: 
yet it behooves them to show, that they are so, 
by acknowledging such regulations to be the 
commandments of Christ, and excellently suited 
to render.the worship and conduct of hig people 
respectable before men, and: honourable to him. 
Whereas, deviations from them often lead to 
those things which are indeed shameful ; and 


s* Even the spirits 


For God is the 


Indeed, restrictions of this kind are not re- 


unmerited contempt and reproach, . the more 
he careful should we be not to deserve them, This 
} hath not been sufficiently attended to, and many 
things have been said and done, without warrant 
‘om. Scripture, by good men, which have sent 


suited to prejudice men’s minds against the 
Gospel, as if it dissolved relative obligations, 
put an end to all regular subordination, and 
taught even, women to act inconsistently with 
that modesty, which is, their peculiar ornament 


sf 


eS against the truth, and disposed to ridicule | 
in every company. But when the word of God 
oberly spoken, with an address both to the 
rstanding and the affections, and with’ a 
application to the conscience; occasional 
rers are often unexpectedly impressed, being 
ed, convinced, and arraigned by what they’ 
he very secrets. of their hearts seem to 
losed by the experimental add ress of the 
; and they are induced to join in that: 
lich they before despised ; ; and to'con- 
d is of a truth among’ those persons, 
r aps they came, preparedito deride. » 
ay Wit Vv. 26-40, |: et i °° 
edification: should. be aimed at: 
ulation, and self-preference should 
epressed : | hould be « swift to 
a nore ready to re- 
ard to, ae instruction; and 


i occasional, hearers rivetted in their preju: 


and honour. But if men, will remain,ignorant | of 
such, things, after proper. instruction and warn- 
ing, it is, not, advisable to be always debating 
with them; we must leaye them, and take heed 
‘to ourselves, However. valuable these miracu- 
lous gifts were in the -primitive Church ; we 
cannot well read this epistle without cheerfully 
acquiescing in the vy ‘ill of. God, as to his withe 
holding. them from us. ; Man’s heart is so prone 
to pride, ostentation, | and _ folly ; that even en- 
dowments of this kind were made occasions of 
gtievous sins and offences! \ Our vain-glory is 
sufficiently excited by inferior and-ordinary gifts 
dr abilities; and this militates greatly against 
-| our usefulness and peace. Letts then be con- 
tented with our present means. and methods of 
‘instruction : let us endeavour to, do allthings 
decently and’ in, order; and most desire that 
grace which sanctifies ane humbles the soul, 
and so prepares it for heavenly felicity. _ 
2A 


i 
4 


| 7 ed 
Shr eee 


- that there would be no resurrection ; allegorizing 


A. D609, I. CORINTHIANS. 


OREOVER, brethren, *J declare] 5 And ™ thathe was seen. ofa 
unto you the Gospel which 1° then of the twelve : “Ai 
preached unto you, > which also ye have; 6 After that, 
received, and wherein ¢ ye stand; five hundred breth 
2 By which also4 ye are saved, if ye|the greater part 
* keepin memory + what I preached un-|but some 4 are & 
to you, © unless ye have believed in} 7 After that, h 
vain. * then of all the apostle 
3 For ‘I delivered unto you first.of all} 8 And last of all, * 
that which I also received, how that}also, as of ¢ one born 
& Christ died for our sins, » according to! 9 Forl amt the le apostles, 
the Scriptures ; that am not meet tobe called an apos 
4 Andi that he was buried, and that « because I persecuted theChn rch of 
& he rose again the third day, !according| ‘10 But * by the grace of God 
to the Scriptures: - what Lam: ¥and_his grace which 
aver. ois & 14.19.13, Laake 8, 13. bestowed upon me, was not in vain ; # 
Acts 18. 4, 5. Gal] Acts 8. 13. 2Cor. I laboured more abundantly. than t 
all: agyet not J, cbt ie grace of 


1. 6—12. 6, 1, Gal. 3.4. Jam. 
b Mark 4, 16—20,! 2. 14. 17. 26. 53. John 19. 38—42, 
which was with me: 
11 Therefore,> 


John 12. 48. Acts}f 4. 1,2. & 11. 2.23.) Acts 13. 29. Rom. 
they, so we Mild as 


tag 


‘ 


Pet. 1. 11. 
1 Is. 53. 9. Mat. 27. 
57—60. Mark 15. 43 
—45. Luke 23. 50— 


2. Al. & 1, 2. 1} Ez. 3. 17. Matt.) 6. 4: Col. 2.12. 
Thes. 1. 6. & 2.13.| 20. 18. 19. Markjk ver. 16—21. Mat. 
& 4.1.2 Thes3.6.} 16. 15, 16. Luke} 20. 19. & 27.63, 64. 


© Rom. 5. 2. 2 Cor.) 24. 46, 47. Gal. 1.) & 28: 1-6. Mark Practical 
1. 24. 1 Pet. 5.32. } 12. 9. 31. & 10. 33, 34, e 
@ 1, 18.91. Acts 2.!¢ Matt.26.29. Rom) & 16. 2—7. Luke |m Luke 24.34: 1, JI, ' 


n1,12.& 3. 22) & 


9: 22, & 18/32, 33, 
9. §. John 1. 42. 


& 24.5—7. John 2 
19—21. & 20. 1—9, 


47. Gr. Rom, 1. 16. 3. 25. & 4 25.2 
2 Cor. 2. 15. Eph Cor. 5. 21, Gal. 1. 
2.8.2 Tim. 1.9. } 4.& 3. 13. Eph, 1. 
*. Or, old fast. yer.| 7. & 5. 2. Heb. 10, 
11,12. Proy.3, 7. &} 11,42, 1 Pet. 2. 24.] 24,32. & 13, 30, & 
4. 13. & 6, 20—23,| & 3. 18. 1 John 2.| 17.31. Heb. 13. 20. 
& 23, 23. Col. 1. | 2s Rev-1. 5. 1 Ps. 26. 10, 12. Is. 


3 9: ‘1. Acts.o. 3— 
| Xe 22. 


24. 36, &c, John 20.) 12.1—6e) 
19-26. Acts 12—|t Or, an, 6 
14. & 10. 41. t 2 Cor. 
p Matt. 28. 10. 16,) 11. Eph. 3 
17, Mark 16. 7. u Acts 8.3) 
q_ ver, 18. Acts 7, 60. Ae & 22, t 
& 13+ 36. 1 Thes. Pre = Saar 
4, 13.15. 2 Pet. 3. 
4. 14. 

y Luke 24, 50. Acts:x 4. 7, Rom. ae : 


Acts 1. 3, & 2. 2%, 


2T hes, 2« 15. Heb:2.jh Gen. 3-15. Ps. 22-} 53. 10—~12. Hos. 6. 
3. & 3. 14. & 4. 14.] & 69. Is. 53. Dan. 9.) 2. Jon. 1.17, Matt. 
& 10. 23. 24~26, Zech. 13. 7.) 12.40. Acts 2. 25— 
See on, Luke 24] 33. & 13. 30—37. 
26, 27. 46. Acts 3. & 26. 22, 23. 

18. & 26. 22, 23.1 


T Heb. by > what 
speech I preached. 
e ver, 14, Ps. 106. 


NOTES. 

CHAP. XV. V.1—11. The apostle here en- 
tered on another subject. ‘The Corinthians weré 
tinctured with the Saddtcean spirit of Jewish 
sceptics ; or rather with the philosophizing tem: 
‘per of the Grecians, who derided the doctrine of 
the resurrection, and denied the possibility of 
it. Some asserted that virtue was its own re. 
ward, and that the expectation of a future re- 
compense was a Mean unworthy motive. So 
that certain persons at Corinth began to teach; 


“« Ged that taketh away’ the ihe of ‘the 
in order, that “all who believe in bim shoul 
“ not perish, but have everlasting life’: and 
agreed with the types, prop eCiES, a 

es of the Scriptures, | ‘be 
Pilate had delve tieindy 8 
mathea to be buried ; 
he arose again, as it | 
Ref.) To demonstrate his res 
the whole of his religion 
ed to Peter; then in thee! 
those of the twelve apostles’ 
and on the evening of thi 
the week, when Thom 
fessed him’ as“ his 
wards he appeared to 
ples at once, doubtless i Galilee, wh 
most known, where many of hi¥ disci 
and where he appointed to meet 
Most of these had been still preset 
ing witnesses of that great event; 
had fallen asleep, having died in fai 
and ‘so departed’ to be present with 
Afterwards James was favoured with 
his risen Saviour : probably ‘this’ 
son of Alpheus who wrote the’ 
have no other account! of this 
Christ. Then he was seen of all 
before and at his ascension: and la 
had graciously manifested hin 


or explaining away what had been revealed: or 
declared to them on that subject ; though it does 
not appear that they denied the immortality of 
the soul. In order to stop the progress of so 
pernicious an error, the apostle began,’by sta- 
ting the substance of the doctrine that he’ had 
taught them, which they had received by faith, 

as x divine testimony, in whith he supposed them 
still to be steadfast, and by which they would 
certainly be saved, (being already brought into a 
safe state,) in case they remembered and ‘cleav- 
ed to what he had delivered to’them : this they 
would do, unless they had believed with @ vain, 
empty, and inefficient faith, in which ‘case they 
might be left to embrace tenets subversive of the 
whole doctrineof Christ, In the first place, and 
as a matter of the greatest importance, he had 
delivered to them, even as he had received: it of 
the Lord Jesus, that he, the Messiah, the Son of| in sucha’ manter, that he could 
God, had died a spotless sacrifice: of infinite |ly know him to be Jesus who ha 
value for the sins of mankind, as “ the Lamb of ed.’ In this, the Lord had acted et 


CHAPTER XV. 


A, D. 60. 


e124 Now ¢ if ‘Christ be preached that| nesses of God ; beeause 5 we have testi- 
is he cae from the dead, 4 how say some fied of God that’ he raised up Christ: 
_ there is no resur rrection i whom he raised not up, if so be that 


e ie - 
; caer there be no resurrection of 
ts he ic is Christ not risen : 
if Christ be not risen, ‘then 
preaching vain, and your faith is 


Pa 


n.. 
ee ‘Yea, and we are found & false wit- 


ver. 4, 8, 11: $4. 2 Core 4 4.|f ver. 2. 17. Ps. 73. 
‘eo "13-49. 2 Tim. res ‘Col.3. :—} 13. Is- 49. 4. Jer. 8. 
1 Thes. 4. 14.2] 3. 
Tim, 4. 8. Heb. 2. 


25, 26. Acts 23. 


13. a 
Rom. 4. 24, 55 


pes: ew. 1, 18 


ms 
i Bs, ie 20. John af 
| 
} 


condescension ‘and mercy ; because he was’ so 
vile and worthless, that he was more properly to 
be deemed:an untimely birth, or an abortion, than 
in-any way entitled to such distinguished favour. 
< Suetonius ‘says, that there were, in the time of 
© At us, an enormous number of senators, 
* and most of them most unworthy of that dig- 
* nity, having, after the death of Czsar, by fa- 
* vour and bribery gotten to be elected. These 
* the multitude proverbially styled abortives.— 
* St. Paul, like them, was none of the regular 
| * number of the twelve, first taken in, in Christ’s 
iu life-time, no way worthy to be an apostle; 
_* and yet by Christ’s grace, and special favour, 
* called and admitted to this dignity? (Ham. 
“mond. _) In this respect he considered himself 
as the least of the apostles, and unworthy to. be 
numbered among them, seeing he had so. wick 
edly and cruelly persecuted the Church of God ; 
(though in gifts and authority he was not a 
|| whit behind the chiefest of them.) However, 
by the rich ‘mercy and powerful grace of God, 
| he was at length brought to be a Christian and 
| aa apostle, and to be-employed in ‘Many impor- 
tant services : nor was distinguishing favour 
i shown him in vain; seeing he had been con- 
d. by the love of Christ and of souls, to 
|| Jabour more abundantly, than any of the other 
apostles. Yet this. was not to be ascribed to 
him, er to any thing in his natural disposition 
re towardly than others; but -wholly to the. 
of God that was with him, which both 
ht the willing. mind, and gave him the 
thus to abound in the work of the Lord. 


Christ’s resurrection; so both they and 
every where preached the same doctrines, 
vere then to be considered as the grand 
ties of Christianity, which could not be 
tied without virtually attempting to subvert 
e system, Several other appearances 
ter his resurrection have been consi- 
he evangelists ; but this account men- 
sumstances not before recorded, and it 
baths mmporant, subject. _ C Marg. 


“AN the apostles prctlied the re. 
t, as an undoubted fact, a 
octrine, and the great demonstra- 
the Gospel : how then was it 
s ventured to declare, that! 
dead was © be expected ? 


Matt. 15. 9. 
Gal. 2. 2. Jam. 1. 
262% 2620: 

g Ex. 23. 3. Job 13. 


erefore all the apostles had been. witness-| 


the dead rise not. 

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not 
Christ raised: 

17 And if Christ be not raised, * your 
faith is vain ; ! ye are yet in your sins. 

i8 Then they also which are ™ fallen 
asleep in Christ, are perished. 


7—10. Rom. 5. 7,8. ver. 2. 14. 28, & 9. 92-98. & 
h Acts 2. 24. 32./1 Ez. 33 10. John} 1o. 4-12. 1 Pete 1. 
& 4. 10. $3. & 10-] 8. 21—24, Acts 5.| 3.21. 

39~42. & 13.30—} 31. & 13. 38, 39.4m ver. 6. 1. Thes 
33. & 20. 21. Rom. 5. 10. & 3} 4. 13, 14. Rev. 14. 
i Ver. 13. 20. $3, 34. Heb. 7.23—| 13. 


Probably they argued against the possibility or 
credibility of such an event; and then endea- 
voured to put a figurative construction on the 
testimony of apostles or prophets concerning it. 
This was in reality a denial of Christ’s resurrec- 
tion: for that authenticated fact demonstrated 
the possibility of the dead being: raised ; it con- 
firmed allthat he had taught about that doctrine; 
and it was an earnest of the resurrection of all 
believers ; so that, to invalidate the resurrection 
of Jesus, would subvert Christianity itself. For 
this was the grand proof that he was the Messiah ; 
it evinced the acceptance of his atonement ; and 
it made way for his ascension, intercession, and 
mediatorial kingdom. The whole therefore of 
the doctrine, taught by the apostles, was so closes 
ly connected with the resurrection of Christ, that 
if that could be disproved, their preaching would 
be evinced to be useless and-delusory, and the 
faith of their hearers groundless.and unprofita- 
ble. Yea, they would be convicted of bearing 
false witness in this sacred cause, as if God had 
needed such base frauds to. support religion in 
the world! which in some respects was bearing 
false witness against him. And, notwithstanding 
all the miracles wrought by them, their selfde- 
nying labours, holy lives, and patient sufferings 
unto death, it would be proved, that they com- 
bined together to deceive mankind with.a most 
egregious falsehood !. For, the general proposi- 
tion, * that there is no resurrection,” includes i im 
it that particular one, * that Christ is not risen :” 
and the resurrection of others can only need a 
continuation of that same omnipotent exertion, 
which raised him from the grave. But if Christ 
was not risen, their faith was vain, and “ they- 
“ were yet in their sins :? as no repentance or 
reformation could possibly take away their guilt ; 

and nothing could prove that Christ’s atonement 
had been accepted, except his resurrection from 
the dead. Nay, further, they who had died in 


the faith, and fallen asleep in Jesus, whether by 


a natural death or as martyrs, had certainly pe- 
rished in their Sins, if Christ was not risen: for 
whatever might be urged on other grounds. for 
the immortality of the soul; there could be no. 
other way of forgiveness, acceptance, and eternal 
life, than through the merit of his sacrifice, the 
belief of which could not consist with the denial 
of his resurrection. As the persons spoken of 
had actually repented, renounced sin, and walk- 
ed in newness of life; they could not have pe* 


A. D. 60. I. CORIN 


19 Ifin * this life only we have ° hope 
in Christ, we are P of all men most mi- 
serable. 

[Practical Observations.] 

20-9 Buca now is Christ risen from 
the dead, avd become ' the first-fruits. of 
then» that slept. 

21 For since * by man came death, t by 
mai came also the resurrection of. the 
dead. 

22 For as "in Adam all dics etent so in 
Christ shall all be made alive. 

» 23 Bat * every man in his own order: 
Christ the’ First-fruits; afterward y they 
that are Christ’s at /his coming. 

24 Then 2 cometh the end, yhen he 
shall have delivered up the kingdom to 


n Ps. 1%) 14. Ee: 6. a See on, vere 4—8,.| Rome 5..12—-21. 
12, & 9, % Luke Bir ver. 23, Acts ae x ver, 20. Is. 26.195 
14. & 21,34. ; Cor.| 23. Rom. 8 iThes. 4. 15—17% 
6. 3. 4, 2 Tim. 2. 4.) Col. 1. 18. 1 Pet. ti y 3. 28. 2Cor, 10. 
o- Eph, 1. 12,13 3.! 3. Rey. 1, 5. 7. Gal. 3.29. & 5 
Thes..1..3. 2.Tim.js ver. 22. Rom, 5.) 24. 

1. 12, I Pet. 1.21. | 12—17. z Dani 12 4. 9, 13. 
7p 4. 9-15. Matti 10./¢ John 11. Mat; 10. 22. & 13, 
21—25. & 24, 9.) Rom. 6. 23. 39, 40. & 24.13.. 1 
Jobn 16.2. 33. Actsju ver. 45—49. Gen.} Pet. 4. 7. 

74, 22.2 Vim. 3.12.) 2.17. & 3. 6.:19.Ja Is, 90°97. ‘Dans 7 
Rey. 14.13. John 5s 21-291 14, 27, Mat. 11. 27% 


25, 26. 


rished in their sins, except through the want. of 
a sacrifice sufficient to,expiate their guilt; and 
thus. the apostle’s argument, concerning our 
Lord’s resurrection, demonstrates that he, and 
the primitive Church, universally regarded the 
doctrine of the real Atonement of Christ’s death 
as essential to Christianity —‘ If Christ be not 
¢ risen for our justification, we are yet under the 
€ guilt of sin: and if so, both body and soul must 
€ perish after death; and then the Hoge of Chris- 
*tians must terminate with this life.” (Vhitby.) 
¥V.19.. Uf the consolations, derived from the 
hope and earnests of another life, were to be thus 
torn from Christians, and they had no other bene- 
fit from Christ than what related to this present 
life; they would be of afi men most miserable. 
Some explain this wholly of the apostles, as eX- 
posed to peculiar hardships and suffe rings, and 
as peculiarly guilty in propagating an imposture, 
if indeed Christ was not risen: but there seéms 
no proof that this restriction was intended, fi 
does not follow, that Christians would in fact be 
more unhappy tl.an other. men, if there should 
be no future reward ; for even then, their hopes 
of it, and. that consolation, which is thence de- 
rived, would counterbalance their peculiar trials, 
seif-denials, and hardships: butif this hope aid 
eprsolation were taken from them; they wduld 
indeed. be more miserable than olher men; hav- 
mg lost, their relish for those vain pleasures 
which alone could be ‘hoped for; experiencing 
carnest desires, which must ‘certainly be disap- 
pointed ; and enduring many peculiar evils, with- 
ont any peculiar support and consolation, The 
fash, however, is, that Christians have hot only 
the hope of a future felicity, (which e¥en’ if 
groundless must afford great consolation whilst ; 
it prevails;) but also the earnests, the begin- 
nings, and first-[ruits of it, in those holy affec-| 


Se ee 


Se ee 


See aaPE a aan arora ementeeneeceeemerecon = 


THIANS. 


God, even the Fathers file 
have put down all eid ia on 
and power. = © 24 

25 For » he 
all enemies u 

26 The © Jast en 
stroyed is death. 

27 For 4 he hath 
his feet. But when 
are re under Aim, 


der hit: , 
28 And when @ all ‘thin hall 
dued unto him, then shall the Son ¢ 
himself be subject unto itn that p 
things under him, ag a. bia be 8 


in ail, , 
[Practina 
& 23/19, Luke 10, 
22. John 3. 35. : 
+4 3.1 ‘Lim. 10. 
20, 


4 

b Ps. 110. 1. Mat ld Ps. 8.6.7. 
22. 44. Mark 12. 36. ‘27. & 
Luke 20, 42, 43. Joi er 
‘Acts 2. 34, 35. Eph.| 3. 

1. 22. Heb. i. 13) Phik 
ie 10. 12, 13% Le 130 ite 


¢ ver, 65. Is. 25. 8, IR: ‘ee | 


tions towards God, atl 
stranger intermeddieth ne 
they are so far from being of all 1 
rable, that they of all men enjoy 
comfort, amidst their difficulties 
even in the seasons of tlie Sharpest 
Many of the Corinthians were | 
dangerous inferences were fi 
the tenets to which they had hi 
false teachers would 
yet it was proper thus to e: 
might be put upon their gt 
opinions pregnant with sui 
of men, and so destructis 
and comforts of all’ 
V. 20-—-28: The ap 
the fact of Christ’s resu 
shows the certainty of our 
from the iraportant ques 
verse, he takes occas 
rious change that sh 
of the'saints; and fin 
by the consideration’ of 
tions immortality. This is th 
and the coherence of the p 
chapter. In opposition to t ee 
ticed, the apostle testified witli’ s 


instructed by immediate ae 
ay ae 


was risen from the dead Ome 
first-fruits: of the whole: harvest fu 

slept in death, even of all belie Hy 
frem the beginning, and of all wh 
the end of the world, He was ch 
arose to die'no more; and the m 
of all, who ever shivald arise 
public Person, as the Surety, 
and the Fore-ruaner of his | sain 
tion was a pledge and assurance of 
as the first-fruits, presented to Goa, 


LD. 60: 3 - CHAPTER XV. A.D. 60! 
29 Else» what shall they do which are at all? 2 _why are ¢ they ssa baptized for the 


genie fonéhe dead, if the dead rise not 


aah ‘River. 16. 32. Mat. 20. 52. 


ag ‘blessing upon the whole crop- 
by. man sin and death, entered into the 
id; so, by Man, by One in human nature, 
me th © resurrection of the dead¥ and, 28 in 
uence of their relation to Adam, all men 
‘born mortal, and at length die; even so, in 
soy Christ, shall all be made alive. All men, 
his undertaking, being placed under a 
sation of mercy, shall be rafsed from the 
ron that their future state may be accordingly 
determined : yet none will be finally benefitted, 
but they who are one sith him by faith, and the 
participation of his life-giving Spirit; and of 
these the apostle particularly treats in this chap- 
ter. ThiS resurrection must be effected in an 
‘Manner, according to the appointment of 
|: Christ himself hath been the First-fruits : 
occ at his comin, his redeemed people 
will be raised before others ; and at last the 
|wicked will arise also. Then the end of this 
present state of things will arrive: and the so- 
lemnities of the final judgment being concluded, 
Christ will deliver up the mediatorial kingdom to 
God, even to the Father, from whom he received 
it; having previously put down all authority and 
power, which have been placed in opposition to 
his cause and kingdom. Forhe must reign till 
enemies be subjected to him; for thus it had 
been predicted, and the Scripture cannot be bro- 
ken. Of these enemies, death will be the last 
hat will be put under the Redeemer’s feet : when 
jhe hath finally delivered all his. people from this 
pha ‘conqueror, and entirely abolished)him. 
ithe when it is said, that Jenovan hath put all 
things: under the feet of Christ; it is evidently 
’ all creatures, and with an exception of 
he great Creator, who put all things under him : 
so that, when all things shall be subdued to the |, 
inearnate Son, and when the end of his mediato- 
rial authority shall be thus completely answered ; 
\then will the Son himself, as Man and’ Mediator, 
be subject under Him, who hath put all things 
der him; all the power and authority will be 
4 owledged, to have been of God, arid all the 
r will be referred to him ; his: absolute | 
om shall then supersede the Mediatorial 
liom of Christ; that God may be acknow- 
d and, glorified, as “all in all ;”” the first 
ause and the last End in every thing, and 
ect of universal adoration and obedience. 
Stinction between the absolute, univer- 
d everlasting kingdom of God, the Go- 
of all; and the mediatorial kingdom of 
as instituted for the benefit of fallen man, 
ery where implied in Scripture. The Fa- 
e Head of the absolute kingdom, ceas- 
to reign when the Son was advanced to 
orial throne: as, that authority was 
ded to endure for a time,in order to 
n certain: important ends to the glory 
an’s salvation. After the day of 
kingdom will be. terminated: 


executed his commission, will 


dead ? ? 


* 


ing rablicly delivered up the kingdom to, God 
in the person of the Father: yet he will in hu- 
man nit tlre rétain a peculiar authority over his 
redeemed people: and, as One with the Fa- 
ther, he will, with him. and the Holy Spirit, 
reign One * God over all, blessed for evermore :” 
nor will he any more cease to reign in this sense, 
when he hath given up the mediatorial king- 
dom, than the Father ceased to reign, when he 
appointed the Son to that kingdom, For in this 
passage, as in some others, the Person of the 
Father is mentioned, as filling the throne, and 
appointing the Mediator ; inorder to distinguish 
that absolute authority of God, from the dele- 
gated authority of the Son in human. nature. 
« He saith not that “the Father,” ‘ mentioned 
« in the twenty-fourth, verse, but that,“ God may 
«be all in all :” ¢and.so he seems to lead us to 
¢ that interpretation of the Godhead, which com- 
« prehends Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, That 
« the Godhead may govern all things immedi- 
ately by himself, without the intervention of a 
Mediator, between him and us, to exact our 
obedience.in his name, and to convey to us his 
favours and rewards. So as now Christ, God- 
man, is “all in all,” (Col. iii. 11.) * because 
the Father hath put all things into his handy 
does all things, and governs all things, by 
him ; when this economy ceases, the Godhead’ 
will be “all in all,” as governing and influen- 
cing all things, by ‘himself immediately,’ ‘ That 
God may be “all in-all,” by a full communica- 
tion of himself to, and an intimate union with, all 
his saints..—* As the priesthood of Christ must 
tieeds cease, when the subject of it ceaseth, 
and be hath none to intercede for; so must 
« his kingly office cease, when all his friends 
‘ have that eternal life conferred upon them, 
¢ for which this power was given to him, and all 
« his enemies are become his footstool’—* The 
« Gadhead could alone enable him to execute 
« his kingly office : yet this power was confer- 
« red on him, “ because he was the Son of man.” 
¢ He intercedeth still in heaven, by virtue of his 
« blood; all favours are granted to the Church 
¢ through him, and “ God will judge the world 
« by the Man Christ Jesus.”—* While he conti- 
¢ nued on earth, and acted only as a Prophet, 
€ sent from God, ‘he always owned that he could 
«do nothing of. himself, but as the Father. gave 
“him commandment, so he did, and so he spake.” 

© But being exalted to be Lord of all things, 
* he, acted as a Lord in all things which “relate 
to his kingly office over his Church. The ex- 
ercise of this authority he shall then lay down, 
when “ all things are subdued to him ;” ‘no 
other. kingdom or dominion being to be exer- 
cised. in the celestial state, but what is essen- 
tial to the Godhead. And though he shall 
ever so far reign, as to be still at the right 
hanthof God, in honour, dignity, and beatitude ; 
and though the effects of his kingly power 
shall continue for ever; yet the exercise of 
that power shall then cease, mad he, as Man, 


Sean RAs naa 


n 


ae BAe we we MAN 


ah oh 


x 
> 


w 

iz 
Ps 

a 

¥i 

i 

x 

i, 


#4. D>6G: 


30 And i why ‘stand we in “jeopardy 
¢very hour? 

31 I« protest by * your rejoicing which 
TI have in Christ Jesus our Lord, ! 1 die 
daily. Ses 
i ver- 31. Rom. 8.jk Gen, 43.3, 1 Samm 14...1 Thes. 2. 19. 
36—39, 2 Core 4. 8. 9., Jer, I. 7. 9 
7—12. & 6. 9. &} Zech. 3. 6. 


11. 23—27. Gal. 5.|* Some read, - our. 
il. 2Cor. 1, 12. & 2 


14 9=13. Acts 20, 
23.) \Rom: 8, 36. 2 
Cor. 4,10, 11, & 


* shall’be subject to the Father’—* As Christ 
® before was all in all,” ‘in reference to. his 
€ Church, and: * from his fulness they did all 
« receive ;”' so now the Godhead may be all in 
€ ail, and fili all things immediately by himself? 
(Whitby.)—No doubt, Christ, as Man, and in his 
mediatorial kingdom, always was most perfectly 
subject tothe Godhead, referring all to his ho- 
nour, and exercising all his authority, “ to the 
* elory of God'the Father” but when the grand 
designs of that kingdom, ‘shall be illustriously 
completed, in the view of all holy ‘creatares” in 
the universe, and the ‘kingdom delivered up ;’ 
this shall appear in the most conspicuous man- 
ner, atd'so.as far to exceed all our conceptions ; 
and the glory of the Godhead, Father, Son, and 
Holy Spirit, will bedisplayed and adored, in the 
highest possible degree. 
¥. 29... The apostle having shown the order 
and event of the general resurrection, proceeds 
to evince still further the importance of ‘a firm 
belief of it. The expression “ baptized for the 
« dead,” has given‘occasion to a variety of in: 
genious conjectures, and learned “discussions.— 
Some argue that it only means, “baptized in the 
¢ name of one who certainly died? and who, 
“if the dead rise ‘not,” * still remains among 
* the dead 2 but the word rendered dead is plu- 
ral, and-all the labour bestowed'to remove that 
difficulty, appears to be altogether in vain.— 
Others suppose that the ‘apostle ‘refers to a 
practice, which it seems at one time prevailed 
im the Church, of baptizing a living) person, in 
the stead, and for the supposed benefit, of one 
who: had died unbaptized.~ But who ‘can ima- 
gine, thatso absurd and gross a saperstition was 
customary when the apostle wrote ? Or that he 
should sanction it /—Beza, rather triumphantly, 
concludes that he has discovered and fixed the 
true interpretation; and that the apostle meant 
the washing of the dead ‘bodies among the Jews 
and Christians, before burial, (Acts “ix: 8&7.) 
which he thinks was a profession that ’they ex 
pected a resurrection. “But this use of the word 
baptize, in sucha connexton, could ‘hardly be 
expecjed; and the words will not bear that 
sense by any fair interpretation: Hammond) 
contends, that it means’ the profession’ of faith, 
concerning the resurrection of the dead, which 
was requited of persons at their baptism, which 
represented, as he thinks, the burial’ and resur- 
rection of Christ. Why did they profess this, if 
they did not believe it? But’this is far from sa- 
tisfactory: for ‘thé’ peculiar circumstances of 
some: persons, when they were baptizedj*seem 
evidently intended.—* What this baptizing for 
* the dead was, I confess-I know not, but it 
* seems by the following verses, ta be some- 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


$2 1f +'afterthe manne 
fought with ™ beasts at" Ep 


P Jet us eat 
die. ; 
pEIL28. *y 10. i 

tT Or, 'to speak te ana 


the, &e. Rom. 6.}, 2 Cor. 
19. o Job. 
mm 2 Pet. 2, 12. Jude} 13—15 


* thing, wherein they exp 
‘danger of death” (Zocke.)- 
interpretation, however, suggested by” 
dridge, who received it from Sir Richard 
appears the true one. The apostle refers | 
case of those, who presented themselves 
tism, immediately after the martyrdom’ 
brethren, or at ‘their funerals; ‘as if 
diers should enlist and var 
sault, to supply the f 
len in battle. “Thus 
Christ, and ventared 
at the very time, When 
death for the Gospel, But 
could they propose to ‘themselv 

conduct, if there ‘were 1 aL 
what wisdom could there be 
in this case, Christianity its 
great evidence of its . ith; 


bee me 


courage men from professin 
times of persecution; and to) 
and ashamed to own the cau: 
this were the case, why did Ch 
ral, or the apostles aie evangelist 
iive in continual and urgent 
and death, by their open profe 
pel, and their zeal in promoting 
have no sufficient € geme 
if the dead arose not. 
V. 30—32. The 
most solemn manner, 
his rejoicing with them 
coriverted by his minis 
it our rejoicing ;”) 
was every day expos 
dom; he expected that v 
ly; and his manifold “har 
rendered his life 2 Kind of lin 
To all this he had nothing to o 
ful’ hope and blessed earnest: 
through his crucified and é 
pleasure of bringing others to sh 
salvation : which, upon the pr 
confuting, must prove a mere 
profit then could he derive 
at Ephesus, if the dead shot 
there, “after the manner of 
« wild beasts.” It. is not prot 
apostle literally fought with wild 
public shows: such an event 
have been passed over unnoticed 
Acts of the Apostles; asa F 
cannot be supposed that he would 


e 


is F 4 re 

: “H * f € = \ 
AD. 60. CHAPTER XV. : A. D. 60. 

ved; * evil communi- 36 ‘Thou * feol, » that which thou sow- 
Z. = eet manners. est is not quickened, except it die: 
i ake to righteousness, and t sin} 37 And that which thou sowest, thou 
ie have not the knowledge |sowest not that body that shall be, but 
:* I speak this to your shame. © bare grain ; it may change of wheat, or of 
E some a will say, Y How are|some other graim: 
faised up? and * with what bo- 38 But © God Sivelle it a body as it 
y come? P |hath pleased him, and to eyery seed his 
‘The own body. 

eect 5. ane Hee siiz| 39d All flesh is not the same flesh: 
Geet 


ab, o.-7. 


22. 29, 30. Phil. 3. 
2 


1, 
a Luke 12, 20. & 24. 
25. Rom. 1. 22. 


ee 5 1s. : Is. 61.11 Mark 4. 
b John | 29, 


2. 24. 26—! 
¢ 3.7. Pa 104. ia} Gen, 1. 20—26, 


pleasures, and nothing further is to be expected; 
would be the natural inference from’a denial of 
that doctrine, when carried to its unavoidable 
consequences, Let none then be deceived by 
the specious reasonings and pretences of their 
false teachers: for evena heathen poet, (Me- 
nander,) could teach them, that, “evil commu- 
‘© nications ;” or thé familiar converse of those, 
who.inculcated false and pernicious principles, 
would ‘‘ corrupt their good manners ;” and tend to 
self-indulgence, an undue regard to present ease, 
interest, or reputation, and a disposition to neg- 
leet their duty, conceal their sentiments, and 
avoid suffering for Christ’s sake. Indeed, they 
had already produced these effects in many in- 
stances, and were diffusing their. baleful influ- 
ence. . The apostle must therefore call upor 
them to “ awake righteously,” (in a righteous 
manner,} and as became righteous persons, 
from the lethargy into which these delusions had 
thrown them; for, whilst they were elated with 
an opinion of their superior knowledge, it was‘ 
evident that some among them had pot the hum- 
bling, sanctifying, and saving Knowledge of . 
God; and their communications corrupted the 
zood manners of the rest, This must be spo- 
Ken to their shame, and it behooved them to be 
humbled for it, and ashamed of it: as far better 
things might have been expected from them, 
considering the opportunities which they had en- 
joyed,.and the profession which they had made. 
to}it is. evident, that the apostle constantly aimed 
to bring the Corinthians toa more humble opin- 
ion of themselves, and gradually to draw them 
off from their false teachers. : 

V. 35—38. The philosophizing eptics con- 
cerning the resurection were ready, (a8 the apos- 
tle well knew,) to inquire, In what manner the 
dead could be. raised, after their bodies had 
been turned todust, mixed with other substances, 
and even become a part of other bodies? And, 
if this were . possible, with what bodies, or. what 
sort of bodies, would they come forth from the 
graves? ‘With such as they had on earth? or 
with others ofa different form and constitution? 
ure Tesurrection, with which Such | an. inquirer the apostle addressed as @ 
mforts were inseparably con- {foolish and ignorant. man; who pretended to 
he epicurean maxim, “ Let | limit omnipotency ; and to deny the possibility 
3 row we die ;” let. of.an event, because“he could no t solve: all diffi. 

‘appetite without re- culties about it, and comprehend in what man- 
hardship as much |uer it could take place. Even the ordinary 
Il soon terminate our arian oft the earth exhibited a process, ebieh’ 


wha to such me EE ; and the expression 
‘ afte the manner of men,” favours. the figura- 
But the irrational fury of 
his enraged enemies, with thetextreme danger 
tbo he was exposed, migk...very properly 
represented asa contest vith) savage beasts 
prey. ais expositors have supposed, that 
h tusged veferfed to the tumult at Ephesus, 
ed by Demetrius and his workmen; but he 
fe herwards expresses his purpose of continuing. 
at Ephesus till Pentecost ; (xvi. 8.) whereas, in 
the aes it is said, that “ after the uproar 
une departed to go into. Macedonia.” 
(Acte xx ‘Indeed, his whole. plan seems: to 
bave een deranged, inggood measure by that 
um | (Notes, xvi. 9,10. 2 Cor. i. -8—14.) Had}s 
in this short and figurative expression, allud. 
d to that event, in writing to the Corinthians ; 
it must have been’ as supposing them. previously 
aq uainted with it. It is evident, that. he wrote 
: Ephesus, ‘and that he intended to remain 
e for some time. . The epistle must there- 
ve been written before that tumult; and 
x his perils and hardships at Ephe- 
wu dome be meant. He had Great egens and 
/many adversaries in that city: and it is plain, 
that but a small art of his sufferings have been 
icularly recorded. (Note, 2 Cor. xi. 21-31.) 
MIE this sense,” (the literal. interpretation,) “be 
qi hot. liked, you may interpret, “ after the man. 
‘en Sal athetay ht dane awe 
it be Sie os tention of the men of Asia,..to 
pp im. Note. also, that cruel and 
a -minded ‘men are often. represented un- 
is. metaphor of beasts. So Ignatius, | 
;was carried from Syria to Rome un-, 
band of soldiers,” (who, saith he, are the 
2 for the kindness I show them,) ‘ From 
to Rome I fight, with beasts. And Hera- 
says, The Ephesians -were turned into 
A geared slew < one another? OW it 


sal > tle’s conduct, i in stead- 
ng to profess and preach the Gos- 
ph femonst ny. that he most 


; 
| 


_ tions. (WVote, John xii. 24) ‘Thus the bodies 


A. D. 60. I. CORINTHIANS. 


42 Sa also. fis thes 
dead, i 


‘but there'is one kind of: flesh of men, 
another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, 
and.another of birds. 

40 There are also celestial tees and 
bodies terrestrial : but the glory of the’ 
celestial zs one, and the glory of the ter- 
restrial is another. 

4i There is ¢ one glory if the sun, final 
another glory of the moon, and another 
glory of the stars: for one star differeth 
from another star in glory. 

{Practical Observations.) 


e Gen. 1, 14—16ij) 26,27. Ps. 8. 3, & 3—5, Is. 24, 23. 
Deut. 4,19. Job 31,] 19. 4—6. 148 


itis raised! an 

44 It is sown 
raised a spiritual bog 
ral body, and there 


f yer. 50—54, Dan & 18,3 
12,3. Mat. 13. 43. 4. 23 


& 49.9. 14. Is. 38) 5 Pha sae 
} 17. Acts 2, 27.31 Job 14. 10.' 


‘might wWustrate the subject: for the seed sown 
in the ground does not vegetate ‘except it cor- 
rupt and die. Sume modern infidels have main- 
tained, against the apostle, that the seed does\not 
die in vegetation ; because the germen lives, and 
expands itself, and only the extraneous matter cor- 
rupts. But in fact, the seed, as such, doth die; it 
‘eases to bé a grain of corn; though a part of it 
Springs, as it were, into new life, by a process 
which we can no more fully comprehend, than 
we can the manner of the resurrection, Even 
** a prophet of their own,” Lucretius the epicu- 
rean atheist, says,—* Whatever change transfers 
*-a body into a new class of beings, may be 

* justly called the death of the original 
¢ substance. For what is changed from what 
* it was,—that dies? (€reech.) The boxly 
sown is not the same which will ‘exist, when it 
hath sprung up and produced the full corn in 
the ear, but ‘a’bare grain of wheat, barley, or 
other corn, This, (after corrupting in the earth,) 
by the wonderful power of God springs up and 
produces,an increase; and he gives that increase 
a body, as it pleaseth him. ‘Yet, whatever else 
is changed, he always gives every seed its own 
body, and’so preserves a complete distinction be: 
tween the different kinds of vegetable. produc- 


and be disposed to dispute 
passage does not seem to | to obj 
this kind, sien "he # vy 


the variety, as 
the works oft ¢ 
tions, so as to's 
ties which seem to one 
of different animals, as well as 1 
tables, is differently PEEL ar ps 
supported : yet we cannot compre 
ner, in whieh the Creator hath made a 
serves this difference ; ase dent! 
tende:l.to fit them for kin 
their diverse elements, mL 
Cannot he then raise our. 
state intenced for them, t 
personal identity, and in nner in 
to us? The det ets f sm,and 
God hath formed celestial, as/well. 
bodies ; but the celestial -appear fas 
did. than the act aco mee n 
former there are: ; 
they’are in themed lle, as. 
The sun is-far more 2! 
the reflected light, of 
of the remote stars; : 
more bright than others, 
the resurrection of the de 
righteous will a appear, as 1 
a they now do, ‘as the 
excel aclod of the ¢: 
with different degrees « 
moon, and stars do: 
Adam’s race, and duri 
laid in the grave, is 
tends to:corruption; and. 


will be raised in ineorraption, 


of mortality, disease, or de: 
bat fitted for a state of 
and activity, to all eternity. 
at death, and in thes edgorh f 
dishonour: it lives as a” 
various sufferings: and. 
nei's of the execution, wh 
with mueh ignominy and: ¢ 
wasting state of a dead corpse: 
able in itself; though the di 

Christ has sanctified the 
and his’ resurrection bh 


body shall be raised im pro | 


of believers, after corrupting and turning to dust, 
will be raised in a new and more glorious form; 

not in every respect the same that they were, 
but far superior’and more excellent. “This will 
‘be done in the infinite wisdom, according sto the 
sovereign will, and by the almighty power, of 
God; but in a manner inexplicable to us.» ‘The 
identity ofgthe same’ particles of matter, as 
neeessary to the resurrection of the same body, 
isno where mentioned in scripture: and this 
chapter seems to militate against such an opin- 
ion. God hath many other ways’of preserving 
personal identity : exactly the same particles:do 
not constitute our bodies, for two hours together 
‘any part of our lives ; yet we aré the same per- 
sons, both in body and soul, from’ childhood to 
old age... So that there is*no need to clog the’ 
doctrine with this opinion, which furnishes infi- 
dels with their specious objections against it 

Many of the philosophers, and afterwards of 
the heretics, considered the body, as the’ prison 
and sepulchre of the soul; fram which it would 
at death be delivered: Such men indeed, could 
not but dislike the dectrine of the resurrection, 


written, ; nm The. fir 
wa made a living soul, th 


t, that was not first whieh 
but ° that which is natu- 
fterward that which is spiritual. 
> P first man is of the earth, 
the second man is 4 the Lord 
ven. 

is the cain F such are they 
it are earthy: *a and as is the hea- 


ver. 47—49. Gen] ‘Phi rs 21, 6 Mat. 1. 23. Luke 
iy ag iJobn 1.! 1. 16,17. & 2 11. 
6. 11, 12. John’ 3. 12, 13. 51. 
ev, 21, 6» && 32, & 6. 33. Acts 10. 
36. Eph. 4. 9—11. 
>| 6.6. Eph.| 1 Tim. 3. 16. 
68. &! 4, 22—24. Col G.lr ver..21, 22. Gen. 
& 11} 9, 10. 5.3. Job 14. 4. John 
19.|p ver. 45. Gen. 2.7.) 3. 6. Rom. 5. 12— 
3.) & 3.19. John 3.31.) 21. 
Be S. ie, 2 Cor. 5.1. s Phil. 3. 20, 21. 


qd Ise 9. 6s Jer. 23. 

death and the grave will be rharttiviane: 
ie body will be rendered most beautiful and 
) glorious ; it will be made fit for that) heavenly 
felicity, and those employments in which angels 
ssociated ; and it will resemble the glorious 
‘body of the Lord Jesus himself, the First-born 
‘the dead. “It is also sown in weakness :” 
our manifold diseases, and death in which they 
are peculiar evidences of human im- 

ility ; andthe state of the body in the ground, 
evoured by worms, a loathsome object, and turn- 
‘to the dust, shows most affectingly how little 
\ ‘| men’s power and abilities can do for them. 

Sut the body of a believer will not only be raised 
almighty power; it will also be endued with 
wer of which we have no conception, and be 
d capable of such motions, and of :pro. 
}ducing such effects, as utterly surpass whatever 
|we have heard, seen, or perhaps imagined. In 
short, the body is here sown a. natural, or an 
janimat, body: it resembles the bodies of animals, 
in its wants, appetites, pains, and diseases; and 
er death it turns to dust as they do: but 
eafter it will be raised a spiritual body, ca- 
le of the spiritual work, worship, and happi- 
of heaven ; entirely refined from all its sen- 
dross and low desires ; needing no more 
rest, sleep, or recreation; no longer capa- 
‘relishing animal pleasures ; and no more a 


. For there is a natural body suited to 
on earth, and a.spiritual body suited to 
eavenly state ; nor can i 


epee Leeriginally connected, 

at, ever since: ithe fally the very 
been, carnal, as well as his body. 
pile Kye But‘ the last Adam,’ 
piswemaemianndy: of any: of thi 


Ba Te ny.) Nee ee Rone tee 


a oO BE ia 


pas made ™ a anche 


the dust whence they were, taken, 


';| bodies also, 


‘+ eo wie, Matt, SxiL. Ae 39.) 


a. D. 


wei BAnd as we have borne the i image of 
the earthy, * we shallalso bear the image 
of the heavenly. = « 


50 Now" is I say, ios the = that 
flesh and bloo cannot i rit the king- 


dom of God ; 5 either h corruption ine 
vied incorrur op ie 
51 Behold, y I shew you ja mystery 


2 We shall not all sleep, but we shall all 
be 2 changed, 

52 In » a moment, in the sphincter of 
an eye, at*the © last trump: 4 for the 
trumpet shall sound, ¢ and the dead shall 
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be 
changed. 


t Mat..13. 43. Rom. 
8. 29. 2 Cor. 3. 18. 
& 4.10, 11. 1 John 
3. 2. 

ud, 12.& 7 29. 2 
Cor. 9. & Gal. 3 
17, & 5.16. Eph. 
A17. Col. 2. 4. 

x 6.13. Mat. 16.17. 
John 3i8—6. 2 Cor. 


¢ Ex. 19, 16. &! 297 
18. Num, 10, 4. Ig. 
18. 3. & 27.13. Ez 
33. 3.6. Zech. % 
14. Rey. 8. 2. 13.8 
Be i4. 


5. 10 

y 27. &4, 1. & 13, 

2 Eph. 1.9. & 3. 
3. & 5. 32, 

Z ver. 6 18. 20. 1 

Thes. 4. 14—17. 

a Phil. 3. 21. d Mat. 24. 81. Joltts 

b Ex, 33. 5. Num} 5.25, 1 Thes. 4. 160 

- 21.45. Ps. 73.)e See on, ver. 42, 505 

1 


human race, “ewas a quickening Spirit: the 
Author and Source of spiritual and eternal life 
to all his people, by the supply of bis holy Spirit. 
Nor does this quickening energy relate only to 


‘their souls ; for he will also ‘* quicken their 


“ mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in 
* them ;” and this is here principally intended. 
But the natural and carnal state, in both CaSeSy, 
preceded the spiritual: we are born in sin, bears 
ing the image of the first Adam ; and are after- 
wards born again to bear the image of the second - 
Adam; the soul continuing numerically and ides 
tically the same, though newly created, In like 
manner, we first have a natural and. mortal body 
like that of Adam, and at length we shall have 
an incorruptible and spiritual body Iike that of 
Christ: yet it will be in one sense she same body, 
equally ours, though in another sense it will be 
changed. The first man was formed of the dust 
of the earth, and was earthy in his nature and 


original: but the second Man, to whom all bee - 


lievers are united and eonformed, “ is the Lord 
‘* from heaven,” the. Lord of glory, JEHOVAH, 
God in human nature. As long as we are con- 
formed to the earthly Adam, which, in respect of 
our bodies, will be till the resurrection, we are. 
earthy ») our bodies, during life, are gross, anie 
mal, and diseased; and after death, they turn to 
twhen wé 
shall.be conformed. to the heavenly Adam, our 
bodies will become heavenly, and suited to that 
spiritual and. immortal felicity, to which we shalt 
be admitted. Eyen the apostle and all Christianss 
had borne the image of the earthy Adam ; but 


they should)st length bear. the image of the hea- 
venly Adam ; syne only in their souls, but in their 
hich would be raised very differ eng 
ce and capacities from what they 


in their apy 
earth; and thus all philosophicaf 


were when oj 


objections | are skown to have their foundation 


ignorance of the Scriptures, and of the Power 


i Le 


Ay 


they were. ease by the promise of God, thaé - 


Li 


ee a 


a. D. 60: 


53 For this corraptible must f put on 
incorruption, and. this mortal must put 
on immortality. 

54 So when this corruptible-shall have 
put on incorruption, and & this, mortal 
shall have put on immortality, then shal] 
be brought to pass the saying »that is 
written,» Death is swallowed up in shag 

55:O death, where is thy * sting? O 
* crave; where/ is thy victory ? ? 

56 The ™ sting of death is sin; and 
2 the strength of : sin zs the law ; 


f£ Rom. 13. 12—14.fi Hos. 13,14. 19, & 8.9. & 9.5, 
2 Cor. 5. 2—4, Gal, k Acts 9% 5. Rey, 9-| 6. Rom. 5. 14. 

3.27, Eph. 4. 24:) 10. Gra /- m Gen. 3. 17—19. 
¢ Rom. 2. 7.& 6. 12.|* Or, fell “Lake 16.) Ps. 90. 3—11. Prov. 
& 8.1. 2 Cor. 4.) 23, Acts 2,27. Rey} 14. 32. John 8. 21. 
11. 2Tim.1.10. | 20.43,14- Gr. 24. Rom 5. 15. 17. 
h Ws. 25.8. Luke 20:{] Job 18. 13, 14. Ps.) & 6.23. Heb. 9, 27, 
36. Heb, 2.14, 15.| 49. 815. & 89. 48.[n Rom. 3. 19, 20. & 
Hev-20.16 ere Ee, 2.15, 16. & 3.1 4. 15. & 5. 13- 20, 


Y. 50-54, A similar change’ must also be 
made in ‘the bodies of those, whe shall be found 
alive at the day of judgment: for flesh and blood, 
the human body in its present form and: gross 
mamner of subsistence, and with its present ani- 
mal wants, propensities, and infirmities, cannot 
inherit the kingdom of God, or partake of its 
pure and refined pleastfres : nor can corfuption, 
or the body as mortal and corruptible, inherit 
incocruption, or the incorruptible and unchange- 
able felicity of heaven, The apostle therefore 
declared to the Corinthians a mystery, which 
could not be Known except by immediate reve- 
lation, or understood, except by faith receiving 
that revelation. Speakirig of the whole multitude 
of believers to the end of time, as constituting one 
family, to which he and the Corinthians et 8 
ed, he might say, * We shall not all sleep,” 
die,  but.we shall all be changed.” But ie 
elsewhere speaks of himself, as one of those 
who should be “ raised up by Jesus,” (2 Cor, iv. 
14.) So that there can be no ground for the 
supposition, which many have formed from his 
language, that he expected to live till the coming 
of Christ, which he judged to be very near: and 
the notion’ of others, that he alluded to the frst 
resurrection previous to the millennium, is incon- 
sistent with the language of the passage: for 
they, who have died, (or shall die before the 
millennium,) as truly * sleep in Jesus,” though 
they should arise immediately; as they do, who 
shall remain,in the state of the dead till the ge 
neral resurrection, The apostle therefore only 
Meant to speak of himself as belonging to that 
one family, of whom~ most would die and be 
raised again, and alt must one way or other’ be 
changed. This change will be effected in a mo 
ment, instantaneously, as the éye twinkles ; by 
the almighty power of Christ, when the fast 
trumpet shall sound, as the summons to all men 
to meet their Judge. (.Varg. Ref.) Then the 
voice of Christ. will be heard by all the dead, 
and they will be raised again to life in their own 
order ; and then the bodies of living believers 
will be changed from natural to. spiritual, :from 
corruptible to incorruptible, from mortal to im- 
mortal ; even as a man’s form is changed by put- 

@ 


T. CORINTHIANS: 


57 But © thanks Se to 
P giveth us x mer, 


Jesus Chris 


forasmuch as 2 ey 
x isot in vain se he 


& 7.5—13. Gal, 3. a2 
10—13. 

© Acts 27. 35. Rom Rui 
7.25. 2Cor. L11,] 22. & 
ee & 112. 
% 2 


22. nh. 
Proy, 21. Sdtore Col. 2. 
John 16. 33. Ron. 3. 12s & 4. 
8.37. 1John 5.4) 03. * 
5. Rev. 12. 12s &It 16.10: 
15. 2, 3. 


ting on new vaiibinies 
taken place, i in) of 8 
saying of the ie 
ed. (Notes, Is. xxv. 6— 
power shall be annihilated, ‘ee 
ever,:in the complete vi 
by Christ and his 
consequences, sha’ 


“ gels.” 
mystery, by inform: 
would take places 9m rye in respect t 
in which it would be x offecteds ie still 
mysterious and incom 
mysteries of the Trinity, and 0 
of **the Lord from heaven,” are re 
us certainly true, but the ‘manner 
remains inexplicable. , ; is 
Vs eee With the rigs e! 
the eyes of his faith wah apostle, int 
most beautiful and dinates 
dressed death «and the grave, or T 
world, as. real paeapn eo on ep: 
terrible conquerors 
race. He demanded of 5 ebay was | 
his sting, or his destructive ate or ry ¥ 
which he had caused such 
and wrought such wide-s 
of the grave, what was: 
ry, by which’ he see 
dark dungeon,'as vang eS; 
rations of men that had lived on 
the sin of man was’ the sting an 
weapon of death, which bothe 
the body, and had made that. 
mendous.= and the holy. lasy, pro 
sentence of condemnation ag iol 
y | gressor, gave sin its power to 
mankind, and to embitter its® 
dread of future punishment. 
ral and universal state of 
ave thus lived, died, and. 
bad not God provideddi i 
But Christians might now ret 
with joyful hearts, for: having 
victory over these dreadful foes ‘by 
through his vicarious wai lori 


Vi. eee a posh, 


bd i CHAP. SVE. #8 iL + helene ty ep 

erie Cee S ; hee 9; commeniis rf, who was coming r 

‘The aposi . J Pe Cthiins: ‘in in what way t to} them, 10, 11; ‘aah as * Apollos declines yis 
make col ; for the Christians at Jerusalem, _ ing them at ome , exhorts them to vie 


; and for bringing them to this faith’ 
and a parti. They might therefore at pre- 
sent: t ‘teatomph over the fear of death, in confi- 
| dene 2 of | glorious resurrection for-their bodies, 
‘well as of immediate and eternal happiness 
aA heir souls; and they would all at length 
mo: certainly triumph in the A possession. of 
< hose blessings; and in’a comple lete- et be over 
ese enemies. He therefore exho his be- 
od Shae; to continue steadfast in the pro- 
jon and faith of the Gospel, and immoveable 
the truth and will of God, 
id temptations : “and espe- 
cially to continue ste adfast and unmoveable in 
the belief ‘of the resurrection, notwithstanding 
the artifices . of false teachers, At the same 
time, let them abound in all those good works, 
the commandment and honour of their 

ord require d, from love to his name, his cause, 
land his people: seeing that they had. the fullest 

} as surances, t that their labour “ in the Lord 0G 

from such matives as his Gospel suggested, and 

| especially from love to the Lord, Jesus, and zeal 

{for his honour, . would. by no means be in vain, 

h - unrewarded. or unsuccessful ; but that 

\the wl ole of it would terminate in his glory, the 
zood of mankind, : and their own everlasting ad- 

antag’ Every part of this animated | discourse 

| ghx whows,, that the resurrection of true believers is 
tended: for the things spoken 
ed, either in respect of the 

(dead, or of those: whe may. live when Christ shall 

pine to _judgmen' t, in any others,. by whatever 

a rm, or creed, they are distinguished. 


~~ PRAC CTICAL, OBSERVATIONS. 


1 + the faithful tiiuister: gees “his. helaged 
| drawn aside to embrace dangerous ers 


nent /Christians a alw ys the most humble 
ally reflec the aggravated sins 


were long or g 22 a set. in “Opposition to the 
Gospel. The more epeoar God hath pardon- 
ed them, the less disposed will they be to ex-. 
cuse themselves. They feel their unworthiness 
of the distinctiohs conferred on them; they are 
disposed in honour to prefer others to them- 
selves: and, though they cannot but be con- 
scious of what the Lord hath done for and by 
them ; yet, taking their whole conduct and obli-. 
gations together, they, readily conclude, that none 
are so unfruitful and unprofitable as they. In 
reality, it isa great thing’ for*a man ‘with pro- 
priety,, humility, and truth, to say, “By the” 
“grace of God, Lam what I am” the declara. 
tion only becomes those who are walking under 
the influence of holy principles ; and is utterly 
unsuitable to the character of the loose, or for- 
mal, professor. But if we really fear ard love 
the Lord, and. walk i in his ways, we. must ascribe - 
all the. glory to bis grace. and mercy : if much 
have been forgiven us, we should pray to be 
enabled to love much: if our conversion have 
been remarkable, we should earnestly desire, 
that. the grace bestowed on us may not be in 
vain: if we have set out late in life to serve the 
Lord, we should aim to redeem the time that 
hath been lost, by labouring more abundantly 
than our brethren: and, while we charge all 
our sins and follies. upon ourselyes, we must 
remember to ascribe Ai the good which we do 
| to the oth of God that is with us. 
; Vv. 12-19. nd 


“How subtilly doth satan’ bring in false doe. 
trines, by men of abilities, learning, or eloquence; 
ina covert and plausible manner, that the simple 
may. suspect no danger ! Such teachers, with ap- 
parent modesty, question whether we have righte 
ly understood the sacred writers; and whether 
the doctrine that they oppose be contained: in 
them. They inquire, whether a more rational 
interpretation may not be given to such and such 
jtexts?. Whether the more obvious meaning do 
[not involve absurdity, or even impossibility + 
n| Whether any but the weak and illiterate can) 
‘credit such mysteries ? And whether we had ‘not 
\better-adopt a figurative sense, or admit some 
other reading, or even suppose the sacred writer 
'to’ be mistaken ; than assent to so éncomprehensi- 
ble, and therefore érrationg! a doctrine ? If indeed. 
they could prove the mysteries which they op. 
pose, to be contrary to fact, to intuition, or to de= 
monstration, their principles might be admits 
ted: but ‘when they apply them to doctrines, 
which are merely abave.reason, and contrary to 
theis supposed probabilities, and vain reasonings s 
they are perfectly inadmissible . and irrational, 
unless man be wiser than his Maker. But the 
dupes of. Such specious pretences are seldom 
aware, whither these razonal improvements of 
i-/the creed and of the Scriptures tend: they de 


a 


ors; bis chief comfort under) the trial must 
arise from being: able to xppeal to them, that 
a the doctrine which he preached was Scriptural ; 

land from a full satisfaction, that they who had 
ceived it and stand fast in it, will be certainly 
ed: and that none’ of them can perish, if 
hey y keep’ in remembrance the ‘Instructions he 
v them’: unless they deceived ae 
th a yain, & dead, and inefficient faith, 

‘we may possess this comfort, we adie 
Ful to deliver the truths of God’s word 
, as we have received them; and. in that 
Facet proj ortion, in. which they stand in 
he, pagal attends to oe 


f 


Christ fir our sinsi. and his Peatidcaon 
ustification, are essential and fundamen: 
hs, which must, in all’ places and on all 
ns, be explicitly and strenuously insisted 
stles and prophets concur in bearing 
ly to them, even more than to many 
and, blessed be God, the demon- 
ar Lord’s resurrection is equal to 


3 
a 
¢ 
: 


Syipna e eoa 


Sa le Sy gtk ee 
+ Scoagye ites 


i 
: 7 
A 


A. D. 60; i 


Jance, steadfastness, and love, 13, 14 ; recommends 
the household of Stephanas to their special re- 
‘gard, 15, 16; expresses his'satisfaction at the com- 
perceive, that according to them man’s presump- 
tuous reason sits im judgment on the infinite 
wisdom of God ; man’s weakness is made the 
standard of omnipotence ; and man’s-vain con- 
jecture, the measure of divine revelation !. In 
deed, this is perfectly consistent with those e¢o- 
Nomical ard political sentiments, contended for 
by the same oracizs of an enlightened oge ; by 
which children are set to judge, whether their 
parents are fit to be henoured and obeyed, or 
mot: servants are called onto determine the 
game concerning their masters: and, in short, 
not only is all subordination virtually destroyed, 
but in every relation the inferior is constituted 
¢he judge of his superiors, without any appeal 
from his arrogant ‘tribunal !—iIn like manner, 
the principles before cited, when fairly examin- 
ed, are found to involve consequences, subver- 
give of those truths,,.which are professedly ve- 
nerated ; to invalidate the testimony. of, Scrip- 
gure, and to tend \to universal skepticism: they 
rove, (if they prove any thing,) that the preach- 
ing of the apostles, and the faith of primitive be- 
lievers were vain; and that the martyrs,for the 
Gospel were false witnesses against God, by 
testifying truths and facts, which remote poste- 
Fity has found out to be false or needless! This 
is especially the case, in respect of those doc- 
trines, that relate ‘to the Person, undertaking, 
and atonement, of Christ, and the way of accept: 
ance by faith in him, If Christ had not risen, 
his sacrifice could not haye been depended. on, 
because there could be no proof that it was ac- 
cepted; and consequently believers must still 
have been in their. sins ; they who slept in this 
faite must have perished ;,the: preachers of the 
Gospel must either have been-deceivers or de- 
ceived; and the disciples, having ouly hope in 
Christ as to this present world, must have been 
of all men most miserable !-To what then, must 
. the tenets lead, of those who indeed profess to 
believe that. Christ is risen; yet deny, explain 
away, or oyer-look, that great. doctrine, which 
he especially rose again to establish and demon- 

gtrate? 


V. 20-—28. 


We have fell proof, that Christ hath died for 
our sins; and rose again from the dead for our 
justification, and as the First-fruits of our resur- 
rection: that, as death entered by man, so 
might life eternal be introduced by One ‘in our 
nature. We certainly know, that all in #dam 
die ; ;and it is equally sure that all #2 Chriez shall 
arise ta immortal glory.’ Undoubtedly, the ‘suf 
fering, dying, risen, and ascended Saviour, will 
soon appear to raise the dead, and judge the 
‘world : may we he found among “ those, that 
-& are Christ’s at his coming !” Yt should be with 
‘us a matter of serious inquiry, whether we are 
his true disciples or not? For soon the end will 
come ; the mediatorial kingdom will be deliver- 
ed. up to God, even the Father ; and all who shall 
then be found enemies, will be put under Christ’s 

feet, and ke punished with everlasting destruc, 


I. CORINTHIANS, 


ee ete ses ena Reali var ee as: ade 


| eousness, and not sin; i 


ing of eertait persons from S08 


tion. Would 


glory of God thro 
length rejoice in alk 
his glories ; we sha 
faction, in. the blessed act 


absolute dominion of — 
“ that God may be all 
ceive the whole glory of our sa 
we may for ever serve him ai r his: 
without sin or death ; and without eC 
pentance, forgiveness, a sacr 1B t or. * 
any more, to all eter . 


Should we lose 5 
pect, in the preced 
should any one prevail to 
our expectations ; how m 
and boldness be enervat 
damped! Who then would 
ceed. those illustrious sc S 
have nobly bled in. wie oe 
would confess him | n th 
should we stand in jeopar 
should we venture sagt ge 
than lions and ti rs, more 
pents, and more Jubele than 
ciples would soon induce t 


 tageth it us, if the dead 
tempt us to say, “Let us eat and 
‘© morrow we die.” , Let us 
selves to be deceives C ert 
let us separate from | 
on the ee testin 


shun them asa ee 2 


who know not. God, 
may excel ; being 
will be found sha 


¥f any are still disposed to 
make presamptuous inguir 
scripturally proposed ; 
appellation, which the 
ly Spirit, gives to such wise 
For they may the:-ce learn, 
consists in becoming a little chi 
believing his Maker. The we 
and providence read us daily lee! 
ty, as well as teach us t® admire 
the great Creator’s wisdom and ge 
we can fully comprehend:the w he 
which a bare grain, eoriuptin 
produces many ears of Gorn at 


—— 


ie bn 


HeDi60. | CHAPTER XVI. | : A. D. 60. 

. Ow + concerning the collection for| ’ ge NP Upon 4 the first day ny of the week, let 

b the saints, as I have given order every ry one of you lay by | him in store, eo * 
‘to ¢ the churches of Galatia, even so do| God hath prospered himy‘ that there 

ye. é no gatherings when 1 come: 


d Luke 24,1. J 33. hh. Deut. 8. 18. 
20, 19. 26. Acts 20.) & 15 1l—I4. 2} 3.1—3.12—15. 
7. Rev- 1, 10- Bes a £2 Cor. 8. 11. & 9. 
e Gen. 26. 12. & 30: 12, 4144. 14, 8.| 3—5. 

27. 30. & 32. 10. & wh - 


“Luke 16. 16. 2 com 


5.) 13. 2Cor.9 12—15.|c¢ Acts 16. 


Ib Acts 9. 41. Romr12.] 6. 10. £ ain 5. 
i Philem. 5—7. Heb.| 23. Gal. I. 2. 


a 


Meahistactorily answer all questions, 
solve all difficulties, about it; Iet us learn 
the pupils, and not assume to be the coun- 

. of the Most High : and bas fast the 


and increase our faith and hope; that we may 
not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant £ 
And, having these assurances, let ‘* us be stead- 
** fast, unmoveable, always abounding in the 
“ work of the Lord; as knowing that our la- 


tplexing ourselves about the manner, in which 
*€ bour is not in vain in the Lord.” 


fine wisdom ee power can effect 


. igh yas. 

They shall be becounted wrth to ob- 
tain folic | in the heavenly state, will excel in 
ry all present splendours, far more than the 
jal bodies transcend the terrestrial: and 
: Fiber shall exceed one anether in glory, as 
e star qc from another; while Christ, 
e Sun of Righteousness, shall infinitely out- 
ine them all. This degraded, corruptibie, 
sinful, and dying body, shall be raised incor- 
| ruptible, immortal, and glorious; it shall be- 
come Martin active, and beautiful beyond con- 
; this animal body shal! be raised spi- 
‘Here our very souls are carnal, there 
very. bodies, will be spiritual. And our 
t 1, the Lord from heaven,” will 
pive new and immortal life, as “a quickening 
* Spirit,” | both to our souls and bodies ; that in 
oth, according to our measure, we may bear 
image and glorify his name. As flesh and 
d cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven ; let 
then not “sow to the flesh, of which we can 
p reap ‘corruption :” and as they who shall be 
ted oe death must be changed; let 
sile our minds to that change, which 

ath will begin, and the resurrection complete 
in our bodies ; when death shall be swallowed 
| up in victory. Let us then seek the full assur- 
| ance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, 
if ind i in the Prospect of dissolution, we may. tri- 
) jan mphantly exclaim, * O death, where is thy. 
ig ? O grave, where is thy victory ?? That 
may hail the sharpest pangs of dying, and 
without emotion on the darkness, the cor- 
n, and the horrors, of the tomb; assured, 
there our bodies will sleep at ease ; that in 
Mean time our souls will be present with 
beloved Redeemer; and that our bodies 
hortly arise to share that unspeakable feli- 
cS aut is the sting of death,” and who 

* kingof terrors?” For “ the’ 
ai ‘strength of'sin ;? and who can an- 
demands, endure its curse, or expiate 

ASE ssions? Hence the terror and 
"hence the wretched cleave to life; 
fidelity, despair, and rebellion, in- 
3 and ‘suicide! Hence, death is 
to the unbelieving and impeni- 


NOTES. 

CHAP. XVL V.1,2. The Corinthians seer 
to have been previously acquainted with the 
apostle’s intention, of raising a contribution from - 
the Gentile churches, for the poor Christians in 
Judea; and, as they were more wealthy than 
most of their brethren, he did not intimate a 
doubt of their liberality in that good work : but 
he deemed it proper to point out to them the 
method, which he had given orders for, in the 
Churches of Galatia, whence he had lately 
come. On the first day of the week, let every 
man treasure ep a proportion of his gains, ac- 
cording as God had prospered him during the 
preceding week : thus alarger sum would gradual- 
ly be provided, than could at once have been col- 
lected.—Some are of opinion, that the sums thus 
set apart were brought to the treasury of the 
Church, at the same time: but the words do not 
seem to admit of that interpretation ; and if each 
separately laid by the sum which he purposed 
to give, the whole would be brought together, 
at once when necessary, without any trouble in 
soliciting contributions.—Laying it up as a trea- 
sure. * For these are the true riches, laid up in . 
{y beaven, entrusted to God, to be compensated. 


* and the next; though not of their own value,i#” 
© but of his mere liberality? (Beza. )—Worldly.~ 
men would, at certain times, increase their trea- 
sure, by adding their clear gains to it : let Chris- 
tians imitate them, by laying up on the Lord’s 
day, for their poor and distressed brethren, ac- 
cording as God had prospered them, and count 
this chair treasure. If this was kept apart by 
each person, till wanted, so that none knew what 
others gave ;.ostentation and corrupt emulation 
would be far more effectually excluded, than if 
each brought his contribution to the common 
stock every week, and so a public account was 
taken of it. It was especially needful, that this 
precaution should be taken at Corinth ; where 
these evils exceedingly prevailed : and it is evi- 
dent, that the apostle intended, as much as pos- 
sible, to leave every one, in this respect, to de- 
termine for himself before God, what he ought 
to do; that none might give more than he could 
properly spare, or than he was, from proper mo- 
the» needless slarms of the weak | tives, inclined to, either to acquire applause, o> 
believer. Thanks be to God,|to- escape censure and contempt. (WVores, 2 
prsrante and victory for ys. bo Gor. vig, 115. }~The argument from this pas- 


Christ Jesus! Mays he give us faith and hope, - - 


with the amplest interest, both in this world es 735 


\ 


f) D.68. 


3 And & when I come, ) whomsoever 


ye shall approve by your letters, them 


will I send to bring your * liberality unto 
Jerusalem. 

4 And i if it be meet that I go also, 
they shall go with me. 

5 Now | will come unto you, * when 
I shall pass through Macedonia: (for 1 do 
pass through Macedonia ;) . 

6 And it may be that | will abide, yea, 
1 and winter with you, ™ that ye may bring 
me on my journey whithersoever I go. 

7 For 1 will not see you now bythe 
way; but I trust to tarry a while with 
you, » if the Lord permit. 


gd 19-21. & 11) 8. 4. 19 m Acts 15. 3 & 17. 
34. k Acts 19,21. & 20.1 15 & 20.38, & 21. 
bh Acts 6. 1—6., 2} 1-3. 2Cor. 2. 16,! 5. Ra 15.24. 3 


Cor. 8. 19-24. 17. John 6, 
* Gr gift. 1 Acts 27. 12. & 28. nd. 19. ‘ines 19. 
i Rom. 15.25 2Cor-| il, Tit. 3. 2. 


sage, for the observance of the first day of the 
week, as the Lord’s day, the Christian sabbath, 
is very conclusive: for, unless that were the 
custom in apostolical Churches, why should the 
first day of the week be mentioned in this con- 
nexion? * Oo Sunday,’ says Justin Martyr, * all 
* Christians, in the city or country, meet toge- 
© ther, because that is the day of our Lord’s re- 
* surrection: and then we read the writings of 
* the prophets and apostles. This being done, 
« the president makes an oration tothe assem- 
« bly, exhorting them to imitate and do the 
* things which they have heard; then we all 

€ join in prayer, and after that we celebrate the 
* sacrament” (Whitby.) 

V. 5,4. Every thing having been previously 


- arranged, the apostle, when he arrived at Corinth, 


would send with the bounty of the Corinthians, 
such persons as they approved, and would’ re- 
commend by their letters. Orrather, joining the 
words, ‘ by letters,” with the latter clause, 
whomsoever they approved, the apostle would 
send with a letter from him to the apostles and 
elders at Jerusalem: or if it was thought more 
satisfactory to all concerned, he would himself 
accompany the messengers. 

Vv. 5—9. The apostle was meditating to make 
a progress through Macedonia, when he wrote 
this epistle : and he seems to have given some 
intimations, that he would go to Corinth’ in his 
way to Macedonia, as well as on his return; 
though it is not here mentioned. (2 Cor. i. 15.) 
He had, however, formed his determination of 
coming ; and he assured the Corinthians that he 
would make some stay among them, if the Lord 
would give him leave: for he did not think it 
sufficient, merely to call on them as a traveller in 
his journey, when so many things required his 
presence among them. His plan therefore was, 
to tarry at Ephesus till the feast of Pentecost ; 
the rest of the summer he meant to employ in 
his progress through Macedonia, and then per 
haps to spend the winter with them; expecting 
that afterwards they would help him forward in 
his journey, whithersoever he purposed to go. 
He might intend to sail from Ephesus to Corinth 


I. CORINTHIANS. 


[excited to oppose him, to 


8 But L will tairy ° at’ Epk 
P Pentecost. 

9 Fora A pei eedaines end ffectu 
opened unto me, * and zhere are 
adversaries. 

10 Now ¢ if Timot 
he may be with yi 
he worketh the 
alse do. : 

11 Let ¥ noman 
2 but conduct him forth 
may come unto mez for 
with the brethren. 


Practical 
21. Jér. 10. Fp 2. 12. coe tans 


I 
Acts 18. 21. Rom.| Rev. 3.7, 8. be 
1.10. Jam. 4.15. |e 15, 32. Acts 


19.9,) Thes. 3.2; 
0 15, 32. 10: 2 Cor. 1, 8—10. 

p Ex. 23, 16. Lev.it 4,17. AeA tain te 
“aM 15—21 ver. 11. 1 Tim. 4.) Tim. 


15. 

¢ ‘Acts br ee ee 1S. 58. ‘Rom. 16 z ver.6. sail 
first ; then, after : a short Ga 
nia, anid afterwards return 
he deemed it incumbent on him to 
time longer at Ephesus; as ie 
of service were afforded him 

tended his labours, on: 


from embracing the Ge or to « 
mislead the new converts. ihe I 


fore was peculiarly necessary ; the 
gers and hardships were 


ed. It is evident, from the co rclué udin 
that the apostle wrote this ep 
though the spurious addition C 


it from Philippi. It is probable tt 
made at Ephesus ‘by Demetrius, 
apostle’s departure ; peatiat 
respects to have been u 
Pentecost. 


y-) Ay 

V. 10, 11, crihie ; 
apostle into Macedoni yg h ¢ f Se 
Corinth, (iv. 17. Acts a b 
the disposition of many 
necessary to charge 
perly to him when be 
was apprehensive, that 
opposition to his aut I 
to show such dislike ntempt of 
as to make him afraid of exeeuting ke 
sion among them. He therefore assu 
that Timothy was faithful and skilful in th 
of the Lord, even as he was: let none 
therefore despise him, because 
his supposed deficiency in * 
« words and excellency of sp 
courage and countenance 
timony against the abuses, _ 
place among them : let them ‘not 
his faithfulness, or permit him to 
one who had incurred their displeasure : 
them conduct him forth in peace and | 
his journey towards Ephesus, where the 
expected him with the brethren that acec 
mes him ; or. both he and the brethren at 


te 


12 Astouching * our brother Apollos, 
I greatly desired him to come unto you 
with the brethren: but his will was not at 

all to come at this time ; but he will come 

| > when he shall have convenient time. 

} 3 € Watch ye, @ stand fast in the 

' f i: you like men, £ be strong. 


& all youf things be done with 
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know 
1.27. & 4,1,Col.1.] Phil. 4- 13. Col. 1. 
23. & 4. 1221 Thes. x, iz. 2 Tim. 3. 


3 8. 2 Ties 15. 

é 8.1. & 12. 31. & 
13. & 14. 1. John 
13. 34, 35. & 15.17. 
Rom. 13. 8—10. & 
14, 15. 2€or. 12. 


42—44.| Chr. 19. 13. Eph. 

i a ot Rake at. 6. ‘is—12. 1 Tim, 
| 13. 33—37,| 6. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 3— 
| &i. 6, Bat 36 &4.7. Heb. 11.| 9, 10. 14. Gal. 5. 
13_ 14. 22. Phil. 2. 


36.7 32—34, _ 
= 1. 6,7. 9.18. 1-3. 1 Thes. 3. 6. 
P. 


2) 1 Kings 2.2.1 Chr.| 12, & 4. 9, 10. 2 
€t.| 28.10. Ps.27. 14) Thes. 1. 3. 1 Tim. 
2,! Is. 35. 4. Dan. 10. 
eet. ie. Se 
ls Le 4. Zech. 8. 9. 
ik act 6. 10. 


1, 5. Heb. 13.1.1 
Pet. 4. Bat Sai 
1.7. 


‘susexpected him, as one whom they greatly loved. 
' Probably, Timothy returned to Ephesus, before 
Paul was driven thence. ‘ We infer that Timo- 
} © thy was not sent with the epistle : for had he 
en the bearer of the letter, would St. Paul in 
etter have said, “if Timothy come ?” ‘If 
as with the apostle, when he wrote the 
r, could he say, “I look for him with the 
ren?” © Timothy. was sent forth upon 
is journey before the letter was written ; but 
might not reach Corinth, till after, the let. 
rived there.’ (.fcts xix. xxi.) _ (Paley.) 
: en. Either those who had accom- 
ed Timotby i into-Macedonia, or some, whom 
ne Se expected from Corinth. 
sie Tt: seemsithat a party at Corinth pro- 
Phe mselves attached to Apollos, in order 
- to cover 1eir opposition to the apostle : yet he 
greatly desired that eminent minister to go 
| among them, with Timothy and Erastus, or with 
| Stephanas and his friends when they returned 
Corinth, being of opinion that his presence 
would tend to allay their disputes, having the 
t entire confidence in his wisdom and hu- 
mility. But perhaps Apollos feared lest his pre- 
e should have a contrary effect; or he might 
employed i in another place ; or perhaps 
ught it right to express his decided disap- 
ion of the srmauct of the Corinthians, by 
ting himself till they came to a better tem- 
. However, he. was notat all willing to go to 
th at that time ; though he intended to vi- 
them when he « could with more conyeniency. 


if ) 
The apostle, about to conciude his 
salled on the Corinthians, instead of pre- 
Bon their ‘gifts and Privileges, to be upon 
against temptations, and vigilant in 
© snares of the great deceiver and 


Bee 


AD. | CHAPTER XVI. ee, eae 


he exhorted t them to stand fast in 
ey were = ee pperta and al 


4. D. Ges 


h the house of Stephanas, that it is ithe 
first-fruits of Achaia, and shat they haye © 
addicted themselves * to the ministry of 
the saints, ) 

16 That ! ye submit yourselves unto 
such, and to every one that ™ helpeth 
with ws, and® laboureth. » 

17 Lam glad of the coming of ° Ste- 
phanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus ;~ 
Pp for that which was lacking on your pat t 
they haye supplied. 

18 Forathey have refreshed my spi- 
rit and yours: * therefore eernewicds* 
ye them that are such. 


ap cette 16. | ats tae 
m 12.28.1 Chr 12. 
18, Rom. 16. 3, 9. 
k Acts 9. 36—41.| Phil. 4.3.3 Johns. 
Rom. 12.18. & 15.{n 3. 9, Rom. 16. 6- 
25. & 16. 2. 2 Cor. 12. 1 Thes. 1. 3. & 
lhe heey ape fers, 12.1 
1 Tim 5. Tim. 5. 17. Heb. 6. 
Philem. 7. Heb, i 10. Rev. 2. 3. 
il 


10. 1 Pet, 4. 10, oO ver. 15. 

1 Eph. 5. 21. Heb |p Phil. 2. 30, 

conflict with their common enemies ; and not to 
behave like children in disputing with one an- 
other, and envying one another: he directed 
them to be strong in the grace of Christ for their 
work and warfare, instead of amusing themselves 
with curious speculations: and above all, he 
warned them to manage all their concerns ac- 
cording to the dictates of that love, which he had 
so fully explained and recommended to them. 
(Notes, xiti.) 

Vv. 15—18. Stephanas seems to have been 
with the apostle at Ephesus, when he wrote this ; 
but his household remained at Corinth. The 
several persons belonging to his family were 
qualified for usefulness, and ought to have pos- 
sessed great influence in that Church; as they 
were the oldest converis to Christianity in ali 
Achaia ; and as they had habitually employed 
themselves i in every service, by which they — 
minister to the good of their brethren. 
apostle therefore besought the Christians at Co. 
rinth, to submit themselves to the counsel, influ- 
ence, or ministry, of this family ; and of others, 
who concurred with him in his endeavours to 
promote the peace and purity of the Church, or 
laboured diligently in that good cause. - The 
coming of Stephanas and his companions, (whe 
had probably brought an epistle to bim from 
some of the Church at Corinth,) had given him 
pleasure, because they bad further explained all 
things concerning the state of the Church; and 
their representation of the proper disposition, of 
many of them, together with their pious conver- 
sation, had refreshed his spirit, as they doubtless — 
had frequently refreshed theirs: he ‘therefore’ 
admonished them to acknowledge such persons 
as those, for the servants of Christ, and examples 
for them to follow; in preference to those teach- 
ers, who undermined or opposed his apostolical 
authgrity. Fortunatus is mentioned by Clemens 
Veer long after, as the bearer of this epiatle 


13. 

q Prov. 25. 13. 25 
apt 15. 32. 2 Core 
7. 6. 7.13. Phil. 2. 
28. Col. 4.8.1 Thess 
3.6, 7. 3 John 4. 

r 1 Thes. 5. 12. Hebs 
13. 7.3 John 11, 22. 


a to the Cormtbians, 


i < a 6 


of. D, 60. 


19 The, * churches of Asia salute you. 
* Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in 
the Lord, with "the church that is in 
their house. 

20 All * the brethren greet you. 
x Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 

21 The ~ salutation of me Paul with 
‘mine own hand. 


15. Philem. 2. 13, 12. 1 
x Rom. 16. 16. 21.| Lhes.5. 26. } Pet. 
23. 2 Cor. 13. 13.) 5.14... 

Phil. 4. 22. Philem)\z Gal. 6. 11. Col, 4. 
23, 24. Heb. 12. 240! 18. 2 Thes. 3,17. 


s Acts 19. 10. 1 Pet. 
1.1. Rev. lL. 1h 

t Acts 18. 2. 18. 26. 
Rom. 16. 3, 4. 2 
Tim. 4. 19. Prisca. 

u Rom. 16. 5. Col. 4. 


y 2 Core 


V.19, 20. (Notes, Rom, xvi. 1—16. 21—23,) 
Aquila and Priscilla'were at Ephesus, when this 
epistle was written; but they had returned to 
Rome, before the apostle wrote to the Christians 
in that city. 

Vi2 
rest of the epistle, but the apostle thought pro- 
per to add what follows with his own hand; and 
| to unite a most solemn warning, with- bis affec. 
ah #ionate salutations ; that it might male the deep. 
‘er impression. Whatever gilts, knowledge, elo- 
quence, or eminence, any man possessed ; if he 


Mes did not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him he 
ty anuthema maran-atha. If he had not a cordial af- 
e! + fection and love to the person, salvation, precepts, 


cause, glory, and people of Christ, he was and 
would be accursed, until, and when, the Lord 
should come, though not an open enemy to him 
and his cause. If his conduct proved this, let 
him be separated from the Church, as an accurs- 
ed thing devoted to destruction: and in case he 
. did not afterwards believe, repent, and believe 
with that “ faith which worketh by love ;” Christ 
himself would execute this awful sentence when 
he came to judge the world. But in case it could 
not be proved, or was not suspected by men, yet 
+t it was known to the Lord; and be who had not 
* genuine love to the Saviour, certainly abode un- 
der the wrath of God, and. would at last sink 
into utter destruction as a sacrifice to his jus- 
tice. For he must be an enemy to the holy per- 
fections and righteous government of God; an 
unlumbled impenitent sinner, and an unbeliever 
under the covenant of works and the curse of 
| the law: he must be destitute of all true holi- 
ness, incapable of spiritually performing any 
good work, and unfit for the employment and 
a pleasures of heaven ; who under the. profession 
of Christianity, did not love the Lord Jesus 
ha Christ, or who apostatized from that profession. 
The word Anathema is Hebrew, and signifies, in 
Scripture, an accursed thing devoted.to destruction + 
Maran-atha is Syriac, and signifies, the Lord 
cometh. Some Jewish usages are supposed to 
be referred. to; but the above is. the undoubted 
meaning of the passage. _( Marz. Ref.) The 
apostle, however, did not write this awfal warn- 
ing, (for which he saw too much occasion in the 
4 conduct of the Corinthian teachers;) from: re- 
sentment or harshness of disposition : he there 
‘fore.expressed*his earnest desire that the grace 
and favour of the Lord Jesus might be with 
them, snd rest on them; and he conctuded by 


L CORINTHIANS. 


1—94. An amanuensis had written the 


22. If any man * love nt 
sus Christ, let him herd 
atha. iy 


‘eg yi as 

23 The « grace of our. 
cbrist de with you. » 
24 My 8 love de wi 
Jesus. eee ae 


a Cant. 1.3, 4.7, & 
3..1—3, & 5. 16, Isi 
5.1. Matt. 10. 37. 
& 25. 40, 45. John 
8.42, & 14. 15. 21 
23. & 15. 25. & 16. 
14. & 21. 15—i7, 2 
Cor. 5.14, 15. & 8. 


Nd 


John 4 
ah 
1 
M4, Monit Lets: 
23, 14. 


AS 


ste an assurance of his cor 
all in Christ and for his sake, a: 
any other epistle. To this he 
as assuring them of his s 
standing the rebukes wh 
and the improper Lira 
ceived from them. 


paxcweal 
Vv ue 
It is incumbent on 


their brethren in € st; a 
the best way of co 
contributions: and all 
ready for such good” 
Lord prospers them 
When a little is weekly” 
purposes, itis parted with 
and less reluctantly, than 4 
are required at once. For 
part of the weekly expense, 
other things: but without hee i) 
this kind, the fund for charity is « 
spent on superfluities, the 
cannot well be afforded. 
tions therefore, as | 
ble societies in Lo 
in which even poor 
the constant payment 
raise annually large sums for 
sick and destitute, can 
mended. Much realg 
Gospel is adorned and 
lent example is exhi 
cited to a proportionad 
societies be establishe il the 
Christ ! These — 
with the design of the Christian 4 
when the funds are raised, pradenty: 
interested, and humane persons s 


sen to apply them : nor 

such a service foreign to Np ae, 
necessarily engaged in mS more 

vices. All our purposes should 
submission to the will of God ; and our. 
should be regulated by the di 
providence, in connexion ¥ 
his word. Ministers ought) 
those places, in which 
are opened to them, even thou 
adversaries: nay, tits circums! 
render it more incumbent on 


dangerous and difficult ; 
h and encourage the weak 
or waivering. ‘Itis pele that they, who at- 
pgs on the work of the Lord in the most faith- 

have cause for fear among 


he Gospel; or be in danger of be- 
and disquieted by them. Yet, the 
Of party, the influence of corrupt 
pF the infection of lax principles, fre- 
ly produce this effect: especially, when 
ho are required to reprove, rebuke, and 
with all authority, are young, diffident, 
pr deficient in external accomplishments. But 
senior ministers should use their influence to re- 
this spirit ; that their faithful young breth 
ren may be secured from contempt, enabled to 
do their work in peace, and receive due kindness 
from those whom they labour. The zeal- 
ous servants of Will commonly be harmo- 
nious among themselves ; even when their inju- 
s hearers place them in competition with 
each other: they will concur in opposing such 
ils, though they may have different opinions 
ut the best method of remedying them ; and 
refore they will leave others to follow ‘their 
wn judgment, even when different from their 
wn. 
V. 12—24. 
'Exhortations to vigilance, constancy in duty, 
teadfastness in the faith, and mutual love, can 
ever be unseasonable. They who have addict- 
| themselves to the labour of love, in minister- 
ing to the saints, are most worthy of respect 
d imitation; and not they, who are fiuent in 
peech, and forward to-assume the lead in pub: 
¢concerns. We should also willingly submit 
‘those, who are experienced and mature in the 
ith of Christ; or who labour to promote that 
se, fer which the apostles spent and laid down 
lives. . Faithful and pieus persons may 
ay what is lacking in each other; and their 
sonversation will refresh the spirits of such as 
re like-minded. Christians, though divided by 
yeas and sere and though they disapprove 


‘ 


through Macedonia. 


Il. CORINTHIANS. 


A. D.61. 


of some things i in ace other’s creed or practise, 
will yet cordially wish well to, and pray for, one ~ 
another. But they, who “ love not the Lord Je- 
“sus,” can be Christians only in name ; and they 
must certainly abide under an awful curse, 
which the Lord when he cometh will execute.— 
Our obligations to the divine Saviour, and our 
reasons for loving him, are infinite: yet many 
who are called by his name, who profess his 
truth, nay, who preach his Gospel, are strangers 
to this holy affection, and only seek their own ad- 
vantage, credit, ease, or pleasure, in their reli- 
gious performances. They may conceal this 
fatal defect from the most discerning of their 
fellow-servants; but the Lord when he cometh 
will surely detect it. Let us then call ourselves 
to account in this matter, and not be satisfied 
with any religion, which does not include the 
love of Christ, earnest desires of his salvation, 
gratitude for his mercies, zeal for his glory, and 
obedience to his commandments. Let us inquire, 
whether we do indeed count, all things worth- 
less, compared with Christ and his righteous- 
uess ? Whether we be willing to give up world- 
ly objects when they come in competition with 
him? Whether we love his image in his people, 
and be willing to deny eurselves, that we may 
communicate to their wants ? Whether we love 
his ordinances, as means of communion with 
him? Whether we rejoice to hear him glorified, 
and gpieve to see him dishonoured? Whether 
we allow ourselves in any known sin, or the neg- 
lect of any known duty? By these inquicies im- 
partially answered, we may form a good judg- 
ment of the state of our souls. But while we 
warn those around us not to deceive themselves, 
we should beware of the appearance of anger 
and resentment. We should desire th athe 
grace of Christ may be with those, whom we 
thus caution; and we ought to assure those of 
our cordial love in Christ, whom we see it need- 
ful to reprove and warn in the most plain and 
solemn manner. 


THE | 
_ SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE 


TO THE 


CORINTHIANS. 


Si 


¢ seems tolhave been written about a year after the foregoing, while the apostle was on 
Having heard by Titus, that his first epistle had produced 
fects on many of the Corinthians, he wrote this also, in order to prepare the way 
stely for his visit to them; and it is probable, sent it immediately by Titus, and 
mpanied him. In it he justified himself from the charge of levity or carnal po- 
his journey to Cerinth; and assigned those reasons, for this part of bis c: yaduct, 
have been disclosed with Propriety, till ‘the effect of bis former epistle had eS 


A, D 61. II. CORINTHIANS. 


peared. He also gave directions respecting the restoration of the incestuous 
been excommunicated, He then expatiated on his conduct in the Christian mini 
many exhortations with the avowal of his motiyes and fervent affections in hi 
With great address and earnestness he recommended to them collections. 
Christians at Jerusalem, and showed the manifold advantages of st “services. 
“more ‘direcily, yet evidently with great reluctance, contrasted his o 
and conduct, with the pretences of their false teachers; and sho 
to any of the apostles. Ahd he then concluded with various admonitt 
wishes. These epistles may appear to some readers less interesti than se 
cause they mainly refer to the peculiar circumstances of the Corin hit in Mice: but i 
they are the more instructive on that very account : as directions and admo ‘ions, suited | 
many of the more ordinary incidents of life, are communicated by them; Y poate ha 
been so advantageously adduced, in a more general discourse on the Be and dati 
of Christianity. : 
The most remarkable circumstance in this epistle, is the confidence of the tc in eae 00 ig 
of his cause, and in the’ power of God to bear him out in it, Opposed, as he then was, | 
powerful and sagacious party, whose authority, reputation, and interest, were deeply conce 
and who were ready to seize on every thing, which could discredit St. Paul; itis wonderf 
hear him, so firmly insist on his apostolical authority ; and so unreservedly appeal to the 
culous powers, which he had exercised, and_ conferred, at Corinth. So far from shrinking fro 


the contest, as afraid of some discovery being made, unfavourable to th commen cause h 
with great modesty and meekness indeed, but with equal boldness an 6 
clares that his opposers and despisers were the ministers of satan. 
raculous judgments, when as many of their deluded hearers had ek 

- and re-established in the faith, as proper means could in a reasonable tim 
ceivable that a stronger internal testimony, not only of integrity, but of divine ins vat 

‘exist. Had there been any thing of imposture among the Christians, it va next toi 
but such a conduct must have occasioned the disclosure of it. of 


———> >> Gee othr, AM peeah 


¥ 


CHAP.. I. 

The apostle salutes the Corinthians, 1,2; and bles- 
ses God for consolations and deliverance in ex- 
treme danger, lately youchsafed to him ; for the 
benefit and comfort of others also, as well as an 
earnest to him of future deliverances, 3—lly He 
rejoices in the testimony of his eenscience ; and 
expresses his confidence of their attachment to 
him, which had induced him to purpose a journey 
fo them, 12—16- His delay of his journey to Co- 
xinth did not arise from fickleness, #7, 18. He 
states the stability of the promises of God through 


Christ, and the security of believers, 19 —22; and | 


declares that he had postponed his visit from lenity 
ane the Corinthians, 23, 24, 


AUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by 
the will of God, and Timothy our 


brother, unto ¢ the church of God which! 


is at Corinth, with 4 all the saints which 
ae in all © Achaia: 
f Grace de to you, and peace from 
God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus 
Christ. 
‘8 & Blessed de God, even »,the Father 


a Seeon,Rom.t. 1—| 1, 1. le Gen. 14. 20, 1 Chr. 
§.1Corl 1. je 2% & 1. 10.) 29. 10. Neh 9, 5. 
b Acts If 16 \Rom.} Acts 18.12. Rom.| Job 1.21. Ps. 18. 
16. 21, 1 Cor. 165) 15-26. & 16.5. 1] 46. & 72. 19. Dan. 
10: Phil. 1.1. & 2! Cor. 16. 15, 1 Thes.| 4.34. Eph. 1. 3e 1 
19—22, Cole 1. 1] I+ 7, 8. Pet.1. 3. 
1 Thes, 1. 1.2Thes. £ See on, Rom, 1. 7h 11, 31. John 5.22, 
1. 1. Heb, 13623, | 2Sam. 15. 20. 1) 23, & 10. 30. & 205 
or a 1, &e. 1) Chr. 12. 18. Dan.} 17. Rom, 15. 6. 
: 4. 1. Gal, 6. 16,] Eph. 1. 5. 17. Phil. 
£ 1 toe PY 11. ‘pph| Eph. 6. 23, 2. i1. 2 John 4,9. 
A A 
NOTES. 
CHAP. I. V.1—7. (Notes, Romi. 1—8, 1 


Car. i. 1—3:) The apostle joined his beloved 


of our Lord Jesus en 
mercies, and * the God Me co! 
4 Who !comforteth usin all « 
bulatien, ™ that we may be able: to 
fort them which are in any tro 
the comfort wherewith we ou 
comforted of God. 
5 For ® as the. suffe 
abound in us, ° so our onsola: 
aboundeth by Christ. > 
6 And P whether:we be afflicted, 
for your consolation and salvation, * 
is * effectual in the enduring of hoes 
sufferings which we aio ao oF 
ther we be comforte: it 
consolation and salvation. _ i 
7 And 4 our hope of you is oe 
knowing, that = as ye are partakers. 
sufferings, so shall ye be also Of; tse 
solation. 


" “or 


1 Ps 86, 5.15. Dany 1 These 4, 18.& 5 
9. 9. Mic. 7-18. | 11. Heb, 12.12. 
k Rom. 15. 5. n 4. 10,11. & 11. 
17. 6,7+ Ps. 86. 17-| —30. 1 Cor 4.10—! | 7 

Is. 12,1. & 49. 10.4 13. Phil. | 

& 51, 3. 12 & 52] 3. 10. cai "12. 20, 
9. & 66. .12, 13:10 Luke 2. 25. 6.717 
John 14. 16. 18.26.) 2.1. 2 Thes. 2. 16,!r_ fat. 

2 Thes. 2.16, 17. | 17. Luke 2 
m ver. 5, 6. Ps. 32.'p vers 4. Be 4 35} 
5.6. & 34.2—6. &1 18. 1 Cor. 3, 21) Ce 
66. 16. Is. 40. 1. & oa 10 ES 
66. 14. ‘Phil. 1.14.|* Or, wrought. 4.1 12 


Timothy with himself, i in this on Ey 
the Corinthians, that Pe: mig 
putation and influence. a 


ae a 
Q 


aD. 61. CHAP 
3 For we would not, brethren, have 
you ignorant of our trouble which came 
‘to us in Asia, that we were pressed out 

of measure, above strength, * insomuch 

that we despaired even of life: 

9 But we had the * sentence of death 
in ourselves, " that we should not ‘trust 
, but * in-God which raiseth 


I 
ij 
I 
I 


‘Luke 18. 9. 

X 4.13, 14. Ez. 37. 
1—14. Rom. 4. 17- 
25. Heb. 11. 19. 


i £ 


in ourselves 
“the dead ; 
| gp 4.712. Acts 19.)u 3.5. & 4. 7 & 12. 
| 28—35. 1 Cor. 15.| 7—10- Job 40. 14. 
82. & 16.9. C 22. 29. & 44. 
# 4.8. 1 Sam,20. 3.) 5—7 Prov. 28. 26. 
_& 27.1. Jer. 923,24. & 17, 
® O}, answer. a4 
learn that Timothy was come to him from Ephe- 
| gus, before he wrote it. ‘He calls Timothy 
© his brother, probably, that he might not be des- 
« pised for his youth” (Whithy.) He taddress- 
af tas epistle, not only to the Church of Corinth, 
put also to all the saints in Achaia ; meaning all 
| professed Christians, who were to be considered 
“as saints in the judgment of charity. “After the 
usual salutation, he abruptly broke forth in 
/ thanks and praises to God, as the Father of 
‘our Lord Jesus Christ, (and consequently of all 
believers in him,) as the Father of mercies, the 
Source and Auther of every kind of mercy to sin- 
fal men, abounding in mercy and delighting in 
it; and as the God of ali comfort, the inexhaus- 
»tible and everlasting Spring of peace, joy, and 
‘cotisolation, to all who trusted in him. It is 
observable that eleven of St. Paul’s epistles 
‘begin with exclamations of joy, praise, and 
“thanksgiving. As soon as he thought of a 
‘Christian Church, planted in one place or an- 
other; there seems to have been a flow of 
© most lively affection accompanying the idea, in 
€ which all sensibility of his temporal affections, 
or theirs, was swallowed up, and the fulness 
of his heart must vent itself in such cheerful, 
* exalted, and devout language” ( Doddridge.) 
‘Goed tidings from the Churches, which bad been 


| planted by him, always animated the apostle ; 
and his heart was now full of satisfaction in what 
ad heard from Corinth by ‘Titus. He there- 
e blessed God for comforting him and his 
companions in labour, amidst all their troubles 
and persecutions, that they might be able to en. 
‘courage others who were in trouble, by suggest- 
ing the same topics which God had made use of 
for their comfort. They could also assure their 
brethren of the sufficiency of divine consola. 
tions ; secing in their own case they had experi- 
eficed, that, as sufferings for Christ’s sake, and 
ch as he endured, abounded in them ; so, their 
isolations also abounded in proportion, by the 
ace of Christ and the joy of his salvation. — 
therefure they were afflicted ; they consi: 
sd these painful trials, as allotted them in 
‘to qualify them for their work, in promot- 
nsolation and salvation of their hear- 
blessings, were efficaciously com- 


‘the souls of believers, by means of 


‘5—7. Ez. 33. 13.] ¥ 


TER I. d. D. 61. 


10 Who ¥ deliyered us from so great 
a death, and doth deliver ; in whom we 
trust that he will yet deliver ws ; 

11 Ye also “helping together by pray- 
er for us, * that for the gift bestowed up- 
on us by the means of many. persons, 
thanks may be given by many on our be- 
half. Geni 


1Sam, 7. 12. &jz 9. 14. Is. 37. 4, &} 3.1 Thes. §.25. 2 

17. 87. Job 5. 17— | Thes,.3. 1+ Philem. 

Rom. 15. 30—82. 

Is, 46. 3,4. Acts26 Eph, 6. 18, 19. Jam. 5. 16. 

21, 22, 2 Tim. 4, a 4.15, & ¥- 11,12. 
SS i Lote ae 
ed to embolden their brethren for sufferings, and 
theitexperimental and sympathizing exhortations 
and instructions led them to behave properly un- 
the other hand, when the apostle and his helpers 
were comforted, their consolations were intend- 
aS tending to illustrate the faithfulness of God 
to his: promises, and his gracious readiness to 
showing them how comfort might be found.— 
These considerattons both reconciled them to 
come., The apostle’s hope concerning the Co- 
rinthians was rendered steadfast, by what he had 
hensible : as it was evident, they shared in. his 
sorrow and uneasiness, and were willing to par- 
therefore he was assured, that they would par- 
take also of his’ consolation in Christ. Ewen the 
under the New Testament, to distinguish the 
one living and true God, from all other objecis 
Being of deists and infidels :) as that of “the 

“ God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” had heen 
vA, from Baal, or Jupiter, or vther imagined 
deities. None was tke true God, but the God of 
ther our of Lord Jesus Christ. . (Marg. Ref.) 

VY. 8—i1. 

this was so long before, that he would scarcely 
have thus: mentioned it on that occasion. “As he 
or at least when he was in Macedonia; as Ephe- 
sus was the chief city of Asia, according to the 


(Prdeticat Obseroations.] ’ 

Be Hiv84 18,901 Rie Mer SAME Ree AS, ate 

ay ee Fe | Phil. 1,19. Cok, 4, 
to animate’them in persevering under them ; and 
der, and to derive benefit from, their trials. On 
ed for the encouragement of their people also ; 
support those who suffered for his sake ; and by 
sufferings, and rendered consolations doubly wel- 
heard, notwithstanding all that had been repre. 
take of his sufferings for Christ’s sake; and 
Father, &c. This style seems to be adopted 
of worship, (without excepting the Supreme 
under the Gld Testament, to distinguish JEHO= 
Abraham, &c, none is the true God but the Fa- 
referred to his sufferings in Asia, (Acts xiv.) but 
seems to have written this Epistle from Philippi, 
sense in which the apostle aways uses that word ; 


and. as he had just before been driven by Dime- 


trius, andthe tumult excited by: bim,_it is pro- 
bable that he referred to the furious persecutions 
attending on that transaction‘ It may be said, 
« perhaps, that it does not appear from the histo- 
‘ry, that any danger threatened: St. Paul's life; 
‘in the uproar at Ephesus, so imminent as that, 
‘ from which in the epistle he represents himself 


| *to have been delivered, This matter, it is true, 


‘is not stated by the historian in form; but the 


| § personal danger of the apostle, we cannot doubt, 


Some think that the apostle here ” 


— 


A D. 61, 


12 Por > our rejoicing is this, the tes- 
timony of our conscience, that in -¢ sim- 
plicity and ¢ godly sincerity, ¢ not with 
fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, 
we have had our conversation in~ the 
world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 

13. For we write none other things un- 


b Job 19. 15. & 23.) 
10 1%. & 27. 5, 6. 
& $1. 1—40, Ps. 7.1 Heb, 13. 18. 1 Pet. 
8-5. & 44. 34 3.16. 21. 1 John 3,' | 


Cor. 4. 4. Gal. 6, 45] 19. 
1 Tim. 1. 5. 19, 20.{d 2.17.& 8. 8. Josh: 
24.14, 1 Cor, 5, 8. 
Eph. 5. 14. Phil. 1. 
10. 16. Tit. 2. 7. 

je ver. 17. & 4.2. & 


Is. 33. 3. Acts 24-| 19-22. 
36. Rom. 9. 1. ie 11.3. Rom-16. 18 


* must have been-extreme, when the whole city 
€ was filled with confusion; when: the populace 
© bad seized his companions; when, in the dis- 
‘traction of his mind, he insisted on coming 
¢ forth amongst them; when the Christians who 
‘were about him would not suffer him; when 
“his friends, certain of the chief of Asia, sent 
‘to him, desiring that he would not adventure 
‘himself into the tumult; when, lastly, he was, 
“obliged to quit immediately the place and the 
£ country; and “ when the tumult was ceased, 
« to depart into Macedonia.”—* Nothing could be 
© more expressive of the circumstances, in which 
«the history describes him to have been, at the 
*lime when the epistle purports to have been 
‘ written,” than the verses under consideration, 
*Itis the calin recollection of a mind emerged 
¢ from the confusion of instant danger. It is that 
* devotion. and solemnity of thought, which fol- 
* lows a recent deliverance, There is just enough 
© of particularity, in the passage, to show that it 
“is to be referred to the tumult at Ephesus.’ 
(Paiey.)—The apostle, however, had been weigh- 
ed down with distress, which was beyond meéa- 
sure grievous, from the concurrence of outward 
dangers and hardships, with inward disquietude 
about the state of the Churches: so that they 
were insupportable by any strength which he had 
previously possessed ; and he was by them led to 
“despajr of being any longer preserved in life, to 
exectite his plans of future usefalness. He even 
considered himself as a condemned person, hav- 
ing the sentence of death in himself, in that he 
judged his doom inevitable. Nor indeed had he 


any method of escape by his own contrivance or | 


efforts, or any confidence it himself: but he was 
brought to trust only in Ged, who by his almigh- 
ty power raiscth the dead, and was therefore able 
to rescite him. Accordingly, he had delivered 
him from so imminent a peril of death, when it 
seemed to have taken hold of him; and he still 
continued to deliver him from the rage of his 
enemies : he therefore was encouraged to trust, 
that he would yet deliver him, and preserve his 
life for future usefulness. This be expected in 
answer tothe prayers of the Corinthians, who, 
he doubted not, had thus assisted him, and would 
continue to do,so: that his life and term of use- 
fulness being preserved by means of the prayers 
(of many persons, numbers might also unite in 


lessing God on his account, and for the benefit 


derived through his Ministry. In all this he 
spoke in the plural panel as joining his fellow- 


II]. CORINTHIANS. 


to you,  thaniwhat ye. read or a 
ledge ; and I trust ye shall ac 
even to the end; © 


fin part, > that we are. your re ai 
tevenas ye also. areours, * i in the ¢ 
the Lord Jesus. Pore 


“10. 2-5. & 12, Sle 2. 5: 
—19. 1 Cor. 2, 4,5. 

13. & 15. 10. Jam. 
3.13—18 & 4. 6. 
f 4.2. &/5,11,& 13.| Gr. > 
6. Philem. 6. 


labouregp with him; but he doubtless 
with special reference to his own case. 


prejudiced against the apostle, and some still ik 
sinuated several things to his disadvantage ; ‘br 
amid this discouragement, and a his other trials 
he possessed a constant source 

tation, in the testimony of “Of his 0 
For though, as a sinner, he could 
and glory in Christ Jesus ee 2 
might rejoice and glory in his inws 
ness of being truly what he profess 


enabled to exercise his 
plicity and singleness 0: toa eal 
glorify God, by. doing good ¢ and in th 
godly sincerity, that . unadulterated 
which sprang from the fear and- Jeune a 
and approved itself to him. For heh é 
warped by carnal. wisdom, from any 
aim at his own interest, reputation, or 
to use duplicity or dissimulation ; but had 
under the influence of divine grace, in- 
and executing such designs, as 
to promote the conyersion of sinners 
prosperity of the Church ; rao re 
reproaches and sufferings is 
‘posed on that account, My D 
tual conduct m every ee the rly 
since be had. been called to pr 
the Gospel : 
fested this disinterested sell Fed 
“simplicity and_ godly sincerity,” f 


cael 


14. As also» ‘ye have acknowle 


7 Sete 
38 Rome 


h 5. 12. 1 Core 
—23. Phil. 


i 9. 21 Core 15. 3 


V. 12-14. Many of the Corinthians had 
ah and exul 


peared to be; and especially in that he had 
ministry with a 


were best suite 

d th 
ing th 
\ he. was 

been his h 
8 and pre 

but he had more abundantly mag 
behaviour towards the Corinthians ; ‘though 
had been the first to suspect and accuse hint 
the contrary. He, however, now wrote no oth 
things on this subject, than what they xead in t 
former Epistle, or than appeared to be : 
vious meaning of his words: that is, he 
them in candour and artless simplicity, not. 
ing his designs by specious and 
guage; nay, he wrote nothing but what 
them acknowledged to be Hc ap h 
would acknowledge to the end- They had 
cop iiedect him in part, (or pare ve 

have been the instrument of their 
and avowed that they rejoiced and | 
their relation to him, and in his attentio 
and this was no more than correspe 
rejoicing, or glorying,.in them, and on tl 
count, which he trusted would be contint 
unto the day of Christ, when 
judge the world. j 


4 ite * 


AD. 61. 
45 And) in this confidence I was mind- 
ed to'come unto you before, ™ that ye} 
might haye 4 second * benefit; 
16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, 
|m and to come again out of Macedonia 
‘unto you, and of you to bebreught on 
| tay way toward Judea, sede ih 

be [Practical Observations. 

| 17% When I therefore was thus minded, 
dl use ° lightness ? or the things that 
‘purpose, dol purpose P according to 
‘the flesh, that with me there should be 
‘yea, yea, and nay; nay? ~ sap 

18 But © as God is true, our t word to- 
ward you was not yea and nay. 
Igawa Rampal 
m Rom: 1. 11. & 15.|p ver. 12. & 10. 2, 

oar ene eS 

eee beer 22, 1| T pk 
| Cor. 16.'5—7. 

|W. 15, 16. Confiding in the testimony of his’ 
conscience, and in the affections of the Corin- 
thians in general, the apostle had purposed to 
visit them before that time ; in the firm persua- 
‘sien, that, according to his earnest desires, they 
would derive a second benefit from him, for their 
establishment and consolation by grace. ‘This 
‘shows, he had been only once at Corinth, at this 
fittie, (Vote, xii. 14,15.) He had intended to 
)pass by Corinth in his way to Macedonia, and to 
‘call as’ he went, and then afterwards to return, 
and make‘a longer stay. This must have been 
fis plan, for Corinth was out of his way into 
‘Macedonia; nor could’ it be supposed that he 
iid come near that city, except in order to 
{visit the Christians there. (Note, 1 Cor. xvi. 7.) 
‘Probably, he had given some other intimation of 
|hiis purpose to the Corinthians, than that which 
is contained in the former epistle. He, however, 
saw reason to alter his design, and to go into 


Macedonia by Troas. ° 


a John 5, 20. Rev. 
3.7, 14, 
f Or, preaching. 


Thes. 2.18. 
q@ ver. 18-20. Mat. 


) altered his conduct and doctrine, as circum. 


@uct to levity? Or would they conclude, that 

| purposes were formed and changed from 
worldly policy; so that he affirmed or denied, 
ght or retracted, as it best suited his interest 
mbition? Some of them might indeed sus- 
him of this, and make it an argument 
st his doctrine; but as God was true and 
) whom he made his appeal ; his word, 
hing to them, was not proposed in this 
nd wavering manner: he had never con- 
yhat he ‘had once taught them, nor 


CHAPTERT, — 
- ¥9 Eors the Son of God, Jesus Christ, 


» Jobn 7. 28. & 8.26. | 


4. D. 61. 


who was preached among you by us, 
t even by me and Silvanus and Timothe- 
us; "was not yea and nay, but in him 
WHS Yede iL iiyer es : 

20 For *all the promises of God in 
him'are yea, and in him y Amen, 2 unto 
the glory of God by us. 


u Ex, 3, 14. Mats) & 11.13. 39.40, 1 
24. 35. John 8. 58,! John 2.24, 25. & 5. 
Heb, 1.12, 13.8 13-] 11, 12. - 

16. Heb. 


gs Ps. 2. 7. Mat. 3. 
17. &16. 16,17. & 
17. 5. & 26. 63, 64. 
& 27.40. 54. Mark 
1. 1. Luke 1. 35, 
John 1. 34.49. & 3, 
16. 35, 36. & 6. 69. 
&19. 7. & 20. 28. 
31. Acts 8. 37. & 
49. 20. Rom, 1. 3, 4. 
2 Pet, 1. 17. 1 Jobn 
1,3. & 5. 9—13, 20. 
2John % Rev. 2. 


18. 
t Acts. 18 5. Silas. 


8. Rey. 108. 11, 17.) Is. 65. 
x Gen 3.15. & 22) John 3. 5. Gr. Reve 
18. & 49. 10. Ps} 3. 14. ~ 

72.17. Is. 7. 14 & |Z 4.6.15, Ps. 102, 
9.5,5.. Luke 1. 68} 16. Mate 6. 13. 
—74. John 1,17., Luke 2. 14. Rom; 
& 14. 6. Acts 3, 25,) 11. 36. & 150 7 
26. & 13. 32—39.} Eph. 1. 6. 12—14- 
Rom. 6. 23. & 15.) & 2.7. & 3. 816. 


22. Heb. 6, 12--19. 
& 7. 6. & 9.10—15, 


1.10.1 Pet. 1. 12 
Rev. 7. 12... 


great Author, * the Son of God, Jesus the Mes- 
«“ siah,” whois “the same yesterday, to-day, 
« and for ever.” Thus they had proposed his 
salvation to the Corinthians, with the most en- 
tire consistency and unwavering steadfastness. 
They had not said first yea and then zay, in these 
matters; but had constantly declared, that all 
salvation was to be found in him alone ; and that 
the covenant of grace, and all its engagements, 
were fully confirmed im him to all, who are 
found one with him by faith. In these doc- 
trines they had been most explicit and decided = 
though in various matters of less importance, 
they had used a prudent self-denying accommo- 
dation ; and had been careful not to instruct the 


people in the deeper mysteries of Christianity, - 


before they were able to bear them. (Votes, 


1 Cor, iii. 9.) In this uniform and constant tes-_ 
timony the apostle persisted; because he knew, 


| that all the promises of God to his people through- 
out the Scripture, were made in and by Jesus 
Christ, and that ail centered in hiin, the great 


tanices required, and’as suited his present con- | filling his largest promises to all. believers.— 
|| veniency. But would they believe such accusa 
|| tions against him? Would they ascribe his con- | Amen to the promises which he had before gi- 


8.9. Gal. 3. isi] Col. 1, 27.2. Thes. , 


A. D. 61. ; Il. CORINTHIANS. 


23 Moreover, ¢ I call Goa for: 
upon my soul, f that to spare yo 
tor 


| 7 


21 Now he which ® stablishéth us with 
you in Christ, and hath » anointed us, zs 
God ; , 

22 Who hath also © sealed us, and 
given the ¢ earnest of the Spirit in our 
hearts. 

& 5. 5. Ps. $7. 23, 24, 
_ & 87.5. & 89. 4. 
“Hy. 9.7, & 49.8. & 
62. 7. Rom. 16. 25. 
Col. 2. 7.1 Thes. 3 


a3. 2 Thes. 2 17. 
& 3.3. 1 Pet. 5.10. 


V. 21, 22. The apostle’s established belief 
of these truths, his reliance on these promises, 
and constancy in his ministry, were not the re- 
sult of human wisdom or outward teaching ; but 
were effected by the power of God, who had 
brought the Corinthians also to a firm faith in 
‘Christ, and to fellowship with him. God had 
anointed them by his teaching and sanctifying 
grace, and so, removed their natural blindness 
and prejudice against the truth. He had also 
sealed them, both to mark them for his own, 
and to secure them to himself, by enstamping 
the divine image upon their souls through the) 
new-creating power of his Spirit ;. whose graces 
and holy consolations were the earnest, and 
pledge, and foretaste in their hearts, of the hea. 
venly inheritance, to which they were called.— 
From these causes the apostle derived his, con 
stancy and confidence in. preaching the Gospel ; 
and believers were influenced by them to hold 
fast their faith without wavering. Some indeed 
interpret “ the anointing,” of miraculous powers, 
and * the seal,’’ of the sacraments: but as the 
apostle includes the Corinthians with him in 
these things; soit is more consistent with the 
tenour of Scripture to explain the anointing, of 
such divine communications, as belong to Chris- 
tians in general, and of which none else partake. 
(Marg. Ref.) Sacraments are but outward seals| 
of the covenant, and neither distinguish beliey- 
ers from others, nor secure all who partake of 
them ;. and miraculous powers have been exer- 
cised by very wicked men: but the renewal of 
the divine image on the soul in sanctification, 
and the love of God shed abroad in the heart by 
the Holy Spirit, form a seal and earnest of a far 
more distinguishing and permanent nature. 
(Mars. Ref.) 

V. 23, 24. Having thus vindicated his conduct 
and doctrine from the charge of inconsistency ; 
the apostle, in the most solemn manner, called 
God to witness the truth of what he was about 
to assert: he desired that he would testify fur, 
or against him, as he saw the case to be; and he 
could expect nothing but awful judgments on his 
soul, if he spake falsely after such an appeal,— 
With this introduction he declared, that he had 
postponed his visit to Corinth, in order to spare 
them those censures and miraculous judg- 
ments, which he feared would have been un- 
avoidable, if he had gone thither immediately 
on leaving Ephesus. He had not then received 
any information what effect his former epistle 
had produced : he was aware, that time would be 
required to bring their affairs mto some better 
state; and he thought it more adviseable to wait 


over your faith, are ee st 
joy: t for by faith yerstand. wm 
e ver. 18. & 11. 11.) 2 an 2. 1- . 


$1. Rom. 1.9. & Oy edly 
i. Gal. 1. 20. Phih 
ie hak 


b Ps. 45. a Is. 59, 
21. & 61. 1. John Se 30. 2 Tim 2. 
3. 34. Acts 10. 38.) 29. Rev. 2.17% & 
Rom. 8. 9. 1 John' 7. 3. & 9. 4. 
2,20. 27. Rey. 1. 6.]d 5. 5. Rom, 8. 23, 
e John 6,27. Rom,} Eph. 1, ee 


- 1. Eph. 1, 13. 


1.8. 1 Thea. % 5. 
10+ 

F2. 3.& 10. 2.6 
12. & 12. 20, & 13. 


Pets 5. 3.) i 


a little longer, that he ght at le : 
“ with a rod, but in fi and in the spi a 
« meckness.” He did not mean'by this'to | lain 
an absolute authority, in dictating to them, as ¢ 
himself, what they should believe: or jbo 
insist, in a dogmatical manner, on their 
ing every particular, which he taught th 
the command of Christ, He had not thus us 
ed dominion, or lorded Sich them, ‘in’ 
“ pect of the faith ; Bpirglahes: 3: nal 


his instr Bees laa 
he deemed it necessary, a 
presentative of Christ, to 
even sharpness, against sucl er 
Gospel and corrupted its doctrines ; 

“ faith” they stood accepted with God, 
were enabled to stand steadfast amidst trials 
temptations. Those persons,  therefe 
perverted the fuith by false lak pt 
rupt practices, were about to take from 
that support, by which they stood ; to yaa 
to fall into various evils ; to mar their joy, ai 
do them immense mischief, if not iepded 
helpers of their joy therefore, the apostle 
his friends must take a d en yap 


these enemies to their holiness and comfort 


PRACTICAL OBSERVA 
Wes heehee 
The Church of God is his rie sid 
in which he displays his glory 
bis grace: all therefore wh blog 
be saints, devoted and co 
persons, however, of a ¢ 
inwude among them; grace 
“from God ne Father, and our 
“ Christ,” will be given to the saints alone. 
sinners, who have believed in Christ, should es 
be ready to bless and praise our God even 
sharp sufferings. He is “ the Father of x 
« and the God of all comfort ;” nor can we 
pect too much from his infinite compassio 
love ; or too highly celebrate the praises of 
he hath already done for us. "We must» 
tribulations: they are needfal, profitable 
unavoidable ; and they, who hate’ been 
noured by the Lord Jésus, have also” 
conformed to him in sufferings: but! 
tions his eonsolations to the troubles of 
simply trust and serve him; and he thus 
them capable of comforting: ot 
fort with which they are comfo 
afflictions and eonsolations of ministers, esp: 


MD. 6%. 


‘phe Be TL. 7 

‘The apostle. shows. his purpose, ‘of not coming to 
- Corinth, in heaviness ; ; and the grief with which 
| he had written bis former epistle, 1—4_ He di- 
» rects the Corinthians to forgive and restore the 
ee" as he had forgiven him in 
ly, an fer intended for the sake of ‘others, as 
| as themselves : that by their example, ex- 
ie peretee, counsels, and exhortations, they maj 
“promote the consolation and salvation of the peo 
ple. For these blessings are commonly brought 
home,to men’s hearts by means of trials and af- 
tions ; and the minister, who is a stranger ‘o 
sufferings and divine consolations, can seldom 
‘duly sympathize with the mourners, counsel the 
“tempted, encourage the dejected, or even bear 
with the infirmities of the weak. This should 
reconcile us to our sorrows, and teach ts to seek 
benefit from them : and it should animate us to 
more earnest prayer for proportionable grace and 
consolation, that we may exhibit an edifying ex. 
ample under trials; for assuredly we shall re- 


' those afflictions, which have been rendered sub- 
_ servient to our salvation, and that of any of our 
| Lord’s beloved people. We may have a steadfast 
‘hope of such professed Christians, as sympathize 
| with the afflicted servants of Christ, and are 
_ willing to suffer for his sake; being confident, 
that, as they partake’ ‘of the sufferings, they shall 
_ also share the consolations of his Gospel. The 
sord sometimes permits his children to be ptess- 
f out of measure, even above strength, and to 
e driven a almost to despair of deliverance ; that, 
having the sentence of death 1 in themselves, they 
may learn more simply to trust in his almighty 
ower and all-sufficient grace. This often oc- 
ars in the concerns of their own souls : inward 
ptations and conflicts, connected with out- 
i my difficulties, fill them with desponding fears 
Red anxieties ; they are made to feel, that infi- 
| nite mercy ‘and omnipotent grace alone can pre- 
serve them from the most terrible downfalls, or 
| even from final ruin: thus they are driven from 
all self-confidence, and Jearn to cast themselves 
L iiolly, on God: and when he hath repeatedly 
scued. them “ from so great a death,” they 
Imire his truth, power, and love, and are en- 
ouraged to hope, that he will yet deliver them, 
and make them victorious over all their enemies. 
Haueh scenes of conflict and terror, especially, 
feel that we need the prayers of our brethren: 
id we should thence learn to pray for all, who 
te tried ands tempted; as well as to unite in 
nksgivings with such as have received gra- 
ous deliverances. Thus all our trials and mer- 
aes, being mixed ‘with prayers and praises, will 
erminate in the glory of God, and in oun own 
and each others spiritual advantage. And even 
fflicted Christian, who is fully assured 
| felicity, ought to desire and value life ; 
God is pleased to make him useful to 
f men, and an instrument of promot. 


ry 


oy. 12—16. 
comfort amidst troubles, re- 
ions, and slanders, we must seek 


sat 


«CHAPTER IL 


joice in heaven on account of the sharpest of 


A, Dy 6h: 


_ Christ’s name, 5—11. His, uneasiness, at not 
finding Titus at Trous, had induced him to go 
directly into Macedonia, 12,13 He blesses God - 
for the joy and triumph, which had attended bis 
faithful preaching: of the gospel in every place, 

/ 417. 


for the rejoicing in the testimony of our con- 
science. It indeed we are upright in our pro- 
fessed repentance and faith in Christ, and his 
atoning blood ; and careful to serve the Lord in 
simplicity and godly sincerity, according to our 
places in his Church and in the community; and 
if we*have our conversation in the world, not by 
fleshly wisdom, but by “the grace of God ;” 
we may greatly exult in these evidences of our 
acceptance in Christ, and our adoption into the 
family of God ; and may take this comfort’as an 
abundant counterpoise to every calumny, and 
even as a sure anticipation of the favourable 
sentence of our Judge in the great day of acs 
count, Yet, we need not wonder, if we be sus- 
pected by those persons to whom, and for those 
actions in which, we have behaved most consci- 
entiously. — Sometimes simplicity and godly sin- 
cerity may require that line of conduct, which 
to superficial or prejudiced observers may have 
a contrary appearance : and on some occasions a 
man may be deemed inconstant, because he will 
not go the whole‘length of a party, and coincide 
with them in their follies, mistakes, and sins, 
We should, however, leave our characters in the 
Lord’s bands ; only using proper means to clear 
them, when the credit of the Gospel, or our 
usefulness, calls for it. Ministers, and the peo- 
ple who have profited by their labours, shoulé 
now rejoice in each other, as they may expect to 
do at the last day. Whatever interferes with 
this reciprocal j joy and affection should be guard 
ed: against : and believers should be careful not 
to grieve, by neglect and unkindness, those faith- 
ful friends to whom, under God, they owe their 
eternal salvation; and who are concerned for 
their best welfare, with all the tenderness of 
affectionate parents. And ministers should de- 
sire to visit their beloved people, from whom 
they have been separated, not only for the com- 
fort of their company, but that the people may 
have still further benefit from them. 
V. 17—24. 

“This very unjust : and uncandid to ascribe every 
alteration in a man’s purpose or conduct, to light. 
ness, instability, duplicity, or carnal policy; es- 
pecially when his general character bears an- 
other stamp, and there may be good reasons 
for the change that hath taken place. If we are 
thus unjustly censured or suspected, we must 
make our appeal to God : yet it behooves us to 
be steady and constant in our conduct and pro- 
fession, as far as we can; that we may “ avoid 
“the appearance of evil.” This is peculiarly 
incumbent on the preachers of the Son of God, 
Jesus Christ, the AMEN, the true and faithful 
Witness 5. in whom all the promises of God are 


|given and confirmed, in the most steadfast and 
unchangeable manner, ‘* to the glory of God by 


‘© us." What he hath already done leaves no 
room for us to doubt of the exact performance of 


‘ 
a 
MY 


every promise to all believers: his word, cove-| of those, who would deceive and iebe 


A. D. 61. II, CORINTHIANS. 


UT «I determined this with myself,| from them of whom I ‘ought to’ 
> that I’would not come again to|® having Confidence’ in you all 
you in heaviness. joy is the joy of fy i uF 
2 For ¢ if I make you sorry, who is} 4 For 4 out ch “aftlictiak’ d an- 
he then that maketh me glad, but the} guish of heart =| Sonata you. with a2 
same which is made sorry by me? ny tears ; inot ld be grieve 
3 And 4 I wrote this same unto you,} but that vé might a 1 
¢ lest, when I came, J should have sorrow} have more abundantly. ‘unto ag 


a 1. 15—17. Acts 115] 7. 5—8. & 12. 20,1212: 26. Meise 3 4 a tie 
29. & 15.2. 37. 1} 21. See 10. 1 Cord cent: 21 & 5.} 12.11. 
Sas bee 10. 


Cor. 2.2. & 5. 3 1, £15. & 7.16. & 
Tit. 3. 12 © 2, 1. & 11. 29 le ia 21. & 13.1, 2.| 8 22 Gal. 5. 10.) 5,6. Jer, 13, 
b yer. 4. & 1623. &! Rom. 12.15. 1 Cor. Philem. 21. Luke 19. 


nant, and dispensations are so ordered, as to| It is, however, best to use more lenient m 
give encouragement to the weakest faith, We} as far as there is a prospect of success 
may not only say, “ Hath he spoken, and will he| avoid even the appearanceof severity, ea 
not do it?” Hath he interposed with an oath,| done wbpiee with ee bate 
and will he now fail those, who “ flee for refuge 
“to lay hold on this hope set before them ?”’ : 
But * he hath not spared aisown Son; and will! CHAP. 1, V.1—4 The 
“he not with him freely give us all things ?”| mined in himself that he w 

Vet unbelief excludes men from the blessing ;| be avoided, make his intended visit 
and many believers come short of comfort, be-| thians, till he could go with cc 
cause they are distrustful and of little faith. If) and them. He expected that he should 
then we have heen established in Christ with| with them by his epistles, tovexcluc 
these ancient believers, it is God that hath done} remained refractory, : 
this great thing for us: the sacred unction of| those who had been drawn 
his. grace, the seal and earnest of his Spirit, and | | might be able to go among 
those holy tempers and gracious fruits, which ' heaviness and disiress of mind, whieh 
attend our confidence and consolations, secure’ have felt, if he had been constrained to t 
us from delusion in so important a matter, and | lish his authority by censures ee 
distinguish genuine experience from all the joys; When be had before visited Cae 
of hypocrites, enthusiasts, and apostates, We | ceived and eommunicated j + and he oe 
should never call God to witness, except on im-| willing to come the sec : time in a 80 
portant occasions, and in the most solemn petang ity" Even his steady friends must 
ner; when other ways of ascertaining the truth, | shared the sorrow, if he had been forced tor 
and avouching our integrity, are insufficient, and| cise severity ; and so his y 
momentous concerns are af stake; yet, the ex-| distressing to them and to him.) He 3 
ample of the apostle, under the immediate i inspi- fore written before, and he now wrote again, 
ration of the Holy Spirit, fully proves, that so-|order that the prevailing abuses” might be re 
lemn oaths in some cases, are both lawful'and ex-| dressed : lest he should receive Antero? 
pedient. The record of God will be on our souls, | very persons, in whose hag Me ge ; I 
either to justify or condemn us: he’ * will not | walking, he ought to have h 
“hold those guiltless who take his name inj he was- confident that they 
“vain;” and we ought so to act, that in all or-|this plan, as he would not 
dinary cases our yea yea, nay nay, may be suffi-| was the joy of them all. 
cient to ensure credit to our testimony. If the} knew, that this rule adr 
apostle did not exercise dominion ever the faith) it was kind and prudent 
of Christians, we should by no means call men| favourable opinion of tht i 
master or father, or implicitly submit to their de-| and to. represent the disaffected part 
cisions and assertions; nor should we ever attempt) small, as not to bear any Broponiia wl 
to lord it in this manner over any part of God’s} and adherents. He bad indeed written t 
heritage. We ought to remember, that ministers/ mer epistle, especially those 
are the helpers of the Joy of believers; and we contained rebukes, in great 2 on,’ 
should seek the increasing comfort of our bre-} strained by the anguish of his Meee at 
thren with prudent and persevering tenderness, distressing things concerni ‘them ; and 
and affection. Yet as Christians stand by faith] wept abundantly at the pain ‘necessity 
only, and all their joys must flow from the vigor. i ed on him: yet, he had not intended yi 
ous, uninterrupted, and authorized exercise of} cause them needless grief; but ra tc 
that leading principle ; so, every thing that tends| vince them of his more abundant love 
to weaken, mislead, and subvert the faith of pro-! by performing this most self-dei 
fessed Christians, must be watched against and; tressing act of Christian friendsh 
opposed. Sometimes therefore genuine love,! ry to their inclinations, and 3 
and a wise desire of helping the joy of believers,| curring their displeasure. 
will dictate sharp rebukes and decided censures 


at to such a man is this * pin, 
ch was inflicted of. many, 


im, and comfort hims lest 


uld TaN your fae toward him. 

9 For to this end “also did I write, 

that I might know the proof of, you, 

‘whether ye be obedient i in all things. . 

lu Tot whor ye forgive any thing, I 

ue also +: for if 1 forgave any thing 
yhom I forgave zt, for your sakes fae 

sae! in the + person of Christ ;. 

HDS ¥, Lest. 4 Satan should get an ady an- 


» 25. 1) 194, 3, Prov. 1612. 
g 2.13] Is. 28. 71 Cor. 15. 


2. 12. 2'Thes. 3. 14. 
Phifem. 21. °° 

tS. 20. Matt, 18.18 
John 20, 23,, L Cor. 
1] 5. 4s. 


Bed ed 
f 12. & 23 
8.) Bee: 


.1- © 
¥. John 13. 2. 
on Acts 14.25. 1 


; ag & 10.6. Phil} 

5-1, (Notes, 1 Corey. 
incestuous Corinthian, aa: -the-connivance | 
the Church, , had peculiarly troubled the 
jostle : but he had borne only a part of this 
ief, f them had shared it with him. 
d, that he might not charge too 
}.on them, or be supposed to 
ey ‘had-all: alike been. culpable in 

As to the offender himself; 
rebuke. Bich excommunication, which had 
en inflicted on him by many, (or by the Church 
and $ Ministers, acting according to the sen- 
‘and command of the apostle,) suffice for 


effect : and, therefore, instead of further 
verity, they ought. to forgive and encourage 
im; lest over-much sorrow should unfit him 
s duty, or give: satan an opportuni 

ing him to hard thoughts of God sage 
to.. apostacy, or eyen to despair, which 


Bt. Paul would therefore now entreat for the of: 
ader, as he before protested against him: and 
ht them to confirm their love to him, 
ring him to. communion, and by sympa- 
-his sorrow ; that he might be assured 
r , though apparently severe, had 
from the same friendly disposition — 
had written so decidedly on this sub. 


nd ready, not oniy in this,, but 
3, to concur with them in re- 
thelr communion, RS Broneeh 


- CHAPTER It. Me 


any have. eaused grief, he tage of us: for we are not isnopaats of 
red me, but in part: that 1 xB 


sontrariwise,* ye, ought rather] 
‘sa anone should pier swallow- 


you, 4 that. ye} 


Jt Or, sight. hae 
qj 21, 3. dds 1 Chr. } 
|. 16. 9. Co 


Cor. 7. 5. Eph.6. |) 


The crime ‘of 


is punishment, . It appeared. to have had a salu. 


of 


might swallow him up, and. oceasion his ruin.— 


e trial of ye PEO obedience to 


n that: they were disposed to regard: 
He was therefore confident. of accordingly did, and his report had ea 4 


San \ 


A D. 6. 


his devices. 5 [Practical Observations.) 
12 9 Furthermore, x when I came. ‘to 
Troas tofreack Christ’s. gospel, ¥ and a 
door was.opened unto me of the Lord, 
13. I had 2 no.restin my spirit, | because 
I found not ‘Titus my brother ; but tak- 
ing Amy. leave of them,» I went from 
thence into Macedonia 
‘14, Now thanks be-unto God, dwhich 
Jways causeth us to triumph in Christ, 
and maketh manifest e the savour of his 
knowledge by us in every place. ai 
_ 15 For we are unto God f a sweet sa~ 
your of. Christ”s in them that are ‘saved, 
stand i in them that perish. 
-. 16 To the one we are » the savour of 
‘death unto death ; ; and to the other the 
savour of life unto life: andi who. is suf- 
aoe forthese things? 
ig Beg oA 2 Tim. ‘f Acts 20. 1, 2. 18. 25. Bz. 200 415 


25,26, 1 Pet. 5: 8.Jer. 4%. & 8 16, & Eph: 5.2, Phil. 4, 

‘Rev. 2024. & 12. 9} 9015. Pph.e §. 20. 1] 18, 

11, & 13, 8, Thes. oe 9. “Rey, 7. g 43,4. Is. 49. 5, 66 
|x Acts 20-1—6. 128 t Cor. 1: 18.2 Thess 
-y Acts.14.27.1 Cor, aPs. 106, 47. & 148.) 2. 10. 

+A. 3. Revel 14, Rom. 8. 37-1jh Luke 2. 34. Johm 
Be Fy 88 ‘}'Con 15.57. 9. 39. Acts 13. 45— 
Z 16 5, bs bee e ver, 15 16. Cant. 47 & 20.26, 27. 2 
& 8.6. 16.23- & Rs 1.3. Rom: 15. 19.) Pet. 2. 7, 8- 

18: Gal’ 2.1. ‘lGen 602 13. 5,6. 81211 2 
Tims. aaribAs4, f Gens 8,21. Bx. 29.! Cori 15+ 10%. / 


and pardoned, those who had. been laid under 
‘the censures of the Church: this he would do 
for their, benefit, in the presence of Christ, as 
representing his:person, and as acting by his au- 
thority, (Votes, Mart, xvi. 19. John xx..25.) He 
was also the more desirous of thus concurring? 
in the reconciliation of the offender, lest satany. 
their subtle adversary, should obtuin some ade 
vantage by their delay ;. either by tempting the 
offender: to. despondency ; by bringing an evil 
report on Christians, as rigorous and. unforgiv- 

‘ing ; or by discouraging. other offenders, deter~ 
ting, men from embracing the Gospel, exciting 
further divisions i in the Church, or otherwise 
preventing the success of the ‘Gospel. For he 
Was not ignorant of the manifold devices of that 
enemy, and. by what varied machinations he en- 
deayoured to deceive and prejudice. men’s _ 
minds, and to disturb the peace of the Church, 

It is observable, that the apostle scrupulously 

avoided naming this scandalous offender: 

NV. 12,.13... After Paul ha been driven. from 
Ephesus, he went to Troas in his way to Mace 
donia : intending to stay, a short time in that city’ 
to preach the Gospel,. of which a favourable ops 
portunity. presented . itself, (Notes, Aois xx. 1, 
2:) . But not meeting: Titus there, according ta. 
his expectation, and having réceived no tidings 
from. Corinth ; his mind was so discomposed . 
about the affaires, of that Church, that he could. 
not comfortably continue at Troas: but he hast- 
ened. ‘into Macedonia to meet Titus, whic 


him to write this. second » epistle, and t 
proceed leisurely ‘through the Churches | 
cedonia, before. he visited Gerinth.- 
aD 


en. to 
Mie 


7 OA, { v pA | 


A. D. 61; 
“a Poin’ FY wes : : . 
17 Forweare not as many, «which }.cor- 


de 402 Se 10, 18} 18, & 4: $, 40 Tits 2008: 12. O & 19.) 1 


15. Jer. 5 31. & 23.) 1. 11.2 Pet. 2. 1—} 20. i 
27—82. Mat, 24. 24,| 3. 1 John’ 4, 1, 2!% Or, deal deceitful- 
2 Tim: 1.20, & 4.) John 7—11. Jude] ly. 

1+3. 2 Tim. 2.16! 4. Rev. 2. 14, 15. 


V. 14-17. ‘The happy turn given to the af 


fairs of the Corinthians, the confidence which the 
apostle entertained of success in that undertak- 
ing; and his usefulness in other places, caused 
him to break forth in thankfulness to God amidst 
his difficulties and distresses. He, had’ indee 
sharp: conflicts to sustainy but the Lord gave 
him such multiplied victories, that he went from 
city to city. as a triumphant conqueror ‘in the 
cause of Christ.. And, asin triumphs abundance 
of odours were used, so, the name and salvation 
of Jesus, (“fas ointment poured forth,”) was a 
sweet odour diflused by him in every place : so 
that he and his fellow-labourers were pleasing 
and acceptable to God, by their testimony to 
_ Christ, ané through his merits, as a sweet-sinell. 
ing savour; not only in respect of those who 
were saved. by their means, but also in those who 
perished through unbelief; for in both cases 
God was glorified by their preaching. To the 
one indeed their doctrinve was an occasion of ag- 
grayated condemnation, through the depraved 
state of their hearts, and their enmity to it, or 
abuse of it; ever. as costly od@urs are sometimes 
pernicious and fatal to. diseased persons: and to 
the other their. doctrine was as a delightful 
odour, that exhilarates the spirits, renews health, 
and prolongs life ; for, loving and embracing the 
salutary’ message, they found it to be unto life 
and salvation... But, as. such important conse- 
quences were connected with their sacred minis- 
try; and as faithfulness alone could render it 
acceptable and honourable to God, or profitable 
to men, who of the human race could of himself 
_ be sufficient for such a service? Or who would 
dare to engage in it without trembling? (iii, 5, 
6.) This.obliquely hinted at the self-sufficien- 
cy of the Corinthian teachers: but they were 
more, immediatety intended, when he spake of 
many who sophisticated. the word of God, as dis- 
honest vinters do their-wine ; when they pre- 
serve something of the colour and taste, but 
dilute it, or mixitup with other liquids, which 
weuken it, prevent its efficacy, or even render it 
poisonous, in orderto enhance their profits,— 
Thus, these teachers preserved some important 
truths in their preaching, to render it_ more spe- 
cious ; but they Corrupted it by human inven- 
tions, philosophical conjectures, or lax opinions ; 
- Gill it became inefficacious, and even pernicious, 
‘to the souls of men = this they did, to pay court 
to the prejudices. and inclinations of their follow: 
ersi; that) they might establish their own infiu- 
ence, and gratify their avarice and ambition.— 
Learned. men have differed greatly in opinion 
about these corrupters of the Gospel; whether 
they were Judaizing Christians, or Gentile con- 
verts, or heretics, as the Gnostics in particular 
were: but, beyond all doubt, there were cor. 
rapters of the Gospel, at that time, of differene 
descriptions, who perverted it in various ways.— 
The apostle, however, was conscious that he was 


I}, CORINTHIANS: 


not actuated by sue! 
and propagate such d 
in the most entire $ 
sent by God, and serving 
his grace, and as acting 
of Christ and his salvation in’ 
out at all consulting his own 
clinations of his hearers, € 
profit. : 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
i shseMian dh aes Bear My . 

We should always give 
when it must be done : fo 
Christian spirit, we shall sh 
sorrow which we occasion 
for faihful ministers ¢ 
of. whom:they ought to rejc 
prived of comfort even rons 
ministry, through the necessit 
der of making. them ‘sorra 
joy ought to. be the jo 
part of an vaffectionat ist 
gives most offence, is ‘often p 
with great affiction and angtish of h 
with many tears: so far is he fron: 
grieve his beloved people, that he 
to his own feelings, and ventui 
sure, fiom his abundant affactio 
that he may, even against their 3 
them, if possible, fromthe dangers; 40 . 
artifices of deceivers andheir Own inexpet 
expose them. Such ministers willbe 
to ie their brethren,’ a nd not | 
demn them harshly or indiser ninately. 
not desire to magnify (eet aee iat or 1 
tiply their complaints ; they would bave 
sure employed. or continued in : 
evident necessity; they will sh 
speak comfortto the penitent; 
in restoring the most grie 
* spirit of meekness,” when 
sistently with the honour 
purity of the Churel 
others to assure the offe ir 
salutary rebukes of discipline have 
proper effect. Though no man has 
exercise dominion over the faith of his! 
yet, as far as ministers act accordin: 
mandments of Christ, they are aut 
pect obedience from the people; 
Sometimes properly make trial 
should always be ready to expre 
disposition : and when church censu 
rial rebukes, or ‘the reconciliation 
are regulated according to the we 
and as in his presence, they will be1 
if he had been present in perso 
We should always be upon o 
tan get an advantage agains 
enemy knows how to avail hi 
takes, Whether of ill-timed leni 


¥ 


Patent 


2 suey 
rized. 
g a 


i uae 


CHAPTER HI. - 4A, B.6N: 


ioe, _ CHAP. Til. b, epistles of commendation to you, or 
po -obyiat ‘the ‘charge « of vain-glory, the apostle ‘letters of commendation from you? ae 

/ shows, at the conversion of the Corinthians was 2 Ye care our epistle written (¢ in our 

a sufficientiattestation of Christ to his'ministry, 1 hearts, © known and read of all men: 

abe all his sufficiency and success} 3 FF j Weel 

r and proves the glory of the gospel] orasinuch as ye.are manifestly de- 

stip ieee of the law, 6—11; declaring felanea to.be f the epistle of Christ, & mi- 

nistered by” us, wwrittefl not with ink, but 


se “plain speaking accorded to his ministry, 


be removed when they t turned to the Lord, 


holiness which arose from fai 
‘Mlumination of the Holy S 


| fs O we * begin agai 


ith i 2 Christ and the 
Spirit, ays Oasce | 
| to commend our- 


‘ “a 217.8 & 195 1 Con 3. 10. els 4s 15, & 10.33 
ph 10. 8. eR ao a] 


. Verity : he buoys. up men with presumption, or 
hem to despair ; he represents the minis- 
” ters and professors of the Gospel as licentious, or 
‘as over-sirict, just as appearances.vary ; he rais- 
$s contradictory slanders to. . prejudice men 
| against the truth, or to destroy the peace of the 
Cherch. We should therefore study, by atten- 


xperiencés, by conferring 


“watching out own 
by fervent prayer, to get 


“witb our brethr 


4 


perhaps impossible, i in this present state, 
separate fervent, actiye zeal, from an over- 
ious solicitude: and though we should not} 
we Id to any thing, that takes us off from our pre- 
Psi ent work ; yet it may sometimes be profitable 
| fo or us to recollect, that even St. Paul could have 
“rest in his spirit in preaching at Troas, 


he Corinthian Church. If, however, our hearts 
right with God, our disquietudes will termi- 
nate in thanksgivings ; ; our conficts in victories | 
and triumphs ; and the labours of the faithful mi- 

r will be Accepted and graciously rewarded 
by our God, whether his hearers be’ saved, or 
nerish. But, how dreadfulis the case of num- 
bers, to whom the blessed Gospel becomes “ the 
javour of death unto death 2” and the faithful 


tion, serve only to seal and appravate 
demnation! “This is a painful thoug 

ervants of Christ: as they would gladly be 
savour of life unto life” to all, who come 
the sound of their voice, or by any means 
made acquainted with their doctrine. But 


eir 


ich must follow on our preaching to our- 
_ and our hearers, make us shrink back 
were, under the consciousness of unwor- 


ee, 


ee d insufficiency | especially as so many 


at ae their, deluded followers, May 
e how the case is with us; may we} 


Holy 5 Sr 
in eae of Gan 


was less obscure than that of Moses, 12—) 
showing the blindness af the Jews, which |); 


; 16; and describing the liberty and progressive |, 


selves ! ? orneed we, as some others; 
je Rom. 4. 8,1 Thes, 


“tion to the Scriptures, by cari observation, by |. 


examples : 


hrough his earnest desire to learn the state of 


ffectionate endeavours of ministers for their: 


the: 


7 should the consideration of the consequen | 


Shanna ety 


‘with the spirit of » the. liying God; ‘not 
in tables of stone, * but in fleshly tables 
of the heart. 


hm ae 13.27,1 Cor. fx. 31, 18, Rev Mat. 16, 16. iThes. 
{| 2+ 8 12.18, & 3} Te 9. Heb. 9. 14, 
«7 14.22, Ab mal 24, 12. & 34. 
e 1Cor, 3. 5-10, - 
a 1a: & 11.71. &lh 6. 16. Josh. 3. 10, a 8, Jer. 31. 
12.15, Philei. 7. {\1 Sam, 17. 26. Ps.| 330° Eze 11. 19. & 
42.2, & 84. 2. Jer.) 36; 25—27. Heb, 8. 
1.8, 10, 19., Dan, 6- 26+] 10, & 10. 13., 
forth many such ministers into his Church, and 
stop the raouths of all false teachers; and may 
‘every Christian learn to ‘distinguish ‘between 
faithful shepherds, and all kinds of wolves and 


foxes i in sheep's BIO 


me “eon 3.10. &9. 


e NOTES. 
CHAP? I. V. 1-3. The apostle’s OpRo- 
nents would be ready to censure the foregoing 
declaration, as another instance of his commend- 
ing himself; of which, it is probable, they al- 
jleged that his former epistle contained some. 
but.could the Christians at Corinth, 
in general suspect him of being’ actuated by such, 
motives? Did he or bis'friends need such a tes. 
‘timony to their character? Was ‘there any oc. 
sasion for other Churches to give them recom: 
mendatory letters to the Corinthians? Or that 
the Corinthians should thus testify to their cha. 
racter, for the satisfaction of other Churches! 
This indeed was the case of some, who had. 


icome in. among them with an ambiguous cha- 


acter and mission; and who wanted and receiy- 
such recommendations : but the apostle had. 
no ‘need of them. For. the Corinthians them: 
selves were his epistle of commendation; it was. 
weitten in their hearts, (as some explain it, per- 


haps” without sufficient authority from manu. 


scripts or copies, ) and legible in their lives; so ° 
that men of every nation and language migh¢ 
read and understand the import of it, Or, he so 
valued this testimonial, and so loved theth as the 
seals of his ministry, that he had this epistle, as 
‘it Were, engraven in ‘his heart, For they were 
manifestly declared to all men, to be Christ's 
‘epistle recommending his inistry, which he 
bad employed him in framing. This: was not 
written with ink’ on paper,’ ‘but by the Spirit of 
the living God; nor engraven, as the law was, 
by the finger of God on tables of stone, but on 
fleshly tables of the heart ; their hearts having 
‘been softened, humbled, and prepared to receive 
this divine impression, by the new-creating power 
of the Holy Spirit. * In your hearts, made soft and 
¢ pliable, and ready to obey the word, by the op- 


i‘ eration of the Holy Spirit, according to the pro- 
'}* mise, Bz, xi. 19: xXxxvi. 26? ( Whitby.)—As the 
ins |apostle thenefore firmly believed them to be true 
€)|Christians ; 
the ‘apostle of of Christ: their conversion ‘sufficient. 


‘so, they could not doubt but he was 


ae Wiivcgnitbedre 
Men Svicys f etn adil x 


ee 


OO ee a 


Te fe 


LEE 


ee 


A. D. 6), 


4 And '!such trust ‘have we throug 
Christ:'to™ God-ward: : 

5 Not ™ that we are sufficient of our- 
selves to think any thing as of ourselves; 
© but our sufficiency zs of God; ~ 

6 Who also P hath madevus able minis- 
ters-of 4 the new testament; * not of the 
letter, but of the spirit: s for the letter 
killeth, * but the spirit * giveth life. 

LPractzcal Observations} 

7 But if the ministration of death, 
% written and engraven in stones, ¥ was 
glorious, so # that the children of Israel 


} 2. 14. Phil, 1. 6. | Time 1.110 4.17, 4 Cor. 15.45. 

mo Ex. 18-1961 Fhes:}q ver, 14. Jer, 31. 31.) Eph. 2-155 1 Pe. 
1.8. ig Mat, 26. 28. Mark}. 3. 18. 

mh 2.16. & 4.7. Ex.) 14. 24." Luke 22.}u ver. 9-—See on, 5. 6. 
4.10. John 15.5. -}20..} Cor. 11, 25 !x ver. 3. Ex-24,12. 
9-12, 9. Bx, 4. 11-16.) Hebe 7 22. & 9. 15] & 31, 18. & 32,15, 
Jere1,6-10° Mat.40,) —20, & 12.24. &) 16. 19%. & 34, 1, 
19,20, Luke 21.15. &|°13,20. Marg. Deut. 4. °13-& 5, 
24 49. 1. Cor. 3. 6.)r Rom, 2. 27—29. &} 22 & 9. 9-11, 15, 
20. & 15. 109° Phil-|7, 6 & 10. 1—4. Heb. 
2.13. & 4.13. Jam-!s wer. 7.9. Deu-27.} 9.4. > 


1,17. is 26. Kom. 3. 20: &}y Deut. 4. 8. Neh. 
BR 5+ 1820 Mat.43-) 4.15. & 7. 9—11.'°9.43., Ps. 19..7, 8. 
52. Rom, 1. 5,| Gale 3. 10—12. 21,) & 119. 97. 127, 125, 


BD, Corts. 6s 130.) 22: 


174, Rom.-7. 12— 
& 12, 28. Eph. ih John 6. 63. Rom. 


14. 22, Gab 3.21. 

z Ex, 34. 29—35, 
Luke 9. 29-31. 
Acts 6.15. . 


7, & 411, 12, Col} 3.2. 1 John}. 1. 
a. 25-29. } Tim.|* Or,- quickeneth. 
Bell, 12% 4. 4 2] John 5. 21. Rom, 


dy recommended him and his doctrine, and he 
needed no other testimonial, 

Vv. 4—6." The preceding considerations gave 
the apnstle such confidence through Christ, in 
his cause and in those things which pertained to 
God; that he spake’to the Corinthians in that 
bold manner’ of himself.and of his ministry, 
which they censured, Not that he or his asso 
ciates, professed any sufficiency for 80 important 
a trust ‘and work,’ as of themselves, or by any 
natural wisdom, ability, or good disposition, above 
other men: they could not execute their ministry 


faithfully or successfully, if left to themselves) 


they could not'think a good thought’ without di 
vine grace; they made no estimation of them: 
selves in this great concern; but a¥owed, and 
were deeply sensible, that all their sufficiency 
Was of God. He indeed had made them able; 
faithful, and successful ministers of the New 
Testament, or'covenant, which was ratified with 
believers through the blood of Christ, and en- 
sured to them all spiritual and’eternal blessings : 
and, while they’ gave him all ‘the glory, the; 
eould not but be conscious of what he had done 
for them and by them; nor might they shun to 
speak with autho and decision in his cause 

For they had not been the ministers of a mers 
letter, but of a doctrine that was adcompanied by 
the operation of the Holy Spirit to render it effi 

eacious: for the mere letter would have proved 
an occasion of condemnation and ‘death to the 
hearers; but the Spirit gave life and salvation to 
them through the Gospel. This is commonly 
understood restrictively of the legal and evan 

gelicak dispensations, contrasted with each other 


“and the context seems to favour this interpreta. 


tion: yet'it is not satisfactory, as proposed in z 
general manner ; for the legal dispensation was 
not a killing letter to all that were under it, no: 
is ths Gospel in all cases attended by the life- 


x 


the Spirit be rat 


ministration of 
glory. ei 
10 For even that whi 
rious, had no glory int 
reason of the glory that ¢ 

11 Fors if that whic 
glorious, » much more th 
eth z# glorious. 


at w, 


aver, 10, 11. 14 
Rom. 10.4. 1-Cor. 
13. 10. § 

b ver. 6.17 & 1 
4. Is. 11. 3. & 44. 
3. & 59: 21, Joel 2.|.G: 
28, 29. Johiri: 17. 
& 7.39, Acts 2. 17, 

\18. 32, 33: Rom? 8:} 
Q—16,°1, Cor. 3.16.; 
& 12 4—11. Gal} 4 
3. 2-5. 14. & 4) 5. 


1. 2 Jude 19, 
“See F 


all its saving efficacy from 
it referred ; and, after the put 
tianity, it became altogether 

those-who cleaved tosit. For | 
«the ministration of the Spirit,” 
doctrine through which hfe “anc 
communicated to’ sinners; as” 

more fully in the next Verses, — 
indeed is universally “ four 


types, together with the pr 
believers a feeble discovery 


believers were a mere 
them under the condem: 
and even added to it. 


ters, are “‘ a savour of d 
unbelievers :' who often 7 
use of some evangelic, 
ance#on Christian ©: 
did. of the Mosaic ¢erer and. 
of the elders: and in this way, and 
“* ¢he letter,” even'of the New T: 
and it only gives life,” when a 
« the Spirit of life in Christ’ J 
stand “ the letter and the* spirit 
and an allegorical interpr 
both foreign to the apostle’s arg 
palpably absurd and extre 
parts of Scripture are allegor 
interpreted: but surely faas, 
exhortations, and historical facts, m 
undgrstéod: by all, who do not 
stand them! - 24 
V.7=11. The Corinthian 
authofity of the apostle, as 
but he here showed them, 
of the New Testament 6x 


7 
eg 
i 
ber 
an’ 


Shope, we 
n s Moses, * which put:a 
ythat the children of Is- 
‘duld not ot steadfastly look ™ to the 


But » their, minds were blinded : 
this day remaineth the same veil 


. 13. John} & 14. 3.- Wee 6.] 14, 15. Col. 2. 17. 
L & 16. 25.| 19, 20. Phil. 3. 20. Heb. 10. 1—9. 
“ae Ta 19. : ‘Thea 2-2, 1 4. 3,4 Ps, 69, 23. 
i “Is. 6.10: %& 29. 30 
“12, & 42. 18-20. 
'& 44, 18. & 56. 10, 
-& 59-10, Jer. 5. 
oo5 Ex 12. “4 Mat. 


The moral law alone was written and engraven 
jin stones; and it was properly the. ministra. 
tion | 7 death and condemnation, by leaving 
sor under the curse denounced 


‘| ‘dispensation into a-mere covenant of 

, to their own condemnation, Both the 
VA just, and good law, and the legal dis- 
ensation as connected with it, and introduc. 
ory to. the Gospel, were glorious : the whole 
had the stamp of « divinity upon it, and was ex- 
Heabe, iness, and. truth, o 
is, the face of Moses, 


s of the law, in the ratification of that,co- 
t, shone in such a manner that the Israel- 
Id not steadfastly look at it; which|‘ 
him to wear a veil in their presence. 
is, represented the glory of that dispen- 
which was to be abolished by. the intro- 
of the new covenant in Christ. If then, 
nistry of that dispensation, which, con- 
apart from the Gospel, coulk only leave 
nder the sentence of death, spiritual, tem. 
oral, and eternal, was so glorious, and. impart- 
‘stich honour to Moses: how could it be sup- 

d, that the ministry of the New Testament. 
through | ‘which especially the: sanctifying: Spirit 


rnal life, should not be glorious and honoura- 
to those intrusted with it? If that ministry, 
in itself tended only to condemnation, con- 
such a display of the divine glory, as ren- 
he exercise of it honourable; how should 
@ ministry, by which condemned si ers 
at the way of. righteousness by faith in 
t, and which contains so full and complete 
covery. of the glory and harmony of God’s 
s; confer far greater honour on the 
who were employed to preach it to the 
Indeed, the glory of the law, and that 
oa diapensation, were so eclipsed by 
nt glory of the Gospel, as #7 ie ce 
be comparatively nothing : and 
on jtianity, the Mosaic Fetcthes 
reflected glory &md divine au 
become a lifeless letter and 
who rejected Christ. If then, 
ended to be temporary and at 
1, had been glorious 1 


CHAPTER Ti. 


HL Seeing die that we have such 
at *plainness of speech? 


c ‘unbelieving Jews turned the whole: 


he Be ieee 
ae nile ™m the. mount, with the | 


as given to sinners, as the seal. and earnest of}, 


4. BD. 61. 


untaken away in the reading of the old 
testament 5 ° which ved is done away in 
Christ. 
15 But even unto this day, when Mo- 
ses is read, P the veil is upon their heart. 
46 Nevertheless,4 when it shall turn 
to the Lord, * the veil abel be taken 
away. £ 


Fe yi 


18. 1-34: K 24.) 4. 30. & 30. 10, 

25—27.44—46, John} Lam. 3. 40. Hos. 

8. 12, & 12. 46.) 3.4, 5. Rom. 11. 25 

Acts 16. 14, & 26.) —27._ 

18, Eph. 1. 17—20.jr Is. 25. 7. & 29.18. 

p Bee 13, 27—29. = 54.13. Jer. 31.. 
q Ex. 34.34. Deut.! 34. John 6.45, 46. 


6. 23. & 13. 13— 
75. John 9. 39—41. 
& 12. 40. Acts 28. 
26, 27. Rom. 11. 
8—10. 25. 

04 6. Is. 25. 7. 
Mat. 16. 17. Luke 


of the world, as the last and most complete dis- 


covery. of the divine tguth and will, be glorious 


in itself, and honourable to those who were. ins 
trusted to reveal it to mankind —*It should be 
© understood, that the law,’ (of ten command. 
ments,) ‘is’ not considered simply, but as con. 
* nected with the ‘ministry of Moses, and as 
* apart and distinct from the Gospel ; in which 
* respect, it may be said to have been abolished, 
‘ when the ministration of Moses was abolished: 
«Bur thou wilt say, Is the ministration of Moses 
$ abolished i in this respect? By no means: for 
* men must always be prepared for the Gospel 
_ by the preaching of the law. But this I say, 
that the ministration cf Moses is. in all cases 
abolished, when the manifest grace of the Gos- 
pel succeeds to the figurative preaching of 
“the law.” (Beza.) From this argument itis ge- 
nerally concluded, that the false teachers at Co- 
rinth Judaized: but it has before appeared, that 
their leading errors were of a different nature ; 
though so. é might also be prone to run into. 
~The apostle, however, seems to 


and to show from the example of Moses, that * 
the ministry of the New Testament was ho- 
nourable, in proportion to the superior glory of 
that dispensation ; and that he, as immediately 
intrusted with the important stewardship. of the 
divine. mysteries, as an inspired apostle, and as. 
faithful i in this service, had a right to demand 


respect and deference to his authority ; which 
his opponents, whoever they were, refused him, 
and instructed their partizans to refuse him. 


V.12—16. Having this hope and confidence, 


that he was made of God an able minister of that 


glorious dispensation, by which the gift of right-. 
eousness and the life-giving Spirit were conferr 
on men ; the apostle used great plainness, liber- 
ty, and ‘boldness of speech : declaring without 
reserve “ the whole counsel of God,” and faith- 
fully reproving what was false and sinful, as one 
that. had authority and_ sufficiency from. God. 
His doctrine. was not hid in obscbrity or ambj.« 
2uity, or under types and shadows, as the eens 
dispensation had been ; of which the veil on the 
face of Moses. was a figure, or emblem. As this 


‘covering concealed the lustre of his countenance s 


50, the obscurity of that dispensation concealed 
its real glory ; and the Israelites were unable to 


}iook. steadfastly to Christ, the great End, Scope, 
and: i has ang of those. ceremonies which were 


“ 


Ay Dy bi. 

_ 17 Now § sie Le tsi as that Spit: we note x as 
7 where e the | Spirit of the Lord: és, there is Lord, # are 
Hberty. 

a 3 But we all, 4 with open face, be-| 
1. Rom. 8. 2, 15.) 1.7. 


16. Gal. 4.6.2 Tim,}a wer. 135, af Terai ks dale’ 
site , oy) fe Sea2. 41.1 Timed 


7 “ver. G John 6 63. 
1 Cor. 15.45. 
Li ‘Ps. 51.12, Is, 61. 


nd 


~~ $$ $$$ _____—_ - > BK x c S s 

shortly to be abolished. Even believers’ had only constitute a dead fp 
indistinct and transient glimpses of that glorious respects he is, as it 

Object: and unbelievers looked no further than | the body, and 

the outward institution, except as they expected | to every part 

2 temporal deliverer and king. Thus. their} effected by. the ind 

minds were generally blinded by pride, preju-}and where this divine Agent 
dice, and carnal lusts ; whieh formed a veil over | the Father and: 

their hearts, in addition — to that which was] habits the hear 

thrown over the Mosaic law: and this veil re- freedom from sin 

mained, to close their minds against the trath, | and. servile princi 

even after the Tight of the Gospel had shown the and. the fear of my 

reat import of the legal ceremonies : so that, | 
when the Jews read the Old Testament, ‘the veil 
upon their hearts prevented them from under-|d 3 
standing i its true Meaning, or deriving any spi-| without regarding ’ 
ritual benefit from it. For the veil is only done courting their friend sh Do 
‘away in Christ; bis doctrine tends to remove it] scious integrity, ; 

from the written word: but faith in him, and}aeceptance. T 

the supply of his Spirit, must remove it fram the} to their i ees 

heart, and enable the believer to perceive the | lightened by 

spiritual meaning of the types, prophecies, and | open face, as. 

promises of tlie whole Scripture. For want of divine revel ; 

this the Jews at that time, (and their awful case} and, work of bis: Sc 

is the same to this day,) had a veil on, their upon ‘their souls 

rearts, When the law of Moses was read among 
them ; fior could all their dilixence, attention, 
oF altachment to it, enable them to understand 
it in asaving manner, But when any. individu. 
als among them were converted, to, the Lord Je- 
sts, this veil was removed from the in 
this will be the case respecting 
Reral, when they shall, according Sit is pre: 
Hicted, believe in their long re ected Messiah. | the, Spirit, by wt 
(Notes, Ex. xxxiv. 29— Ey nly lished. © Sich | according to the. 
* an oblique manner of speaking on this subject the glory of God 
* makes the argument peculiarly striking. It is | behold it with 

© taken for granted, as a thins: certainly known, 
® and quite indisputable, that the Mosaic dispen- the view of faiths: 
€ sation Was to be abolished” (Doddridge. )— | for immediate a) 

¢ ‘We, the ministers of the Gospel, speak plainly 
* and openly, and put no veil upon ourselves, as 
“ Moses did, whereby to hinder the Jews from }th 
* seeing Christ in the law ; but that which hin- 
6 ders them is a "blindness on their minds, which 
‘remains to this day.—Their unbelief comes. 
€ ‘not from any obscurity in our preaching; but 
* from a blindness which rests upon their minds. 0 
¢ But when their heart shall turn to the Lord, vei 
© the veil shalfbe taken away? (Zocke.) _ "Wt 
WS Y7, ie x appears. frora the preceding a 
that the Lord Jesus is ‘that Spirit, 
eae ing ‘soul, which gives life to the letter of 
‘the’ Scriptures, and» fo believers. Without him {clear 
floctrines, promise ordinances, and command. b 
ments are a mere carcass of religion ; the power |is 
and life of which E eholly depends on their rela, the unbaivng 
tion to his: person, pee er and, | Chi 
without faith in ‘him, 


Enowledge, ordinances, 3s, oF external obedin ; 


53. 


ra é * Pe | 
ie a D. 61: 


” HEREFORE; a seeing we have this, 
‘ministry, as we have received 


<a 


ares hi 
Botil the Gone 1,2, Satan blinds 


; oy tisiast the Gaht OF th mercy), ¢ we faint not ; 
E 1eve: in ioh e ‘a 
; “ame fs Goa ineparte iby 2 But. have renounced the hidden 


eaits Of his people, 36. The things of * dishonesty, € not walking in 
rings of the apostle redounded| q 5, 6, 12, &. 5/18.) Gale 6, 9. Eph, “f Or, shame. Row. 


the praise of the power of God, 7-12, | ‘The Bae east al on vena 3 Hated 7. & 

att or. 7. D es 17. 
pports, motives, and prospects of glory, BY | rim. 1, 1. 1 Pets Hebi 22 3. Bee Pls Sc 6s 13-18. 
) he and his help were induced to perse- 2. 10, Eph. 4, 14,1 Thes. 
‘without faintin z, 1S —18. © 


¢ ver. 16, Is. 40. solahe 1 Cor. 4. 5. 2.3—5. 


aN 


held this glory, (niies iv. 4—6.) hes through will be a killing letter, if exhibited as a mere 
ir doctrine, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit,| system and form, without a dependence on the 
Christians did, and still do, behold it. | Spirit of God to give it a quickening energy: yet 
lit is by the blessed doctrine of God our Saviour 
alone, that the Spiritis given to sinful man, 
Vv. 7—18, es 
The holy law of God, though excellent am 
;| Slorious i in itself, can only be ‘held forth as the 
ministration of death and condemnation to fallen 
man: but justifying righteousness, and sanctify. 
ing grace come from Jesus Christ, and by the 
ministry of the” Gospel. © This gracious revela- 
tion ‘so far exceeds in glory the holy Jaw it- 
self; that it'even Seems to eclipse it, as the Roon- 
day sun does the glimmering stars, Much more 
then, does the clear light and glory of the Gos- 
pel exceed those of all preceding dispensations. 
May Christians then learn to value the faithful 
Ministry of the Gospel; and encourage their 
preachers to use great plainness of speech, suit- 
ed to the doctrine with which they are intrusted! 
May we read the Scriptures with continual pray- 
er, to have the veil removed from our hearts, 
that we may discover and steadfastly behold the 
Lord Jesus, as ‘the End of the law for right- 
** eousness”’ to every believer; that so we may 


PRACT ICAL. ‘OBSERVATIONS. 


e proud a carnal court caste 
2 hig hly gratified with it. The conversion 
ers, and their subsequent holy lives, are’ 
ters best letter of recommendation: if 
effects: be evident and abundant, he will 
ly want no other testimonial among real 
ans. For his usefulness is manifestly de- 
Fescacapa fu y unc peed: to be Christ’s own 
on to ‘his: ; which the Saviour 
ten by th it it of the living God upon 
» and ‘made legible in 
lives and actions. Professors of evangelical 
hould remember, that their tempers and 

supposed. to form an exhibition of 
icy of that doctrine and ministry, on 
lich they attend.~ ‘Indeed, the stamp of much 
Deuce tna alax practice, self-confi- 

¥_ censoriousness, a dis- 
, and clamour: this 
vhat so ministry 
ormed ; stare it leaves the reader in 
ubt whether Christ had any ‘me in it, or 


} 


lished ! May we pray also in behalf of them, 
whose minds are still blinded ‘by pride, preju- 
dice, and unbelief; especially for the poor Jews, 
who are preserved a living demonstration of the 
truth of the Scriptures ; ; though themselves ut- 
terly unacquainted with their spiritwal import! 
May they speedily be turned to the Lord, and 
the veil be taken from their hearts !—May we 
always remember, that the Lord Jesus is the life 
and soul, as it were, of the Scriptures, and of all 
true religion : : that being One with him, by faith 


practical pr det Bsibie such an anise ah 
‘to speak,) to the perusal of the Church, as has: 
ident marks of spuriousness in it: though 
rs charge all the blame’ on the doctrine 
‘ministry, which are thus disgraced. But 
n professed Christians act consistently, obey. 
the ‘commands, and copying the example, of 

“Lord, ae honour and recommel ‘the | in the service of God; and that “ beholding with 
open face, as in agiass, the glory of the Lord, 
® we are changed into bis i image from glory. to 
® glory, as by the Lord, thé Spirit?’ This 
transformation of the soul into conformity to 
Christ is the proper evidence and test of spiritu- 
al illumination ; and without a measure of it, ali 
supposed discoveries and revelations are mere 
delusion and enthusiasm. May then all, who 
are called ministers, have the eyes of their un. 


thers also to attend on the 
hout prejuc . Success’ in this blessed: 
spite our minds with confidence | 
we ought always humbly to recollect 
ledge, that we are not sufficient of 
> think any thing as of ourselves: 
‘whole’ dependence must be on the Lord, 

at the whole glory belongs to him alone. 
Very great honour to be made able minis- 
Nev Testament. We should. not in- 


ner, the glorious Object of our faith, hope, loy e, 
ourselves iste be such, in ‘that high 1 Wet eho 


and i imitation; and point him out to others, with 
the same eficacy, on their souls also: that so 
{the triune Jexovan, Father, Son, and. Spirit, 
‘may t be glorified i in all and by all, now ands for 
evermore ! ee e 


EN sab me Ss “ ets 


m2 tore that the Lord wil, > 
2, pus coe ne same. 


and his indwelling Spirit, we enjoy true liberty 


derstanding enlightened, to behold in this man. 


profit even by those things which are now abo. - 


* 


a 
ai 


. 


~eealed their secret crimes. ‘The true servants: 


“dgctrine, ministry, and conduct, might be com- 


Ade *  T -CORTNTRTANS. 


eo 

craftiness, nor handling the word of God|* blinded ther 
deceitfully ; but, ‘by manifestation of the | lieve"not, 1 
_truth, commending ourselves to every} gospel of C 
man’s conscience in the sight of God.|God, should 
3 Butif our gospel be hid,» it is-hid ag 
to them that are lost: ellie aoe a 
4 In whom i the god of this worid hath} 20. Eph. 2 2, & 6s) 
F511 & 664-7 | We Ue } 11. 25. 1 Cots ds 18: 


12. 1Jphn 5. 19. 
Gr. Rev. 20. 3. | 

@ Rom. 2. 162 ih vere 4. & 2. 15,} 2 Thes (2. G—f, 2 

Thes, 1.5. 1 Tim.! 16.& 3. 16, Matt.|i Mat. 4,8, % Joho 


by in ee ir 
ne 5. ie 
NOTES) © * 
CHAP. IV. V..1,:2.» The apostle having 
had such a glorious and excellent ministry ‘in- 
trusted to him,.as had. been. described ; and be- 
ing sensible of the abundant merey which had 
been shown to him, in his extraordinary conyer- 
sion and reconciliation unto God, and his call to 
“the apostleship; did not faint, or draw back in.a 
dishonourable manner, because of the difficulties 
and sufferings which he had to encounter. But 
he and his fellow-labourers, renounced with ab- 
horrence all those artful contrivances, by which 
fie idolatrous priests, or the scribes and. priests 
of the Jews, or corrupt teachers of Christianity, 
amposec on their followers, served their own 
fdishonourable and dishonest purposes, or con- 


‘ clear, as to the 
(Whitby) This was wi 
who discourage the r 
because they are obscufe, 
‘ple should. learn heresy fro 
same ground rest the cla 
fallibility, and the a 
But the reasoning: 
all those’ nominal prote 
great learning and sk 
stand the Scrip’ 
epistles ; otherw 
from. them, which 
V. 3,4. t 
the apostle preached sr 
a veil, (as the Mi 
truth, nature, 
who heard it, such. 
in a lost estate, an 
of final perditic 
their hearts th: 
prejudice, and un 
god of this world, 
worshipped and. ‘se 
prevailed to blind 
bers, who heard 
through love of 
the “ light of 


(as the words m 
light \ ere 
as the Image ¢ 
ing all divine pe: 
in his character: 
upon them, or wi 
satan’s subjects : 
pel: others hear, - 
the tempter to op 
design is, at any, 
out this transform 
season. were bli 
verted. But at 
the enemy is permr 
blind many to their pe 
culiarly to be expe 

their eyes to this light, 
preachers, and their ‘ 
evident and multiplied m 
« The fault is not in us, 
‘ Gospel, but in their ow. 


of Christ-did not thus exercise. their ministry, 
with craftiness or duplicity, professing one thing 
and aiming at ‘another; and covering avarice, 
and ambition, or sensual indulgence, under high 
pretensions to zeai and sanctity. Nor did they 
deceitfully model their doctrine, to suit the pre- 
judices and inclinations of men, for their own 
selfish ends ;* by keeping back: profitable truths, 
or making such. additions and. alterations as’ 
might render their preaching less. offensive ;. or 
by using ambiguous and obscure language, that 
their meaning might not be clearly apprehended. 
On the contrary, they endeavoured to: set divine 
truth before their hearers, in the most. manifest, 
convincing, and affecting light; that-so, their 


mended to every man’s conscience, even should 
his heart rise against it; thatevery one might 
perceive the truth and importance of their.mes- 
sage; and be sensible that both his interest and 
duty required him to attend to it: and this they 
did, as in’ the sight of God, the ever present 
Witness and Judge of the thoughts and intents 
of their hearts.‘ What reason can be assigned 
© why they, who preached the Gospel plainly, 
* should write the same-things to the same per- 
* sons obscurely ?—“ Whatsoever things were 
written of old time, were written for our learn- 
seing,” (Rom, xv.-4:). and “surely they, who 
* wrote afterwards by the same Spirit, wrote for 
* the sameend. And if they wrote for.our in- 

* struction, to be sure they wrote plainly and : 

« clearly; since.otherwise they. wrote not so as|‘ nothing from ther? — 
“to instruct and teach, but rather to confound |tonishing, that. many of 
«the reader. Seeing therefore the great end.of| writers understood the 
« 
4 
‘6 
a 
‘ 


writing the Scripture, was to instruct the} the god of this world :” 
world in the willand mind of God, and the |their authority, as exposito 
great things of the Christian faith ; their writ. implicitly to. be depended ¢ 
ings are an effectual means to obtain its whic! | foymers frem popery, whe 


if 


yet they Cannotipe, unless they are plain and | fathers of the first four ce 


ae 


in our hearts, to” Sive * the light of the, 


knowledge of the glory of — “in the 
face of Jesus Christ. as 
© [Practical Observations. 


7 But we have * this treasure 7 in ear- 


we preach hot ourselves, but 

s the Lord; 9 and ourselves 

for Jesus’ ake. 

¥ who commanded the light 
f darkness, * hath s shined 


ee ae then vessels, # that the excellency of the 
n} Pet! 2. s. } John 13. i4, 15.) power may be of God and not of us. 
“|p 1.19. Mat. 28, 8.1 Rom. 15.2, 2. 1 ; 


14. 9, 10- Phil. 2.6.) 20. Lam, 4.2, 2% 


: t 
z $3. Acts 2,36. & 5.31. Cor, 9. 19—23, Gal;| ~ ver. 4, & 3. 18. 
> Col, 1, 15. Heb. 1. ns Age t Byte 


9,10, &| & 10. 36. Kom. 14.) 5.13, $ Tim. 2.70,| Ex. 33, 18—23, & 
‘& 14.11! 8,9. 1 Cor. 1. 23.)r Gen. 1. 3. 14/15.) 34. 5—7. Ps, 63, 2. 3. 1 Pet. 1.12, 13. Gal. 4.13, 14 
Ms 15. 17, &2.2 & 8. 6. & ee & 436,} 8.90. 16. Is. 6. I—ys vers 1. & 6, .10.|. 2 Tim.2, 20. 

14,15. ioe 43.) 7—9. Is. 4 3 & 35. 2. & 40.1 Mat. 13. 44.952 |z 3. 5,6. & 12.7 


* Gr, La 5. & 60. 2, John 1i,] Eph. 3. 8. Col. 1) 9 & 13. 4. 1 Cox 

iy. aoe S. 4, 15.]s Eph. 1. 17,18. & |) 40. “Acts. 55, 56.) 27. & 2. 3. 2. 3—5. Eph: 1.19, 

7 ‘at. 20. Pag 5, 8. 2 Pet. 1. 19. u Luce 2 14, Jobnly 5- 1. & 10,°10]} 20.&2.5,.8, 9. Cok, 
et Pera 3 Luke 22. ; 25, 26, 1.14. & 12, 41. &l Judg. 7. 13, 14, 16—1 2 12. 1 Thes. 1.5, 


in stating and defending their doctrine, | have adyerted to his own extraordinary conver- 
ict iui their usual judgment, but great-| sion: yet he evidently meant to include that of 
ithe cause, which they most zeal./ all other, filithful ministers and true believers; 
éd.— Image, ke. (Mote, Col.i.15—| which is similar in its nature and effects, and 
arg. Ref.) wrought by the same divine power, though it be 
| . "The peculiarity of the apostle’s mi not attended by the same miraculous circumstan- 
and ‘that of his faithful associates, was|ces. Satan blinds meii’s minds, lest the light of 
they hed not themselves, they did not the Gospel should make known to them the glory 
to exalt or enrich themselves, they did notj of Christ; but God enlightens the minds of his 
spire after authority, reputation, or any secular | chosen people, that they may behold'that glory: 
pare ah but they preached Christ Jesus, | so that this seems the grand distinction between 
their great Subject, in respect of his Person those whom satan blinds, and those whom God 
and salvation ; they endeavoured to exait and} the Spirit illuminates.——Face. '«* The apostle con- 
glorify him ; they declared him to be the Lord} ‘ tintally alludes to the face of Moses, which 
of the Church, and the Lord of ail; and they|*Was not uncovered, (that the image of God 
Fon men to accept of his salvation, submit] ‘might be clear;) but covered.’ (Beza.) The 
s authority, and become his obedient servants. | face of Moses gave a feeble and transient reflec- 
as to themselves, the ey not sonly were fellow-| tion of the glory of God, which was covered 
ects to the common Lord of all Christians, | With a veil: but the face of Christ, the Image of. 
were the willing servants of the Church | God, displays it fully and permanently to those 
ts sake; they declared that they were} Who are divinely illuminated. —“ The light of the 
Bae at to labour, venture, suffer, and| “ Gospel of the glory of Christ,? (4.) and the 
‘the deepest debasement in doing good | “ light of the knowledge of the glory of God,” 
4 far as the glory of Christ could be] ate spoken of as the same: for “Christ and the 
ivanced by i it,or his command ie it. This| * Father are One” 
al to glorify their beloved Lor ade them|* V.7. “This treasure, (even the light of the 
er €st to be understood in their preaching ;| knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of 
which ought to have recommended them to all] “ Christ,” and that important ministry which re« 
3s in proportion as it excited the enmity} lated to it,) was, as it were, deposited in earthen 
Opposition of satan and his servants. They} vessels, (Notes, Jude. vii. 16-22. Marg. Ref.) 
induced and enabled to act in this manner} Even the apostles and most eminent evangelists 
at they had themselves experienced; for} were sinners, by nature and practice; their bo- 
teo might have been blinded By the god of} dies were frail and mortal as those of other men ; 
rorld, and fora time were in an awful state! liable to the same infirmities, susceptible of pain 
asition to the light of the Blorious” <— and suffering, and: easily worn down by fatigue 
but at length, “ That GOD who,” in and hardship, or pinched with hunger and cold : 
of the world, “ commanded light to|nor were their minds less susceptible of fear, 
D forth out of darkness,” had, of his so. | sorrow, anxiety, and disquietude, than those of 
at ee effected a similar change imgehieir | 9 others. They were also conscious of many de- 
eve ignorance, error, sin, and misery |fects and impediments, and destitute of those 
ore prevailed. By his new-creating Spi-| accomplishments which the world generally ad- 
removed all obstacles, and let the : they had no wealth or authority; they 


4 


truth shine into their hearts; having | made no show of superior genius, learning, or 
fe understanding to admit, and the| eloquence ; nay, they were not delivered from 
e, the doctrine of the Gospel. Thus/the effects of indwelling sin. So far therefore 
n them the illumination of that know-| were tliey from being such illustrious persons, as 
ine glory, which their faith per-|to attract general admiration, that they were 
of Jesus Christ ; in his person, | treated as the filth ofthe world : and, while their 
> righteousness, atonement,|! infirmities sometimes rendered them less accept- 
a which, being thus steadfast-| able even to the Churches, their stripes and im. 
face as in a ‘mirror, trans-|prisonments, increased the contempt with which 
hi glorious image of God} the proud and self-wise beheld them, + This waz 
spose seems especially to} appointed by God for mast erent Purposes. 


CHAPTER IV. , ae ee 


a 


— Enea 


ee ee ee 


NARS Jee tr cy 6 os 


SE MERE ic her sarah he aru 
2 a EE ES 


BD. 61% 


8 We are’™® troubled on every side, 
‘ yet not distressed; we ere perplexed, 
but * not in ¢ déspair ; 

9 Persecuted; 4 but not forsaken; © cast 
down, but not destroyed; 

10 Always bearing about in the body 
the dying of the Lord Jesus, & that the 
life also of Jesus might be made manifest 
in our body... p 

11 For we which live » are always deli- 
vered unto death for Jesus*)sake, that the 
life also of Jesus might be made manifest 
in ‘ our mortal flesh, 

_., 12. So then * death worketh in us, but 
life in you. i j 
{Practical Observations.] 

13 We having ! the same. spirit, of 

faith, according as it is written, ™ I be- 


a 1.9-10. & 6 4. 
& 7. 5. & LL, 23— 


c 1 Sam. 31, 4 Joby 211, 12. Rev, 1. 
2.9, 10, 17, 18- 

30. id Ps. 9. 10. & 22. 1h Ps, 44, 22, & 141. 
“BD ver-16,17.& 12.20.) & 37,25. 28.) Is.} 7. Roms 8 36. 1 
1Sam, 28, 15. &),62.4. Heb. 13, 5,6.| Cor, 15. 31. 

30. 6. Ps. 56.2, 3.e 7. 6. Job 5. 17—Ji 5.4) Rom.’ 8/21, 
Prov: 14, 26. & 181] 19. & 22.20.) Psy Cor, 15.53; 54. 
10. Rom. 5. 3—-5.|-37, 24. & 42.5. HF 12.15. & 13. %& 


& 8. 85—37. Jam} Ts. 4352, Acts 20. 24. 1 Cor. 
fu, 5./9..Rom. 8:)¢4. 20),Phil. 2. 17. 
17. 18. Gal. 6, 17,| 30,..1John 3. 17. 

] Acts 15.11. 1 Cor. 
12, 9, “Heb. 11. -1, 

k&ew2 Pet. 1. 1, 

m Ps, 116. 10. 


1.2—4. 1 Pet1 6, 
7. Rae 12—14,. 
© Or, not altegether| Phil. 3. 10, 11. Col. 
without help, -ot,} 1. 24. - 
meuns. Ps~37 33.) 13: 4. John 14.19. 
, John 14-18. 1 Core} Acts 18. 9, 10. 
10. 13. Rom. 8. 17. 2 Tim. 


He could have commissioned. angels to proclaim 
the glorious doctrine of the Gospel; or he could 
have put this treasure into more splendid vessels, 
by sending the most eminent, and admired of the 
sons of men te instruct.the nations: but his plan 
was, that the superior energy of the Gospel, and 
the’ wonderful ‘effects, produced by it, should 
evidently appeat to be wholly. owing to the ex- 
cellency of his power, as working by that doc- 
trine ; and not at all to be ascribed to the supe. 
rioy endowments of the person. whom he employ. 
ed. For this end he ‘chose.mean brittle vessels, 
by which to convey this, treasure to mankind; 
that bispower might be glorified in their pre- 
servation, and in the blessed change wrought 
amongst mankind by their ministry. , 

V. 812., It was:very suitable to the apostle’s 
design, of re-establishing himself in the affec- 
tions of the ‘Corinthians, to remind them of his 
sufferings and supports in, that. ministry, from 
which they had received such unspeakable ac. 
vantage. He, and other faithful ministers, were 
« troubled on. evéry side,” in every place, from: 
persons’ of every description, and with all,kinds 
of afflictions: yet were they “not distressed? or 
straitened, as men who had no way of escape or 
relief. They were. ‘‘perplexed,” with difficulties, 
about what course they should take, and how 
they should endure. amidst such multiplied 
trials: yet they were not left to “despair” of 
help and comfort. They. were “ persecuted” 
wherever they went : yetthe Lord did not for- 
sake them, or permit their enemies, to. prevail 
against them. Nay, they were even cast down 


er 


the Lord Jes 
Jesus, and ip: 

15 For 4 a! 
that ® the abtr 


but * though our outw 
yet." the inward maz = 73 
by day. 2S ea ee 
17 For our light affiicti 
but for a moment, ® wo 
> far more exceeding and et 
of glory ; yooh bans aii sink 
1S) 12 Prov. 21. 98. 


pag: eet hw 
4 # ‘ 
o.Is. 26. 19. Jeha ivowy 


11. 25, 26, Rom. 8. 
awe 


pe 


ll. 1 Cor. 6,14: 
Lips aah 1 Thes.!s | 
4. 14. 


ihe, 


in the conflict with temptation and 
yet they were not destroyed; but 
to rise up again, and to renew 
any.material damage to themselves 
Thus they, carried about with t 


dies the dying of the Lord Jesus ; in 
es, wounds, and stripes, which the 
his sake, and ae such meh a 
him: that so, the life of Jesus, ag r 
rified, might be evidently p : 
tion, deliverances, supp 
forded to them; which 
with constancy and fort 
amidst these complicated di 
ings. For, while some of” 
sealed their testimony 
who still lived; 'v 
death, in the pers 
met them : that re Livbot 
ing Saviour might be’ manifested, 
ser@fhg their mortal flesh in ‘life 
for service. So that death was, as 
tinually at work’ on them, t ee 
Which they endured in ‘© 
of Christ : but life ‘was 
the Corinthians by means 
they were not only exer 
but were made partak 
nal life by their ministry. ~ 
come them to augment’ 
tors by their neglect and 
«you are called to live for 
* be said to serve our Red 
“his sake Pepeated deaths 


“4 


’ 


| AND: 

; oy hs rpye 

P18 While’ we look not at the things 

which are seen, but at the things which 
Re Fax eC a 6 


apostle and his fellow‘suffer- 
their ministry; because they 


; : nidst im- 
mapt dangers and distressing difficulties, he 
ared his confidence, that God, according 
his promise, would deliver him out of them all. 
Note, Ps. cxvi. 10, 11.) They believed most 
mly the doctrines which they preached ; and 
therefore nothing could induce them to conceal, 
‘Fetract, or corrupt them. In the daily expecta- 
tion and anti 
| fully assured, that God would raise their man 
| gled bodies from the grave, by the powerful 
| ‘work of Jesus, even as he had raised him from 
| the dead : and that he would thus present them, 
“with all those to whom their labours had been 
sed, before his glorious throne, as the objects 
F love, whom he at length had. made per- 
| fect in glory and felicity. They also understood, 
that all their sufferings, as well as their ministe- 
‘rial endowments, were intended to subserve " 

| Lord’s purposes of love to their brethren ; (as m- 
deed all things were ordered in that manner, 
‘which might best promote their eternal good ;) 
that the abundant mercy and grace, vouchsafed to 
| them, might excite vast numbers to thank God 
for the benefit received by their-means ; and so, 
_ eonduce to his glory zlso. With these prospects 
yand hopes, they were preserved from fainting, or 
clining the dangers and difficulties attending 
on their ministry. . For, «though their outward 
man perished,” their bodies werd worn out by. 

| fatigue and sufferings, and their lives destroyed 
it y repeated violences ; yet their “inward man,” 
} or their souls as regenerate, daily became strong- 
+ er in faith, hope, love, patience, &c. and were 
renewed more and more into the holy image of 
\} God. They therefore considered their various 
), trials to be “ lightaffiction,” which ought scarce- 
ly tobe mentioned, being as nothing when com- 
_ pared with the end which they had in view : and 
/ the contiuance of their sufferings, (though for 
_) Many years,) was but for a moment, when con- 
/trasted with eternity. Moreover, they knew, by 
faith and experience, that these afflictions were 
» working out for them an increase of future and 
felicity ; both as means, by which their 
were made. partakers, of the holiness of 
od, and rendered more capable of spiritual en- 
yment ; and as he would graciously and abun- 
tly recompense those sufferings which they 
red for hissake, (Mare. Ref.) The words 
used are far more emphatical, than any 
lanslation of them can be. There is a repetition 
> Word fyperbole; by which is generally 
person’s exceeding thelimits of exact 
any animated description or narration ; 
subject, on which the apostle spoke, 
t es of speech must come short of 
an proceeded from one appa- 
lother, and umulated the 
ms as much #8 possible; he 


‘ 
 BOULS 


CHAPTERIIV: 


ation of martyrdom, they were; 


aspen, 


A.D. 8, 
are not seen : 4 for the things which are 


seen are temporal; but the things which. 
are not seen are eternal. 


d Mat, 25.46. Luke 16.25,26,.) 2 Thes.2.16. 1 John 2-16, 17.28 


could not fully express the real excellency of that 


‘glory, honour, and immortality, in which the be- 


liever’s sufferings would assuredly terminate. —~ 
Compared with it, all temporal afflictions were 
levity itself, a momentary lightness of affliction ; 
and earthly prosperity mere vanity and empti- 
ness. This glory was substantial, weighty, du- 
rable, exceeding description and imagination ; 
and human language must labour in vain to con- 
vey any suitable ideas of it. It would even have 
been an insupportable weight to them, until their 


‘bodies and souls were prepared by Omnipotence 


to sustain it. It was * a weight of glory,” a ful- 
ness of God ; a measure of knowledge, holiness, 
dignity, and felicity, in his favour, presence, and 
according to his glorious excellency and beauiy ; 
adequate to whatever they should be made capa. 
ble of. possessing and enjoying ; and all this 
would be unchangeable and eternal. In this pros- 
pect the apostle and his brethren, disregarded 
visible and sensible objects; they did not aim at 
worldly honours and advantages, they looked 
not.at them with estimation or desire; but by 
faith they beheld, and in hope they sought, in- 
visible glories as their great object : being assur- 
ed, that all visible and sensible things, whether 
pleasant or painful, the good or the evil things of 
the world, were temporal, and would speedily be 
terminated ; whereas, the unseen objects which 
faith realized, were eternal; whether the final 
happiness of. believers, or the final misery of the 
wicked were intended; and this gave such an 
incomparable importance, in their judgment, to 
unseen things, that nothing else seemed worthy 
of their desires or of their fears. - * What an in- 
* fluence St. Paul’s Hebrew had upon his Greek, 
© is every where visible. Cadvad in Hebrew sig- 
© nifies to be heavy, and tobe elorious, St. Paul, 
‘ in the Greek, joins them, and says, weight of 
© elory” (Locke.) That the writers of the New 
Testament frequently Hebraise, so to speak, is 
manifest : but whether this might not in some 
cases be intentional, may be questioned. Even 
the copious Greek, as found in Pagan writers, 
could not have expressed in full energy, the 
apostle’s exalted conceptions, without some of 
those sublime allusions and metaphors, which 
are found only in the Hebrew Scriptures, and in 
the New Testament. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
V.-1—6. 

They are not meet for the sacred ministry of 
the New Testament, who do not expect the salva- 
tion of their own souls from the free mercy. of God 
through Jesus Christ. If we have received this 
mercy, or have’ a prevailing hope of it; we 
should not faint under’ any tribulations, while 
employed to recommend it to our fellow-sinners. 
Indeed, divine grace will teach faithful minig- 
ters “ to renonunce the hidden things of disho- 
® nesty;” they will notwalk ‘in craftiness, nor 
“handle the word of God deceitfully 2" and if 


» 
x 


die. 
“fl 
" 


f 


Ai D. 61. 


The apostle declares, that the assured hope and ear-| 


nest desire, of being present with the Lord, when 

absent from the body, rendered him indifferent'as 

to: this life, i--8: that he laboured to approve 

himself to Christ, in the prospect of a future judg- 

ment, 9,10; knowing the terrors, of which he 

conscientiously persuaded men, 11: that this was 

said, not as boasting, but to furnish the Corin- 

thians with an answer to false pretenders,;.12 5 
pee pos SES ee Se ee 
aily who are artfully imposing on men. for their 
own credit or profit, suppose themselves parta- 
kers of the saving mercy of Christ, they are as 
mueh deceived by satan as, others can be by 
them. . For the minister of Christ must avoid all 
appearances of duplicity; he must neither pay 
court to any man’s passions, hor connive at his 
vices: but he ought, in the’ most perspictous 
and intelligible manner, to declare and apply 
the truth, and so to commend himself to every 
man’s conscience as in the sight of God, . If the 
Gospel, when thus preached, be hidden from the 
hearers; it is evident, that they are still in the 
way of destruction: and they have reason to 
dread the consequences of their obstinate unbe 
hief; as it is among such persons especially, 
that satan, the usurping god of this world, is 
permitted finally to blind and harden numbers 
to their ruin. His great object is to keep men in 
the dark; particularly to keep out of their minds, 
st the tight of the Gospel of the glory of Christ :”” 
he therefore spares no pains to keep them at a 
distance from faithful preaching, or by various 
prejudices to set them against it, or by manifold 
corruptions to destroy its efficacy. His grand 
opposition is always made to the personal and 
mediatorial glory of Christ: for he knows, that 
fro other knowledge, or religious observances, 
will sanctify or save those, on whom this divine 
light doth not shine; and that none can perish 
who are illuminated by it. But, though many 
are blinded, the minister must go on with his 
work : he must not preach himself, either as the 
subject or the object, of his discourses; but he 
must “ preach Christ Jesus, the Lord ;” dwell. 
ing on his Jove and salvation as his favourite 
theme, and seeking His gtory as tlie great end of 
his labours: and, instead of aspiring to pre- 
eminence and authority, he should willingly be 
the servant of the disciples $f Christ, for his 
gake, and stoop to any thing that may promote 
their good. Indeed, this will be the disposition of 
all those, into whose hearts God hath shined by 
his new-creating Spirit, to give them *‘ the light 
6 of his glory, in the face of Jesus Christ.” In 
proportion to the degree of our spiritual illumi- 
nation we shall reflect the mage of Christ, even 
as he is to us the Image of the invisible God; 
and we shall learn lowliness, self-denial, and love, 


II. CORINTHIANS. 


stroyed ; for he will lift them up ap 
ble them to renew the combat. But 


tal prosperity, will terminate in ever! 


though painful to nature, ab 


for his sake and after his e 
tempt and enmity of this € 
show his life and power, by 
forting those, who are thas 
his cause. Indeed, if we by 
in our dying Redeemer, and 
in outward troubles, and t 
flesh; we shall, ‘in hope, 
life, and constancy i 
manifest his power and t 
rified: and, as far as Ww 
shall be willing and 
in as, that life may be given to 
means. 


without the same Spirit of fa 


wn = # 
a 


thatthe love of Clirist eons 
ed obedience, and ma 
garids, 13165. 
tures, 17. t 
world unto 

. preachers, and 
nistry of recon 
sadors, they, in 
to be reconciled: 


persons.of such infirm 
or low rank.in society, as. 
reject and despise: for, 
selected, he will make it 2 
 cellency of the Power,” 
is made successful, “ is 
He therefore uses v. 
his most useful ser 
insufficiency; and 
firmiues visible to 
them undue honor 
pitchers are very 
they contain is - 
are most exposed ; 
pieces, jt is sometimes 
municated, than it was 
other, both Christians ‘and 
tr@ubled ; and nak pe 
side: yet faith aud grace 
from deep distress’ “They 
various difficulties and compl 
ments: yet they. will be 
despair; the Lord will not 
persecutions and temptations, B 


down by their enemies, they shal 


and sins of angédly men, as W 
ness and despair. It is ind 


with us the dying of the Lord. 


as we 
thankful’ 


Nothing can be done in t 


from that admired pattern. But without this 
jllumination, the saul remains a dark, confused, 


in any other way. (Marg. Ref.) 
. V. 7—12. rably prevais with us to ret; 
The Lord puts the treasure of heavenly truth | ceal, the great doctrines, wh 


Trilo mean earthen vessels: he ofien employs!preach er profess. Yet 


Fd 


. ) D, 61. 


¢ Nelothed upon. with our | 
e which is fom heaven: igs a 
ry oe \ being clothed, we ‘shall’ i 
Vag ¢ ort we thet abe: uM this Bie dence 
V do gré Oat, being | dened : not for that 


that, if. » our ide 
is Be crnecle, were ¢ * dis- 


gk 2 
e528 


ry 


we would. be. cere, m but clothed 
‘| upon, ® that m i be swallow- 
ed up ‘of life. +) Wiboe 


Be ‘yer, 3, 4, 1 Cory, 
| 58, ae 


9 

pe 1. a Sol. e 
ob 30. 22, 2 ety hae 
Rom. 

oan TPE 1 di 


s-| ing the argument of the preceding chap! J 
ed, that he and other faithful ministers endured 
| persecution, from the assurance of a far ‘happier 
s{ state, whenever they should be cut off by death.’ 
The body might be deemed “ an earthly house” 
‘in. which. the soul dwelt on earth, aud whieh a 
‘would soon return fo the dust whence it was! wh Be 
* taken 2” yetit was rather a tabernacle, the un- Ch 
settled and precarious abode of a few days, than” 

a stated residence. ‘This house or tabernacle, 
/was about to be take’ _down, and the materials 
of it to be disso ve : but when that change , 
should take place, ‘the soul being released from 
'amean mouldering tenement, which ‘continually 
‘needed repairs, and had been a constant ‘source 
of trouble, sorrow, temptation, and sin; would 
‘immediately have a building of God, a habita- 
tion far superior to all that ever Was matte with 
hands, a blessed mansion in the heavens, where 
God displays his. glorious presence, and where 
light, purity, and felicity, are found in full perfec. 
tion: and this mansion would continue to all’ 
eternity. As the apostle spake of what was to 
follow immediately upon the dissolution of the 
body by death ; he must be supposed to mean’ 
the state of the immortal soul, before, as well as 
rafter, the resurrection ; for the language is figue 
rative, and must not be confined by a too literal 
interpretation. In this prospect, he and his 
brethren groaned: earnestly, ‘desiring to be ‘deli. 
vered from ‘their present troubles, and to be 
clothed with that glory, felicity, and immortality, 
which might be considered as the garment, a 
well as the mansion, of the’ blessed inhabitants of 
heaven, ‘This, he seems to have longed for, and 
desired to possess, without passing through / 
death, if it might. have been so. He, however, 
knew, that : seeing they should. be thus arrayed, 
they ‘would not be found naked’ or destitute, 
‘when they left this world, and all its ‘possessions 
;jand- ‘accommodations; nor wou id they experi-_ 
ence trouble, want, shame, or any ‘imeonyenience, 
for evermore, This then must be a most desir. 
able change : for while t they were inthe frail ta- 
bernacle of the. body, ‘they, groaned, being bur- 
‘ rt Hened with manifold trials, temptations, and dif. 
«| ficalties, from which t they” longed to be released.’ 
Not that they desired to be wnclothed, by putting. 
off ‘the. body at death, “merely i in order to be rid 
of its eneumbrance : the prospect of that dissolu-- 
tion: was not in itself pleasing to them; but they 

: would rather have been “ clothed ubon,” by be- 
ri ping, taken, immediately to heaven, as Enoch and 
tint a were, that penetestt 3 at A ee 


present cs 
those, cine h yh oe him and whom he oT 
honour. _ Knowing, 3 therefore, that all things 
sy ther for good to those who love God ;” 
‘ving aaigeace to obtain the assurance that we 
of this number ; and. being animated by the 
f 4 that our labours and trials will conduce to 
‘the. benefit of our brethren and the glory of the 
Lord; we shall not faint in our work and warfare, 
‘Even when our bodies waste away by. disease, 
wear out by labour, grow feeble through: old: 
age, sts about to perish by persecution and 
death; the soul may be renewed, and grow 
ore vigorous. and holy, day by day ; ; and more, 
e for the enjoyment of heavenly felicity. Bul 
i the apostle could call his heavy and long con. 
ae foe * light ‘affliction, and but for a mo- 
ent,” what must our trifling difficulties ap- 
rin the estimate of faith and grace! How 
ameful then is it, that we should complain or 
pond under them! What powerful supports 
nsalations must there be im the hope and 
earne t of heaven, beyond what we have ‘hither- 
experienced ! May we then seek tayhave all 
our light and momentary afflictions sanctified to 
i is; that, by. promoting our humility, spirituslity, 
‘and admiring love of God our Saviour, they may 
« work for usa far more exceeding and eternal 
« weight of glory!” We know not indeed what, 
we shall be, but the unutterable nature of the 
licity whieh we are encouraged” to expect, 
hould enhance our value for it. _ That must be 
le, which human language. can express, or 
an imagination conceive ; but the joys of 
will be immense and everlasting. On the 
and, what must be the weight. of that mi- 
served for the wicked, concerning’ which 
iptures use the most energetic language ; 
en all the sufferings, that a man is here ex- 
D Bee te, are light and momentary, according tu 
2 jud pen of the gn writers ! Let us 


Rig 


ure misee for, “ the Shine 
are, temporal, but the. things 
nare eternal.” 


# 


and laboured, by faéth Phim, seniretbly pre- 


- 33. & 13,14. 
ea. 18. 


‘A.D. ete as ne 1 ebitradin 


"5 No whe ‘that hath © ‘wrought us for] 10 Fe we mist all’ ap 
the calf e thing is God, who also hath}.the ent-seat of Christ ; 


one may | bre 
his body, ai 
whether zz. ie 

Tl ee 


given unto Us P the earnest of the Spirit. 
6 "herefore 4 we are always confident, 
knowing that, * whilst we are at home in 
oy body, we are absent from the Lord: 
7 (For * we walk ty faith, aa by 
sight :) Tha gad ; 
8 We are confident, J say, t fe ‘will- 
ing rather to be be ae the body, 
and tobe " present with the Lord. mh 
[Practical Observations} — +e 
9 Wherefore * we * laboursahaet + whe- 
ther present or absent, wr emey. be 7 ac- 
cepted of him. 
sig 17. Iss 29, | ‘Dent. 12. 9. Rom.| 


the things ‘doi 


7 


again unto you, but » ps 
to glory on our \behalf, that 
somewhat to aswer them which ¢ 
+ appearance, and not in heart, se 
a Gen. 18. 25, 1) 6.8 Col. 3, 24, “| 16. Be Aci 13, 


17, 12. 1 John Pe 2. 


Sam. 2.3.10. Ps, 7.) Rev. 2. 23. & 20,)°& 
6—8. & 9% 7, Be &} 12,1 « & 22, 12, 

50, 3-6, & 96. 10jc Rem, 6, 12,13, 19.) & 26, 26. 

13, & 98.9. Be, rae, ag) 1 Gor: Gab 1. ios 
11. 9. Bo1Bs 14. Ezs} 6s 13— | 28, 
18. 30. Mat. 25. 311d Gen. 3815. Job 8. —26 
—46. Acts 10, 42.) 4. & 18. te ot 

& 17, 31. Rom. 14. 23° 

10—12. 1 Pet, 4.5.) 76. 7 


60, 21. & 61. 8. 24, 25. 1 Cor, 13. as 7 14—1 
Eph. 2. 10- 12x Gal, 2.20, Heb.| 22.3 
P t 22. Ninn. 13. = 10. 38 & %j-2. Ke,|x John 6. 27. 1 Cor. 


—27. Rom, 8 23. 
Epbe 1. 13, 14, & 
4, 30. 1John 3. 24.!t ver, 6. & 12, 2 4. 10. Heb. 4.. 11, 
q ver. 8 Ps. 27. 3,) Luke 2. 29, Kerdl 2 Pat. 1, 10, 11: & 
4. Prov. 14, 26, Is, 21. 13: Phil. 1. 20} 3. 14, 

30.15. & 36. 4.| 24.2: Tim. 4.7,8.)* Or, endeavour. 


27, 1 Pet. 1. 8. B19. 26, 27. & 15.58, 
5. 9, Col. 2. 29) 1 Tim, 


Hib. 10. 35. 1 Pet.] 2 Pet. t. 14, 15. &) Rom-15.20.1 Thes.| Jude 14. 15. Rev.) & 90:11. I 14, 

5.1. Rev. 1.9. 3,11, 22; 4.12. Gr. 20. 11—17. Nah.1. 6. Mat. 10. 4 

@ See on, ver. t. ilu ver. % Ps. 16. ll.ly Bye: 6.8. Rom, 14,| b 1 Kings 8. 32,39.) 28. & 25. 46. Mark } 1e 

"Che. 29.15. Ps. 39.) & 17. 15. & 73, 23 Job 34. 11. Ps. 62.) 8. 35—38. & 9. 43 Prov. 27. 2. 
' H2) & 119519, Phil] —26. Mat, 25. 21. aatzeaieds Hondo 2%. 12, Ise 3. 10, 114 50. Luke pate a: he 


Qo. & 1 
» 1-9, 


$, 20,21. Hebv11,} 23. John 14-3. &} Acts 10, 35, Eph,| Mat. 16. 27. Rom; a Pog) Sl. baie 16. . 


17. 24.1 Thes. 4.) 1.6. Heb, 12. 28. 2.510, 1 Cor. 4, 


5. Gal. 6. 7,8. Eph. Fs ee ee 


ai. 24 


been swallowed, up, and lost in life and immor- 
tality ; yet, the prospect of the conséquences of 
death, aud the hope of a future: resurrection, re- 
conciled them evento the pangs of the separat- 

ing stroke. The passage, being expressed. in 
metaphors unusually, bold, is indeed rather diffi- 
cult; yet the above seems the evident meaning 
of it. Nor dogs it appear, that the apostle in- 

tended to express any expectation, that the day 
of judgment, and the general resurrection, were 
at hand: or to determine: any’ thing concerning 
the manner, as to external form, in which the 
goul subsists, either before or after that solem 
season, The word naked, may allude to Adam 
and Eve, after they had eaten the forbidden fruit, 

and lost the robe of innocency: whereas believ- 
ers, being “made the righteousness of God in 
6 Christ,” will not be thus found naked, in what- 
ever manner they leave this world. 

V. 58. That change of the judgment and 
affections, by which the apostle and his brethren 
had-been wrought and fashioned into.a fitness for 
their perilous and suffering employments ; and 
to that willingness to die for Christ’s sake, in the 
assurance of going to enjoy felicity in his favour, 
was the work of God himself, and could have 
heen effected by no other agent. . They had also 
received the earnest of the. Spirit, in his sanctify- 
ing joys and consolations; so that they could not 
possibly be deceived in this respect. . (Vote, i. 
22.) They were therefore always confident of 
the divine favour, and courageous in their work, 
though exposed to the daily peril of a violent 
death: for they well knew, that, whilst they so- 
journed in the body, they must be excluded from 
the immediate presence of the Lord Jesus, as 
- “pilgrims in a distant land, . For-they then lived 


gent with them and taking care of ey 
afforded them support and encouragemen 
ed to the present state : yet it differed very m 
indeed from that intuitive vision of his g 
felicity in his immediate presence, , ite 
the object of their hopes and desires. Th 
however, inspired them with confiden 
courage; as they were Satisfied, that when 
their bodies should be worn out by vite 
endure martyrdom; their souls, bei 
from. that tenement, would immedi 
mitted into the presence of their, 
This is absolutely. decisive, con 
city to be enjoyed by the souls 
when “ absent from the ene 
shows, that they will possess) theirh 
the very place, where. plies cate 
ous presence. The word fome, (6,) seems mi 
well chosen. This world is not the belie} 
home, but the place of. sojourning, 
age; and his body . he tabernacle, 
sojourns, 

V. 9~12. In this hope, the apostle 
fellow-labourers. were ambitious, | . 


properly signifies, ) ‘and itis flat to 
* We labour :” (Doeddridge.) "They ’ 
tious, not of the honours, and 

world, but of acceptance with the | 
pect of their persons, ministry, and 
though they should be unacceptable 
or even to their brethren: that sa 
be supported by the comfortsand 
his approbation, duri i 
body, while absent from bias 
they should. quit the body, { 
comed. by him, as good anc 
be admitted to the joy of t 
were assured that they, ther 


BORES od 


pe : \ ay Yt ey fs i ¥ 

“AD. 61. CHAPTER V. A. Desi: ) 

Ne : é i x een ak 

fat) For Me i we be besi . our- 5 And that hedied for all, * that t they 

“selves, § i God: or whether we be| which live, she ld not t henceforth ® live 

‘I sober, it or your cause, /aFy ya) hemselves, but unto Te dag 
“Nah Observations.) ed fo ru 2) e 


2 love of Chris 
ecause we ye eee 


Te! 


a9 an Mat. 20° 
i rt 


"28. John 1.29. & 


or. 16,23. Eph. 3.] John 2. 1,2. 
& 
1 


-& 21. 15—17e 1] 2 6. Heb. 2 9.2 
18,19, 


Ay 6.10 Pet 1, 8.| 24. 32. John 5. 25. 

ees: Luke & 11. 25. Rom: 5. 

wt peda Asts 4. 19, 15. Eph. 2. 1—5, 

wl Col. 2. 13. 1 Tim. 

2. 10. crea Menem 5. 6. Tit. 3. 3. 1 
m 8. 8,9, Cant. a u é John 5. 19. 

| men without’ exception, baicsih necessarily, whe- 

ther they would or not; ‘appear, or be made 


‘manifest, im the whole of their true characters, 
| with all the secrets of their hearts apd lives; 
‘Before the solemn and decisive tribunal of Christ, 
the Fighteous, impartial, holy, heart-searching, 
omnipotent Judge; who now called on them to 


trust in him and obey him as a divine Saviour, 
but who _ ' surely take vengeance on all, 
who rejected,or abused his salvation. At this 
solemn , every individual shall receive the 


inted recompense of his deeds, according 
to the things done, while he sojourned in the 
body, or dy and through the body, whether they 
"were good or evil; without any, respect of per 
gons, ‘or regard to profession; or other distinc- 
‘tions. So that the justified believer, who, from 
love to Christ; hath done good, uprightly and 
fully, will receive an abundant and gracious 
recompense of his believing, though imperfect, 
ervices ; but the profligate, the infidel, the Pha 
- fise: , the bypocrite, and apostate, with all kinds 
) of igpenitent transgressors, will be punished ac- 
“cording to the number and aggravation of their 
| etimes. Knowing therefore what a terrible ven. 
geance the Lord would then execute on the 
‘workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren, 
| used every kind of argument and persuasion to 
induce-‘men, of every nation and description, to 
elieve in the Lord Jesus, and to act consistently 
h the character of his disciples. ‘Tn this, their. 
“earnest endeavour, the motives and intentions of 
ir hearts had already been manifested to God, 
judged by him; and they were confident of 
is gracious — ‘approbation: and, whatever the 
ejudices ‘and passions of some at ‘Corinth 
ght suggest ; “the apostle was confident, that 
heir consciences they were convinced, that 
d his helpers acted with integrity, zeal, 
d hful affection to their souls. Not that 
needed or ce @gain to commend 
selves to favour, from selfish or vain-glori- 
but they” thus - ‘suggested such 
‘proper to be opposed to the 
suspicions. of false teachers ; and 
“occasion to glory in the disinte-- 
[ t sufferings of the’: 
ey answer the boast- 
er who gloried i in ft 
eae on vg aS 


t.° con-| 


. John 14, 21— 11, 50—52. 1'Tim. } 


c-24r Heb 3. 7 9. Luke a5.) 


= as well as in other things, the love of Christ 


15,16. & 5. 24. 

Rom: 6.! 6. 13. & 12. 1. I 
11,128 8.2. 6 14. 7-9-1. Cor. 6. 

22-20. & 5.1 20, & 10.33. Gal 

» 5.14, CoLj 2.10. Phil 1. es 
3.1.1 Pet.| 21. Col. 3. 17. 

1 Thes. 5. 10. Tit. 

Kings 5. 2. 14. Heb, 13. 20, 


u Lu 


_John 2. 4. Gal. 2. 
5.6.1 Tim. 5. 21, 
22, Jam, 2. 14. & 
‘Sore Fe 

6. y John 6. 63... 
t ver. 16, 20», homed 


r 


eM Mie Ree 
pearance, as if very zealous in the cause of 
Christ, and greatly attached to the Corinthians; 
but who were not really what they professed, 
and whose hearts dissented from, and, as it were, 
belied the language of their mouths. 

V. 13—15.. The great earnestness of the 
apostle to rectify the disorders at Corinth, and 
to re-establish his authority among them; his 
lively affections, and his excessive labours amidst 
sufferings and dangers, gave bis adversaries oc- 
casion to represent him as ‘*‘ beside himself,” 
and transported by -a vehement zeal beyond all 
the dictates of reason and sobriety. (Marg. Ref} 
But whatever in his e¢nduct bad given them 
this opinion of him, it was wholly owing to his 
zeal for the honour of Goa and his truth, and to” 
his earnest desire to approve himself faithful in 
his cause : and when at other times he seemed 
to act with great moderation and candour, and 
to debate matters with coolness and sobriety ; it - 
was wholly from a regard to. their welfare, and 
a desire to recover them from dangerous errors; 
in order to which he employed every method that 
he could devise, without regarding their cen- . 
sures or any personal consequences. For ia 


constrained him and other faithful ministers and 
réal Christians. The love which Jesus had mani- 
fested towards sinners, in the great work of res 
demption ; and to believers, incalling them to 
partake of this inestimable blessing, had excited — 
in their hearts such reciprocai love and grati- 
tude to him, as constrained them, and carried 
them on with invincible energy, in every service, 
by which they could glorify his name, or pro- 
mote his cause: nor could other fears, hopes, 
affections, or interests, stop their progress, when 
actuated by this most powerful principle. For 
in this matter they judged decidedly, in the most 
cool and reflecting moments, that, if Jesus died. 
as an atoning Sacrifice for all that should ever 
believe in him, then were all men dead, as under 
condemnation, enslaved to'sin, and utterly desti- 
tute’of power to deliver themselves ; otherwise 
he needed not to‘have died for them, or in their 
stead. And that he died as a common sacrifice 
for the sins of all’ men, or men of every nation 
and description : ‘that when, through the preach. 
ing yes hi ‘Gospel to Rae ig fed of mre sh 
reste Le c 4 ‘ 


COR rHiA ANS. 
a Therefore if any man # Be in: Cc pe ein om f css asse 
~new creatures » old things Bs 

d away ; ; behold, all mee: Be +0 ce “ ae 


becom € new. 
[Practical Obseradtion’ 


‘hath poceuealed us, to himself mH Frau ‘ 
Christ, and ¢ hath given to us or Till sa ¥ 
‘try of reconciliation ;) 

19 To wit, that God wa 


£ reconciling the world unto himself,|in him; 

Z ver. 19. 21. & 12s} 19. &) 65-017; 184d Lev ; .} 8 21.15.1 John . et 

2. Is, 45. 17, 24, 25.1 Mat. 9 16-18, &| 15, = 1, 2, & 4. 10, Chr. 36. 16. Neh : 
John 14.20. &' 15.1 24. 35. Rom. “6. Rom..5. 10 10, 11,]h Ps. 32, 1,2. Is 43.] 29, Is. 55, 6, 7, Je 
2.5. %17.23.Romy 4—6. & 7. 6. & 8.} Gres Eph.2. 16..Col. ate 44. 22. Rom. ‘Aad 4. Eze 18, S1/p 
8.1. & 160% 11. 1) 9, 10 1 Cor. 13, i1.| 1, 21+ Heb, 2, 17. 32. 


4. 6—2. 
Cor. 1, 30. Gall 3. 22—24.Je ver. 19,20. Is. 52. | * Gr pit in us. 4.]mv Job 33. 6. Lukel "Heb 
28, & 5. 6, Eph, (2.0 thats 79. Col.| 7. & 57.19... Mark _ }10.16-1:Cor.| 5s 4 John 3) 3 
2 4, Phil. 4.21... | 8. 1-10, Heb. 8.9} 16, 15, 16. Luke 10. }i 4 

® Or, let him be. }/=13.2Pet.S. 10-13.) 5. & 24. 47. Acts 
@ Ps. 51.10. BZ, 114 Revs 21. 1—5. 10.36. 8 13.38)36. 
19: .& 18,31. & $6,le John. 8. 16. 27.| Eph, 2.17, Colal.20. 
26. Mat. 12% 33.| Rom. 11. 35.1 Cor.'f Matt. 1- 23. John 
John 3. 3. 5. Gal.| 1.30) & 8. 6. & 12.| 14. 10, 11. 20. & 17, 
6.15. Bph- 2,10. }.6, Col. ls 26, 17.| 23. 1 ‘Tim, 3. 16, 
Bb ver. 16, Is. 43, 18,] Jam. 1.17, ig Rom. 3, 24—26. 


quickened and pardoned, and so passed from | they deemed aneee 
death to life ; they should from that memorable | Corinthians were cbiedly 
period no longer live according to their carnai | they do not seem to E 
inclinations, or to seek their own interest, repu-|ed ae Fudnize ~ 
tation, indulgence, or advancement, as they had 17. The ji 
fomerly done; but should devote themselves, aps, which the 
and all their powers, to do the wilt of the Re regarded as Ba 
deemer, to promote his glory, and to recom- standard of genuine’ 

mend his Gospel; seeing he had died for them |any man, whether J 
and risen again, to be their Lord and King. ist,” 

V. 16. . The apostle and his associates, there. | * 2 new. creature,” 
fore, being under such obligations, influenced by | for’ the marginal Bh 4 
such motives, and encouraged by such hopes|** creattirey? doés not ‘accord to 
and assurances of assistance, as had been stated ; Si 
were powerfully impelled to. disregard all’ con- 
trary and interfering objects, that they might| arid its invariable | erect 
show their love to their most gracious Lord and] been ‘produced, qe 
Saviour, So that when this change had’ taken|and purposes, from ee 
place, anid these principles were matured ; they tions must proceed. Thu Sy 
« knew no man after the flesh;” they had no an 
respect to men’s persons, because of nation, sect, | passed away and were s 
rank, of personal attachment, when their obedi-| Sy the marvellous opti 
ence to Christ was concerned: they could not things were become new ! I 
accommodate their doctrine or conduct to the 
humours of men, from any worldly principlss, or 
because of outward connexions with them, or}a new haabuigetal 
obligations to them. Nay, they did not now re-}aim at new ceil 
gard their external relation to Christ himsel& asjments. Every th 

& of the same nation with him, or otherwise | mould, received a new: 

acquainted with him. Even such of the apostles} new direction, from the knowl 
and evangelists, a¢ had ‘personally known him, |in Christ, and love to him; kumi 
‘or been nearly related to hit, did in this respe ct) and hatred of it, the desire | of ho! 
disregard that external tie, when it came iu com-} hope of eternal life) 1° ™ 
petition with their union with him “as believers,} “V.18~21- ‘As this shahge Ww. 
“and their obedience to bim as bis servants and |the power, and according: 
ministers. They could not warp their ‘doctrine Gad, go; it bore on it theta f 
or deviate from their instructions, to please the hud ed to a proper: tem| 
Jews, or the nearest relatives of Chirist;” any ji 

more, than out of respect to their own friends, or’ 
to the A uesihe: and pritices of the Gentiles; 
Many suppose that ‘the 2postle here’ referred to 
the Jewish converts, who were’ displeased with 
him for admitting the Gentiles into the Church, 
and being earnest for their conversion,” whieh 


eee’ 


mF 
- 2%, 3 iw 
ow 
bien 


xhorts the Corinthians not to] 
face of Gouin vain, but (0 seek sal_| th 
delay, 1,2. He shows, in what] 


divine justice for our sins; of the imputation of 
his perfect righteousness to believers, a8 their 
title to eternal life; and of his real Deity, whose 
righteousness become pero justification, 
by virtue of their aad wit “him. Perhaps 
stronger language cannot be used, in declaring 
these doctrines, by those ‘who most zédlously 
contend for thera, The same preposition, (umep;) 
here used, is translated instead in the preceding” 
verse: “in Christ’s” stead, or instead of Christ. 
Thus he suffered instead of us! (1 Pet, iii. 18.) 
The apostle doubtless spoke primarily of himself 
and his fellow-labourers, as Christ’s ambassa- 
dors; yet, as all faithful ministers are intrusted 
with the same message, by ‘the same authority, 
so they too are ambassadors for Christ, though 
to a smaller number of their fellow-sinners,— 
Some of the professed Christians at Corinth were 
supposed by Paul to be unconverted, and unre: 
}conciled to God; and he might, have them in 
view, when he spake of God’s beseeching: sin« 
ners by his ministers. But he was evidently 


to their fellow-sinners; they, 
id their future lives in earnest and| 
endeavours to bring others to partake 
mercy, and to devote themselves: in 
he service of their reconciled God. This 
istry implied that “ God was in Christ,” 
manifest in the flesh:” as the fulness of the 
isplayed by, the human 
i ation of the eternal 
ii d, who’ was equal to, and 
ither: that so, being united to 
ht reconcile the world unto 


\** world to himself,” in humble faith ;_ he no more 
imputed any of their trespasses unto them, but 
|blotted them out by a free forgiveness. This| giving an account of his commission and gene- 
word or doctrine of reconciliation he had com-|ral ministry, through the nations of the earth : 
mitted to those, who had once been enemies, but| wherever he came, he addressed sinners in this 
yho had thus been reconciled, So that they| pathetic and earnest manner; and while “ he 
re now commissioned, as ambassadors for| ‘prayed them ih Christ’s stead to be reconciled 
st, to go in his name, and by his authority,| ‘ to God ;? it was, as if God himself had be- 
id declare these encouraging truths to sinners 
ery part of the world, And they were not 


of his mercy.—The change of the language, 
structed to command. them to repent, and] * ambassadors for Christ,” * God beseeches you ; 
the Gospel; and to exhort, persuade,|* we pray you in Chrisi’s stead,” &c. shows how 
encourage them fo hope in the rich mercy | familiar it was to the apostle to consider his di- 
d through Jesus Christ: but God did, as it| vine Master, as One with the Father, in Deity 
beseech men by them, as the ambassadors|and authority. 
; and they, “in Christ’s stead,” most | | RES ae 
y entreated them not to reject such as-} . PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
ing love, but to repent, submit to Gdd,ac-|. WI 8, ve 
t his salvation, and be reconciled to him, as| It. is most animating for us to know, amidst 
is worshippets, friends, and children, For it} our sufferings, temptations, conflicts, and pros- 
ust be certain, that he was really willing to be| pects, of mortality, that whenever we die we 
us reconciled to all, who accepted this invita-|shall enter into the heavens, and be admitted to 
on, Secing, that “He,” even God the Father,|un unspeakable felicity: but our assurance or. 
ade Him,” his incarnate Son, “ who knew | prevailing hope of this must be proportioned to 

but was most perfectly holy and right-| the evidence of our conversion, It is not worth 
o be sin,” or a sin-offering * for us,”| while to be very solicitous about, or indulgent to, 
served the utmost severity of his ven-| this clay-cottage, in which the soul is now incom- 
_ So that this holy and divine Saviour, | madiously lodged, or rather imprisoned, because 
fectly willing to suffer as a sacrifice, |of transgression. We should not be troubled to 

with as if he had been altogether a} feel it, as it. were, shake, or to perceive the to- 
that thus God’s hatred of sin, and his|kens of its approaching dissolution. We must 
nation to punish it, being so wonderfully | not expect ease or satisfaction in. “ this earthly 

» he might honourably pardon every| ‘house of our tabernacle :” but we should look 
r, and make him “ the righteousness of| forward in hopes of “a buiiding of God, a house 
in Christ :” dealing with him as if he had} « not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 

fectly righteous, or righteousness itself:| While we groan, earnestly desiring adinission 
‘the righteousness of God in Christ :” 
and more excellent righteousness. 
his for justification, than any 
could ever have performed. ; 
is verse contains most conclu-|lodged from the body. If in the mean time we 
f of the vicarious suffer | groan, being burdened with manitoid irivulations 
¢ satisfactory atonement to} and temptations; or if we feel a reluctance to be 
a Ba t . i 


righteousness and salvation: thus we may be 


sought them to lay aside their enmity, and accept 


into thig blessed mansion ; let us seek to be more — 
and more “clothed upon,” with the robes of — 


sure, that we shall not be found naked, when dis. - 


oO 


A. D. 63. If. CORINTHIANS. - 


from them, 18. He warras them against intimate| ges axa the 
connexions with unbelievers, as Christians are the} children G 
temples ‘ef the living God, 14—16;; andencotra-|  from'sin, 17, 18) 


stripped by the cold rude hand of death, and] concerns of the 
could rather wish to pass to heaven some otherj charge of being 
Way, “ that mortality might be swallowed up of} only inquire, whether : 
‘life 2? it may encourage us to recollect, that|by the word of God, a 
even apostles experienced the same troubles, andj to his authority and loi 
knew something of the same reluctance. But if] vehement affections and 2 
the desire of having ‘done with ‘sin “and sorrow, | more cool and temperate’ 
and especially of beholding face to face our be j intended to promote t 
loved Redeemer, hath given us, ina measure, a}this be the case, we may yen 
victory over our fears, and made us willing even| the contumely ; and we should 
* to be absent from the body, that we may be! vilers, that they may indeed come 
« present with thé Lord ;” we should remember|and be delivered from that rea 
that it is God ‘himself’ who hath wrought our) whicly all unbelievers are affected. 


hearts into this spiritual and holy disposition ;) ment, concerning our lost estate as sin 
and that these desires and affections are indeed! thé love of Christ, as dying for pur 
« the earnest of the Spirit,” and the first-frnits of| coincides with that of stle; we 
our ‘eternal happiness. This should excite #is}in proportion to our fait 
¢o. an unremitted courage and confidence in our}ing influence of his Jo} 
duty, whatever dangers may obstruct our course:| to live to him, who d 
while absent from the Lord, we may by faith; But, alas! many sho 
walk with him, and derive support and consola-| professed faith and love; 5 
tion from-him ; for thus we may see him who is} and to the world: and o 
invisible, and realize those objects that are un-|obscure, our judgments: 
seen : and whatever hastens our departure from) love so feeble, that co 
the body, shortens also our passage to the -pre-| little to the glory of ou 
gence of our Lord, where is fulness of joy for! partialities from external re 
evermore. > ions, which tempt the minister 
’ W. 921392" *" - testimony, or the Christian i 
While others labour for worldly riches, andj inconsistent, with a proper 
are ambitious of the honour that cometh from} Jesus: and in this sense, we 
man, let us aspire after the glory of heing ac:| know no man after the flesh, 
cepted by Christ, ‘in all our services during life,| may seem to have to our’ s' ] 
and of being received into his joy when we leave | justified believer is a new cré t 
the world. As we must all appear without dis-| world : his new relation to Christ, to 
guise before his judgment-seat, let us beware of| and to heavenly things ; h 
hypocrisy, and be impartial in judging ourselves: | obligations, interests, p 
and especially let us carefully acquaint ourselves) satisfactions, have supersede 
with him, as our Saviour, ‘who will shortly be} ly prevailed: “yea, * ‘old 
manifested as our Judge ; that by his grace we} ‘* away, behold, ail things : 
may henceforth do those good things, which he} Even the same actions, hat £ 
will recompense, as the fruits and evidences of} now performed from new 
saving faith, in that solemn, decisive day. ‘I'his| manner; his attention to” 
expectation should also render ministers un-| ties, and his diligence in w 
wearied and faithful in their work : and knowing | from new purposes, an 
what a tremendous day it will be’ to all ‘the| They, whor know nothing of 
workers of: iniquity, they should’ be the more| are not in Christ, whatever ¢ 
earnest and affectionate in'their’pérsuasions and| the more evidently it hath 


warnings to sinners, to’seek’salvation before it} more clearly is a man’s ficati 
be too late. Happy are they, who’are warranted ‘ “ Vv, 18—21. 
to appeal to God, in respect of their faithfulness} “Every good gift comes from ¢ 
and zeal in this good work ; and even to the con |the whole glory belongs: even t 
sciences of those who are offended with theirjnew creatures, yea, even apost 
plain-dealing. ‘This may sometimes be necessa-] who are now perfect spin ef 
ry, though men may censure it'as self.commen-| were once enemies to God by ¥ 
dation: and it is often useful to suggest to the/'This enmity to God began 
people such things, as’are proper to be spoken,; part ; but the secpneiieated, 
in defence of the truth and in behalf of faithful! vised, revesied, and effectex Rime 
preachers ; that'they may know how to answer|Sovereign. In the person of Emm 
the cavils and boastings of such as glory in ap-| mediation and atonement, wh 
pearance, bat’ are not hearty bY the cause of|« for us, though he knew nos 
God. us “be made the righteousness 
V. 14—17. the foundation of this blessed nec 
If earnestness to prevent the delusion and de- | laid: for * God was in Ghr 
struction of our fellow-sinners, aud in the great} “world unto himself” 


R VI A. D. 61. 
have I suecouted thee: behold, now 
the accepted time ; behold, now is the 
the Frank of God in vain. . | day. of salvation.) . - 

‘saith, I have heard thee in| 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that 
ed, and in the day of salva- the minions pigea ae 


“Heb. $. oo 13. & 4 . 170 27 
im. lds 


cy a & 8. a Gop 8.8613. 


12, 22, & 10. 23, 
24. 32, 33» 


+} © not be rejected : » let ePahe Christians eX: 
| amine their interest in Christ, the great Recon- 
-| ciler, by i inquiring whether they are become the 
friends. of God, his cause, and: his people : let 
+} ministers not only warn men by the terror of the 
;| Lord, ‘but beseech them by his abundant mer- 
‘cies, to repent, and turn unto. him: and let be- 
lievers consider, whether God can now. with-" 
hold any good thing from them ; or whether 
they can venture, lose, labour, or suffer, too 
much for him who gave his beloved Son_ to: be 
the sacrifice for their sins, that they might be 
* made the righteousness of Godin him?” i 


himsel “to us poor apostate 
er ing sinners '\—Earthly 
persons of dignity and eminence 
their persons, and act by their au- 
these ‘important occasions ; but the 
‘of glory deputes pardoned. rebels, and re- 
“eonciled enemies, to go to their former associ- 
es in rebellion, on this embassy of peace ! The: 
gracious’ proposals which they are instructed to : NOTES. 
make, and the encouraging terms which they z CHAP, VL. Y..1, 2. The apostle and other 
commanded to use, are equally expressive of ci faithful. ministers, as fellow-labourers of God, 
descension, compassion, and good-will to men z, orj and employed .by him in reconeiling the grorld 
Lord himself, who might justly, and could| unto himself, joined their earnest entreaties to 
sily destroy ‘them for ever, is pleased to ** be-| the Corinthians also, as they had to others, that 
ch them to be reconciled tohim!? This they would not “ receive the grace of God in 
‘of our God and Saviour, by his minis-|<t vain.” The word, rendered grace, signifies 
nis proud ¢ enemies, must appear. wonder} any special undeserved favour; and, when it is 
sone conception, to holy inhabitants of| used for the regenerating and sanctifying work 
ven ; yet the reception with which it often | of the Holy Spirit, it implies, that this is a special 
is, and the contempt or disdain, which it ex-| undeserved favour. The unspeakable love of 
ust exceedingly i increase their astonish-! God to sinners in the redemption by his Son, and 
d it will assuredly satisfy them con-}in the appointment.of “ the ministry of recon- 
the propriety and equity of punishing} “ ciliation,” and the mercy shown to those whom 
cable haters of God with everlasting | he thus ‘* besought to be reconciled to him,” 
1 m his_ presence. The ambassa-| would be altogether in vain, as to. such of them 
rs for Chri c however, must adhere to their}as.“ neglected so great salvation,” through un- 
instructions, whatever reception they may meet| belief and love of sin. The apostle feared that 
vith, ‘They should magnify their office, and en. | this had hitherto been the case of some profess. 
eavour to represent their Lord, by exhibiting ed Christians at Corinth : and. doubtless many 
s character in their example, as well as de-|such would read or hear. his epistle ;, whom. 
ing. his whole counsel ; _they_ must conform | therefore he most earnestly exhorted and.entreat.. 
aws and customs of his ‘kingdom, and not/-ed, not to render all the advantages. set before 
ose of th's evil world ; neither fearing the} them ineffectual tothemselves, by persisting in 
mpt or rage of men, while “ in Christ’s| unbelief: but that they would without delay,. 
they pray them to be reconciled to God,” ‘while the word of God. was faithfully preached 
et seeking to please men, or expecting any|to them, embrace the proposals .of mercy and 
pepetre icon their gracious Lord. On} grace set before them. For as|\Jznovan had 
r hand, let all who hear the Gospel, re. ‘assured the Messiah, according to the revelation 
: ithful minister is the ambassa. made by the: prophet, that he.had. * heard him 
“in an acceptable time, and succoured him in a 
day ¢ of. salvation,” (Votes, Js. xlix, 7, 8.) with 
ference to bis intercession for the. 
er. his. exaltation to his mediatorial.. 
so the present season might be consider.. 
ies | of Pe forever ; the: ce ey ed by the Corinthians, as an accepted time and- 
he a day e salvation”. to. all, who sought an in- 
terest am the. blessings of the Redeemer’s king 
of|dom. But if they refused the embassy of peace ; 
e voice of yack they might expect to be speedily punished as the 
led to him: “ah -enemies of Christ. (Votes, &e.. Prete dn BB. 
e in the assura ne Ts. dy. 6. aa Lathe iit. 25.) : ‘ 


fatty and i injury 
, a3 if done to himself in Person. nt 
of this proffered peace will leave | thro 


itis. & 


‘ 


Se AEE ESOS be AUNT 8 RE CER ORT tC RR RE AOE BEY) TS He 


rg 2. a 


anda hinderanee, to the believer. In particular, 


A D; 61, \ ¥. CORINTHIANS. 


)) CHAP. VIL. peared ey ict den Be. 

The apostle exhorts the Corinthians to follow after 
holiness, encouraged by the preceding promises, 1} 
and tv receive him, who had done nothing to fare 
feit their esteem, but had great love for them, and 
‘confidence in them, 2—4. He shows what com- 
: } fort, under his troubles, Titus’ good account of them 
had given him, 5—7 ; so that he did not repent of 


the sight of God 
in the joy of. 
as excited by 
swerableé to the apost 
ing them,18—16 


the unhallowed pursuits and pleasures ofan: un- 
believer, who despisedethe blessed Cospel of 
Christ? For righteousness and unrighteousness, 
light and darkness, Christ. and Belial; might as 
easily associate in cordiality,.as the believer and 
the infidel: all intercourse between them must 
be attended, with restraint, disguise, or jarring 
sentiments, .Such persons would live: in differ- 

ent elements; they would draw: different ways, 
and counteract each other's purposes: so that 
the unbeliever must be a cross, a snare, 8 clog, 


tempt, enmity, pride, and 
they occasion their deepe 
vent this fatal consequence 
we should: warn; expostulate, 
and exhort men by every means 
devise, to attend to. this’ one: thing 
We should:show them, that: * now is 
ed time and: the day of salvation 
present day alone is theirs ; the past is i 
ble; the future may find them in etern 
reason may fail them, th may 
drawn, or God» 
final obduracy. Thro 
divine. Saviour, whom t 
“in the accepted time; ; 
‘ of salvation,” b 
sufferings and-exal 
ry ;. we nowenjoy a ¢ 
be careful to avail: the 
Gospel. is sounding 
the convincing Spirit jis 
sciences. It is pecullaiae 7 
preach this great salvation 
any things (except ‘by th 
their) ministry be not bats 2m 


what agreement could subsist between the tem: 
ple of God and idols? Would Jexovan endure’ 
to have these hated rivals, placed even in: his 
own temple? Now Christians were the temple of 
God; his special residence, consecrated. by the 
Holy Spirit. For thus he had promised of ‘old, 
to believing Israelites, and with a view to the 
days of Christ; that.‘‘ he would dwell in them,” 
or,“ take up his indwelling in them .:?.“ and 
«¢ walk in them,” asa man.in his habitation, and 
so ** be their God,” ke... (Notes, &e. Lev. xxvi. 
11, 12. Jer. xxzxii. 37, 38.) Let them therefore 
value this special relation to God; and, as far as 
their relative and,social duties would permit, let 
them. separate from their heathen neighbours, |t 
and be careful to touch no unclean: thing, or any 
thing that related to idolatry.or iniquity. Eating 
things offered to idols, or with idolaters in their 
festivals, seems to be specially, intended. (Js, 
li. 11.) . In this case,.they might be assured, 
that the Lord would graciously accept of them, 
and receive them into his special favour: yea, 
that he wonld be in every respect.a Father: to 
them, and provide for, protects comfort; enrich, 
and biess them, as_his..sons and daughters, by. 
regeneration and adoption, This, the Lorn: aly 
mighty, the omnipotent. Ruler. of the universe, 
had repeatedly intimated, by, the .ancient pro- 
phets ; and he now declared .it- more explicitly | evih report » rand go 
by, his apostles, even. in respect of the Gentiles, trath and sincerity, | 
Aod what could they. desire more,)to compensate } 
for all losses, than this most.intimate nelson and proved. of God and 
union with the almighty God ? yee eh conciled to obscurity and mn 
, }their dangers and delivera 


“|and.consolations, their o' 
, {ward rejoicing, their pe 
It is the peculiar fai of faithfal ministers, } enriching many ; their | F 
to. concur most willingly in the great designs of |s sometimes almost without, f 
the. Lord, to labour in concert with him,.and) to |and. their interest in the 
join their sincere entreaties with his condescend, |Christ, may be contrasted: 
ing invitations, in beseeching sinners not .to_re-|) the whole of their conduct, 
ceive the grace of God in vain, But the gracious | labours, will concur to rec 
declaration of the Gospel, and all,the abundant |tri 
provision which is madein Christ Jesus forthe sal- 
vation of sinners; the labours ofthe most affec: 
tionate pastors, yea, the inyitations of God. him-. 
self by them, are often rendered ineffectual te: 


of een life.;, “Pati ; 
stancy in necessities ‘am 
rance under perseentions:, 
ywatchings, and fastit re 
ness, kindness; a spit 
sound: doctrine produt 


ested, steady in’ 
eousness on the rig 
proper attestations hr 
supported, they m 

«-dishonour ;” they 


PR ACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Me 
“1-10. 


who wear ithe garb, or bel 
ters, answer this descripti oi 
the exact reverse of it! H 


CHAPTER VII. - A. D. 64. 


] ‘ Her these promises,|selves from all © filthiness of the flesh 
Oe - dearly eloved, > let us cleanse our- 
<““ wig 3 Maree 


and spirit, ¢ perfecting holiness € in the 
fearofGod. sg 
$6.37, 18) 20.9. & 30. 12. Is. 


. ¢ Is. 55, 7. Jer. 4. 4,12, 186 Phil. Sle @ Chr. 19, 9 Ps 
=} 1. 16. Jer. 13. 27- 14. 1 Cor. 6. 20,{ 12—15.. 1 Thes. 3,| 19.9. Prov. 8 13. 
a 18. 30—32. &| Jam. 4.8. 1 Pet. 1. oe 23. “1 Thess. 13. & 4.7. Heb. 12. & 16 .6 “op “a 

» 25. Mat. 5. 8, 2.5 80128 igh . 28, 


re pRB Tee: 1 lee Heb. 2 12. 28 
& 12.33. & 23.25,13.3. 


26. Lake 11. 39, 
40. Tite 1. 11—14- 


a’ Mats. 48. Eph.t a 


with idols? Let us value Sa Failing to him, and 
not profane it: let us admire his condescending 
promises of dwelling and walking in us poor 
sinners, whom he hath reconciled to himself by 
Jesus Christ. Let us earnestly desire to have 
his temple made and kept pure, that we may 
have the comfort of his manifested presence. 
Let us beseech him to be our God and Portion, 
and to number us with his chosen people. Let 
/us come out from among the workers of iniquity, 
and separate from all their vain and sinful plea- 
sures and pursuits, and from all conformity to 
the corrupt customs and fashions of this evil 
world. Let us not touch any gain or indulgence 
that-is spotted with sin. Let us remember that 
tthe world, though called Christian, still lieth in 
wickedness, and is full of unclean things which 
we! must abhor. Let us assure ourselves that 
‘the Lord will receive all, who come in his ap- 
pointed way, and at hie call; and that he will be 
a Father unto them, and take them for his chil- 
dren: and if it be so envied a privilege, to be the 
son or daughter of some earthly potentate; who 
can express the dignity and felicity of being the 
sons and daughters of the Lord almighty ! 


wed, and habitual: misconduct ; that 
m istry j is blamed, and. men are fatally pre- 
udiced against the truth! And how common is 
t fc rus to be drawn. into such improprieties of 
sonduct, as prevent the usefulness of our most 
‘earnest exhortations! We should therefore con. 
inually beseech - the Lord to erase every unfa- 
yourable imp: , which any past misconduct 
may baw e on men’s minds; and to pre- 
‘him more unaxceptionably 


pokes that we may give up every 
worldly interest and indulgence, and be -willing 

to labour and suffer in the cause of Christ. We 

ld seek to be made fruitful in good works; 

to be endued with pureness and knowledge ; to 
be strengthened in the exercise of long-suffer- 
‘ing and kindness; to be armed with the whole 
‘armour of God; to rejoice in the midst of tribu- 
lation; to be more desirous of making others 
Tich, than of avoiding poverty in our own cir- 
‘eumstances ; ‘to leave our character and) con- 
‘gerns in the Lord’s hands, and to count our. 
ree to’ possess all things, in his albanflicient 

your and precious promises. ~ 
oo Ve -18 

“Evident uprightness. and enlarged ove give us} 
‘confidetice in addressing even those, who have 
‘imbibed prejudices : our mouths will be opened 
n the cause of Christ, by the consciousness, that 
e only seek the good of the people, and not our 
| Own emolument or reputation. We shall be more 
| concerned, when they close their minds against 
ur instructions, than when they refuse to com- 
dessus § our necessities: and: the most de. 
recompense of our labour of love, will be 
their readiness to receive the truth from our lips. 
‘It.will especially be near the heart of such pas- 
tors, to caution their beloved children in the 
‘Gospel, not to be unequally yoked with unbeliev- 
ts. The fatal effects of neglecting the scriptu- 
ral. precept . in, this matter are most evident. 
whose cross it-is to be thus connected, 
r their wilful fault, may expect peculiar 
ions under it: but when, believers will 
themselves into these disadvantageous cir- 
neces, contrary to the express warnings of 
word, they may expect to feel much addi- 
“wise Indeed,. all intimate connexions 


NOTES. 

‘CHAP. VII. V.1. This verse is evidently 
connected with the subject of the former chap- 
ter. .The promises, which God has given in the 
Gospel, should excite those who hear them to 
aspire after holiness. All sin is flzhiness in the 
judgment of God, because contrary to his holy 
nature and law. Sensual lusts may be called 
‘« filthiness of the flesh :” while pride, envy, re- 
venge, avarice, and idolatry, may be intended by 
the * filthiness of the spirit” or the former mar 
signify the outward expression of sin “by the 
body, in word or deed; the latter its inward 
workings in the imagination and affections. As- 
| piring after acceptance, adoption, and communion 
with God, and depending on his promises, Chris- 
'tians ought to cleanse themselves from all this 
filthiness : constantly watching against all evit 
thoughts, desires, words, and works ; mortifying 
every corrupt propensity, renouncing every sin- 
ful interest or pleasure, seeking for an increase 
of all spiritual dispositions, and abounding in 
every good word and action. In this manner 
they ought to proceed in perfecting holiness, and 
in seeking entire conformity to the holy image 
and law of God, from reverence of his authority, 
fear of his displeasure, and an habitual sense of 
his holy heart-searching - presence. Thus they 
should persevere in unremitted endeavours after — 
perfect holiness, as leng as they live ; because — 


profitable communion between contrary 
cters ; the attempt of making a coglition 
en Christ and Belial is unnatural and abo- 
the kingdoms of righteousness and 

ss, of light and. darkness, must 
war with each other; and we 
todo good to unbelievers, when 
f from all other intercourse with 
hat of duty and compassion. If 
eed, we are the temples of the liv, 
\ we then to do any more 


fection. In this the apostle joined himself; this 
intimating, that be too needed more perfect 
cleansing from the filthiness of sin; and that he 


their highest attainments leave them short of per- 


a 


5 
yi 
a 
t, 
we 
hy 
* 


mor 
&D. 61: : 
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were 
‘made so net that ye sorrowed to re- 
“pentance: for ye were made sorry * af- 


ter a f 
ceive d ¢ by us in nothing. A 
10F y sorrow werketh 5 repent- 


© Salvation not to be repented of: but 
jorrow of the world worketh death. 
“ki For, behold, this self-same thing, 
Ethat ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what 
‘I! carefulness it wrought in you, yea, 
at ™ clearing of yourselves, yea, what 
on, vers 6, 7] 13 1 Kings 8. Zi 17. 14. 22. Jon. 4° 


on h. ver, 10.) 50, Job 23. 27, 28.|.9. Mat. 27. 4, 5. 
» 7.3, Jer. 31. 18 be 18. oe ely re 12. A ret: 
| see -20, Zech. 13, 10.) Jom, 3. 8—10. Mat.jk ver. 9. Is. 66. 
“Lake 15. 7 is. 17 Br eb—32. & 26.! Zech. 12. 10—14. 
24. 32. Acts 20,] 75. Luke 15. 10. &] 1 Cor. 5,2. 
Pi. 4 _ | 18.13. Arts 3. 19.]1 See on, a ver. 7. 


© Or, virgin & 11. 18. 2'Vim. 2 1 Cor. 12. 25. Tit 
‘Godawer. 10, 11. 8}. 25,25. & | 3.8. , 


Oo vers 1. Ps,°2. 11.} 17% Acts 17, 16. 


St m Gen. 44. 6, 7. 1 
Cor. 5-13. Eph. 5. 
11. 1 Tim. 5. 21, 
22. < 


i Gen. 4.13-15, & 
7 fi } 30.1. 1 Sam. 30. 6. 
13. 8—10. Is. 6.| 2 Sam. 13. 4. & 17. 
“Ih. | 23. 1 Kings 22. 4, 
12.) Prov. 15- 13. 15. & 


“bB,a1. 2Sam. 
4nd glory, and in dependence on his mercy: and 
this had been so ordered, that they might receive 
damage from the apostle in no respect, not even 
as the innocent occasion of it. For that sorrow, 
which was the effect of divine grace and the 
eas God, tended directly to work repentance 
the heart, and to render it humble, contrite, 
Submissive, afraid of punishment, dependent on 
mercy, disposed to renounce and mortify every 
sin, and to walk in newness of life: and this re. 
tance was “unto salvation ;” as always con- 
Lies with faith in Christ, and an interest in 
atonement : so that no’ man would repent of 
sorrowing and repenting. Some are of 
on that the word, rendered “ not to be re- 
© pented of,” should be referred to “salvation,” 
father than'to “repentance :” in the same sense 
as it is applied to “ the gifts and calling of God,” 
the only place where the same word occurs 
in the New Testament, (Mom. xi. 29 ;) signify- 
ing its unchangeableness ; or denoting a salvation 
which will infinitely more than compensate all 
iat may be endured in attaining it: and per- 
“the construction, in the original, favours 
his opinion. On the other hand, the sorrow of 
nal men about worldly objects, being sepa- 
from the fear and love of God and faith in 
rey, often drank up their spirits, broke 
‘proud rebellious hearts, drove them:to suis 
“or prompted them to the most desperate 
ss ; and so worked death temporal and 
( Marg. Ref.) “The sorrow of the 
>” is the certain way to desperation, un- 
God prevent it; as appears from the hor- 
ies of Cain, Saul, Ahitbophel, and 
ut the written tears of David giyé the 
tample of the other kind of sorrow? 
Tt was evident that the sorrow of the 
d been * aftera godly sort,” from 
to réctify and amend what had 
their ready obedience in censur- 
>from their desire to show, that 
the evils which had taken 


eg 


*° CHAPTER VIL. 


| Phil. 2. 12. Heb. 4.) 48." 


fect of corrupt principles, 


2: 6k? 


™ indignation, yea, wha? © fear, yea, what | 
® vehement desire, yea, what 4 zeal, yea, 
what ® revenge! In all things ye have 
ly manner, ¢ that ye might re-|* approved yourselves to be clear in this 


iC cael err ae 

12 Wherefore; though I wrote unto 
you, * J did tt not for his cause that had 
done the wrong, nor for his cause that 
suffered wrong, but ™ that our care for 
you in the sight-of God might appear 
unto you. Rep aeres % 

13, Therefore * we were comforted in 
your comfort: yea; and exceedingly the 


Neb. 5. 6, &e. &lp Ps. 38. 9, <i 
-| 19. Cant. 8. 16, Is./t 2.9. 1 Com 5-1. 
18—20,4 26. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 2, fu 2s 4.17, & 12. We 
Dan, 6. 14. Mark!q 9.2. Ps. 69.9. &) 28.1Tim.3.5. _ 
3.5. U9. 139. John 2,/x 2.3. Rom. 12. 15. 
1 Cor, 12. 26. & 13, 
Prov. 14,16, & 23./r Ps. 35.13. Mat.5.) 5—7. Phil. 9, 28, 
‘14, Rom. 11. 26.) 29. Mark 9. 43—] 1 Pet. 3,8, 


1. & 12. 15,16. 1s 6+4-& 13.7. Rom. 


but of inattention; that by thus clearing them. 
selves they might preserves the credit of the 
Gospel : from their indignation at themselves for 
having thus disgraced their profession; from 


‘their fear lest any repetitions of such abuses 


should occur ; from their most earnest desire of 


further degrees of purity ; from their zeal for the 
glory of God; and from their desire, as it were, 
to revenge his cause on themselves, by submit- ~ 
ting to any humiliations, or corrections, that were 
‘requisite for the honéur of the Gospel. So that 
‘in every thing they were now freed from further 


imputation in this transaction. Numbers of them 


‘thus showed, that they had not been directly 


guilty, though they had inadvertently connived 


at the offenders ; and of this connivance they had 


repented, and sought forgiveness, Others, who 


‘had been more directly criminal, had likewise re- 
‘pented, and concurred in such measures, as im- 
plied a decided protest against the sins, which 
‘had disgraced. the cause of Christ, and those 
teaehers who allowed of them: and thus the 
‘Church, as a society, was cleared from the guilt 
and infamy, under which it lay ; and the whole 
‘blame now rested with the individuals who still 
‘persisted in impenitence, As this verse relates 
to the conduct of a Christian society, in particu- 
‘lar circumstances; and probably, some of the 
clauses to one part, and some to another, of this 
society ; so these several particulars can only be 
applied by accommodation to the repentance of 


an individual. — ; 


V. 12. The apostle further assured them, 


that he had not written concerning the incestu- 
ous person, from a personal dislike to him, or - 

‘merely on his account, in any respect; nor from ~ 
regard to bis father, who had been so grossly | 
wronged in this matter: but in order to show to 

them, as in the sight of God, his attention to their 
‘spiritual interests. The other offenders at Co- 
rinth, (1 Cor. vi. 1—11 ;) might also be alluded 
to; but it is evident, that the principal criminal 
‘Was more directly intended. =~ 


Pag’ G 


Eaagt e 


Pi 


a ge ge 


ieee 2 


' more joyed we for the joy of Titus, ¥ be- 


cause his spirit was refreshed by you all. 
14 For 2if I have boasted any thing 
to him of you, I am not ashamed; but 
as * we.spake all things to you in truth, 
even so our boasting, which Z made be- 
fore Titus, is founda truth: 
15 And his * inward peng? is more 


y.ver. 15. Rom. 15. 20. + 18—20. 
1 Cor. 16. 18. 2z ae 24. & G Ge bowels are. 
Tim. 1.16. Philem.| 9, 2—4. 12. Gen, 43. 30+ 


V. 13—16. The apostle’s endeavours had 
been made successful, and had eventually issued 
in the comfort of the Corinthians; and thus he 
shared their consolations, as he had before sym- 
pathized in their sorrows. It also increased his 
joy, ts. see how joyful their conduct had render- 
ed the pious heart of his beloved Titus. If then 
he. had before spoken so confidently of them, 
that it seemed to be boasting, he was not now 
ashamed of it; for as his doctrine, and his pro- 
fessed affection for them had, been true, so this 
his boasting of them to Titus had proved true 
also. And the love of Titus towards them was 
greatly increased, while he remembered the obe- 


‘dience, which they all had shown to the authori- 


ty of the apostle, signified by him; and how 
they received him, even with a trembling fear, 
lest they should grieve him, or impress his 
mind unfavourably towards them. So that the 
apostle could now rejoice, in the confidence 
which he had in them in all thing's. There was 
great address in this part of the epistle: and his 
kind acceptance of what hag been done, and the 
confidence he expressed in the Church, were in 
general well suited to excité them to a more en- 
tire reformation; to break the party formed 
against him, to deliver them from the fascina- 
tions of the false teachers, and to re-establish 
his own authority. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—7. 

The promises of God should excite and ditect 
is in following after holiness. His grace alone 
can efficaciously purify us; but itis our duty to 
use the means which he hath appointed; and, 
depending on that grace, to search out, and 
cleanse away, all “ filthiness of the flesh and 


.*¢ spirit,” as abhorred by God and all his peo- 


ple. Perfect holiness should be the object of 
our unremitting prayers, and endeavours: .we 
should follow after it, as in the presence of God, 
and influenced by the fear of him, when no eye 
but his can possibly witness our conduct; and 
our lamented imperfections, should excite us the 
hore diligently to “ go om unto perfection.” 
the ambassadors of Christ, would be received in 
that character, they must be careful “ to wrong 
“ no man, to corrupt. no man, to defraud no 
* man: and they who reject those ministers, 
whose conduct and doctrine are thus uncorrupt, 
will greatly offend him that sent them. Yet we 
should avoid all rigorous censures, and show 
cordial love to the people, notwithstanding their 
faults: we should express as much confidence 
in them, and speak as favourably of them, as 


iI. CORINTHIANS. 


If | fortunes, excite men’s ACHES: 


abundant towards you, whilst h 
bereth > the obedience of you 
© with fear andl trembling ye 
him. as 

16 I rejoice th 
confidence in you 


oh see 26. Canta S14, 
5-4. Phil. 1. 8. Cokje See 


the case will admit: and wha 
readiness to amend what hath | 


Ms 
us exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation 
we ought not to expect much rest to ou 
in this evil world: and if inwards fears. . 
with outward opposition, to distress us ; we o 
taste of that cup, of which far better men 
drunk more abundantly, _ We cannot sufficien 
admire the compassion, : condescension, | 
our God, in revealing Pas: ‘the Comfort 
of those tlmt are cast down.’ In’ all our de 
tions and perplexities, therefore, let us re et 
him, as our all-sufficient Helper. | 
the time of our extreme distress is com 
that of his interposition, we bso endeavo 
make it that of our most e niarged ‘expecta 
He works, however, by second causes and 
ments : the converse of some p friend, 
good account of those about whom we 
anxious, or the affection of such as we 
were alienated, are often sources of 
consolation, in which the rae of the. 
should. be oe much t 
ness ies 
V. Bod Meech asic asa 
Through anxiety a ou the event of his | 
bours, the faithful minister, may be tempted 
repent of his best intended, and most. scriptur 
endeavours, todo good. He may fear that. | 
spake too decidedly, or sharply, ae #0 
needless offence, or excited — orrro 
when he only performed. the office of an ai 
tionate reprover, under the i nce of the 
rit of truth and love. Th us a man 
dered uneasy, for having ea his 
afraid of doing it on another occasion. 
we should be: reluctant to catise sorrow, 
as the skilful, and tender surgeon is at 
give pain, though he finds it often. nece 
but we should rejoice in bringing amet ‘to 
godly sorrow, which worketh 
their grief will be transient, and the,bene 
nal. ‘The loss of an earthly friend, the d 
sure of a powerful superior, or ere ’ 


they have cause to mourn : 
be grieved, for having offended a 
honoured his name, incurred his 
served eternal misery ! { The objects 
sorrow are trivial; its exercise 
availing; and it tends to de 
therefore, , be careful not ‘ain 

sin be mourned over, as the cat 
ferings, and God be rega 
and merciful Author of th 


WY. 4 - ‘ 


ye 4 © 


1. | CHAPTER VIII. AD. 61: 


q CHAP. VIII. | 


*% 

|. ‘The apestle sets before the Corinthians the liberality 
; ef the poor Christians in Macedonia, 1—5; and 
excites them to imitate this liberality toward the 
"poor saints in Judea, that they might abound as 
mauch in this grace, as in other things; and show 
» the sincerity of their love, as animated by the 
_ self-abasing, and self-denying love of Christ, 6—9. 
_. They had before shown a readiness to this con- 
$ tribution, which would be graciously accepted by 
|. the Lord, 10—15. He commendsto them Titus, 
bs and two other brethren whom he had engaged in 
this service, and who were on many accounts wor- 

_ thy of their peculiar regard, 16—24. 
OREOVER, brethren, ® we do you 
: to wit of >the grace of God be- 
“stowed on ¢ the churches of Macedonia: 


4 Praying us with much entreaty ! that 
we would receive the gift, and take upon 
us the fellowship of ™ the ministering to 
the saints. Baal 

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, 
but ® first gave their own selves to the 
Lord,.and © unto us by the will of God : 

6 “Insomuch that P we desired Titus, 
that as he had begun, so he would also 
finish in you the same t+ grace alsc. © 

7 Therefore, 4 as ye abound in every 
thing, in* faith, and utterance, and’ know- 
ledge, and in all diligence, and * zm your 
love to us ;" see that ye abound in * this 
grace also. 

8 Ly speak not by commandment, but 
2 by occasion of the forwardness of others, 
and * to prove the sincerity of your love. 


I ver. 18, 19. Gen, 31.33. Zech. 13. 9., Thes, 4. 9, 10, 2 
$3, 10, 11. 2 Kings} Rom. 6. 13. & 12,| ‘Thes. 1.3.1 Pet. 1. 
5. 15,16. Acts. 16.) 1. & 14.7—9.1 Cor} 22. 2. Pet. 1. 5—8, 
15. 1 Cor, 16, 3, 4,' 6. 19,20. x ver. 6 & 9 14, 
m 9. 1,12—14. Mat.jo 4. 5.1 Chr, 12. 18.] Eph. 4. 29. 2 Tim. 
10.42.& 12. 50. &| 2 Chr. 30, 12.) 2.1. Heb. 12. 28. 2 
25.40. 44,45.Marki/p yer. 16,17. & 12:| Pet. 3. 18, 

14, 7. John 19. 26,} 18. y ver. 10-& 9.7. 1 
27. Acts 6. 1. Ke. t Or gift. ver. 4-19] Cor. 7.6, 12.25. 

& 9. 39—41, & 24. Marg. & 9. 5. Phil.jz ver. 1-3, & 9. 26 
17. Rom. 15. 25, 26.) 4. 18. 1 Pet. 4.10, } Rom. 11. 12-14 
1 Cor. 16. 1. 15.}q Rom. 15. 14. 11 Heb. 10. 24. 
Gah 2. 10. & 6. 10.| Cor. 1.5. & 4. 7a ver, 24. & 6. 6. 
Tim, 5. ai 14. 12, Rev. 3.) Josh. 24- 14. Ez», 


3 For * to their power, I bear record, 
yea, and © beyond their power, they were 
willing of themselves ; 


16. 2.1 Pet. 4.11, 
i Rom. 10. 2. Gal. 4. 

15, Col. 4, 13. 

k ver. 12. 16, 17. Ex. 
5 35. 5. 21,22, 29. 1 
& 6. 10. & 94.11. 13,] Chi, 29.5, 6. 9. 13 
Deut. 15. 4. Prov.} —17. Ps. 110. 3. 1 
11, 25. Ts. 32. 5—8,| Cor. 9. 17. Phik. 2. 


b ver. 2—7. & 9.12.) Mark 12. 42—44, 
Acts 11.23, 1 Corfinuke 21. 1—4, 

| 45. 10. Eph.3.8.} Jam. 2 5. Rey.2. 
| Col. 1.29) 9 ¢ 


Acts 16 9. Rom. 
15. 26. 1 Thes. 1. 


a 5.19. ‘| Acts 2.45,46. 
| 
| 


1 
Philem. 5, 6 Heb.} 17. 33.31. Rom. 12.9, 
6-10. 1 John 3. 16jr 1 Cor. 13.2. Eph. 4. 15. Marg. 


—18. 1Cor.8.1,2.&13.! & 6, 24. Jam. 2. 14 


7,8. Bx 4, 10. * Gr. simplicity. 1.| 13-1 Thes. 2. 8. 
d 1 Thes, 1.6. &2,) 12. Rom, 12. 8. Philem, 14.1 Pet. | 5-14, 15. 1 Sam] 8. —16. 1 Pet, 1. 22.2 
j 14. & 3.3, 4. h 9. 6, 7. Mark 14.) 5.2. 1.28. 2 Chr. 30. 8./t 7.7. John 3. 17—19, 
| Ts. 44. 3—5. Jer.tu Phil. 1. 9. 11. 1 


@ Neh. & 10-12. g, Acts.11.29. 1Cor. 


for past transgressions ; a fear of relapsing into 
sin; a vehement desire of forgiveness and sanc« 
tifying grace; a zeal for the honour of God; 
and a revenge, as it were, against those lusts 
which have excited us to offend him. When the 
faithful minister of Christ, (who hath warned the 
sinner of his guilt and danger, and reproved the , 
inconsistent professor of the Gospel, that his care 
of them in the sight of God might be evidenc- 
ed,) witnesses such “fruits meet for repentance,” 
he will be comforted in helping their comfort; 
he will rejoice in the joy of other believers, on 
their account ; he will exult in realizing the fa- 
vourable hopes which he had entertained ; he 
will encourage the abundant affection of others 
towards them; he will commend their prompt 
and circumspect obedience, and rejoice to have 


r afflictions and calamities, leads to increasing 
mity, to distraction, despair, and blasphemy. 
Rev. xvi.9—11.) Weshould therefore endea- 
‘Your to turn all our mourning into a religious 
ehannel, that we may “ sorrow after a godly 
sort.” But, even sorrow about sin, and our 
eternal concerns, will be of no use to us, unless 
it worketh repentance; and even repentance it- 
self may be counterfeited, and so not be « unto 
salvation.” _ Of all ‘deceptions, this is most to 
feared. A partial and superficial repentance ; 
unbelieving and hopeless repentance, like 
that of Judas; a pharisaical repentance, which 
Caen as an atonement for sin, and the 
of Christ’s expiation; outward penances, 
tifications, and. observances, with an enhum- 
d wnrenewed heart; apparent contrition, 


ut renouncing the favourite iniquity, or|confidence in them in all things. ig 
wing back th- wages of unrighteousness: ne . 
and other kinds cf repentance, are not un- _NOTES.. 


ilvation, but must be repented of, either in 
orld or for ever in hell. But deep humilia- 
sfore God, hatred of all sin, attended by 
he merits of Christ, anew heart and a 
constitute “ repentance unto salvation 
ye repented of.” May the Lord be. 
very one of us! Sorrowing after this 
mer, will work great carefulness and 
2 us, to amend our lives, and sub- 
iquity : we shall thus be led to a 
» to clear up the reality of our 
“ewn consciences, and to all 
feel an indignation at ourselves 


CHAP. VHI. . V. 1—5. The mention, which 
the apostle had made of his confidence in the 
Corinthians, gave him an occasion of introducing 
the subject of the collection, which he was ma- 
king for the Christians in Judea, which takes up 
this and the following chapter. With great de- 
licacy and propriety, he brought this forward by 
informing them, as an article of interesting intelal® 
ligence, concerning the admirable conduct of the 
Churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, 
in voneaK. In extolling the generosity of 
the Christians in these cities, he gave the glory 

© to the grace of God bestowed upon them ;* 


RS Meta CA yo 


~ 


A. BD. 63. 


9 For ye know » the, grace of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, that ¢ though he was rich, 
adh for your sakes © he became poor, 

that ye through his poverty might be 
rich. _ [Practical Observations.) 

10 And herein & I give my advice; for 
this is expedient for you, who have be- 
gun before, not only to do, but ‘also * to 
be * forward/a year ago, ‘e 


} 13.14. John 1. 14] John 12. 30. & 17.) 21, 7. 
1% Rom. 5. 8- 20,} 19. Cols 2. 24. g 1 Cor. 7, 25, 40. 


@1. 1 Cor. 1. 4. Eph. 

J. 6~3. & 2. 7, KS.) 20. & 17. 27. & 20.) 17. John 11, 50 & 
3. 19. | 28. Mark 6.3.Lukel 16, 7. & 18. 14.1 
Ps. 102, 25~27.| 2,7. & 8.3, & 9! Core 6. 12. & 10. 
John 1.1—~4, 10, &} 58. Phil 2.7, 8. 23. Phil. 4. 17. 1 
16. 15, 1 Cor, 15)f6. 10. Luke 16. ile 6. 18,19. Heb. 


47. Phil. 2.6. Col.) Rem. 8.32, & 11.) 13. 16, 
2. 16,17. Hebe 1. 2} 12.1 Cote 3. 21, 22-|i ver, 3. & 9.2, 

Eph. 3.8. 1, Tim. 6-|* Gr. willing. See 
18, Jams 2. 5. Rev.} on, ver. 3 


6—14. 
d@ Is. 62. 1. & 65. 8. 


the cause being thus manifested by the effect. 
Though they had been tried with great afflictions 
and persecutions, by which they had been great- 
ly impoverished ; yet the abundance of their joy 
in the Lord: and his salvation, had so enlarged 
their-hearts to love of him, and his poor disci- 
ples whom they had not seen; that a large icol- 
jection had teen made among them, and their 
deep poverty had illustrated.the riches of their 
liberality. So that the apostle testified in their 
behalf, that they were willing of themselves, not 
only to do as much as’ was in their power, and 
even more than could have been expected from 
them; but that their inclinations were larger 
than their ability, and they would gladly have 
done more, had they been able: and instead of 
needing to be solicited; they had entreated him 
te accept of their subscriptions, and to take 
2% part in the charge of conveying them to 
Jerusalem, and applying them to the intend- 
ed purposes. In all this they had exceeded 
his most sanguine hopes concerning them : for 
they first devoted themselves to the Lord Je, 
sus, as his redeemed and “ peculiar people, 
«¢ zealous of good works';” and then they gave 
themselves up to the apostle. and his fellow-la- 
bourers, to be directed by them im doing” the 
will of God, according to his appointment, and 
in improving’ their talents to his glory. The 
word rendered) grace, is no doubt sometimes 
translated sift ; but to interpret ‘ the grace of 
** God tow stds the Churches,” &c. to signify the 
large subscription for the poor Christians in Ju. 
dea, as some learned men'do, is wholly unpre- 
cedented: and the obvious meaning, viz. that 
their bounty to their poor brethren, was the ef- 
feet of the special grace of God confer-ed on 
them, agrees far better with thé simple and rea. 
sonable language of Scripture on these subjects. 
(Marg. Ref.) 
V..6—9, If the poor and persecuted Mace- 
donians had exceeded’ all expectation, in the 
riches’ of their liberality; the prosperous and 
affiuent Corinthians would doubtless fully an- 
ayer the apostle’s hopes of them? When Titus 
had’ before been at Corinth, he had begun this 
good work among them; and Paul had there- 
fore desired him to go again and complete it. 
By,‘ this’ grace ‘algo,”” most expositors undeér- 
stand the benefaction itself; and indeed the word 


Il. CORINTHIANS. 


of that which 


le Is. 53,2 Matt. 8./h 12. 1. Prov. 19.| 


fin a stable, and educated 


so there. m 


12 For & if. 
mind, it is acee 
man hath, aad ne 
hath not. ie 

13 For IT mean 
eased, and you bi 

14 But by an- e j 
this time your abundance m@ 
for their want, that their ab’ 


a 


Chr. 6.8. Proy. 19. 


k 9.7. Ex. 95,2 &) 92, Mark 12. 42-1 1—4. 1 Pet, 4, 10. 
35. 5.21,22. 29. af 44/8 14..7,8. T Acts 4.34 R 
Chee 29. 9-18, 2 7. 44-46. & 12-4741 15, 26.3%. 


™may signifyiilfe free if of m 
of God: yet it seem: 
apostle’s language, to ex 
influence of the Holy 
of the gift itself, or 
their brethren. As, however, 
abounded in all spirittial gifts, y 
Christian graces ; they would, doubtless « 
* in this grace also ;” and excee 

es as much in the larger 
tions, as they did ig afflue o 
ledge, utterance, and spiritual g 
speak this, as a commandmen 
ought to give: but, from t 
their poorer brethren he took’ 
trial of their sincerity, in tha 
professed to Christ and his p 
he trusted be satisfactorily d 
he was persuaded, that they were 
experimentally acquainted with the 
grace and love of Christ to sinners, 
“he was rich” in all the glory, 
ciency, and felicity of the 
‘« their sakes,” who w: 
guilty, potuted, and pe 
‘“< become poor,” by as 
being born of a poor vi 
in poverty and affliction fo: 
and at length entirely impov: 
it were, to ransom their sou! 
the cross. 
in unspeakable compa 
that they by his poverty t 
all the blessings of salvation ; 
of sin having been thus diseha 
feite2 inheritance of. eternal life 
all things pertaining to their 
and felicity: and surely 
argument to prevail with i 
and freely, with their riches, fo 
support of his poor brethren 
of the apostle, Jesus was 


and that it was voluntarily. 
became poor for our sakes, & 


othe: 


poor all his life, and had not wher 
head, and only became rich after his death 
therefore, if he was no more thana mat 
tainly wus poor before he was ric 
he was poor. : n 


ay be équa: ais 
is As iti “written, m He that had ga- 
1 bad nothing over; and he 
he red little had no lack. 

+ EPractical Observations] — f 

hs na ® thanks ap to God, which put 


Be scotd: he went je hg 4 1 
She 18 And we have’ sent t with him? the 
brother, whose praise. 2 zs in the gospel. 
* throughout all the churches ; 7 : 
19 And not*that only, t but who was 


also. chosen of the churches to travel with| 


us pis a this + grace, which is administer- 


ed by us “to the glory of the same! 


{iontand declaration of your ready mind: 
4 Bx. 16. 18. al? vers 6+ ‘Heb. 13. peal 16..3,\4- 
22. 


pres 6. & 9.8. 

w vere I, 2 & 4. 18; 
& 9, 12—14. Phil. 
16. 4, 4.18, 19. 1 Pet. 4. 
1—4. Acts 62 id lle , 
& 15. 22. 25.1 3 


Fr 7. 27. Neb.|q See on, ver. 8. 10. 
2. 12. Jer. 31. 33 
& 32. 40. Col. 3, 
‘17. Rey. 17. 17. 
aaa 


af 


Vy: ads. In respect of this service, to a Which 
the Corinthians would, as it must be ‘supposed, 
ban themselves constrained by the love of Christ, 


I yer. 19,22, 23. 


expedient for them, and consistent 
fession and character, to abound in 
and evidently to copy that love 
Z were saved: especially, as they 
year before, not only to deposit mo- 
se, but to enter upon the service 
willing, earnest, and fervent mind. It 
ed them therefore to make no hesitation 
f g it ; that their actions might 
‘the promptitude of their former 
s. In doing this, let every one of 


ces ; fot all sum would be. equally ac- 
ceptable from a poorer - person, asa larger from | 
his more wealthy brother: and indeed, in every 
case, where a willing mind, to honour and obey | 


Tacious acceptance; nor would more be 


fore ‘Tecommended, would fie ne- 
yet it would not be proper to urge any 
ed | what he” was thus disposed to 


other duties. "Nor did the apostle 


e the poor Christians in Judea by 
Corinthians : or even fo exact 


e 
hee measure of equality 
sd among brethren in Christ : 


Cy 
a he necessities of their poor 


CHAPTER VIII. 


ay be a supply fc for your want, that Noale 
; blame usin this abundance which i is ade" 
ministered by us... <i 


Or, gift. See.on 


the apostle only ‘interposed . with his advice : for| 


his contribution to his circum. 


from humble love to him, was the princi- 
™man’s actions; his services would meet 


rom him than he was enabled to do. 
Sand: evidence this willing mind, the 


s Jewish and. | 
[their ready mind te such good works; and td 


A.D. 61. 
20 Avoiding: this, * that no man Hea. 


aan Providing y for honest things, 7 not 
only i in the sight of the Lord, but also in 
the sight of men. 

22 And we have sent with them our 
brother, - a whom we have oftentimes 
proved diligent in many things, but now 
much more diligent, upon the great con- 
fidence which * I have in you. 

23 Whether any do inquire of » Titus, 


|#e,*zs my partner 4 and fellow-helper 


concerning” you: or our brethren b¢ in- 
quired: of, they are ¢ the messengers of 
the churches, avd the glory of Christ. 

24 Wherefore ‘shew ye to them, and 
before the churches, the proof of your 
love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 
Mat. 5. 16. & 6. 1. 
A. & 23. 5.1 Thes. 


B< BPoi 
a Phil. 2. 20—22,. 


x 11. 12. Mats 10.) 
16: Rom. 14.161 
Cor. 16. 3. Eph. 5. 


id Phil, 2. 25. & 4) 
3, Col. 1. 71 Thes. 
3. 2. Philem, 1.24, 


15. 1 Thes. 5/22." 3 John 8. 
y Roms 12.17. Phil/!* Or he hath. ©. je very 19, Phil. 2. 
4.8 1 Tim, 5: 14.\b ver. 6. 16. & 7.6.) 25. Gr. : 
Tit. 2.5. 8 1Pet.| & 12.18. ‘Ie ver.8 & 7. 14.& 
Sy Bae ABS ‘le Luke 5. 7% 10.) 9.2—4. 
| 2 2.17. Be 5e9—~11.) Philem, 17. 


eetiinen in Judea: and then, if a reverse of con- 
dition should take place, through persecutions’ 
or other calamities, either to individuals, or the 

collective body ; the abundance of the Jewish 
converts, or of other Churches, might be a fund, 
for the supply of their necessities. Thus, one 
might help another after an equal manner; ace 
cording as it was written concerning the Israel« 
ites, respecting the manna; which, though col- 
lected in different quantities, being ‘thus properly. 
dispensed, was all used, without the redundance 
being wasted, or any of the congregation left 
destitute of a sufficient supply. (Notes, Ex. XVi.); 
‘So far Christianity seems to require this equal~ 
‘ity, as that we. should not sufferothers to lack’ 
* the necessaries of this present life, while we: 
$ ‘ abound i in them.” (Whitby.) 

VY. 16—24. The cordiality and. diligence of 
‘Titus, i in his attention to the Corinthians, as well 
as his zeal for the good work in hand, were put 
into his heart by the Lord; and the, apostle: 
heartily thanked him for this interposition in his - 
favour. For Titus not only complied with his 
exhortation to return to Corinth, from regard to 
‘his. authority ; ; but he was more prompt and 
willing for that service, than to need. solicitation. 
The brother that was sent with him, is generally 
supposed to have been Luke, whose praise was 
in all the Churches, on account of the Gospel, 
which he, had written. This, however, is on 
many accounts uncertain: but this brother had 


Jerusalem, with the contributions raised by them: 
which they + were to dispose. of, (as the deacons. - 


did the donations of their several Churches ;} 
) this, the Corinthians shold, 


to the glory of Christ, the one Lord: both’ of the. 


sentile converts ; as the evidence of 


been chosen by the Churches of Macedonia to ° 
|travel with the apostie, as. their messenger to 
and affliction to the other. ; 


ak 
ee. » 
( 


me The apostle assigns his reasons for sending the bre- 


‘had also sent another of his brethren, whom he 


‘brethren, were chisen by the suffrage of the 


ul. Disi. . UW. CORINTHIANS. 
on CHAP. IX. 


thren before-hand, to make up.the collections of 
the’ Corinthians, notwithstanding his confidence in 
“them, 1—5. He encourages their cheerful liber- 
ality ; under the:figure of sowing seed, from 
which they might expect that God would give 


and fervént 
for them, 1 
thanking God 


God, we not only ee 


due it is; but we, 
strength lies, and en; u! 
the Lord’s special love ‘t 

their love to him and 
Spiritual joy not only supp 
great trials of affliction, putas 
in the work and erfeaspeeviead 
depth of poverty, in Christians, 
to render’ more Se asa 
liberality : for they m 
have been ee 
manifest a still 


cultivate love with their Jewish brethren by re. 
ciprocal kindness. This, the apostle had pro- 
posed and accomplished, that be might avoid all 
censure and suspicion of injustice or partiality, 
in the disposal of those large sums of money, 
which had been raised: and that he might, by a 
prudent foresight, take care that his whole con- 
duct should appear honourable, consistent, and 
unexceptionable in the sight of men; as well as 
that it should really be so in the sight of God. 
With Titus and the brother before-mentioned, he 


had frequently found diligent in other services; 
but he expected extraordinary diligence from 
him on»this occasion, as he was animated by the 
confidence in them which the apostle had ex. 
pressed. Some think that Apollos is meant; but 
this is not probable, for he wanted no recom- 
mendations to the Corinthians: indeed, curiosity, 
rather than edification, is concerned in determin- 
ing such questions. If, however, any of them 
inquired whe Titus was, that he should take the 
lead in this business; (as the apostle’s adversa- 
ries would be likely to do ;) let them be answer- 
ed, that he was the partner of the apostle in the 
sacred ministry, who cordially united with him 
in all his designs, and who was particularly help. 
ful to him in the affairs of Corinth. If the other 
brethren were inquired of; let it be said, that 
they were the chosen Messengers of the Mace- 
donian Churches, whose characters, zeal, and 
conduct in that important’service, made them an 
honour to the Gospel, and greatly instrumental 
in manifesting the glory of Christ. It therefore 
was proper that the Corinthians should show, 
in their liberality on the present occasion, before 
these excellent persons, and the Churches whom 
they represented, the proof of their love to Christ; 
and that they deserved those warm commenda-. 
tions, which the apostle had bestowed’ on them. 
(Notes, Acts vi. 1—6.)—It may here again be 
observed, ‘that there is not the least reason to 
doubt, that the messengers, entrusted with the 
contributions of the Christians for their Jewish 


ty, as uneasy to them ves, 
cit them! ‘The happy : 
scribed, must s punta an 
der of ourselves ey 
forth live to his Borys 
salvation ; and then 
counsels of his faithfu 
are satisfied that they in 
God. Remarkable exam 
ty should be brought forward, 
others to a holy emulation, ¢ 
inferiority in outward 
likely to be observed : 
commonly be found Hh 
among those who are’ 
They whom God h 
commonly best carry 
grace, iz his people. 
knowledge, uttera 
tachment to pious’ 
to abound proportia 
poor brethren. ‘And ¢ 
from the forwardnes 
to show the sincerity 
can evince this, excep 
works to Christians 
grace of our Lord Jesus' 
in kind words only; but | 
“yet for our sakes he ame 200 
* through his poverty might bet 
who truly know and ex 
of his grace, will show 
people by good works, and 
profession. But, alas? 
the degree, in which most o' 
of Christ; by considering he 
of our superfluities we 
we deny ourselves, forego th 
endure incenveniences, and 
estate, from love to his name 
the proper standard of our 
of Christ. ‘ In Proportion 
glory, we shall bear his: a 
were more fully vaio 


Churches: how then is it, that so little satisfac- 
tory Scriptural proof can be adduced, that the 
spiritual pastors were elected in the same man- 
ner ?— It would have been a most ready calum- 
‘my against Paul, to have said, that he greatly 
‘ desired the care of these contributions, that he 
€ might sacrilegiously convert the consecrated 
‘money to his own use; had he not by every 
* means guarded against it. But who, during 
tthese thousand years, and more, has followed 
f this truly apostolical example,’ (Beza.) 


Becton ne ee 
Vv. 1—9. 
«By ascribing all leg works to the grace of | 


sabe 


; OR as ® touching » the ministering 
to the saints, ¢ it is superfluous for 
me to write to you : y 


nice which ¢ I boast of you to 

pn € that Achaia was 
ady a hath 
ro ret ed very many. 


b ie 
ss 


Poverty, e 
lives for 


to his infinite love. 
ae Mixes eV, LO— 15, 


, it is accepted... This is indeed an univer. 
| sal rule ; the sinner’s willingness to repent, to be. 
lieve in Christ, to love and obey him, and to 
| do good to others for his sake, springs from di- 
| vine grace: without this, all external services 
must ‘be ostentatious and hypocritical; but 
where this is first produced, the defective at- 
tempts of the believer to glorify God will be ac-. 
cepted. and apa ‘rewarded, though — in 


to ease another, but equality and reciprocal help 
should be aimed it. Even among the poor peo- 
ple, in any parish or congregation, the most dis- 
sed may be relieved by such as are less 
: with what they can at present spare ; 
they in their turn come to be straiten- 
brethren may concur to help them.— 
tual love will be cemented, and prayers 
Sgivings foreach other will be multipli- 
id though none may have any thing super- 

us, yet Sen want may commonly be ex- 
a larger scale, and where 
persons are concerned, greater ef. 
ye produced : and the most prosper- 
exhorted to liberality, from the con- 
the vicissitude in human affairs; 
be secured so effectually for the 
DOs miokanah by. thus lending them 


ve 16—24,. 
ove those, who have 4 an earnest 


CHAPTER IX. 


‘ready : 


2 For I know 4 the forwardness of 


ship, and even lay down our 
a his people, when properly 
called toit: and at last we should deem all this 


I. Mat. 23. Pacer Pe e 8. 8. Heb, 10.94, 

| a Ji, 28-44 8. 8. 10. 19% ae 4.& 7. 14.& 
3. 5, | Thes. 8.17— 

as nothing, when compared with our obligations 


We may not enjoin the proportion in which 
Christians sliould communicate to the relief of the 
\ necessitous : yet we may advise them concerning 
{ what is becoming, and consistent with their abili- 
| ty, profession, and hopeful beginnings ; that their 
readiness to wilJ may be manifested by the per- 
formance of it, But while the wealthy must be 
‘charged to be ready to communicate, the poor- 
er should be encouraged to contribute their 
pate. also ; yet without being urged to whgt may 
| distress them: for if there be first a willing 


A.D. 61: 
ye TYR. 


4 Lest haply if « they of Macedoni@ : 
come with me, and find you unprepared 
we (that we say not ye) should ! be asha- 
med in this same confident boasting. 

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to 
exhort the brethren, that they would go 
before unto you, ™ and make up before- 
hand your * bounty, t whereof ye had no- 
tice before, that the same might be rea- 
dy, as a matter of bounty, and not as of 


covetousness. 
i ver. 5. 1 Cor. “fe 6. 1 Cer, 16. 2. & Kings 5. 15. } 


this behalf; that, as I said, i 


1,& ae 1. |* Gr, blessing. Gen.tt Or, which . hath 
3301ie 1Sam. 25. been so much spoken 
27. & 30.26. Marg! of before. 
care for the welfare of the Church, and we 
ought to be thankful to our benefactors; but 
the Lord, who put it into their hearts, should be 
first acknowledged and adored. ‘It is becoming 
to show a readiness for difficult and laborious _ 
services, and even to render exhortations supers 
fluous by a willing mind : and it ispropertocom. . 
mend what is good in the most candid manner ; 
for this is often the best method of exciting men 
to redoubled diligence. All our good works 
should be referred to the glory of the Lord, and 
be considered as the evidences of our ready 
mind to his service. Whatever disputes may 
have arisen about the appointment of rulers and 
officers in the Church ; it seems indisputable, 
that men should choose the persons, who are to - 
manage their charitable contributions ; though 
they may be counselled to select those, whose 
praise is in all the Churches. When ministers are 
in any way intrusted- with large sums of money ; 
they should be peculiarly careful to avoid all oc- 
casion of suspicion, or appearance of evil. It is in- 
deed in the first place necessary to act uprightly 
in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight 
of men ought also to be circumspectly provided 
for. The world is full of selfishness, and enmi- 
ty to true religion ; and suspicions and slanders 


| will be unavoidable, without gteat prudence, as 
| well as exact conscientiousness : whereas a clear 


character, as well as a pure conscience, is requi- 
site to usefulness. When approved, diligent, 
and faithful men are employed, in services: evic 
dently conducive to the benefit of mankind, and 
the glory of God ; they are not only honoured by 
their brethren, but their character, conduct, and 
fulness, is ‘‘ the glory of Christ,” and his Gos- 
pel is recommended by them. It therefore be- 
hooves Christians among whom they labour, to 
respect them, and to show before them and the 
Churches of Christ, the proof.of their love, and 
of the expectations which have been raised con-, 
cerning them. 


<<. NOTES. 
CHAP. TX V. 1—5. Beza explains the 
* ministering to the saints,” not of the money)” 


contributed, but of the office and duty of those . 
}persons, who were chosen to take charge of it, 
_ }and the care of the Corinthians in selecting them : 


but the context does not seem to fayour this i in- 


 AD.el. il. CORINTHIANS. 


°@ But "this I say, * he which soweth| may abound " to 
sparingly shall reap also-sparingly ; and As itisarr 
he which soweth bountifully shall reap 


loveth a cheerful giver. 
[Practical Observations.) 
8 And "God is able to make ‘all grace 
abound toward you; that ye, * always 
having. all-suficiency im all things, © 


84.11.» Prov: 3. 9, 
#9, & 15.59. Gal} 14. Proy. 23. 6-8.) 10. & 10. 22. & 28. 
3.17. & 5.16. Ephs Is. 32, 5. 8. Jam,| 27. Hag. 2: 8. Mal. 

5. @/2'Pet.4. 9° + 3. 10. Phil, 4. 18, 
G 8. 12. Ex, 25. 2.1 10. ‘ 
*& 35.5.1 Chr. 29. 
17. Prov. 22. 9. 
Acts 20. 35. Rom, 
12. 


n 1 Corl. 12, & i Deut. 15.071. 


4. 17. Col. 2. 4+ 

© ver, 10, Prov. 11. 
18. 24, 25. & 19. 
476 & 22.9. Ee il. 
6. Luke 6 38, & 
39. 16-36 Gal. 6. 
7—9. Heb..6, 10. 


t wer. 11. 1 Chr. 29 
12—14. 
u 8.2, 7. Acts 9, 36. 


terpretation, at least, as ewclisive, The whole 
trausaction, from the first thought, and proposal 
of thus relieving the poor Christians-in Judea, to 
thé completion of the design, in the distribution 
of the money among them, by the apostles and 
elders at Jerusalem, may be included in this ge- 
neral term. (Marg. Ref. viii. 4.) The apostle, 
however, deemed it superfluous, forhim to write 
particularly on the duty and benefits of minis- 
tering tothe necessities of the saints; as he 
took it for granted, that the Corinthians were 
well instructed in this respect, and-even taught 
by God himself, thus to show love to their breth- 
ren. He also knew, that they were forward to 
concur in the present good work; and accord- 
ingly he had spoken of them ‘with confidence, to 
the Macedonians, declaring that the Christians in 
Achaia, (of which Corinth was the capital city,) 
had been ready with their subscriptions, a ‘year 
before: and their zealin ‘so. good a cause, had 
quickened and excited many, who were before 
remiss. Yet he had sent Titus, and the’ other 
brethren; to complete the design, lest his boast- 
ing of their readiness should be in vain, in that 
respect: for though he did not doubt but they 
would contribute, yet he feared lest they should 
not be ready when he came, | And in that case, 
the Macedonians. who accompanied him, would 
witness this circumstance; which would put 
him to shame, for having boasted so confidently 
of them; and also tend to their disgrace, for 
having disappointed the expectations which had 
been formed respecting them: He had ‘there- 
fore judged it needful, to desire the brethren to 
go before him, to make up their contributions, 
of which mention had. been made, before, both to 
them and the Macedonians ;’ that it might: evi- 
dently appear to be a bounty, or benefaction'will- 
ingly bestowedjand not money extorted from 
them by importunity., «The apostle calls that 
* covetousness, which is done sordidly, and as ex: 
* torted from a covetous person? (Beza) *'To 
* give alms out of shame, or to satisfy the impor- 
* tunity of others, rather than out of love and 
* good-will, is @ symptom of a covetous temper.’ 
(Whithy.) The word, rendered bounty, signifies 


| throngh us thanksgivi r 


8. ; ike 
r 2Chr. 25. 9. Ps. 1Cor. 15. 58. Eph,} z Gens 1. 11, 12. & ¥ 


‘will not, therefore, sow spa 


‘sown, and the only 


undertakings of him 


| cheerful giver, and no other, 


band increase 
ousness ?) 

11 Being ¢ enric 
all * bountifuln 


2,10, Col. ly 10. 
Thes. 2.17.2 Tim 55,10, | 
3. 17. Tit, 2. 14. &jq ver. 6. 
3. 8. 14s 18. Ec. 11. 6. 


a blessing ; which may 
should be given, sade 
God, and’ 4s an act of | 
fo him; or that it’should | 
& disposition to: bless ‘and’ 
thren. (Alarg. Ref) 
V. 6, 7. ae ostle 
proportion, which every 
4 he write as one t 
ney from them : but this he 
measure to them) ac 
which they used towards the 
The seed-corn seems thrown a: 
yields any increase: the p1 


that in that case he mus 
ly; but, when the ground 
may be expected, that if 
will receive’ a prop 
money ‘given in ch: 
selfishness, finally thr 
when given from | 


from which a valuable i 
God in his providence, w 


concutring cates, ke 
of his conversion mu 
bious: if a real Ch 
be scanty, accordin: 
towards his brethren 
will be proportioned to ¢! 
present fruitfulness.” But he 
fully, from gratitude’ to God 
will in every sense reap a ple 

increase. \(Wotes, Is. i 
rendered bountifully, 19 ¥ 

(Note, 1—5:) Let then eve 
himself, how much he w 
expenses, or deduct from 
sfre, to sow in this fertile fi 
word of God ensured so large an 
let no man do it gradgingly ¢ 
ly to keep up his character, © 
portunity of ministers : for G 


12 For ® the administration of this ser- 
i Pico! not € only supplieth the want of the| 
“saints, but - abundant also by many 
thanks; ivings unto God; 
Whiles by the experiment of this 
tr ration, & they glorify God for your 
essed subjection unto the gospel 
Christ, t and for your liberal a 
een sa a Bas bos macs 


AS 14, 15, Phil. 2.) 16. John 15.8. Acts 
& 4 18, 19 


an ay ‘Luke 6. A6. 
Rom. 10, 16- & 16, 


4. 21. & Us 18 &| 26. Heb, 5.9 
21. 19, 90s Gal, 1.|i Heb. 13. 16. 
24, 1 Pet. 2 9» & 


I re ilem. 1, 7+: Jam. 
/ -2-14—16. 1 John 3. 


‘ehiect and evidence of t his g grace, and so, AEN 
pleasing to him through Jesus Christ.—* Two 


* things are Bi luded by the apostle; namely, 
© grief and ne essity,’ (Gr.) * when, for instance, 


© any person gives indeed, but with a grudging 
Secor | mind, or even unwillingly, because 
> would not be evil spoken of among. ottiers ; 
; : # else he would not give at all?. (Beza.) 

he —11. The Lord would, without fail, in 
. one way or other, make up to the givers what 
| they expended in this good work: for he was) 
able to make every gift of his free favour, to; 
"abound to them ; that so, having a sufficiency of| 
all things desirable for themselves and families, 
and being enlarged in faith and love, they might 
have both a willing mind, and ability, for every 
ood work. Thus the character and blessed- 
ness mentioned _by the Psalmist, . would be veri- 
| fied in them, (Vote, Ps. cxii. 9.) and their acts 
| of kindness to the poor, from love to Christ, 
would be accepted works of righteousness, of 
which the benefit would remain with them for 
er. The apostle therefore besought Gad, who 
his providence, both supplied the hasbeoterign 
with, seed, and mankind in general with food, 
om the increase of the field ; that he would both 
ovide for their ‘wants in. proportion to their 
seed sown in acts of charity ; ; multiply to them 
the ability of sowing more in the same manner; 
accompany it with a larger blessing to others; 
1} cause them to abound more and more in the 
| fruits of righteousness ; and give them an in- 
-créase of comfort in their own souls. That so, 
‘being. enriched in every respect, they might be 
|| en: abled to all bountifulness, wines would occa. 


ans of such an honourable and beneficial 


ed: 
r, and bread for food, supply and multi- 
our seed, and increase the productions of 
righteousness.” The sense is thus ren- 
1 more obvious, but it is not materially al- 
The word rendered * sced sine’ more 
signifies seed for sowing. 
15. The proper management of the 
ich was spoken of, by the liberal con- 
elievers jotracda i it, and the faithful 
t application of the sums thus raised, 
t only relieve the necessities of the poor. 
Judea, to whose comfort they ought 
nicate; but it would also pro- 
2 of. thanksgivings te God, both 


CHAPTER IX. 


speakable git, 


k 1.11. Ezra 6. 8— 


12 Sam. 18. 


ystle would then rejoice to be the pT Ry t 


The tenth verse may be thus literally] 
** May he, who supplieth seed to the 


Va ALA, D. 61. 


tribution unto them, and unto all men ; 

14 And & by their prayer for you, 
which Tong: - after you for ™ the exceed- — 
ing grace of God in you. 


15 » Thanks ée unto God for ° his-un- 


Cork 15. 57. Eph. 
5. 20, Rev. 4. 9. 


8, & 2.26, & 4.1. 


m 8.1, 6,7. 1 Cor. 

4. A, Se 1 Tim. 1 -}o Ts: 9. 6. & 49. 6. 
14. John 1.16; & 3,16. 
n vey. 11, & 2 ‘| Rom, 6. 23. & 8. 


10. Ps. 41. 1, 2 
Prov. 11. 26. Luke’ 
16.9. Phil. 4. 18, 
p. 2 ae l. 16— 


1 Chr. 16, 8.35. Ps.j 32. 1 John 4. 9,10. 
39.) 80. 4, 12. & 99. 1) &'5.11, 12. 


Rom, 1. 11. Phil. 1. 


Luke 2. 14, 38. 


for the seasonable supply given them, and for 
his grace bestowed on the Gentile converts, For 
thus experiencing their brotherly love, they 
would praise and glorify God for bringing them 
to act so consistently with their professed sub- - - 
jection to the Gospel of Christ ; 
them to so liberal a distribution to their brethren 
there and elsewhere. 
would glorify God, by their fervent prayers in 
their behalf: as they would very much long to 
be acquainted with them ; because of their love 
to them, and admiration of the exceeding grace 
of God, by which so happy a change had been 
effected in their character and conduct, 
last consideration, caused the apostle to break 
eut.in thanks to God, for the unspeakable grace 
of the Gospel, and the gift of his Son to be the 
Saviour of sinners ; by whom idolatrous Gentiles 
had been thus brought to glorify him ; a founda- 
tion had been Jaid for the mutual love of Jews 
and Gentiles, as members of one Church, and 
children of one family ; and the most effectual 
motives, encouragements, andexample, had been 
afforded, to excite men to love and good, works. 
* The admirable charity, by which God is so 
* much glorified, the Gospel receives such cre- 
« dit, others are so much benefited, and you will 
« be so plentifully by God rewarded.’ 
¢ If we understand it in this sense, it will be as 
* remarkable a text as most in the Bible, to 
* show that every good affection in the human 


and ‘for exciting 


At the same time they 


This 


(Whaithy.) 


heart, is to be ‘ascribed to a divine influence. 
But I am ready to think, the apostle’s mind, to 


_was'so familiar, rather, by a strong and natural 
transition, glanced on that? (¢. Daeiteeisey: 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1-7. 
The duty of ministering to the saints is 30 ob. 


€ 
¢ 
* which the idea of the invaluable gift of Christ 
€ 
© 


vious, that it might be deemed: superfluous to 
exhort Christians to it: yet they are so apt to 
forget their principles and obligations ; and the 
temains of unbelief, and carnal self-love, war so 


powerfully against the constraining love of Christ 


‘in their hearts; that it isin general, necessary 
to) stir up their minds, by way of remem- 


“ brance,” . This is often. done most effectually, 
by expressing a favourable opinion of them, and 


high expectations from them; by commending” 


the forwardness.wnich they haye shown on for- 
mer occasions, aud the happy eflects of their 


‘zeal on the conduct of others: and when we have 
‘a good hope, that the persons addressed are 
real believer's, this will consist with godly sincer'- 


2° P 


APD ath II. CORINTHIANS. 


SP OHAP. Xe be bold when Lam present witl 
» The apostle entreats the Corinthians not-to leave him fidence, wherewith i think t 
any cause to exert that spiritual power, with which against some, whic’ tt 

he was armed, and which he wasready to use against & we walked: age ; 

those who despised his person and ministry, 1\—6 ; 

assuring them,. that when he eame, he would be 

found as mighty in deeds, as he wasin writing} 

. when absent, 7—11: and contrasting his own con-} 

» duct, with the ostentatious boastings and ambitious | , 
intrusions, of the false teachers, 12—-18. 

OW #1 Paul myself » beseech you, 

¢ by the meekness and gentleness 

of Christ, who in * presence am 4 base 

among you, but being absent, © am bold 

towards you : 

2 But I henge you, ¢ that.I may not 
ai _ ees 22.1 3; 4. Zech. 9. 9.) 3, & 4.10. Gal. 4, 
Gals. 2. 2 Thes| Mat, 11,20. & 12 1s. 

3 1% Philem. 9.| 19, 20. & 21. S.Je 3.12. Marg. & 7. 
Rev. 1. 9. Acts 8. +32. 1 Pets 24 4. & Ie 21. & 13. 
b vers 2. & 5.20. &! 22, 23, 2, 35 Rom. 102 20. 
6.1, Rom, 12. 1.}* Or, outward ap- & 15. 15- 

Eph. 4. 1s 1 Bet.2.| pearance. ver. 7» 10.]f 4. 2. & 12.20) & 


11. fd 11. 30, & 12. 7—9,| 13. 2,10. 1 Cor. 4. 
© Ps. 45. 4. Ts, 42.| & 13. 4 1Cor 2.1 19—21. 


our wa fare 
} through 


of stroag 


God ™ to the ‘pull 
hoids ;) ; 
§, Casting ® down § 
F Or, reckon. 1 3+ 5s Se de % a 
g 11. 9—13. & 124 3,4. Judg.. 13—} 21. 
13-19. Rom. 8 1.) 23. & 15. 14—16.}-—29, 
5. Gals 5, 16-25.) 1 Sam. 17. 45—-50./§ 0: 
Eph. 2.2, 3. Ps. 110..2. Ise 41 lo Bx 
h Gal. 2, 20. 1 Pet | 14-16, Zech. 4: 6,| 17. 2Kings 
4 7 1Cor- 1, 18—24.] 28. Job 40-1 
& 2,5. Heb. u- ss, bg 6. Ps 
P& ; 


18, 2'Tim. 2. ei 
& 4.7. Heb. 12 1. t Or. toGud. i Seki IC 
k 6.7. Rom. 6. 13.}1n Josh, 6. 20, ake 
Marg. & 13. 12,) 30. 25. Ser, i! 0.1 9. 
Eph. 6. 13~18.. 1} Heb. 11. 30. 

Thes. 5.8... nL 


“ crease ;”. but there ar a 
those who are zealous for oe I 
“« who withhold mere than is meet, and’ 
* eth to poverty :” for God is able | 
grace to abound to se who e hearts 
larged with kindness. to th 
should be Missy iy 


ty, and may be considered as true wisdom. It 
is very painful for ministers to be compelled to 
retract or excuse the commendations, which 
their fervent love had bestowed on their people; 
and when other Christians witness in them a con- 
duct inconsistent ‘with such confident boastings. 
Men should be very careful, not to shame or 
grieve in this manner their faithful pastors; as 
that will eventually tend to their own deeper 
disgrace. -Many an intended good work has 
been neglected, or rendered useless) by delay: 
it is therefore proper to exhort men to be:prompt 
in doing what they have shown a willingness to 
engage in. Works of piety and charity should 
flow spontaneously from the gratitude and be- 
nevolence of a believing heart; and not require 
extorting py importunity. This savours of covet- 
pusness; and it even puts those, who forward 
useful designs, to the painful necessity of la- 
bouring to draw money from those, who ought 
to give, but are reluctant to part with it. Yet 
the main benefit of every act of charity for the 
Lord’s sake, will redound to the giver. » He sows 
this good seed in a fruitful soil, and his bounti- 
fulness to man will assure him of the Lord’s boun- 
tifulness to him.» Whatever expenses therefore 
are retrenched, or from whatever fund it is de- 
ducted, we should not grudge or be sparing in 
this seed, It is spiritual policy for us to spend 
less on every kind of indulgence, and to lay by |! 
Yess for our families, that we may give more to 
the needy for Christ’s sake: for this will be best 
secured and most ‘productive, Even persons in 
moderate circumstances may sow much of this 
seed ; if by various little savings and selfedenials, 
they will but study to spare something to relieve 
their distressed brethren ; and this they will do, 
if their faith ‘and love abound. » With. these 
truths before their'eyes, men must be left todo 
as they have purposed in their hearts ; for they 
who give ina grudging manner, and of necessity, 
have little reason to expect the acceptance of 
God, who loveth a cheerful giver. 
oN, BBS: 
‘There are afew “ who. scatter, and yet in- 


Mowdies| 5, 


SO prosper us, that, ** having. 1 
things, we may abound un 
and they, who from love to hi 
« and give to the poor,” have 
‘that shall endure for ever.” ; ec 
give us enough to, use, and enough ae die 
that we may have more, sow af 
more, and so, “increase t 
“ eousness ;” that, being enricl 
unto all bountifulness, is may 
selves, blessings to of! 
promoting his glory. But, 
of our God in this respect is 
professed Christians, because so few fi 
the experiment... The Lord is peed 
purify many of his saints by Bs 

proves others by employing his 
ners. Their faithfulness ai nd liberality 
service not only. up ae wants of hi 
but abound in a Hares, revenue of pr 
their own professed subjection to 
stirs up many to pray for oem ae 
them, and to admire and glorify Go 
ceeding grace in them, Thus Oey 
Gospel, animate the worship of be 
ment mutual love, and derive ae 
ings unto their own souls. While | 
thank the Lord for the unspeakable g 
Son, to be our gracious Redeem 
whom we peor sinners may per! c 
able and useful services, \ with ass 
ceptance and. abundant recompet 
deavour to copy the example 0} Ch 
unwearied. in doing good, od 
® more blessed to give tb 


ig! “thing: that exalteth itself 
he knowledge of God, and 


edience of Christ : 


oo a 
Weg | 824.9. Is. 55.7.) 41%) 
, '& 59.7. Jer. 4. 14.|r Ps. 18. 44. & 110. 
2,3. Rom. 1. 5. 


MAe a a, NOTES, “ic . 
CHAP. X. V.1—6. Having concluded other 
jects, the apostie here begins to speak more 
d against the falsé teacher, or teachers, 
who opposed him at Corinth. Even he, Paul, 
whom they reviled and despised, as not daring to 
assert his authority among them, besought them, 
by the meekness and gentleness, which Christ, 
though possessed of all power in heaven and 
earth, had exercised towards his enemies, and 
which he required of bis people ; not to compel 
him to adopt measures, apparently of a contrary 
mature. Some, indeed, represented him as mean- 
spirited and abject, when present among them ; 
- for they disdained his lowly appearance, and hum- 
_ ble, unassuming deportment : yet, being absent, 
he was bold towards them, and wrote as one, 
who had resolved to vindicate and exert his apos- 
tolical authority. But, before matters came to 
this extremity, he besought them, with all meek- 
ness and gentleness, not to constrain him to it; 
that he might not be bold among them, with that 
kind of confidence, with which he was determin- 
ed to proceed against certain persons, who sus- 
pected and accused him of conducting himself 
with carnal policy, and aiming at secular advanta- 
) ges in the execution of his sacred ministry. In this 
charge they included his fellow-labourers also; 
and by such misrepresentations they seduced the 
Corinthians from their attachment to him a 
them. But though he and his coadjutors were 
Jiable to the manifold infirmities incident to the 
| present mortal life, and were not exempt from 
imperfections, as “ waiking in the flesh,” living 
in the body, and not being yet perfected in holi- 
ness: yet they did not war against sin and satan, 
or conflict with their numerous opposers, accord- 
ing to the maxims of carnal policy, with craft 
Ii and_dissimulation, in dependence on their own 
wisdom and strength, or with an aim at their 
own interest or honour. For the weapons, which 
| they employed in this spiritual warfare, were not 
| carnal; nor did they produce their effect by 
their own natural energy: but they were mighty 
rough. God, whose power wrought by them, to 
molish the strong holds of satan, by which he 
id maintained his empire of darkness, idolatry, 
wickedness in the world. For the preaching 
Gospel, confirmed by miracles, and’ ac- 
ied by the power of the Holy Spirit, 
led down these strong holds, dispersed satan’s 
Fisons, delivered his captives, and subverted 
uthority ; by diffusing the knowledge of God, 
mandmeats, and of his salvation, among 
s the ministers of Christ went on, 
h men’s vain imaginations, presump. 
ions, and carnal reasonings; ex- 
hood and folly of that proud phi- 
led to skepticism and atheism; 
those fables, which supported the 


| 
| 


CHAPTER X. 


A. D. 61. 


6 And having sin a readiness to re- 
venge all disobedience, t when your obe- 


‘int 9 captivity 4 every thought| dience is fulfilled. 


ae [Practical Observations.} ‘ 

& 16. 26, Heb. 5.) 26—30, Acts 5.4—) 5. Tim. 1.20, 3 

9. 1 Per, 1. 2 14, es 10,11. 1} John 10. 
15. 22. sit | Cor, 4. 21. & 5. 3-]\t 2.9.&7, 15. 

8 13+ 2.10. Nume 1 5 4 


¥ 


stupid idolatry. of the populace ; and showing 
also the worthlessness of pharisaical forms and 


‘duties, and of every scheme of religion, which 


flattered men into a good opinion of themselves. 
So that their doctrine was rendered effectual to 
“ cast down every high thing,” every self-confie 
dent notion, every proud objection, or ambitious 
purpose; and all that self-sufficiency, impeni- 
tence, obstinacy in rebellion, -unbelief, and inde- 
pendence of spirit, which exalted themselves in 
men’s hearts against the humbling holy know-, 
ledge, worship, and service of God, and enslaved 
mes to idolatry, impiety, infidelity, and vice. 
When these were cast down, and a man was 
brought to “ the light of ‘the knowledge of the 
* glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ ;” 
(Notes, &c. iv. 1—6.) and to the exercise of ree 
pentance and faith; he found every imagination, 
reasoning, affection, and purpose of his heart, 
captivated by love to his divine Saviour: and, 
being: thug conquered by grace, and held captive 
by love, he became, by a sweet constraint, ebe- 
dient to his teaching and command; and from 
his inmost soul be was thenceforth the willing 
subject of Christ, in all his ordinances and com- 
mandments. As no outward miracle could effect 
this change, without new-creating grace; so we 
may be sure, that the power of God in the lazter 
was principally intended by theapostle, though 
many expositors almost wholly confine it to the 
former. ‘Thus he and his fellow-soldiers waged | 
war against their opposers. By faithful preach- 
ing, disinterested labours, patient sufferings, holy 
lives, and fervent prayers, they sought to change 
their enemies into friends, to them and their di- 
vine Master: and thus they prevailed against 
satan, to the subversion of his strong-holds and 
the revolt of his subjects. Yet the apostle had 
another weapon, to use on some occasions, and 
this also was “ mighty through God,” to avenge 
his despised authority on obstinate opposers.— 


‘He meant, and was in readiness, by.miraculous 
judgments, to avenge the cause ef Christ on 
those disguised enemies, who persisted in their 


disobedience, as he had on Elymas and others; 
but he waited to bring back such as had been 
deluded by them, to their former obedience, and 
to complete that work of love before he proceed- 
ed to use severer methods, Many expositors 
seem to confine the interpretation of these verses 
almost entirely to the divine power, by which the 
apostles were ensbled to.confound all open op- 
posers, as well as to inflict judgments on those 
professed Christians, who by their persevering 
misconduct exposed themselves to. the censures 
of the Church. But it appears evident, that 
“‘the Gospel, as the power- of God unto salya. 
‘* tion,” is primarily intended ; and that the con- 
version of opponents, and the restoring of lapsed 
Christians to obedience, were*the first objects 


om, 


. 
} 
: 
: 
1 


A. D. 6l. 


7 Do “ye look on things after the out- 
ward appearance? *.If any man trust to 
himself that he is Christ’s, let him of 
himself think this again, that as he ts 
Christ’s, ¥ even so are we)Christ’s. 

8 For 2 though I should boast some- 
what more of our authority, which the 
Lord hath given us for, edification, and 
not for your destruction,® I should not 
be ashamed ; 

9 That I may not scem as if I would 
» terrify you by letters. 

10 For Azs letters (* say they,) are 
weighty and powerful; ¢ but 4is bodily 
presence is weak, 4 and his speech con- 
temptible. 

11 Let such an one think this,, that 
such as we até in word by letters .when 
we are absent, © such will we de also in 
deed when we are present. 

' 12 For we dare not make ourselves 
of the number, or compare ourselyes 
2. 6-9. 1 John'4.6,| 4. 13,14. 

@ Av 24s & 13, 8.10.!d 11.6. Ex. 4.° 10. 
Gal. 1. 1. Jere 1, 6. 1 Cor. 1. 
16,15. John 7. 24.Ja 7 14. & 12. 6. 2] 17.21. & % 1—4. 
Rom, 2, 28,29. Tim. 1. 12. € 12, 20, .& 13-2, 3. 

& 1 Cor. 3.23. & 14.|/b ver. 10. 1 Cor. 4.| 10, I Cor. 4. 19, 20. 
37. & 1f- 23. Gal.) 5..19—21. £3. 1. & 5.12. Job 
S$. 29. * Gr, saith he, or, 12, 2. Prov. 25. 27. 

y 5.12. & 11. 4, 23.) saith one. ver, 11» | & 27.2, Luke 18. 


“& 12 11. & 13. 3.j¢ ver. 1. & 12,5—9.| 11. Rom. 15. 18, 
Gal 1. 1~13. &} L Cor. 2.3, 4. Gal, 


0 yer. 1. Afarg. & 
5-12. 1 Sam. 16. 7. 
Mat. 23. &. Luke 


‘ aimed at: bat when all proper means had failed, 
‘im respect of the latter; then, not so much the 


censures of the Church, as miraculous punish- 


ments denounced by apostolical authority, and }i 
_ made effectual by the power of God, were the 


weapons which must be had recourse to. 

V. 7—11.) Some of the Corinthians had been 
seduced into an ill opinion of Paul,'on account of 
his mean figure, indigent circumstances, and ex- 
terior disadvantages : but would they continue to 
regard such outward appearances, which had no 
connexion with real excellency ? Or would they 
value men on account of external accomplish- 
mehts, plausibility, and self-confidence? If any 
ynan, who opposed him, were ever so confident 
that he was a disciple and minister of Christ; 
yet let him reflect on the evidence which there 
was, that Paul and his brethren were so too: 
and then he would perceive, that he had no 
ground of self-preference, or encouragement to 
oppose them, St. Paul. might indeed have 
boasted something further of his apostolical au- 
thority, which the Lord in his special favour had 
given him, for the edification of the Church and 
the salvation of souls, and not for their destruc- 
tion; no doubt;*this might be occasioned by. it 
in some instances, though contrary to its genu- 
ine tendency and the use which he had made of 
it. Nor. could this claim of pre-eminence have 
made him ashamed : as it was sufficiently authen- 
ticated, by his miracles, conduct, and success in 
his ministry-; and the effects of it might soon’ be 
felt by the refractory party at Corinth. <Yet he 
did not choose: this topic, or enlarge about his 


II. CORINTHIANS, 


‘shrill and unpleasant, Sahin very 


\ 


but they, mea 
selves, and €e 
themselves, ¢ ar 
13 But & we 
without ovr meas 
the measure of the ; 
distributed. to us, ¢ 
even unto yous. 
14 For § we stre ot 
yond our measure, as 
not unto you: for we'ar 
to you also in preaching * th 
Christ : 


our measure, that is 
bours.; but having | Opes when your fz 
is increased, that we shall be § re 
by you, according to our rule abundantly 
16°To ™ preach the’ gos ci os the res 
gions beyond you, “and no V 
another man’s || line of 
dy to our hand. ans FS 
+ ; Operant it Ie 28.37. Rom. Gol 166 i 
Wives 15. Prov. afi 1-8. Rom: ash 


14, 18, 9.2 6 3s, 
h yere 14. Mate 25.) & 9. 
15. Rom. 12. 6. & 4 i LL you. 


15,20. 1 Core 12, fiom) Rom, 15. 
H. Eph. 4. 7. 116, 6 3:16, ye i 
25. 


Pet. 4. 10, 11. 
t Or, line, Ps. 19.4 


power to punish opposers ; thet he ‘might 
appear disposed to terrify them by his epistles 
For some of them ventured to say, tbat h hii 
istles were written with much apparent w 
of argument and power of conviction, and e¢ 
tained the language of authority and firmness 
but that his bodily presencé was weak 
feeble, and his’ elocution conte see ; va 
recorded, that the’ apostle was 
crooked, ‘and bald: some 
impediment in bis patents 


ful. However this might be, bi 
jection of the studied ornaments of the 
eloquence, and his plain, 1 and 
address, would render ‘igepeedh\c 
with many — ‘though his. dulce 
ever so judiciously discussed, and his‘ 
every way suitable to the occasion: and the » 
meanness of his apparel would render his ap 
ance despised by numbers. ~But 
such, as ventured to speak thus of hi 
that he would act as decidedly when he 
at Corinth, as he now wrote; and that 
show them that he was:able to 
tone, and. act with more a 
ness, when he saw occasion. 
V. 1216. The favourers of the f 
ers at Corinth’ might deem it pr 
Paul to rank himself with such ' 
and eloquent men, as they were; ar 
in an ironical manner, to refer 
But he assured them, that be™ 
scientiously copy their example of 0 


gt oni 


ow But 2 hé that gloricth, let him 
gloryinthe Lord. by 
Py onanane that commendeth him- 

108. & eli & 9. 23, 24.1 6, 13, 14. Phil. 3. 3. 


= 45.) Rom. $.11. Gr. 1] Gr.Jam.1.9;10,Gr. 
er. 4.} Cor. 1. 29.31. Gal.fo ‘vor. 12. 


Lie if d self.commendations ; for they, by 


‘ g¢ themselves, and their endowments 


this vague and 
peak of 


ught them the way of s«lvation. To this time, 
appears from the history, that Achaia was the 
\boundary of the apostle’s labours in Europe.— 
He did not therefore boast of interfering with 

ervices, which lay beyond the line of his pre- 
t duty, or.seek the credit of other men’s la. 
rs, as their false teachers had done, by intru- 
ding among them and perverting them. On the 
other hand, he hoped, when their faith was. in- 
ne could safely leave them to their ordinary 
reachers ; that he should be so magnified and 
elped forward by them, as to proceed with 
indant success, to preach the Gospel in other 


mote regions of Italy and Spain: according to 
rule of labouring for the conversion of the Gen- 
without interfering with the duty marked 
ther men, or boasting of things made rea-' 
is hand, as if he had actually performed 
¢Tothe apostles God allotted the charge 
nverting the world ; and endued them with 
suited to the greatness of their work. To 
\therefore it belonged to form their con- 
into Churches, and to appoint rules for 

i vernment. The province assigned to 
ngelists, and other inferior ministers; 
sist 'the apostles: to build upon the 
ion laid by them; to labour in the Gos- 
uder their direction; and in all things to 
hemselves as subordinate to the apos- 
is to this view of the matter, the 
Corinth, who was. but at. best 
ter of the Gospel, had in many 
of the bounds, in which 


have isboured? (-Macknight.)| 


“CHAPTER X. © 
self is P approved, 4 bu 


& 3.1. &j p 6. 4. & 13.7. 


ts of the Peloponnesus, or even in the more} 


rample, and to ‘* overcome evil with 


Ae Dib 


t whom the Lord 
commendeth. 


1 


5.12, Prov. 21. 2.) 2,22. Rom. 14. 18, 

Luke 16. 15. & 18.) & 16.10, 1-Cor.11. 

10—14. $195 2, Tim. 2, 15. 
Renf e te 


q Mat. 25. 20—37, 
John 5. 42—-44. & 
12, 43e Rom. 2.29, 
1 Cor. 4.5.1 Pet,1.7. 


ce 


V. 17, 18. ‘Ifany teacher boast, let him 
‘boast of having performed his duty, in the 
‘ manner the Lordhath appointed? (Macknight.) _ 
Surely, this is widely different from glorying 
in the Lord! (Marg, Ref. Notes, Jer. ix: 23, 
24. 1 Cor.i. 26—31.) The apostle was con- 
strained to speak of his own labours and suc- 
cess ; but he must remind the Corinthians, that 
every man who gloried, ought.to glory in God, 
as his Portion, and in the Lord Jesus as his whole. 
Salvation, and the Giver of all his hopes grace, ° 
endowments, and usefulness; to whom all the 


‘honour of them was due. Ifaman could not 


thus glory in the Lord, all other glorying must 
be vain-glory, and end in shame and misery : for | 
that man was not to be considered as approved, 
in respect of his profession or ministry, whe 
could speak eloquently and plausibly in his own 
commendation ; but he, to whose faithfulness the 


‘Lord himself bore testimony, and whose servi- 


ces he commended, by employing him as his in- 
strument for good to many souls, and by giving 
him the gracious earnests of final acceptance and. 
commendation. Most expositors suppose, that 
the commendation, bere mentioned, was given’ 
when God enabled a man to work miracles, or 
exercisespiritual. gifts: but- many wrought mi- 
racles and prophesied, who were workers of ini- 
quity, (Wotes, Matt. vii, 21—23. 1 Cor. xiii, 1— 
3.) and it could not be properly said, that the 
Lord commended them. The evident useful- 
ness of a minister’s labours, is a less equivocal 
testimony; yet the. final account, the Well 
«« done, good and faithful servant,” and the re- 


reased even by means of these events, so that|joicing in the testimony of conscience, in the 


mean while, seem especially intended. (Voie, 
1 Cor, iv. 5.) iran AY 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Piag oe Litas Wi Mey eet 3 : 
They who meet with unjust and ungrateful - 
usage from those to whom they are labouring to 


= 


'do good, should’ frequently meditate on the 


meekness and gentleness of Christ.’ “As he was» 
reviled and ‘despised by those whom’he came to 
save, none need wonder, or be discouraged, at 
meeting with a similar contradiction’ of sinners, 
in the same labour of lovey “ They should-endea- 
vour to go on patiently and quietly, after his ex-- 
good :” and 
even when constrained by duty to reprove and 
correct, or to exercise authority with firmness 
and sharpness ; they should do it with reluctan- 
cy, show a desire to avoid the painful’ necessity, 
and manifest a Ieving and forgiving spirit; that 
all may see how dear the meekness and gentle- 
ness of Christ are to them. Ministers should be 
careful to avoid alliappearance, and to obviate 
all suspicion, of walking according te the flesh : 


land. they who falsely accuse them of so doing, 


will expose themselves to the displeasure of God. 
‘ y aren: ‘ 


A. D. 61. 
CHAP. XI. 


The apostle excuses himself as to his apparent self- 
commendation; because he did it, out of godly 
» jealousy over the Corinthians, whom he had es- 
poused unto Christ; lest false teachers should 
pervert them, as satan did Eve, 1—3. None of 
their new teachers preached another Saviour, or 
another Spirit, or,avother gospel, than he had 


Though encompassed with infirmities and tempt- 
ations, and subject to manifold imperfections, the 
servants of Christ are engaged in a warfare which 
eannot be waged “after the flesh.” Human wise 
dom, affected eloquence, dissimulation, compul- 
sion, angry disputations, slanders, revilings, and 
ridicule, are carnal weapons ; and, however pow- 
erful they may’ seem, they will be found useless 
in this war; and tend rather to fortify and gar- 
Tison satan’s strong-holds, than to pull them 
down. ‘For success against the kingdom of dark- 
ness must be expected, “ not from might, nor 
* power; but from the Sjiirit of God.” The 
appointed means, however feeble they appear to 
unbelief, will be ** mighty through God :” by his 
command, the walls of Jericho fell down at the 
biast of the trumpets, far more speedily and en 
tirely, than any engines of war could have de- 
molished them, (Votes, Josh. vi.) And the preach- 
ing of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has 
always been most fatal to the strongholds of 
idolatry, infidelity, impiety, and wickedness. 
Men may, if they can, give energy to means of 
their own inventing; but satan derides their pu- 
ny efforts, and takes them captive at his will. 
But God works by his own appointments: by his 
power the enemy is driven from his fortifications ; 
Men’s imaginations are cast down, their reason. 
ings and objections silenced, their pride abased, 
their illusions dissipated : the knowledge of God 
finds admission into the heart; reverential fear, 
‘repentance, humility, faith, love, and gratitude, 
follow ; and the whole soul, with all its faculties 
and operations, is at length captivated to the obe- 
dience of Christ. But while he thus makes “ his 
* people willing in the day of his power,” and 
gradualiy perfects them in obedience and the 
beauties of holiness ;. he is in readiness to avenge 
the disobedience of the impenitent and unbeliev- 
ing, especially that of hypocrites and false teach- 
ers, who corrupt the Church, and dishonour his 
name. Vv. 7—18. 

It is peculiarly unsuitable to the character of 
Christians, though lamentably common, to judge 
of men, or look upon things after the outward 
appearance: as if learning, eloquence, afflu- 
ence, a graceful person and address, or elegant 
attire, were evidences of a man’s holiness and 
heavenly wisdom, or the seal of Christ to his 
ministerial character! Or as if the want of such 
embellishments proved a man not to be an emi- 
nent Christian, or an able, faithful minister of 
the lowly Saviour! Even Paul Was base in the 
judgment of some self-sufficient and 2ccomplish- 
ed Corinthians: and though * his letters were 
“ weighty and powerful, yet his bodily presence 
“was weak, and his speech contemptible ;” so 
that satan’s emissaries far excelled him in these 
exterior recommendations. This should teach 


Il. CORINTHIANS. 


judgments on all who oppose them; as) if t 


expose their own want of wisdom, humility, 


spoil that of other men. But let 
compare ourselves with the word of € 
the example of prophets: and 


obligations conferred belie us, 
signed us: let us be 

« quiet and mind our own peat : 
an obscure situation: let us be thankful fans : 
cess, according to’ the measure and rule, whi 
God hath distributed to us, whether e: led 
preach the Gospel, or to serve Christ “in 
other way ; without meddling in other oe 
bours, or boasting in services 

Let us hope for the increase of the faith ae 
even of those, who have most failed in‘ 
to us; let us be zealous and bolds in 
patient, prudent, loving, and 
ner : let us rather be desirous cf doing’ 
good, than of acquiring great rept 
remember to glory in the Lord 
and in all other things, only as» 
love, or as means of promoting” 


praise of men; 
that honour which cometh from God 01 


‘done, 4. He was not at all inferior to: ; 
apostles ; for though rude in sper 


in knowledge, 5, 6. d re 
to the Corinthians, 2 tye iia shen 4 80, oe 


want of love, but counteract his opposers, r 


12; who were fa 
though apparent 
even as satan trans! 
light, 18—15. 


us not to judge of gol } 
which tinsel often exceeds it 


the balance, and weigh it. When professors ¢ 
preachers of the oepat ce ‘so ontident.t that 
they belong to Christ, that they can J. 
low those who cannot coincide in their views, . 
approve their conduct, to be Christians ; and whel 
they treat the most approved characters with si 
percilious contempt and. revilings ; their vei 
confidence should excite our suspicions, as 
far more accords to that of * the deceitful work 
“ers” at Corinth, than to that of St, Paul an 
his fellow-labourers ; ye ‘wus modest, humble, 
and candid. The gre at apostle of the Ge iles, 
when constrained to mention the authorit ch 
the Lord had given him for edification and n 
for destruction, and which he used’ in the m 
excellent manner, and with the | ' 
success ; spake of it with re 
seem to boast or to threaten. 1 
men seem out of their tia wen they a 
not boasting of themselves, and 


would terrify every onc into silence and Laied 
sion! Let us not dare to make ourselves of t 
number, or to compare ourselves: with those W 
thus commend themselves : let us nape 


charity ; by measuring themselves by themselve 
aod all other men by their own standard; b: 
boasting of themselves without measure or fn) 
cency; by intrading into other men’s: labe 
glorying in things made ready to aa 
and neglecting their own work, t hat ‘they m 
us h 
God, 
3 let) 
measure ourselves by the rule of aarishity, 
and the work : 
,and “ waaay ta 
though. 


instead of commending ourselves, or e 
let us desire and 


yD. 61. 
“with, even while over-bearing, insolent, and rapa- 
" gious; he would, though reluctantly, glory also, 


16 2. “According ly, he gives a most astonish- 
a ing co jain dangers, sufferings, and 


deli 
l ED t to God ye could, * bear 
ith me a little © in my folly: 
deed * bear with me. 
aaor I am 4 jealous over you with 
godly jealousy; for * I have espoused 
‘to one husband, that ‘I may present 
ou as & a chaste virgin to Christ. 
} But» I fear, lest by any means,‘ as 
e serpent beguiled Eve through his 
subtilty, * so your minds should be cor- 


3 Num. 11-29. Josh.| with me. - 28. 

| Gal. 4. 11. 17—19.|z Lev. 21e 13—15. 

Phil. 1.8. 1 Thes.| Ez. 44. 22. 

] f 3.11. h ver, 29. & 12. 20, 

yee A ets é Gen, 24. 2—5. 58! 21. Ps, 119. 53. Gal. 

—67. Ps.45,10,11)1.6.% 31 &4 
a “17. 19.21.) Is. 54.5. & 62, 4) 11. Phil. 3. 13, 19. 

5. 13. & 12. | 5. Hos, 2. 19, 20.{i Gen. 3. 4.13. John 


a 21. &3.| John 3. 29. Rom.| 8. 44. 1 Tim. 2.14. 
7.4. 1 Cor, 4.15. } Rev. 12.9.& 20. 2, 
f Eph. 5.27. Col. 1.]k yer. 13—15. & 2. 


‘& 4. 10. 


do be 


Sy as) NOTES. 
- CHAP. xr j, 1—6. The apostle allowed, 
hat in general, self-commendation implied folly ; 
vet the case it of him at that time, and 


1is zeal for a honour of Christ, as well as bis 
ove to their souls, rendered him an exception to 
wdinary rules. He therefore wished and prayed, 
hat they would show a disposition to bear with 
im a little in what they deemed his folly : he 
nust, however, venture’ all consequences, and 
ey must bear with him, whether they approved 
ir disapproved of it. For he was jealous over 
em, with that fervent love and anxious solici- 
de for their welfare, which sprang from zeal 
‘the glory of God, and regard to his authority. 
fe had solicited and obtained their consent, to 
jat sacred and blessed union with Christ, which 
ight be called their espousals to the Gneé Bride. 
room and Husband of the Church; to whom 
jone their devoted, faithful, and obedient affec- 
on belonged, and from whom all their felicity 
s bo be expected. _ He therefore feared every 
jing which tended to alienate, weaken, and di- 
le their attachment to him; or pollute them 
‘in body or mind: for his ambition was to 
t them to Christ at last, “ holy, unblame- 
» and unreprovable in his sight; as a 
s virgin is presented to her intended hus- 
when the marriage is completed. But he 
“lest, by any means, the false teachers 
‘draw them aside from their simple de 
ice on Christ, and love and obedience to 
to a false confidence, carnal affections, or 
ence ; lest they should be deluded from 
y of doctrine, that spisitual frame of 
and that honourable conduct, which be. 

high relation : even as Eve in Eden 


him ; pte deceived by specious 
ces and insinuations. The Co. 
eculiarly exposed to this danger 


; op them up with an idea of 


CHAPTER x wf 


A. D. 61. 


rupted from ! the simplicity that is in 
Christ. 

4 For if he that cometh ™ preacheth 
another Jesus, whom we have not preach- 
ed, or if ye * ™ receive another Spirit, 
which ye have net received, or © another 
Gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye 
might well bear ¢ with Aim. 

5 For I suppose P I was not a whit be- 
hind the very chiefest apostles. — 

6 But though J 6e4rude in speech, 
yet® not in knowledge; * but we have 
been thoroughly made manifest among 
you in all things, 


17. & 4. 2. Mat. 24, 
24. Acts 20. 30, 31. 


& 3.3. 17. 1 John! 
2 18. & 4.1. Jude 


o Gal.1.7,8- © . 
+ Or, with me. 


Gal. 1.6. & 2. 4.) 4. Rev. 12 9. p 12. 11,12. 1 Cor. 
& 3.1. Eph. 4.14.1 1. 12. Rom. 12. 8.) 15. 10. Gal. 2. 6—9. 
Col. 2. 4. 8.18. 21 & 16, 18, 19. 10, 10. 1Cor. i. 


17. 21. & 2,13, » 


Tim. 4./1—4,.. 2) 2.5. r Eph, 3. 4. 2 Pet. 


Thes. 2. 3-H. ‘ Acts 4. 12. 1 Tim. 


Tim. 3. 1—9, 13 1Core 12. 4—11.' 3. i5, 16. 
& 4.3, 4 Tit. 1.] Gal. 3.2. Eph. 4.5 4.2. & 5.11.&7. 
10. 2 Pet. 2. 1—14.' 4,5. 2 & 12. 12 


their extraordinary Knowledge; and seduced 
them, by artful reasonings, to seek liberty and 
pleasure in other things, beside obeying end 
walking with God. Indeed, if any man could 
possibly have preached another Jesus, a more 
gracious and precious Saviour, than Paul had 
declared to them; or could have conferred on 
them another Spirit whose gifts and influences 
were more excellent than those which the Holy 
Spirit, through Paul’s ministry, had bestowed on 
them: or, in short, if another and more suitable 
Gospel had been preached, than that which they 
had embraced; there might have been some 
reason for their bearing with the new teachers, 
or even preferring them. Or, in. that case, it 
would have become them, to have borne with 
the infirmities of their first instructor in Chris- 
tianity. But-the contrary was manifest: for, 
whatever they might think, he was conscious that 
he was in no respect inferior to any of the apos- 


tles, without excepting Peter, James, or John, 


who seemed to be the chief of them all: he 
might, therefore, well be confident that their new 
teachers could add nothing valuable to the in- 
structions which he had given. He had indeed 
appeared among them to be “ rude in speech,” 
as a person of ordinary education, ignorant of 
the rules of eloquence, and careless respecting 
them ; (and this might be the case, though his 
discourses were replete with natural pathos, and 
sound argument:) yet he had shown himself 
competent in knowledge to instruct his hearers 
in every part of Christianity. St. Paul’s declara- 
tion, that he “ was not a whit behind the very” 
« chiefest apostles,” when carried to its conse- 
quences, is totally subversive of the enormous 
baseless fabric of popery; which rests entirely, 
. | (as distinguishe@ from the rest of the professed 
Christian Church,) on the vain imagination, that 
Peter was supreme over all the apostles ; ; and 
that the pope, or the Roman Church, or both, 
inherit, by some’ unknown title, that supremacy. 
Many expositors suppose, that the expressions, 


. 


. 


Ai Ds 6). 


sd . 
7 Have I committed an offence ¢ in]. 


abasing myself, that ye might be exalted, 
because I have gal to you the gos- 
pel of God freely ? 

8 I 4 robbed other churches, taking} 
wages of them, to do you service. 

9 And when I was present with you,|‘ 
xand wanted, ¥1 was chargeable to no 
man: for that which was lacking to me 
2 the brethren which came from Mace- 
donia supplied: and in all ¢hings I have 
kept myself from being ® burdensome 
unto you, and so will 1 keep myself. 

10 As» the truth of Christ is in me, 
* no man shall stop me of this *-boasting 
in 4 the regions of Achaia: 

11 Wherefore? ¢ because I love you 
not? God knoweth. 


t 10. 1, & 12. 13. 2 epee Rb 
Acts 18. 1—3. &} 2.9. 2 Thes. 3. 8. 
20. 34. ae. tales ra 2. See on; 

15. 1 Cor. 9. 35 


—12. & 9.6. 14—} ver. 8. 
14—16. 1 ie 
1. 2. 6 dt. 168 9, % Acts 


=a eye Qian 12 
Thes. 3 Thes t. 
Booth ‘Phil 4 14{b ver. 31. & 1. 23.1 13. *. 27, Rom: 16: 
& 12,19. Rom. 1.} 5. 1Core16-15. 1 
9. & 9. 1. Gal. 1.] Whes. 1.7, 8 
Fee ink 2. 5. 10, Ae reas & 7. 3. 
12.1 


ie vet “2. 16, 17%. & 


aha: & 9. 12. Phil. 
2.25, & 4. 1i—14. 
Heb. 11. 37+ 

y 12, 13. Neh. 5.15. 


used by the apostle, in respect of his espousing 
the believers at Corinth to Christ, are taken from 
Grecian customs: and others conclude, that one 
false teacher, and he a Jew, and disposed to cor- 
rupt Christianity with Judaism, was the author 
ef the disturbances at Corinth. Butsneither of}i 
these opinions seems clearly deducible from the 
epistle itself. 
V. 7~12, The chief distinction, between the 


* mew teachers at Corinth and Vaul, seems-to have 


been in what they had, received, and not what 
they had imparted. And would the Church then 
be offended with him, because he had abased 
himself, in. working at a trade: for his mainte- 
nance, and submitting to many self-denials, that 
they might be exalted to the privileges of God’s 

people, by preaching the Gospel to them without 
putting them to any expense? Indeed, he had 
done this lest he should. prejudice their minds; 
and he might in some sense be said even to have 


robbed other Churches, by receiving money of|ly proves that this was not the case. ( 


them for his subsistence,‘ whilst he was labouring 
for the benefit of the Corinthians. And when he 
had really been in want among them, he neither 
ceased from his ministry through discourage- 
ment, as an indolent person; nor yet put them 
to any charge: but the Christians from Mace- 
donia, especially from Philippi, supplied him 
with what was absolutely necessary. (Noie, 
Phil. iv. 10—19.) Thus in all things he hae 
kept himself frem being burdensome to them; 
and he had seen cause to determine that he 
would continue to do so: and ag surely, as he 


faithfully preached the truth of Christ, he was re- 


solved, that no man, by entreaties, arguments, or 
reproaches, should ever take from him this 
ground of glorying; and that he would receive 
ihn towards his maintenance from.any one, 


TI. CORINTHIANS. 


2 ‘Gn ens STi See on, <u ver. 10. 


12 But & what I do, t 
k that I may cat a Pag 
which desire occ: 


is transformed into 

15 Therefore i¢ ig ® no 
° his ministers also be tran 
P the ministers of ri ee 
end shall be accor 


ca yd not be stopped . b 23. 13, 


i ver. 18, & 5.12, & 
10. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 


to ih who well knew rt ecti 
them. But indeed he was resolved to p 

in his present conduct, that he might: 
those of the occasion of slandering — 
were ready to seize on ie ine rok 
him; and to set them a guod ey 
jt of zeal for the honour of: 
of the Church, in which wore ey 
be shown in» what manner pont : 
pretensions; and learn, eon 
disinterestedness of nt 
unequivocal evidence’ eee 
their plausible harangues, j i 
and domineering conduct. It i os 

opm. that the false teachers, 
of preaching the Gosp Gospel freely: t 
guage, which the apostle ee 


seem rather to have despised Paul, asd 
himself, and as acting inconsistently: 
dignity. of an apostle, in thus labo 
during poverty, instead of demandi 
nance.—As Corinth wasa rich cit 
tinuance there might have been aseril 
cenary motives, had he not adopted 
and as the Macedonians, though 
the Corinthians, yet-main 
tle, when labouring at Corinth; tn 
sense be said, that they were rok 
their more prosperous brethren. 
V. 18—15. It was not to vb 
the persons, to whom St. Paul 
in this respect be found like him: as they 
indeed spurious apostles, who falsely pr 
to be sent by Christ; in this’ 


4 


164 Te say 
“me ne if. 


nfidence of boasting. 


FL will glory also. . 


his 1, 19. sie 

+ Be 22.1 1 Cor. 7 6, 12 
‘ a ver. 18—27. & 
| 4. Phil, 3. 4—6. 


: y 12. §,6.9. Lle 


orking deccitfully, acting with duplicity, and 
-¥arnishing, over thontabeeday and selfish inten. 


their style, mannel and conduct were an affect. 


ed imitation of those of the apostles ; but their 
“ministry tended to dishonour God, and to de- 


ils! “Nor need itexcite any wonder, that 
d men should; be so specious in their 
sarance and pretensions: for even satan, 


\ their master, could disguise himself, and. tempt 
metrin'the form ofa holy angel, a messenger 


- ¥rom the world of light, instead of appearing as 
bi 


the prince 
with. Grobbadions of extraordinary illumination, 


high affections, evangelical truth, revelations, 


_ Rogular sanctity, deadness to the world, austeri- 
ty, or sublimity of devotion; and. in- various 
other ways, that so he might undermine ér dis- 
“grace the holy religion of Christ, hurry them in. 
Ksurdities and extravagancies, lead them to 
lect the plainvrule of the written word, and 
them into €nthusiasts, antinomians, or 
) ‘Superstitious formalists. It was not therefore 
any thing great, or difficult, or marvellous, that 
is ministers should be transformed, and assume 
appearance. of the ministers of righteousness ; 
t by themthis great deceiver might impose 
m men to their destruction: for if they appear- 
ed openly, as opposers of the Gospel, and pat- 
rons of vice and impiety, they could do, far less 
“mischief; even as depredators succeed best, 
) when disguised» as honest men, and reputed to 
‘be such, But whatever their professions. might 
| Be, and however they might be admired and ap. 
“plauded ; Yet their end would accord, not to their 
_ popularity; confidence, eloquence, or sentiments ; 


, and the effect of their principles améng men. 
plural. number, used in. these verses, in 
ch the apostle directly speaks out on a sub- 
;to which he had all along covertly tefer- 
does not favour the opinion, that one false 
sher was exclusively meant ; though one might 
ssess greater influence than the others... 
f, 16—20. Having thus openly decided 
st those, who peisisted in opposing his 
‘y at Corinth, the apostle again returned 
tibject. He desired that no man would 
im to be a fool, or a vain-gloriots man, 
tof what he said in his own behalf, 
importance of the occasion demanded 
f they would form so unfavoura- 
on concerning him); let them at 
m in that character, while he 
for a short time, and as to some 


') CHAPTER XI. 


again, * Let no than think 
herwise, yet as a fool * re-, 
that I may boast myself a little. 
t which I speak, t I speak é¢ not 
yord, but as it were «foolishly, 


Sec ing that * many glory after the 


10, 1218. Jer. 9, } 


‘Ye ver. 12. 21-23. & 
8&9.) 23,24, 2 Pets 1. 24. }' 


“tions by “pecious professions; (iv.2:) so that. 


of darkness. He could delude men 


‘but to their works, their conduct in the sight of 


A. D. 61, 


19 For ye suffer fools gladly, 2 seeing 
ye yourselves are wise. . 

- 20) For ye suffer, «if aman bring you: 
into bondage, ifa man devour you, if a 
man > take of yuu, if a man’ exalt him 
self, if aman smite you onthe face, 
|| Practical OBservations.] 


1. & 10. 15. Rev.) 1. 10. & 6.12: ¢ Is, 5066. Lame S 
b Rom, 16. 17, 13) 30. Luke 6. 29 


3517. 
Phil. 3519, 1 Thes.| 4 


'% 1 Cori 4. 10. wit 3.9, 28, & 6) 25! 
pad 24. Gal. 2 4, 


things, in which he was really distinguished : for 
jhe sought their good, and not his own eredit, in 
‘what he said.’ He did not indeed speak on this 
loceasion, according to the general precepts or 
‘example of the Lord, or what was proper to be 
imitated in ordinary cases; nor was it an imme- 
diate revelation that he was about 'to declare: 
but he fottowed that same confidence of béast- 
ing, which their conduct had imposed upon him, 
‘and which the example of some among them 
seemed to authorize; though they would per- 
thaps deem it foolish in him to do it. As, how- 
ever, many of them, both the deceivers and the 
deceived, had got into this habit of glorying, 
*< he would gloty also ;” but on other ground 
and in another manner; ih order to counteract 
the pernicious tendency of their Vain confidence. 
Well satisfied indeed with their own wisdom, 
they’ were accustomed to bear, with a self-coma 
placent joy, the conduct of those who acted fool-_ 
ishly ; and had, no doubt, often looked down on 
him with this mixture of pity and contempt.—= 
They had not indeed greatly shown their wis- 
dom in tolerating the false teachers: for they 
endured it without complaint, at least without 
being undeceived, if any one brought them into 
an abject dependence on him, and enslaved their 
consciences to his unwarranted iovpositions : if 
he devoured their substance, (as the Pharisees 
did the widows’ houses,) by exorbitant demands 
under covert specious pretexts ; if he took large 
suins from them by way of preserts ; if he exalt- 
ed himself; as some absolute ruler over them, 
and behaved in the most insolent manner; nays 
if heeven smote them on the face, as treating 
them with contempt and disdain, inhis furious” 
}passion. » Doubtless, this refers: to facts’ known 
'to the apostle, in which the violent, litigious, ams 
/bitious, selfish temper of the false apostles had 
been evident to all-men: yet they wére still al- 
lowed to retain their influence, through the fasci-, 
nation of thei eloquence, confidence, and crafty 
matiagement of their deluded admirers !— Glory 
after the flesh. ‘Tis’ is, by most expositors; - 
without any clear proof, explained of the false 
teachers glorying’in their Jewish extraction and 
in circumcision. But.the expression, * after the 
« flesh,’ according to the apostle’s language, 
implies evety thing that an unregenerate man 
ean possess ; and learning, eloquence, and va- — 
rious other distinctions may be meant; whether ’ 
the Jewish extraction and circumcision be’ in- 


cluded or not.’ ‘If subjection to the Jewish 


rites had been that which the apostle was so 
* zealous against ; he would Rave spoken more” 
2t 


Ai dD. 61. 


21 I\speak as concerning reproach, 
How-|* once wa 


@as though we had been weak. 


beit, © wherein soever any is bold, (‘I 


speak foolishly,) I am bold also, 


22 Are they Hebrews? so am. I: are. 
they Israelites? so am 1: are they » the 


seed of Abraham? so am I. 


23 Are they ‘ ministers of Christ? (1 
speak as a fool,) 1 em more: 'in labours 
more abundant, ™ jin stripes. above mea-, 
sure, in prisons more frequent, ° in 


deaths oft. * 
24 Of the Jews five times’ receiyed I 
P forty &rifves save one. 


d 10. 1,2. 10.& 13, 4.11 3. 6, & 6, 4. 1 Cor. 
e ver. 22—27 Phil,| 3. 5.& 4.1, 1 Thea. 
3.3—6. 3.2: 1 Tim, 4. 6. 

f ver. 17.23. *, 1% 5. & 12- 11) 

¢ Es. 3.18. & 5. 3, 

& 7, 16+ & 9. 1.13.41 aa 13. 10, Col. 
10. 3. Acts 22...) 1, 29. 

Rom. 11, 1. Phil. ver. 24,25. & 6.] 1 Core £52°30—32, 
3. 5. 4,5. Acts 9. 16. Phil, 2, 17. Col. 1. 
h_Gen. 17. 8,9. ee Acts 16. 24. Boas 2 24. 


Eph..3. 1. & 4,1. 
& 6. 20, Phil. 1. 13. 
2 Tim. 1. 8.16. & 2, 
9. Philem. 9, Heb, 
10. 34, 

o 1.910.& 4. ¥1. 
& 6, 9. Acts 14. 19. 


Chr. 20. 7. Mat. 3 
9. John 8. 33—39. 
Thom, 4. 13—18. 


Mat. 10. 17. 


27. 1. & 28. 16. 30.) 13. 9. 


* plainly and warmly, as we see in the epistle to 
« the Galatians ; and not have touched it only 
* by the by. slightly, in a doubtful expression. 
* Besides, it is plain, that no such thing was yet 
* attempted openly; only St. Paul was afraid of 
© it’, (Locke.) 

V. 21, 22.. The apostle referred, in what he 
had said, to the reproaches, which these decely: 
ers had cast upon him and his friends, as if he 
had been weak and timid in his conduct at Go- 
rinth. . They, ascribed his. modesty, meekness, 
and self.abasement, to a want of courage, and a 
consciousness that he had no apostolical authori- 
ty, or no power to enforce it. Yet, in whatever 
particular any man Was bold, as a Christian, a 
minister, or an apostle, he was bold also : though 
in avowing this, he did what on other occasions 
would be foolish. Commentators generally sup- 
pose that in what follows, he meant to compare 
himself with the false teacher or teachers at €o- 
rinth; and infer, that these were Hebrews, and 
wanted to impose the lawon the Gentile con- 
verts; of which no trace is found in either epis- 
tle. (Note, xii. 17—21.} But I apprehend 
that the whole passage will appear far more na- 
tural and animated, if we understand it with 
reference to * the chiefest of the true apostles,” 
and the words, “ wherein soever a7y is bald,” 
obviously lead to this interpretation. “It was in- 
deed a small matter for him to show, that he was 
superior to “ the ministers of satan,” whom he 
had just. condemned: indeed how could he 
speak of them, as the ministers of Christ? but, 
in order to re-establish completely his apostolical 
authority, he must prove, that he was not * a 
«© whit behind the chiefest apostles: and im fact 
he here shows, that he laboured and suffered 
more abundantly than they all, or than any of 
them did. All the apostles were descended- 
from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.. They were 
neither Hfellenists, nor prosélytes ; and, St. Paul 
was not inferior to them in this respect ; though 


Il, CORINTHIANS: 


25 Thrice was 4 1 aS 


shipwreck, i 
in the deep ;_ 

- 26 Jn t jour 
waters, in per 
by mine.own co 
the heathen, ¥ 
perils in the wilder. 
Sea, in perils amon 

27 In * weariness 
watchings often, ® in ft 
in > fastings often, in ; 
ness. . 


q Acts 16, 22, 23,33. 28. Gal. 1.17— 
37+ Be 225 24y ‘la Aets. 9. 

T Mat. 21. 35, Acts| 29. & 13. 50 = Re 
7, 58,59, & 14.5.1 3.19. tae 
19. Heb, 11, 37. 

s Acts 27. 41. 

t Acts 9. 26—30; : 
ll. 25, 26.& 13 Kix 1. 8 
14. & 15. 2—4. 40, 5 
41. & 16. & 17 
18. 1. 18—23. & 19. 
1s &, 20.) 1, rs 
Rom. 15. 19.2 


0.) 
se | 


his birth at Tarsus: nightie 
casion to conclude that he was. He 
ed that his opposers at Cori were 
ters of Christ, but of satan ; a = 
ly seem to speak ° foolishly, F mi 
office, and declaring that h = 
but it had indeed this appeara . 
ceeded to show, that in cts he wa 
more ‘distinguished, as ‘the paisa of Chri: 
than any other person, even amor 
not by superior authority, abili 
powers, zeal, or holiness ; but 
dant labours and su F 
ly far exceeded all other 1 
earth. The’ false” asain 
little, and, instead of sui 
is very’ probable,’ 
nénce, affluence, and ai 
but by thus showing 
distinguished above a 
eitly pointed out to ‘the 
followers, in what true 
and by the ‘contrast made 
things, in which they 4 
shame. ~(Wote, Ma 
Vi 23—27. “The 
been scourged and on 
yet Paul had endusgel Alls 
more frequently than they, and 
ger of death on far more oc ; 
had scourged him five times, wit 
severity, of which their law and: 
for they were forbidden t 
and for fear of a mistake,’ 
themselves to thirty-nine. (J 
also been thrice scourged | 
the Roman magistrates, thou ug 
law. He had once been ston 
but had been miraculously 
had thrice been wrecked in his d 
and at one time he continued a mi 
in the sea, probably on a sie ft 


opi 


vi" : 
Bene. Glan, codes CHAPTER XI. A. D. 61. 
ts 28 Besid a those things that are with-| 31 The * God and Father of our Lord 
out, that which cometh upon me daily,| Jesus Christ, ! which is blessed for ever- 
‘more, ™ knowcth that I lie not. 
$2:In™ Damascus the governor under 
Aretas the king kept the city of the 
Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to 
apprehend me ; yee ae 
33 And through a window in a basket 
was ° I let down by the wall, and escaped 


tere 


fended, s and I burn not? 
FT * must needs glory, iI will glo- 
‘things which concern mine in- 
. 23~97. 26. Gal. 6, 2 ry 14. & 3.1—3. &u. 
‘86s 41. &} Thes. 3. 5-8, 1 B20. & 5. 2—4. 2 


“18 23. & 20. 2. 18/g ver, 13—15: Nam,| John 10,11. Jude 
-=35. Rom. 1, 14.] 25, 6—11. Neh. 5 3,4. Rev. 2s 2. 20. 


his hands. > ; 


n ver, 26. Acts 9.24, 


ORE 11. 13° & 15. 16.) —13)& 23. 16-204 & 3. 15,16. ba te ed a 
"2k 16, 4. Col. 2 1,| 23-25. John 2. 17.[h ver. 16—18, & 12. | "p50" Yo, Eph a Paani de a 
Ma 3. Te 0) 8 Cr EL ee a aoc. g, 25, [Se Be 3: 14 Col. 2} 17. Be Gr17. Jo Josh+2.18, 1 Same 
& 13. 9, Ezra 9, 1| 6. 5—% 15—18. &| & 27.2, Jere % 23,1 3° 7 pet.7. 3. Pinere ribrcpe Ree ah ied a pape 
3. Rom, 12. 15.| 11, 22 & 15. 12,) 24. te A Arab its. Dy: latt Heed i 7 
| 4 Be abs de ison Re, yer. 36. Gal. 1.|i 12. 5—10, ‘Cols 1. } Pk Ds 
S. & 9, 22 & I | 740. & 2. 4-6.) 24. © & y 
HN ed ats : * ‘o far at ; 
extreme , suffering, and peril. This was | what single Christian in all the Churches, was re. 


ported to him as weak in the faith and liable to 
he discouraged, with whom he did not sympa- 
thize as weak also? or who was stumbled and 
turned aside, and he was not fired with zeal-to 
recover him, and with a holy indignation against 
those who eccasioned the evil? As they had 
made it nécessary for him to glory; so he hed 
taken care in glorying, not to expatiate on his 
gifts or the honours which he had received; but 
on those things which showed his exposed, des- 
pised, ar: suffering condition ; the infirmities of 
his body and mind; his continual need of divine 
support; his persecutions, reproaches, and deli- 
verances, and such.things as implied his weak. 
hess, and the power of Christ which rested on 
him. Nor did he in this at all exceed strict 
truth, as those that gloried were apt to do: for 
the God and-Father of our Lord Jesus, to whom 
the glory and praise belonged of all that was 
done by him,, and for him, was witness that he 
did not lie in any particular, or in any measure. 
(Marg. Ref) ghey : 

V. 32, 33. -The event here mentioned took 
place soon after the apostle entered upon his 
ministry, and was a specimen of what he had 
‘ever since been exposed to. We know nothing 
more of it, than what‘is here recorded, and in a 
passage, which has been already considered» 
(Note, Acts ix. 23—25.) PAC ety 


revious to his voyage to Rome, when he was 
: Baa: ic AR of his other suffer- 
ings, recorded in the Acis of the apostles, were 
‘subsequent to the writing of this epistle. He 
often journeyed from one region to another 
amidst hardships and perils : sometimes his life 
had been endafigered in passing rivers, or deep 
waters that lay in his way; sometimes by rob- 
| bers, who attempted to plunderand murder him: 
frequently the Jews assaulted him, being enrag- 
ed by his preaching to the Gentiles; then the 
Gentiles attempted to slay him, because his doc- 
trine undermined their idolatry : when he was in 
any city, his life was in danger from the violence 
| of the mob, or the iniquity of the rulers ; in pass-. 
| ang deserts, the wild beasts, or wicked men 
who infested them, exposed him to equal peril ; 
| when crossing the sea, he*was in danger of pi- 
| rates and tempests; and even when among pro- 
| sed Christians, he was in peril from false 
|. brethren, Thus his life was spent in weariness, 
pain, and suffering ; his incessant toil in preach-. 
ing the Gospel, conyersing with the people from 
house to house, writing his epistles, earning his 
bread, and attending to his devotions, frequently. 
forced him to pass whole nights without rest. 
| Often he wag exposed to hunger and‘ thirst 
__through’extreme indigence;;and, when he had 
food, his labours and religious duties led him to. 
| ebstain from it, He was sometimes exposed to 
cold from the inclemency of the weather, and 
if want of proper accommodations; and oftenhad| | . V.1—12, ; 
suitable and decent raiment to cover him,| Ministers must on some occasions submit to 
he was called to appear in public. Yet he |the imputation of folly, rather than neglect the 
ill persevered without fainting, in his “ work of care of souls : and when their hearers think their 
ith and labour of love.” ‘©. Jeonduct, in particular cases, indiscreet, they 
28—30.» Beside these things, which were |should bear with them’; especially if it spring 
iout, and mainly related to the apostle’s bodi- | from an excess of zeal. They may be jealous 
ufferings ; his mind was worn down bya mul- |over their people with such an affectionate ear- 
ity of affairs, which came upon him daily |nestness, 9s carries them beyond ordinary rules, 
violence of an armed multitude, by the|or personal considerations ; while they appre- 
all, the Churches of the Gentiles planted |hend that their beloved children ate in danger 
n and others : this lay upon him, filled him |of being by any means corrupted from the sim. 
onstant solicitude, and employed him per-|plicity of Christ : and that conduct, which many 
y in forming and executing plans to pro-|cénsure, may be the effect of pure and holy af. 
f peace and prosperity, to counteract |fections superior to those of other men. It ig 
Ise teachers, and to jorder all} their great employment and object, to promote 
the best. And in this he so|the espousals of souls to Christ; and to pre- 
gaged, that he was attentive to the|serve those, who appear to be thus espoused, 
F individuals : so that he might ask,! from corruption in their principles, spirit, or con., 


"PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 


wf. D. 63. 


CHAP. XII. 
The apostle relates his extraordinary revelations, 
which had rendéred such bumiliating experiences 
necessary, as constrained hi:1 to glory, only in 
his own infirmities and trials, and inthe all-suffi- 
¢gient power and grace of Christ, 1—10:. As his 
apostleship had been fully proved: among- them, 
‘the Coriuthians ought to have recommend 
bim, and not to haye compelled him to this self- 
commendation, 41—13. He was about’ to visit 
| ee ANE ARES FR ARTE NP 
duct; that they may present them as a chaste 
virgin unto Christ. This will excite in them a 
jealous fear, lest satan, who by his subtiety be. 
uiled Eve in paradise, should deceive them al- 
so. For he hath agents of all descriptions, who 
are continually at work to impose upon the un- 
stable and unwary. If then the faithful minis- 
ter seem too suspicious, and become troublesome 
by his watchfulness and warnmgs; his people 
ought, notwithstanding, to bear with him. When 
any are about to leave those pastors, by whom 
they seem to have been espoused to Christ ; they 
ought to inquire whether their new favourites 
éan preach another Jesus, another Sanctifier, or 
another Gospel, than they*have already receiv: 
ed? And they skould not endure those, who, 
without sufficient cause, would alienate them from 
the instruments of God in their conyersion.— 
€hristians need not wonder, if confident persons 
gepresent their faithful pastors as inferior 


‘preachers, who ate destitute of erudition, elo- 


quence, and power, or in some respects excep- 
tionable or erroneous ; 2s there were not want- 
ing deceivers, who confidently said the same 
things of St. Paul himself! But it is far better 
to be rude ‘fin speech,” yet not ‘in spiritual 
«* and experimental knowledge ;” and to be ma- 
nifested thoroughly in all things, as walking con- 
sistently with the Gospel: than to he admired 
by thousands for excellency of speech ; and to be 
lifted up in pride, to corrupt the Church with 
damnable heresies, to distract it by furious con- 
tentions, and disgrace the Gospel by malignant 
tempers and an unholy life. So injudicious are 
many professed Christians, that high confi- 
dence, and the language of importance and au- 
ee will often go further, than the most hum- 
le, meek, unassuming, anc disinterested deport- 
ment!» The minister, who is content to be poor, 
«o fare hardly, to be abased, or to earn his bread 
that he may exalt others by freely preaching the 
Gespel to them, is often consigned to neglect, 
as if guilty of some great oflence. While others, 
who assume a magisterial tone, and exalt them- 
selves, are admitted to that consequence which 
they assume ; provided they have popular abili- 
ties, whatever their character in other respects 
may be. Vet itis in reality an honour to endure 
want, without ceasing to labour, or desiring to 
become chargeable, where it might prejudice’ 
men against the Gospel. On some occasidns a 
man should determine not to be deprived of this 
glorying ; especially ifhe at any time judgeshim- 
self required to mention it. Thus the appear- 
ance of evil may be avoided, the mouths of gain. 
sayers may be stopped, an edifying example may 
be exhibited, and a contrast made to the conduct 
of mercenary Geceivers. This, however, must 
¢ a 


tag 
IL. CORINTHIANS, 


them again ;, but was determined to cos i be 
disinterested conduct; and to spend 
fervent love to them, tl they « 


that those, wh : 
in the same. disit | 
expresses his fears, th 

well as compelled to. 

who had grossly offe 

20, 24 


sence of God: and it may somet 
to show, that it does not result from pride, b 
veceiving the kindness of others with grateful a 
knowledgments, where the same Teasons 
operate, Tt often happens in this way, th 
nisters, receive wages, as it were, from one 
of people to do service for another’: and some 
times the poorer are at the expense of maintain 
ing those that preach to the rich. But the mir 
nister needs not scruple this; as if* he ro 3 
“ other Churches :” it reflects no dishonour on 
him, provided he only i j. nt subsist- 
ryt and it will redoun a 1e credit and 
of those who thus supply him: yet when 
professors of the ‘Gospel know this to be the 
case, they are not just, if they do not bear th 
burden themselves ; nor ge a; if they do ne 
copy so noble’an example. © th Ge 
<p geek Aah wry 
Whatever fair show deceivers may muke, the 
will seldom be found like faithfal ministers,’ it 
labouring without any hope of worldly advantap 
or honour, from pure love to Christ and th 
of men)’ This is a part of the: 
racter and office, which by no 
the designs of false apostles and f 
ers. The plausibility of deceivers, and th 
tractive form which they as§ume to seduce 
from the simplicity of Christ, should not 
our wonder ; for satan is continual 
inte an angel of light, that, unde 


cious pretences, he may fill th 5 
delity, heresy, and brig Sear : and under the 
mas of philosophy, morality, extraordinary a 
terity, or new revelations, he does far 1 nore’ 


ed, that some of his mini 
the ministers of righteousness, s it e 
to cepy his example ; but if their end'were to 6 
according to their abilities, confidence, or notior 
they would have a far better hope than they n 

can have, when it must be “ according ‘to thei 
“ works.” If then any of them 

vacate the law of God, the rule o 
standard of sin’ and ee 
an important point ; but they fir 
force at the day of judgment: the 
works, as evidential of his fait and Ie 
tried and approved by it; and they, 
habitually done evil under the profess 
Gospel, will be condemned as ‘h 
there is an equal danger on the 
serves satan’s purposes nearly 
good works against the merits 
salvation by faith and grace. Ins 
ters will be permitted to prewi 


CHAPTER XII. 


B >to glory: * 1 will come to ¢ visions] in the body, or out of the body, I cannot 
and revelations of the Lord. i tell: God knoweth ;) 
214 knew a man.¢ in: Christ about) 4 How that he was caught up into 


of myself I will not glory, but in mine 
infirmities. Ra eee ct ie 

6 For though =I would desire to glo- 

ry, I shall not be a fool ; for © 1 will say 

the ‘truth: but zow I forbear, lest any 

man should think of me P above that 

& 17.2 Se eae eey ie a. iz,| Which he seeth me ¢o ée, or that he hear- 


Cor. 1. 30. Gal. 1.; Heb. 9. 24. Rev.| eth of me. 
Z 12. 5s - 
i Gen. 1. 14-20.-1)k Ez. 31. 9. Luke 
Kings 8. 27. Is. 57.} 23, 43, Rev. 2. 7. 
15. * Or, possible. Cor, 3, 5.9, 10, p ver. % & 10. 9; 
1 ver, 2—4, lO 1. 18. & 11. 31. 10. 


except the holy law of God, as established by | dividual believer! Next to the history of Christ 
faith in the righteousness and atonement of Christ, | himself, the dangers, persecutions, cruelty, and 
and the participation of his sanctifying Spirit ;| treachery, which this most excellent and useful 
‘but this is the bane of every false system, and,|servant of God, every where, and from all sorts 
when clearly exhibited, detects satan, however|of persons, met with; and the unkindness even 
transformed into an angel of light. We havelof his own conyerts, form the severest stricture A 
great reason for thankfulness, that the apos-jon the folly and wickedness of mankind, that 
‘tle was constrained, though with many retrac-}ever was published. We may here see what are 
‘tions, to * boast himself a little :” for whatever|the chief preferments in the true Church of 
he might fear, or his enemies might say, his con-| Christ : and we may inquife, whether on such 
fidence in boasting hath thrown such light upon|terms we should be willing to be “ not a whit 
his ministry, character, and history, as will be|“ behind the very chiefest apostles?” In this 
§nstructive to the Church to the end of the world.| glass, our utmost diligence and services appear 
Doubtless the Holy Spirit guided his pen; though |too minute to be noticed; and our difficulties 
he seemed not to speak “ after the Lord ;” for} and trials can scarcely be perceived : the pros- 
he did not glory im a carnal, a proud, or a false] pect may well shame us out of all our’ boastings 


‘manner, as many do. . Had the Corinthians been} and cgmplaints; and lead us to inquire whether 
as wise as they thought themselves; he would| we be really engaged in the spiritual warfare, or 
ye had no occasion to apologize to them for|are only called the soldiers of Christ. Here we 
‘his conduct: for he did not require those indul-) may study patience, fortitude, meekness, and 
gences, which they granted to their false teach-| perseverance in well-doing ; and confidence in 
ers. Indeed, if faithful ministers, who flatter no} God to protect, deliver, and comfort us, in every 
man, and pay no court’ to any man’s passions, | possible sufferiig or danger. Here we may learn” 
hhould attempt to treat their people, as some do,|to think less of our own ease, interest, indul- 
who for their own ends are in some things more| gence, or reputation, and more of the great con- © * 
complaisant; it would not be endured. It is|cerns of godliness ; and to sympathize with the 
stonishing, to see how some men bring their fol-|iighter sorrows of our brethren, even when more i 
owers into bondage; how they devour and take} heavily afflicted ourselves: here we may look, Se 
ljof them; how they insult and reproach them. as| till poverty, reproach, hunger, thirst, watchings, 
[well as others; and yet how all this is borne/fastings, cold, nakedness, stripes, and imprison- 
h, excused, or palliated! For indeed their} ment, appear honourable, and even special privi- 
ne suits the lives and consciences of their] leges, when sustained in a good cwuse, and with 
rs, and their example encourages them to|a constant mind, Here we may learn to be con. 
- conduct towards others. Sometimes it} tent with food and rsiment, thankful for mean 
»necessary to take notice of the reproaches| and scanty provisions, indifferent about all world. | 
h mien; but never to imitate their spirit or}ly things, ardently desirous of @oing good to | 
4 ; others, and animated with the hope of success 
& V. 21—33. }in this. work, notwithstanding our manifold infir. 
‘Mere man ever united such, and so|mities. These we should especially fook at, if. 
erounds of glorying’as this apostle ? How} we ate ever constrained to glory ; we should ever © 


ay 
a 8 10. John 16, 7.) —19. Gal. 1, 12. & 
‘& 18.14. 1 Cor.6,| 2. 2.1 John 5. 20. 
2. & 10. 23. d ver, 3.5 - | 22, 23. Rey. 1 
‘b yer. 11. & 11. 16— 


le 5. 17. 218 13, 5.} 10. & 4. 2. 
’ ce For I will, 


11. 24, Acts 8. 3% 
| 40. & 22. 17, Phil. 


Is. 45.24, 25.Jobnig ver. 3- See on. 11. 
6. 56. & 15. 4—6.) 11. 


™ ver. 9,10. & 11.30. 


Job 24.25, Rom. 9. _- 
n 10.8.& it. 16.1) 1. : 


fill our minds with astonishment, to medi- 
»brief enumeration of his labours, 
perils, and sufferings, during a long 
s! of his patience, perseverance, 
fulness, and usefulness, in the 
d of his attentive and fervent 
all the Churches, and every in- 
ake e oe ' 


A 


® 


+. 


x: it ins * ¢ F Sa | > i > 
rte i eS. Ma. 
5 . to a 


keep in view our obligations to the Lord, from 
whom all our distinctions are received; we shoul 
strictly adhere to truth, as in his presence ;' an 


|we should refer all to his glory, as © the Father 


“ of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for. 
iff evermore.” ‘ ' ne ana t 


ee a 


2 


8 Ne ne ae 


é 
ii 
‘We 


A.D, 61. 


measure through * the abundance of the 
revelations, there was given to me‘%a 
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Sa- 
tan " to buffet me, lest 1 should be exalt- 
ed above measure. 
- g For this thing * I besought the Lord 
thrice, that it might depart from me. 

9 And he said unto me, ¥ My grace 
is sufficient for thee: 4 for my strength 


q 10. 5 & ll. 20\t Job 2. 7 Luke Mx. 3. 11,12. & 4. 
Deut. 8+ 14. & 17.} 18. 16. 1 Cor. 5. 5.) 10-15. Deut. 33. 25 
20. 2 Chr. 26. 16:|u Mat. 26.67. 2 Cor.| —27. Josh. 1. 9, Is. 
& 32, 25, 26. 31.) 4. 11. 43.2 Jer. 1. 69. 
Dan. 5 20. 1°'Lim.lx Deut... 3. 23-26.) Mat. 10. 19, 20. 
3. 6. 1 Sam. 15. 13. 2} Luke 21,15. 1 Cor. 
¥r ver. 1—4- 10. 13. & 15. 10- 
6 Gen, 32. 25. 3 Col. 1.28, 29. D 
Jadg. 2.3. Eze 284 26, 39-44. Heb. 5,7. ‘Tim.1.14.Heb.4.16- 
24. Gal. 4.13, 14-ly ver. 10. & 3. 5, 6.12 Ps, 8. 2, Is. 35. 3, 
Bega et. a | 
NOTES. 

CHAP. Xu. V.1—6. The peculiarity of the 
apostle’s circumstances rendered that conduct 
necessary, which otherwise would not have been 
expedient ; and which, it is probable, bis eppo- 
sers would censure, or even deride. He would, 


nevertheless, proceed to 


Sam. 12. 16—I8. 
Mat. 20. 21, 22. & 


things. 


-ers.at Corinth made high pretensions in these 


matters: and insind&ted that Paul was not dis- 
tinguished by them, as the: other apostles were, 
Jn mentioning his extraordinary Vision, or reve- 
lation, he modestly spoke in the third person ; 
but there can be no doubt that he meant himself. 
¥fe knew a man in Christ, (Marg. Ref) who 
fourteen vears before had a most extraordinary 
vision. Whether he was in the hody or not, at 
that time, Gad alone knew ; but his outwatd sen- 
ses were entirely closed, and his whole percep- 
tion was by the powers of his mind: but whether 
heavenly things were brought down to him, so 
to speak, as bis body lay entranced, (as. the case 
‘often seems to have been with the ancient pro- 
phets ;) or whether his soul was dislodged from 


the body for the time, and actually taken up in-; 


¢o heaven; ,or whether he was taken up in body 
and soul together, he knew not. (Marg. Ref) 
This language evidently proves, that the apostle 
most firmly believed the soul to be distinct from 
the body, and capable of perception, activity, 
and enjoyment, in a.state of separation. How. 
ever these things might be, this man was sudden_ 
ly caught up into ‘the third, or the highest hea- 
¥en ; above the Jower region of the air and the 
starry heavens, to the place, where the Lord im. 
mediately reveals his presence and glory, and 
receives the adoration of his heavenly hosts. 
Yea, this man, with whom he was so intimately 
acquainted, was taken up into Paradise, the place 
of felicity; of which Eden was the type; and 
there heard such words as man could not speak 
Tf he might, and as it would have been unlawful 
to speak if he could; it being the purpose of 
God, that the discoveries made of himself in that 

jorious world, should not be more fully declared 
on earth, than they bad been. Maby approved 
commentators suppose these to have been two 
Gistinct visions ; that Paradise is a different place 


| ‘ II. CORINTHIANS. 
7 And 4 lest I should be exalted above i 


‘glorying in such matter: 


ing vision ; and he hi 


may rést upot 

10 Therefo 
firmitiés, in re 
persecutions, in ¢ 
sake: § for when I 


4. & 40. 29—81. & bs 
41. 13—16, Dan. 10,] 28. 18 
16—19. Eph. 3. 16.| 13, 14, a 
1, 4: & 4s 8-40. 
aver. 10.15, Mat. 5} 41. R 5, 35 & 8 
11,12. = 35—39, eatih 
b ver. 5.& 11.590. | & 2/17, 18. Col. 
¢ 2 Kings 2. 15. Is} 24. Jam. 1. 2.1 Pi 
4. 5,6. & WU. 2, 1.6, ean 


from the third heavens; ar 
he saw Jesus at the right bh 
and in the former he 

saints. | But, as the happi 
« just men made 
© present with the Lor 


Phil. 4. 13. Col. 1, 
11. Heb. 11. 34. 


speak concerning visions | Scriptural ground for iC is distinct 
of the divine glory, and revelations of heavenly) Ref) The languag eis indee 
It may be supposed that the false teach-| one vision appeats to Be 


one vision he foultless 
velations. 

voured, at least “4d 
prophets, he woul 


not glory, except in his infirn 
sent circumstances, indeed, hi 


visions that had been 
not act foolishly, as 
truth ; (which probal 
the false teachers.) 

speaking further on that 
his friends should think f 
his manifest conduct < 

and should thus’ 
much, and perha 
ministers in the com 
had passed, since 


mentioned it: he 
exceedingly relu 
ferred on him. The 
vouchsafed to him, espe 

and encouragement, amidst 
and sufferings : and, as no 
truth, needful to be known 
tians, or ministers, Was ma 
only impossible, but even 
been done, to relate what 
As two distinct words ar ; 
to suppose, that they were 
two distinct ideas, 
was a poor sinner, wholly 
and grace, amidst all his hon 
so that his extraordinary and 
tions were soon followed by as re! 
ivst they should prove an ince 


pride, ‘What he saw in the thiré hei 


.  _ CHAPTER'XII. A. D. 61; 


| were wrought among you in all patience, 
in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 
‘13 For what is it wherein ye were in- 
ferior to other churches, except i¢ de that 
nT myself was not burdensome to you? 
n forgive me this wrone. — 
Rom. 15. 18, 19. 1)m ver. 14. & 11. 3) 18. 


Cor. 1..5—7. & af 9. 1 Cor. 9. 6:15—in 21.7. 
2. & 14. 18, - i 


nded of you; i for in 

hind ‘the very chiefest 

ough I be nothing. 

the signs of an apostle 
i 1) 1 Cor. 3. 4-7. 22k 1 Cor. 15. 9, 10. 


Gal. 2. 6—14. -Eph, 3. 8. 
‘he rR 6s 4-10. & 11. 4, 


‘ 4 


‘the affliction, and to enable him to fulfil his 
ministry notwithstanding it: as His power had 
its most perfect work, and appeared most illus- 
trious by means of the weakness of those, who 
were this enabled tu bear and ‘perform such 
things, as in themselves they were consciously 
and evidently unfit for. Thus the apostle’s mind 
had been composed : nay, with heart-felt joy he 
gloried in his infirmities ; in order that it might 
the more undeniably appear that the power of 
Christ overshadowed, surrounded, and rested 
pon him : seeing he was evidently made very 
‘suocessful in his extensive and important work, 
though he seemed to be disqualified for it, and 
placed in such circumstances as to render it im. 
possible he should proceed.  Christ’s omnipo- 
tence was glorified through Paul’s weakness; 
and this made him even “ well pleased” with his 
infirmities and the reproaches, to which he was 
exposed for his sake: especially, as he found 
that in proportion as he was weak in his own es- 
timation, and that of other men; he was led 
more entirely to depend on Christ for strength; 
and so was actually made strong to bear all the 
sufferings, to resist all the temptations, and to 
perform all the services, to which he was called, 
This Passage contains a most express example 
of prayer to Christ, and of confiding and glory- 
ing im him, as the Source of grace and power. 
(Note, Ps. cxlvi. 3. Jer. xvii. 5, 6). 
.V.11—13. Every topic unavoidably led the 
apostle to show the Lord’s special favour towards 
him, even in his most humiliating trials. But if 
the Corinthians thought that he was become a. 
fool in glorying, it followed that they had com- 
pelled him ; for they ought strenuously to have 
stood up in defence of his character and ministry, 
when attacked by false teachers, as he was in no. 
respect inferior to the greatest apostles ; though 
he was nothing in himself, or compared with his 
Lord. . His credit indeed was of no consequence, _ 
apart from the glory of Christ ; he was greatly 
disesteemed ; and he was._willing to be still more 
abased, that Christ might be glorified. Yet in 
fact, the special signs and miracles, which dis- 
tinguished the other apostles, had been wrought 
among the Corinthians, (connected with great. 
patience and perseverance amidst difficultics and 
persecutions ;) especially in conferring on them 
also miraculous powers: nor,was there any thing 
in which they were less favoured than other 
Churches ; except that he had never, burdened 
them about a maintenance. If any of them would 
censure him, and complain of this, as a wrong 
done them ; he must crave forgiveness of this his 
grace should.certainly be com-! single offence, thongh he had fallen into it frora 
in that measure, Which would} a regard to their good, “, 
t and comfort bim under} 4, . 


pe Sey = eS np eye 


% (Job slii. 5, 6. Zz. vi. 1—5.) yet when he 
me among his brethren, he would be apt to 
hink, (however otherwise abased,) that none of 
hem a seen or heard, what he had seen and 


ed; or been favoured with such visions of 
nt 


God as this in the th aaa egg pie 
ision might have proved an‘ occasion of self-. 
Lev gM RE eould have induced a long 
train of evil consequences. But his gracious 
Lord, perceiving the danger, counteracted these 
ets, by “giying him a thorn in the flesh,” &c. 

The expressions. have almost occasioned com- 
ntators as much trouble, as ihe telat ieee 
rave the apostle: but had it seemed good to the 
2 dee that our curiosity should be fully 
nich this respect, he would have led the 
ipostle to be moreexplicit; and the general state- 
ent is More suited for edification, than if the 
yarticular trial had been specified. A thorn, fixed. 
nd rankling in the flesh, would give great and 
sonstant pais: and some.particular trials of the 
le, which began, or were augmented, after 
Kable vis#n, caused a continual un. 
to his mind of a similar nature. Pro. 
these arose from the personal defects, of 
he was conscious, which gave his ene- 
» especially the false apostles, (who were 
uisters,” or “ messengers” of satan,) a co- 
r reviling and deriding him. These seem- 
‘obstruct his usefulness, and continually re- 
him of his weakness and inability to do 
ng as of himself. They were exceedingly 
easy and mortifying to him; and doubtless 
ney afforded satan. an opportunity. of tempting 
m to impatience, and discouraging him in his 
bours,,2s well as of exciting carnal men to in- 
lt and injure him. Being thus constantly ha- 
and buffeted, he thrice besought. the Lord 
that this thorn in the fiesh might be re- 
from him, (as Jesus had thrice besought 
ther, “that the cup might pass from 
im,””) and that the messenger of satan might) 
compelled to depart: supposing, that other. 
he should not be able to go'on with his mi- 
ith any encouraging prospect of success. 
ems to prove, that he did not mean his 
ions, but those. infirmities which em- 
his enemies. (Gal. iy. 13, 14.). The 
avever, did not see good to grant his 
he knew that this sharp trial was 
keep him humble, and even to. illus. 
er of his own grace. _ He was there- 
continue him under it; but at 

to. assure him, by. immediate reye- 


heavens. Thus ‘the 


#4. D. 61. 


to come to you ; and I will ‘not be bur- 
densome to you; P for I seek not yours, 
but you: dfor the children ought not to 


Tay up for the parents, but the parents for} 


the children. 


15 And Ir will very gladly spend and} 


be spent for * you; * though the more 
abundantly I love you, the less I be 
loved. 

16 But be it so, t I did not burden 
you: nevertheless, " being crafty, 1 
caught you with guile. 

17. Did * I make a gain of you by any 
ef them whom I sent unto you? 

18 I desired y Titus, and with Aim 1 
sent a brother: did Titus make a gain of 
you? * walked we not in the same spi- 
rit ? walked we not * in the same steps? 


o 1,15. & 13 1. Ir ver. 9. & 1, 6.14. & 10. 2% 3. 1 
Cor. 4 19. & 1, 
84. & 16. 5. 10. 10, 11. Gal. 4.] 2 

Pp Prov. 11, 30, Aeté] 19. Phil. 2. 17. Col. }s + 18. 2 Kings 5. 
20. 33. Phik 4, 1.! 1,24. 1 Thes, 2; 8.) 16. 20-27, 1Cor 
37. 1 Thes. 2. 5, 6.) 2 Tim. 2. 10. 4.17. & 16.10. 
19.20. 1 Peti 5. 2—|* Gr. your soulsity 2:12, 13, ee 1. 6. 
4. 


ver. 14. Heb. 13. 17.}Z Be 6. 16—2) 
q Gen. 24. 35, 34. Aa: 12, 13. 2 Sam.ja Phil. 2 “toes, 
&31. 14, 15. Prov.; 13. 39. & 17. 1—4,, Num: 16,15,.1 Sam. 
13.22. & 19. 14, 1 ess 1 Cor, 4.] 12. 3,4. Nehy,5, 14. 
Cor. 4 14, 15, 1} 8 18 Acts’ 20, 33—35. 
sts 4: 12. 1 Pet. 
2, 


ver. 13. & 11.9, 10. 


Thes. 2, 18. 
url. 12, & 4. 2087. 


¥. 14,15. The,apostle had once been at Co- 
rinth ; and had repeatedly purposed to come 
again, and. declared that purpose; but be had 
been disappointed ; however, the third time he 
fully expected, that he should visit them: and 
he had resolved to,put them to no expense on 


his account when he came; as he sought not to}, 


share their possessions, but to save their souls. 


* Bor children were not expected to lay up money, 


as a future supply for their parents, but the pa- 
gents for their children: and thus: he had deter- 
mined to do whatever he could to.enrich the Co- 
rinthians with spiritual blessings, as their father 
in Christ, without accepting of any other return, 
than their grateful affection. Nay, he was even 
willmg. to spend his time, talents, health, and 
strength among them; yea, to be spent and worn 
eut in his labours for the good of their souls; 
even though the more abundantly and fervently 
le loved them, the less they loved him, and the 
more. neglect and contempt they expressed to- 
wards him. A more excellent frame of mind 
can scarcely be conceived, than, what is describ- 
éd in these emphatical words. 

¥V. 15.. Many persons without hesitation. quote 
this verse, asthe words of the apostle, giving an 


- gesount of his own management: and it is to be 


fsared, thatit is often used to excuse or com- 
mend gross duplicity. But nothing can be more 
forcsigm to the true meaning of the passage, as it 
stands in the context: for it is evidently the 
objection, which the apostle supposed some per- 
sons at Corinth would make to the account that 
he had given of his own disinterested conduct. 


In this indeed commentators, of every kind, are| who had not repented of their en 
almost upaliimeus. be false teachers would iJast verses show us to what « 


Il. CORINTHIANS. 


14 Behold, © the third time I am veady 


ourselves unto 
God in Ch an 


‘ings, wraths, st 


and Fascivionniyss which ne have 


& 2. 3. & 7. 3. John Tres. 2. 3. 5-2 Pet, |’ P 


19 Again, ® think ye 
ONE 


would not: lest 


perings, © swellin 
21 And lest, when 
God will humble me 
m that I shall bewail » 
" sinned already, © tere 
ed of the P uncleanness, and’ 


mitted. 


b3.1,& 5.12. 13. 
¢ See‘on, ti. 10. 31) 16 EU : Keio 
d 5.13. & 10,8. & He .19—| Phil. 3. 


be ready to answer, ‘that though the apost 
not openly burden, the people yet, 
artful man, he craftily drew them i 
rious pretences ; and, so obtained. lg 
of them in an under-hand, : stent 
have sufficed for his mainte: 

V. 17—21, To this a 
plied,, ‘by inquiring, whether hey could 
any man, whom he had sentam 
he had made a gain of them. . B 
others acted in the same, disin 
that he had done? Amd we 
tend, that they only. 
sinister views? ‘Fo this 
he spake before: God, as: revea 
Christ; and that he did all things in sub 
cy to their edification, who mene @ 

by him, notwithst : 
For he apprehended, Sahtiee he 
after the delays, which he had, Os 
he should not find the Church in that'p 
which he desired; and that they. oul 
him so gentle among themy as. they: 
him to ke: but that he should:meet 
contentions, bitter cay eae 
strife, and reciprocal s' er 
surmises: while some ¥ 
ambition, and disdain, or, 
mults against him, or 
were not of their party. . 
his visit to Corinth, (like the 
would bea trial to him, and ae 
tion and dejection, rather than o} 
that he should have to bewail 


re 


—<— 


CHAPTER KUL.» ae A. D. 61. 
HAP. MTS. ot a ay ‘examination, 5; rad to disarm him of his power 
es his purpose of inficting | faira-} to.use sharpness, by their previous repentance, 6 
nishm ie, on those who persisted in op-|. —10.. He concludes with exhortations, — saluta- 
ity, 1—4. He calls them a gee tions, and si rest 11—13., 


one o mo considerable number, who had com- |appear to a our respon or to Danes 
“anita ed crimes of a similar nature; and who per-|the credit of our profession. >» Yet we must be 
d so obstinately in them, that ‘there was a {careful not to conclude that our prayers are re- 
lest they should unite against ‘the apos- |jected, when the desired deliverance is delayed ; 
e's authority; and so constrain him to use }as he may see those conflicts salutary, which we 
t\ severity!” This surely gives us the idea|deem ruinous. His wisdom must be trusted, as 
_ of Gentiles, who professed’ Christianity, and cor-|well.as his truth and love ; and when we strive 
“pupted it with heathen speculations and licen- {against sin, bear up under discouragements, and. 
‘tiousness ; v rather phen of those, who sherniee ramaboud to our duty, in dependence on’ lim; we 
a ae “ cient for us, and that his strength will - be 
erat. prac’ NAL OBSERVATIONS. “ made perfect in our weakness.” He frequent- 
Oly i “VW. 1—10. ’ |ly answers prayer by reconciling our minds to a 
When | we cannot Avoid speaking such pine humiliating trial; and by increasing our strength 
dartee ourselves, as seem to imply -boast: | for that conflict, which. We were desirous of de- 
dingy, we should use every method of rendering clining: and sometimes Christians have such 
it consistent with modesty and humility. Those j views of his glory, and such confidence in hig 
7 things, which are seen and heard in the heaven }grace, that they can most gladly glory in their 
of heavens, are so far above our present concep. | infirmities, assured that his power will rest upon, 
tions, that the ™osteminent believers could not }and be honoured i in and by them. ‘Thus a man 
“sustain. the view of them ; except they were cast|may even take pleasure in infirmities, in re- 
into ‘such an ecstasy, as not to know whether | proaches, hecessities, persecutions, and distress- - 
they: were m the body, or out of the body: nor|es, for Christ’s sake: and though we may not 
vean human Janguage make the: result of such | have arrived at this vigour of faith and love; yet - 
visions intelligible to mortal ears. While this|/if we are indeed believers, we haye also’ found, 
/should teach us to. enlarge our expectations of} that when we most felt our own weakness, we 
the “ glory, that shall be revealed ;” it should| were peculiarly strong in the Lord; and when 
iso.render usicontented with our more ordinary | we began to think ourselves strong, we have 
od of leatning the truth and willof God. The | heen left to discover, and perhaps to expose, our 
art, even .of:the best of men, has in it the re-}own weakness. | 
ins of pride; and even visions and reyelations. V. 11—21. 
of the. Lord might occasion self-exaltation— “They, who do not give preper, Shitnbheartsin 
When any thing of this kind takes place in those | to such as have faithfully: laboured for their good, 
om he loveth, some * thorn in the flesh” wili|but prefer every new voice to that of their own 
e surely given them, and some messenger of| pastors, often compel them to glory, and then 
satan let loose to buffet them; but the delusions: perhaps censure them for it. But whatever the 
of enthusiasts tend only to pride, without any|Lord may give us, or do by us, we are nothing 
zounterpoise. “It is, however, » very surprising, |in ourselves, but sin and folly ‘so that the deep- 
that corrupt ature should, as it were, learn] est self-abasement and self-renunciation not only 
2 bride i in heaven, and grave should be taught hu-| consist with the consciousness of the Lord’s spe- 
nility, even by satan and his messengers. How-| cial goodness towards us, but are intimately con- 
painful the process may be, the wise Chris-|nected with it. It-is a great thing for minisiers 
n will be thankful to be kept from being ex-|to say before God, and to their people, “ we seek 
above measure ; and he will be more ready |* not yours but you.” Alas! in what numerous 
jeak of his’ sins. fend follies, than of his ex- | instances must the words be transposed, in order. 
ordinary © discoveries and consolations; as he|to be true; as the preachers seek only the pro- 
vill not desire, that any one should think ‘of him | perty, and not the salvation; of their hearers! 
at he seeth him to be. Whatever there{But the more disinterested our labours are, the 
nan’s experience, whether of outward | more apostolical they must be allowed to be: 
f inward conflicts and temptations, | and it is generally desirable to avoid being bur- 
$ to counterbalance more encourag-|densome to our congregations ; for far more will 
ations, and to mortify, his pride ; he | “ forgive us this. wrong,” than-the very appear- 
roperly consider it as a “thorn in the | ance of being mercenary. Indeed, we should, 
piven to him to prevent worse conse-}as far as we can, imitate the conduct of afeas 
And it is especially matter of gratitude, | tionate. parents, who seek to enrich their chile 
prevention is effected without his be-|dren, and not to be enriched by them, But how 
commit actual sin, or to dishonour the |bard is it, gladly to spend and be spent for 
When we are buffeted by satan, we|those, who make unkind returns: and who seem» 
to him who “ suffered being tempt-|to love those least who most love them! We are 
t be able to succour those |snon vanquished im contests of this kind : and 
e 2K 


A D. 61. 


1S ie 8 the third. ‘ime I am coming 

to you. » In the mouth of two or 
three witnesses ‘shall every word be es- 
tablished. 

2 1 told you before, and foretell you; 
as * I were present, the second time; 
and, 4 being absent, now I write to them 
which e heretofore have sinned, and to 
all other, that if I come again, 1 will not 
spare : 

3 Since f ye seek a proof of & Christ 


a See ons12 14. 18. Heb. 10.28. | fe 12. 21. 
bien, oR Sag Ya lc 2. 23, & 10, 1, 2)f 10, 810. 

7, 6. & Me: 8—11, & 12. 20. 1}e 2. 40. Mat. 10, 20. 
Kings 21. 30. 13.) Cor. 4. 19—21. "2 & 18, 18—20, Luke 


Matt, 18. 16. & 26.) 5, 5. 1. 15. 1 Cor. 5. 4, 
60, 62- John 8 17,!d ver. 10, a 


may hence infer, how far short we are of the 
apostle’s measure of grace, who yet long after 
this, confessed that he had not already attained ; 
(Phil. iii, 12, 13:) and we may thus learn to pray 
for an increase of faith, love, and patience. »No 
excellency of spirit or ‘conduct can silence ca- 
jumny ; and if ‘we were even as hely as Paul, 
gome would revile us as crafty men, who took 
others by guile’ “It is well, when we can dis- 

rove such slanders; and when fellow-labourers 
walk in the same’spirit and steps. We should 
not, however, be too anxious to excuse ourselves, 
being satisfied with a clear conscience towards 
God; yet we ought to do all things for the edi- 
Gication of our brethren, and the recovery of such 
as have been drawn aside. But how can minis- 
ters be expected to prove such as their people 
desire; when they witness among them such 
contentions, envies, slanders, whisperings, boast: 
ings, and tumults, as not only grieve and humble 
them, but also disgrace the Gospel? Alas’! they 
are often cast down, and sent to bewail the 
crimes of those, whom they fondly hoped would 
be a comfort to them: and they are frequently 
distressed on account of their own mistakes or 
infirmities, which they fear have tended to pre- 
vent their usefulness. But, how grievous is it, 
that such evils should prevail among: the profes. 
sors of the Gospel; and that we should still have 
*o lament over many, who have sinned, and have 
not repented of the * uncleanness, and fornica- 
« tion, and lasciviousness, which they have com- 
& mitted !” Yet we need not despond on this ac: 
“ count; for it was so even in the apostle’s ‘days. 
But while we observe that “ the enemy hath 
ss done this ;” we should not forget to add, that 
it was by means of antinomian and self-conceited 
teachers. 


NOTES. 

CHAP. SUL V. 1—4 (Note, xii. 14.) As 
the law had prescribed, that no accused person 
should’ be condemned, unless two or three wit- 

nesses testified against him, (.Warg. Ref.) so the 
repeated warnings given by the apostle, of his 
purpose to come and inflict punishment’on the 
impenitent offenders at Corinth, would, as it 
were, testify against them, and ‘make way for 
those judgments. Or rather, when at length he 
Should come, he would proceéd against them ac- 


Il. CORINTHIANS. 


speaking in me, » which to youd vt 
not weak, but is mighty in you. © 
4 For though’ he wascrucified tl 
weakness, * yet/he liveth by the power 
God. For ! we also are weak * ink 
m but we shall live : 
of God toward you. > 5 


5 = Examine yourselves, whether y ye ba 
iF Oe Que { 


WB 6. Ee Serkend. he Eph 
12, 12, 2 Cor. 9} Phi 
1—3, P 


et. 
i Euke 22. 43, 44+} 1.17, 18. 


= 28. 
15.43 Phil. 2 7, 8.} 4.10.1 Cor. 2. 3, _ By ‘ 
Heb. 5.7.1 Pet3.189|* Or. with him. Phil.! - 


1 Cor. 
k Acts 2. 36, & 4. 3.10. 2°Tim.2. 11, me 
10—12, Rom. 6. 4.} 12. ‘2, 5. & 3. 2, 
9, 10. & 14. 9.m Acts 3.16.Rom.J] - F 


cording to that law; or to the rule laid ¢ 
by Christ for hisdisciples. (JVates, Mait. xvi 
15—18.) In the former epistle he hiad before t 
them of bis. purpose: in the ee part 
this epistle he had again warned them, as if p: 
sent. with them; and here at the oh 
sion, being’ yet ‘absent, and. aie é 
longer space to repent, he now wrote, to 
those who had already sinned and contin 
tractable, and_all others who might coun 
them, thatzf, or when, he care. again, bes 
not spare the offenders, nor 80. timid 
weak as they before had ode ag hy 
especially as some of them boldly Serna’ 
ther proof of Christ’s speaking by him as) 
apostle ; though this had already, been confirn 
by no feeble evidence, but by his. mighty p 
working a a pope them, in, various w: 
* Christ showed his power them, by e 
'. bling St, Paul,to sesiwl le im Sonar oe 
“in demonstration of the Spirit aad of p 
‘ soefficaciously, as to convert them to the. fait 
‘ im that variety of gifts con son them, | 
« gether with the Gospel, by: whieh ‘the 
“ mony of Christ was confirmed :” ¢ pr kh yi 
‘ er, conspicuous in seconding St, Paul’s di 
‘ ry of the incestuous, up to. sat 
and ¢ by the chastisements they elisa 0 
* municating in the Lord’s. ae ' 
(Whitby.)—For though’ Jesus w 
if he had been only a weak, helpless a nd con 
temptible man, and was despised, as’ unabli ;. 
save himself; yet he was raised from the ¢ 
and lived in glory, through the power of - 
put all enemies under his feet. 7 like x 
the apostle and his brethren appeared. weak, 
despieable, as being made like the Savionste 
the power which they spake of, seemed tot 
dead, because they did A it: y 
were assured that it. would revive,. and 
should be evidently quickened, ande 

the power of God, exerted in their behalf wa 
the disobedient Corinthians, by inflicting 
lous judgments upon them. The ki 
used: to the refractory Corinthians co 
strongest proof imaginable, that the M 
conscious, he spake and acted by a divine, autt 
rity; and that he feared no detection, a 
certain that his Lord would area 
to confysion. d 


1 


\ 
i 
i 


bie 


ie: ; 
Ae D. 61. 


*in the faith~prove your own selves : 


> know’ not your own selves, how that’ 
a Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be 
q 


¥ re] 23? 


6 Bat*d trust that ye Rel pe. that 


: we a a not reprobates, 

et A ©) [Practical Observations] 9 
‘Now tI pray to God that ye do no 
\ vil ; not that we should appear ® ap- 
sd, but that ye should do that which 


& 3. 8. 17ft ver. 9. 1 Chr. 4. 


re ; 
ime j 
_@ Col. 1.23. & 2, ‘| 2 
1 
1 


, 1 Tim. 2 15. Tit} Col. 1. 27 & 219,110. Mat. 6. 13 
) + 13, & 2.2.1 Pet ears 5. John 17. 15. Phile 
| 59 y ver. 6, 7, Jer. 6] 1. 911.1 5. 

p 1 Cor, 3.16. & 6, . 1. 28. 2] 23.2 Tim. 4. 18 


27 
1 
yer. 3, 4. 10, en Bs Jam. 1. 12. 


aa 5, 6 ‘instend™ of presumptuously judging 
‘the apostle, and demanding his credentials ; it 
behooved the persons concerned, and indeed all 
“of them, to examine themselves, whether they 
at “were in the faith,” or not; whether 
‘they had indeed” more than a formal profession | ‘ 
ene ‘dead faith. Let them then prove their 
. “tempers, conduct, and experience, by the stand. 
ard of God’s word, as gold is assayed or tried by 
| the touchstone; for he feared that many of them 
“were self-deceived in this important concern. 
After all their boasting of knowledge, would 
they eed ignorant of themselves, of their 
“own state, ‘character, and hearts? Or that Jesus 
‘Christ was indeed in them, by the indwelling of 

» his Spirit ; by his i image renewed on their souls ; 
‘by his kingdom set up in their hearts; and by 
poser their supreme love and affection? un- 
ess they were to that day mere professors who 


“Avould at last be disapproved and rejected, as 
the dross is by the refiner ?—Some expositors 
render the clause, “ Cirist is among you, ex- 
“ cept,” &c. but this conveys no precise idea, The 
apostle could not mean to intimate, that Christ 
Was not at all present among the Christians at 

“Corinth ; for this would -have contradicted ali 

“the ‘declarations which “he made concerning 

Se as a Church: and the presence of Christ 

ong them in this sense, could not prove that 
ee individuals whom he warned, were true 

Ps eg and approved by God: but this was 


to examine. 


Ley 


In determining this question, 


Vas could’ clearly ascertain, that “ Christ 
elt in their hearts by faith,” must consider 


rue apostle ; for * the seal of his apostle- 


ve his claim, without owning them. 
be without proof ‘of conversion. 
efore, that in this way many knew 
had approved and owned his minis- 


“——. manner.— Reprobates. © Thus the apos- 
"tle irene ine — ~— net sthose who are not 


CHAPTER XUI. 
jis = honest, though we be ¥ as reprobates. 


; 168, 2. & 10,10. 


A. D. 6h. 


8 For 2 we can do nothing against the 
truth, but for the truth. 

9 For we are glad * when we are 
weak, and ye are ‘Strong: and this also 
we wish, > even your perfection. _ 

10 Therefore © I write these things, 
being absent, 4 lest, being present, I 
should use sharpness, according to the 
power which the Lord hath given me to 
edification, and not to destruction. 


¥ & 21. Rom. 12, 17. 2. Mark 9. 39. &Jb ver. “Tu. & 7.1, 
& 13413. Phil.4.8, 2] 16. 17—19. Luke 9. | 4.13. Phil. 3_ 
 emcgedyacee 49—56. Acts 4. 28,| 12—15. Col. 1.287 

- & 5. 111.) & 4. 12. Snaaeg 
& 13. 812. & 19] 10. 2 Tim. 


1Cor. 4 9—13. 

Num. 16. 28—33. 1 % 
22, 28, la ver. % & 11. 30 12. 20, 21. 1 Cor. 

Kings 1. 9-13. &} & 12. 5—10. 1 Cor.| 4.21. 

2, 23-25. Prov. 26-| 4. 10. See on, ver. 2. 8 


* divinely elected to eternal life ; (for they, who 
* still continue in their sins, not being yet effec- 
* tually called, are not directly to be considered 
“as “wessels of wrath ;” nor those who, after 
a. calling, fall into grievous sins ;) but such 
are not at present approved? (Beza.)—K 
does not appear to me, that either the original 
word, nor our English word reprobates, i is ever in 
Scripture used as the opposite to elect: and as 
to reprobation, it is, I apprehend, a Scriptural 
idea, (for they who are not chosen, must be re- 
jected ;) but not a Scriptural word, in any sense: 
How many declamations then, on this subject, 
were be spared! (Jfarg. Ref) 

V.7—10. The apostle prayed for the Corin- 
thians, that they might do no more evil, but re. 
pentof ‘what-they had done: not that he and 
his friends should appear approved, by the sub- 
mission of all parties to bis authority; but that 
they might do what was right, and becoming 
them, thougtr it should occasion him to be dis- 
approved and: censured ; or even to be thought 
destitute of 2postolical authority, because he had 
no occasion given him of exercising it. For in- 
deed he and his brethren could do nothing, in 
the use of these miraculous powers, against the 
truth of the Gospel, being invested with them 
only that they might defend the truth. But he 
loved, their souls far more than his own reputa- 
tien: and therefore he should be glad to be weak 


in this respect, by their strength of faith and 
‘the precise point, which be wished them person-\grace removing all occasion of displaying his 


power: and indeed the great wish of his heart 


would also decide anotber, as far as they | was for their perfect re-establishment im the faith 
) individually concerned: for as many of] and holiness of the Gospel ; asa man is perfectly 


recovered frem_ a dangerous malady, or from the 
breaking or dislocation of bis bones.. Therefore 


"eS as living demonstrations, that. Paui| he wrate these things, before he came to Corinth, 


that they might have time for this complete 


were they in the Lord :” and they could} recovery : est, contrary te his inclination, he 


should be compelled to use sharpness, according 


' He} to: his, apostolical power which the Lord had in- 


trusied.to him; that in the use of it he might 


promote the edification of believers, and bring 


lil the rest would soon know this in| sinners te repentance, and so prevent their finat 
desteustions; 


@* 3 ie oa ar 


~ 


- the abundant evidences already afforded, that 


My DEO; « bs 11) CORINTHIANS. «. ae 


‘ll Finally, bréthren, ¢ farewell. § Be} 13 2 All the: aints 
perfect; # be of good comfort, » be of i 
one mind, ‘live in peace { and * the God} 14 © The Pe 
of ove ahd peace shall be with you: | Christ, 9 and | the 

12°Greet ™ oné another with an Wh communioti of 1 

youall. * Amen 


kiss. 
é Luke 9. 61. Acts Cor. 16.20. 1 Thés! 
5, 26. 1 Pet. 5. 14, 


15.29. iis. 21. & : 
23. 30. Phil, 4. 4.| 5, 6.1 Cor-1, 10.|k Rom. 15. obey h Rom. 16,16. 21— 1 
1Thes 5. 16. Gr. | Phil. 1.97. & 9a! 20y Phil. 4e 9. 4] 23, Phil.4, 21, 22.) 98) 2 
f{ ver.9. Mat. 5..48.4.—3. & 3. 16. & 4-) Thess 5-23. Heb }3- Philem. 23,24, Heb|gq Rom. 5. | 
Jolin 17. 23. Jani.| 2.1 Pet. 3.3. 20, 1 Johin 4. 8—] 18.24. 1 Pet. 5. 18.) 39. a ee 
h 4. 1 Pet. 5, 10}1 Gen, 37.4: & 45.) 16, 
1,4. Mark 10. 49.] 24. Mark 9 50i\1 ver. 14 Mat, 1. 93. 
Rom. 15- 13, 1} Rom, 12. 18: & 14.) 2 Thes. 3. 16. Rev. 
"Vhes) 4.1862 Thes.| 1951 Thes. 5. 18.2} 22, 31. 

Tim. 2/22, Heb. 12.|in Rom. 16.. 16. 1 


9.16, T7. 1X) dihos: 17,18. 
h Rom. 12,16, 815.1 1 Pet. 3. 11. 


2 John 13. 3 John 
14, 
o Num. 96. 23—27. 
Mat. 28. 19. Rey, 1. 
4,55 


bie 16... 
r ee ae 
7. 38, 39, 

Rom. E 


—l% 


V, 11—14. The apostle at length closed this 
most instructive epistle, with his friendly saluta- 
tions, and affeetionaté desires and prayers for the 
present and future welfare of the Chiistians at 
Gorinth : exhorting them (o be sincere, entire, 
establishedih the faith, and unreservedly the 
disciples of Christ ; exciting them to be joyful 
im the Lord, and of good courage amidst all their 
temptations ; and also to extort and animate 
Gne another : calling on them to lay aside con: 
tentions, that. they might all be of one heart and 
jadgment ; delighting in. and attending to. the 
same things, and living together in peace; and 
assuring them that in this way, “ the God of love 
** and peace,” the Source and Pattern of love and 
peace, would manifest his: presence among them 
and bless them. »(Mdarg. Ref). As a token of 
their mutual forgiveness.and love; let them salute 
each other with a holy kiss.: (Marg. 2tef)) He 
assured them, that all the saints Where be then 
was desired affectionately to salute them: and 
finally, he desired that. the free favour, merey; 
and salvation ¢f the Lord Jesus Christ; the spe- 
cial love of God the Father “to them as the.ob- 
jects of his choice, and his adopted children; 
and the participation of alkthe gifts, graces, and 
consolations of the Holy Ghost," might be wih 
them all. That. so, all blessings fromthe Fa- 
ther, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, in whose One 
name, they had been baptized, might really be 
cotiferred on all of. them, and constantly. enjoyed 
by all-of them, without eXception; to the glory 
of the Three Persons in the ‘sacred Trinity, ae 
cording to the parts which ‘they sustain in mee 
great work.ef man’s redemption. 


tered by his sé 
will be found to be'li 
condemnation of « 
fore diligently and’ 
whether we are in 
imagining, that itas-< 
acceptance s We sho 
our faith, experience, 
and works, to be as 
the Scriptures ;. that 
with ourselves, ¢ 
shrink from investig@ati 
“ hope, which maketh. 

“love of God is ete 
“ the ivoed Ghost.’ 


governing power of bis loter 
and. we areas, yet disappro' 
While ministers give these w 
also look well‘to themselves ; that they. 4, 
a good hope, that they ee 
ed: ‘but in general rotor g SS sho a b 
tuous in judging others, h 
pect and examine’ the 
fe Mia "713, 
We should earnestly 
whom wecaution, “that 4h 
* evil, and learn to do well ; 
conduct, as becometh the 
should expose us to censun 
of them... We) should be gl 
strong in the grace of Christ; 
bethe means of exp 4 
we should long for the pet 
holiness, and..c ts 
have imbibed’a strong dislike to 
should proportionably confirm, : 
prejudices against ourselves.\ In, 
interests and. feelings, except our 
and future felicity, should 
they come in competition’ ' 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
YW 16. 

All rigorous measures should be preceded by 
Jong patience and many warnings, when'the case 
will admit of them; and with caution and deli- 
beration, upon sure grounds, and. with firmness 
of mind.—They, who-will not be convinced by 


Miraculous powers of the apott 
used, against the: truth, but onl 
yet abilities,” gifts, authority, 
well as the censures and» 
the Church, may be’ eniptoyed 
of Christ, and the edification 
to the destruction of the poss 
with them: we ‘should’ then | 
preserve us from such abuses, 
and all concerned, to makea pr 


Christ speaketh by his faithful ministers, will -at 
length experience a very awful demonstration of 
if. These cannot appear more weak and despi-' 
cable in the eyes of carnal men; than Jesus did 
to the chief priests, when he hang upon tite cross : 

yet he liveth, and exerciseth’ ** all’power in-hea- 

«yan and earth;” and whenheshall came «to 
judgment, every denunciation of vengeance ut- 


éf altour elena would have the God of 


peace eto be with us for our spiritual 
> at a eosin: we should study to 


t im the faith of Christ, to act con- 
Hy with i 44 be united ia heart and soul 
h ali our brethren, and to follow péace with 
men. Then we tay hope that “the grace 
f our Lord Jesus Christ; the love of God the 
and the communion of the Holy, Epes 


_GALATIANS. 


Ai DEs6) 


‘ Holy Ghost ; as it was in the beginning, is now, 
“and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.’ 
And what moré can we desire for ourselves, or 
our brethren, than this frequently repeated apos. 
tolical benediction ? May we then at all times, 
wheh these words are in our lips, or spoken in 
our hearing, so enter into the meaning of them, 
with fervent affections, and enlarged desires and 
expectations; that the blessings implied in them 


‘ ai FS -with us all:”. that through us ‘glory | may be upon us, and ail our soviet on a 
r nay to the Rabe, to the Son, = to the ! now and for evermore ! Amen. 


dish Sale, race, <2 THE 


per er OF PAUL THE APOSTLE 
a 4 a ' To THE 
eae  GALATIANS. 


xed 8 


. + i, es ¥ 3 ¢ ; = emp CD em 


7 


The G Galatians, or Gallogrecians, were the descendants of the Gauls, who migrated from their own. 
| country, to seek for new settlements ; and who, after a variety of disasters, got possession of a 


: they re 
ee 


b> 


of litdle Weight. 


considerable district in Asia Minor, near to. Lycaonia, Lystra, and Iconium. 


Jt is supposed, that 


their: native language and customs, at the time when the Gospel was first preach- 
i among them. » Learned men have shown it to be probable, that this was during the first pro- 
s of Paul and Barnabas, through <hose regions ; ; (Acts xiv.) for though Galatia is not mens 
J, yet * the regions round about Lycaonia,” may be supposed to include Galatia. But some 
=“ to fix the date of their conversion to an earlier period, are wholly destitute of Scrip- 
ral proof, and unsupported by any solid argument. It is plain, that the Galatians’ were gener- 
, ally, 7 sot ai Gentiles before their conversion. 
them, because of his multiplied engagements; yet he asserts, in a wa y 
lenges refutation, that he conferred miraculous giftson them. Bat,soon after he left them, some 
professed converts to Christianity, who were zealous for the Mosaic law, intruded among them, - 
_ drawing them off from the true Gospel, to depend on ceremonial observances, and to the vain en« 
deavour of establishing their own righteousness. 
_ est decision, and apparent severity, opposes this false Gospel, will appear as we proceed : but . 
: certainly it shows, that he considered the very life and soul of Christianity to be at stake. Yet 
_ his opposition to this self-righteous perversion of Christianity, does not, in the smallest degree, 
le ead him to. overlook its holy and practical tendency : and in this respect, the epistle before us 
n ns a striking contrast to the over-zealous and vehement earnestness of numbers, for a part, 
hristianity, while another part, of equal importance, is overlooked, if not disparaged. -Learn- 
men maintain different opinions, as to the time when this epistle was written; most, how- 
agree, that the apocryphal postscript, which dates it from Rome, contains a direct untruth. 
probable, that it was written during the gpostle’s residence at Corinth; though some fix 
ate of it to ghe time, during which the apostle abode at Antioch, after his first progress 
igh Asia Minor with Barnabas, and after the council at Jerusalem ; but before he set off the 
nd time, with Silas and Timothy, when the decrees were delivered to the Churches. 
er_ opinion is, however, more generally maintained; and indeed it is'not certain, that the 
e had been in Galatia, before his second progress, through Asia Minor : and the objection 
epistle’s being written, at a later period, arising from the decrees which had been sent 
apostles to the Churches, which might, it is thought, have superseded the necessity of 
The apostles had indeed decided against the ceremonial law being 
on the Gentile converts; but they haa not shown, that the Gentiles, by voluntarily sub-— 
o it, went about to establish their own righteousness, and virtually renounced the Gos« 
Pessinus, Tavium, and Germa, are mentioned by geographers, as cities of Gala- 
ium is by some.numbered among them : and St. ‘shane is eer to haye — 
“4 pias and: ater cities in Habe district. 


The apostle was not able to spend much 
which chal- 


The way in which the apostle, with the greata 


The 


A. D. 56. 
CHAP. I. 


Pau? asserts his divine appointment to the apostolical evil world; “according: ‘to the wi 
He salutes the churches, and praises: and = our Father eh! 
He sharply reproves the Galatians) 


. office, 1. 
God, 2=5. 
for so soon turning aside to a false gospel ;. and de- 
mounces an awful curse on all that preached any 
other doctrine, than what they had received 
from him, 6—10, He declares that he had his au- 
thority and instructions from Christ; and shows 
what his conduct had been before his conyersion, 
and what it was afterwards, 11—24. 
AUL, * an apostie, (® not of men, 
e neither by man, # but by Jesus 
Christ, ¢ and God the Father, whof raised 
him fron the dead ;} 

2 And gs all the brethren which are 
with me, unto » the churches of Gala- 
tia : 

3 i Grace de to you, and peace from 
God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus 
Christ, 

4 Who ¥* gave himself for our sins, that 


Beet, Rom, 1.1. ive S» 19 & 10 fi See on, Roms 1. 7: 
1 Cor. 1. 1. 0. & 20. 21. 2 Cor. 13. 14. 

B ver. 11, 12. 17. ¢ Acts 2 24. 32. & 

are 16—26. &}| 3.15. Rom. 4. 24 
13. 2 25. & 10.9. & 11. 

@ Actso. 15, 16. &} 9. a - 19, 20. 


10. 45. Luke 22. 19, 
John 10. 11. Rom, 


22, 10, 14—21. &| Heb: 20. 1) 4. 25. Eph, §. 2 1) 
26. 165—18. Rom. 1.; Pet. 1. oH Rey. 1} Tim.2 6. Tit. 2 

4,5. 2 Cor. 3.1—3.| 5. 18.& 2.8. 14. Heb. 9. 14. & 
Eph. 3. 8. 1 Timyg Phil 4. 10. 9,10. 1 Pet. 2 


24, & 3.18. 1 John 
2,2. & 3.16. Rey. 
1. 5e 


21 
h Acts 9.31. & 15. 
41.& 16.5, 6. & 
18. 23.1 Cor. 16-1. 


3. 14—14.2 Fim. 1. 
1. Tit. 1. 3. 
© Mat. 28. 18—20. 


NOTES. 

CHAP.T. V. 1,2. (Note, Acts, xiii. 1—3.) 
It is highly probable, that the Judaizing teach 
ers in Galatia expressly denied Paul to be an 
apostle ; or at least, that he was equal to Peter 
and the other apostles. He therefore began his 
epistle by calling himself an apostle, and de- 
elaring that he was not sent forth by any human 
authority, nor yet by the intervention of any man, 
as even Matthias had been;**but by Jesus 
* Christ, and by God the Father, who raised 
** him from the dead” That as Christ receiv- 
ed his mediatorial kingdom from the Father ; so 
Paul received his apostieship from Christ, and 
from God the Father by him; and though he 
was not appointed to that office before the death 
of Jesus, as most of the other apostles were ; ‘yet 
his autbority was equally valid, being personal- 
ly conferred on him by his risen Lord and Sa- 
viour. Ananias baptized Paul; but he neither ap- 
pointed him to the apostleship, nor instructed 
him for it. With him all the brethren, (proba. 
bly the ministers were intended,) who were then 
with the apostle, joined in this epistle ; as testi. 
fying the facts, and concurring in the doctrines, 
contained in it. ‘Perhaps the apostle meant 
* to distinguish himself from those, who were 
* constituted by the apostles, and sent by them 
to different places; being peculiarly named 
evangelists. Of this kind were Timothy, Titus, 
* Lake, and other companions of Paul, who are 
* celebrated in his epistles, and the acts of the 
* apostles.» (Bexa,.) 

V.3~5. The epistle was addressed ‘to the 
** Churches of Galatia,” or the several congre- 


& 
¢ 


G@ALATIANS, 


4 
16. 


he might deliver us ! 
i ue ee 


5 ae a 
ever. 


aa 


amen 7 
a iy 1% . wee 
moved from him, ® 
t the grace of Chi 
gospel ; eo, 
7 Which is not aaa = but th 
be some that trouble y cr ove 
y. pervert the gospel of “Chis 


ba 


1 6. 14. John, 12, 31 
& 14. 30. & 15. 18 
19. & 17. 


o 1 Chr. 29. 13. 
41.13, & 72. 19. 


Ps. 
Is.]t 


"Acta ts 15 
gations of professed Cates - lic 
collecte:1 in that p oa 
parted from the faith j in ith in the fi 
of justification, ‘a 
« saints ;? for he stood in doubt 


ter his usual salutation, he a 

“« gave himself”? a willing : 

fice for the sins of men, “ tl 

all believers, from the lemnatior 
maxims, fashions, and conduct of ‘ 
« evil world,” ‘0 the v 
pointment i God our Father ;” 
whole glory ought to bé, and b 
for ever. This d C 

ed consistently with are Y 
by the redemption of € the 
reconciliation, and grace, ne afe't 
if then the Galatians hipaa 
dence on Christ, they must ¢ : 
this present evil world, and be c 

it; for no outward forms or obs 
deliver them from it, or | 

over it, (1 John-v. 4, 5.) § 

pret the words, which’ vee ‘ 

« evil world,” of the Os 
which was then become a 
connected with the lave af piri 
the fear of men, bon th 8 

ness to condemnation. But 
planation is far more exten 

most of the Galatians wcre Gen 
conversion ; and even the ritual law 
never called evil in Scriptu % 
whole Mosaic dispensation. — 


ae 
fi) x 


‘Dd. . 
Patni =though we, or an angel from 


“Beaveny preach: any other, Gospel unto 


you t poich we have preached 

unto you, * let him be » accursed. 

9 As we aid. before, © so say I now 
gain: ar man preach any other Gos- 


26. Josh, 9. 23.1] 1 Cor. 12.3. & 16. 
Sam. 26. 19. Neh.| 22. Gr. 

13, 25. Mat. 25. 41. maenitt 1.17. & 13. 
2 Pet. 2. 23. 1, 2 Pi Phil. 3.1. & 4. 
1 Gen. o.jb Mark 14. 71. Acts} 4. 

ut. ats 15—! 23. 14.Rom: 9. 3: 


vy. 6—10 It is. remarkable, in how different 
xe anner the apostle addressed the Galatians, 
what he afterwards did the Corinthians. We 
have seen that he used the utmost caution, and 

| the most delicate and consummate management, 
in undermining | the influence, and. counteracting 

s of, the false teachers at. Corinth : 


lanner, without any circamlo 
: anthians had indeed “ built hay, 


ans were attempting to lay a 
e former “ might be saved 
notwith tanding their errors and 
ig “must perish, unless re 
pee bee their infatuation. In the former 
cas the errors had bee introduced more plausi- 
oe, and had ‘diffused their baleful influence 
ily: othe tares were so mingled with 

the Love that they could not be plucked up by 
tha rough hand, without the greatest danger ; and 
much caution v was requisite, lest satan should 
get. still farther. advantages. But in Galatia the 
error was sit ple and fundamental ; ; it was a vir 
ual renunciation ‘of the Gospel, and destructive 
I n its very nature. The persons, who propa 
ford * another Gospel” in Galatia, were as de. 
termined enemies to true Christianity, “as the 
alse apostles 2 t Corinth, and more ‘evidently $0; 


toa say ere not equal to them in ingenuity ; 
detec 


“Berous tendency, their progress was likely to be 

very rapid, unless effectually checked; and 
ieereiore the apostle opened his subjegt, in the 
of astonishment at the conduct of the 
{ fafesiine: He had been employed to eall’ ‘them 

y his ministry “ into the grace of Christ ;” or a 
sed dependence, for acceptance, on the 
mercy of God, though the merits and’ sa 
ce. of Christ, and aith in him. He had 
y instructed them in this important subject, 
onfirmed it by miracles, and the gifts ‘o 
; e Spirit conferred on them ; ‘and they had ap- 
‘eared cordially to embrace this salvation: he 


buld so soon be induced to disclaim. his minis- 
ya nd Fenounce his doctrine, by turning to an- 
* Gospel. As it was more evident, “at first 
that the Galatians had been removed from 
nistry and doctrine of Paul, than it was 


the aneiryment of their outward call.}t 


.* 


CHAPTER L. 


pel unto you 4 than that ye have receive 
ed, let him be accursed. 


d Deut. 4. 2.°& 12: 


e Acts. 19, 20. & 5. 


ction of their error lay within a small 
“compass, their example was of a most dan- 


‘not therefore but be surprised, that they 


y had renounced Christianity ; and as he} 
in doubt whether they had been effica-| 

called into the grace of Christ: so Tap. 
oa rather to understand him as 


ALD. 56. 


10 For ¢ do l now f persuade men, or 


God? or do 1 seek to please men ? ¢ for 
if L yet pleased men, I should. fot be 


h the servant of Christ. 
{Practical Observations.] 


29 2Cor. 5, 9—11. emen. 16: sara 
1 Thes 2. 4. » 445. 1,2, 1.Cor, 10. 
f Matt. 28. id. Acts} 33. Eph. 6. 6. Col. 
1z. 20. Rom. 2. 8.) 3.22, Jam. 4. 4. 

Gr. Ih See on, Rom. 1. 1.. 


$2, & 13,1-11. Prov. 
30, 6 Rev- 22. 
18, 19. 


Rok 


ing, than of the Agent i in effectual vocatior: —In- 


deed, their new scheme was not another Gospel, 


nov any Gospel at all, but a most fatal delusion, 


shutting up, under condemnation, all those who 


adhered to it. This the apostie hoped would 


not be their case; as the immediate blame was 


to be cast on certain persons, whose aim was to 
trouble, perplex, and mislead the minds of the 
Gentile converts; and.to pervert the Gospel of 
Christ, out of a blind and proud zeal for the Mo- 
saic dispensation. They, no doubt, appeared to 
the unstable and unwary Galatians, to speak 


very plausibly concerning obedience to the law, 


as joined with faith in Christ in order to justi 


‘cation: but he\must in the strongest and plainest 
terms declare, that whoever preached any Gos- 


pel contrary to that which he had preached to 
them, and they had ‘received, or even added any 


thing to it, on the grand question of justification, _ y 
‘would be, ‘and ought to be; accursed; as one 


that remained under the curse of the law, and 
kept others under it; and as acting in direct” 
Opposition to Christ, and the glory of God in his 
salvation. Nay, this would be, yea, let it be, 
the case, even if Paul himself or any of the apos- 
‘les, should depart from their former doctrine, 
and endeavour to establish any other foundation 
for a sinner’s hope, than they had done. Indeed, 
were it possible for an angel to come from hea- 


}ven, and to preach a doctrine contrary to the 
free justification of a sinner, by faith in the me. 


rits of Christ alone ; he must at that moment be- 
come an apostate spirit, a rebel against God, an 
enemy to Christ; and accursed in himself. So 
that abilities, morality, plausibility, or even mira 
cles, were not to be regarded in this case, “Nor 
let this be considered as the language of intem- 


perate zeal: for he would repeat it with solemni- 
‘ty, and ,again denounce accursed, by his apos- 


tolical authority, every one who thus attempted 


‘to lay so false a foundation ; that they might 


learn to dread and abhor those delusions, which 
they had unwarily encouraged. For ‘could they 
stippose, that after so’many years of labour and 
suffering in the cause of Christ, he only meant 


‘to persuade men to adopt his own private senti- 


ments, that he might ingratiate himself with 


them, instead of pleading the cause of God, and 
‘approving himself to him ? 
been his object, he should never have entered on 


Indeed, if this had 


the service of Christ, or so long continued in it, 
and if, in so fundamental a doctrine, he accom. 
modated his discourse to the pride and prejudi. 
ces of men’s hearts; he could not act as the ser- 
mae of Christ, who cannot be pleased with those 


pts, which suit the carnal minds sand worldly 


} 
‘ 
fe 
} 


, ciation, which the apostle had “made, was: con: 


A. D. 56. 


11 But I certify you, brethren, ‘ that 
the Gospel which' was preached of me, is 
not after man. — 

12 For I neither received it of man, 
neither wast taught it, but by the reve- 
lation of Jesus Christ. cae, jets 


sation in time past in the Jews’ religion, 
lhow. that beyond measure} persecuted 
the church of.God,, and wasted:it ; 

14. And ™-profited in: the: Jews’ ‘reli- 
gion above many my * ‘equals “in mine 
own nation, = being’ more “exceedingly 
zealous of the ° traditions of my fathers. 

15 But when P it pleased God, a who 
separated me from my mother’s womb, 
* and called me by his grace, 

16 To *.reveal his. Son in me,-t that'l 


n Acts 22. 3. & 26.) Acts 9. 15. & 22. 
§. Phil. 3. 4—6. 14,15, Roms 1, 1. 
23. & 16s) 1—3.Jo Mat. 15. 2, 3..6.jr Rom. le 5, & & 
Eph. 3..3—8: Mark~ 7. | 3—13.} 30.& 9.24. 1 Cor, 

fc Acts 22. 3-5. &! Col. 2.8. 1 Pet. 2. 
| 2Vhes. 2. 13/14. 1 


26.4, 5s 1. 

1 Acts 8. 3. & 9.1,)p Deut. 7. 7,8. 1) Tim. 1 12-14. 2 
2. 13,14. 21, 26. &} Sam. 12. 22. VChr,| ‘Tim. 1. 9. 91 Pet. 
22, 4, 5. &.26,9—} 281.4, 5. Mat. 11.) 5, 10, 

4I. 1 Cor. 15. °9., 26, Luke 10.21. 1)s Mat. 16. 17. 1 Cor. 
Phil. 3.6.1 Tim. 1.}) Cor. 1/1. Eph. 14) 2. 9—13. 2 Cor. ¢: 


i See on, vere 1.4 
Cor. 2. 9,10, & 11. 


20. “} 5,9. 83, 11. 6, Ephe 1 1%, 18. 
wo Js. 39.13. & 57.12.[q 1s. 49. 1. 5. Jer. 1] & 3, 5—10; 


Gr.equalin years.') 5. Luke 1.15, 16.]t 2. 7-9. Acts 22. 


wisdom of men; ) As! the apostle: became all 
things to all'men, that he mightplease them for 
their edification ; and as he even tolerated dif- 
ference of sentiment’ and conduct, in various"in- 
stances, respecting the Mosaic law; so we must 
conclude, that this: decisive language only relat: 
ed to that fundamental doctrine; of which he was 
about to treat ;: or to such/otliers, ‘as are of simi: 
lar evidence or importance: . It doesnot behoove 
us to use the same authoritative language, or to 
denounce anathemas° on those’ who differ from 
us : yet we may properly’show men; how evi- 
dently the apostle’s words conclude those under 
the curse, who teach sinners to rely for justifi- 
cation, im the least’measure’or degree, on any 
thing except the righteousness and atonement of 
Christ. | Should not be, &e.*(10.) * This is a cut? 
* ting reproof to all those ministers, who’ either 
* alter or conceal the doctrines of the Gospel, 
* for fear of displeasing their hearers; or to gain 
© popularity? © «(Macknight:) 

V. 11—14 The’ reason of the awful “denun- 


tained in the assurance, “that-his Gospel was 
‘© not after man;” neither of human invention) 
hor suited to the dispositions and. opinions of 
mankind. ‘For he had not recéived it from any 
human‘teaching; but it was immediately revealed 
tohim by Jesus Christ. This might be evidenced 
by facts: for'they had often heard of his clrarac- 
terand conduct in former years, whei he pro- 
fessed the Jews’ religion; and how’his bigoted 
zeal had induced him to’exceed the measure’ of 
ali other opposers, in furiously persecuting’ the 
Church; which ‘he wasted, asa walf doth the 
sheep, or as a victorious army plunders and de- 
stroys the city which it has taken, He¢ had also 


? 
’ 


\GALATIANS. 


and blood ; 


» {but I went ix 
13 For * ye have‘ heard of my conver- | 


pup to Jerusalem t 
| with him fifteen: di 


1.9, 24. & 15. 20,)/ 


might preach him.amon 
+ ieaionaath ie hes 


to them whic 


19. But other o 
none, save > Jamés the Lord 
20 Now the things w ch 
you,“ behold, befor 
2: Afterwards ¢ 1 came inte 
gions of Syria and‘ Cilicia; — 
22 And. was unknown’ 


me 


UW ver 21, 12.8 2.1)" 
6» Deu. 83. 9. Lukel t. 
9, 23—25. 59-62 b 3 
Acts 26s 19; 20. i 3218,” 


Ny 


Cot, 5-516, > 
x Mat. 16. 17. & 26. 


Ligess 


been well instructed 


them ‘in* zeal ‘for the’ 
along with the Jaw of 
120.) It could not tt 
he should at otice, and ¢ 
ests, both embrace Christ 
to his countrymen, and si 
without “regarding the 
some adequate cause 
the extraordinary change. — 
‘ well known, in what school 

‘my vouth ; namely, among t 
‘mies of the Gospel.—Ai s 
‘celled'in the retigion 
‘from being a Phatisee, I st 
‘ apostle of the Gentiles; 


‘er, so wondel ap 
‘with that’ which Chri 
“both before and after 
“extraordinary an event, 
“‘ance tothose whom § 
* whom he ‘wrote, that 
‘ should think proper to — 
*manner, (Doddridge.)—Th 
tion between being taught by 
‘yevelation of Jesus Christ, 
Lord’s Deity.—* In this tres] 
‘have been, in a measure, supe 
‘apostles, whom Christ instru 


x 


‘the manner of men? (Bezg.) 


= \)) 


“ an, HT " or ahs ane ears se A. D. 56. 
4 ref ; ersecuted us in times past), how 


} heard sake thet 1€ nee sxe te 
Thes. 1.1. ne: a7, 1 Cor. 15.) 34 AD «they gloried God in ime. 


I. —10. 1 oe 
ets 9. 13, 14, 20,) 1316. | k Num. 23.23, Luke’ 15. 10. 32, Acts i 9,13, Col. 1. 3,4: 
2. 14, & 7 16, & Z &l 18. B 21, 20. 2 Cor 2 Thes. 1. 10612. 


In me, (16.) This may ie rendered tome. The 
same preposition i is used just after, and translat« 
ed among, it might be ¢o, the heathen. The 
y -|apostle, however, speaks of immediate’ prophe- 
faith of the| tical revelation ; and not of Seon divine teach- 
ercy to ré-|ing.—Jaries, &c. (Marg. Ref.) * Since we ate 
b: s Christ; and! ‘told, (Acts ix, 19.) that after Saul recovered his 
rd extraordinary cir-|* sight and strength, he was certain days with 
t had also bap acalls the disciples ‘at Damascus, during. which he 
* preached Christ in the synagogues : we tivet 
anding’ aha heart, to} * admit, that he spent a few days in preaching att 
and grace in the conver-|'« Damascus, and then retired into Arabia, to re 
idiced and violent an enemy ; that | « ceive > further revelations,’ &e. (-Macknight:) 
his name more widely known on} 
; him as an apostle to preach| "PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
cte xxvi.17, 18.) When Viu1—s. 
taken place, he imme.| All authority and ability to preach the Gospet 
nce, without onsult.| must come from Jesus Christ, and from God the 
Father, who hath raised him from the dead: In 
all ordinary circumstances, indeed, men are ems 
»| ployed as instruments in qualifying and ordains 
} ing ministers ; but, without the grace, teachings . 
J and unction; of the Spirit of Christ, all the rest _ A 
must prove ineffectual. We ought to pray for 
n and Epes  erace and peace from God the Father, and 
ceeded to exer-|“ our Lord Jesus Christ,” in behalf even of 
ty, and very soon those, of whom we doubt whether they be trae 
Afterwards | saints.'The love of Christin giving himself for 
till he was driven| our sins, and the hopes and motives which hia 
length, after three’ redemption inspires, are effectual to deliver the 
believer from this present world, as well as from 
the wrath to come. This was intended by the. 
| divine Redeemer ; it accords to the will of God, 
e 1es| and is requisite for the display of his glory. : and 
ng to the instructions or | the consciousness of being rescued and separated 
peageres from the Lord :| from those who were our companions in sin s 
made victorious over the fear of men and the — 
| love of the world; enabled to refuse conformity» 
| to it, and to live. a ‘spiritual and heavenly life on — 
i did not so ‘Aidehad knew him eat : earth, forms the proper evideti¢e of justification 
he account of his wonderful conversion | ex-/in the righteousness of Christ, atid through faith 
i to adore the power and grace of. God|in him: yet numbers who profess evangelical 
ds| so terrible a persecutor ; and to bless|doctrines, have no inclination to this part of sal 
te for so great a deliverance vouclisafed | vation. - But, as they are not delivered from this 
| afflicted Church. (Notes, &c. Acts ix.| present: evil world, by the sanctification of the 
— Separated, &e. (15.) * This further in- Spirit ; it is presumptuous in them to expect ex- 
purpose from God to call him from|emption from its condemnation syd the blood of 
n the midst of his madness against | Jesus. ; 
; and his foresight that he would iy i 6-10, 
diately convert at his call; which two be. iti is truly astonishing, how sbon hopeful cone 
st supposed, (in God's. eternal purpose | verts are often removed from the ministry of 
nce,) it must needs follow, to be an|those, by whom they were first “called to the 
merited free choice from all eters | « grace of Christ; ;” and how easily they are ins 
it this was a designation only to the|duced to embrace other Gospels, either mote 
office,” &c. (Hummond.) This, how, | flatte: to self-righteous pride, or more tas 
that God’s ete nal | purpose and his| v elf-indulgence. These indeed are 
rfere with man’s free agen el ;. but the devices of satan, to dee 
-Sé. Paul would not. f eive the unstable, to trouble the injudicious, 
pervert Christianity. While we strenus 
asly maintain, that every kind and degree of 
Rea eventually “tends to dishoneur 
IPs ‘ 


f 


Lenn, 


athe 


- 


vs 2 


A, 


n a 
st aealee telle ere, 


ie 


ta sees. 


oS eee 
a 


ed ne 


Bag Le 
ee 


ag ea Mma, oe 
Bo se Sy aks 


Sp ae east, 


hog Wal ee Whe 


4D. 86. ae ges 


a 


ae CHAP. If: 


The apostle shows, for what purpose, he hades co 


ny years, went up to Jerusalem, 1,2; and that which Ti 
- + 


Figus, who. attended him was not cireumeised, on * 


Seep aséert the freedom of the Gentile con-|- 
_¥erts, from the Jaw, 3—5. 


No additional know-} 


ata was comniunicated to him by the other * apos- | ey or a 


~ thes; but they ackroWwledged his divine mission to} 
» the Gentiles, 6—10. 
-Sf00d “Peter, who dissembled, as to communion 
. with the Gentile egnverts, ‘for fear of thos from 
‘+ among the Jews, U—13 ; expostulating wi him, 


beeause he -who himself sought justification by! unawares brett 
faith im Christ, led others to-seek it by the works; vily to spy on ie 
, Phe apostle *by, the Jawwas\haye in Chris Jes 
become dead to the Jaw, that ‘he might liye ton 
tv God; and thus neither made Christ the minis-| ( 
ter of sin, nor frustrated, the grace. of God, 17—21,/e 


of the law, 14—16. 


A. Di 
su went up again to Jer cialis wit 


bi « Barnabas,, and took 4 Titus with me also. 


3. 185 cf 36.37, & 1. 25) =39 1 Com. 6. fy 
Acts 18. 24. 30. '& 12.25. &ak.jd ver. 3. 2Con & 
c ver.) AS Acts 4.) 2 50. & 15, 95.36] 15/23. Wits de 4a 


“Christ. ied destroy. true religion ; we must” also 
“declare i in the most decided: manner, that all de- 
“pendence on geod works, real or supposed, for 
Justification, i is still more fatal to the idividuals 
“who persist in it, after the truth has been fatly 
‘and repeatedly set hefore-them.. No wonder 
that the preachers of morality and’ good works, 
as the foundation for the sinner’s hope of accept- 
ance, or in any degree condiicive to his justifica- 
tion, are so evidently unsuccéssfal in their at- 
tempis to make men virtuous:>-for, if. they had 
apostatical endowments, yea, angelic capacities, 
eloquence, and purity ; as they, their whole -sys- 
tem, and all who ‘dears toit, lie under the awful 
and explicif cur 
their labours, and finally ruin their souls, unless 
they are previously convinced of their fatal mis 
take. While we zealously preach, and diligently 
practise, good works for évingelical prirposes ; let 
us be even still more careful, if possible, nut to 
put them in the place of “ that righteousness ‘of 
“ God, which is unto-and upon all that believe ;” 
and not to adyauce any thing which may* betray 
others into so dreadful a delusion. Instead of pre- 
sumptuonsly applying the apostle’s words to those 
who differ from us; or in any “other Way, than 
by a general declaration of the ttuth ; let us for 
ourselves keep at the utmost distance from this 
terrible anathema, and caution all men - against 
-those who thus pervert the Gospel of Christ. dn 
so important a causé, we must not regard the 


friendship or fear the frowns of men; nor seek! ders them superior to luor: 


“their favour, by the persuasive words of haman 
wisdom ; but be baitshtie with desiring the accept: 
ance and blessing of God, m onr endeavours: to 
yindicate~his trath. Indeed, noné are the: ser- 
yants of Christ, who seek to please men, as their 
object ; and few, who.actually pleaseunen in ge. 
neral, give sufficient evidence tliat they honestly 

Jand faithfully serve Christ: for how can hé be 
pleased with that testimony and conduct, which 
is acce ptable to carhal men, ia whom | the ged of 
\this world dwells and works? Ministers there- 

© fore should be careful not to receive or preach a 


At Antioch, he openly: with-} ‘me, 


of Gad; this must blast all’ 


‘vices for which he hath e 


“3 But © 
being a Gre 


4 And that §b 


bring us into bonds 


The conversati 
and ministers was: 
truth and grace | 
sees and furious p 
monuments of th 


conversion only 
nation ; yet) it 


hath chums for | 

sition to him “fora: ec 

calls them by his 

and preciousness 

enmity is subdued, 

hearts changed, and» 

selyes to: his service., 
concerned, they, will 

blood, but will, renount = 

and venture ali con 

thouga in ordinary. 

tuous for. new converts, or 
disregard the counsels of suc 

long employed in the work of Ch 
love to Christ and the souls.of men 


and ready to endure h 

the Gospel, is a good evi 
preparing them for fate 
ing of the Lord’s deali 


scrupulously adhere ta th 
of Gods and when they 
have destroyed: the faith, at 
and arash it; aS are, 


tous. 


CHAPTER I. bal ae Dy SiGe 
on re gave place by sub- Peter to the apostleship of the circumci- 

ot for an hour; P that! ate sion, the same 4 was mighty in me to- 
1 Os | ward the Gentiles =) 

9 And when '*. James, Cephas, Sad 
Johny who seemed to be > pillars, perceiv- 
ed .¢ the grace that was given unto me; 
they gave to me and Barnabas the right 
hands of 4 fellowship; that we should 
go unto the: eee and cosy unto the 
circumcision. 

16 Only they aoe © that we. peveuid 
remember the poor; the same which I 
akso was forward to do. 


[Practical Onervationsy 


atsoever they-were fit Nak} 
sr to me : § Godsaccepteth no 
mn : for they who seemed to be 
in’ conferenee al nothing 


the Gospel of the uncircumcision 
nie, as the gospel of 
unto Peter ; 
rought effectually in 


42-14. Jobit ver. 10. Acts “15. 
7. 17-22.) 6—30. 

“Mat. 22. 16. Mark{u ‘ver. 9. Acts 14. 12, 

6, 17—20. & 12.14.) 25, 26; 2 Pet. 3.15, 

en 20, 21, 2Cor.!x See on, 1-15, Acts 

d 13. 46—48. & 18, 6, 

pg on, Job 34 19.) & 28. 28. 9 Thes. 


& 4. 4. & 5. 12. 15. 
& 8.17. 

% 3.5. Acts 13, 2— 
il, Bins: S110 & 
95.12. & 19. 11,12, 
25. & 21.19. 1 Cor. 
W5—7- Be 9.2.) 2) 


Mat. 16.18 Rey.fe Acts 15, 23-80, 

3.12. & 2). 14—20./f Acts 11, 29, 30. Bc 
e Rom. 1. 5. & 12.) 24: 17. Rom. 45. 95 
3, 6. & 15.15. 1 
Cor. 15. 10. Eph. 
3.8. Co}. 1.29. 4 


b ver. 2, 6. as 1. 3, 


Hel. 13. 16. Jam. 


ets 10, 34.1 Pet.|2: 4 Cor. 11.4, &*  . | Petia 10, 11. 2: 15,16, 1 John 3; 
y Acts 1. 8. & 2:14) 2 Acts 15. 4413.22— d 2 Cor. 8. 4, 1 John} 17. 
26, 


=41,/& 3+ 12—26. 


of the Jewish converts. But, as his object was 
to obtain the sanction of the Chureh at Jerusa- 
jem to his doctrine, in order to silence the Ja- 
daizing teachers, if) was very prudent to open 
the business privately to the aposUes; that being 
-proposed and supported by them, if might come 
before the other elders, with more weight, than 
Paul himself could, give it, in so prejudiced 
an audience: Yet, while he used this precau- 
tion, be would not consent that Titus should be 
eircumeised, contrary to his judgment and in- 
clination ; cna itis probabje, that he took that 
excellent Gentile convert with him on purpose, 
that, in the case of one on whom he could de- 
pend, he might show lis steadfastnéss ‘to his 
principles, on so. critical an occasion.  (/Vores, 
Acts xvi. 3.) For both his. journey to Jerusalem 
and bis conduct there, especially in respect of 
Titus, were intended to counteract the designs of 
the false brethren, the pretended Christians, who 
-had; in an unsuspected mayner, got admission 
into the Church at Antipch; and who came as 
spies to observe the degree of liberty, which the 
Gentile conyerts, and even those of the Jews, 
used in respect of the law, according to the truth 
and will of Christ: in order that they might 
bring the Gentiles inte bondage to the Jegzal ce- 
remonies, as Well as oblige the apostle. and his 
coadjutors, to he more observant of them. He 
was indeed always disposed to make allowance 
for men’s prejudices, and to deal gently with 
weak consciences, in order to promote the Gos- 
pel; (Votes, 1 Cor. ix, 19—23.) but he would not 
give place at all by way of subjection to the law, ~ 
when they imposed it on meti’s consciences, and 
represented. it'as necessary to salvation. Nay, 
he strenuously opposed, all such atlempts, in 
order thatthe truth of 4ne Gospel, which these 
Jewish teachers wer, fabouring to pervert and 
corrupt, might remain jn. the Gentile Churches, 
VM. G—10, The false brethren. disparaged 
Paul, as if no account was to. be made of him; 
but Peter, James, and Jobe, seemed tobe some- 


yv. 155) It appears from the his- 
Paul and Barnabas went up ftom Anti- 
ry the alms of the Christians in that 
the elders at Jerusalem, (Acts xi. 29, 0.) 
ey had, at that time, no spectal busiaess 
Apostles, and it is not certain that they. 
put of them. The journey, however, here 
tioned, most evidently is that recorded by 

the historian, when they went up on purpose 
eee the very question which St. Paul was here 
ng with the Hans. (Notes, Acts xv.) 
‘expositors date this journey fourteen years 
fter the apostle’ 8 Conversion, which scarcely al-| 
ywS Sufficient time for all the intervening ‘trans- 
tions ; and it seéms mare obvious to compute 
“years; from the first. journey before.mention 
(18.) There is, however, but little certain 
ty in the computation of times, even by the most 
earned ehronologers, as to the date of the apos: 
itle’s conversion, subseqitent history, and the writ- 
1s of his epistles: and exactness in this respect 
mparatively of little importance. ‘Ry the di- 
on Of God, who immediately revealed him- 

F to the apostle, or some other propliet, on this 
ion } he and Barnabas went to Jerusalem 
this very question : (and this was the only 
, in which there had been the least’ ap- 
ance ‘of inferiority ‘in him to the other apos- 
“At that time he fully declared the whole 
“Gospel among the Gentiles, to them and 
er eminent persons at Jerusalem + but he 
privately: lest, if he had openly avoiwed 
whole Charch, the strong prejudices of 
Multitude against him and the Gentiles, and 
» Mosaic Jaw, should have excited commo- 
and ted (c such measures, as might have 
event his future usefulness, and sub- 
tches which he had already planted. 
Jength be fully known, both that he 
he Gentiles into: the Church without 
iy and that he did not consider the 
ding on the consciences even; 


Elim nn in a = 
ee a 


RS ee 
Oe ae 


\ 


~ 


Aas D, 56. . 


11 4 But when. Peter was come ‘€ to 
Antioch, » I withstood him to the face, 
i because he was to be blamed. 


but when they were come, ™ he withdrew, 


which were of the circumcision. ihe 
13 And othe other Jews dissembled 
Jikewise with him; insomuch that Bar- 
nabas also was P carried away with their 
dissimulation. eeepc: 
14, But when I saw that they 4 walked 
not uprightly according to * the truth of 
the gospel, * I said unto Peter before 
Acts 1§. 30—35. ker, 9. “Avts Q1.} 1. 1 Cor. 5.6. & 8. 


l Acts 10. 28. & 11. 
3. Eph, 2. 15. 19— 


9—11. & 15. 33. 
p Job 15. 12. 1 Cor. 
12, 2. Eph. 4, 14, 
Heb, 13. 9. 


q 
1--& $4.11, Prov: 
27-8 10.90, 
r See on, ver. 5, 
Rom. 14,14.1 Tim. 
4.3—5. Heb. 9.10, 
s See on, h. vere 11. 
Lev.19. 17) Ps, 141. 


ver. 5. 2Cor- 5. 
16. & 11.5. 21-23, 
& 12,11. 1 Tim 5. 

20. Jude 3. 5 1o2&3.6. 

1 Ex, 32. 21, 22.Jm Is. 65. 5. Luke 
Num.'20, 12. Jer.| 15, 2. 1 Thess 5,22. 
ds 17. Jones 1.3, &|n Brov. 29. 25. Is. 
4, 3, 4. 9. Mat. 16.) 57. 11, Mat, 27. 69 
17, 18. 23. Acts 15., —75. 

8739. & 23-1-—3.Jo Gen. 12. 11-18. 
Jam. 3. 2. } John} & 26, 6, 7% & 27. 
I, 8—10, |} 24, Ee. 7. 20, & 10, 


what in their estimation, in order that by using 
their names, they might the more succegsful- 
ly oppose the truth: for the opinion of others 
concerning them, not their own estimate of them- 
selves, is exclusively meant, But the apostle 
declared, that it was no matter to him, what 
they or others ‘weré, as to their endowments, 
authority, or reputation: for God did not thus 
partially accept of men’s persons, or determine 
Fight and wrong, truth and falsehood, by such 
rules. However therefore he loved and honour. 
ed them as brethren, he would not put them in 
Christ’s stead, or agknowledge that they had any 
authority over him; nor indeed when he con- 
ferred with them, had they added any thing to 
his knowledge of the Gospel, or authority to 
preach it, or even to his spiritual gifts and mira- 
culous powers. On the contrary, they were con- 
yinced that Christ had immediately appointed 
him to be his principal minister, in preaching 
the Gospel among the Gentiles; even as Peter 
was the leading person in the work carrying’ on 
among the Jews: and had qualified him as fully, 
and wrought by him as mig&tily, in the one case, 
as he had br Peter in the other: ‘So that these 
three apostles, who seemed to many persons 
ta be the only pillars, on whom every thing 
depended, saw and acknowledged the’grace of 
God bestowed on him; and allowed of him and 
Barnahas, as fellow-labourers of equal authority 


and ability with themselves ; being satisfied that| faible and sinful in’ him 


they should labour principally among the Gen- 
tiles, while themselves would at present conti- 
que among the Jews. Only considering the low 
eondition of the Jewish ¢onverts, and the expen- 
ges which they had incurred soon’after the day 
ef Pentecost; they desired them to remember, 
and raise some contributions for cheir poor, 
among the Gentile converte; which Paul was 
very veady to do, and accordingly did, without 
elay, and with great earnestnese, notwishstand. 


, a 


{the Jews; 

12 For before that * certain came from|Gentiles to. 
Janies,' he did eat with the Gentiles :}) 15 We wh 
not ¥ sinners | 
-and separated himself, » fearing them] 
\fied by the works of 
faith of Jesus € 


_ we 


them a 
ter the m 


§.. Prov. 27. §, 6» 
t ver. 12, 13. Acts 
10. 28. & 11. 3—18, 
u ver, 3. & 6, 12, 
Acts 15, 10. 19—1_ 


‘Rom. 3. 9.. Eph. 
11,12. Tit. 3.3, | 
Zz vers 19. & 3. 10—] 


ing their prejudices 
of this conference 
known. Be 
V. 11—16. The wis 
ting the transaction here recor 
spicuous ; for it demonstrably ; 
pretended infallibility and 8 
ed from Peter, (no one ¢an- 
to be the most groundless 
and it tends anew 
trine of justification: : é 
decree of the council at Jerusalem, 
some account went down to Antioch; 
ing that the Mosaic law’ was 
ry on the conseience, he: 
and converse freely with t 
certain Jewish converts ¢: 
he separated from the Ge 
incur the censure of’ the Jews: 
ed more fear of man, than 1 
of the Gospel: he’ ¢ ed 
the Jewish converts, and* stren 
hands of the Judaizing teachers; 
the influence of St, Paul and , 
he set an example of dissimulation, 
followed by the other Jews, and 
duced Barnabas bimself, who had 
coadjutor among the Gentil 
additional hinderances in the way 
version. This sufficiently proved 


2 


“pre 


guided by the Spirit of God 
pel to mankind, free from er 
ture. As, however, he was : 
able, Paul, though probabl 
man, and called to the a 
him, deemed himself bound op 
him, A private remons' 3 
on sq public and importani 
would not speak against him 
But he took an opportunity,’ 


% b, jhe Sie 


ourselves also © are 

found sinner , is therefore Christ the 
“minister of sin? € God forbid. 

+ Rif I build again the things 

“i ed, I make myself a trans- 


I i through the law am * dead 
w, ' that I might live unto God. 
crucified . with Christ : 
- Ke do G1 Be 


2. A, 
14. 15.1) ver. 20. Rom. 14. 


D: 56. | CHAPTER IL: 
7 Bat if 4 while we seek to be justi-|*nevertheless I live; yet not I,° but Christ 


A.D. 56. 


liveth mm me: and P the life which I now 
live in the flesh, 49 I live by the faith of 
tthe Son of God, *who Joved me, and 
gave himself for me. 

21 I tdo not frustrate the grace of 
God : for if ® righteousness come by the 
law, then * Christ is dead in vain. 
ie Vee Rev. L. 


: 5. 
Col. 2, 13. & 3.3,4,) 1, ver_32. Ps, 33. 10, 
. 49, 7.9. Marz. 


- |would follow, that Christ was “the minister of 


“ sin,” and the Gospel “ the ministration of con- 
“ demnation,” instead of the ministration of the 
Spirit and of ri . But, God forbid, 
that such things should be spoken of Christ, and 
his Gospel! This appears to be the meaning of 
the verse, as it stands connected in the apostic’s 
argument. At first sight, indeed, it may seem 
rather to relate to the sins which are found ia 
those, who profess to be justified by Christ; 
which are not to be charged on the doctrine, cr 
on the insufficiency of his grace to sanctify them ; 
as. if he were the mmister of sin, and allowed 
men to continue init; or as if there was any 
need to go back to the law on that account, 
The former interpretation, however, is most ap- 
proved, and indeed justly. » If then Panl, or the 
other apostles, should, either by doctrine or ex. 
ample, countenance the opinion, that the lew 
mast be obeyed, in order to justification; thug 
building again what, they had destroyed, they 
would become transgressors, and liable to con- 
demnation.. And if the Jewish Christians should 
return back to a dependence on the law; they 
would vainly attempt to erect again that oid 
building, which they had destroyed, im order to 


the |make Christ their Foundation ; (Votes, Rom. x. 


this certainly took piace, some years before the 

stle’s last journey to Jerusalem, as recorded 
- Lake ; and it is an additional argument in 
wt of the view before given of St. Paul’s 
ton thai occasion. (Note, Acta xxi. 18 
| The conduct of Peter, on this trying ac- 


_It is not agreed, whether the apos- 
s to Peter continues to the end of the 
vA ere it terminates, if it does not - 


Laty -¢ 


Pee we 
DS th ee 


1—4.) which woald agaim bring them under con- 
demnation, 2nd leave their sins. both unpardoned 
and unsubdued. But this was very different from 
the apostle’s own experience im this matter: for 
through his knowledge of the strictness, extent, 
spirituality, excellency, and sanction of the morzi 
law, as well as. of the typical import of the cere- 
monies, he was, become ‘ dead to the law ;” he 


emis to have been peculiarly excellent. }expected ngyhelp from it in the matter of justifi- 


cation; he was divorced from it as a lees! cove - 
nant, that he’might welcome Christ snd his sal- 
vation. The union betwixt him and the law, za 


this seare, 25 finatly dissolved, 2s the marrise:_ - 


Fmeis just the same, however this|relation is by death. He boped and feared 


‘The apos Te sharply reproves the Galatians for depart-| - 
ing from that doctrine, which had been fully: preach- 
ed to them, and confirmed by the gift of the Holy 

Spirit, i—5. He proves his doctrine eoncernmg 

: justification, from the example of’ Abraham; and} 

&. the testimony of seripture; 6—9; from the te- 


thing from it, any more than a dead man did 
from his friends or his enemies, But the effect 
of this was not a careless, lawless. life: on) the’ 
contrary, this ‘was’ necessary, in order that he 
‘might live to God, and be accepted by him, and 
devoted to him, through the motives, encoutage- 
ments, and grace of the Gospels Indeed, he was 
even erutified with, Christ ; the demands of the 
Jaw on him bad been’ answered by his Sutety, in 
his obedience unto the death‘ upon the cross ; 
and his anion with Christ had made him die to 
all legal dependences, as well as to the love and} 
friendship of the world, the delights and inter.) 
ésts of sin, and all (hose carnal principles from 
which his former activity arose. “Nevertheless, 
he lived in a new and evangelical hope, by the 
‘communication of a divine life to his soul, by new 
capacitics of enjoyment, and new motives and 
principles of ‘action, ‘Yet it was not so much he 
that liyed; as, Christ who lived) in’ him by his 
Spirit, and his power and grace, regulating: his 
judgment and.affections, transforming him-into | are generally br 
his own image, and employing him as the instru-/ pect spies in our 
ment of his glory, So that the life, which he} purpose to find some 
then lived in the body, surrounded with worldly |to; in‘order to deprive 
objects and temptations, was not conducted upon | ty, by bringing us int 
carnal principles, or by a regard to externalj or human impositions 
things, but by faith in the Son’ of God’; ‘as he! notions of Tiberty, te 
depended on him for all things, and aimed to dojand satan. We mus 
all according to his will, and in subserviency to! ters, ‘by way 0 
his glory. And to this he was influenced by the/ lest the truth of the 
consideration that this glorious Saviour had loyed | or disgraced.  F, 
him when a bitter, persecutor, and had given’! undue regard _ 
himself a sacrifice for his sins, So that, though | reputation, in or 
he neglected no acceptable obedience, and de.| ability and faith! 
clined no seif-derying service ; yet he attended | quires them to proce 
to all his duties from suck principles and for! manner. But they s! 
such purposes, that he did not frustrate or set] aceepteth no man’s 
aside the grace of God, by attempting in any | servants are as 
measure to justify himself by his: works; being im 1; 
fully assured, that: if righteousness could have 
been obtained by any obedience of man to the 
_Jaw, consistently with thé glory of God, then 
Christ had died without any necessity, and to no 
purpose. As therefore no Christian could suppose, | 
that so stupendous a play as that of ‘redemption| 
was formed and executed, without any occasion; 
so it must also be concluded, that righteousness 
could in no degree be obtained by a sinner, on 
account of his obedience to the law. ‘This holds 
equally true of the moral, as of the ceremonial law.’ 
It was of small moment whether men observed 
the latter, or not, except as they‘depended on it: 
and the conclading part of the apostle’s argu- 
ment related to the moral law, at@last equally 
with the ceremonial. (ores, Mom: vi)—* 4 
« through tie law have died by faw ; so that I 
*« must live by God’? “G9 j= We all through 
*« breaking law, have died by the curse of taw ; 
He thes if we live, we. must liye by the free 


7 


‘are delivered f 
ual seed of. 


“ sift of Go 
If this learned la 
clearly intelligible, w 
by the curse of th 
tion would have reg 
the author owns him: 
cise meaning to the wor 


our labours,” ) 
thed of obyjati mL) 
teracting the den 
means we shou 
commonly be col 
important cases: ” 


who “call any man 
they. may ‘dispara 
together with him 
said or did such ai 


ministers, whom caption 
magnify against others, 
thing to them: nor i 
differ from them ex 
scriptions of men, ath 
duce them to conduct 
parent variation. And ¢ 
God hath called them to t 
of usefulness, and ; 
love and good. offi 
hands; whi 
liciously 
another. ( But wheth 


imaginary, we should 


tt. Fa | (i a ee, yaa ree 


ou, that © ye showtd not 
ore whose eyes 4 Jesus 
evidently set forth, cru- 
? 


ie would I; learn. Bs you, 


by the hearing of faith ? 


id Rev, 3. 20. Be: 18, 
‘|,.13, 14, & 18.3." '& 8) 15, & 10. 
jo Acts 6.57 Boks x saat a - mies 
+8. & 6.17), “18. 4 5 
uP | Senet ee 925, 1. Cor 12. 7— 
Cor. et 
“Eph 1). 13,, 
ane 4. 1 Bet is 


q 36. [Rom 1. Fa ego 


by th M7 


Gay such as have impover- 


any prejudices against us. 
_YVz- 11. 
s feat. of man bringeth a.snare,” to an 
few are fully aware of; and we 
ao to see pious persons ashamed 


the chiefest of the Tapostles, ‘i fhe 
pnetly according to the Gospel,” 
i, and withstood to fis, face, when 


s, the greater eae hia will follow 
eminent rh 80 that other distinguished 
rsons. “ait be carried away by such a sanction. 
ulation. Public offences must be pub- 
sl ar oh that the evil may be eficetually 
ateracted, We must cease from man, and 


illy; for, “ verily, very man in his 
‘esta is Bcceirer vanity.” Christ is the 
infallibl 2 Head of his Church : eu Dir ee 


ot endure to be Hamed or tO ac- 
nowledpe themselves mistaken, are of a very 
christian temper. “Men are seldom aware of 
¢ magnitude, or fatal consequences of theit 
rs or carnal compliances ; yet they should 
ly pointed out to them, that they may be 
jon their guard. Whatever be our nation, 
} profession, education, or outward cha. 
+s yet if we are real and established Chris- 
we know that “by the works of the law 


ho ‘a 


might be justified by faith i in him: 


formed from ther matives anid” to 


: V. 17—21: 
ould make Christ the minister of sin, 
to. ose that hie, merits were insufli- 


an vain? ifz be. 
ye the Spirit by the works of 


fe, woms§ 14, Acts 2. 


or the sake of the Gospel, even’ 
“| without being sanctified, The believer, through 


jali no flesh be justified : 7? this conviction } 
us to believe in, and rely on, Christ, | his ministry “and _ doctrine, by the’ stuicmeat of 
and | facts, the apdslié proceeded more directly to 
We adhere to this principle, “all our wor-| argue the point with the Gatutians ; 
obedience’ will be entirely disregarded | Ghar ply reproved, as destitute of wisdom und une 


A.D: 56. 


By ce ie ye go foolish ? g having: begun 
in the Spirit, are: ye now made perfect by 
the, flesh e 
4 ‘Haye. hy 


AB y 


ye. suffered * ‘sO many things 


5 He therefore - i that ministereth to 
you the Spirit, and « worketh miracles 
among. you, doeth he 7¢) by the’ works of 
the law, or by the hearing of faith ? 

(Practical Observations.) 
a 73 


Bt 7-10. &5)4+) 36.2 Pet, 9, ms a 11, 12, Rom, 


6. 12—14.1 2 Jobn.8: “15.19. 1.Cor. 1. 4, 
Hels 7-16-19. &l* Ox, so great, 1.5. 2 Cor) 10s 4. & 
9. 2.9; 10, i See. on, very 2. a 12) 12/8/13, 3, 
h) Ez, 18224. \Heb.| Cor. 3, 3. yer. "20 
6. 4-6. & 10, 32—IIk Acts 14. 3. 9, fod 


i g + 5 
in disobedience, from a presumptuous confidence 
of being jastified by his righteousness, and saved - 


‘|the law, is hecome “‘ dead to the law,” not that 
he may continue in sin, but that “he may live 
‘eunto God, 2 (Notes, fiom, vi. Vii.) and the more 
sumply he relies on Christ for every thing, the 
more devotedly does he walk before him in all 
_}his ordinances and commandments. © He is cru- 
‘cified with Christ to the world And sin, as well: 


jas to all legal dependences ; he is united with 


Christ and conformed to him; he, as it were, 
rises, lives, and ascends with fan: ; yea, Christ 
lives and reigns in him, and speaks and acts by 
him :-and, as far as he is brought under this 
sacred initietice: his words and works resemble 
hose of his: Lord, and all his powers are em- 
ployed i in his’ser vice. He lives here on earth by 
faith in the Son of God, which worketh by love 
induceth obédience, and effects. a progressive 
transformation into his buly image: and this pro- 
portionably enables him to use’ the language of 
full assurance, and to'say; “he loved me, and 
*“ gave himself for me.” Thus he neither abuses 
nor * frastrates the grace of God :?' for, this 
proposition, ** that if righteousness come by the 
‘Yaw, then Christ is dead in vain,” is the bane 
of all self-justifying schemes, however refined 
‘or ingenious they be: and. all, who cleave to 
them, would ‘certainly have deemed this lan. ’ 
guage, to be enthusiasm, if the apasile ad not | 
used it as his own experience; and if it had first’ 
been spoken by some zealous modern defender 
Of the doctrine of grace, against the objections 
of Pharisees’ and the perversions of A Auundmians, 


NOTES. 


CHAP. Ti, V. t—3,) Havine authenticated 


whom he 


derstanding, ia this unaccountally Lurning away 
from the'truth of Christ. He der manded, theie. 

fore, whio had fascinated them, by the sorcer ¥ oF 
their insid jinsimuation! Whohad’ induced 
them to re: obeilience to the truth, whieh re: 
quired them to) Seek . justification. by! fan in 

Christ alone ? Bur it certainly could below Hired to 
s {nothing tess fran crc tage fae veut to Seb ic % 


SESS OAS TEE TG om EI Sr 


Sai ROE, SOAP n se <Ra Fae ta nant ne Bea eta 


A. D. $6. 


6 Even ™as Mieahiani believed God, andj the law in t 
it was * accounted to him for righteousness. | for, ® the j vy sh 


7 ™ Know ye therefore, that ° they 
which are of faith, the same are the. chil-|# 
dren of Abraham. 

8 And P the scripture, 4 foreseeing 
that * God would justify the heathen 
through faith, * preached | before the gos- 
pel unto Abraham, saying, t In thee shall 
all nations be. blessed. 

9 So then" they which be of faith are 
blessed with faithful Abraham. © — 

10 For *as many as are of the works 
of the law, are y under'the curse: for it 
is written, 7 Cursed zs every one that con- 
tnueth not in alj things which are writ- 
ten in the book of the law to do them. 

11 But * that no man is, justified by} 1 


m ver. 9. Gen. 15,Jr Rom. 3. 28—30.] & 29. 20. Is. 43, 28. 
6. Rom, 4,3—6, & 9. 30- Mat. 25. 415 

© ver. 9,10. & 9,32%,|s Heb. 4, 2. z Deut. 27. 26. Jer. 
33, Jam. 2. 23.)t ver. 16. Gen 12.3., 11. 3, Ez. 18. 4. 


Or, imputed. Rom. | & 18. 18. & 22. 18, 
4. 6. 11. 22. 24. 2} & 26. 4. & 28. 14. 
Cor. 5.19—21. & 49. 10. Ps. 72. 7.1 11. 

un Ps. 100. 3. Luke} Is. 6. 13.) & 65. 9sJa 1 Kings 8.46. Job 
21. 31. Heb, 13.23.) Acts 3.25, 26. Rev.| 9. 3. & 40, 4, & 42. 

© Vere 26—-29. John| 11.15. 6. Ps: 19. 12, & 130. 
8. 39.Rom. 4. 1l—ju ver. 7,°8. 14. 29.) 3, 4. & 143, 2. Ee. 
16. 24. & 9 7,8 Romi. 4. 11. 16.24.) 7. 201s: 6, 5. & 53. 
p ver. 22, & ‘4s 30.|x ver. 1. See On, 2} 6. & 64.6. Jain. 3. 
John 7. 38, 42, &; 16. Luke 18. 9—13.) 2.1 John 1. 8—10, 
19. 37, Rom. 9, 17.| Rom. 4,15. & 7. 9] Rev, 5. 9: & 7, 14, 
2 Tim. 3. 15—17. | —13. & 8.7. 15. 

p Acts 15." 15—-18.'y Deut. 11, 26-—28, 


Rom. 3. 19, 20. & 
6. 23. Jam. 2. 9— 


by the works of the law ; seeing the Gospel had 
been so fully explained, and earnestly enforced 
upon them ; and all things relating to the suffer- 
ings of Christ, and the need, motive, intenseness, 
and benefit of them, had been set before them, 
in so pathetic, affectionate, and lively a manner, 
by the preaching of the Gospel, and’ the adminis. 
tration of the Lord’s supper; that Jesus Christ 
had, as it were, been evidently set forth, as cru- 
cified before their eyes and in the midst of them. 
And could it be.imagined that the impressions, 
which seemed to be thus made upon their minds, 
should so soon be utterly erased? The argu- 
ment, however, might be reduced to a very com- 
pendious decision: he only desired to know 
from them, whether they had received the mira- 
culous gifts of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on 
of the hands of those preachers, who proselyted 
them to the Jewish law; or from him, who 
brought them the joyful report of free salvation 
by faith in Christ... As they must know, that they 
received these gifts by him, and not by their 
legal teachers ; could they be so absurd, as to 
suppose, that they had indeed begun to worship 
and serve God, in a spiritual and acceptable:man- 
ner, by the preaching of a doctrine warranted by 
the Holy Spirit; but that the work had been left 
imperfect, and was now to be completed. by 
teachers who possessed no miraculous powers, 
at least could impart none to others; and who 
only instructed them in mere e ordinan- 
ces, a bodily exercise, of whichcarnal men were 
as capable as the most spiritual man on earth !— 
They had endured many persecutions, especially 
fim the Jews: and would they at, serigth prove 


GALATIANS. a ‘i ‘K i 


tigsea Ee od 
12 And © or 


13 Christ nath 
curse of the 


ry one ‘that hinged 

14 That i the. 
might come ont 
Jesus Christ ; th 
the promise of the Spir: 


17. Heb. 10.38.  f 10. Rev, 1 
ce Rom, 4. 4, 5, 14} 9. & 13.8. 
AbD I 9. 80-32. Klee Kings 2 


b Hab. 2. 4. Rom. i; pein c 2. 
2 Ley 1078 oe 18, Roni 


29. Ez. 20. 11. 13.}¢. Deut, 
Mat. 19, 17. Luke) Sam. 
10, 2528. Komi.| 10.1 
10, 5,6 9. E 
e See on, ver. 10. & 
4: 5. Is. 53.) 5—2. 
10—12. ieee =: 24th dat 1 
26. Zeche 13. Zi 
Mat. 26. 28. Rom.) Gen. amas 
3. 24—26. ep | “41 8 
& 8-3, 4. 2 Cor. 5. 
21 Eph. 5, 2. Tit.{k v 
2, 14. Heb: 7. 26,) 18.1: 
27. & 9. 12615. 26.) 70. Li 
28. & 10+4—10. 1} Acts 2: 
eae 1, 18—21. &! 26.& 4 
1 B40 Re Se 18. WSF 


their profession of Christ: 
lose all the benefit of the 
ing the grace of the Gosp 
nat t on legal observances 
at it would not yet be th 
eat, tmoust be so, unless the 
from the fatal mistake..He mu 
demand of them, Wheth 
rit, and miraculous powe: 
from the Lord, by means of. ; 
gal observances, or by the mini 
pel? This open appeal to 
were under the influence of s 
apostle’s authority, isa, sti 
that these gifts were 
them by his ministry. 
titions of his question 
greatly agitated hy ¢ 
how important he de emed th 
we cannot doubt but that h 
profession | and sufferings tot 
ther in) vain, in case they per 
This is of vast importance 
ment: for submission to 
though burdensome, w 
nunciation of the Gospel, if 
dependence on their own 
Christ’s'righteousness and 
dependence must be equally 
the grace of the Gospel, ev; 
ence itself. is necessary 
for other purposes. 
V. 6-14. Site. 
example of Abraham 


that they who. execte ust cal 


4 oa jee i igad 
mT speak after the man- 
6. 19. 1Cor. 15. 32. Su 


alone; were his children, and interested in the 
blessings promised to him : and the Holy Spirit, 
ho inspired the writers of the Scriptures, fore- 
ing the calling of the Gentiles, and their jus- 
yn by faith in Christ, preached the Gospel 
A jam in few words, when it was said, 
In thee 


shall all nations be blessed :” that is, 
irtue of their relation to the promised Seed, 
* which shall descend from thee, sinners of all 
hone shall, by faith, be made completely 


* happy in the favour of Godf'and the enjoyment 


© of everlasting life Sothen they, who sought 
acceptance in this way of believing, were bless. 
ed after the example of believing Abraham.— 
But as 


many as were induced to seek acceptance 
- eee to the works-of the law, 
© in any way remained under that co. 
jode under the curse, according to the 
mony of the lawitself.” (Vote, Deut. xxvii. 
26.) The passage here quoted, follows.a varie- 
; of curses denounced against transgressors of 
e morallaw ; which shows that this was prin- 
cipally referred to.. Indeed, the legal dispensa- 
tion, considered as a covenant of works, was in- 
tended : believers’ always were under the cove- 
nant of grace, by faith in the Saviour, as_promis- 
ed from the beginning, and prefigured by the 
acrificiag of innocent animals; unbelievers al- 
vays made the whole a complex covenant of 
works ; and the nation of Israel was under the 
Sinai-covenant, in respect of the land of Canaan 
and their peculiar privileges. But, after the pro- 
mulgation of the Gospel, the whole became en- 
ely a covenant of works, even as much as that 
Adam: and under such a covenant, in one 
or other, all men continue, as the rational 
id accountable creatures of God ; and, being 
stahsgressors of his law, even according to their 
obscure notions of it; they are exposed .to 
ie curse and Wrath of God, and remain under it, 
nless they believe in Christ. But as the apos- 
le was arguing with Judaizers - so he led their 
ittention to the written law itself; which could 
ot confer the blessing, but must denounce the 
rse upon them; for they had not * confirmed 
it,” or, “ continued” from the beginning of 
lives, “ in all things, written in the law,” 
to perform a perfect obedience to. them.— 
as therefore evident, at the first glance, that 
man could be justified by a law, that peremp- 
demanded this absolute and sinless perfec- 
which no mere man ever yet rendered to 
“but it was further evident, as God had de- 
another way of justification and eternal 
‘ote, Hab. ii. 4, Rom. i: 17.) and the way 
y which alone the most righteous of 
race can live before God, is perfectly 
‘om, yea, opposite to, that of the law, 
ever proposes life but upon the terms of 
dience. (Notes, Lev. xviii. 5. Matt. 
“Mark xii. 28—34. Luke x. 25—29. 
Every one, therefore, who has 
is condition, is under a curse ; 
eemed his people from that’ 
or bought them off by a price; 


CHAPTER Ill. 


ner of men; Though ® zt de but a man’s 
were ‘n Heb. 9.17 


paid for them, having been willingly made a 
curse in their stead. For, as it was the purpose 
of God thus to deliver men from wrath, by the 
ignominious and agonizing sufferings of his be- 
loved Son upon the cross, and all the punishment 
which he then endured: so he declared that 
kind of punishment to be accursed, and an: em- 
blem of his most dreadful vengeance, when it 
was written, ** Cursed is every one, that hang- 
** eth on a tree ;” (Wote, Deut. xxi: 23.) that so, 
when the holy and divine Saviour was suspended 
on the cross, it might appear that he endured 
the curse of the law in our stead. Thus the way 
was opened for the blessing of Abraham, even 
the righteousness of faith, and friendship with 
God, to be conferred, not only on the Jews, but 
on the Gentiles also, through Christ, and by 
faith in him ; and that they too might receive 
the promised gifts of the Spirit, by faith, to seal 
to them the truth of the Gospel, and his sanctify- 
‘ing grace, and their own’ free justification. — 
(Note, Acts ii, 14—21.) 


curse of the law, as well as the Jews, but in an- 


other form; else they ‘would not have needed - 


this redemption and justification. The just, &c. 
(11) Or, ** The just by faith shall live”? This 


is the more exact translation: and, as “ the, 


* righteousness of faith” does not secure men 
from temporal death, in any form, or at any time; 


so, deliverance from eternal condemnation, and. 


eternal life in heaven, must be intended. Curse 
of, &e. (13.) As Christ died, not to deliver us 
from temporal death, but from’ “ the wrath to 
*© come;” if is manifest, that the curse of the 
law, whether the law of Moses, or any law which 
men are supposed. to be under, is eternal damna- 
tion, not. temporal or temporary. punishment.— 
Christ did not suffer eternal damnation; for, be- 
ing’ God as well as man, his temporary sufferings 
‘constituted an infinite satisfaction to divine juss 
tice, and adisplay of the evil of sin, and the honour 
of the divine law. Many expositors, who con- 
tend against the imputation of Christ’s righteous- 
ness to believers; in disputing against Socini- 
ans, argue for the vicarious sufferings of Christ 
in our stead. Now, what is this, but rmputation 2 
He, though perfectly holy, paid the debt which 
we vile sinners had contracted. “It was exact- 
s* ed, and he became answerable.” We vile 
“sinners, on believing, are made the righteous- 
“ ness of God in him,” and receive the inherit- 
ange which he merited. Thus there is a reci- 
procal imputation.» But, as the imputation of 
sin did not render the Saviour either criminal or 
polluted ; but had its effect merely in his receiv- 
ing the punishment which we deserved: so the 
imputation of his righteousness does not render 
us either free from criminality or pollution; but’ 
merely entitles us to the reward of his righteous~ 
ness. We have still the same need of humilia- 
tion and repentance, of sanctification, and per- 
sonal obedience, and holiness, without which we 
have no evidence, that we are made the right- 
eousness of Godin him. ‘1 wonder that Jerome 
2M - 


i ee 
A. D. 56. 


Tt is evident, that the . 
apostle supposed the Gentiles to be under the 


. 
A.D. 56. ‘ 


* covenant, yet zf7¢ be confirmed, no 


man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 


16 Now °to Abraham, ‘and his seed 
He saith not, 
And to seeds, as of many : but as of one, 


were the promises made. 


And to thy Seed, P which is Christ. 


17 And ‘this I say, That the cove- 
nant that was confirmed before of God Fin 
Christ, the law, * which was four’ hun- 


dred and thirty years after, * cannot dis- 
annul, ¥ that it should make the promise 
of * none effect. | 

18 For y if the inheritance be of the 
law, zt 73 no more of promise: 4 but God 
gave iz to Abraham by promise. 

19 | Wherefore * then serveth the 


law? > It was added’ because of trans- 


r Gen. 15, 18. & 17./x 5. 4. Num. 30. 3. 
7, 8. 19. Luke 1, 68 Ee 33.10. Rom. 3, 
—79. John 1- 17. 3, 1 Cor. 1. 17. 

& 8. 56—58. Rom. hs ver. 10. 12, 26,29 


* Or, testament. 

° ver. 8 Gen, 12. 7. 
& 13. 15, 16. & 15. 
5.& 17. 7, 8, & 21. 
12, 13. & 22, 17, 18. 
& 6.3 4 &’ 28. 
13, 14. & 49 10, 

Pp ver. 27—29: Rom. 
12; §-\1 Cor. 12, 12. 
27. Eph. 4. 15, 16. 

, & 5. 29,30. 32 Col. 

2. 19. & 3.11. 

q 5. "16. 1 Cor. 1. 
12. & 7. 29. & 10. 
19. 2 Cor. 9. 6. Eph. 
4,17. Col. 2.4, 


Heb. 11, 13. 17—19.} 13-16. & 8, 17. 
39, 40. 1 Pet. 1. 11,2 Sec on, ver. 16. Ps, 
12 20. 105. 6—12. 42. Mic. 
s Gen, 18. 1% Ex: Luke 1, 
1 40, 41. 


7. 18—20, 


6. 10—15- 

@ Rom. 3. 1; 2, & 7. 
7—13. 

b ver. 21—24. Deut. 
4, 8, 9 Ps. 147. 19, 
20 Luke 16. 3i. 


t phi 15. Job 40. 8. 
Is. 14, 27. & 28. 18. 
Heb. 7. 18» 

u ver.21. Num. 23. 
19. Heb. 6. 13—18. 


¢ and Erasmus should labour, and seek for I 
¢ know not what figure of speech, to show that 
¢ Christ was not called accursed. ‘Truly in this 
¢ is placed all our hope: in this the infinite love 


vation, that our God, properly and without any 
figure, poured out all his wrath on his own 
Son; caused him to be accursed, that he 
might réceive us into favour. 
any-figure, Christ was made a curse for us, in 
such a manner, that unless he had been truly 
God, he must have remained under the curse 
for ever, from which for our sakes he emerged. 
For indeed, if the obedience of the Son of God 
be figurative and imaginary, so must our hope 
© of glory be” (Beza.) The Spirit. (14.) The 
departure of the Spirit of life and holiness, when 
Adam sinned, left him spiritually dead, and proy- 
ed him -a condemned criminal; the gift of the 
Spirit of life and holiness in Christ Jesus, is the 
source of spiritual life, and the seal of his justi- 
fication. The miraculous or extraordinary gifts 
of the Spirit cannot, therefore, be exclusively 
Meant. 

V. 15—18. The apostle proceeded to ground 
another argument upon the case of Abraham.— 
Speaking of the high concerns of God’s dealing 
with his creatures, after the manner of men’s 
dealing with each other; he reminded the Gala 
tians, that even a covenant between men, when 
fully ratified, could not be disannulled, or have 
any new conditions added to it, without the ex- 
plicit consent of all parties. Now the formal 
ratification of the covenant with Abraham, and 
its express promises to him and his. Seed, took 
place long before the Mosiac law ; and ehotd not 
therefore be altered or disannulled by it. Nei- 


a a aeanannan a 


‘GALATIANS: » 


3. 25. 2 Cor. 1.20.) & 2. 31. Rom: 4s 


Acts} 54,55. 71, 72. Heb. 


of God is manifested ; in this is placed our sal- 


Finally, without 


it in various particulars, econ 


whole system served, because 
‘€ sions,” 


gressions, © till the Seed shor 
whom the promise was made : 3 a 
ordained 4 by engels ein the h 
mediator. 

20 Now fa sandieiy | is not a metile 
of one, & but God is ; 

21 Js ® the law # 
mises of God? i ais 
there had been'a law gin 
have given, life, ¥v 
should have beén by” ‘the laws te rd 

22 But the Scripture hath @ concluded 
all under sin, ® that the promis 
of Jesus Christ might be sia to 
that believe. 

Ne Oberon) 
Joke vg nea & 


eae | 


7. 53- Heb. 2.2.5. {i 2.17. See on, Rom. u 
e Ex. 20. 19—21. &} 3, 4.6. 
24, 1—12. & 34. 27|k 2, 195 21, See 
—35. Ley. 1. &e.| Rom. 3. 20. 

Deut. 5. 23—31. & 
9. 13—20. 25—29. 
& 18. 15-19. Ps. 
106. 23. John 1./17. 


1 Rom 3: 
9. 3). & 1 


1k Te 
im vere 


ther did the Lord include a ie decode 
Abraham in these promises, as so many dist 
kinds of seed: but they were limited to hit 
and jis Seed inthe singular number, which it 
plied that Christ was principally meant, a 
others only as related tohim. (Mare. Ref: 
that the: unbelieving descendants of Jacob 
no more interested in the most valuable > 
mises, than the posterity of Ishmael and Es: 
while all believers, though of Gentile extractit 
being one with Christ, were included in | 
Abrahamic covenant, without ny concern in in 
Mosaic law or the Sinai-covi nant, N 
covenant confirmed with Abraham, in 
of Christ and his salvation, © itilg as 
not given till four hundred and a 
the calling of Abraham, could ‘not sna 5 
the promise should be rendered of none e! 
(Note, Ex. xii. 40, 41.) For if the’ uy i 
of heaven, (which ‘was typified by that 
naan,) had depended ¢ on the law, and 
sonal obedience toit ; it could not have t : 
cured to believers by the promise siviaul 
ham; and the new conditions added to his 
nant would virtually have disannulled 

V. 19—22. If then’the promises 
to Abraham and his Seed, and all & 
him, without any dependence on be’ 
purpose did the law answer, and 
mulgated? To this objection | 
swered, that it was added to pa 
Abraham, and subserved the acc 


ing of Christ; though it made no 
to the manner of a sinner’s 


ccep’ 


Bharani sip ation of 


. 
aS 
A.D. 56. 


ed. 
Lew Dim é 3 
24 Wherefore s the law was ourschool- 
49. 24, 25. &] 18. Rom. 3. 19.&6. Heb. 11. 13. 39, 40. 


62.) 14,15. 1Cor.9.20,21.] 1 Pets 1.11, 12. ° 
& Slr Luke 10. 23, 24.3 ver. 35. & 2. 19. & 


sal idolatry and wickedness, and to pre- 
ye the worship of God among them till the 
ning of Christ: the moral law was useful to 
nyince men of sin, to show them their need of 
repentance, of mercy, and of a Saviour; the 
ceremonial pay thaenee forth the way of ac- 
ceptance and holiness, and believers were thus 


enabled to maintain communion with God, by 
faith in the promised Messiah. Thus it pleased 
Ged, that things should remain, till the coming 
of that Seed of Abraham, to whom especially the 
romises had respect; and the law was promul- 
rs ed, and formed into a national covenant, at 
mount Sinai, by the ministration of angels, and 
by the intervention of Moses as a typical Media. 
i (Notes, Ex. xix. xx. xxiv.) It was, how- 


sver, well known, that a Mediator was not ap. 


30inted to act merely in behalf of one party, in 
uny covenant, but of two atleast: yet only one 
rty inthe Abrahamic covenant was present 
hen the law was given, even God himself. For 
the nation of Israel was not the other contract- 
mg party in that covenant ; unbelievers among 
emyhad no share in the principal blessings of 
t; and all believers in every age and nation were 
,oncerned in it, by virtue of their union with the 
heed to whom the promise was made. So that 
es might mediate another covenant between 
‘and Israel: but he was not authorized to 
Iter or disannul the Abrahamic covenant ; 
vhich therefore continued in force with all be- 
evers, after the giving of the law, exactly as be- 
re. This does not mean, that Christ was not 
esent, as JeHovau, and the great Agent in 
iying of the law : but only that he acted in 
is legislative, and not in his mediatorial charac- 
r, or as representing the whole body of believ 

s. if this then were the case, it might further 
2 inquired, Whether the law was contrary to 
'€ promises of God, and the accomplishment of 
2m to those who lived under that dispensa 

To this the apostle answered, “ God for- 


Be 


nce.” The Sinai covenant was distinct 
the Abrahamic; the moral law, as the 
d of duty, from the Gospel, the founda- 
asinner’s hope; and the shadows of the 
mies, from Christ, the Substance: but 
e not contrary to each other, when pro. 
rstood. Nay, the law in every sense 
he promises, and the performance of 
tob ievers: it was good in itself and for 
urposed by it; but it was never in 
ded to give life to sinners. For if there had 
uch a law given, as could have answered 
ily righteousness, or justification 
a ve been by the law; and the 
lemption by Christ would have 
. But whether the Mosaic dis- 


«let that thought be rejected with ab- 


CHAPTER Itt. 


[ 


‘structed in a m 
As ‘thereto 


A. D. 56. 


master to bring us unto Christ, that we 
might be * justified by faith. 

25 But after that “ faith is come, * we 
are no longer under a school-master. 


4.2, 3. Mat. 5. 17,p Heb, 7. 18,19. & 9..x 4-1—6. Rom. 6. 
10 ashy 13. 38,39.| 2—16. & 10. 1—14.| 14. & 7. 4. Heb. 7. 
Rom. 3. 20—22. &{t See on, 2. 16+ 
7. I—9. 24, 25. &lu ver. 22. 

10. 4. Col. 2. 17. 


1l—19. & 8.3—13. 
& 10. 15—18. . 


pensation, as unconnected with the Gospel; or 
the moral precepts and sanctions, or the ceremo- 
nies; or any other part of the Old Testament 
was duly attended to; its uniform tenour con- 
cluded, or shut up, all men, of every nation or 
character, under sin; under the guilt of their 
actual transgressions, and the power of their 
evil propensities, as in a strong prison, from 
which no law could give them deliverance, This. 
was intended to recommend the Gospel, that the 
promise of pardon, righteousness, liberty, grace, 
and eternal life, by faith in the promised Sa- 
viour, being proposed to men, when shut up, as 
condemned criminals, in a prison, without hope 
or possibility of escape; might be freely per- 
formed to all, who by faith acceded to the pro- 
posal; while all others must be left under the 
condemnation and the power of sin, without 
remedy. (Notes, Rom.i. ii. iii.)—All under sin. 
(22.). The original word is neuter : ¢ All men, 
* and whatever can proceed from man, so that 
* itis more emphatical, than if it had been mas= 
* culine,” (Beza.) 

V. 23—25. Before the great Object and Au- 
thor of faith was come, and the doctrine of faith 
fully declared, the nation of Israel, the visi- 
ble Church, was kept under the. legal dispen-_ 
sation: and, not only were unbelievers shut up 
under the curse of the law, as at other times; 
but even beiievers were held in a state of com- 
parative darkness and bondage. Through the 
promises and ceremonies, they received a mea- 
sure of light and’ encouragement; and thus 
they looked forward to that brighter day whiciz 
was predicted: while the nation at large was 
shut up by the institutions and sanctions of 
the law, and so, restrained from total apostacy, 
till the coming of Christ and the full revelation 
of the doctrine of faith: So that the Church, 
considered as a complex body, was in a state of 
pupilage and minority under the old dispensa- 
tion; and the law served as a pedagogue or tu-.« 
tor, to instruct it in the introductory lessons. of 
religious Knowledge, by many hard tasks and 


burdensome restraints, imposed with much saiu- 


tary severity. This was so ordered, that Christ 
and his salvation might be ret ae welcome ; 
and that the very rigour of the law might bring 
men to him, that they might be justified by faith. 
But when the great Object and doctrine of faith 
were publicly introduced, the Church was no 
longer to continue under a school-master ; but 
was to be admitted to a nobler liberty, and in- 
More open and enlarged manner, 
‘children are glad to be released 
from the confinement and discipline of a school, 
so believers should welcome tiie liberty and pri~ 
vileges of the Gospel : and it was peculiarly ab- 


pened for Christians to be attached to the state of 


a4 
, 
¥ 

* 

= 


Ai Di 56. 


26 For ¥'ye are all the children of 
God by faith in Christ. Jesus. 

27 For 4 as many of you as have been 
baptized into Christ have ® put on Christ, 

28 There is > neither Jew nor Greek, 


Mark 16. 15, 16.) 10.° Luke. 15, 22. 
13. & 20. 17. Rom.| Acts 2. 38¢ & 8.36} Rom. 3. 22. & 13, 
8, 1d—17. 2 Cor. 6.] —38, -& 9 18 &| 14. Eph. 4-24. Col. 
38. Eph. 1. 5. oe 15. 31—33+}. 3. 20. 


YA, 5, 6, Jon 1. 12, 


1. Phil. 2. 15. Heb.| Rom. 6. $,4-1Cor.!b Rom. 1. 16. & 2, 
2. 10—15. 1 John} 12. 13. Cols 210} 9,10. & 3. 29, 30. 
3. 1, 2, Rev. 21. 7.| 128 1 Pet. 5. 21. Re 4, 11, 12. &9. 24, 


z Mat. 28. 19, 20.la Job 29. 14, Is.61.! & 10. 12-15. 1 


confinement, under which the ancient Church 
had been held, and the yoke of the legal dis- 
pensation. This admits of an obvious accom. 
modation to the believer’s experience, and the 
first use of the moral law in bringing men to 
Christ; but the above is the evident scope of the 
apostle’s argument.—* God also fully pardoned 
* the sins of the upright Jews, and freed them 
¢ froth the punishments of the other life; but 
* not by virtue of the blood of bulls and goats, 
© but by virtue of their faith in the Messiah, 
* owned by them to be the Messiah their Right- 
* eousness” (Whitdy.) 

V. 26—29. Even the Gentile converts were 


made at once the children of God, by faith in| 
Christ, and admitted to the full privilege of ‘that 


high relation, by an interest in his atonement and 
righteousness. For as many of them as had been 


baptized, according to Christ's appointment, and 


thus admitted into his Church, if indeed they 


were, what this profession implied, had put on 
Christ as their robe of righteousness. It is ge- 
nerally supposed, that the apostle alludes to the 
custom of baptized persons putting off their old 
garments, and putting on new, clean, or white 
vaiment, after they had been baptized: but it is 
by no means Certain, that this custom prevailed 
atso early 2 period; at least the sacred writers 
Indeed, the connexion of the 


do not mention it. 
twenty-seventh verse, with that which precedes, 
shows, that the faith ia Christ, which was public 


ly professed in baptism, and not the mere out- 
ward administration, whether the baptized person 
had faith or not, was specially intended.—* God 
* now looking on them, there appears nothing 
* but Christ; they are, as it were, covered all 
“over with him, as a man is with the clothes 
“that he hath put on: and hence in the next 


© verse it is said, they are all one in Christ Jesus, 


* as if there were hut that one person.’ (Locke.) 
The learned writer indeed connects this high 
privilege with the profession of the Gospel; but 


it cannot be connected with a hypocritical pro- 


fession—‘ The false apostles might urge, that 


* circumcision was used even from Absaham: 
© but the apostle. answers, that. baptism has suc- 
ceeded to circumcision” 


* effectual for making us the sons of God, as cir- 


“cumcision was under the law? 
We may 4lso add, ‘ and no more.’ 


«s with their mouths make confession to salva- 


tion,” all other distinctions vanish; they‘are 


GALATIANS. . ' 


(Beza.)\— Baptism 
* under the Gospel, as the rite of imitiation, is as 


(Macknight.) 

€Vote, Rom. 
ii. 28, 29.) From the time, when any persons 
«© believe in their hearts unto righteousness ; and 


there is neither: hénid nor | 
neither © male nor female ¢ @ 
all one in Wate irae f 


Cor. 7. 19. Eph. 3.\6 5, 24 
5—10. Col. 3. 11. 
€1Cor. 7. 14. 10.7. : 
d John 10, 16, & 11./f ver: 16. 28. 
52, & 17. 20,23. 1° 22—$1,) 
Cor. 12. 12, Eph. 2.) —12. Rom: 
13—22. & 4. 4+ 15,) 16-24. indy. 
16. 


all members of the ener body 
entitled to all its blessings, without am: 
the Mosaic law. So that if the Galatian 
indeed belong to Christ, by faith and the pa 
pation of his Spirit; they were become 
ritual seed of Abraham, and heirs of 
blessings coven j : 
no need of being p 
or concerned. in the abro, 
The quéstion, concerni 
is not at all affected by the 
this passage: for the same 


which some ‘have attempted to Aric 
ought not to be bai clin prove haere ste 


believing, would also 
salvation, (Mark xvi. 16 apace ii- 7,8) ) 
that the male infants of Israel ought not 
been circumcised. That question must 
termined by arguments ofa bene a r 
nature. 
PRACTICAL, OBSERVATIONS. 
a ne Co Pa 
The faithful preaching of oni Gospe 
bits Christ crucified, as the C 
sinner’s faith, hope, ¢ and sing gr rat ; 
so shows the nature, glory, es! 
his sufferings, from love bilge 2? stories at 
is, as it were, bisa set forth before n 
eyes, as dying upon the cross for their si 
how small a portion of the ” 
tendom answers this dese 
to excite men’s affections’ Nt ce 
Redeemer, needs not be told. A 
infatuated and bewitched men’s mind: 
should so generally turn away from t 
mental doctrine, to listen to met: 
ties, moral harangues, | ‘supersti 
and forms, or enthusiastical r: 
that the god of this world, by various 
who mutually despise each other, hath. 
“men’s eyes, lest the Gospel of 
“Christ should shine into them,” ab 
leatn to trust in a crucified 
“‘ nifested’ in the flesh.” — 
with still greater grief 
folly of, numbers, who have of 
pel most faithfully and pathe 
and yet have at length been fas 
ble deceivers, to refuse ob 
We cannot indeed appeul to m 
ordinary gifts of the Holy 
boldly demand, Where are t! 
rit most evidently brought’ forth 
ho preach justification by the w 


ae: “ike wre 


ec ad bee 
1 don paapene i—3. Christ came to redeem 


vere under the law,-and to give both 
en tiles the adoption of sons, 4—7. The 
how absurd the conduct of the Gala- 


atry by the Gospel, they willingly stub- 


 emaprer ty, 
ua. Ty. of Mae 


under the law, as an heir. un-| 


“he expresses hisfears of them, 8—11. 


in that, after having been. delivered |” 


He ten” 


derly expostulates with them, for becoming 


alienated from him, te whom they had expressed 


the most fervent love ; ascribes this to the influgnee 
of false teachers, and shows the ardour of his souk 
in longing for their salvation, 12—20. He illus- 
trates the subject of the two covenants, by show- 
ingy that the history of Sarah and Hegar was an- 
allegorical representation of them, 21—31. 


A. D. 56, 


pa to the bonvaes of the law : and 


are no more in force: yet are they still replete 
with instruction to believers; though a better 
covenant is made with them, through that great 
Mediator, whom “ all the angels of God wor- 
“ship.” But, as the law of Moses was never 
contrary to the promises of God to Abraham 
and his Seed, but served as a school-master, to 
bring the Church to Christ for justification by 
faith : so it would be most absurd to suppose 
that the holy, just, and good law of God, the 
universal standard of duty, is contrary to the 


se hs CaS the doctrine of faith ? ? ePhey: 
' have begun to fear God, to seek mercy, to 
pray, and to renounce sin under the preaching of 
the Gospel, must be very foolish, if they think to 
make further ‘proficiency by returning to legal 

dependences, or resting on carnal and external 
observances. It is most grievous to see those, 


who aS ne through sharp..convictions, and 
ve | persecutions for attending on the 


‘ospel, afterwards turning aside, and giving 
caine es tear that they have suffered so many 


things yn yain: and indeec y affliction endur-| Gospel of Christ ; as it is in every way subser- - 
‘eu without profit derived fi it, should be con-| vient to it, when properly understood and used. 
‘sidered as a cause for sorrow and humiliation. | If a law was ever given to fallen man, which 


V. 6—14. 

“We should aim to be “ followers of those, 
* who through faith and patience inherit the 

* promises,” and have obtained a good report :) 
and for this end, we should study the Object, 
nature, and effects of Abraham’s faith. They, 
who partake of his faith, shall sutely inherit his 
blessing; and if we can ascertain that this is our 
case, we may be sure of sharing all his privileges. 
‘But who can, in any other way, escape the curse 
of the holy law? Who hath continued in all 
things written in it to do them? Who dares de- 
| mand life on this ground ? ? Let us learn to distin- 
guish accurately in this matter: “ The law is 
/€ not of faith -” every law of God, and every legal 
covenant, must be perfectly distinct from the 
wenant of promise through faith in Jesus 
‘Christ : and af we confound these things, we 
shall find a curse instead of a biessing. The. 
redemption of all, who ever were or shall be 
saved, was paid by the great Surety of the new 
covenant, when he was ‘‘ made a curse for us, 
«< and bare our sins in his own body on the tree :” 
t the sufferings of this holy One of God more 
diy warn sinners to flee from the wrath to 
e, than all the terrors of Sinai, or the curses 
he law itself: for how can it be expected, 
God will spare any man to whom sin is im- 
‘seeing he spared not hisown Son, when 
ns were charged upon him? Yet doth 
ist, at the same time, as from the cross, most 
beseech sinners to take refuge in him; and 
1 accents of the tenderest love, invites even 
‘Gentiles to accept of the blessing of Abra- 
1 to seek for the promise of the Spirit by 
oreo 


could give eternal life, this must be it; and then 
righteousness is by the law : but instead of this, 
it brings in the whole world guilty before God, 
and shuts up every man under sin, without hope 
or remedy from any other quarter than the Gos- 
pel: while the excellency of its precept demon- 
strates the justice of the sinner’s condemnation. 
Here Christ finds transgressors ; and the promise 
| of eternal life is freely given by him to all that 
believe. 


V. 23—29. 

Men in general, even under the dispensation 
of the Gospel, continue shut up as in a dungeon, 
in love with their’chains ; being blinded, intoxi- 
cated, and lulled asleep by satan, through world- 
dy pleasures, interests, and pursuits. But the 
awakened sinner discovers his dreadful condi- 
tion ; and the more he examines, or labours to 
escape, the fuller conviction he receives that he 
cannot effect his own deliverance : then he learns, 
that the mercy and grace of God form his only” 
hope; and, though his measure of doctrinal 
knowledge may be scanty, he is “ shut up to the 
“faith that will shortly be revealed” to him. 
The precepts and sanction of the law urge him 
on to duty, and restrain him from sin, even 
while they discourage him and fill him with ter- 
rors; and thus, by a kind and beneficial severity, 
the law i is made use of by the convincing Spirit, 
to show the sinner his need of Christ, and to 
bring him to rely on his merits, that he may be 
justified by faith. Then he ceases to be under 
the tuition of the law as a school-master, and to 
be alarmed by its terrors, (except as he lives 
beneath his privileges :) yet the precept becomes, » 
by the teaching of the Spirit of Christ, his guide 
in the delightful path of evangelical obedience, 
his beloved rule of duty, and his standard of 
daily self-examination : in this use of it he learns 
es eternal life to every believer :| continually to ‘depend more simply on the Sa- 
cannot be made of none effect. Yet| viour’s merits ; and it puts energy into his pray- 
hink that the Jaw was given in vain: ers, and endears the promises to his soul, Thus 
venant ceremonies have an we become the children of God by faith in Christ, 
being fulfilled in ore rl ap being bees! into him by the gonverting 

: 


“i 


V. 15—22. 
quent transactions, or external altera- 
disannul or add to that covenant, 


A: D. 56. 


OW Tsay, Zhat * the heir, as long 


GALATIANS. 


5 To i redeem them that! ¥ 


as he is a child, differeth nothing) the law, * that we might receive ne a 


froma servant, though he be Lord of all ; 
2 But is under tutors and governors 
until the time appointed of the father. 


3 Even so we, when we were chil-| your hearts,® cry 


dren, were © in bondage under the *ele- 
ments of the worid: 

4 But when ‘the fulness of the time 
was come, © God sent forth his Son, 
f made Sof a: woman, 5 made under the law; 
2 3. 23, 29, Gen PP 8. 20. Heb. 7.} 2. Zech. 6.12. Luke | 


24. 2, 3. 2 Kings} 16. 
30. 2.'& 114 12, a Gen. 29 10. Dan. 
9. 24—26. Mal. 3, 
1. Mark 1. 15. Acts 
1. 7. Eph, 1. 10. 
Heb. 9. 10 
le Is. 48. 16, 17. Zee. 
2. 9-11. John 3. 
16, 17. & 6. 38, 39. 
& 8. 42. & 10.36, 
1 John 4.9, 10. 14, 
f Is. 9.6.7. Mic. 5. 


14. Rom. 1 3. &) 
9. 5. Phil. 2. 6—8. 
2 Tim. 3. 16. Heh. 
2. 14. & 10. 5—2. 
1 John 4, 2. 
e bee 8. 15. Is: 7, 
Jer. 31. 22.1 
Mic. 5.3. Mat. 1. | 
23, Lukel. 31.35. 
& 2. 7. 
h Mat. 3.15. & 5. 


b 3. 19, 24,25. 

¢ ver. 25. 31. & 2.4. 
& 5.1, Mat. 11. 28. 
John 8. 31-36, 
eit 15.10. Rom. 


Fg Or, rudiments. 
ver. 9. Marg. Col. 


grace of the Holy Spirit, we put on Christ, and 
stand accepted in him; and all, who thus belong 
to him, and are one with him, are the children 
of Abraham, and heirs according to the promise. 
But no outward forms or profession can ensure 
these blessings; for “ if any man have not the 
¢* Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” 
NOTES. 

CHAP. TV. V. 1—3. The argument and 
lustration of the preceding chapter are here 
continued. The heir of a large estate, during 
his minority, is excluded from the possession of 
it; and kept in subjeetion to guardians and tu. 
tors, who lay restraints upon him, as if he was a 
servant ; though in fact he is the proprietor of 
fhe whole inheritance: and this continues till 
the time appointed by his father, in bis will, or 
otherwise, for his coming of age, and being put 
ia possession of the estate. Thus the Church 
was held in apparent bondage under the Mosaic 
law, till the coming of Christ, as being in its 
childhood, and under tuition. These observan- 
ces are called ** the elements of this world ;” 
they taught the simplest rudiments of religious 
knowledge, as the alphabet contains the first 
principles of science: and the burdensome ex- 
ternal ceremonies of that dispensation were suit- 
ed to the ideas of worldly men, and in many 
fhings similar to the rites of other nations ; ra- 
ther than adequate means of spiritual worship, 
or adapted to those who were matured in spirit- 
ual judgment and affections. The splendid tem- 
pie, the priests in their sacred vestments, the 
multiplied sacrifices, and religious festivals, and 
other things of the same kind, when their typical’ 
meaning and use were neglected, were greatly 
coincident with the gross apprehensions of car- 
nal men concerning God and his worship. Thus 
unbelievers had always abused them; and even 

. believers were held in comparative darkness and 
bondage, by so many external observances. 
¥. 4—Y. ‘When the fulness of time was ar- 
rived, for the coming of the Messiah, which. God 
had chosen in his purpose, and made known by 
prophecy : and which the state’of the Jewish 
nation, and of mankind in general, showed to be 


2. 10,11 John 1. liver 21. & 3, 136 


tion of sons. 
sent. forth ™ the 


7 Wherefore ot 


vant, P but a son; and 4.9 ‘a son, then ai 
F heir of God through h 


17. Luke 2. 21-27.) 
en 15. 8, Col. 2 


1. Luke 


11. 
ek mA 39. 
fe : 


5k 315, 16 Eph ee, 


Matt. 20. 28 Acts: 1, 13. & 4.3 
y- 28. cdi + ar me chen te 34. & 15.) 
& 5.2. Co). 1. 13— Ae 


peculiarly suitable for the pra a of anew 
and more enlar dispensation : then God set 
forth his own Son, One with him in. the diyin 
nature, to become manifest in the flesh 5 
ing human nature into personal union with 
Deity, by his miraculous conception in the wo: 
of the virgin, that he might be made, or sor 
(as some copies read it,) of a worman, and t 
phatically her Seed. (Gen. iit. 15.) by recei 
his human flesh of her substance. © He ‘ 
* therefore the Son of God, even, yea, 
* in respect of his Deity.” (Beza) reid 
also made under the law, being born of a 
and the reputed Son of a reer and cire 
that so, being under it, as a covenant of worl 
he might, as the Surety of the Church, in ev 
way answer its full demand. ‘was do 
voluntarily, without any previous obligation. — 
the Son of God, he was not bound to be subje 
to any law ; as.a perfeetly holy man, he 
bound to submit to the ceremonial law, 
every thing implied man’s sinfulness. 
was pleased for more than thirty years to t: 
nacle here on earth, in perfect’ mio = 
whole law : and at length to give hi 
spotless sacrifice of infinite value, to r 
ners from the curse of the broken 7 
redeem the Church from the cerem 
which was a kind ‘of bond ‘for | t 
ment by the Surety, of the debt due t 
justice for the sins of those, who 
forgiveness by faith in the promised 
Thus instead of the yoke of cere 
ence, and that vlaviel eg spirit which in’ 
it inspired ; believers received, a 
adoption of children; and had: the fi 
privileges of adults; instead of thet 
rigorous ‘subjection of minors. ~ 
this was the state of Gentile, as 
converts, God had sent forth che 
given through his Son, to quicken; 
fort them, as his beloved children ; 
encouraging them with filial reve dd c 
to call upon him as their Father, of w 
tion they were. “Seeing, therefore, 
hoped that this was the case of the G 


z dl 


mo 


——e. 


2 


God,t yed id service unto them which by 
nature are no gods. 


_ 9 But now, after that * ye have known 
God, or rather * are known of God, y how, 


* again to the weak and beggarly 
is, whereunto ye desire peeen to 
in bondage ? 
0 Ye * observe days, aot sneriths; stil 
times, and years. 
1 I 8am afraid of you, » lest I have 
Piowed upon you Jabour in vain, 
[Practical Observations.] 
12-4. Brethren, I beseech you, © be as 


3 Ex. 5,2. Jer. LA i i Kings 8. 43. 1{¢ Or, rudiments. 
John }- 1 "Che. 28. 9..Ps. 9, 10. "vers 8. Marg. 


ae ra 40. Proy. 2.5. Jer. 31.|z Lev. 23. & 25: 1— 
all Meu: . oe 2,14. Mat} iS. Num, 28. & 29, 
1. 2h. 2 a, 1,! 11, 27. John 17, 3.1 Rom, 14,5. Col, 2. 


LThes.| 1 Cor. 15.34.2 Cor.| 16, 17. 

~ Le 4. 6. Eph. 1, 17./a. ver. 20.2Cor, 11. 
2 Pet. 2. 20. 1 John} 2,3. & 12. 20,21 
b 2.3, & 5.2.4, Is. 


in 3, 1. 
¢ doth. 24. 15. Ps 2.3, 4. & 5. 20. 
415. 4—8. & 135.\x Ex. 33.17. Bs. 1. 49. 4. Acts 16. 6. 

| 1518. Is. 44. 9—]| 6. John 10. 14. 27.) 1 Cor. 15. 58. Phil. 
er. 10. 3—16.] Rom. 8. 29. 1Cor.} 2.16.1 Thes- 3. 5. 

By ‘14. 12—15.'8 3 & 13. 12. 2f 2 Juhn 8 

- & 17. 29. Rom, 1,] Tim. 2: 19, je 2 14. & 6. 14, 

28.25. 1 Cor. 8.) A. Col, 2. 20—23,, Gen. 34.15. 1 Kin. 

& 10. 19, 20. & 12.) Heb. 7. 18. 22. 4. Acts 21, 24. 

2.1 Thes. 1.9. 2 . Or, back. Heb. 10.) 1 Cor. 9. 20—23. 

Pet 4.3. | 38,39. ie} Phil. 3. -7,8- 


‘general, though there might he ‘exceptions, (for 
he addressed them individually,) every person of 
- this character, of whatever country or language, 
was no longer a servant, to worship and obey 
God from slavish fear or mercenary hope ; but a 
child of God, and an heir of heaven through 
' Christ, to. walle with him in ‘love, filial reverence, 
ae. confidence. (Note, Rom, viii 15—17.) 

‘ V. 811. The preceding argument proved, 


; 


the yoke of the ceremonial law, as well as from 
urse of the legal covenant. How absurd then 
| would it be for Gentiles to have recourse to that 
abrogated ; system? The Galatians had formerly 
|; been. ignorant of the one living and true God, 
and had then. performed religious service to mere 
creatures, or imaginary beings, which by nature 
| were not gods; and external observances might 
accord very well to such objects. of worship. 
t, having at length been brought to the know- 
e of God, by their conversion to Christianity ; 
fi rather having been thus known and owned by 
rough the spiritual gifts bestowed on 
how could they think of turning again to 
carnal services as they had forsaken, as if 
us of being i in bondage to them? The Jew- 
ceremonies. were mere rudiments of reli- 
jus knowledge, suited to the childhood of the 
sh: they were, in themselves, weak and in- 


anicating spiritual riches to mankind : af. 
ihe coming: of the Messiah, they !ost all their 
nd obligation; they became as worthless 
€ superstitions of Paganism, and when 
ace of Christ,, they were equally in. 
true religion. In this sense oniy 
tians be said ‘¢ to turn again to 
pecgarly, elements ;” for they 

under the ceremonial Jaw : 


r 
CHAPTER IV. 
then. *“when ye knew not!I am ; for Lamas ye are sa ye have not 
injured me at all. 

“13 Ye know how, e¢ through infirmity 
of the flesh, I preached the gospel vibe 
youfat the first. # 


d 2 Cor. 2,5. 
é 1 Cor. 2. 3.2 Cor. 


gi 
Job 12. 5. Ps, 119.|* Or, 


., 2 Pe 14,17. &| 2. & 15,13. 


-even Jewish converts were redeemed from. 


us, low and poor; and thus incapable of 


14 And my temptation which was in 


my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; 
but received me as © an angel of God, 
evenias Christ Jesus. 


15 * Where is then the blessedness 


ye spake of ? ! for I bear you record, that, 
mif it had been possible, ye would have 
plucked out your own eyes, and have gi- 
yen them io me 


16 Am I therefore " become your ene- 


my, ° because I tell you the truth? 


Mal. 2.7. Heb. Heb. 
15. 2. 

10. 10, & 11.6, 30.}i Mat. 10s 40. & i8, 
& 12. 7—10.. & 13.) 5. & 25. 40. Luke’ 
10. 16.Jehn i3. 20. 
2 Cor. 5.20. 1 Thes. 
2, 13. 


8.3. Co}. 4. 13. 

im ver. 19. Rom. S. 
3. 1 Thes. 2. 8« & 
5.13 i John 3.16 
—18. 

n 3. 1—4._ 1 Kings 
18.17, 18. & 21. 

& 22. 8, 27. 2 Chr. 
24, 20-22. & 25 
16, Pse 141, 5. Prov- 
9. 8. John 7. °7. 
8. 45, 

82 5.14. & 5.7, 


4. 
£1. 6. Acts 16. 6. 
on, ver. 13. 


what was 

141. Ec. 9. 16. Is.\ then, &e. 

53,2, 3. 1 Cor. 1. k 344. & 5. ‘22. & 

ih Bate Thes.| 6. 4.. Luke 8 13. 
Rom. 4, 6—9. & 5. 


19, 27. Zech. 12. 8.|1 Roms 10. 2. 2 Cor. 


but, when delivered from idolatry, they were 
about to substitute the abrogated Jewish cere- 
monial in the place of the heathen superstitions 5 
and to bring themselves into bondage to Ju- 
daizing teachers and pharisaical traditions, after 
having been emancipated from the Pagan priests. 
Their observation of Jewish sabbaths, new-moons, 
festivals, and sabbatical years, had the appear- 


ance of an apostacy to Judaism ; so that the apos~- 


tle was afraid that they wouid totally depart from 


the faith, and that hisdabours for their eternal sal- 


vation would be in vain. Beggarly, &c. (9.} ‘ Thus: 
£ he calls these rites in themselves. and considered. 


© apart from Christ.’ (Beza.) ‘St. Paul calls them 
“weak and beggarly elements,” ‘whereby % 


‘should seem, they were empty of all spiritual 


‘meaning. I answer, such they were become 
“indeed, when Christ was once come ; when the 
grace signified in them was brought out into the 
* light, when the inwrapped promises were unfold- 
‘ edand revealed ; they were then as empty shells, 


‘ and like carcasses whose soul was gone. So long 


«as ashell contains ‘a kernel unseen, so long it 


‘is full; when it comes forth to outward view, 


‘ then the shell is empty, Even so it is with the 
* elemenis of the law? (Mede.) The best illus. 
tration of the absurd conduct, which the apostle 
ascribes to the Galatians, may be found in the 
Church of Rome, in which the worship of saints 
and angels succeeded to that of the inferior dei- 
ties; the superstitious, and often licentious, fes- 
tivals, which were multiplied among them, to 
those that were used in Pagan Rome. In short, 
almost every part of the idolatrous worship of 
Pagan Rome has its counterpart in that of Anti- 


christian Rome; as may be seen by any man,_ 


who will take the pains to compare many passa. 


| ges in Virgil, and other poets, with the rituals of 


the Church of Rome. 


i 


A, D. 56. 


4 


i 


A: D. 56. 


not well: yea, they would exclude t+ you, 
that yé might affect them. 

18 But 9 iz zs good to be zealously af- 
fectedalways in a good /hing’, and not only 
Swhen I am présent with you. 

19 My * little children, t of whom I 


P 6. 12,13. Mat. 23 tq Num. 25, 11—13,)s | Cord. 14, 15.1 
15. Rom. 10° 3 Pe, 69.:9. & 119) Tim 1. 2. Tit li 
16. 18-2 Cor. 11. 2) =. Is. 59.17. John} 4. Philem. 10. 19- 
13—15. Phil. ‘2. 21., 2. 17. Tit. 2+ 14.) Jam. 1. 18.1 John 


2 Pet. 2, 3. 18. Rey. 3. 19. 2.1, 12, 13, .&-5. 

T Or, us. 1 Cor. 4,)¢ ver. 20. Phil. 1. 27,| 21. 

8. 18. & 2. 12. t Num. Jl. 11, 12. 
V. 12—16.. ‘The apostie tempers whatever 


© he might seem to have said more sharply than 
* usual, by an admirable, and therefore no doubt 
* a divine, management ; so declaring his good- 

* will to the Galatians ; that when they read it, 
© unless they were wholly desperate, they could 
* not but acknowledge his lenity with tears.’— 
(Beza.) Being desirous of considering the 
Galatians as his brethren in Christ, he affection- 

ately entreated them to be as he was, as cordial 
in love to him, as he was to them; or rather, of 
ane mind with him respecting justification and 
the Mosaic law: for “he was as they were ;” 
though he had been zealous fur the law, (as they 
were become!) yet he now trusted only in Christ ; 

and put no more confidence in the law, than if 
he had been a Gentile; and he entreated them in 
this to ymitate him; He did not’ charge them 
with having at all injured him, or speak any 
thing out of resentment ; though they had wrong- 

ed themselves in departing from his doctrine, 

They remembered his first coming among them ; 
when his personal infirmities seemed to unfit 
him for preaching the Gospel, or likely to render 
his ministry unacceptable: yet he was enabled 
to proceed, though greatly tried, and tempted 
to discouragement. They had not, however, des. 
pised him on that account, or rejected his testi- 
mony : but seeing that his doctrine was confirm- 

ed by undeniable proofs, and feeling its energy 
on their consciences, they received him, though 
thus infirm and tempted, even as if he had been 
an angel sent from God, or as if Christ himself 
had» come in person to preach to them. (Wore, 
&e. 2 Cor. xii. Z—10.) Doubtless the apostle 
here spake of “his thorn in the flesh ;” which 
must therefore have been some perceivgble infir- 
mity, that exposed him to inward temptations 
and to the-contempt of his’enemies: and indeed 
it is absurd to explain this of his’ persecutions, 
which were no plausible reason why he should 
be despised, but the contrary. What was then 
the felicity of which they spake, as communicat- 
ed by the hope and comforts of the Gospel? Or 
what must now have become of that blessedness, 
that they had recourse to the legal covenant, 

which could only enslave and condemn them? 
Their inward. satisfaction in Christ had at that 
time so inspired them with love to his minister ; 
that he could testify for their willingness even to 
have plucked out their own eyes, and to have 
given them to him) if this could possibly have re. 

moved his infirmities, or conduced to his. benefit. 

And was he so soon become their enemy ? the 
object of their aversion and resentment? [If so, 


GALATIANS. 
17 They zealously affect you, Sud) travail in birth, a 


formed in you; 

20 1 desire’ * to ~ orehbiae 
now, and to change my voice; fo 
f stand in au ‘ 2H 


21.4 Tell me; : 


14. “em, 

Phil. 2. 
& 3. 10, 

& 4. 12: Heb. 5. 7. Be 

Rey, 12. 1,2. 

u Rome 8. 29 & 13. ve a 


Is. 53. Ue cig: 
22 44. Phil. 1. 8 
& 2, 17. Col. 2 L 


it must be because he had 5 ersiste 
them the truth, both in respect. 
salvation, and aa their perilous deviation 
V. 1y—20. The Judaizing teachers 
great attention to the Galatians, and expre 
most zealous affection for them; but din’ 
arise from proper prin es, Nor was it e 
ed in a proper manner, — 
exclude them. from 


manuscripts,) read, a 0 
they wanted to alienate them | 
that they might possess a1 
over them from carnal 


these deceivers, it would be good for 
tians to. be constantly zealous ina. bond 
even for the truth and causé 

ty; and not only while the: - apostle. 
among them, as had been the case with 
them. Some render the clause, “It is’ 
“be zealously affected towards a good. 
(meaning himself,) but this is not in the 
manner, and scarcely reconcileable to. 
mae He would, however, 
his dear children, ina 
imbecility ; and poatre laboured 
ed, in earnestly seeking 
idolatry; so he. might be aid 
“ to travail in birth” for them. | He 
nest for their recovery from 
sion, as he had been for their c 
idolatry ; his heart was even fi 
from his anxiety about them; and 
pangs, like those ofa travailing w 
seemed as if they must nage 
“ was formed in them,” in proo 
had put on Christ-as their robe of 
for their legal observances were ’n 
the genuine holiness and obedience 
lievers, than their legal»d 
the faith of God’s elect. He t 
be With them, that be might = nis | 
change ; and that he might ams is. 
reproof, for those of encot 

mendation, or change his ‘volees, 
cumstances and characters 
could not’so-well be done ij 
stood in doubt of them, or 
he should think of them; w: 
truly converted,’ or not; and 
know what the event: of their 
would be. é ‘ 


Ban 


tinder th SUT aed : 
4, 93 Peds be is written, > that Abraham 
had te the one by a bond-maid, 


e | ae was by promisé. 
Vv Thich things are an allegory: 


ff for th ese are & the two * covenants ; 2 the 
a ie 


ne 


gendereth to bondage, which is i Agar. 

“| 25 For this Agar * is mount ! Sinai 
in ™ Arabia, and } answereth to Jerusa- 
lem which now is, and i is in bondage with 


® her children. 

26 Bat © Jerusalem which is above, is} 
“pint de 
hinlO. 34. do 19, 20. pan » 4{m i. 170 Ants aay 
, . 3. 15—21. » 7, Tr, w in the s 
{ a 5 faba 5 2. & 8. 6-13. & shea with. Rom. 
© 16. 2—4. 15. ay 1524. & 10.15) a T—11. Rev. 11, 
—18, ar 12. 21. & 

“ 13. 20. n * iat, 23. 37, Luke 
170 '15—19.1* Or, testaments, | 13. 34. & 19. 44. 
 0—14. & 21+ Gr. Sina. lo Ps. 87.3—6, Is. 2 

2, 3 & 52.9. & 62, 
1,2. & 65. 18. & 


John} Heb. 11. 19, 5.5. Ps, 68 8.17 


{ff ver. 25, Luke 22.) Heb. 12. 18. 


| “ies 
ac 
ie &18 

a 1S ‘Roni a. 18—21./h 5. Je Rom. 8.15. 


&9. 8,% Heb, 11./i Gen. 16: 3, 4. 8. 
11, 12 | P15, 16. & 21.9—13. 

e Ez, 20. 49. Hos.| & 25. oe Hagar. 
12; 10, Mat. 13. 35.1 ver. 24. 


Mic. 4.1, 2. Phil. 
3. 20. Heb. 12. 22, 


i v. 21—31. As many of the Galatians absurd-| 
ly desired to be under the law of Moses, from a 
_ mistaken interpretation of the Old Testament ; so 
‘the apostle demanded, whether they did not ob- 
‘serve what was written in the law, or in the 
| books of Moses; (Marg. Ref.) for the his. 
tory. of Abraham contained ‘an apt emblem. of 
the two covenants. (Notes, &c. Gen. xvi. XXi.) 
ishmael was born of Hagar, in the ordinary 
ourse of nature, and in consequence of a carnal 
woject : but Isaac was born of Sarah, a free. 
joman, the wife of Abraham, by the miracu- 
lous performance of God’s promise, when she 
was naturally past child bearing. These things 
were intended as an allegory of the Sinai cove- 
nant, and of that made with Abraham in Christ, 
or the benefit of all believers. That part of the 
ation of Israel, which were not interested in 
ne covenant made. with Abraham, by faith, 
were indeed outwardly a part of Abraham’s fa. 
and of the visible Church ; but, like Ishma- 
ey were born in. servitude ; all their obedi- 
as of a slavish nature, and: their privileges 
aedade and casnal: nor could the legal cove. 
t deliver them from this state. For Hagar, 
whose name signifies @ Rock, in the Arabic, ) 
1e'b 2 bond-woman, was the emblem of mount Sinai 
deserts of Arabia, which country was af- 
ds peopled by her descendants, being 
it the boundaries of the promised land,— 
atymountain the law was given ; and there 
covenant was ratified, It therefore cor-} 
Jerusalem and its inhabitants, as 
W worshippers of op in the ordinan- 


ected Christ and the prone: 
aves, and not the children of 


CHAPTER 1V. 
do ye! not hear ® the law ?|P free, which is the'4'ghother of us all. 


a 1Cor, 10. 11. Gr.{] Deut. 33.2 Jude” | 


66. 10. Joel 3, 17, 


a ip * 


27 For it is written, * Rejoice tho 
* barren that bearest not; break forth 
}and cry, thou that thayailest not $ for the 
"desolate hath many more children, than 
‘she which hath an husband.. 

28 Now * we, brethren, as Isaac wasy 
are the children of | romise. 

29 But as then, * he that was born af- 
ter the flesh, persecuted him that was 
born ¥ after the Spirit, 2 even so it zs nows 

30 an evertheless, what saith the scrip- 
ture ? > cast out the bond-woman and 
her son: for ¢ the son of the bond-woman., : 


)shall not be heir with thé son of the frees 


woman. | 
31 So then, brethren, 4 we are not chile 
dren of the. bond-woman, but of the frees 


Rey. 3. 12, & 21.2, 4. 14—16, 2Sam.! Heb. 10, 33, 34. 
10—27, 13. 20. Ise 49. 21,{a 3.8.22. Rome 4b 
Pp ver. 22. & 5. 1) 1 Tim. 5.5. Fabia sania 4s 
John 8. 36. Rom,}u ver. 23. & 3. 29. 

6. 14,18 1 Pet. 2. Acts 3, 25.- Rom. b Gen, 21. 1012» 
16. 4. 13—18. & 9, 8,9.) Rom. 11. 7—11. 

q Cant, 8.1, 2 Is./x Gen. 21. 9, @ Jonn 8. 35, Romi 
50.1, Hos. 2, 2.5,/y John 3.5, Rom] 8. 15—17; 

& 4. 5, Rey. 17. 5.]' 8,1. §. 13. “| 5 1.13 John 1. 


r Is. 54. 1—5,. Z 5. 11. & 6. 12—14.] 12, 13. & 8. 366 
s1 pay 2, 5». Ps Mat. 23.34—37. 1] Heb, 2. 14, 16 2 


113, Thes. 2. 14, 18,; John 3. 1,2. 
t Ruth 1.113. & 


God. But the heavenly Jerusalem, the true 
Church, as coming from above, espoused to 
Christ, and represented by Sarah, i is in a state of 
freedom; and this Church is the mother of all 
true believers, who are born of the Spirit. And 
that this Church should mainly consist of Gen- 
tile converts, had long before been figuratively 
predicted. (Notes, Is. liv.) Believers, therefore, 
whether Jews or Gentiles, like Isaac, were the 
children of promise : they were not only brought 
into the Church, as descended from Abraham, of 
proselyted to an external profession; but they 
were supernaturally. made a part of the true seed 
of Abraham, in virtue of the promise made to 
him, that “in his Seed should all the nations 
of the earth be blessed.” But as Ishmael, a 
slave by birth, and in no wise entitled to thé 
inheritance, had mocked and persecuted Isaac, 
who was miraculously born of Sarah, according? 
to the promise, to be Abraham’s heir; so the 
Jews, who continued voluntarily in bondage un- 
der the legal covenant, at that time persecuted 
the Christians, who were born of the Spirit ag 
Abraham’s seed according to the meaning of 
the Holy Ghost; and to whom alone true liberty 
and the beavenly inheritance belonged: But ag 
the Galatians might read in the Scripture, that 
God himself had commanded Hagar and Ishmael 
to be sent away from Abraham’s family, that the. 
son of the bond-woman might not share the in. 
heritance with Isaac : even so the Jewish nation 
‘would soon be cast out of the Church, and ail 
who continued under the legal covenant would’: 
be excluded from heaven. if then the exclusive 
y| privileges of all believers were such by the coves 
nant of grace; what an absurdity was it for the. 
Gentile converts to desire to be under the Jaw, 


‘which could not deliver the unbelieving Jews 


2N 


% 
if 


a asl 


A. D. 56. 


ei GHAP. V. 

The apostle exhorts the Galatians to stand fast in 
their Christian liberty : and shows that, by being 
eircumeised, they would’ in fact renounce Christ, 
1—6. He disclaims preaching circumcision him- 
self, and condemns it in in others, 7—12. He cau- 
tions them not to abuse their liberty, but by love 
to serve one another ; for love is the fulfilling of 


from bondage and condemnation! We should 
not have discovered this allegory in the history 
of Sarah and Hagar, if the apostle had not shown 
it to us; and much sobriety and discretion 
should be used in thus.applying Seriptural nar- 


. fations: yet this transaction was so remarkable, 


the coincidence so exact, and the illustration so 
instructive; that we cannot doubt but it origin- 


‘ally was ne by the Holy Spirit, as an alle- 


gory and type of those things, to which the in- 
spired apostle referred it: and, it should be ob« 
served, that it was intended, as an illustration of 
the subject under consideration, rather than as 
a direct argument. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vy. 1—11. 

While we are thankful for deliverance from 
s¢ the elements of this world,” by the light, liber- 
ty, and privileges, of the Gospel; we should 
cheerfully submitto the restraints and correc- 
tions of our heavenly Father, in this our state of 
education for perfect. felicity; and patiently 
wait the time appointed by him for our admis- 
stonto it: and we ought to delight in the easy 
yoke of our Redeemer, whose service is perfect 
freedom. For whocan enough admire the con- 
descending compassion of the Son of God, in * be- 
*« ing born of a woman, and made under the 
law,” that by obedience. unto the death upon 


the cross, he might redeem us wretched rebels 


from every fatal curse, galling yoke, and slavish 
terror: that so we might receive the adoption of 
children; and the Spirit of adoption, embolden- 
ing us to worship God as our Father, to walk 
with him in holy communion, and to rejoice in 
the hépe of his everlasting felicity! May we, 
by this filial temper and conduct, at all times 
evince our adoption; and may “ the Holy Spirit 
«thus witness witli our spirit, that we are the 
« children and heirs of God ! Once we knew not 
God; and though outward circumstances Kept 
most of us from gross idolatry; yet we idolized 
the world, and sought our happiness fromit If 
then we now so know God in Christ, as to re- 
verence, love, trust in, and obey him ;- it is the 
effect of his knowledze of us as the objects of his 
choice, and ow7ine us as ransomed by the blood 
of his Son. What then have we to do any more 
with worldly idols? What occasion for super- 
stitions and human inventions, as if we desired to 
be still inbondage? Surely all those things must 
be weak and beggarly elements, which God hath 
no where required of us! And though Christians 
may ‘ obserye a day to the Lord ;” yet, an evi- 
dent attachment to such things, may well induce 
a fear concerning men’s spiritual state: and it 
should always be remembered, that if ministers 
jose their faithful labours, their hearers lose 


a 


GALATIANS. 


the law, 13—-15.. Exhorting 
the Spirit,” he shows the conflic 
flesh and the Spirit, 16—18. He 
works of the flesh, and the fruits of the Spir 
—23. He shows that true Christians have er 
the flesh’; again them to walk in : 
rif, and warns -vain-glory a 
24—26. a oh 


their precious souls. | : 
shipping what by nature és no | 
the worship of saints and 
to heathenism ; and ever 
worship rendered to Chr 
he is by nature « God over all, 
* more.” Sse 
Ve 123028 Fee 
Ministers ought, as much as possible, to: 
their personal complaints against the pe 
and to show more fear lest they should 
themselves; than lést they should behave 
to them. It behooves us, whi 
selves unkindly treated, to reco 
ces in which we experienced 
affection of our hearers; and 
looked those infirmities, which w 
have occasioned the rejection of our m 
We may also remind them, when they 
about to turn aside, of those tender and 
seasons, when,they welcomed the messag: 
livered by such poor worms, as if an angel, 
even Christ himself, had spoken’ to them; : 
when their hearts weretso full of blessedne 
that they scarcely knew how sufficiently t ; 
press their gratitude to the istruments of thi 
hopes and consolations. Contrasting these b 
py seasons, with that coldness and ‘isaffe 
which sometimes follow, without any 
reason ; we may with efficacy inquire, W: 
become of their blessedness? And w! 
be looked on as enemies, because we tell the 
the truth? Alas! this is often the case, not o 
with mere professors, but eyen with mis 
believers ; when for a time they are sed 
those, who zealously affect them; but not 
who would alienate them their fai 
tors, to attach them to themseli 
would even hazard their souls, to prc 
own credit or that of their sect. At 
their most affectionate warnings and 
arguments, often give offence, — 
alienation. -This is a most trying situs 
the faithful a ae 4 ‘cease to 
for, and long after, his deluded childr 
Though he could bear to lose their 
he cannot be willing that they should 
souls: he must remind them that 
affections should be towards mi 
good, than new notions and new ers; 
the sight of God, and not merely in he p 
of their ministers, ‘Thus many 
mentally the apostle’s’ meaning, 
« that he travailed in. birth again, 
al children, till * Christ was fe 
asthe anguish on account ¢ 
had hoped were converted, is g 
earnestness for their conversion 
ers and endeavours are more fe 


euhoreh v ALD. 56. 


Pg Christ ® is become of no effect unto” 
you, whosoever of you are ‘ justified by 
the law ; * ye are fallen from grace. 

5 For we! through the Spirit = wait 
for = the hope of righteousness by faith. 

6 For®in Jesus Christ neither cir- 
cumcision availeth any thing, nor uncir- 
cumcision ; but P faith which worketh by 
love. - 


with Christ hath made us 
te poet aera with 


ag. 

‘testify again-to every man 
circumcised, that he is € a debtor 
whole law. 


26. Mat. 23. 16. 13, 
| Gr. Jam, 2. 10, 11. 
. >} b ver. 2 & 2. 21. 


. Je, a 8. 22. 
Rom. 9. 31, 32. & 


kg rel: 18 Ps. 
aoe oe eee 


1 Cor. 718. Cal 3 Bi 


22. & 3. Ws 18} Tit. 2.13. 
Bey. 2. 5. 


NOTES. 

CHAP. Y. ¥. 1—6.° As Christ had called 
the Galatians by his Gospel, to partake of full 
liberty from condemnation and from the cere- 
monial law, as weil as from sin and satan: so 
the apostle exhorted them to stand fast in that 
liberty, whatever efforts were used to deprive 
them of it ; and not tosuffer the Judaizing teach- 
ets to entangle them in a yoke of bondage under 
the ceremonial law; which would reduce them 
again into as abject a slavery, as that of their 
ntile state. For he, Paul, though single, ‘and 
opposed te many confident teachers who main- 
tained the contrary, most decidedly and solema- 
ly assured them, that if they submitted to cir- 
cumcision, aS necessary to justification, they 
would derive no benefit from Christ and his co- 
venant; or from his righteousness, atonement, 
and mediation: and he again testified to every © 
individual among them, whe should be circum- 
cised from such motives, that he became a debt- 
or to keep the whole law of God, and liable to 
condemnation for évery failure in his obedience 
to it. Perhaps some taught them, that the most 
burdensome parts of the law were not obligatory 
on prosejytes, who lived at a distance from Je- 
rusalem. And certainly Christ would not benefit 
that man, who brought himself under this obli- 
gation, by seeking to be justified on account of 
his own obedience ¢o the law: as that attempt 
was in fact, a resunciation of the doctrine of 
grace, a forfeiture of every hope of benefit from 
the mercy and free favour of God, and a kind of 
voluntary divorcing himself from Christ. For 
circumcision, in such circumstances, would be a 
deliberate renunciation of the covenant of Christ 
for that of the law: whereas all true Christians, 
whether Jews or Gentiles, being taught by the 
Holy Spirit, waited for eternal life, the proper 
reward of righteousness, and the object 5f their 
hope, as the gift of God by faith in Christ; and a 
not for the sake of their own works ia any de> > 
gree. They not only deemed themséves par- 
doned and justified by faith in Christ, in Tespect 
of the past and present: but they had the same . 
expectation fur the future, and waited for the 
day of judgment, expecting to be accounted 


‘ ted taily is so sure a proof of a sinner’s 
justification, as “ Christ formed in him” by the 
renewal of the Holy Spirit: nor can this be 
: hoped for, while men depend on the law for ac- 
ceptance with God. The faithful minister de- 
sires to change his voice of reproof, for that of 
| commendation; and not only to instruct, but to 
speak* tly of those, concerning whom he 
, Stands in Seale; and who therefore certainly 
| aught to stand in doubt of themselves. 
Vv. 21—31. 

| "They, who desire to be under the law, should 

hear what the law says to them: and this would 


and types instruct us; but the plaimest ta oaape 
imaginable declares the two covenants, that 
m Sinai and that of Christ, to be perfectly dis- 
tinct, and even of opposite tendency, to those 
who now are under them. ‘Chey, who are born 
of the flesh, whether of Jewish or Christian pa- 
\rents, and who have only a legal dependence on 
Seca baptism, or any personal obedience 
x ver, or even on creeds, or sects, or na- 
; churches, however excellent, are und r 

covenant of works, mere Ishmaelites, bond- 
aves, citizens of the earthly Jerusalem, and 
condemnation. But they, who “ are born 
of the Spirit” and so believe in Christ, trust- 
only in his merits and grace, are the chil 
gren of the promise, and of the heavenly Jerusa- 
hoe true liberty, and are the beirs 
erlasting felicity. Millions have already 
‘thus born of God in the Gentile world, 
once lay desolate: and we should pray, 
ch places as still continue barren, may 
produce More converts, than haye yet 
le in the most flourishing Churches.— 
We are the children of promise, and 
the inheritance ; we need not eee 


Pam and, by an evangelic- 
Se She! obedience, let us show 


Pi 
4 . yo 


that “faith which worketh by love,” and obey-| sinners, his disregard to the ritual law 


AD. s6. GALATIANS. 


7 Ye didavun well; who did * hin-; minded: = but he that troub 
der you, that ye should not * obey the/y bear Azs judgment, 2 whosoever 
truth ? : 11 And I, br isi 

8 This persuasion cometh not of *him| circumcision, »-why do I yet suffe 


that calleth you. |cution ? then is ¢ the offence of 10 

9 A tlittle leaven leaveneth the whole} ceased. Vea arith of Or ae 

lump. "12 I would they were even 4 cut ¢ 

1@ I have confidence in you through} which trouble yous 9 ‘a 

the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise _ [Practical Observations.) id 
: x1.7.&2, 4. & 3.jz 2. 6. 2 Cor. 5, | 


q Mat. 13.21.1 Cor} Thes. 1. 8. Heb. 5, 
9.24 Heb, 121. | 9&1. 8. 1 Pet, 

® Or, drive you buck?) 2. 22. 

41. s See an, 1-6. 

vy Acts 6 7% BRom.!t Mat. 13. 33. & 16. 
2.8. & 6.17. & 10.) 6—12, Mark 8,15 
16. & 15.18. & 16.) Luke 12.1. & 13, 
26, 2Cor. 10.5. 2 


21.1 Cor. 5.6,7.&) 1. & 4.17. & 6.12,la 2. 3. Acts 16,3: 
15. 33. 2 Tim. 2.] 13.17. Acts 15, 1,/b 4, 29. &6, 12, 17.]) 
17. ] 2.24, 1 John 2. 18] Aets 21. 21, 98, 

w 4, 11./20.. 2 Cor. —26. 22. 21, 22. & 28. 13) 
We 15. & 2 80 Be 7. y vor. 12.1 Cor. 8.1 14.°1 Corsé 1S. 30.) 
16. & 8.22.2 Thes.} 5. 2 Cer. 2. 6. & 
.3. 4. Philem. 21. 


nT —--— — 
righteous only by faith in Christ, and thus en-|aside from this obedience of faith an dove, 
titled to the heavenly inheritance. For, accord-|ceremonial observances and~ legal prine le 
ing to the new covenant, and in respect of those} But who were they, that had thus driven the 
who were members of the Christian Church, nei | back from the way of Christ into these new a 
ther circumcision nor Uncircumcision were of| unauthorized paths? (or, come across them | 
any avail: the Jewish convert might observe the) the course, and turned them out of it.) 
legal ceremonies, or he might assert his liberty | persuasion of the necessity of eit ; 
from them; the Gentile might utterly disrégard | tainly did not come from the apostle, 
them, or from motives of expediency he might} called them to the grace of Christ ; nor 
‘be circumcised, as Timothy had been, and pay|from the Holy Spirit, the Agent in the sinte 
some attention to them; provided he did not|conversion. In fact, a few Judaizers had ere 
count them obligatory on his conscience, orjin among them, who, being infected with pri 
place any dependence on them. But these things | bigotry, and enmity to the pare Gospel of Chri 
were of no avail in Christ Jesus. True faith alone|had leaverzed them also with a similar spir 
received the Saviour, and interested the believer |its baleful influence was rapidly diffusing’ its 
in his whole salvation: and this living and justi-| through all their Churches, and would have t 
fying faith was distinguished from a dead faith, | fatal effects, unless counteracted. Yet, (notw 
by being an operative active principle; and es-|standing his fears concerning them,) reflect 
ecially as it always showed its energy in the}on the manner in which they had received 
eart, by love to Christ, his cause, and his peo.| doctrine, and trusting in the Lord Jesus, het 
ple; by love to God and to man for his sake :|a confidence in them, that they would reco\ 
and this never failed to produce its correspond.| from the temporary fascination, and become 
ent effect on a person’s conduct. By this view |tirely of his judgment on the subject.’ Then 
of the subject, a simple dependence on the right. | ringleader of the defection, or any other pe 
eousness and atonement of Christ, and an evan-|who had perverted them, (of whatever imp 
gelical obedience to his commandments, are at} ance he had seemed to be,) would be justly cl 
once secured: and the fruits of that love, by| sured by them, and bear that condemnation ff 
which faith worketh, will be adduced at the day | them which he deserved ; as assuredly he we 
of judgment, as evidences to prove believers en-| from God, unless he were brought to repentan 
titled to the heavenly inheritance. (Mazz. xxv.|Indeed, it had been craftily and maliciously 
31—46.) After what the apostle had before |sinuated, that the apostle Rimselfaftes f 
gaid, (2—4.) this conclusion fully proves, that}ney to Jerusalem, and his conference with 
he did not oppose the observance of the ceremo-| other apostles, on some occasions preached 
nigh law, ag evil in itself: but as their legal de-|necessity of circumcision, when it tended 
pendence on it was wholly incompatible with the | crease his influence ; (and for this c: 
Method of justification revealed in the Gospel. | allowance to men’s prejudices when it cc 
$ itis to be noted, that circumcision is here to|safely done, and the circumcision of Timo 
# be considered, partly from the circumstances | might give the handle:) but if this had 
# of the times, (when it had ceased to be the |his practice, why did he every where 
#€ geal of the righteousness of faith,” ‘as by bap-|such furious persecution from the Je 
¢ tism it was abolished ;) and partly from the | that case, the offence of the cross of C 
€ sentiments of these adversaries, who were de-jhave in a great measure ceased. Ha 
# sirotis to connect it with Christ, as if some |lyted the Gentiles to the Mosaic law, 
9 part.of salvation resided in it” (Beza.) justification by it; the Jews would 
V. %—12. When the Gospel had first been|nived at his regard to Jesus of Nazi 
gsceived by the Galatians, they seemed in a very | gratified in their self-preference, and 
pomjsing manner to run the. race set before | creasing number of those who obse 
them ; professing, and apparently exereising,} But his preaching Christ as th 


a 1) 
i 
oes 


ing Christ from evangelical principles. But/trine of justification, which left all unbe 
they were now evidently hindered, and turned | under condemnation without distinction, @ 


ren, © ye have been, 
ty 5 ; fonly use not liberty 
o the flesh, & but by love 


DO i" rast 
‘Bu t kif ye bite and devour one an- 
e heed that ye oa 94 consumed 


| ‘another. 


1.) CE 19. & 13. 4—7- 2k ver. 26. 2 Sam. 2, 
$1. Ise 61. 1.| Cor. 4.5. & 12 As. 
Thes. 1. '3. 21. & 11. 5—9. 13. 


hb Mat. ‘ 
2.1 Pet‘ 18, }: 
Jude’ srt Rom. 13. 8—10. I See on, S, 1% 
g ver. 14. 22. 48 an 3 8—I11. fs 7. 29. x 


. 25. & 6. 
Rom. 8. 1. 4, 5: 13, 
14. 1 Pet. 1. 22. & 
4. 6. Jude 19—21. 


Mark 12, 31. 33. 


10. 27—37. 


| Luke 
(15. 2 1Gor. 9.11 Tim. 1.5. 
——— 
guccess among the Gentiles, every where exas- 
perated the Jews against him. As then this in 
nati ‘was notoriously false ; so he ardently 
wished, that the persons who thus troubled them, 
== such manifest deceits for that pur- 


were cut off by excommunication from their 


and so kept from doing them any fur- 


mischief. (Marg.Ref.) But why did he 
command the Galatians to excommunicate 


m, 2s -he had required the Corinthians to de- 


iver the incestuous person to satan, &c.? It is 
arobable, because the infection had spread so 
in the Churches of Galatia ; and so very 
any were concerned, in some degree ; that 
re was little prospect, except by the interven- 
ion of miracles, that such a command would be 
beyed. The apostle therefore pointed out to them 
r duty, and waited for a more favourable op- 
nity of exertising the needful discipline. 
¥. 13—15. The Galatians had been called 
liberty, and ought not to endure those who 
anted to bring them into bondage: only let 
m_ be careful not to run into licentiousness, 
to take occasion from their liberty to indulge 
inclinations of corrupt nature. “ Faith 
working by love” would indeed, as far as it 
d influence, lead them to serve and worship 
od as his children: and love to their brethren 
toall men, for Christ’s sake, and after his 
amp to make them willing servants 


rr indulgence, to promote 
ei hen. as far asin their power; without 
> any one harm, in his person, connexions, 
erty, reputation, or peace of mind. For the 
moral law contained no more, in all its re- 
ments, than was implied in that “ love,” by 


ityto one another was summed up in 
precept of “ loving their neighbours 


, though they were delivered from 
covenant. But if, on the contrary, 


e ' , 
CHAPTER V. 
Spirit, 2 and * ye shall not fulfil the lust 
of the flesh. 


‘This \1 say then, = Walk in the 


th worked : especially the whole of 


ft D.56. 


17 For ° the flesh lusteth against the 


spirit, and the spirit against the flesh = 


|p and these are contrary the one to the 
Jother ; 4 so that ye cannot do the things 
that ye would. 
18 But ¥ if ye be led by the Spirit, * ye 
are not under the law. 
[Practical Observations.) 
Ec. 7-20. Is. 6. 5 


Mat. 16, 17. 23. & 
26, 41. John 3. 6. 


23. Phil. 3. 12—16. 
Jam. 3. 2 1 John 
le ie. 


+ 5—10. ae & 8, 5. 13. Jam. 4 

& 2. 1. 5, 6. & 143 

2 john 2. 15|p 3. 21, Mat. 12,0, a} 
Rom 7.7, 8. 10— 


"ec 


- B10. ‘Prov. 


14. & 8. 5—8. q 
q Ps. 119. 4—6. & 2 Tim. 1. 7.1 Joba 
130. 3. Mat. 5. 6.} 2. 20. 27, 

Luke 22. 33. 46. 54/s 4. 5. Roms 6. i¢, 
—61. Rom. 7. 15—| 15. 


» Sulfil not. 

19. 12, 13. & 

1—5. 10—12. 
65. 3. & 119. 5. 
ta, 25. 32. 35. 

. 133. 159. 176. 


dividing into parties and quarrelling with each 
other, as if they would bite and devour one an- 
other: they might expect to be left by the God 
of peace and love, to be the instruments of each 
other’s present misery or future destruction. 

V. 16—18. To prevent the ruinous conse- 
quences of contentions, to themselves and to the 
Churches among them; the apostle called on 
them ‘to walk in,” or dy “ the Spirit ;” accord- 
ing to his holy guidance, in dependence on his 
influences, and with constant prayer for them: 
this would effectually prevent them from fulfill. 
ing the lusts or desires of the flesh, or that evil 
nature with which they were born. ‘ Accordin 
© to his manner, the apostle calls that part ofa 

an “ the spirit’ which is newly quickened 

y the Holy Spirit, which is dead unto sin, 
* and alive unto God; and, “ the fiesh,” what- 
* ever in man is not renewed by grace, through 
‘ Christ, as apprehended by faith. He here 
* justly adds, that in the same regenerate man 
‘ is both flesh and spirit; the conflict between 
* which, is copiously shown in the seventh chap. 
* ter of Romans.” (Beza.) For the jesh, the 
old man, lusteth in direct opposition to the des 
sires of the new nature, in the regenerate, as well 
as to the dictates of the Holy Spirit: and the 
spirit, in both senses, opposeth the corrupt de. 
sires of the flesh, by holy affections and inclina. 
tions. These are therefore directly opposite to 
each other : so that believers “ do not the things 
“ which they would,” (according to the most 
literal meaning of the words.) They are not, so 
holy as they long to be ; nor yet, though at liber- 
ty from the covenant of "works, do they indulge 
those corrupt inclinations, hick still rise up in 
their hearts, and cause them much trouble and 
uneasiness. Thus they are engaged in a perpetu- 
al conflict; in which they earnestly desire that 
grace may obtain a complete.and speedy victory. 


.| And they, who thus give themselves up to be led 


by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law, nor 
exposed to its awful curse for every failure in 
their -obedience: while their hatred of sin, and 


desires after holiness, according te the perfect 


swe = 


A. D. $6. 

19 Now tthe works of the flesh are 
manifest, which are these; " adultery, 
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

20 Idolatry, x witchcraft, hatred, vari- 
ance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, 
y heresies, 

21 Envyings, murders, 7 drunkenness, 
® revellings, and such like: of the which 
I tell you before, as I have also told you 


@ wer. 13.17. & 6 Cor. 12. 20, 2h! 14. 2 Chr. 33. 6: 
3. Ps. 17.1. John} Eph. 4, 17-—19. &1 Acts 8.9—11, Be 16. 
3.6. Rom. 7.5.18.4 5.8, 4. Col. 3. 5 16—19. 


25. & &. 3. 5,9, 13.) 8. 1 Tim. 1. 9, 10.]y 1 Cor. 11. 19, Tit. 
1Core 3e3- 1 Pets! Tit-3.3. Jam.3.14,| 3, 10. 2 Pet. 2. 1. 
4.2. . 15. 1 Pet. 4. 4, 5.[%2 Deut. 21. 20- Luke 


21. 34. ‘Rom. 13. 
13. 1Cor. 5, 11e & 
6.10. Eph, 5. 18 
1 Thes. 5. 7. 
2 1 Pet. 4. 3. 


6—15. ee 21. 8. & 22. 
Mat. 15+ 18, 19. 

Mark 7. 21—23.x ‘ie. 22,19. Deut. 
Rom. 1. 21—32.° 1) 18, 10. 1 Sam, 15. 
Cores 6. 9, 10. a 23. 1Chr. 10. 13, 


rule of God’s commandments, is the evidence 
that they are interested in the salvation of the 
Gospel... (Notes, Rom. vii. 7—25. viii. 1—17. 
Marg. Ref.) The apostle, in the Scriptures re- 
ferred. to, says, ** AS many as are led by the Spi- 
¢ rit of God, they are the sons of God.” Here 
he says, ‘‘ If ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not 
« under the law.” Hence it follows, that they 
who are not under the'law, are the sons of God. 
© Ye will not gratify the lusts of your animal na- 
¢ ture; particularly ye will not gratify the sine 
© ful passions of envy, malice, anger, revenge.’— 
( Macknight_) Do these belong to the animal 
nature? Is the devil then an animal ?—In fact 
all sin has its source and seat in the soul, and 
the body, ¢ven in gross sensual indulgences, is 
only the instrument of unrighteousness -to sin.— 
(Marg: Ref.) So strangely do many learned 
men mistake and misinterpret the eaves 
of Scripture on this subject ! 

_V. 19-21. . The difference, between the flesh 
and the Spirit, might be known by their contrary 
effects. The works of the flesh must be manifest 
to every one, who considered the conduct of un- 
converted men, and the state of the world in 
general. Several of the sins here’specified, as 
«the works of the fiesh,” have no connexion 
with the bodily#appetites: which proves, that 
we are not to understand, by * fiesh and spirit,” 
the animal part of man, as distinguished from 
the intellectual ; but the whole of our fallen na- 
ture, as opposed te. the new mature communicated 
by regeneration, and the gracious influence of 
the Holy Spirit acting upon it. It is not requi- 
site to consider every particular in this catalegue: 
a few may require obsérvation. . Idolatry is a 
« work of the flesh ;” as it-springs from man’s 
carnal enmity to the holy character, worship, and 
service of God; in the stead of whom he deifies 
imaginary beings more congenial to himself, and 
worships them in a manner more suited to his 
pride and lusts. Witchcraft, (implying all kinds 
of sorcery, charms, divinations, incantations, for- 
tune-telling, and attempted, real, or pretended, 
intercourse with evil spirits,) is a work of the 
flesh, as it results from man’s carnal dislike of 
submission to God, and dependence on him, and 
a desire of seeking help and information from 
otker quarters : 


septa be hy 


by both these, men virtually | hymns, oblations, and libations. 


joy, peace, 

goodness, & 
23 Meekness, fy 

such there is no 


* 

b Is. 3. 11, Rom. 2.) 9. hil. 1. 

8,9. & 8. 13, 1) 1.10.) 1) 
Cor. 6.9, 10. Eph.jd ver. 13. 
5. 5,6. Col. 3. 6.| 2-5. & 
Rev. 21. 27. 7 
¢ ver. 16—18. Ps. 1.) 4—7. Ep! 
3.& 92. 14.Hos, 14,] 32. & 5. 
8. Matt. 12. = 4. 4—9. 
Luke 8. 14,15. & 
13.9. John is. 2, 10: & 
5.15, Rom, 6. 22.) Til 
& 7. 4, Eph. 5. 9. 


worship the devil. Emulations or «zeal, i! 
in this cannexion to signify that ambition of 
eminence and thirst’ for glo which excite m 
to vie with one another, — spi 
after distinction, according to the: 
objects.and pursuits. Poets, orators, 
philosophevs, moralists, and all mea wh 
attend to the Bible, deem this the noblest ; 
ple of human activity > yet it springs fro 
mingled pride and selfishness, and is nearly 
toenvy. When the object of emulation 
its effects are dreadful: when the o 
the glory of maa is sacrilegiously subst! 
the place of the glory of het and *th 
for human applause has c 

violations of the law of love, 7 salve 
desolate the earth, than even the gros 
suality ever did.— Heresies ave called works of t 
flesh : pride, ambition, avarice, or other ca 
affections, induce men to pervert the tru 
God’s words; and, espousing some p ic 
error, to seek distinction” by propagating 
Hence arise contentions, separations, + 
most fatal effects to individuals and to the € 
These were therefore joined by the apo 
adulteries ; unnatural, and worse the 
lusts; drunkenness, envy, revellings, 
and even’ murders, as equally the r 
carnal heart, and marks of unrégeneracy 
more he might have mentioned : but 
such like would, without repentance 
fruits, certainly exclude men from he 
the apostle had formerly declared’ to th 
now again forewarned them, The 
lated witchcrafts, is by some rendered ; 
as if the apostle in this compendium w 
to distinguish one kind of murder | 
when the difference did not at alla 
or degree of the crime. © “* Witch 
the name used in the original, from 
compositions of certain ingredients, 
tended these diabolical pract 

were such feasts, as were” 
music and dancing, and whatever could 
hilarity. The Greeks and Romans had an 
givary god, called Comus, (from the Gre 
here used,) who was supposed to | 
them, and was in that character wo! 


_ 24 And.» they, that are Christ’s, have 
i cru A cified the flesh with the * affections 
ate 

bd 1S eed fae 
ee ge | 


Bs 9. ver. 16—18. & 3 


14. 1 Pet. 2. Li. 


15.] 20. & 6.14. Rom.|* Or, passions, 


10,7 16. 6. & 813. & 13, 


7, 22—26. The holy dispositions and’ affec- 
and the conduct resulting from them, are 
9 much the works of the believer, as “ the 
puit of the Spirit,” dwelling in the new nature, 
ad working by it, which he hath produced by 
rereneration. Love of God and man, of the 
Saviour, his people, and ali men for his sake, 
and according to his command nd example; a 
joyful frame of mind in the salvation and service 
‘of the Lord; a peaceful conscience, and a sub. 
missive will, leading to a peaceful conduct to- 
wards man; a disposition to bear injuries and 
affronts without seeking revenge, or expressing 
resentment ; a mild, unassuming, inoffensive de- 
‘portment, united with beneficence and. philan- 
wropy.; truth, sincerity, fidelity, and integrity to 
man, springing from faith in God, and faithful. 
ness to him; a humble, teachable, unambitious 
temper and demeanour ; and an evident modera- 
tion about earthly objects, and in. respect of every 
animal indulgence: these, and such like, are 
the fruits of the Spirit” and against them 
‘there is nolaw; for they are exactly what the 
moral law requires.. (JVotes, 1 or. xiii.) So 


that obedience to the law as arule, and as writ- 


ten in the heart by the Holy Spirit, with delight 
) and satisfaction, and earnest desires after more 
| exact conformity to it, is the apostolical evidence 


| of deliverance from the law as a covenant of 


| works ; and they, who really belong to Christ, 
as justified believers, have actually crucified the 
' flesh, with all its corrupt affections and rebellious 
inclinations. The carnal nature, the old man, is 
‘dethroned, condemned, hated, opposed, weak- 
‘ened, and wounded: his-death is determined, 
though the execution be lingering, and only to 
be effected by a continued course of self-denial ; 
| and though he still struggles for life, liberty, and 


even victory ; which perpetuates the believer's 
conflict, and prevents his complete holiness, 


says the apostle, if we live in, or dy, the 
) Spirit, as regenerate persons ; “let us also walk 
| an the Spirit,” and order our daily conversation 
/according to his holy influence, and in depen- 

lence on his guidance : especially in mortifying 
carnal desires of vain-glory and human ap- 
, and refraining from whatever may tend 
asperate the minds of other men; or mani- 
mvy of their gifts, reputation, orprosperity. 
dy, a8 Meaning the animal nature, must be 
under and brought into subjection,” by 
discipline, as a child: but the flesh must 
ified, as an enemy and malefactor, which 
doomed pag epria le destruction. (Vote, 1 

; TICAL OBSERVATIONS. 


are struggling for personal an 


Pee? bby noe 


CHAPTER V. 


“) Pet. 4. 6, Rev.11.11.} 3. 7, Phil. 2. 1-3. 


ey Jy. 1—12. f wf! 


\ A. De $6. 
(25 If we live inthe Spirit, ! let us al- 


so walk in the Spirit. : 
26 Let us not be ™ desirous of vain- 


| glory, 8 provoking one another, envying 


one another. 


k John 6, 63. Rom. 1 See on, ‘ver. 16.| Jam. 4. 16, ” 
8.2.10, 1 Cor. 15.) Rom. 8. 4, 5. See on, vers 15. 


45.2 Cor. 3. 6. 1jm Luke 14.10.1Cor.| Jam, 3, 14—16. 2 
Pet. 5. 5. ; 


greatest of earthly blessings; let us aspire after, 
and stand fast in, the liberty, which Christ be- 
stows: that, walking before God with the hum 
ble and obedient confidence of children; we may 
steadfastly reject every yoke of bondage, with 
which satan or his ministers may attempt to en- 
tangle us. Especially we should regard the 
apostle’s warnings to keep clear of all depen- 


|dence on our own works for justification: as im 


that case Christ will profit us nothing.” Itis 
to be feared, that numbers impose on themselves 
in this matter: they imagine that the merits of 
Christ will make up for their deficiencies ; while 
their real dependence is placed on their own’ 
morality, devotions, or superstitions. But the 
divine Saviour will teach us to give him the whole 
honour of.our justification, or he will leave us 
wholly to stand or fall by our own righteousness ; 
‘and every man who trusts to his own works, 
becomes a debtor to do the whole law 2? 
** Christ becomes of none effect to him ;” he vir- 
tually renounces the covenant of grace, and must 
expect to be dealt with according to the rigour 
of the covenant of works. May we then keep 
ata distance from this fatal rock, and be of that 
umber, who “ through the Spirit wait for the 
‘« righteousness of hope by faith !” For the dan- 
ger of old did not lie in circumcision; as that - 
and uncircumcision were alike immaterial in 
themselves, even aS many external forms and 
observances now ate: but faith, working by love, 
forms the essence of the religion of Christ— 
Without this, all else is wortbless; and, com- 
pared with it, other things are of small value. 
Yet many, who seemed to run well in this evan- 
gelical race, have been hindered from obeying 
the truth, by those, who perplexed them with 
refined notions, or laboured to proselyte them to 
some new sect or form: so that, instead of “ the 
“¢ work of faith, and labour of love, and patience 
“ of hope,”? they have turned aside to vain jang- 
ling, and zeal for trifling distinctions, and .the 
shibboleths of a-party. This persuasion, that 
religion consists in Such things, does by no means 
accord with the doctrine of the apostles, nor is 
it from the converting grace of the Spirit. Yet 
when a little of this leaven gets into hopefal con- - 
gregations, it is apt to diffuse itself through the 
whole lump. Its first. beginnings should there- 
fore be strenuously opposed; and they, who 
would thus unsettle and pervert others, should 
4.2 censured by thein, brethren, er even. cut off 
from their communion: and certainly they, who 
persist.in disturbing and dividing the Church of 
Christ, must at last bear their judgment, whoso- _ 
ever they be. : 
j V.13—18. 
It becomes us most steadfastly to maintain the 


or disputing about it, as the) pure Gospel of a crucified. Saviour, whatever 


AD: se: GALATIANS 


CHAP. Vi. meéekness ; © considering @ 
The apostle exhorts the Gafatians, to’ restoré the} thou also be tempted. o} i 
» fallen’ with mieekness, and to bear each other’sbur-}. 2 © Bear ye one another’ sbu rdénae 
dens, according to the command of Christ, t)25/<o fulfil ¢ the law of Christ a shy 
to beware of proud self-deception, 3—5; to pro- 3.F h if ots a Up f 
vide for their pastors, and to persevere without OF e a Man think himself 
wearying in every good work: being assured that something; when he is nothing, * he¢ 
évery one will reap as he has sowed, 6—10. He) ceiveth himself. Gort 4 
shows the carnal motives and glorying of the Juda-| 4 But let e 
izing teachers, 11—13; and. determines to glory 
in the cross of Christ’ alone, as crucified to the 
world, and the world to him, 14. Nothing in 
Christ avails, but a new ereation, 15. He prays 
for peace on all true Israelites ; desires that none 
of thém would further trouble him, who, as an 
old soldier, bore the scars of his warfare ; and he 
commends them to the grace of Christ, 16—18. 
RETHREN, * if a man be * overtak- 
en in a fault, ye which are » spiritu- 
al, © restore such an one 4 in the spirit of 


ae 
(to! 


in himself alone, 2 
5 For ° every man 
burden. ye 


10. 1. 2 Thes. Sf 2. 8—I1. Be 4.216. 

15. 2 Tim, 2. 25,!h 2.6. Prove 25.14. Met, to 

Jam, 3. 13,. 1 a & 26. 12. Luke 18i\n 6, 1 Cor. ; 
3. 2) 


3.15. Li. Roms 1%, 3. 16:}- 13. -! 

e 1 Cor. 10. 12. Heb.| 1 Cor. 3. 18. 8 8.2.) 4,6,7.2 Cor, 

13. 3. Jam. 3.2 {i 1 Cor. 13.2, 3 Age's, rt “ok 
he 


f ver. 5. & 5. 13) 14, Cot, 3s 5 Be 12. 1 “Is. 8 

‘LCor- 3e 18. 2.17. 10. °& 

Tim. 3. 13. Sam} z.18. 4 fate 
in 27. Rom. 2. 6 


Ex. 23. 5. Num; 11. 
11, 12. Deut. 1. 12. 


* Or, although. ib Rom. 8. 6. & 15.) 12—15. Luke 15°] Is. 58. 6. Mat. 8.) 1. 92, 26. 1 
a 2. 11—13. Gen. 9.] 1, 1:Cor. 2. 15. &| 4—7.& 22.32, Heb’ | 17. & 11.20. Luke} 1.8, 9° /14, 10—12, 1 € 
2024) & 12. 1i| 3. 1. & 14.37... | 12.13. Jam. §.19,|/ 11.46. Rom, 15, 1,1 Job 1% 15. _ c 


4) 3. 8. & 4. 5 2 Com 
1 Pet. 2. 24, Ps. 26. 201 5. st 2 
g John 13. 14, 15.) 28, 2 Cor. 13.5. | 23, & ; 
34, 350 & 15, 12. 1jm Prov. id, 145 | : 
Cor. 9. 21. 2John| Cor. 4. 3,4, 2 Cory |” 


tle hath repeatedly and plainly 
that they who do such things, as are here me 
tioned, or others of a similar nature, shall p 
inherit the kingdom of God’: yet what numb 
of professed Christians live habitually in 
grossest of them; and notwithstanding’ th 
adultery, fornication, shameful uncleannes: 
secret lasciviousness, still hope for h 
neglect of | 9 repentance and i, 
can the most idolatrous covetousness, the mio 
exorbitant pride, ambition, and emulati 
Most notorious malice, wrath, hatred, 
even the murders, committed in 
deprive them of their presu 
For “he that believeth nc 
“liar”? Nay, some even atte 
worship of satan, by various dit 
nostications, who would nevertl 
to be denied the name of | 
also, who are zealous for the 
of justification, and suppose 
under the law; are so far from being led by’ 
Spirit, that they are evidently and habitu 
fulfilling the lusts of the flesh ; though the 
remonstrances of a conscience, tot total 
lous, deceives them into an imagination tha 
are engaged in the conflict of the’ fles 
rit! But let us never forget, that they, 
not under the law for conden 
the Spirit into the love of its 
earnest desire to obey them. If 1 
the fruits of the Spirit, as here de 
habitual temper and conduct; We can 
objection to the daily examination o 
by that perfect standard of sin and 
that our love may be exerci 
and in all judgment: for against 
there is no law. They, who “ are 


20. 1 John 5. 16. 
Jude 22, 23. 

id 5.93. Mat. 11. 29. 
1 Cor, 4-21. 2 Cor. 


13. 2 Sam. 11. 2,) Job 4. 3, 4. Is. 35. 
&e. Mat. 26. 6 3, 4. Ez. 34. 16. 
75. 


18. Nums 20, 10—jc 2 Sami. 12. 1, &e. 
4 Mat. 9. 13. & 18. 


P offence may be taken, or persecution endured by 
mears of it; but we should be equally watchful 
against those, who make their “ liberty an oc- 
«‘ casion for the flesh,” and of indulging their 
selfish passions. By love, we should become the 
willing servants of one another, and of all men; 
and in loving our neighbours as ourselves, ac 
cording to the requirement of the holy com- 
mandment,. we shall most effectually promote 
our own comfort, and the happiness of families, 
churches, and communities, But,a house divided 
against itself, cannot stand ; and when professed 
Christians, instead of the gentleness of lambs 
and doves, become like savage beasts of prey, in 
biting and devouring one another; we need not 
wonder, that they are consumed one of another. 
Alas! how hath satan prevailed in this. way 
against the Church of Christ! What cruel per- 

4 secutions and fierce controversies have arisen 

among Christians, so called! How many hopeful 

prospects have thus been clouded, and flourish. 
ing Churches ruined! So that the nominal king- 
dom of the Prince of peace has become a scene 
of contention and ‘discord ! / But all this would 
have been prevented, if men had “ walked in 
“‘ the Spirit ;” for they would not then have thus 
fulfilled the lusts of the flesh. The most emi 
nent Christians indeed do not attain to all that 

’ they desire and aim at; yet they, who are led by 

the Spirit, habitually oppose and mortify those 

_. ‘sinful workings, which they cannot wholly extir- 

| pate. 


V. 19—26. 

It should always be kept in mind, that “ ha- 
« tred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sede 
« tions, heresies, and envyings,” are as much the 
5 works of the flesh, as adulteries, fornications, 
murders, drunkenness, revellings, or any sensual , who 
. excess; and that they will as certainly exclude|(and all others, however distit 
q men from heaven, whatever profession of religion | to satan’s kingdom,)' “ have eruc 
| they make; nay, even when religion, in its purest |< with its affections and lusts.” — Yet 
| form, is thé» pretence, subject, or occasion, of} fection of our attainments leaves roo 


their malignant passions, But though the apos-! personal humiliation and mutual e: dh 


a 6 Let P “a that i is Rn dii in the word, 
‘communicate unto him that teacheth, in 


all good things. 27g 
th not deceived; * God is not 
mocked: * for whatsoever a man soweth, 
that shall he also reap. 
whe For he that t sowetth’ tof ids flesh, 
‘shall of the flesh " reap corruption ; but 
he that * soweth to the Spirit, shall y of 
Spirit reap life everlasting. 


pibent 12.19. Mat] & 3.7. u Prov. 22. 
10. 10. Rom, 15. 27. 
1 Cor. 9. 9—14. 1) 18. )2 Pet. 2. 12. 
Tim. 5..17,18. |s Job aes Prov. i Rey. 22.11. 
‘yer. 8 Job 15.31.! 31. & 6. 14 19, &|x Sce on, ver. 7. Ps. 
Jer, 37. 9. Ob. 3} 11. 18. Hos. 8. 7. %&] 126. 5,6, Ece 11.6 
uke 21. 8, 1 Cor. 10, 12, es 16.25. iss 32, 20. Jam. 3. 
1 
y Mat. 19. 29, Luke 
ae 30. John 4. 14, 
36, & 6. 27, Rom. 


» 8. Jer. 
19, 


ais t eg 6. 13. & 8. 
mm If 13. & 13. 14.” 


| If then: we ee in the Spirit, let us also walk i in 
rit; watching against spiritual pride and 

“glory ;, not provoking or envying one: an-| 
Liane following after love, and seeking +o 
bring forth more abundantly those good “ fruits, 
“which are through Jesus Christ to the end 
and glory of God.” 


Anh 


| NOTES. 

CHAP. VI. Y. 1—5.. The palate? seins 
concluded the argumentative part of the epistle, 
added some particular admonitions before he 
closed it. If any brother had been, or should be, 
‘surprised into the commission of sin, through 
‘unwatchfulness and temptation, and contrary to 
ithe habitual tenour of his conduct; the more 
: piritual of them, who were most matured in 

jud gment ‘and experience, ought to bestow pains 
ring him to repentance, and to give hitn pro- 


jompassionate spirit, that he might be restored 
like a dislocated | limb to its place: and not te 
treat, him with harsh rebukes or disdainful neg. | 
lect, For each of them severally ought to con- 
sider himself, and his own weakness and frailty, 
as he too might be tempted and overcome ; and 
en he would need that meekness. amd sympa- 
chy, “ats he had refused to his offending bro- 
ther. Thus they ought not only to bear with 
€ another’s infirmities; but as fellow-travel- 
to carry each other’s burdens: while tl. 
attonger brother denied himself in order to sup- 
= rt comfort, and assist the weak, the tempted, 

ee: that so they might fulfil the: com- 
an ment, which Christ repeatedly gave his’ 
eg, “to love one another ;” and which in- 
was ‘the substance of Ais law, for their 
owards their brethren, But if, on the 
any of them thought himself” more 
or eminent than the rest, ‘on ac- 
fts or reputation, and so trusted in. 
_ despised others; whenin fact he 
n the school of Christ, having not 

st lesson of his religion; he was) 
de lusion, his heart imposed on him, 
be ' vas his own deceiver. To pre-| 
istake, i it kehooved eyery. indi- 
4 = Ss own wor rk, by the touch-stone 


CHAPTER V1. 


r Job 18. 8 9 Jude 12. 13. ‘Hes. 10. 13.| 


: 


9 And let 2 ts not be weaty in * welle 
doing: b for in due season we shall ses 
© if we faint not. 

10 As we have therefore a ‘opportunity, 
let us © do good unto all men, f especially 
unto them who are of the household of 
faiths “ emai 

tera Observations} 


bai 


6.22, 2 Time 1. 16. 

Tit. 3.7, Jude 21. 
Z Mal. 1.13. 1 Cor. 

15, 58. 2 Thes, 3. 


Zeph. 3. 16. Matyi 4 
Mat. 24. 13. rhs Pe “ot. 3. of Ee, 
) 3. 32. Mark 8. 4, 
16, Eph. 3. Lake 6. 35. 1 Thes. 
13. Heb. 12. 3. Heb. 3. 6. 14! @10. 5, 16. 1 Tim. 6: 17. 
a Rom: 2. 71 Pet) 35—39: Rev. 2. 3.) 18. Tit. $3.8. Hebe 
a 15. & 3. 17. & 4.) 7. 11. 17: 25—29. & | 13. 16, 3 John 11. 
3, 5,6, ‘12, 13. 21,|f Mat. 10, 25. & 12. 
be fev. 26. 4. Deut.| 22. 50. & 26, 40. Eph 
1b 14, Ps, 104. 27.,d Ec.9, 10. John 9.] 2.19, & 3. 1b a 
& 145.15. Jam. 5} 4- & 13. 35. Eph. 3. 6. & 6. 10, 
ai8y Saeed 5. 16. Phil... 4. 10.} John 3, 13—19. a. 
e Is, 40. 40,. 31. Col. 4.6. Gre Tit.) 6.1.3 John 5-H. 


18/1. 2 Cor. ig 


of the sacred oracies, that he might discover 
whether his Habitual conduct; and the motives of 
‘it, accorded to the principles, experience, and. 
‘character, of the true believer: that so, instead 
of arrogantly condemning others, or glorying in. 
others, and their attachment to him, or opinion 
of him; he might find cause of rejoicing, and 
humble glorying, in himself, and in the attesta. 
tion of the sanctifying Spirit to his faith in Christ, 
For every man must at last stand or fall, not acs 
cording to the sect to which he belonged, or the 
judgment of men respecting him ; but according 
to his real. character in the sight of God. So. 
that, if any were deluded into fatal errors by 


A. D. 36. 


false teachers ; every one must bear the burden ~ 


of his own guilt; nor would the condemnation , 
of the deceiver exculpate him, who allowed 
himself to be deceived by him. (Marg. Ref. )— 
The word rendered spiritual, when applied to. 


‘per counsel and. encouragement, in a meek and | persons, seems to denote the spiritdality, or hea- 


venly mind and judgment, of those who are thus 
distinguished. . But all rulers, teachers, and 
workers of miracles, were not spiritual, spirit- 
ually minded, “led by the Spirit,” and filled 


with ‘the fruits of the Spirit;’? and many pri- | 


vate Christians were. The duty of restoring 
the fallen might belong to the teachers and ru- 
Jers, primarily, but not exclusively. It can hardly . 


|be doubted, but thet there were pastors and 


teachers, i in the Churches of Galatia; yet they 


are scarcely mentioned in this epistle: perhaps, . 


-| because they generally concurred with: those | 


‘who preached circumcision, Some indeed sup- - 


pose, that the persons, endued with spiritual 
gifts, superintended the Churches for some time, 
without any regular appointment ; and that there 
were no other bishops or elders” in Galatia’ at . 


this time: but this by AO means agrees with the 


history, which mentions the orcaining of elders _ 


by the apostles i in every city, either’ personally, 


if they had leisure, or by apostolical men, or 


evangelists, (a8 Timothy, Titus, &c.) if compel-— 


led previously to leave the new converts. It is, 
however, probable, . that these elders, and the 
deacons also, were generally chosen from among 
those, who had been endued with miraculous 
powers, by the laying: on of a handy of le 
apostles. 


20 fi. 


= "hie a 2 


A. D. 56. 


11 { Ye see how large a letter I have 
& written unto you with mine own hand. | 

12 As many » as desire to make a fair 
shew in the flesh, i they: constrain you 
to be circumcised; only * lest they 


should suffer persecution for the cross of 


Christ. 
--13°For neither they themselves who 
are circumcised ! keep the law ; but de- 
sire to haye you ciycumcised, ™ that they 
“may glory in your flesh, 

14 But ® God forbid © that I atoaid 


g Rom. 


16. 722. 1} 2.4, Col.'2,.231 3. 9-19), 2 Pet. 2. 
Cor. 16. 21-23. i 2. oF 14, Acts. 15.} 19. 
h ver. 13. Mat. 6. 2.{ 1 m 1Cor, 3.°21: & 
5.16. & 23, 5. 284k sabay. §) 11« Phil.) 5. 6.2 Cor. 11, 18. 


Luke 16, 15, & 20, Rom, 3. 
47. John 7. 18. 
Cor, 10, 12. & te 


13. Phil: 1.515, &/, 


3 18. n See on, 

2\1 Mat. 23. 3. 15. 23.) 4.6. 
Rom: 2, 17—24. &jo 2 Kings 14. 9-11. 
i Job 31, 24,25. Ps. 


V.6—10. The Lord had appointed the office 
of the ministry, for the conversion of sinners, and 
thé edification of believers ; and accordingly. the 
apostle exhérted the Galatians. to contribute to 
the comfortable maintenance of their pastors, 
who, instructed them from the word of God; 
communicating to them a proportion of Aheir 
temporal good things, accerding to their ability. 
in this and all such matters, they must be care- 
ful not to. be deceived by their own hearts, by 
satan, or by false teachers: for however they 
might excuse themselves, or impose upon’ men, 
and then deride their simplicity and: credulity ; 
God was not to be thus deceived, ‘or mocked 
with false pretences: and it was most certain, 
that every man would at length reap a harvest 
correspondent to what. He sowed, He that sow- 

* ~ed to the flesh, by continuing to fulfil its tusts, 
and to indulge his selfish and sensual desires un- 
der the profession of the Gospel, would only reap 
the corruptible things of this world ; his body, 
which he indulged and pampered, would soon 
turn to corription, in the grave; and at length 
he himsclf would perish, as unregenerate; and 
having no inheritance in heayen. But the man 
who sowed to. the Spirit, and, under, the infiu- 
ences of the Holy Spirit, exercised daily repent. 
ance, faith in Christ, love to. him. and his bre. 
thren, and other Christian graces ;.would not on- 
ly here reap the earnest and first-fruits of in- 
ward consolations ; but at length inherit everlast. 
ing life, as trained up for it by the sanctification 
of the Holy Spirit; and as receiving for Christ’s 


sake ‘a proportionable gracious recompense of 


all his disinterested and faithful services. . Let 
_ then none of them grow weary of doing well, in 
dependence on Christ and for the honour of his 
Gospel, whatever conflicts, disappointments, per- 
secutions, or temptations t! hey set with: for in due 
season, in the time of harvest, they would surely 
rdap an abundant increase of all their labours, 
self-denial, and expense; if they showed’ the 
sincerity of their faith and love by continue to 
the end, without fainting in the work of the Lord. 
« While therefore their lives were continued, and 
opportunities “afforded ; they ought to make. ii 
theirigreat, business, and deem it their chief plea- 


' 


pe : Pr. 


GALATIAN 8. 


‘Story Saye in the cross. 
Jesus Christ, by * whom 4 
is erucified 
world. 

15 For in 
cumcision avail 


16 And as many 
to this Mei: x eat 


49. 6. & 52.1. Jer. 
9, 23, 24. Ez, tA 2. 
Den. 4, 30, & 
$. 20,21,.51 Onn. 1S 
20-31. & 3, 21. 2! Col. B.1=—8. 1 
Cor. 11.13. & 12.] 2. 15-17%. ae 45 


10, 11, r See on, 56. Rom. ab 
P Ise AS. 24g 25. BL 2 Cor Rd 17%. 
Rom, i. 16.1 Cor.|s 1 Cor. 7 , 


1.28) & 2, 2, Phil. 
8.3. -Gr. ven 71h 
* Or, which. 

q 1. 4 & 2. 20. & 5! 


t Cor. 5, | 

2.10 & 4/24. 
3. 10. Rey, 21 
WS. 16.25, 


alse 


sure, hongur,. and ady 
according to their abi 
scription; but especially 
their brethren in the fami 3 
Christ; or all professed Christiar 
their sincerity in professing the Gospe 
temper and conduct. For st 
men, who would substit vai the 
instead of faith in. Christ, : 


profession, 
V. 11—16, The vant here. 
“ Jarge a letter,” are supposed 
sons to signify. with what kind of le 
to the apostle’s want of skill, in wri 
language. He had, howev 
pains to pen this epistle with his ; 
either because he had not an fae 
him, orrather because he did no 
ploy dhe ; but wrote the who himsel 
might convince the Galatians of hi 
them, and anxiety about tl 
professed teachers of Chi 
wanted to’ make a fair sh 
respect of external matter 
tion between the Jewish. 
sus, These were so very 
Gentiles to be create 
said even to compel them i ele we 
denial, and cxhagaiel ‘their. 
ingenuity to: overcome 
notwithstanding their attachme 
law, they. would not have b 
this matter, if they could o 
sessed their influence in th Spates é 
without exposing themselve: 
professing faith in Christ and 
only did the Jews hate and pe 
preached the Gospel to the G 
garding the Mosaic law; bat 
also, who tolerated the Jews and 
4s observed the law, were i 
Gentile Christians, and deemed 
sect, dangerous to the civ 
crafty and selfish aim of the Jud 
of advancing themselves to. consid 
Christian Chureh, without expos 


“2 Jet no man 
ie a } bear in my oa the 


& 4. 10. & 1 23— 
25, Col. Wie 


ha ‘induced them to be very zealous 
lyting the Gentiles to the Mosaic law ; 
ey sere not equally strict in “their own ob» 


t @ moral precepts; but probably, on one pre- 
nce or other, they, dispensed with themselves 
‘and one another, in-respect of the more barden- 
ky “some and expensive of the ceremonial i institutions, 
many of which could not be observed in countries 
m distant from: Jerusalem. So that it was evident, 
they only. desired the. Gentiles to be circumcised, 
that they might glory in having induced such 
‘numbers to bear in their flesh this mark of 

_ their being proselyted. This both placed them 
at the head of a Christian sect, and also tended 
to procure them favour and reputation with the 
Jewish rulers and others; But the apostle add- 
ed, with a noble disdain of such base motives, 
“God forbid that I should gtory,” &c.: he would 
“Rot value himselfon any thing, which he had 
Teceived, attained to, or performed, either be- 
fore or since his conversion; except in his de- 
pendence on the sufferings and death of Christ 
upon the cross, asa sacrifice for sin; and in 
the hopes, comforts, and blessings, which he 
thence had derived. In this indeed he greatly 
gloried; and his view of the cross of Christ, and 
of the obligations, Motives, and instructions con: 
nected with it, had crucified the world to him, 
id him to the world. ‘S» that he viewed the 
ri rorld, as little Les pe by all’ its charms, 


aewilet he ‘beholds it blackened in 
the agonies of death ; and was no more affected’ 
le by the objects around him, than one that jis 
-* expiring would be struck. with any of those | 
| § prospects, which his dying eyes might view 
* from the cross, on which he was supended?— 
“( (Doddridge:) He disdained the friendship, rich: 
, honours, and pleasures of the world, and dis- 
tded its reproach and hatred, as be would 
we done those of a crucified malefactor ; see. 
the cross of Christ the condemnation of all 
ievers without distinction : and the love of 
things: of a worldly nature was crucified by 
ew of the holiness of God, the evil of -sin, 
ckédness of man, and the importance of 
i which the cross of Christ exhibited, and 
‘grace which he died to procure for him.. 
how forth the love of his crucified Lord, to 
int bir im. out to sinners, to honour him: in his’ 
mde, and to teach others to love and 
him, was the great business of his life ; 
comparatively beneath bis notice, 
him above all regard to circumci- 
ision; assured that regenera. 
eation to the image of Christ, } 
fai th in him, was the great dis. 
m one man and another, (Notes, 
+) and to all men, Jewish or. 


converts, who ree with oo as in 


\ 


CHAPTER | VI. 


of it; not only were ‘they negligent of 


4 


a ei DO 86): 
18 Brethren, > the grace of our Lord 
Jesus” Christ be with your pee, Amen. 


nf 


b ‘See on, Rom. 16. 14, 2 Tithe 4. 22 


‘| 22. 21. 
20. 24 2Cor, 13,1] Philem. 25, Rev. 


Christ, new. creatures, glorying i in his cross only, 
and crucified by it to the world, he desired that 
merey and peace might abound ; even to the 
true Israel of God, as. distinguished from the 
unbelieving nation of Israel. 

V. 17, 18. As what: had - eet. Winton was | 
abundantly sufficient to satisfy all humble in.» 
quiries ; the apostle desited that he might not 
thenceforth. be troubled and disquieted by such 
disputations: they ought not thus to add to his 
sufferings ; for be already bore in his body the 
marks and scars of the wounds which he bad 
received in the cause of Christ ;.and which he 
deemed far more honourable, than the external 


badge of circumcision. Some think, that the . Mh: 


marks, which slaves and soldiers received, show- 
ing to what'master or commander they belong- 
éd, are alluded to. But the scars of the stripes 
and wounds, which he had received for Christ’s 
sake, are certainly meant. These ought to have - 
endeared iim to them, as he exposed himseif te 
such persecutions for their good. He thérefore 
‘desired, that the grace and free favour of Christ 
might Be with their souls, to comfort, establish, 
and sanctify them ; and then he knew, that they 
would be more affectionate to him, and less at. 
heeabian AY mere externals. : 


- PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
‘V. 1—10 
There i is a great ace between those who 


¥ 


are liable. The oe anal Sones bee our spis 
rituality, should be evinced by tender and com- 
passionate endeavours to restore the falien and |. 
confirm the weak in the spirit of meekness;\ ag. 
conscious that we too are liable to be tempted, 
and have need of humble watchfulness, and corm 
stant dependence upon God. Our Christian li- 
berty i is enjoyed in proportion as we “ fulfil ithe 
«© Jaw of Christ,” in loving the brethren, and: 
bearing one another’s burdens, with compassion 
and self. denial. But, alas! many think them- 
selves to be something, when they are’ ‘nothing, 
and so deceive themselves. 

our own work; and seek rejoicing: in the assur. 
france of our own conversion, and not in the opin- 
ion of others concerning us ; seeing: ‘that ‘every 
* man mast beat his own burden.”—They, who- 
loye the Gospel, and are taught according to the 
word of God, will not grudge the faithfal minis- 
ter a proportion of their good things: men may 
in this and in other matters, impose on others, as” 
well as deceive theinselves ; but God will not be 
trifled with. As the present 18 our Seed-time ion 
eternity, Jet us examine what we are now sowing 
and w at our harvest is likely to prove. If Rie 
‘therto. any man have sown to the flesh, and is 
afraid that “ of the flesh he, shali reap corrup. 
* tion;”? let. him begin, by repentance, faith, 
and prayer, to sow ‘a ae teal that he has at 


‘apy 8 


4. D. 64. 


** season we shall reap if we faint not.” Not 
only do those, who haye no root in themselves, 
lose all their tabour about religion, by drawing 
back in the time of temptation : but even believ- 
ers often lose much of the comfort and useful- 
ness, that they were likely to obtain, by fainting 
in part through disappointment, and want of 
zealand patience. Let us then watch against 
this; remembering that we are the servants of 
Christ, whose work it is, ** as we have opportuni- 
‘ty, to do good ‘to all men, especially to the 


 $ household of faith.” 


V. 118. 

There have always. been professors and teach- 
ers, who desired to make a fair show in the flesh, 
to render religion subservient to worldly inter- 
esis or distinctions, and to escape the cross — 
Such men will commonly be more zealous, to 
make proselytes to a party, than converts to 
Christ; that they may glory in the numbers who 
are attached to them. But the consistent Chris: 
tian is nobly disdainful of these low aimg: he 


Pi nahi 


THE 
EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE 


TO THE ‘oak 


s Yh LA Ria Re pe gna a 4 
. ai. seal orks 
Pak | ie Digs 5) kk palie Sieme 
; te pares ay be 


i 
———D a= 


¢ Although it does not appear to have ever been disputed, that the epistle before un was writte 
| € by St. Paul ; yet it is well known, that a doubt has long. been entertained concern 
© sons to whom it was addressed. _ The question is founded on some ambig 


® evidence. Marcion, a heretic of the second 


*\Epistle to the Laodiceans.—The name, Ephesus, in the first verse, uf 
$\depends the proof that the cpistle was written to the Ephesians, is not 
I admit, however, that the external evidence P 


$ scripts mow extant. 


¢ manifest excess, on the side of the received reading? (Paley.) The s 
ceeds to argue, from internal evidence, that the epistle could hardly be wri ‘ 
with who the apostlé had resided three years: and it must be acknowledged, that 
pect, it more resembles the epistle to the Romans, and that to the Colossians, than 
tles which the apostle wrote to the Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, and The 

which there are constant allusions and appeals to what had past when he resided 
As, however, the external evidence preponderates with a manifest excess, in favour 
ceived reading ; it is in this exposition adhered to: though it may be obser t 
of the word Ephesus for Laodicea, or the total omission of it, would in no respi 
the abundant instrection contained in the epistle itself. ‘ It has been said, thi 
* was direeted to the Ephesians, it is difficult to understand how the apostle ¢ 


* with a generel salutation. 


EPHESIANS. 


length reap everlasting life. And let none of us, | only glories in the cross of Christ, ) 
who ‘have begun thus to sow to the Spirit, | dation of all his hopes; and this 
** grow weary in well doing ; assured that in due ! fied Saviour erucifies the world to 


But there are no particular salutations in the epistles to th 
* tians, &c,: because to have sent particular’salutations to individuals, in Chi s 
© apostle was sq generally and intimately acquainted, might have offended those ' 
* lected. And to have mentioned every person of note, would have taken 
* In writing to the Romans, the case was different. The apostle wag pe 
© most of them ; and he could take particular notice of all his acquaintance? (Jdac 

successful ministry of the apostle in the renowned, but Jicentious, city of Ephesus; ai 
lemn charge to the elders of the Church, which was there collected, have before 


unto the world ; as he desires to “ live 
“ er to himself, but im who died f 


ships, poverty, Yep 

Lord’s sake, If wet 
turés, we have the | 
‘religion, and may leave” 
the shell, or the shadow 
desire that merey and pe 
who walk according to this 
whole Israel of God. They are 
able, who trouble and ‘grieve those’ 
Christ, who bear in their bodies the se: 
wounds, which they have received in fig 


the good fight: but we should not wonder, | 
our most disinterested and self-denying labou 
meet. with this recompense alone, from thos 
whom we have most loved. And we must stil 
pray, that the grace of our is' 
may be: with their. spirits ; 
late with them concerning | 


Ae OPER eas hee aR Phi. he hy: 
3 er pity ie be Cab 
FRAP RM gad” p24} ohh DiMie th 


ee paar 
grein “ tt 
4a 


oo. ta D pravt oa 
YI ow aI PR BO. 


“See Cae ic Of a: 


century, as guoted by 


prepond 
be written: 


‘g 
, 


al 
1 


; 


a 
oe 


oes. CHAPTER I. A. D. 64. 


ae Acts xix. xx.) Some years after, habwrote this epistle, during his imprisonment at. 
Ee Es aes tie close of it ; to establish them in the great doctrines of the Gospel, 
‘against errors, to excite them to a holy conversation, and to animate them in. 
stian warfare. This epistle, and the two that follow it, which were aiso written dur- 
srisonment, and probably about the same time, are remarka 3 for a peculiar pathos 
or rapture, as some have called it; and this is generally aseribed to the extraordi- 
lations enjoyed by the apostle, during his sufferings for Christ’s sake. But bis mind 
tless enlarged to a remarkable degree in writing to those, whom he had no occasion to 
2, and with whom he was not under the necessity of engaging in controversy: so that, en- 
re confidence of affection took place of that caution, reserve, or sharpness, which were requi- 
ite in the three preceding epistles. Learned men, according to their different hypotheses, 
pose, that the apostle continually refers,in this epistle, to the mysteries of Diana, to the 
, or to the Judaizing teachers ; but it may fairly be questioned, whether, writing with 
expressible flow of holy affections, on the great subjects which rejoiced his heart ; he had 


express reference to al of those things, which expositors, more coldly speculating on bis ~ 
3 Z words, have prio ‘Perhaps he had some general regard to the Judaizing corruptors of — 


_ the Gospel ; but, as the epistle to the. Colossians, which was written about the same time, and 
in other respects greatly resembles this, is far more explicit on that subject; it may be SUppos- 
"ed that the Ephesians were less in danger from that quarter, 
eee 
Riis 


yk ax | ee CHAP. I. “* Ved us with all ‘spiritual blessings © in 


Venn ee ‘ : q r : * iin € ist < 
The apostle salutes the Ephesians, 1, 2. He bless- heavenly places ‘in Christ, : 
"es God for the spiritual blessings, which he had! 4 According * as he hath chosen us 
 eonferred on them and him, as chosen.in Christ,|in him ! before;the foundation of the 
and predestinated to the adoption of children, 3— world, m that we ‘should be holy, and 
ERS Saree See tag ana me ttre hi vine 
| "towards them, in all wisdom, 6—8.; as gathered, 5 Having : predestinated Lea ba the 
- and made heirs, with his people, to the praise of | adoption of children * by Jesus Christ te 
“his glory, by first trusting in Christ, 9—12; and! himself, s according to the good pleasure 
as sealed by the Spirit of adoption. the Earnest of of-his will, : 
their inheritance, i3, 14. He thanks God for} ; t ise of the slory of his 
them, and prays that God would more complete- - nonibee Bina wea ein: 3 
__ 4% illuminate them, and give them deeper experi- - 
ence of the grace and comforts of the Gospel, 15, ed in * the Beloved: 
—18; according to the mighty power, by which} ~ jh Sean & tae 8 
Christ had been raised fifom the dead, and exalt-) h ver.20. & 9. 6. &| 74, 75.Jobn 15. 16. 
i i —23.] 3. 10. & 6. 12.) Rom. 8. 28, 29. 
chai Rye re 5 a hs x ze = Marg. Heb. 3. 5. Col. 3,13. 1 ‘Thes 
(A UL, *an apostle of Jesus Christ, by | | ran a: ae aA ere 
| EL the will of God,» to the saints which i set, 100 tn us 1h. 3 Pets 10! 
ene Te S i ete a 5 25. 5, 27. 1 Cor, 1. 8 
pe sate nating and to'the ¢ faithful — ‘arat. Rom 2. § “Pha 2, 15) Gl 
f : hat 3 Nae 1 Cor. 3. 30. 1: 22.2 Pet. 3, 14. 
er - i - ray ey ; 12. 2 Cor. 5. 17.21|o 3. 17. & 4. 2.15, 
_2 Grace | be to you, and peace, from| & Deutz. 6, 7. Ps| 15.& 5.2. Gal. 5 
‘God our Father, and_ from ‘the Lord 135. 4, Is. 41. 8,9.|° Gs 13, 22. Col. 2. 2. 


35. Matt. 11. 26. 
Luke 10. 21. & 12, 
32. Rom. 9 il~ 
16.1 Cor- 1.1. Phit. 


t ver. 7, 8 12. 14. 
18. & 2.7.& 3. 10 
1l. Prov. 16. 4. Is, 

43, 21. & 6103.11. 
Jer. 33, 92 Luke 2. 
14. Rom. 9.23, 24, 
2 Cor. 4. 15. Phil. 
1, li. & 4.1% 2 
Thes. 1, 8—10, 2 
Tim. 1. 14—16. 4 
Pet. 4.11.» 

u Is. 45. 24, 25. Jer, 
23.6. Rom. 3. 22— 
26. & 5. 15—19. & 
8. 1, 5 Cor. 5. 21; 
Phil. 3. 9. ; 

x Ps, 22. 20. & 60. 
5, Prov. 8. 30, 31. 
Ts. 42. 1. & 49. 1— 
3. Zech 136 7. Mat. 
3% i7.& 17.5. John 
3. 35. & 10-17, 
‘Col. 1.13. 


ytse me OF & 42.1.& 65.8—| 1 Thes- 3. 12.1 
esus Christ. 10. Mat. 11, 25,| John 4. 16. 


. © Blessed be the f God and Father CNG iw baetlog eet cip 


* fh . ist. ; , , =| Acts 18. 48.& 18.}q Jer. 3. 4. 19. Hos- 
P Lord Jesus Christ, & who hath bless 10. Rom. 8. 30. 33.} t+ 10. John 1. 12- 


& 9. 23, 24. & 11.) & 1i. 52. Rom 8. 
5,6,2 Thes. 2. 13,| 14—17. 23, 2 Cor. 
14. 2 Tim, 2. 10.} 6.18, Gal. 4. 5, 6. 
DA See on, z. a. b.} Rom. 15. 6. 2Cor.| Tit. 1-1, 2.Jam.2.} Heb. 12. 5-9. 91 
in, y- Rom. 1.|' Rom. 1.7, 2Cor.1.1.| 163. & 11. 31, Phil: | 5- 1 Pets 1.2.& 2.4 John 3. 1. Rev. 2i, 

or. 2. 2. 2!e Gen. 14.20. 1 Chr.! 2. 11. | 9. 7. ca 


fo 1. Gal. 1. Pe 1z. 14, 29, 30. & 20, 1%. 


29. 20. Nch. 9. 5./e Gen. 12. 2,3. & | 1 Matt. 25.34. John}r John 20, 17. Gal. 
Num. 12.7.) Ps.72.19. Dan. 4.) 22. 18,1) Chr. 4.] 1% 24. Acts 15. .13.| 3.26. Heb. 2. 10— 
6. 10. Acts} 34. Luke2.28. 1] 4-10. Ps. 72. 17,&| 2 Pet.1. 20, Rev.| 15. ’ 
1Cor, 4.1.) Pet-1.3. Rey. 4.| 139. 3. Is. 61. 9. 
. 9. Col. 1. 9—11, & 5. 9—14. * Gal. 3. 9. 


13.8. & 17,8. s yer. .11. Dan. 4, 
m 2 10, Loke Ast 


Ce mae cere | 


NOTES. _ hit may be rendered, “ even the fashful in Christ 
V.1, 2. (Wotes, Rom. i. 1—7.) By 1% Jesus.” (Mang. Ref.)— Grace. (2.) ‘ This grace 


believers in Christ ; or such as ap-}* Ghost, from the Father, and the Son, te the 
selves to be his faithful soldiers,'* Church; (John xiv. 23.) which is the reason 
‘stewards. Some have supposed, |‘ that the Hoiy Ghost is not mentioned in these 
' was intended to include oth- |* salutations.’ (JF hitdy.) ay 
Well as the saints atEphesus,but} : 


im aL eer ee i , ¥ 


grace, wherein “ he hath made usaccept-~ 


2. 13.2 Thes. 2. 11, 


lin Christ Jesus,” the apostle might }* is giyen by the communication oi the Hely~ 


fi 
} 
i 
ts 
Mh 
zi 
AS 
i 


>* & 10. 4—12. 3 Pet. 


AD. 64. 


through his blood, * the forgiveness of sins, 
according # to the riches of his grace ; 
8 Wherein» he fath abounded toward 


us ¢ in all wisdom and prudence ; 
(Practical Observations.) 

y Job 33.24. Ps. 130.) 9. & 14. 4, IJohn'1.7-9.& 2.12, 
(7. Dan. 9. 24—26.)z Ex. 34, 7. PSs 32-1a, See on, ver. 6. & 2. 
Zech. 9. 11, & 13-}.1, 2. & 86/5. & 130.) 40 7% & 3. 8. 16) 
1. 7. Mat. 20.28. &} 4. Is. 45.25. & 55.1 Rom. 2. 4° & 9. 
26.28. Mark 14.24.86, 7. Jer. $1, 34,! 23, 2 Cor-8. 9. Col. 
Acts 20.28. Rom.| Dan, 9. 9. 19, Jon.) 1.27. & 2.2. Phil. 

‘8.24, 1 Cor. 1, 30-] 4 2. Mie. 7. 18.) 4. 19. Tit. “3. 6, 
Col. 1.14 1 Tumn.} Luke 1. 77: & 7. 40) Marg, 

2. 6. Tite 2 14}) —42, 47—50. & 24th Romy 5. 15. 20, 
Heb, 9. 12—15. 22.) 47. John 20.23" 21. 

Acts 2. 38. & 3. 19.Je ver> 11° & 3. 10. 
& 10. 43. & 13, 38,) Ps, 104.24. Prov. 

39, Rom, 4; 6-9.Col.| 8. 12. Is. 52.13. 

2.13, Heb. 10. 17.18.) Dan. 2. 20,21, Mat, 


v.18, 19. & 2 
*&i3. 18. “1 John 2. 
2.& 4.10. Rev, 5. 


22 


‘V.3—8. The following twelve verses, proper- 
ly speaking, form one period. The apostle’s mind 
was so’ full of his subject, that he was not very 
exact about higsstyle : and this renders a double 
degree of attention requisite in the reader, who 
would fully enter into his meaning, We sill, 
however, better understand his argument and 
doctrine, by considering the passage in a more 
detached manner. Reflecting on the great things, 
which God had done for him and him, es- 
pecially among the Gentiles, the apostle broke 
out into the most rapturous praises and thanks. 
giving unto God on that account. He could do 
no other, than speak well concerning the God 
and Father of the Lord Jesus, and celebrate the 
praises of his name, who had done so well and 
graciously, by his b elieving people, and had con- 
ferred on them all spiritual blessings, that could 
be desired, or enjoyed, in respect of heavenly 
things, and as the earnest of heavenly felicity ; 
by giving’his Son Jesus Christ for them, and by 
calling them to believe in him: or, by exalting 
Christ, as their Surety, Advocate, and Fore-run- 
ner, into the heavenly places, God had at once, 
as it were, conferred all spiritual blessings on 
every believer, as united unto him, and interest 
ed in him: This resulted from his choice of 
them, in Christ, and as given to him, even.‘ be- 
«* fore the foundation of the world; not because 
he foresaw they would of themselves be more 
holy than others of their fallen race; but that 
they should be made holy, by separation from 
gin, consecration unte God, and the sanctifica- 
tion of the Spirit, in consequence of their elec. 
tion in Christ. Thas he purposed to render 
them “ blameless befure him, in love ;*? not only 
inrespect of their complete justification’ in Christ ; 
but by their present integrity and sincerity. in the 
professed love of Christ, of each other, and of all 


“men; by their blameless walk before God, im 
ali his ordinances and commandments ; ssid at 


length by making them perfect in holy love and 
heavenly felicity, For he had “ predestinated,” 
or fore-ordained them, to be adopted as his chil- 
dren by faith in Jesus Christ; and to be openly 
admitted to the privileges of that high relation 
to himself, notwithstanding their oviginal and ac 
tual sinfulness. In doing this according te his 
sovereign will and pleasure, he intended to ex. 
hibit the glory of his rich, free, and distinguish- 


-ing grace in the most illustrious manner, that 


they ‘and others thight ¢ elebrate ‘the praises of it 


EPHESIANS. 
7 In. ¥ whom’ we have redemption : 


9 Having a made. nove 
kebiits of his will, ¢ accore 
good p easure vhich he hath 
in himself: — ue at 

10 That, & 
fulness of time 


11, 19, Rom, 11, 33.) Job 23. | 
1-Core 1. 19—24, Kl 33, 1 
“2.7. Col. 2 3, a 27, %e % 


25. Rev. 5. 12 Sere 5) 

d ver. 17,18. & Sil 3s! re 3 
3—9. Mat: 13,21.1 25. 4. 
35, Rome 16: 25—| 48 Rom, 6 
27. Cor. 2. 10—} Fims 1. 9. 0) 
12. Gal. 1.012, 16./2 Is. 2 24) Bam 
Col, 1. 25-28. 1) 2. 44, & 9524 1 
Am 9.11. Mic 
1,2. Malls. 1. 


Vim. 8. 16. 
& Sveon, vere 5, 
Pver. 11.) &! 3.) 11. 


for éver: as by that Sedaus grace, he had 
them, (Lost sinners both of the Jews and Gen 
* accepted in his beloved” adh and the’ “Tigi 
“ eousness of God in him 
ther was well pleased in h 
also Tol ie eae ‘th 
hath. ** highly fayoured us in 
the same import is ‘elsewhere 
1. 28.) including all other bl 
without fail, from ‘their ju 
For though in themselves thi 
demned criminals, enslaved, ; and im 
der the carse of the law, and the 
and satan, without any Selby 
themselves ; 3 yet, Christ had p 


the cross, and, having been. browgh 
of union with him by. ae 
had obtained a complete redemption ; th 
having been fully pardoned, and 
at liberty from the fetters and dungeon 
former wretched con ‘his deliv 
accorded to the unspeaka 
free mercy and yrace: 
method of redemption, 
spared not-his own Son, 
and embrace this satvati 
their sins, gave liberty-to tt 
plied all their wants; and i 
richest variety of privileges 
ercising such astonishin 
dant a manner, the Lord 
wisdom and prudent counsel for 
ey to criminals often gi 
crimes, and disgraces or 
government ; this method.of grace ° 
ordered, that it showed sin in all 
and desert of vengeance 5 -exbibi 
justice and holiness in the most) 
glory, manifested all the. attr 
gloriqus harmony ; furnishe 
motives to the believer’s future” 
tended directly to subvert satan’s 
godliness and iniquity. So that, 
God never shone so bright in the: vie 
intelligences, as in this display of 
his glorious grace. (Votes, Kom, 
28—39.) Exalted and mysterious 
also been displayed, in all the st 
the way was prepared for the revelatior i 
plan, and in the time a ae no 
was revealed. (Marg. Ref) . 


yf 


igs 
‘are in% heaven, and which are on earth, 
even in him : 


10 “also i we have obtained an 
se, ae predestinated accord- 
o} th € purpose of Him, who work- 
b all things after ™ the counsel of his 
wn will : 
i 2 Phat we should be to ithe: praise of 
sis § pry °who first t crusted 4 in Christ. 


Job . 12, 13. Prov.| 0. ver. 13. Ps. 2, 13. 
| 8.14, Isr 5) 19. Bel & 146: 3—5. Is. 11. 
} 10: %& 12. 2. & 32. 
1,2. & 421-4. & 
‘ 45. 238—25. Jer, 17. 
| 6-7. & 23. 6. Mat. 
Ty 12.° 18—21. John 
34. Heb. 6.17. | 14.1. Rom. 15. 12, | 
da yer. 14. & 2.7, &| 13. 2'Time le 12s 
. 21, 2 'Lhes, 2.13.) Marg. 1 Pet. fe 
ee Ws te ver. 6. jf Or, hoped, 


e432. RS. vi neat 
¢@. Jam.2. 5 1 Pet. 
We 4, Be Se 
k Sve on, ver-5. ji 
1'See on. £ ver. % side 
‘Sona 


“RK 20. 27. Rom. 1 


aa, ‘9-12. The blessings bs eforednentigned 
were communicated to believers, by the Lord’s 
making | known to them the mystery of -his sove- 
reign will, respecting the method of redemption 
bahd salvation; and the admission of sinners into 


his family by faith in Christ, whether they were 


Jews or Gentiles. All thesé arrangements had| 
“been made “ according to his good pleasure, 
« which he had purposed in himself ;” for a3 he 
_adyised with no counsellor, so he gave no account 
of his holy, wise, and righteous appointments. 
Having revealed these things to the apostles, and 
by them to the Charch ; his ‘divine teaching had 
Jed those whom he had chosen, fo see the glory 
Loft those truths, which others were left to blas- 
pheme. — Thus were they made to know the 
| m: of his will; and to understand, that in 
e dispensation, which at length in the fulness 


gi together, as into one kingdom or family, 
in his beloved Son, and under his government, 
all things in heaven and earth. So that, not only 
Jews and Gentiles would’ become one ‘Church ; 

not only were the saints, who had before gone to 
heaven, to be considered as one body with be- 
i jevers on earth » but even holy angels, and all 
é inhabitants of heaven, as confirmed in Christ, 
d his worshippers and subjects, would form 
pad with redeemed siriners, and j 


nil aye gine and the Jewish converts 
» ees a share inthis glorious inheritance; 
ing been predestinated, according to the so- 
gn appointment of that glorious.God, who 
i€s.on his work of creation, providence, and 
uption, according to those wise counsels 
t perfect plan, which he hath seen good 
And, while most of their countrymen 
| left to judicial blindness and unbelief, 
ents of God’s awfal justice ; they 
ected ‘forthe praise of his glory,” | 
“to trust in Chita afor" salvation, 
f. af the power of divine. grace, ‘as 
the Christian Church ; thoug) 

deserving of wrath, no jess than 
Jewish brethren. —Gather, ke. 


CHAPTER I. 
ther i in one all tba ae in Christ, both which] 


‘p 2 11, 12. Col, 1. 


of times had been introduced, the Lord meant to’ 


MS ta De Ot 

As In whom P ye also trusted, 4 after 
that ye heard * the word of truth, * the 
-|gospel of your salyation ; in whom. also 
after that ye believed, ¢ ye were sealed 
with that " Holy Spirit of promise, 

14 Which is.* the earnest of our inhe- 
ritance, until y the redemption of the pur- 
chased paste am an: ie rane of 
his ‘glory. 
canara Opserotons) 


16—22.. 33. 
3.14. 


1. 16. 2 Tim. | Gat, 


21—28.. 1. Pet. 2, uel Tits 2.11, Hebe 
10. 

q 4.21. John 1. 17, 
Rom. 6.17. & 10. 


14—17. Co]. 1. 4—} 


ey de a John 6. 27.| 23. 2 Cov. 1. 22. 
/Rom. 4. 112 Cor.| 5 5.Gal. 4,6. 
1.22. 2 Tim. 2. 19.]y 4.30, Lev. 25. 
&e, Ps. 74,2. & 7 
54, Jer. 32. 7, 
Luke 21. 28." 


6. 25.1 Thes. 2.13.! Rey. 7.2, 3, 

¥ PS, 119. 43. 2 Cor,}u Joel 2. 28. Luke 
6. 7% 2 Tints 2. 15s} 12. 13. 8 24. 49, 
Jam, 1. 18. _ 1} John 14. 16,17. 26, 
s Mark 16. 15, 16.) & 15.26. & 16. 7— 
Acts 13. 26, Rom.! 13s: Acts 1.4. & 2 


1A 


1 Pet. 2.9. Marg. 
2 See on, ver. On its 


© As when orators form a brief recapitulation of 
, or the heads of their discourse : 
said to be collected together in 
© Christ?— Christ is He, in whom ail the 
‘elect, fromthe Creation of the world, otherwise 
« wanderin® from God, are gathered together ; 
‘of whom were some in the heavens, when he 
© came on earth, (who indeed had been gathered 
‘together, by faith in him who was to come ;} 
‘others being found on earth, were gather ed to- 
Lf gether, ‘and are daily gathered to him.’ (Bem) 


The union of angels with redeemed sinners, in 


one company of worshippers, seems also intended. 

V. 13,14, Not only the Jews who had em- 
braced the Gospel, but the Gentile conyerts also, 
especially those at Ephesus, had, “ to the praise 
«of the divine glory,” been led to believe and. 
hope in Christ ; when the word of truth, the glad 
tidings which proposed salvation to them, had 
been preached among them; in whom “ after 
“ they had believed,” or believing, they had been 
sealed by the Holy Spirit, who had been pro- 
thised by the ancient prophets, and by Christ be- 
fore his ascension into heaven. This cannot be 
exclusively explained of miraculous powers.— 


for many unsanctified persons have exercised 
‘miraculous powers. 


ven ; they are the first. fruits of that holy felicity, 
and they impress the holy image ‘of God upon 
their souls. (Vote, 2 Cor. i. 21, 22.) Thus the 
Ephesian converts were preseryed, supported, 

and comforted, and would be during their time 
of trial and suffering in life and death; till they 
should at last be put in full possession of that 
complete redemption, \ which Christ had. ensured 
to his purchased people : or till the inheritance, 
which sin had forfeited, but which Christ had 
ourchased for ‘them, should be, so to speak, 

fully rescued — from: the hands of their enemies, 
and they. pat in complete possession of it at the 
‘resurrection of the dead; to be for ever au 
ments erected “to the praise, of the gléry of 
ef aoe "All these pes are SQ. evidently dis- 


x Rom. 3% 15— mail 


20. 28. Rom. 8. 93- * 


These were not the earnest, pledge, and foretaste 
of heaven; as this seal is declared to have beef: 


But the sanetifying and . 
-| comforting. influences of the Holy Spirit seal be- 
n|lievers as the children of God and heirs of hea- 


— . 
4. Dd. 64. 

15 Wherefore 1 also, ® after I heard 
ef your » faith in the’Lord Jesus, © and 
love. unto all the saints ; 

16 4 Cease not to give thanks for you, 


© making mention of you in my prayers, 
~17 That ‘the God of our Lord Jesus 


Christ, & the Father of glory, may give 
unto you » the Spirit of wisdom and # re-|: 


velation, * in the * knowledge of hing: 
18 The ! eyes of your unders(anding 
being enlightened ; that ye may know 
“what ™is the hope of ™ his calling, and 


ae a ° the riches of the glory of his in- 


eritance in the saints, 
19 And what is P the exceeding great- 


a Col. 1. 3, 4. Phi-} 11. Luke 12. 12. &) Is, 6.10. & 29. 10. 
lem. 5- 21.15. John 14. 17-| 18. & 32. 3. Matt. 
b Gal. 5,6, 1 Thes.} 26. Acts 6. 10. 1) 13. 15. Luke 24, 
1. 3, 2 Whes. 1. 3,) Core 12. 8. & 14.) 45, Acts 16. 14.:& 
1 Tim-1. 5, 14. 6. Col) 1. 9. & 2.) 26 18.2 Cor. 4. 4. 
ip Ps, 16. 3. Cob 1.] 3. Jam. 3.17, 18 | 6. Heb. 10. 32, 
4d Thes 4. 9. Heb.ji 3.5. Dan. 2. 28+-'m 4.4. Rom, 5. 4, 
é. 10.1 Pet. 1. 22,).30. & 10, 1. Matt.] 5. & 9.24.25. Gal: 
a John 3. 17. & 4.) 11. 25. & 16. 17. 1) 5: 5. Col. 1. 5. 23- 


21. Cor, 2.10. 2 Cor. 8 
d Sce on, Rom. 1} 12. 1. Ay 2. 16. Tit. 2. 
13.9 3. 7 1 Pet. 
1,3.R John 3. 1— 
3. 


8,9 1 Sam. 7. 8.{* Or, for the ac- 

& 12. 23. 1 Thes. knowledement.Col. 

3. 17, 2 2.2 Tim. 2, 25. 

e Gen. 4¢. 14. Is. Tit. 1. 1, n 4. 1. Rom. 8. 28— 
62. 6.! Thes. 1. 2.j& 3. 18, 19. Prov.} 30. Phil. 3.14. Col, 
£ See on, ver. 2.5. Jew 9. 24. &: 3, 15. 1 Thes, 2.12. 
#1 Chr. 29. 116 Ps.) 24. 7, & 31. 34.) 2 Thes. 1, 11, 1 
24. 7. 11. & 2943.] Matt. 11. 27. John] Tim. 6, 12. 1 Pet. 
qa 2. 11. Matt 6.) 8. 54, 55. & I6. 3.) 3.9. & 5.10. 


ke 2. 14] & 17. 3- 25, \26.jo See on, ver. 7.11. 
r 7 ge 1 Cor. 2.) Rom. 1. 28. Col. ‘1.7 & 3, 8. 
8. Jam." 2-4. Rev.! 10. 2 Pet. 1. 3. &Ip 2 10.& 3. 7. 20. 
7. 12. 3.18.1 John 2. 3,) Ps. 110. 2, 3. Is. 


h Gen. 41, 38, 39} 4. 53. 1 John 3. 6. 
w Is,*1i. 2: Dan. 5.{1 & 8. Ps, 119. 18} Acts 26. 18. Rom. 


ble to ctive bodies of professors ; that’ we 
must ¢ de the apostle spoke of election as 
peat Se gratwutous ; and of effectual: voca- 
tion as inseparably connected with eternal life: 
and igarned men need far more ingenuity, than 
has yet been employed in the argument, to make 
the apostle’s words speak any other language, 
consistently with the rules of grammar, and of 
common sense. (Votes, Rom, viii. 28—39. ix. xi.) 
™5—23.. The apostle had for some‘ time 
witnessed the conduct of the Ephesians: but, 
Having been absent from them at least five years, 
he had again heard of their faith in Christ, and 
love to”all his saints; which excited him without 
ceasing to thank God for his grace and mercy 
towards them, and animated him in mentioning 
them expressly by name, in all his secret and 
social prayers. Especially he’entreated the God, 
‘whom the Lord Jesus Christ, as man, had wor- 
_ shipped and obeyed, (even the glorious Father, 
the great . Author of all that glory which is visi- 
ble in the wh universe,) that he would still 
more abundautly, communicate to them the Holy 
Spirit, from whose influence all divine wisdom 
was derived to men ; and who discovered to: the 
hearts of believers the certainty, nature, and 
glory of those truths, which by prophets and 
apostles he had revealed to the Church. That 
0,'e veil of prejudice, pride, and sin, being 
oe they might more completely Know God 
in Christ, and more corfidegtly acknowledge 


2 n 5 hate. 


eS 
se ee true Christians, and so inapplica- 


EPHESIANS. 


% 


ness of his! power to us-waral whe ) be 
according to the + working’ of hit 
power, — 

20 Which a 
¥ when he raise 
Sand set him at h 


power, and Bay 
¥ every name that is 
this world, but also 2 in 
come: 

22 And hath * put all ‘thing in 
feet, and > gave him to be the Head: ve 
things, © to the church, gohane 7 

23 Which is 4 his body, ‘ ‘he fat Ss 
of him that filleth all in all. 

pig tt fe 2] fete ase a a ee 
13, Col. 1. 29, & 2 Cor, 
32... 1 Thes. 11.5, 


2 Thes. 1.11. Jam, 
1. 18. 


9.& 10 12 Rev. 1 
17. & 5. 14, 4} 
+ Gr. might of his\t Sars ver. 3. 
Power. u Col. 2. 106 Heb. 
q 2 5, 6. Rom. 6) 1. 4. : 
5—11. Phil, 3. 10.]x 3. 10, && 6. 12.) 


1 Pet. 1. 3. Dan. 7, 27. 
r Ps 16. 911. 8. 38, 39. Col: 
John 10. 18. 30, f 


26. 8. Rom. 1.4, &ly Mat. 28. 19. 
13. 20, 4. 12. Phil. 2. 
s 4.8—10, Ps. 110. 


their relation to him; that, the eyes” ; 
minds being divinely illuminated, they might 
derstand: more clearly; and 
deeply, the value of that Object of f 
to which God had called them by his G Gos 
and perceive what riches of , 

and spiritual blessings, were eae 
glory, which constituted the 

red on his saints; or the rich tbundaice 
revenue of glory, which the Lord would de 
from his saints, as his chosen inheritance io 
that they might perceive what 
ness of divine power had been exerted 
conversion to the faith; and was 

to uphold, strengthen, ‘and defend them, ° 
fect their new creation, and to 
redemption from satan, sin, and de 
ing to the operation of that might 
was put forth in the resurreetio 
of Christ.’ It is remarkable that the 
seems here, studiously, to have’ exha od 
utmost vigour of the Greek language, to ex 
by a beautiful accumulation of ret 


er’s conversion and salvation, ine 
were, that exertion of it, by which’ 
was raised from the dead. ” For, 


ed in the human nature to the "Sghth 
Father, on the mediatorial throne 
places, far above all creatures, how 
not only above the princes of the e 


Jotun ie ial 


te D. 64. 
CHAP. II. 
‘The apostle shows the Ephesians their former cor- 


_ rupt state, as slaves of satan and ‘children of dis- 
~ obedien among whom he and all others once 
were, being by nature the children of wrath, 
éven as they, 1—3. All are saved by grace, in 


ae faith, and thus created unto good 
- 4—10. The Gentiles were once without 


conqueror and destroyer of the powers of 
ss ; but even far above the hierarchies of 
3 Howeeer distinguished as principalities, 
vers, &c. yea, above every name, that ever 
or ‘will be, celebrated on earth or in heaven; 
‘either during the continuance of this world, or 
| that which is to come, Andas all creatures were 
“subjected to his government, so all enemies were 
- virtually put under his feet ; seeing he hath pow- 
erand authority to crush them as he pleases ; 
and will continue to do this in the proper seasons, 
till the last enemy shall be destroyed. (Vote, 
1 Cor, xv. 24—28') Having thus exalted the 
risen. Saviour, the Father hath constituted him 
absolute and universal Governor of the world, 
i given him to be the Head of the Church, 
* he might employ his unbounded authority, 
and almighty power, for its benefit: so that the 
whole is exercised in subserviency to his purpo- 
ses of grace, and to render effectual his redemp- 
tion, in the final salvation of his purebased peo- 


of life and authority to the whole company of 
: believers, as united to him; and they are dear to 
him, and taken care of by him, as the members 
‘of his body: so that he, “in whom all fulness 
«« dwells,” is not complete in his mediatorial cha- 
‘Facter, except in the preservation and full salva. 
ion of his whole mystical body. And while* he 
‘fills heaven and earth with his glory, he filis his 
oF inances with his power and gracious presence, 
and dwells in every believer, by his Spirit of life; 
parity, and love; he condescends to deem them 
‘essential to his own fulness of glory; even as 
every member of the body is to the completeness 
‘of the human nature, 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATION Ss: 
/. Vv. 1—8, 

Faith i in Christ, and faithfulness to him, unite 
» form the character of his saints: and to the 
ee grace of God we wholly owe it, if we}: 
i ae either true believers or ministers. God our 
E ther, from whom, and the Lord Jesus through 
| whom, grace and peace are given to. sinful men, 
| ate to be adored and praised for all those spirit- 
ual blessings, with which we are, or hope to be, 
| sed, in time and to eternity. The appoint- 
} t of the eternal Son of the Father, as the 
for fallen man, in the. divine foreknow- 
+, even before the foundation of the: world, 
source of all the hopes and comforts of 
who “ were chosen in him, that they should 
y, and without blame before him in love.” 
nal holiness was provided for, in every 
he counsels of God, respecting man’s 
5 "80 that the renewal of our hearts to. 
im mages and a blameless walk before 


Cnr 


forming an executing: the holy plan of man’s 


ple. For his Church is his body; he is the Héad | 


- gathering toge 


A. D. 64. 

rist, without hope, without God; but by the 
Weel grace of God, through the atonement of 
Christ, all, who believed, were brought nigh, 
and xceeudlied to God ; had access to him ; were 
formed into one chnxohi with Jewish converts, 
(the ritual law being taken away by the death of 
Christ,) and so ‘became an habitation of God 
through the Spirit, M22. 


proper evidences that we are predestinated, and 
have been called by God, to “the adoption of 
“ children by Jesus Christ unto himself, accord- 
“ing to the good pleasure of i will” For 
when this purpose of God began to takeeffect, © 

by our being “ made accepted in his beloved » 
«Son, in whom we obtain redemption through _ 
* faith in his blood, even the forgiveness of our 
sins according to the riches of his grace; ae 
then, as the children of God, who is Love, we 
began to bear his image and become followers of 
him. Thus the change wrought, as well as the 
mercy shown, are “ to the praise of the glory of 
“ his grace :” the reconciled rebel, the adopted ) 
son, gives all the praise of his salvation to his 
gracious Father ; his actions, (as well as his lips,) 
declare the praises of the divine mercy ; and it 


appears e€ ni ; that adorable. wisdom and pru- 
dence co ed. with unspeakable grace, in 


salvation. 
Vv. 9—14. 


The mysteries ‘of God in €.. 
must have been for ever hidden 
had not made them*known to us by his 
agd his Spirit of truth. Thus, in every res 4 
he dispenses his blessings according 40 ‘ss ‘his 
“ good pleasure, which he hath, purgos 3 
himself.” In executing his grand Age 
r in one, all things’ 
* both which are in heaven and: in ea 
hath brought us to seek .and obtain an thh 
ance among: his redeemed people.;;and we | 
allow; that we were “ predestinated acca 
“ to the purpose of him, who worketh all th 
« after the counsel of his own will’ He 
the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation to us. 
while others were left in darkness; he quicken- 
ed us, when others were left dead in sin; , 
enabled us to trust in Christ, as well as sealet 
‘our pardon by his sanctifying Spirit, as the ez 
nest of our future glorious inheritance. We . 
need not wonder that the self-wise and: 
cient men deride, and dispute agains 
humbling and spiritual mysteries; nor i 
all desirable that they should embrace th 
a scheme of doctrine} in a carnal mind. Bie. 
that humble believers, “who allow ae ow 
hearts to be as evil, except as renewed 
grace, as those of their most irrelig 
bours, should - be afraid of tr2 


reign purpose and electing love of God if ATS 
that in giving: him. the whole glory « of 1 


work in their souls; this, I say, is matter gf 
prise to those, who find’ the sweetest gg af 


aR 


. _ 


x “When most sensible of our own weakness, and 
~ sthe-power of our enemies, we shall most per- 


a 


# 
x 


4 


ALD 64.5. EPHESIANS. 


ND * you hath he quickened, who 
were > dead in trespasses and sins ; 

2 Wherein ¢ in time past ye walked 

d according to the course of this world, 


Job 3}. 7. 1 Cor. 6, 
11. Col. 1. 21.& 3. 
7-1 Pet, 4s 3, 

d Ps. 17. 14. Jere 
23. 10. Luke 16. 8. 
John 7.7, & 8. 23. 
& 15. 19, Rom: 12. 


© according to the prince of f 
f of the air, & the spirit that ne 
in * the children of disobedic 
2.1 Cor., 10, Gal} 18, 8. 14, & 20. 2 | J 

ee 


- : v ba 
1. 4.2 Tim. 4, 10. 4. 16. 19. John 3k 
b 5.14. Matt. 8, 22. 1 2 16, 19 yor 


a ver. 5, 6. & 1. 19, 
Luke 15. 24. 32 


20. John 5. 25. & 

10. 10. & 11. 25,| John 5,24, 2 Cor. 

96. & 94.6. Rom., 5.14.1 Tim. 5. 6. 

8. 2. 1 Cor. 15. a 1 John 3. 14. Rev. 
Ic 


4, feo i & 
€ 6. 12.John 8. 44-1 22, eka 

& 12. 31. & 14. 30.] 13. 2 27%. Acts 5.| Pet. 2. 14. Gre 
& 16-11. 1 John 5.) 3, 2 Cor. 4, 4. 1) John3.10. 
19. Rey. 12. 9. &! tee 


1. 2.13, & 3. 1—} 3.1. 
4. ver, 3. & 4. 22, 


i) aR 
¢ 


as, in the original, that verse appears to take 1 
and conclude. the sentence here begun, merel 
by changing you into us, entirely in the apostle’ 
manner. Death in trespasses and sins, impli¢ 
an utter incapacity for spiritual employments ai 
satisfactions; the want of all desire after th 
felicity; which holy creatures enjoy in the { 
vour and service of God; and a total inabi 
worshipping and obeying him with love z 
light: even.as a dead man is utterly inca 
of the business or pleasures of life. The e 
ployments and enjoyments of animal nature, an 
even those of a rational being, are within th 
capacities-of a man, who is dead in sin; but h 
cannot relish or desire spiritual pleasures. B 
may be an epicure, or a philosopher; but 
cannot find satisfaction in the peculiar. emplo 
ments ofa saint. For he must be carnal; s 
the carnal mind is enmity against God, and 
opposition to the holy law. Such a man the’ 
fore, must be an apostate, and an idolater, ¥ 
seeks happineSs in the creature, not in the C1 
tor: and he can only live to transgress, to 

sue carnal things, to corrupt himself and 

and to aggravate his condemnation as a tra 
gressor of the divine law. In such sins and 

passes the Ephesians had habitually wa 
and had gone about, under an accumulating loa 
of guilt, and the power of their evil propensiti 
without any concern about the consequences, 
this they had proéeeded according to the ct 
toms, fashions, and maxims “ of this present e 


and encouragement from the glorious review. 
and prospect. 
V. 15—23. 

If any, who appear to have faith in the Lord 
Jesus, and love to all the saints, are dazzled by 
these sublime mysteries ; their more established 
brethren should not forget, who made them to 
differ; and, instead of forming rash judgments, 
and engaging in violent disputations, (which are 
peculiarly ‘unsuitable on this subject;) they 
should thank God for what he hath done for 
them, and pray always for those whom they 
deem mistaken. Indeed, we all need to pray for 
ourselves and each other, ** to the God of our 
* Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,” for 
a large communication of “ the Spirit of wis- 
s dom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” 
‘We shall do far more in this way towards bring- 
ing believers to be of one mind and judgment, 
than by eager disputations : “ for a man can re- 
*¢ ceive nothing, except it be given him from 
«¢ above;” and high confidence, on one side of 
the question, commonly excites the same on the 
other, side, with all its hateful consequences.— 
But, if we disputed with less earnestness, and 
prayed’ with greater fervency for each other, the 
eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we 
should daily see more and more, “ what is the 
<< “hope of our calling, and the riches of the di- 
“vine glory, in the inheritance of his saints.” 


“ world.” (Note, Gal. i. 4.) They did li 
their neighbours, and like other men all 

the earth. Thus to live * according: 
* course of this world,” was to live 
to the wiil of the devil: a dreadful advane 
the preceding clause, ‘though evidently con 
in it. At this time therefore they lived ac 
to the example and temptations of satan, 
and prince of this world, that arch-aposta' 
rebel, who has the seat of his empire in 
and there exerts his power and influen 
at least accorded to the notions then 
among the Jews, and even among the 
concerning their genii and demons; wh 
ther to be understood literally or fi 
was sufficient for the apostle’s 
satan and the legions of fallen angels 
subordinate to him, continually wait the: 
tunity of tempting men to sin, by removin 
their minds good thoughts and serious im 
sions, and suggesting others of a co’ 
dency. In this way be maintains his don 
and men in general copy his example of re 
lion, enmity, and contemptuous defiance of 
of pride, ambition, envy, malice, ey n 

r Wr) . 


‘deve and experience the greatness of that 
taighty power which hath effected our conver- 
sidn,@ad is engaged to perfect our salvation.—- 
For the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, 
his universal and sovereign authority, and al- 
mighty power, were all intended for our benefit, 
if we are indeed the members of his mystical 
body the Church; which is “ the fulness of him 
** who filleth all in all.” The immensity of this 
love and condescension, and the vastness of our 
privileges, should excite our enlarged expecta- 
tions; our unspeakable obligations, if duly ap- 
prehended, will constrain us by love to live to 
our Redeemer’s glory; and thus our humble, 
holy, and cheerful lives, will vindicate our doc- 
tine from the calumnies of those, who speak 
evil of such things as they understand not. 


By 


¥ 


NOTES. 

CHAP. I. V. 1,2. The almighty power of 
God, which raised Christ from the dead, (i. 20.) 
had also raised. to spiritual life the Ephesians, 
who had been dead in sin : for the words, “hath 
e quickened,” seem ‘to have been properly, 

tom the fifth verse, supplied by our translators: 


x 
cx 


Dey 


A Di64: 


also 


ulfilling the * desires of 
f the mind; and were 


‘om. 11, 30.1 Pet 
2. 10. 1 John 2. 8. 
4. 22, Mark 4, 19. 
Jobn 8.44. Rom. 1. 


2 Pet. 2, 18. 1 John 
2. 16. Jude 16—18. 
. m Rom. 8. 7, 8 2 
. 22.124, & 6.12. & 13. pe 1. Gal. 5. 
f 44 14, Gal. 5. 16—2-} 1 Chay : 
i aa rt Tin. 6. 9. Jam.|* Gr. wills. John 1. 
9. 4. 1—3. 1 Pet. 1+) 13 


CHAPTER Ik 


iwe all had our|"bynature the ° children of wrath, P even 
mes past, ! in the lusts/ as others. Paes : 


14. & 2. 11. & 4. 2.| p Gen. 5.3. & 6. 5. 


A. D. 645 


is [Practical Observations] 
4 But God, 4 who is rich in mercy, 


Rom. 9, 22. 145.8. Is. 55. 6—8" 

p Rom. 3.9, 22,23.) Dan. 9. 9. Jon. 4° 
4. & 15.14—16. &| 1 Core 4.7% © | 2 Mic. 7- 18—20. 
25. 4, Ps. 51. 5.jq ver. 7- & 1.7 &| Luke 3, 78. Rom. 
Mark 7. 21, 22.) 3.8. Ex, 33. 19. &! 2.4.& 5.202). & 9. 
John 3. 1—6. Rom.| 34. 6,7. Neh. 9.17. 23.. & 10:12. 1 
5. 12—19. & 7 18,] Ps. 51. 1. & 86. 5.| Tim. 1. 14. 1 Pet. 
Gal. 2. 15,16. 15. & 103, 8—11. &| 1 3. 

0. See on, he vere 2 


& 8. 21. Job 14, 


Band destruction : or they gratify his malignity} once deeply. engaged in this scheme, being . 


through gross sensualities, or by war and blood- 
hed ; or his ambition by idolatry, impiety, 
infidelity. Thus the Ephesians had walked, ac- 


by destroying themselves and each other, strongly attached to. Mr. Locke’s views; and 


had begun to compose a sermon, according to — 


and| it; when this very text, occurring to his mind, © 


shook his whole system to the foundation. This 


cording.to that spirit, which still worked in the] is more than thirty years since, and he has had 


children of disobedience, or in those’ who con- 


abundant time, and has bestowed no little pains, 


tinued in unbelief and rebellion against God.—j in reconsidering the subject ; but, is deeply con. 


Or, as it may be more literally rendered, 
- cording to the prince of that spirit, 
© now worketh,” kc. Satan ig’ the author 


© a¢-| vinced that the interpretation is wholly unscrip- 
which | tural, and that it tends to evaporate the mean- 
and | ing of the sacred oracles, as if we had little con- 


tuler of that proud, carnal, and impious spirit,| cern in the greatest part of them. Not only 


‘or disposition, which is in ungodly men: his} were the idolatrous Ephesians thus dead in sin, 


‘temptations first produced itin human nature ; 


to instigate it to all wickedness in thought, 
P 
maintains his empire in the world.” 

Children of disubedience. (Marg. Ref. Note, 


OIL, me 
_V. 3. The apostle before spoke of the Gen- 


1¢ Romans, he proyec 
‘sin,) he turns his 


a 


e7 


of 
b 
os 


‘Jew, 


‘ 


On se) 4 


author of these notes was| 


and under the power of satan: but the apostle, 


and he works on it by the agency of evil spirits, and all other Christians then on earth, had in 
word, times past their conversation among them, as 
‘and deed: thus he rules in man’s heart; he alienated from God, and disobedient to him.— 
Jassesses, as it were, all unbelievers; and he They lived “in the lusts of their flesh,” or ace 
ires with wit and ingenuity the advocates cording to the desires of their carnal hearts ; 
Vice, impiety, and infidelity, by whom he gratifying their animal appetites in sensual wick- 


edness; or the proud, covetous, ambitious, and 
malignant tempers of their minds, as constitu- 
tion, custom, or education swayed them ; with- 
out any proper regard to the authority, will, glo- 


verts exclusively, at least principally :|Ty, or favour of God. So that the Jews, as well 
, (in the Same manner as in the epistle| as the Gentiles; and the Christians, as well as 
the Jews also to be| those who remained unconverted, were “ by na- 
r scourse, and includes nd ture”? dead in sin, “ and children of wrath,” 
himself and all the converts from that na-|one as well as another. For, being born of 
n, among those who once ‘Were dead in sin,| Adam’s fallen race, averse to good and prone to 
and slaves to satdn: and he proceeds to use the| evil; they were alike, in the temper of their 
first ‘person plural to the end of the seventh hearts and the conduct of their lives, deserving e 
verse, and'then he again addresses the Gentile| of, and meet for, the wrath of God. Great pains, — 
conyerts. He could not mean the Jews, say as has been observed, have been employed. to” 
nany learned men, because they had not been| prove, that nature may signify custom, or habitual 
rs. But had the apostle mentioned idola-| Practice. But they, who with immense erudition, 
nd is there no way of conforming to the labour, and ingenuity, have spent themselves in © 
and serving the devil, except by idolatry ?| this vain attempt, have been evidently baffled in _ 
uppose that the apostle spake of himself|the critical argument, by men of far inferior 
the Gentiles, or one of the Church of| learning; so that they seem nearly silenced. At 
hiefly consisting of Gentile converts, be-| the same time, stubborn facts ‘prove, that men 
he then resided there, is so absurd in it-| called Christians are ‘‘ dead in sin,” as much as 
suitable to his argument ; so needless,|the Gentiles were; and that the children of be- 
vhat he had said of the Gentiles ; and so/lievers are as prone to evil and averse to good, 
y to his language, and that of the most] as those of idolaters: nor can any man suppose, 
Saints, in other parts of Scripture ;| that worldly lusts are more excusable in Chris- 
Ref.) that nothing, it may fairly be pre-|tians, than.in heathens. The word rendered 
ld have reconciled so many learned |“ by nature,” seems never to have been used for 
pit, but the necessity of adopting it, in} any other customs, than such as’ resulted from 
| the doctrine of original sin, in the | nnate propensities : and the whole tenour of the 
roper meaning: of the terms, as true | Scripture, as well as the experience and confes- 
y, Gentile, or Christian, as ‘ natur-| sions of the most pious persons who ever lived, 
ered of Adam’s race;? and so to confirm.our interpretation, and expressly contra- 
loctrine of regeneration, or a|dict that more flattering one, which many haya 
e soul, by the power oi| attempted to substitute in its place: 


4 


I 


& 


A. D. 64. 


for t his great love wherewith he loyed us, 
5 Even when we were $ dead in sins, 
hath * quickened us together with Christ, 
(* by * grace ye are saved:) | 
6 And * hath raised ws up together, 
and made ws ¥ sit together 7 in heavenly 
jlaceg in Christ Jesus ; ‘ , 
7 That * in the ages to come he might 
b shew the exceeding riches of his grace, 
in Ais kindness toward us through Christ 
Jesus. i 
8 For by graceare ye sayed4 through 


rv Deut. 7. 7,8 & 9-[ 16. & 11. 5,6. Tit] 3. & 17. 21—26. 
5,6. Jer. 31. 3. Ez.! 2. 11. Rev. 3: 20, 21. 
16, 6—8. John 3[* Or, whose grace,|z See on, h. & 1. 3. 
J4—17. Rom. 5, 8.{ ye, Acts 15- Il.ja 3.5.21, Ps. 41.13. 
& 9. 15,10. 2 Thes.] Rom. 16,'20- 2 Cor.| & 106. 48. Is. 60. 
2.13. 2 Tim. 1, 9.J 1S. 14. Rev. 22. 21.{.15. 1 ‘Lim. 1. 17. 
"Lit. 3, 4—7, 1 John}x See on, 1. 19, 20.jb See on, ver. 4. 2 
4. 10—191 Rom. 6. 4, 5. Col.| Thes. 1.12.1 Tim. 
§ ‘See on, b. ver. 2. 4 1,78. & 2.13, & 3.) 1. 16. 1 Pet. L, 12. 
t See on, c. ver. 2. &| 1—3. Rev. 5. 9—14. 
5. 14. John 5. 214y Mat. 26,29, Lukeje See on, 
& 663. Rom: 8 2.) 42. 37. & 22, 29, 30. Rom. 3. 24s 
u ver, 8 Rom. 4.| John 12. 26. & 14.jd Mark 16-16. Luke 


V. 4—10. Even when the apostle and his fel- 
low-Christians, whether Jews or. Gentiles, were 
dead in sin, incapable of helping themselves, 
and hateful in the sight, of God, he loved them 
with an exceedingly great love: not for any 
hing which he saw, or foresaw, in them, but 
because “he was rich in mercy,” and delighted 
in the most abundant and illustrious exercise of 
it. Having therefore loved them, and given his 
own Son to die for their sins, and raised him as 
their Surety from the dead ; the same immense- 
ly free metcy influenced him, to raise them 
from the death of sin, by a continuation of that 
powerful operation. Thus he * quickened them 
«* together with Christ,” in virtue of his resur- 
rection, with life communicated from him, by 
the Holy Spirit. So that they were saved, or 
had been saved, wholly by unmerited grace; 
whether their election, redemption, or conver- 
sion, were considered. Being thus raised to a 
new life, in conformity to their risen Lord, they 
in him, their Head, Representative, and. Surety, 
were * made to sit in heavenly places ;” their fu- 
ture glory was ensured by his ascension and ex 
altation, and by their union with him; and their 
treasures, hearts, and hopes, were already in 
heaven with Christ their Life. (Marg. Ref.)— 
This whole plan had been formed and executed, 
that “in thesages to come,” in future genera- 
tions, and future worlds, the Lord might dis- 
play the exceeding riches and abundance of 
his grace, by the astonishing kindrtess shown 
to such vile sinners in Christ Jesus ; that so, men 
and angels, and all created intelligences, to eter. 
nity, might behold, admire, and adc*e, his glari- 
ous mercy and love in these transactions. The 
apostle would therefore repeat and enlarge upon 
the hint before given ; that “they were saved 
“by grace 3”? they were brought into a state of 
full security by the mere mercy of God, through 
faith in Christ: and even this faith, whieh effect- 
ed their relation to him, was not of themselves : 
their proud and carnal minds having been 
utterly averse to the humbling and spiritual 


uae 


EPHESIANS. 


faith; and © that riot of yours 
the gift of God: 

9 Not fof works, lest‘am 
boast : poe ¢ 

10 For & 
h created in Chr 
works, * which € 
dained that we sk 
& 4,2. & 9. 11, 


OF 


7 50. John 3. 14— 
18. 36.& 5.24. & 
6. 27-29. 35. 40 
Acts 13. 39. & 15, 
7—9. & 16. 31. 
Rom, 3. 22. 26, &] 25. & 29. 23. & 43.) | 
405. 16. & 10. 9,! 21, & 60, 21. & 61 

10. Gal. 3. 14. 22. 3, Jere 31, 38+ & 32. { 
1 John 5. 10—12, | 59,40. John 3..3—| 21. 1 Pet. 
e ver, 10 & 1.19.) 6. 21. al 1.4. B 


g Ps. 138. 6. I 


Mat, 16. 17. John} 2 Cor, 5.5. Phil, 1|+ Or, prepc 
1. 12,13. & 6. 57.) 6 & 2 13. Heb.|l ver. 2. & 
44.65. Acts 14271118. Bie) ) Ff 
& 16. 14: Kom, 10.}h 4/24. Ps. 51, 10. 
14—17. Phil. 1. 29,.] 2-Cor. 5. 1%. Gal. 
Col. 2.12. Jam. 1.16.95. Col. 8) 10. — 
16—18. f? Mat. 5. 16, Acts} 
£ Rom, 3- 20. 27,28. ‘Gh 


doctrine : but it was the free gift of G 
the effect of their being dukeeaed ° 


ated, by his Spirit: . Thus their ps 
yar 


mity, their loye of sin ahd the world, 
dued, and they were brought to belie 


pel and trust in Christ. This i 
fore was in no degree, or way, of works of 
kind ; that so, no man should have any ground 
boasting, that he did of himself cont 
thing to his own happiness, or of glory’ 
his neighbour. (Motes; Rom. iii, 19— 
i. 29—31.) For though believers differed 
ly from other men, and from their former s 
this was the effect of a divihe power e 
on them : they were “ the workmanship 
who in Christ had wrought a real new 
upon their souls; giving new prince 
propensities, to their se faculties, | 
new direction to their affections and 
Thus their disposition and abilizy to 
and to do good works, should 0 
a part of their salvation, not as the 
for it was the putpose of God, that 
ed people should habitually walk in ; 
from their conversion, till they 
course; and their holy lives we 
evidence, and recommendation o 
by grace. ‘Both faith and w 
* workmanship; both are ne 
* one the fruit of the other? ( 
term “ good. works,” is never 
Testament, for ritual obedie! 
as practised by unbelievers, or 
works than the fruits of the Spirit. 
doubt of this, let him consult t 
\ferences, or a good concordance. 
thor was not aware of, when 
for the former edition: or 
have enlarged on the i 
ability to do good works, 
salvation; and so in no se’ 


ro 


without doubt, regeneration and sanctific 
the Spirit of Christ, are as much a p. 


salvation, as redemption and justifix 


yf Fine 


eforé m remerniber, that ye 
ast ™ Gentiles. i in the el 


hat at that time ye were q, spribhiout 
t being * aliens from the common- 
of Israel, and strangers from * the 
ants of promise, * having: no hope; 
du i without God in the. world: 

3 But now, xin ‘Christ Jesus ye, who 
" Sometimes ¥ were far off, * z are made nigh 
by the blood of Christ. - ie 

ie 14.For he is 4 our. Pesce: who hath 


m Deut. 5.15. & 8.) 3, kes Jer. 31.3 1—'x See on, Rom, 8. 1. 
2. & 9.7, & 15. 15. & & $3, 20—26.! 1 Cor. 1. 30. 3 Cor. 
’ & 16. 12. Is. 53.1, 7, 26, Luke} 5.17. Gal. 3, 28. 


22. & 3, 5—8. Ps 


& 36, 31.| Rom, 9. 4,5. Gal. 
; & 73, 27. 


1 & 12.) 3,16, 17. 
gh | lt Jer. 14, 8. & 17:] Is, 11. 10. & 24,15, 
13. John 4, 22, Acts] 16. & 43. 6, & 49. 
28, 20. Col. 1. 5 | 12. & 57. 19. & 60. 


22, 27. 


! Rom 2. 28. 
Bis. 6, 12. Cal 
‘al bee ctl 17, 26. 36], 
Jer. 9. 25, 26. Phil. 
B.3.Col.3,11, [18.1 Pet. 1. 3. 21. 
jp Cole. ales ey 15. 1 John 3.}, 


27. 1'Thes, 4. 13.) 4.9. & 66. 19. Jer. 
2Thes. 2. 16. 1} 16. 19, Acts 2. 39, 
Tim. 1. 1, Heb. 6.4 & 15. 14. & 21. 21. 
& 26. 18. Rom. 15. 
8—~—12. ‘ 

Z vere 16. &' 1. 7 
Rom. 3. 23—30. & 
5. 9,100 1 Cor. 6. 
U1. 2 Cor. 5. 20, 2 
Col. 1. 13, 14, 21, 
22. 1 Pet. 1. 18,19. 
& 3. 18. Rev. 5.9 M 
a Ts.9. 6, we Ex 34, 


q John 10. 16. &| 3. 

BRUROe Bells, ee ju 2Chr. 15. 3. Is, 
¥ A, 18, Ezra 4, 3, 
1.5, Ez. 13-9 


44. 6. & 45. 20. 
Hos. 8.4. Acts 14. 
stele 11. 34, ‘15, 16. Rom. 1. 28 
8 Gen. 15. 18. & 17. —32. 1'Cor. 8. a 
” 7-9. Ex. 24,3—I1.| 6. & 10.19,20. Gal 
| Num. 18. 19. Ps: 89. i 8. ; 


“ip gana 
_ 
oe 


N 


have objected. to the word a akin being used 
“instead of" ordained : et the marginal 


reading, and the more li Perhaps provi- 
_ ded answers the idea, as ac 
word. Ordained, for set in order, (Ps. viii. 3 ;) 
ves the real meaning. Walking in good works 
forms an essential part of that plan, which God 
\ has et 3 in order for man’s salvation: and he pre- 
nti believers by his grace to fall in with this 


_ ¥. 11—13, Having spoken of the general 

‘state te fallen man, and the salvation of all be- 
lievers by mere § race ; the apostle next proceed. 
| to show the Gentile converts the peculiarities 
heir case, which had placed them further 
of the way of merey, than the Jews had been. 
would have them remember, that they had 
only been dead in sin, but « Gentiles in the 

flesh,” as to their outward state, their gross 
olatries, immoralities, and sensuality : ‘so that 


empt and aversion, as polluted and out of 
ant with God, even by the Jews, who had 


g 


eart.” At that time, they were in every 
“without, or separate from, Christ ; being 
s from the commonwealth of Israel ‘and its 


which his ordinances were administer- 


Psd, 


Maintained. They had also been 
the Abrahamic Covenant, to wibh 


to that of the Priesthood ; ; in all 


hal om 


2. Ew el Te, Mets 3, 25ly vers 12. 172 19—| 


.|e Bsth. 3. 8 Acts 


‘e Gal. 3. 10. Col. 2. 


tely as any other 


had been called the Uncircumcision, in‘ 


» both ones and hath Goicenk down 
¢ the middle wall of partition between us 5 
15 Having abolished ¢ in his flesh the. 


| enmity, even © the law of commandments, 


‘contained in ordinances ; for to'make in 
himself of twain,’ one new man, so mak- 
‘ing peace ; 

16 And that hie roent g reconcile both 
unto God in one body by the cross, * hav- 
ing slain the enmity * thereby ; _ : 

17 And came, ' and preached peace to 
you which were afar off, and te them 
k that were nigh. qu 

18 For! through him we both have ac- 
cess ™ by one Spirit unto ™ the Father. 


-24, 25. Mic. 5. 5.) 23. & 10.1—10. 407. Pse 750168 76. 
Zechs 6. 13. Lukejf 4, 16. 24, 2 Cor. §.| 1,2. & ¥47- 18, 19. 
1.79. 2 14: Rom.| 17. Col. 3.10. & 148. 14. Luke 10. 
5. 1. Cel. 1.20, Heb |g Dan. 9. 24. Rom.) 9—11. 

7% 2. & 13,20. 5. 10,2 Cor, 5. 18|1 3.12. John 10. 7. 
b yer. 15. & 3.15.) —21. Col. 1. 20—] 9. & 14.7. Rom. 5s 
& 4.16. Is, 19. 24,) 22. 2, Heb. 4. 15, 16. & 


25. Ez. 87. 19, 20.|h ver. 15, Rom, 6| 7.20. & 10. 19, 20. ; 


John 10. 16. & 11. 6 & 8.3.7. Gal. 2.) 1Pet. 1. 21,& 3, 18. 
52. 1 Cor. 12. 12,; 20. 1°Pet. 4, 1,2. | 1 John 2. 1,2. 

Gal. 3. 28. Cok 3, * Or, in himself. \m 4. 4. & 6. 18. 
11. i Ps. 85. 10. Is. 27.) Zeche 12.10, Rom. 


16. 28. Col. 2. 10— 
14. 

d Col. 1. 22. Heb. 
10. 19—22. 


—21. Zech. 9, 10.} 12.13, Jude 20. 
Mat. 10. 13. Lukel|n 3.14, Mat. 28. 19. 
2, 14, & 10. 5, 6.| John 4.21—23, 1 
Acts 2. 39; & 10.] Cor, 8 6. Gal. 406. 
36. Rom. 5.1. 2 Cor. Jam.3. 9. 1 Pets 1. 
5, 20. 17. 

k ver. 13, 14. Deut. 


14. 20. Heb. 7. 16. 
&8.13.&9.9, 10, 


was promised, So that, whatever notions they 
might have of.a future state, they had nothing 
on which to ground a hope of acceptance and. 
happiness in it: all their expectations of that 
kind were mere presumption ; and whatever de- 
mons, idols, or imaginary beings they worship- 
ped, they were indeed atheists, as to the only 
true God, and as to the effect of their fables or 
speculations upon their conduct: “inthe world ;” 
which was the same, or as bad as it would have 
been, if they all had been avowed atheists; see. 
ing that their abominable idolatry led them into 
more immorality, than it restrained them from, — 


5. & 52.7, & 57,19] 8. 15.26, 27. 1 Cor. 


besides the impiety inherent in it, Butatiength 


they, who had been by nature, practice, custom, 
and external situation, so far off from the wor. 
ship, service, love, favour and image of God, 
were brought nigh to him, asin Christ Jesus by 
faith: thus they were admitted into a state of 
acceptance, reconciliation, and friendship, with 
‘God, through the atoning blood of Christ; and. 
were become his peculiar people and spiritual 
worshippers. How rude and_ affronting would 


he outward, circumcision in’ the flesh, of|@ company of unhumbled impenitent sinners, es. 
eration,” without the circumcision of pecially in a superior station of life, consider it, 


should a friend in a letter, o or a@ minister in a ser- 
mon, address them in this language ! ! If no 
man knoweth the Father, but he to whom the 


advantages, as the visible Church of|Son reveals him; all men, who. reject the Gos- ° 


pel, whether idolaters, unbelieving Jews, Maho- 


racles deposited, and the expectation of| metans, or Deists, must be “‘ without God,” ac-/ 


cording to the apostle’s meaning in that expres- 
sion. (Marg. Ref.) 


| V.14—18, In every sense, Christ was to be 


uaieilieeed as their Peace; the Author, Centre, 
tjand Substance of SR CONcHANbE to God, and of 


* 


H eel 
} bd 
Auge 
RC 


A, D. 64. 
19 Now therefore. ye are no 


© strangers and foreigners, P but fellow-} stone 3 ~ 


citizens with the saints, and of 4 the 
household of God; 

20 And are * built upon * the founda- 
tion of the apostles and prophets, t Jesus 


‘o See-on, ver. 12. 

Pp 3.6. Gal. 3. 26— 
28. & 4. 26—31. 
Phil. 3. 20 -Gr, 
Heb. 12 22-24. 
Rev. 21. 12—26. 

q 2. 15. Matt. 10. 


25. Gal. 6. 10. 1] 23 Gal. 2. 9 Rev. 
John 3. t. 21.14 

r 4.12 1 Pet, 2. 4,it Ps. 118. 22. Mate 
5. 21, 42. Mark 12, 
s 4 1113. Is. 28 } 10,11, Luke 20, 17, 
16. Matt. 16. 18. 1} 18, Acts 4.11, 12. 
Cor, 5.911. & 12] 1 Pet, 2.7, 8. 


yds 4 
thé union of Gentile converts with Jewish be- 


lievers in one Church. For he had effected a 
cordial peace between those discordant parties, 
(who had before exceedingly despised, and even 
detested each other;) by breaking down that 
partition-wall, which:had so long separated the 
Jews from the Gentiles: namely, the ceremonial 
law, to which'the Gentiles were extremely averse, 
even when otherwise favourable to the worship 
of Jenovan; and of which the Jews were te- 
nacious. and proud, to a degree of disgusting 
bigotry. But Christ, by assuming human nature, 
and fulfilling, ia his priestly character, especially 
by hie sacrifice on the cross, these typical insti 

tutions, had abolished them ; and thus removed 
the ground of enmity, of the Jews and Gentiles 
against each other concerning them. So that 
this law, the commands of which consisted of 
external ordinances, having lost all its use and 
obligation; the Gentiles were admitted: into the 
Christian Church, without submitting to the yoke, 
or being deemed unclean because uncircumcised. 
Thus they became one body with the believing 
Jews; that so Christ might create, as it were, 
** Onc new man,” consisting of regenerate per- 

sons, both Jews and Gentiles, united to himself 
the Head, quickened by his Spirit, walking. in 
newness of life, harmonious in. worship and obe 

dience, and mutually loving and doing good to 
one another. (Votes, &c. Is. xi. 1—9. 1 Cor. xii.) 
In this way, Christ was the Peace-maker between 
Jews and Gentiles: and at tae same. time, he 
reconciled both of them in one body unto God. 

For the ceremonial law implied man’s state of 
condemnation, pollution, and enmity against 
God; to whom he could not approach, except 
on a mercy-seat, and by priests, sacrifices, in- 
cense, and purifications; being, after all, Kept at 
a great distance from him: but the death of 
Christ upon the cross took away the guilt, which 
was the cause of the enmity; that so, 2 holy 

God might honourably pardon, and be reconciled 
to, his rebellious: creatures; and it made way for 
the communication of his Holy Spirit to regene- 
rate sinnérs, and so to destroy the enmity of their 


hearts against the holy character, worship, and|which he delighted to be worshipped. T' 
service of God. (JVotes, 2 Cor, v. 17—21.) Hav-|by the continual conversion of sinners, and 
ing finished this great design, he came, by his} progressive: sanctification of believers; wh 
apostles and ministers, to preach peace. with God |each individual in his proper | place, condu 
and with each other, to the Gentiles who had i! f 


been far off, and to the Jews who were outward_ 


ly nigh to God. For through the Person, sacri.| part of it; the spiritual temple is erecting 
fice, and mediation, of Christ, sinners of all de-}age to age, and will be, till its full completi 
scriptions were allowed access to. Gud, as a jheaven. So that the Gentiles, being én Christ 


EPHESIANS. © , 
oré | Christ himself being the chief 


m: ty 
all. pe buildin 


21 In whom 2 
framed togethei 
temple in the Lo: 

22 In whom ye a! 
ther for 2 an habita 
the spirit. 


u 4. 13-16. Ez, 40.+y Bs. 93.5. 
42. 1 Cor. 3. 9. 


into bin: presence, with their ras an 
ces, under the immediate teaching and inflt 
of the Holy Spirit, as one with the Father and 
Son, in this great work of salvation, as well as in 
the unity of the Godhead; (Js. lvii. 19.}—It 
should be noticed, that, in the seventeenth verse, 
the apostle, distinguishing the Gentile convert: 
from the Jewish, says, “ you that were far off,” 
thus evidently ranging himself among the Jewish 
converts, who were comparatively ni This 
is natural, and perfectly destructive ¢ ‘that n= 
natural interpretation, by which he is suppe 
to include himself among the Gentile con’ 
The wall, which separated the uncircum 
Gentiles, who came to worship the God of Is: 
at the temple, from the Jews and the circumci 
proselytes, is generally supposed to be allu 
to, by the “ middle wall of partition.” Und 
the Christian dispensation, they all ‘worsh 
together, as one body, animated by one soul 
speaking by one te. (Votes, Col. ii. 10 
V. 19—22. The Gentile believers ‘were 
longer strangers and aliens, excluded from the 
privileges of God’s people, as foreigners ‘are 
from those of native subjects: or, as ‘from | 
other nations, who came occasionally to worship 
at Jerusalem, were from the | or resident 
worshippers. Bat they were become ie 
zens of the heavenly Jerusalem, 
eminent saints of Israel: they b 
household of God, not only as serv: 
chiidrem, Nay, they were made a part 
spiritual temple, which the outward san 
had typified ; having been builded upon the 
dation, which prophets of old, and apost 
late, had laid in their doctrine, and in the 
tures; of which foundation, and of the v 
superstructure, Jesus Christ himself was the cl 
Corner-stone, the Centre of union, the Ce 
and. Support. Upon him the whole build 
being fitly framed, according to the counsel 
plan of the divine Architect, grew up toa 
temple in the Lord ; being dedi his 
the place of his special presence and po 


to the stability and proportion of the whole, « 
is himself consecrated and preserved by being 


oner of Christ for the Gentiles, 1; 


Paul the 
” show " ystery, concerning their salvation, 
whie meealed, had been made known 


himl\by revelation, 2—7 ; and to him was this 


ities and powers in heavenly ‘places naght 


, Were builded on this Foundation laid by 


CHAPTER IIL 


ne church discover the manifold wisdom of 

while, according to his eternal purpose, — 
Jews an Gentiles had access to him with boldness 

He desires that the © 


a en; that he should preach the unsearcha- | 
Py of Christ among them, 8, 9; ‘that the} — 


A. D. 64. 


Gat , 


by Jesus “Christ, 10—12. 
Ephesians may not faint, because-of his tribulations 
for them, 13: fervently prays, that they may, be 
abundantly strengthened, enlightened, sanctified, 
and comforted, 14—20; and suaeades with ani- 
mated praises, 21. 


“es 
ay 


In proportion as we judge of ourselves as lost 


ets and apostles, whose predictions and 

; ctrine. related to the chief Corner-stone. Thus 
» they ‘became a part of the temple, together with 
“Jewish believers; for the special indwelling of 
God, who by his Holy Spirit reigned in them, 
“communicated his peculiar blessings,-and he 
was eerted My them. (Marg. Ref.) 


sinners, so will be our apprehensions of Christ 
and his salvation: the more fully we perceive 
our guilt and pollution, the greater will be our 
astonishment in contemplating the immensity of — 
the love, and the rich mercy, of our God : and we ve 
shail not only allow the ¢ gift ok Christ, of pardon, — 
und of eternal hfe to be bind free; but we shalk 
ascribe the change, which we Hage experienced 
in conversion, to the abundant love of Gal to. us, 
even when we were dead in sin. By his power. 
we were quickened together with Christ: he — 
taught us to aspire to an inheritance in the hea- 
venly places, with our risc and ascended Re- 
deemer’: and the same considerations, which will 
excite the admiration, and be the delightful 


i PRACTICAL, ‘OBSERVATIONS. 

‘Aes GR ar! 1—3. 

r cannot duly ee the Gospel, unless con- 
winced that we are in ourselves dead in trespas- 
ses and sins; and that we must have perished if 
“God had left us, as he most justly might haye 
done. Yet when we had neither title to happi- 


¥ 


‘ness, nor capacity for it; when we were unable 
to help ourselves and unwilling to try: we were 
aitterly insensible of our danger, ready to vindi- 
cate our conduct, and perhaps proud of our wis- 
‘dom, strength, and goodness! This is still the 

_ case with the multitudes, “ who walk according 
<¢ to the course of this world,” in the broad way 
of destruction : for they, who go with the stream, 
who will be in the fashion and live in pleasure, 
are dead whilst they live.” “They seek liberty 
/ in the bondage of satan ; and that ‘ prince of the 
_ power of the air,” ‘illudes his numerous vota 

_ ties with gay phantoms of fancied good, and en- 
ables them to build magnificent palaces in his un- 
substantial element ; that they may neglect “ the 
Sigift of God, which is eternal life.” Thus mil- 
| ions copy his example of rebellion, and do as he 
| would have them. He still “ works in the hearts 
4 of the children of disobedience :* he prompts 
his ministers of unrighteousness and. infidelity : 
| and, while he emboldens them to deride the doc- 
> trine of Scripture, concerning divine influences, 
an and the agency of goed and evil spirits ; he must’ 
feel a horvid’pleasure, mingled with contempt of 
' e folly. of those, who are thus deluded by his 
ceptions. There is no doubt a black inspira- 
; and satan and his angels, working on men’s 
Mas nde, enmity, and love of sin, teach them to in- 
| vent, propagate, and ingeniously defend, impious 
br infidel notions, and to excuse or palliate their 
godliness and worldly lusts. But indeed, in 
One way or another, we have all had our conver- 
8 tion among these children of disobedience, un- 
satan’s influence, and fulfilling the desires of 
arnal minds : and, on the broad ground of 
a we may assert with confidence, that, 


reno of wrath : that they who oppose this 
hei are yet dead in sin; and that 


Sperience, is very doubtful. 
oY. 410, 


theme, of all holy creatures, throughout a blessed. 
eternity, will now lead us to adore the exceeding 
riches of the grace of God, in his kindness to us 
hitherto, 
ty of God, the immensity of the creation, the 
meanness and wretchedness of man, and the 
stupendous plan of redemption; we shall not be 
able to account fo rsuch favour shown to us, ex 
cept we also consider, that the exceeding’ riches 
of divine grace, will be proportionably displayed 
and glorified in the view of the whole creation, on 
account of each of these circumstances, and of 
many others, to eternal ages. 
“ved by grace, through faith, and that not of 
*© ourselves, it is the gift of God” for if it had 
been at all of works, or man could in any respect 
have boasted ; 
complete. 
unholy salvation; for all, who partake of it are 
‘© God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus 
“unto good works ;” and his purpose and effica- 
cious operation, concur im securing the holiness 
of true believers. 
ground of scripture, either abuse the doctrine to 
licentiousness, or accuse it of that tendency; 
and all who attempt either of these pees are . 


When we reflect on the infinite majes- 


“ We are then sa- 


the glory of God had not been 
Yet, let none infer, that this is an 


So that none can, on the 


“ left without excuse.” 
OV. 1129. 

Belides the general ruined state of all men, 
every one of us should recollect those peculiari- 
ties of situation, character, and disposition, which 
set us at a greater distance from salvation than 
others of our fellow-sinners. The immoral and 
licentious conduct of some; the impiety, infidel. 


ity, or dangerous heresies of others; the phari.. 


saical pride of many; an utter disregard to reli- 
gion, and ignorance of even its forms and first 
principles, with various other circumstances, had 
rendered the case of some persons peculiarly 
perilous, and should increase their humility and 
gratitude, if at length they have been converted. 
Many of us were once, without the external 


+d esce of Christ, at a distance from the pro- 


fie 


Be si) 


poo 


1 


A. D. 64. 


OR this cause, * I Paul, > the prison- 
er of Jesus Christ .¢ for .you'Gen- 
tiles ; 


ar 


2 If 4 ye have heard of ¢ the dispensa- prophets ® by the S: 


tion of the grace of God, which is given 
ome to you-ward : 

‘8 How that t by revelation he made 
known unto me &the mystery, (#as I 
‘wrote * afore in few words ; 

4 Whereby when ye read, i ye may 
understand my knowledge in § the mys- 
tery of Christ,) 


a Cores 10. Gal.| Col 1.4.6. tal: 26, 15—19. 1 


Cor. 2. 9,10. Gal. 
1,12, 16—19. 
& ver. 9. Rom. 11. 


4%, 11. 
a ay & 6.20. Lukeje yer. 8. & 

21, 12.. Acts 21. 35.) Acts 9. 15. & 13. 
R 26, 29. & 28.17! 2. 46. & 22. 21. &l 25. & 16. 25, Col. 
—20. 2 Cor. 11, 23.] 26.17, 18. Rom, 1.] 1.26, 27. 

Phil. 1.7. 13—16.| 6. & 11.13. & 15./h 1. 9—11. & 2. 11 
Col. 1-24. & 4. 3) 15, 16, 1 Cor. 9.) —22, 

18.2 Tim. 1. 8, 16.] 17—22. Gal. 1. 15,|* Or, a little before, 
& 2.9. Philem. 9.) 16,&2 8, 9. Coli Matt. 13. 11. 1 
~ Rev. 2..10- 1. 25—27. 1 Tim,| Cor, 2. 6,7. & 13, 
© Gal. 5.11.1 Thes| 1. 11. & 2. 7, 2| 2.2 Cor. 1i, 6. 

2, 15, 16. Tim. 1.11. k 5.32, & 6. 19. 
a 4.21. Gal. 1. 13.16 6 17. Acts 28. 9.) Luke 2: 10, 11. & 


fession of his Gospel, strangers to the covenants 
of promise; having no thought about future hap- 

piness, or hope of it, and living as atheists in the 
world. These things should be brought into the 
account, in order to increase our love and zeal- 
ous obedience; if we, who once were so very 
*¢ far off, are brought nigh by the blood of Christ.” 
Through this-great Peace-maker, how near may 
the chief of sinners approach to a reconciled 
God!, How harmoniously then should believers 
live together, as members of one body, and chil- 

dren of one family ! May his grace reconcile all, 

who profess his truth, to God and to each other)! 
May every partition-wall be pulled down, and 
every enmity slain, which prevents the complete 
union of Christians, as one new Man in Christ! 
May he go with his ministers to the ends of the 
earth; “ preaching’ peace to those that are afar 
«off May his Gospel be more successfully 
dispensed among those that are nigh! May sin- 
ners every where seek and find access to the 
Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit! 
If we are experimentally acquainted with this 
way of access to our reconciled God; we are no 
more strangers and foreigners, whatever once we 
were; but fellow-citizens of the’ saints and of 
the household of God. We have no “law of 
« commandments contained in ordinances,” to 
keep us in bondage, to drive us to a distance, or 

to excite enmity among brethren; except such 
as are of human invention. Christ’s institutions, 
(as well as his morai precepts,) are suited to help 
our approach to God, and our walk with him, to 
excite our holy affections, and to conduce to our 
peace with one another; when properly under- 
stood and attended on. Sinners, in these far dis- 
tant regions, now hear Christ preaching peace to 
them, and are invited to seek access to God 
through him :»but believers are built upon the 
foundation of the prophets and apostles, Jesus 
Christ being the chief Corner-stone ; that they 
may be an habitation of God through the Spi- 

“rit” Let us then inquire, whether we are 
builded on this Foundation? Whether cur hopes 


_EPHESIANS S. 


of the holy temple to which we 


_ § Which! idee 
known unto. the sons ¢ 2 
now revealed unto his Pig | 


spl and 4 


Nae Christ by t 


t 
US gy ministe 
of ae grace ¢ 
“the ’ effectual 


6 That ° the | 
heirs, and o 
takers of his | 


* according to the 
God given unto me, 
| working of ae power. 
8.10. 1 Com 4. John 14. 26. & See 
Col. 2.2. & 4. 3, 4 13. Acts 10. 19, 2 
Tim. 3.9. 16. 28 i Cor. 12 2. 8—} & 
l-ver. 9+ Mat. 13. 17.] Lo. ’ & 
Luke 10, 24. 2 Tim,Jo 2. 13—22. Rom. 8. Is 
1. 10, 11. Tit. -1.] 15—17. Gal. 3. 26 
1—3. Heb: Ll. 39,) —29. & 4. 5—7. 
30, 


AO. 1 Pet. 1, 11, 12.]p 4. 15, sya 
m See on, 2 20, Rom.1 Ov. 
cols 2; 
19. 


4.11, 12. Mat, 23.) 12, 125 
areas Arras 


34. Lukes 11. 49. 1 

Cor, 12, 28, 2% 2 

Pet. 3. 2) Jude 17. 

n Luke 2. 26, 27. 

are fixed on Christ, accordin 

his word? Whether we have d 

as a holy temple to God through hi 
we are &n habitation of God 
are spiritually minded, and b 
of the Spirit ?. If this is our, expe! 
vilege ; let us take care not to: r 
of God, nor to grieve our holy rter : : 
desire his gracious presence with u us, and 
fluences on our hearts: let us endeavo 
up the place assigned us, to, the: glory. 
and let us study to promote the peace 


ver. 8. Ron 
1 Cor. 

Tim. 1. 
t ver. 


5. Gal. 2.8. 


forward that work by which it is cor 
proaching, towards its full perfection. 


NOTES. | 
CHAP. Ill. .V.1—7. Some 
pose, that all between, this first verse, vend 
beginning of the next chapter, is a kind of 
renthesis ; but it seems more obvious to. 
the sentence, ‘ For this cause I Paul am 
« soner of Jesus Christ ;” according to the 
ion of the majority of commentators. His 
preaching to the Gentiles, and. openly a 
them into the Christian Church, without 
cision, or observance of the ritual law, 
implied the abrogation of the Mosaic dispens 
tion, had so irritated the Jews, that they bad 
prehended him at Jerusalem ; in consequence } 
which he was at this time a prisoner at Rome Hy 
the cause of Christ, and for the sake of the G 
tiles. As he was therefore the prisoner of C) 
for them, they ought to read his epistle 
peculiar attention. Since they had 
manner in which he had been co 
trusted with a dispensation to p 
of the grace of God, as the apostle of the 
and how’ Christ, by immediate revelation, hs a 
made known to him the mystery of his love ; | 
he had briefly written to them in the precedi lin) 
chapters, on an attentive perusal of which, the 
would readily perceive his extensive knowledg’ 
of the mystery of Christ, in which some thoug 


et ee 


“ is Deiat 5 1 b “ oe ie a | ig fe : | gine? b 
ae a CHAPTER EE (08 Sy Rod 

8 Unto. me, ™ ho m less than the cha should preach among the Gens 

ast of, all saints, * is this grace’ given,|tiles *the unstarchable riches of Christ; 


ms 
| » le 13, 15, 1 


Pet. 5. 5, 6, * 
‘Che. V7. 16. & 


y See on, yer, 2 Gal 
1, 164% 2, Bo 
Z vers 160219. & 1.7; 


29. 14,18. Acts 5. 
41, Rom, 15, 15— 
17. . 


19. John 1. 164 4,19) Col, 1.27, 8 
Rom, 11/93. 1 Cor} 2,13, Rev. 3, 1B 


B. & 2,7. Ps. apace Phi, | 


BS - - - : — Sad cps 7 
“him! defective. This had not in former ages} V.8. The apostle here formed a new word, 
- beet: ‘known to mankind, with that clear-|to express the deep sense which he had of his 


th which it was at length revealed to the 
jostles and prophets of Christ by the Holy 
t: especially it had not been understood, 


own unworthiness: this is very properly renders ~ 
ed, * Jess than the least ;” teh He contarstivg, ie 
formed from the ag ive degree of the Greek 
t the Gentiles, without being proselyted to adjective, signifying Utile, He does not seem 
asaic law, should be admitted to be fellow-| merely to have adverted to his Pa at aie 
irs with the Jews of their covenanted blessings ;|19g enmity. That indeed made him deem» him- , 
forming with them one mystical body, on em- self “the chief of sinners ;” but here he spake 
racing the Gospel. OF this new dispensation, |f himself as @ aint, though most mean’ a 
Paul had been made a minister ; having received unworthy of that title. In general we must as. 
‘the gratuitous pardon of his own sins, and abun- cribe this to his unaffected humility, his self 
dant merey and favour from God ; and having been | knowledge, acquaintance with the holy law, near 
“effec y changed by the powerful operation of| Communion with God, and candour towards his 
| 4 and qualified for that important ser- brethren : and perhaps those humiliating infire 
they, who had statedly attended on the|mities, of which he repeatedly spake, were it 
y of the apostle, during his residence at|some degree taken into the ‘account. But the 
nesus, must often have heard from him, con-| consideration of his peculiarly aggravated crimes 
cerning “ the dispensation of the grace of God before conversion, and the unparalleled mercy 
‘which was given to him,” in behalf of the and favour that had been shown, him, gave him 
Gentiles, (2.) but numbers, owt’ of the adjacent| such a sense of his immense obligations, and of 
‘Pegions, coming to Ephesus, heard the Gospel the returns of love, gratitude, zeal, and holiness, ¢ 
from him; many of whom, it is highly probable, which became jim; that he regarded his attain- 
‘returning home, both professed and preached it :| ments and experience much more beneath the 
and these might need more full information on| proper standard; than those of any other true 
this subject, which was so peculiarly interesting} Christian. Surely, thought he, no other believet*. 
to the Gentiles. St. Peter was sent to Cornelius,| loves the Lord, ina degree so disproportioned to 
ithe first Gentile convert: but it does not appear] his obligations as Ido! All his obedience, la- 
that the whole design of God, respecting the{ bours, usefulness, and even sufferings, would be 
junion of uncircumcised Gentiles, when (convert- considered as so many additional favours bestow 
ed to Christianity,) in one Church with Jewish}ed on bim: and that coldness of affection, or 
ievers, was so clearly revealed to him, as it|rising of evil in the heart, which he could bear 
as soon after to St. Paul. At least the latter,| with in others, he deemed inexcusable in him« 

} s coadjutors, proclaimed this doctrine, so self! This did hot, however, lead him to doubt 
aging to the Gentiles and offensive to the|of his being a saint; but only to.stand more 
More avowedly, and to immensely |amazed at the love of the Lord towards him; 
greater numbers, than any other of the apostles | and under this impression he uttered the feelings 
of whom we read. Some imagine, that the apos-| of his heart in such energetic language, as but 
tle meant to show, that the value of the Christian] few can use with propriety or sincerity : though 
‘revelation _was vastly greater, than that of the| many e ploy the words, rather as expressive of 
ious books which the Ephesians had burned,| what they ought to mean, than of what they 

‘xix. 19.) and than the mysteries of the| really feel concerning themsélves; and some 
ted in the worship of Diana, But if the| perhaps as affecting the praise of humility, On 
t were indeed the oracles of satan, and the|so great a sinner and so unworthy a believer, | 
probably little better ; we can hardly con.| was this astonishing grace conferred; that He - 
ve that the apostle would disgrace the oracles}should be employed as an apostle, to preach | 
God by such a comparison. The same may] among the idolatrous Gentiles through many na- 

y be said of several-other comparisons, which) tions, the unsearchable riches of Christ! The 
ed men suppose the apostle to have intend-| Vastness of the divine Redeemer’s condescension 
The great mystery, here spoken of, seems|and merey; the precicusness of his blood and 
properly confined, by matty expositors, to} salvation; the fulness laid up in him, and the 
ling of the Gentiles; whereas, the myste-|freeness with which it was bestowed ; the privi- 
lvation, by Emmanuel’s righteousness and | leges of his people, and their glorious inherit. 
Ahvough faith,.and by the new crea-|ance; those riches of Christ, which were hot. 
 Spivit unto holiness, which the Gen-| provided for himself or for holy creatures, but 
wed to partake of in common with | purchased for the yilest of sinners ; for the pay 
wd on which Ahe apostle had before | ment of their debts, the ransom of thein souls, 
i to. which he was about to returns}and the enriching of them to all eternity ; which 
idently intended. The former, |sufficed for all the multitudes that ever had 
t best but a meagre interpreta. |come, or should come to him for them, how many 
perfectly agrees with the apos-|soever they were; which never could be ex- 
, When speaking of a subject, with|hausted or diminished, by the most liberal and 
are was full, | profuse communication of them, or leave the 


x 


Ret eal: a inti bated 


Pret TNE 


aan te 


ig OR A aN ONE RE Ot: 


A.D. 64. 


tthe fellowship of the 
from ¢ the beginning of the’ world hath 
been 4 hid in God, who © created all 
things by Jesus Christ : 

- 10 To‘ the intent that now unto the 
€ principalities and powers © in heavenly 
places, might be known by the church, ‘the 
manifold wisdom of God. 

1) According to * the’eternal purpose 
which he purposed in Christ Jesus, our 
Lord: 

12 Int whom we have boldfess and 
a¢cess with confidence by the faith of 
him. 


[Practical Observalions.] 
13 Wherefore I desire that ™ ye faint 


@ Mat. 10, 27. & 28. 
*19. Mark 16. 15, 16. 
Luke 24. 47. Rom. 
16. 26, Col. 1. 23: 
2'Fim. 4. 17. Rev. 
14. 6, 3, 

b ver. 3: & 1.9, 10. |f be 25, 17—22. Ps 
¢ 1. 4. Mat. 13. 35.| 103. 20. & 148. 1,2. 

& 25.34. Acts 15.) Is. 6. 2—4. Ez. 3. 

18 Horm. 16+ 4 12, 1 Pet, 1. 12, 


e Ps, 33. 6. Ise my 1. 24, & 2.7.1 Tim. 
24, John 1. 1—3.! 3.16. Rev. 5. 12. 
&5- 17. 19. & 10.|k 1.4.9. UL. Is) 14. 
30. Col. 1. 16, 17.) 24—27.& 46. 10,11, 
a 2,3. & 3] Jer. 51. 29. Rom. 
8. 28—30. & 9. 11. 
2 Tim, 1. 9 

1 2.18. John 14. 6, 
Rom, & 2. Heb. 4. 


1 Cor. 2,7. 2 Thes.| Rev. 5. 9—14. 
2.13. 2 Tim. 1, 9.{¢. See on, 1. Pie 
Tit. 1.2. 1 Pet. 1gh See on, 1. 3. 

20. Rey. i3. 8. &ji 1. 8 Ps, 104. 24, 
17 8. Mat. 11. 25—27. 
d Col. 1. 26.& 3.5.1 Roms 11. 33. 1 Cor. 


22, 

m Deut. 20, 3. Is, 
40. 30,31. Zeph.3 
16. Acts 14. 22° 
Gal. 6 9, 2 Thes 
3.13. Heb. 12.3—5, 


glorious and gracious Proprietor less rich than 
before, to the ages of eternity: these are “ the 
*‘ unsearchable riches of Christ ;”? and they baf- 
fle even the powers of computation; they are 
incomprehensible and infinite! This was the 
great subject of the apostle’s ministry among 
the Gentiles, whom he called to come and par- 
take of these unsearchable riches by faith in 
Christ. It may be very useful to: compare the 
animated language of this chapter, with the cold 
~reasonings of modern theologians, and their ex 
treme caution lest they should speak foo highly 
of Christ and bis salvation. 

V. 9—12. This preaching was appointed, that 
men of all nations and descriptions might per- 
ceive the happy fellowship, or partnership, {so to 
speak,) of Jews and Gentiles in the blessings of 
salvation ; according to the mysterious plan, 
which had been formed from the beginning, in 
the counsels of God, but had been hid from his 
creatures.in general ; save’as he had given some 
previous intimation of it by his prophets, and had 
at length more fully discovered it by Jesus Christ; 
by whom as the eternal Word, he at first created 
all things, and was now effecting a glorious new 
creation. (Vote, Joli. 1—4:) -To the intent 
that angels and archangels, even the principali- 
ties and powers, who were around his throne in 
heavenly places, and had from the beginning 
witnessed and adored the displays -of bis wis- 
dom, in the works of creation and. providence, 
should now discover stil more surprising and 
beautifully varied displays of it, in his Church 
of redeemed sinners: while they beheld rebels 
changed into spiritual wershippers ; all the Per- 
spus and perfections of the Godhead more abun- 


EPHESIANS. 
ystery, which]i 


unto’ P the 
Christ, 


heaven and éarth | 


ing to the riches Of | 
strengthened with 1 ai 
u the inner man; 


hearts by faith ; that y 
and 7 grounded in love, 


° 1. 16—19. 1 Kings Ps,28. of 


See on, 1.3. © | 29. & 7. 
14—16. & 10, a an 


r Is. 65.15. Jere 33.) 14.27. 23, & 


8 ver. 8..& 1+ Ze 18,1 20. Col. ‘1. 27. 


dantly glorified, even by means of men 
cy ; satan’s devices turned against him, 
most discordant characters united in one 
family, or as one Body in Christ. Al 

corded’to the purpose of God 
nity he had conceived in hi 
saving sinners by Christ Jesus, our Lord. Th y 
faith in him, and an interest in bis salvation, b 

Jewish and Gentile believers” ‘0 t 
privilege of coming before God’ with a 


infinite. majesty and purity; _ with: 
dence of being accepted, and i 


15 OF wWhORte 


16 That he wou! 


17 That Cree . 


18 May be. able to. 


n ver. 1.2 Cor. 1. 6. & 2.7. Rom. 9. 23.| John 4. 


Phils 1. 12—14; Col.| Phil. 4. 19. Col. Lj} 
1.24, 1 Thes. 3. 2] 27. 
—4. t 6.10, 


8. 54. & 19. 18, 2} Ts. 40.) 20— 

Chr. 6. 13. Ezra 9.! 41, 10. Zech. 

5. Ps. 95.6. Is 45. Mat, 6.13." 

23. Dan.6. 10. Luke| 12. 9. Phil. 

ren Acts 7. 60, &| Col. 11. 
9. 40. & 20. 36. &| 4.17. Heb 

21. 5. uJer. 31. 


10. Col. 1. 206 Rev. x 2 21 
5. 8—14. & 7. 4-12.| 15. John | 


16: Acts 11, 26.) Rom. ee 
Rev. 2. 17. & 3. 12.) Cor. 6. | 


a “High 


. 


boldness, notwithstanding ‘their reverence 


ot As 


blessings, notwithstanding Rhea 
and pollution. A aa! 
V. 13.. As so great honour 
God, and such blessings were ¢ 
through the preaching ofthe Gael 
tiles ; the apostle was well 
ferings on that account, and ; 
sians not to be discouraged, or to turn. 
their profession, on accouut of 
fear of being exposed to similar p 
the Jews; or through the insinuation 
ing | teachers, who might attempt to 
Paul had done wrong in disre 
ceremonies, and thus had n 
himself to persecution. Whe 
and patient ihe such 


fence of the liberty of 
indeed an honour to th Mn 
portance of their cause in his is 
showed the temper of the otted 
should. therefore animate the Ge 
stand fast in the liberty of the Gospe 


ae =a 
2 | as a 
&.D. 64. an ade . 
Bwith all-saints, v hat is the breadth, and 
and depth, and height ; 

© to know the love of Christ, 
sseth knowledge, that ye might 
with all the fulness of God. 


unto him that is rable to do 


Deut. 33.) Phil. 2. 8—12. Col.} 3—5. 
ir. 6. 41.) 1.10. 2 Pet. 3. 18./f Gen. 

& 132.) 1 John 4. 9—14. 
hil. 4, 7. 


17-1. & 18. 
2 Chr. 25. 9. 


2 Cor.) 9 Rev. 7. 15—17. 
2 20.| & 21.22—24 & 22, 


aS 


1 a 11. 19. Jam. 4. 
V. 14—19. The apostle could not go as for- 
merly, to establish the churches by his personal 
exhortations; but his affectionate desire of their 
prosperity was unabated: so that, in his impris- 
onment, he bowed his kness in constant prayer 
for them, unto the Father of our Lord Jesus; of 
yn the whole family of believers on earth, and 
gaints and angels in heaven, are named and con- 
sidered as the children of God, being gathered 
her in one in Christ. (i. 10.) To this Father 
of Christ and of the whole family the apostle 
prayed, that according to the riches of his mercy 
which were emphatically ‘* his glory,” he would 
it the Ephesians to be powerfully strengthen- 
ed by his Holy Spirit, in all the holy dispositions 
of their renewed souls, in faith, reverential fear, 
ove, gratitude, hatred of sin, hope, patience; 
that thus. they might be steadfast amidst tempta- 
ions and persecutions, enjoy comfort, and glori- 
fy God in every situation andduty. That Christ, 
¢ welcomed to their hearts by faith, to be 
eir Lord and Saviour, might dwell there, as the 
Sovereign of all their affections and actions, and 
{Source of all their joys: that so they might 
> rooted, as a tree in a deep and fertile soil, and 
tablished, ag a building on a firm foundation; 
dy their supreme love to Christ, and his salvation, 
pause, and people; and bus be secured from 
urning aside, or growing negligent, and be ren- 
ered stable and frnitful in their profession. That 
they might also be enabled to apprehend and un- 
fand, as all true saints did in some measure, 
vastness of the love of Christ to his people. 
s had in it a dreadt/s commensurate with the 
daries of the earth, as it extended to sinners 
very nation and character; a length equalto 
duration of the world, yea, extending from 
y to eternity; and a depth and, height 
might be contemplated in the abject state 
ed wretchedness, in which Christ view- 
rs, from the height of his essential glory, 
of suffering and abasement to which he 
their salvation, and the height of pre- 
e and future felicity to which he ad- 
zem. In short, the apostle prayed, that 
, Spiritually and experimentally, know 
love of Christ; which passed the 
of all created beings, and’ could ne. 
rstood, being in all respects infi- 
rehensible; that they might be 
heavenly knowledge, holy affec 
olations, as to leave no room in 
error, ignorance, sin, or infelicity ; 
ulness of the divine power, grace, 


. 
De} 


i P} 


CHAPTER II. 


ed 3 
ee ae 
“i ; es var A. D. 64, 
& exceeding abundantly above all that we 
ask or think, » according te the power 
that workethinus;  =——s m 
21 Unto him ide glory in the church | 
« by Christ Jesus, } throughout all ages, 
world without end. Amen. ~ See ig F 


’ 
12. Jude 24. Col. 1. 29. Tim. 4. 18. Heb. 
g Ex. 34. 6. 2 Sam.ji 1.6. 1 Chr. 29. 11-} 13. 21. 1 Pet. 5. 11. 
7.19. 1 Kings 3.13.| Ps. 29. 1, 2. & Rev. 4.9—11. & 5. 
Ps. 36. 8, 9, Cant.) 19. & HS. 1. Is. 6,) 9—14. & 7. 12, Ke. 
5.1. Is. 35. 2. &l 3, & 42. 12. Matt ik Phil. 1.11. Heb. 
55.7. John 10. 10.! 6.13. Luke 2. i4,] 13. 1516.2Pet. 2. 5. 
1 Cor. 2.9. 1 Tim.| Rom. 11. 36. & 16.j} 2-7. 1 Per. 5. 11. 
1, 14. 2 Pet. 1.11. | 27. Gal. 1. 5. Phil} 2 Pet. 3. 13. Jude 
h ver. 7, & 1.19.) 2 11. & 4. 20. 21 25~ 


me 


* 


is 


light, love, and joy, might wholly occupy their 


hearts; and that their powers might be so en- 
larged, as to receive more and more of these, 
till they should be filled with, (or unto,) all the” 
fulness of God, as his temple was with bis glori- 
ous presence.—“ The whole family in heave;i and 
“earth,” may include all holy creatures , but 
certainly none of the obstinate enemies of God. 
Perhaps the redeemed from among men, are 
exclusively meant; and Christ, as the immedi- 
ate antecedent, is He, from whom this family is 
named Christian. (Marg. Ref)— “ The height, 
** &c.” is here explained, as if necessarily con- 
nected with “ the love of Christ,” mentioned in 
the following verse. But the glorious plan of re- 
demption in general may be meant: this, how- 
ever, does not materially alter the sense. 

V. 20, 21.. The apostle added to his most en- 
larged petitions, an act of adoration suited still 
more to exalt the expectations of the reader. 
He ascribed glory to God, as able, not only to do 
all that he had asked, but above all, abundantly 
above all, exceedingly abundantly above ail; not 
only that he or the Ephesians had asked ; but 
even all, that they had thought, desired, or ima- 
gined ! So that they might stretch their thoughts, 
enlarge their desires,’ and multiply their most 
comprehensive petitions, to the utmost; yet, 
they never could reach the whole of what God 
was able to bestow upon them, or what he ho- 
nourably could do for them im Christ Jesus. 
Nay, all that yet remained to be done, in order 
to complete their felicity and glory in soul and 
hody, only accorded to that power, which had 
effected their redemption from the dominion of 
satan, and their new-creation to holiness; and 
which still upheld, preserved, and renewed them, 
amidst all their temptations and trials. To this 
God of power and grace unspeakable, the apos- 
tle most earnestly desired, that glory, adoration, 
and praise should continually be rendered, in eve- 
ry part of the church, by Christ Jesus, through- 
out all the ages of time, and to all eternity: and 
he closed this most rapturous act of devotion, 
by affixing his Amey to these his prayers and 
praises. In attempting to explain such portions 
of Scripture, itis almost impossible to avoid com- 
parative flatness and insipidity ; an inspired writ- 
er alone could do justice to them. ti 


_ PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
V. I—12. 


- Should we be called to suffer, even unto bonds, 


in the cause of truth, and as the prisoners of 


fl. Dd. 64. 


CHAP. IV. 
The apostle exhorts the Ephesians to a consistent 
walk, m humility and love, as united, by manifold 
endearirig bonds, 1—6: to a peaceful improve- 
Ment of #ifts, and performance. of duties, for the 
food of the church ; from regard to the ascended 
Saviour, and the natare of his communications and 
appointments, for the edification of his saints, 7— 
1G; to a conduct peculiarly distinguished trom 


Christ, we may hope to endure the cross with 
cheerfulness and satisfaction, which holy Paul 
expressed: but our feelings would be'Very dif- 
ferent, if we should suffer as evil-doers, or as 
<* busy-bodies in ‘other men’s matters.” This 
should teach Christians in general, ahd ministers 
especially, to confiné themselves to their pfo- 


per employment, to which the dispensations of 
Providence and “of diviné gracé have called 


them; and to seek continual instructions from 


the Lord, beth as to the mysteries of the Gos- 
pel, and the path of duty; that so, their pro. 
fiting in the knowledge of Christ, and their fit- 
fess for the office assigned them, may be evident 


to all men. We enjoy vast advantages for these 


studies; as the mysteries of redeeming love were 
got made Enown even to ancient prophets, so 


Cleatly as they now are to those believers in 
general, who are well acquainted with the word 
of God; and our encouragement is proportiona- 


bly great, as we sinners of the Gentiles are fel- 


low-heirs with the ancient people of God, in all 
the promised blessings, if we indeed are in 
Christ by believing the Gospel. The pift of the 


grace of God, and the effectual’ working of his 
wer; are necessary to form a poor sinner into 


a faithful minister: and deep humility, united 


with exalted thoughts of Christ and his un. 
searchable riches, are invariable characteristics 
of those, who are thus appointed to this sacred 
service, Indeed, whea we consider our own sin. 


fulness by nature and practice ; and contrast the 


poverty of our attainments, the coldness of our 
affections, and the manifold defilements of our 
conduct, with our obligations, and opportunities, 
and the glorious theme on which we are to in- 
fist; we may well tremble at the thoughts of 

reaching in the name of so holy. and exalted a 
Sarita even to the meanest of our fellow-re- 
bels. : But, those “.unsearchable riches of 
* Ghrist,’ which we would recommend to 
others, may give ample encouragentent to our 
own hearts: and our deepest humiliation swill 


fot abate our confidence of hope, if we duly ad- 


vert to the power and love of our Redeemer.— 
Ris riches are as unsearchable as ever: Wwe 
should therefore invite the chief of sinners to 
teave their gilded joys, and glittering indigence, 
0 come and be enricined by Christ. We should 
desire that all men might Know the blessedness 
ef the communion of the saints, with God and 
with each other, through the mystery of the 
Person and mediation,of Emmanuel; by whom 
_ all worlds were created, and our souls were. re: 
deemed ; and by the communion of the Holy 
Spirit. While angels adore the manifold. wis. 
(om of God, in his church of ransomed sinners, 


the ignorance, of self-wise and carnal men con- 


glydes the whole design to be foolishness! But 


~ 


EPHESIANS. — 


‘desire that the Lord Would - 


‘not be straitened in our own min: 


that of the Gentiles ar 
Christ, dead to siny 
image, 17-24 ¢ 
to labour in what ¥ 
esty, and to prac 
tonguesin holy dis 
to beware of grieving 
practise meekness and 
of the love of God in C 


sinners, who by faith are a 
blessings, “ accorditig to the 
« God” in Christ, behold som 
glory and are here pre} 
of heaven, With humble boldness. 
tial confidence, they are taught to a 
throne of gtace by the faith of Christ = ai 
they receive such supports and conso 
keep them from fainting, on account of thos 
tribulations which satan and wicked men €1 
ploy todiscourage them. — “fy 
- ViA3—-21, eee) 
Men of generous minds often consider me 

the effects which their sufferings may have o 
others, than their own feelings Grget Men pan 
they whoknow human nature, will fear lest 
should faint on account of those trials, w 
indeed their glory. The instructions and 
nitions of ministers. or others, should alw 
watered, as it were, with fervent. prayers: | 
we may serve our brethren or relatives in 


rway,- when precluded from all other mi Ad 


While therefore we “ bow our knees be! 
‘¢ Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” as the 
of his whole family in heaven and earth; | 
should not fail to supplicate him in bel 
others in every part of the world; zemem 
the riches of his glory, and en gz 
deal with us and with them according to it. WN 
can we do better than often to enlarge on 
petitions before us, whether we are praying 
ourselves, or our fellow-Christians. We shot 
grant unto us, t 
we may be “ strengthened with t ight by hi 
« vit? in all the graces of the mew man ; 
hearts may be made the throne and tem 
Lord Jesus ; that, in the daily exercise 
we may realize his gracious presénee, € 
his sanetifying consolations, and beco 
entirely devoted to his service ; that, 
ed and grounded in love to him and 
we may be made fruitful inerery soe rovik, 
bold in professing our faith in him; that 
may understand, experience, and enj 
and more of his boundless love, whi 
all comprehension, and will be more 
discovered and adored. to all eternity 
so at length we may be filled with all 
of God. In asking for such enlarg 
for ourselves and for all our breth 


in our gracious God, He is “ able 
“ing abundantly above all, that we 
ed .or thought, or ever shall be 
think, as long as we live : let aneph e al 
expectations and multiply our supplications; e@ 
couraged by what he el already done for tit 
Chureh,.and by ‘his regenerating and aph | 
of our souls: being assured that the’ 


a chs Fe Sait] 


on Hy 


| shal 


© lowliness anid meckness, 
fering, f forbearing one an- 


| —30, Phil. 3. 14. 2If Mark 9.19. Rom. 


. | 1. 9, Heb. 3, 1, 1) Gal. 6.2. 
#2. 1.1 Cor. 4, 16-] Pet. 3.9. & 5. 10. 2g yer. 4. John 13. 
| @ Cor. 5. 20.& 6.1 Pets 1.3 | 34. & 17. 21-23. 
© 4. & 10. 1. Gal. 4./e Num. 12-8. Pa. 45.) Rom. 14. 1719.1 
_ -¥2. Philem. 9, 10. 1] 4. & 138.-6. Proy.| Cor. 1. 10. & 12, 12, 
Pet. 2. le 2 John} 3. 34, & 16. 19. Is.J 13. 2 Cor. 13. 11. 
“Se 
© ver. 17. & 5. a 
| . 3—5. 


Thes, 5. 13. Heb. 
12. 14, Jam. 8. 17, 
19.1 Cor. 13. 4, 5: 
Gal. 5.23. Col. 8. 


Col. 3. 18—15. 1 
Phil.| & 11.29. Acts 20.] 18. 
12, 13. 1 Tim. 6. 11, ls 


‘1,7, & 3. 1%, 18, hs 16. & 5. . 
Rom. 12. 4, 5.1 
mR Cor. 10, 17.'& 12. 
1,2. Tit. 2: 10. Heb. 2 Tim. 2.25. Jam. 12, 18, 20. Col. 3. 
1.21. & 3. 16—18. 
‘Rom, 8. 28 


1 Pet. vi 15. i 4 18. 22. eee 28. 


| adver 4 


of sinners, and the incteasing light, holiness, 
and comfort of believers, will redound, in more 
ant adorations and thanksgivings, to his 
glory by Christ Jesus, in his whole Church, and 
peed all the ages of eternity. Amen, So ‘bei it. 
“Let thy name, 0 Lord, be thus ‘hallowed on 
_ earth, as it is and ever shall be, in thy holy ha- 
 bitation. above ! . 


P 


| 
j 
| 
i 


NOTES. 

_ CHAP.IV. V.1—6. The apostle, as the pri- 
“soner of Christ, for preaching the Gospel to the 
entiles, exhorted and entreated his Ephesian’ 
brethren, whose best interests evidently lay near 
eart, that they would be very careful, that 
habitual conduct in the world and among 
themselves, might be worthy of their high voca- 
' tion. The privileges and prospects, to which the 
free grace of God had called them, from a state 
_of wretched idolatry ; the obligations conferred 
>on them; the motives and encouragements af: 
forded them; and every thing in the doctrine, 
and love of Christ, as well as the nature of their 
future inheritance, required of them’a peculiar 
mper and conduct; which he was about to 
nt out to them in various particulars. Espe- 
, he must exhort them to behave with hu- 
ty and self.abasement, without self-prefer- 
oasting, emulation, or contempt of others ; 
with meekness, gentleness, and long-suffer- 
lidst great insults and injuries ; as well as 
disposition to forbear with one another in 
to those light occasiotis of offence or 
e, which could not be wholly avoided, 

nong believers, in this present imperfect 
they ought studiously and diligent. 
follow after peace and harmony with 
he according to the teaching and influ- 
D oly Spirit; whose in-dwelling in 
ts was the cause of their unity as. 
ould induce them to live to- 
in the closest amity, and the 
5 ok, Salen differ. | 


Say 


These l. 11- 2 Tim,} 15. 1. 1 Cor. 13. 7. k 


Roe as yeare called sin one as. of 
your calling ; 5 

Ce One. Mon, m one faith,® one ‘bape 
tism, Bar heed 

6 One °o God int Father of all, Vala 
is above all, and through all, 4 and in 
you all. [Practical Observations. ! 
7 4 Butt unto every one of us is giv- 


i 
bs 


[en grace, according to tthe measure of 


the gift of Christ. 
19. 1Cor. 12. 4—, 6. Tit.1. 1. 4, Heb, 10, 10-13. Dan. 4, 
11. 2 Cor. 11. 4, 13.7. Jam. 2.18. 2| 34, 35. & 5. 18—23. 
See'on, ds ver. 1.| Pet. 1. 1. Jude 3.| Mat. 6-13. Rom. 
1. 18. Jer. 14. 8.| 20. 11,36. Rev. 4. 8—> 
& 17. 7% Acts 15.[m Matt. 28. 19, 11, 

11. Col, 1. 5. 2] Rom. 6.3,4:1Cor.lq 2 22. & 3. 1% 
Thes. 2. 16. 1 Tim.| 12. 13. Gal. 3. 26,| John. 14. 23, & 17. 
1.1. Tits 1,2, & 2.} 27.1 Pet. 3. 21. 28. 26 Core 6, 16.8 
13 .& 3. 7 Heb, 6,{0 6. 23. Num. 16.) John 3. 24: & a 
18, 19. 1 Pet, 1. 3,! 22. Is.63. 16. Mal.) 12—15. | ue 
4. 22 1John 3. 3.| 2. 10. Matt. 6. 9.jr ver, 8—I4,. Mat 
1 Acts2. 36, & 10.] John 20. 17.1 Cor.| 25, 15. Rom. 12. 6— 
36. Rom, 14. 8, 9.} 8.6» Gal. 3. cin 8. 1 Cor. 12. 81d, 
1Cor. 1. 2.13, &} 28. & 4. 3—7. 28—30. 

8. 6.& 12. 5. Philly John 3.1—3. 5 3. 8. 2Cor. 6 da 
2.11.&%3.8. ~ |p 1,21. Gen.14,19.! 1 Pet. 4, 10, 

m ver. 13. Rom, 3.} 1 Chr. 29, 11, 12./t John 3.34. Rom. 
30. 2Cor. 11. 4.| Ps. 95,3. 1s. 40. 11) 12, 3. aie 10. 13 
Gal. 1.6. 7. & 5]. —17. 21-93. Jer.| —15. 


ence of sentiment in subordinate matters, and - 
the manifold defects to be discerned in. each 
other. For, in truth, the whole Church was one 
Body, of which every believer was a member, 
and Christ the Head: this Body was animated, 
as it were, by one life or soul, even the omnipre- 
sent Spirit of Christ: all believers were called 
to hope for the same eternal happiness, on the 
same ground of the word of God, warranted by 
the same experience of his converting grace.— 
They had all one Lord, Ruler, Protector, and 


Judge, under whom they had their several em: 


ployments allotted to them, They had all one 
faith, both as to its Object, Author, nature, and 


efficacy ; and they all believed the same doctrines 


in the great essentials of religion... They had all 
been admitted into the Church by one baptism 
with water, “into the name of the Father, and of 
* the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” as the sign 
of regeneration, and the outward seal of the new 
covenant: and they were all, whether Jews or 
Gentiles, become the worshippers of one God 

even the Father of all; who was infinitely above, 
and absolute Ruler over, all creatures ; who per- 
vaded, sustained, and acted by all as his instru. 
ments ; and who was indeed in them all, through 
Christ, and by his Spirit, being personal? ly dis. 
tinct from the Son, and the Holy Ghost, yet mys. 
teriously one with them. Thus'they had every 
possible motive to live in love and peace, as 
being united in so many important and endear. 
ing particulars. All divisions and discords, in 
these circumstances, must bé peculiarly incon- 
gruous: yet pride, self-wisdom, self-will, ambi- 


tion, resentment, the devices of false brethren, 


and the stratagems of satan, would tend to dis. 


‘union; and it would require their most pradent 
|and strenuous endeay, 


rs, to “keep the unity of 
the Spirit in the bond of peace.”, ‘It must be 
* owned, as a certain truth, that hathing can unite 


us to that Church and Body, of which Christ is 


‘the Head, but the participation of the Spirit’ 
vey 


£ 
ha 
4 
? 
4 
# 
§ 


Ai D, 64. 


¢aptiye, ¥ and gave gifts unto men. 


9 (Now that « he ascended, what is 
it but that * he also descended, first into 


» the lower parts of the earth? 


10 He that descended is thé same also 
that ¢ ascended up far above all heavens, 


@ that he might + fill all things.) 


11 And © he gave some, apostles; and 
some, prophets; and some, fevangel-} 
$8. 41.51. 58. ae: aor ful Mat.24. 


u See on, Ps» 68. 18. 
= Jude 5.12, Col.| 14. & 16. 27, 28 


b Ps. 8. 5. & 63.9 


uke 24. 44. 


bed "or, a multitude of 


captives. 40. Heb. 2.7. 9. 13. 32, $3. Rom. 9. 
yl ee 30. 26.|¢ See on, 1, 2023.) 25—30. & 15, 9— 
Esth. 2. 18, 


z, Prov. 30.4. John} Tims 3. 16. Heb. 4, 
3.13. & 6. 62. &] 14.87. 26.& 8.1 
rh Acts 2. 34—| & 9.23, 24. 

ac 19. John 1. 16. 


Acts 1. 9% Ile 1 13. & 16. 25, 26. 


8. 5. Rom, 10. 14, 


Bp lu. 5. Ex 
19. 26. John 6. 33. 


Acts 2.33. Col. i. 
19. & 2,9. 


20. & 21. 14. 
f Acts 21.8.2Tim.4.5, 


V. 7—10. Thecommon Head and Lord of 
this one Body, had conferred on every individual 
member gifts and grace, according to that mea- 


sure, by which, in his sovereign wisdom, he pro- 


portioned his communications to the wants and 
This, therefore, 
every one ought thankfully to receive, and quiet- 
ly to employ for the benefit of the whole, 
without envying, coveting, or disputing. With 
reference to this matter, the Lord had spoken by 


circumstances of his saints. 


_the Psalmist concerning the victories and exalta- 


“tion of the Messiah; that when he ascended up 
on high, and led captive those enemies, who had 
enslaved the human race, he received gifts for 


rebellious men, that he might’ confer them on 
them. (Vote, Ps. \xviii. 18,) Now if Jenovan, 
(who was there evidently spoken of,) ascended, 
what doth this imply, but that he previously de- 
scended into these lower parts of the earth? So 
that his incarnation, abasement, death, and bu- 
rial, in human nature, previous to his resurrec- 
tion and ascension, were evidently pointed eut 
by the prophet. He, who thus descended and 
abased himself, was the very same Person who 
also ascended up far above all heavens, as 
placed over all the inhabitants of them; that he 
might fulfil all things relative to his mediatorial 
undertaking; that from/his fulness he might fill 
his Church, his ministers, and all believers, with 
his abundant gifts and graces; and that he 
might fill beaven and earth with his glory. 
(Note, i. 22, 23.) 

V..11—13. Christ, being thus exalted, first 
quslified and endowed with the Holy Spirit his 
chosen apostles, as his invaluable gifts to men; 
that, through their ministry, and by the laying 
on of their hands, sinners might be partakers of 
his salvation, and of abundant spiritual gifts and 
miraculous powers’: and that, from them, as the 
grand repository , the Church in all future ages, 
might receive all divine’ truth ; especially by 
thase sacred writings, which were penned by 
them and. under their inspection, to be the stand- 
ard of Christianity, ‘He next qualified and rais- 
ed up prophets, or extraordinary teachers endu- 
ed with the gift of prophecy, and acting in sub- 


EPHESIANS: 


8 Wherefore he saith," When he ase 
eended up on high, * he led * captivity 


John 19, 24. 28. 366 
& 139,15, Mat. 12.) Gr. Acts 3. 18- & 


le ver, 8. Ke 2 20.& 


15. 1Cor, 12. 280 
Jude 17. Rev. 18. 


ists; and some & pastors Be rs 
12 For ' the: cting of the sai 


the work of ainlebinkesrs « for 

ing of the body of Christ : gar. 4 
13 Till ™ we ¢ ne $i 

the faith, and of 


the measure of the. 
ness of Christ: © — 


g 2Chr. 15. 3. Jer, 
3.15. Mat. 28. 20.) 
Acts 13. 1. Ron! Cor 3. 8, 
42.7. 1. Cor. £2.29, & 5. 18. Pa 6. 
Heb. 5 12, 1 Pet.| Col. 4.17% 17) 
§. 1-3. 1. 12,.2Tim. 4,5 11. 
h Luke 22. 32, John|k ver. 16. 29. Rom. = 
21.15—17. Acts 9.} 14.19. & 15. 2 1 rier 
31. & 11.23. & 14s} Cor. 14. 4, 5+ 12.) Cor, 
22, 23. & 20, 28)! 26. 2Cor, 12. Gol 
Rom, 15.14.29. 2} 1 Thes.5. 11, 5 | Aap 

1 Seeon, ver. 4. &1. eae 

23. ve 1.24. Jo ver. 126 & 


Cor. 7-1. Phil. 1. 
25, 26, & 2. 12—18,' 
Col..1. 28. 1 Thess'm 
5.11—14. Heb. 6. 
1..& 13. 17. 
i Acts 1. 17.25, & 


ordination to the ates 
pel; others he qualified 
preach the Gospel from city to cit) 
to the apostles, and as observing th 
He also qualified and appointed 2 

and teachers in the different Churches, 
on the work begun by ding dari, ee 
ists. Thus the ascendi 
forth able and faithful 
men, as through their labours | 
ed all other’ spiritual bidebingsl™ This 
ment was intended for the perfec 


completing their numbers, by 
of the several parts of the’ min ine r 
for the perfecting of other holy € 
form in their turn the work of the 
edifying or building up the, spiritual t 
bringing sinners through faith to 
true Foundation; and by 
of believers for their sev 
Church ; in order to the be 
proportion, of the whole, Or, 
Church as the Body of wold 
nourish and mature that 0 
were brought to that unity of and 
ment in doctrine, and cy of at and 1 
mental knowledge of the Son of God, in his 5 
son, glory, and salvation, bse ve, CO 
dence, obedience, and conformity, © 
render the whole “ a perfect man,” ¢ 
every member, sense, and organ, Aad 
up to maturity; according to that n 
capacity, gifts, and grace, which Christ 
to every individual, in order to the f 

the stature of his ‘mystical Bod dy, “ 
«him who filleth all in all? 7 
Church on earth might, in each st 
ration, bear some proportion to 
bled company when perfeeted ij 
ledge, holiness, union, and 
Evangelists. * Under this name 
© understood, whom the apostles 1 

‘ attendants, in performing their 
‘ they were not sufficient for eer 
© this kind were Timothy, Titus, S 


senceforth be 4no more 
ed to and fro, and * carried 
a every wind of doctrine, tby the 
of _men, and cunning craftiness, 
oy ey u lie in wait to deceive; - 
« But * speaking the truth in love, 
os grow. up into him in all things, 
ch is = head, even Christ: 
2. 1-3. 1 John 2. ane 4.2& 


Ae Es 
12. 2. Jam. 3.4. Judg. 16-15. Ps. 32. 
t Mat. 24. 11.24 2! 2. Jobn 1.47. Rom. 
Pegg 2 ae es Jam. 2. 15, 


16 a 13. an 


” Mal 4. 2. 1 
Pet. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 


13 
z See ver. 22, & 


on, 
5.23. Col. 1. 18- 


los, whom Paul Ra: with himself in the in- 
‘ of the epistles, yet so as to call him- 
‘5 an Sbastle This office therefore was 

_ (Beza.) The opinion of 
pe venerable Reformer, in the last clause, per- 
“haps i is not well founded. The office of Evangel. 
‘ists seems to have been, in most respects, simi- 
Tar to that of missionaries, in subsequent times ; 
that is, preachers of the Gospel, without full 


pagent nt authority, and. without -any stated 
; 


by too 29.8 


among the heathen to found 
3 ehh ue the apostles lived, under their 
personal direction, and afterwards according to 
their doctrine and methods of proceeding ; or 
visiting the churches already planted, to set in 
order such things as were wanting, to supply the 
| deficiencies, or aid the labours, of stated pas- 
| ; and to stimulate them to greater earnest- 
“ness i in. discharging their duty. When zeal for 
agating the Gospel subsided, this office 
are into disuse ; and thus for ages, the heathen 
have been, in a great measure neglected ; but in 
} one form or another, the, office of evangelist, or 
; of the same nature, must revive, with 
the spirit of evangelizing the nations —‘ These, 
* when they,’ (the persons above-mentioned,) 
| © were employed in preaching the Gospel to 
| * those who had not yet received it, the Scrip- 
2 calls Evangelists” (Hammond.) It might 
previously been expected, in the present 
d state of the Church, that the zealots of 
division «would find out their own plan of 
government, and their own orders of 
isters, exclusively, in this passage: but it is 
, that ndhe of them would be satisfied 
general, astatement, were they called to 
heir sentiments on the subject. 
—16, This whole plan was formed, in 
believers should not thenceforth be, 
aa been, like children in knowledge 
e; and so, through instability, want 
; and: weakness of faith, liable to be 
fro, as ships without ballast, by the 
sea: or carried about like clouds 
d, by the false and pernicious doc- 
tle and ingenious men devised ; 
sible reasonings and pretences 
| propagated) them: as in this 


CHAPT 


ae 
ni Me ee 
te “j oon 
R Ai Ds. Gh. 
16 From ® whom the whole body > fit- 


ly joined together, and compacted by that 

which every joint supplieth, according to 

¢ the effectual working in the measure of 

every part, maketh increase of the Body, 

unto the 4 edifying of, itse in love: yt 
Practical 


Observations.) 
17.4 This © l say, therefore, : and, f testi- 


fy sin the Lord, » that- ye he eforth’ 


1,3. & 3. 12 &4. 1 Thes. 4.6. 

9, 19. 2 Thes. 1. 3.lg 1 Thes. 4. 1,2. 2 
Tim. 5. 21. & 6 
13. 2 Tim. 4, 1. 

h 1.22.&2 1—3 
& 5.3—8. Rom I. 
1. 23—32. 1 Cor. 6. 
9—11. Gal. 5.19— 
21. Col. 3.5—8 i 
Pet. 4. 3, 4- 


See on, ver. 12. 
10, 11. Ps. 0 
jy 15- 1Cor.12.| 2 Tim. Je 5. 1 Pet. 
1 of aha 19. | 1.22, 1 Johm 4 16. 
S- 2. 33-4e 1 Cor. 1. 12. & 15. 
Lae 50.2 Cor. 9. 6. Gal, 
of. 8.12.) 3.17. Col. 2. 4. 
& 13. 4—9. 13, &If Neh. 9. 29,30. & 
14. 1. Gal. 5. 6. 13, 13. 15. Jer. 42. 19. 
14. 22. Phil. 1. 9,; Acts 2. 40. & 18.5. 
Col. 2. 2 1 Thes.} & 20. 21. Gal. 5.3, 


ey 


the professors of the Gospel, to deceive and per- 
vert them, for their own ambitious and selfish 
purposes. To prevent the division, scandals, and 
delusions, arising from the cunhing craftiness of 
such deceivers, and the unsuspecting credulity of 


weak Christians ; apostles, prophets, evangelists, 


and teachers, had been appointed; and every be- 
liever had his measure of spiritual gifts bestowed 
on him, that he might improve it to promote the 
purity; peace, and edification of the Church.— 
Thus all Christians, as well as ministers, being 
taught to fold or maintain, the truth in love; up- 
rightly professing and defending the great truths 


of the Gospel, in meekness towards all men, and — 


love of each other, migbt grow up in all things 
to a nearer communion with Christ, and confor- 
mity to him, by influence derived from him, and 


by observing his directions ; as members m that - 


Body of which he is the Head, from whom the 
whole receives all its life, vigour, and spiritual 
health. And, being fitly proportioned, and close- 
ly united, through the gifts, grace, and services 
of each individual, and with,the effectual opera- 
tion of Christ by his Spirit, according to his ap- 
pointed measure in every part; continual intrease 


might be made to it, both by the conversion of. 


sinners and the sanctification of believers; and 


the whole be edified, united,-adorned, and ad-_ 


vanced, in love of Christ, and of every one to the 
other, with all the happy effects and fruits of 
love. In this respect the Church would resem- 
ble the human body, which consists of various 
members, united by joints and ligaments > each 
part being proportioned to its-place, and fitted 
for its use; the whole being compacted, by the 
nerves, arteries, veins, and the circulations con- 
tinually carrying on, from the head and the heart, 
through every part of the whole. Thus it grows 
up from infancy to manhood, and is preserved in 
vigour and activity; while every part performs 
its proper‘function, in union with the head, in 
perfect harmony with all the rest, and for the 
common good. This shgws the intent, tendency, 
and duties of the severe stations of Christians 
in the Church ; and if these were more attended 
to, the resemblance would be more manifest, and 
the effects unspeakably beneficial. (Notes, 1 Cor: 
xi.) 


i) SPU ae 3, 
> PAG gh vg Been 4 


wh D. 64, 4 si. t id 


vanity of: their mind ; 
18 Havi 


heart: 


19 Who, being n past feeling, have 
-® given themselves over unto lascivious- 
hess, to work all uncleanness P yas gree- 


diness. 


20. But dye have not so learned eee $ 
21 If so be that ye haye * heard him, 


14. 22, Jude 11. 
Rev. 17% 1—6, & 


3 Ps, 94. 811. Acts ppc. jom 19. 1John 
14-15, 

k Ps. 74. 20. Be 115. + Onbbior dhaeas Dan. 
4—8. Ise 44, 18—| 5.20. Mat. 13.15. 
20,%& 45. 5—8: Acts! John 12.40. Rom, 


18, 3. 


17. 30. & 26+ 17,18.| 11. 25. Marg. 2,2 Cor, 5.14, 15. 
Hom. 1. 21—23,28.{n 1 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 2.11—14. 1 
2 Cor.1. 21. 2 Cor.jo See on, ver. 17.; John 2.27. 


44. G re 8. 1} Rom. 1, 24-26. 1 
Thes. 4 Pet. 4.3. 

) Rom. 8.7, 8 Col.ip Job 15. 16. Is. 56. 
3, 21, Jam. 4. 4a 11. 2 Pet. 2,12— 


Heb: 3. 7, 8 


V, 17-20. 


same manner that the unconverted Gentiles did ; 


but should manifest such a distinction of temper 
and behaviour, as became their vocation. For 
the Gentiles around them walked “ in the vanity 


«of their mind;” and their vain speculations 


and. carnal affections concarred in influencing 


them to choose and pursue worldly vanities, as 


their chief good, which was the natural effect of 
their vain idolairy. Their understandings were 
_darkened, through pride, prejudices, and lusts, 


and by the agency of satan; so that they were 


wholly averse to that life of spiritual obedience 


which God requires and communicates, which 
accords to his,own nature and felicity, and which 
is the beginning and preparation for heavenly 
joys. This “alienation from the life of Goi,” 
was the effect of their gross ignorance in every 
thing relating to true religion; and that arose, 


not so much from want of. capacity or means of 
information, 2s from the blindness or hardness, of 


their hearts, and the obstinate depravity of their 
affections, Thus they stupified themselves with 
false principles, corrupting fables, and habitual 
excesses, till they lest all feeling of conscience, 
and sense of propriety, decency, and morality ; 
and so gave themselves up to the unrestrained 
indulgence. of their lewd inclinations, by. the 
greedy commission of the most unnatural and 
detestable uncleanness ; as if their highest hap- 
piness.had consisted in these far worse than bru- 
tal practices. (Votes, Rom. i. 18—32,) Greedi- 
ness, The original is@ovetousness. ‘ All this 
‘ they did with covetousness, while they were 
« never satisfied with luxurious indulgence, nei- 
© ther had their voluptuousness any measure, or 
6 bounds” (Jerom.) 

V. 21—24,. The Ephesians had not so learned 


‘EPHESIANS: 
walk‘not as other Gentiles walk, i iin the 


§ the understanding darken- 
ed, being ! alienated from the life of God, 
through the ignorance that is in them, 
m because of: the + blindness of their 


q Luke 24. 47- John 
6. 45, Hom, 6. 1. 


r Matt. 17. 5. Luke 
10. 16. Jobn. 10, 
27. Acts 3. 22, 23, 


In order that the Ephesians might 
% by love serve one another,” the apostle next 
called on th@mn, not only as a friendly monitor, 
but ds testifying to them, and charging them, in 
the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus; 
that they should not thenceforth, after having 
professed the Gospel, conduct themselves in the 


ness of truth, that is, evangeli 


and have been tatight by’ 
truth is in Jesus ; : 

22 That tye hom nausea & th 
former conversation, *the old man, whic 
is corrupt according to the : y deceitful lusts 

23 And 2 be i: in the "spirit ¢ ) 
your mind; ee 


24 And that ye b puton the* new 
which 4 after Gall is ¢ > i 


eousness and *.true hi 
(Practical Observe 
$1. 13, Ps. 45. 4.sy Prov. 11, 18. 
& 85, 16, 11. John *49: 16. Ob. 3. 
14, 6. 17.2 Cor. 1.| 7% 11. Tit. 3.3, Heb. 
20. & 11. 10.1 John! 3. 18. Jam. 1,26. 2 Ci 
5. 10—12. 20, Pet, 2.13. eke 
t ver. 25.1 Sam. 1.]z 2.10. Ps. §1. 10,!d 
14. Job 22.23, Ez.| Ez. 11. 19. & 18. 
18. 30—82. Col. 2.} 31. & 36: 26, Rom. 
11. & 3. 8, Heb. 12.) 12. 2, Cole 8. 10. 
1. Jam. 1. 21 1 Pet.} Tit. 3. 5. 
2.1, 2. - a Rom, 8.6. 1 ie 


u See = ver. 17. &] 1. 13. 
1. 13. Ub 6 11. 
“at 1. 18. 2 Pet, Ts. 52, Wk at 17.) 


ten 6.6, Col.3,9.{ Cor. tor ie es 
that religion, of which Ch 
and the lesson, the centre of all doctrines, 
mises, ordinances, and duties, as to live ia 
Manner of their, heathen neighbours. Ind: eed, 
some in other places had learned Christ fi “OF | 
teachers, who paid litle regard to their j practice 
but they had been better instructed ; 
had heard Christ himself, as it were, speak 2 hi 
apostle, and had been thus taught by him, as th 
“truth was in Jesus,” laid up in him, as i 
treasury, to be communicated packs him te b 
Church, through his word and ordinances 
if 30 be they had been taught b 
bis Spirit as well as by his ministers, For ine 
deed, “ the truth as it was in Jesus,” taught mem 
that they must put off, in respect of their whole 
former conversation and behaviour, the “ o} 
“ man,” or that sinful nature, which a age 
from fallen Adam, and whi t i 1 
principles and affegtions, a I 
rious inordinate desires of wo ‘ings 
mock men’s expectations, deceive their 
and make them bape ids.” of each pees 
which may therefore be called. igieita, 
“ lusts of deceit.” The ‘outward _ onduct, 
sulting from as corrupt nature, ‘must be e: 

at once as a filthy garment ; and the inw. 
sires themselves must be deniec 
mortified, till they are'wholly abolis 
Rom. vi. 5,6.) The Ephesians had 
taught, according “ to the truth i in. 
they must continually be Lciyplae 
more, in the inward judgment, tem 
fections of their souls, by the power 
grace, into the humble, spiritual, b 
ing mind of Christ: that so they 
‘the new man;” and that their habi 
might be conformed to his e st 
that they were new-teenied ea 
God, in righteousness and true ho 


that holiness, which springs. froma: a real b 

of the truth as it is in Jesus, pag iP 

ness towards Ged and man, and § 
¢ 


A 
¥ 


ey 
f 


Pe 


re; 8 putting away lying, 
a an truth with his neigh- 
_ bour: i for we are members one of an- 
other, 
oust 


2 kye angry, and sin not; ! let 
y Aa B S75. ae 


x ¥ 


|. 11. PS, 52.jh ver. 15. Prov. 8, 


119.29. Proy.6.| 7. & 12.17. Zech. 
12) 19.22. &} 8.16.19. 2 Cor. 7. 
Is. 59. 3, 4.) 14. ‘ . | 332 Prov. 14. 29.& 
de Hs. 59. 3,4) 14. dea} 
3.8. Ji i 5.30, Rom. 12, 51°19. 11. & 25. 23. 
fos. 4. 2. John| 1 Cor. 10. 17. & 12] Ec. 7s % Mat. 5, 
44. Acts 5. 3, 4, ¥ : 


fe 12—27, | 92, Mark 3. 5. & 
Col. 3.9. 1 Tim. 1.|k ver. 31, 3% Ex.| 10.14. Rom. 12. 19 
910. & 4. 2. Tit. 1, 

| 2.1% Rev. 22. 15+ 

oaeens 


11. 6, & 32. 21, 22s] —21. Jam. 1. 19- 

Num. 20. 10—13.1 Deut. 24. 15. 
“and genuine peace and satisfaction. (Votes, &c. 
| Gen. 1-26. Rom. xii 1—3, xiii. 14.) These les- 
“bons they had been taught by the apostle, and by 
Christ himself, if they were true Christians : and, 
‘in connexion with the means, motives, and assist- 
ances afforded them, they would effectually lead 
hem to a conduct, very different from that of 
eir Gentile neighbours. The corrupt conver: 
Sation, including doubtless the bad habits of the 
heathen, -is distinguished from * the old man,” 
_or'the depraved nature, whence all these evils 
sprang, The root would still remain, after the 
conyerts had “ put off, concerning the former con- 
_ © versation, the old man ;” and this would ren- 
der watchfulness and diligence needful to the 
end, even till “ the body of sin was abolished.” 
y “the old man,” signify only dad habits, as 
many explain it; how did it come to pass, that 
| these bad habits have always been so general, 
not to say universal; while good habits have 
) been exceedingly rare? We never read of bad 
‘habits, in any degree, among holy angels ; nor 
Would they have been heard of among men, if 
we had not apostatized from God, and become 
) dead in sin, and by nature children of wrath.” 
| The state of the unconverted Gentiles is, indeed, 
_ here particularly adverted fj yet it is most cer- 
tain, that the nature of the fnregenetate, (nay, 
their practice also, except in respect of gross 
idolatry, and some of its abominable appenda- 
£es,) is similar, even in those who are called 

Christians, ; rayne 
# V. 25. Let the Ephesians show that they had 
put off the old man with his deeds, by laying 
ide every kind of lies and deceit: let them no 
rer Hatter, slander, defraud, amuse, or com- 
Mt others, by any deviation from strict sin- 
but let every one ofthem speak the plain 
to his neighbours, without disguise, preva- 
n, simulation, or dissimulation : seeing that 
f, both in the church and in civil society, 
“members one of another ;” and ought 
in any way to deceive each other ; but should 
‘as unnatural and preposterous to impose 
‘another, as for a schism to take place in 
© for one sense or member to delude, 
another into mischief, to the common 
it of the whole body.—‘ Dr. Whitby hath 
own, in his note on this passage, that 
} best of the heathen moralists 


‘Neh. 5. 6—13. Ps, 


ght so loose and dangerous a doctrine? 
® 


24, & 28. 7—l1. 


37. 8. & 106.30—|'m 6. 11.16. Acts 5. 


lef of 
ee 


i Uh ie ale” 2 ott a =m" Ween. tek Tye es Pe 
2 . Lat UA, ode mem 
ee Ae, e , y i A re et 
a ees: SE ee oe ae ei ee 
>i “CHAPTER IV: | BRE. il: b, Ca 


not the stn ¢o down upon your wrath 3 
27 Neither ™ give place to the devil. 
°28 Let® him that st@eé, ° steal no 


more ¢ but rather legen. P labour, work- 
ing with Ais hands the thing which is 
good, § that he may ie i * give to him 


that needeth. 


12.6. 1Cor. 6,10) 2 Thes. 3. 6—8. 12s 
1. © Aq Like 3. 11. & 21, 
'o Job 34, 32. Prov.| 1—4. John 13, 29. 
28. 13. Luke 3.8.) 2 Cor. 8. 2, 12. 
10—14. & 19.8, 1* Or, distributes 
P Prov. 13. 1, & 14.) Rom, 12. 13. 2 Cors 
23, Avts 20.34, 35.) 9. 12-15. 01 Tim. 
1Thes. 4. 11, 12.) 6,13. - 


3. 2Cor. 2. 10, 11. 
Jam. 4 7. 1 Pet. 
5. 8. 
pn Ex. 20, 15. 17%. & 
21.16; Prov. 30.9. 
Jer. 7. 9. Hos, 4. 2, 
Zeeh. 5. S. John 


ae 


V. 26, 27. It would be proper to express dis- 
pleasure at what was wrong, on fhany occasions, 
both in the management of their families, in res 
proving sin, and even in ordering their temporal 
concerns, so that all anger was not to be pro- 
hibited: yet, let Christians be sure to restrain 
that daagerous passion within the bounds of rea- 
son, meekness, piety, and cliarity; not being 
angry without cause or above cause, or in @& 
proud, selfish, and peevish manner; not ex- 
pressing their displeasure by reproaches, or fu- 
rious rage, of suffering it to settle into resent- 


‘ment; but always endeavouring to subordinate 


its exercise to the glory of God, and the benefit 
of the offender himself, as well as that of others ; 
and to show stronger disapprobation of the sin 
committed against God, than of the injury done 
to themselves. This would induce them to ats 
tend to the caution annexed, * not to let the sun 
“ go down upon theif wrath,” not to close the 
day without forgiving and praying for those, who 
had offended them, or expressing a disposition 
to reconciliation and kindness. In this and in 
other respects, they must take care, not “to give 
s place to the deyil,” who watched his opportu- 
nity of filling their minds with rancour and ma. 
lice, and of thus exciting divisions and conten. 
tions among them. (Marg. Ref. Notes, Mait. y. 
21—26, Mark iti. 1—5.) 

V. 28: It might also be supposed, that, when 
the Ephesians were idolaters, they had practised 
various kinds of fraud and dishonesty, and that 
some of them had even lived by theft; rapine, on 
oppression. These mighf€not, in many cases, be 
able to make restitution: but at, least let them 
finally cease from every kind and degree of this 
vice; and, rather than do wrong to any man, let 
every one, howeve* he had before lived in habits 
of ease and self-indulgence, learn, and submit to, 
if necessary, even the lowest and most laborious 
employment, which was honest and usefiil to so- 
ciety ; not only in order to provide food and rai- 
ment for himself and family, but that he might 
be able to relieve the more urgent necessities of 
his sick and afflicted brethren and neighbours. 
Thus their Christian conduct would be as ho- 
nourable, as their former behaviour had been 
disgraceful. In this away, even the grand 
principle of restitution, (namely, renouncing all 
right to property which ‘has been injuriously ac- 


g might in many cases be justi-|quired,) would be adhered to, as faras their | 
id I wish that none but heathens had | circumstances admitted of it ; and a fund faised, 


on gi bees Pen and healthy poor, for the re-. 
he sick and aged. Great stress seems in 


D. 64: oh 
29 Let ¥ no corrupt communication | and anger, and b clamour, 


Y ode 


proceed out of your mouth, but * that 
which is go:ml to the { use of edifying. 
that it may * minister grace unto ane 
hearers. 

30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit ofl: 
God, = whereby ye are sealed unto ¥ the 
day of redemption. he 

31 Let all 2 bitterness, 2 and wrath, 


Ez. 16, 43. Mark 
3. 5. Acts 7 51. -1 


1S 21. & 25. 11, 


. Is. 50,4. Mal. 


£5.3,4. Ps.5.9.& 
52. 2 & 73. 7-9. 


Mate 12. $4—37. 3. 16—18, Luke 4.| Thes. 5.19. Heb. 
22. 1Cor. 14 19.] 3610.17. 
Core 15. 32, Col. 3. 16,17. &.4.]x See on, L. 13. 


Rom, 3. 13, 4. 4 


Col. 3. 8, 9. Jam 
3.2—8.2 Pet. 2. 18: 
Jude 13—16. Rev. 
13, 5, 6. 12. 2. 16. 

3 Deut, 6.6—9. Psilt Mat. 5. 16. 1 Fet. 
37. 30, 31. & "45. 2.) 2,12. & 3. 1 

& 71. ‘17, 18. 24. &lu Gen. 6. 3. 6. Jadg. 


f Or, to edify profit-| Luke 21. 28. Rom. 
ably 7 ver.) 8. 11, 23. 1 Car, 1. 
30. & 15. 54. 

Z Ps.64. 3. Rom, 3, 
14. Col. 3, 19. Jam. 
3. 14, 15. 


6. 1 Thes. 5. 11. [i 14, 


78.4, 5. Proy. 10.{ 10.16. Ps. 78. 40.[a Seeon, ver. 26. 
31, 32.8 Be 3 &95, 10. Is. 7.13 | Proys 14. 17. & 19. 
15, 2—4e & 43. 24. & 63. 10. 


many places to Phe laid on this ; which, in a very 


striking manner, shows to what an extent cha- 


ritable communications, from the substance or 
gains of Christians, in every station of life, for 
the _relief of their brethren, and of others for 
Christ*s sake, ‘ought to be carried. (Marg. Ref) 
But, alas! they who are not eager to amass 
wealth, as most in these days are, spend too 
much on themselves and their families, to have a 
due proportion to spare for such purposes: and 
a degree of liberality, even far beneath the scrip- 
tural and primitive standard, is now deemed 
rather a prodigy to be wondered at, than an ex- 
ample to be imitated! 

¥. 29. The apostle furthermore ‘exhorted his 
readers, to abstain from all corrupt and polluting 
conversation, and not to suffer any thought of that 
contagious nature, which arose in their hearts, to 
proceed out of their lips; as this would poison 


the imaginations of the hearers, even when not so 
‘grossly indecent as to shock them. ° On the con. 


trary, they ought to watch thgir opportunity of 
introducing wholesome and instra@etive discourse : 

and to take heed that the general tendency of 
their conversation was good, il; and edify- 
ing; even.such as might be the means of com 

municating grace to the hearers, by the blessing 
of God upon i; either by bringing careless per- 
sons to serious reflection, or by encouraging, 
warning, or quickening believers. (Mars. Ref.) 
' V. 80-32. In this, and in, every other res 


pect, Christians should beware of “ grieving the 


** Holy Spirit of God.”—* Give diligence, that the 
* Holy Spirit may dwell in you willingly, as in 
«a pleasant and agreeable habitation, and do not 
* give him any cause for grief. He speaks here 


* of the Spirit after the manner of men? (Beza,)|* place in his kingdom, among those | 


(Marg. Ref.) When a father has done every 
thing proper for the benefit of his son, he is: 
grieved if his son acts in an unbecoming man- 
ner; and, consequently, will not be free and 
cheerful in his company, but will either shun 
him, or frown on him. The sanctifying and com- 
forting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believ- 
ers as the peculiar people of God, to the day of 


complete redemption, even tv the general resur-jand, though we-can do nothing towards 01 va 


eprineritng 


given you. 
} 13. Ec. 7. 9.'2 Core 


speaking, be put away fromaryyi 
all malice: il, 
32 And be 
€ tender-hea 
ven as God for 


12, 20. Gal. 5.20. 
Col. 3.8. 2 Tim 2. 
23. Tit. 1. 7% Jamey: sd: 
1.19. & 3. 14-18. Pet. 2 
& 4.1, 2. Pet, .2, 10, Ite 

b2Sam. 19. 43. & 

20.2. Prov, 29. 9. 
22, Acts 19, 28, 29. 
& 21. 30. & 22, 22, 
23. 1 Tim, 3. 3. & 


64,5. 
¢ Lev. 19, 16,2 Sam. 
19. 27. Ps 15. 3, & 
50.20. & 101. 5. & 
140. 11. Prov. 6. 19. 
& 10,18. & 18, 8. 
& 25, 23. .& 26, 20. 
Jer. 6. 28. & 9, 4.1 


Tection. (Notes, i. wih 
Ref.) As @ kind and w 
Spirit watched over: tha 
their good, with infinite con 
all their hope, wisdom, strengt — joy, 
from him ; and the ee he requ 
was a ready compliance with his 
tions, and a watchfulmess, against ne thi 
a contrary tendency. But, if they indulged e 
selfishness, deceit, sensual lusts, or vain Pane 
sation; he would hide his face, or 
them, : withhold his consolation ey ci lea, 
to darkness, fears, anxieties, ag yi 

their own weakness by such "fall, a 

pose them to sharp. corrections, Tn ms 
against these painful consequences ; Jet 
put away all bitterness, and harshness of ten 
per, language, Mew foe ‘d such 
as most grievously 0 them ; avoid al! 
sinful anger, and Pimento Nig se 
slanders, and ri as well as 
and resentment > that they, 
tenderly sympathizing with 
ready to forgive, even as God. in 
his sake, had forgiv them, ( 
21—S5. 1 Cor: xtii.)—None bua fre eli 
persons. really partaking, 
sanctifying Spirit of Chee. ay fe th 
of this exhortation : and, in the judgme 
rity, the apostle addressed the Ephesians 
this happy company.—Sealed. * That is 
¢ God’s mark set upon you, that you are. 
* vants; a security to you, that 
« mitted into his kingdom as teh ae by 
* demption, that is, at the resurre 
* you shall be put in the actual possess 


eae oR 
tf i 


19. 


I his, whereof the Spirit is now 
(ZLocke.) . 
Pa ecaTCen OUSERVATIONS, 

Vo dee 

The mind that. was in Christ, -will teach. 
who suffer for his sake, te be more pestrows 
believers should walk wortby of their v 
than of their own exemption from ‘de 


ae 


weg 


Mi iy Mm y a OF a 
Z Mae D. 64. ; He 
i Te ee eR yes # (.e 
ir 0 Aewar. v. 
| AE Fors 
The e exhorts the Ephesians to imitate the love|_ 


of God in Christ, 1, 2: to avoid all uncleanness, 


and improper discourse, which draw |’ 


ae on 


e wrath of God upon “ the children of 
dience,” 3—6; to have no fellowship 
works of darkness} but, asthe children 


justification ; yet, by the grace of God we may 
- do a great deal for the honour of the Gospel and 
| the benefit of mankind. A spiritual, bumble, 
a ient, and holy walk, is peculiarly suitable 
‘to the character of our Saviour, and to the free- 
- mess of our holy tion; as well as to the na- 
gare of our present privileges and future inberit- 
ance. Eyen the candour and allowance, which 
we are conscious that we need from our bre- 
thren, should teach-us to act with all lowiiness 
and meekness; with “ long-suffering, forbear- 
'@ ing one another in love.” fall, who profess 
‘the Gospel, did indéed thus “ endeavour to keep 
_ 4 the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” 
“what a different face would the Church of God 
assume! But, alas! whilst there is one Body, 
one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one 
baptism, and one God and Father of all, on 
whom al! depend, and from whom all our hopes 
_and comforts come ; how grievously do the re- 
‘maining ignorance, bigotry, and disproportion- 
ie a about comparatively trifles, even in good 
men ; the designing ambition and farious pas- 
| sions of bad men ; and the artifices of the devil, 
| “defeat the endeayours of those, who labour for 
| peace ; and perpetuate, yea, multiply, divisions 
and dissentions among those, who are agreed in 
the great essentials of Christianity! Let us, how- 
| ever, persevere in seeking, and praying for, the 
"peace of the Church : for “ blessed are the peace- 
s* makers;” and whatever eager zealots may 
“say of them, “ they shall be called the children 
«© of God.” Let us watch against spiritual pride, 
envy, and the ambition of popularity: and let us 
improve our measure of endowment,-as the gift 
- of Christ for the benefit of others, with content- 
/ Ment and quietness. 3 Se 
Me i V. 7—16. 
| It may be very useful to remember, that the 
Redeemer first came down from heaven, and 
ased himself, before he ascended as a trium- 
ant Conqueror, to. enrich us rebels with the 
fuits of his victories. Thus he left us an exam. 
le that we should follow his steps, and expect 
sement, self-denial, and the cross, here, and 
ir and felicity hereafter, While Christians 
. be exhorted to value the faithful ministry 
the Gospel, as the precious gift of Christ, and 
:grand means of salvation to their souls; pas- 
s and teachers, however distinguished, should 


x 


f their families. We should then “ take 


ig those among whom We minister, 


4 


CHAPTER V. 


ourselves and to our doctrine,” and 


™~ 
se 
‘ 5 F 's" * 
ei 4 ‘ 
i 

: é «& 
- S 


£.. 
of light, to reprove them, 7—14; to walk with 


ALD. 64 


mi 


wisdom and circumspection, 15—17 : not to drink. , ‘ 


to excess; but to be filled with the Spirit, singing 
Psglins and praises to God, 18—20: and to sub- 
mit to-one another, in the several relations of life, 
21. The duties of wives and husbands, enforced 
| and illustrated, by the mutual love of Christ and 


his church, 22—33. wa 


to the unity of the faith and of the. knowledge of 
the Son of God, and to that maturity of judg- 
ment and experience, which may fit them to be 


a part of that complete Body, “ according to the . 


« measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ2” 
For by leading believers with gradual advances 
to this ripeness of knowledge ; we most effectu- 
ally counteract the sleight of men, and that cun-’ 
ning craftiness by which they lie in- wait to de. 
ceive: for their success is chiefly among unsta- 
ble professors, or such Christians, as being chil- 
dren in understanding, are liable to be. * tossed 
“ to and fro, and carried about with every wind 
of doctrine,” and by ‘every subtle device of 
the enemy. We should indeed hold the truth 
with firmness, but it should alse be in love: 
otherwise, zeal for orthodoxy may dictate such 
violent measures, as will more distract the 
Church, and injure the cause of Christ, than 
false teachers themselves could do. But in 
‘* faith working by love,” we grow up into Christ 
in all things, and acting in this spirit, every mi- 
nister and Christian, as a part of that Body of 
which he.is the Head, contributes to the propor. 
tion, union, and prosperity of the whole ; accord- 
ing to the effectual working of Christ in every 
part: and thus the Church is increased in holi< 
ness and in numbers, “ by edifying itself in love.” 
Indeed, every congregation, where the truth is 
preached, will prosper and increase, according 
to the measure, in which this peaceful and loy- 
ing improvement of every one’s’ talefts, for the 
common benefit, is attended to: for * the fruit 
*¢ of righteousness is sown in peace of them that 
** make peace; but where envying: and strife 
onfusion and every evil work.? 
— V. 17—24. 
ministe rs testify in the Lord against 
antichristian tempers and practices, as well as 
against false doctrines: and insist upon it, that 
believers must not walk as others do, who are 
entiles in conduct, thoygh Christians in name: 
for the difference between heretofore, and hence- 
forth, is of vast importance ‘in this grand concern, 
Alas! do not men on every side walk in the 
vanity of their minds? Is it not plain that their 
understandings are darkened, and their hearts 
alienated from the life of God, and even harden- 
ed against it, through the ignorance that is in 
them? Nay, are there not numbers, who are 
past feelitg, and have given themselves up to 
work jl uncleannzss with greediness? Must we 
not then insist most decidedly upon the distinc- 
tion between real and nominal Christians? In. 
deed, there are many professors of evangelica} 
truth, who have so learned Christ, as not to be 
convinced of the necessity of mortifying their 
corrupt nature and its deceitful lusts ; of being 
“renewed in the spirit of their minds,” and of 


Be. 


xen £8 Pore: a) ee. 


f 


ah. 
rt ad 


Ae Dy 64. 


“hood: they:also find it very difficult to feel and 


_ do things not strictly just, for want of being in- 


nues and immense expenses/or hoardings, are 


E ye therefore 2 followers of God, 
b as dear children; 

2 And¢ walk in love, 4.as Christ also 
hath loved us, and hath given himself for 
us, an offering and © a sacrifice to God,}i 
f for a sweet-smelling savour. 

3 But & fornication, and all unclean- 


/ 

a4. $2. Ley. 11. 4§.] 1 Thes, 4. 9.1 Tim. 
Matt. 5. 45. 48.) 4, 12, 1 Pet. 4, 8. 
Luke 6. 35, 36. 1|.1 John 3) 11—23. 
Pet. 1..15, 16 1} & 4..20. 21. 1 Cor. 5.7. Heb, 9. 
John 4. 11. d yer. 25, & 3. 19} 23. & 10, 12. 

Db Jer. 31. 20. Has.| Matt. 20. 28 John/f Gen. 8. 21. Ley. 1. 
1, 10. John 1, 12.] 15. 12, 13. 2 Cor 5.) 9. 13, 17- & 3. 16, 
Col. 3.12. 1 Jobn) 14,15. & 8, 9. Gal.| Am. 5. 21. 2 Cor. 
A I Be 1. 4+ & 2. 20. 1] 2-15, , 

ce 3.17. & 4, lien 2 6. Tit. 2dg vere 5: & 4. 19. 


ay Rev. 1.5. & 5. 
e ees 8. 3.° Marg. 


16. John 13 34.| 14. Heb, 7. 25—27.| Num. 25.1, Deut. 
Rom, 14. 15.1 Cor, 23. 17, 18 Matt. 
16. 14, Col. 3.) 14, 15/19. Mark 7. 21. 


& 9. 14. 2 Pet. 2. 
21-24. 1 John 3. 


s* putting on the new man, as created after God 
‘* in righteousness and true holiness!” But, if 
we have truly learned Christ from the teaching 
of his word and Spirit, we shall be daily aim- 
ing to practise these lessons, seeking help from 
God by fervent prayer: we shall mourn that 
89 much power yet remains in our old corrupt 
nature; and we shall long to be more like our 
divine Master, in every part of our temper and 
conduct. 


V. 23—S2, 


Zealous professors, and indeed, admired 
preachers of evangelical truth; nay, even true 
Christians, need warning and cautioning to avoid 
immorai practices: but the latter welcome and 
profit by the word of exhortation; while bypo- 
crites detect themselyes by raging against it.— 
They, who most vigilantly examine themselves, 
will most perceive the extreme difficulty of en- 
tire truth and sincerity in all. their conversation, 
and of avoiding every kind and degree of false- 


i anger, on the most justifiable occasions, 
anc to perform the duties of parents, masters, 
or ministers, without falling into $imand disho- 
nouring their profession. They pereéive it very 
necessary to watch and pray against resentment, 
Jest ‘¢the sun should go down upon their wrath,” 
and so place should be given for satan to tempt 
them to further transgressions: for, in every 
thing, the occasions of his suggéstions should 
be assiduously avoided. Nay, exact and scrupu- 
lous honesty is far more uncommon, than is ge- 
nerally imagined ; and even some pious pérsons 


structed and admonished after the apostolical 
manner. But whilethieves and robbers are as wel- 
come to Christ, as their more moral neighbours : 

yet, thenceforth they must steal no more, what- 
ever hard labour may be necessary for an honest 
livelihood, What then shall we think ef those 
professed Christians, who grow rich and live in 
luxury, by various frauds, oppressions, excessive 
profits, smuggling, and other acts of injustice, 
without restitution or amendment? And if the 
poor labourer should give to him that, needeth, 
what shall we think, of them, whose large reve- 


EPHESIAN $24 
ness, or ne let ‘g 


i named among y 
saints. 


h ver. 5. Ex, 18. 21-] 5. 1. 


4 Neither 1 


Acts 15.20. Rom 
1. 29,1 Cor, 5. 10,) Mie. 2. 
Il. & 6. 9,10. 13.} 22. La 
18. & 10. 8. 2 Cor.| 16. 14. A 
12. 21. Gal. 5. 19— 
21. Col. 3.5.1 Thes.| 5.1 Tim. 

4, 3.7. Heb. 12. 164] 6. 10. 2 Tim: 3. 
& 13. 4-2 Pet, 2.| Tit, 1. 7% 11 
10. Rev. 2: 14. 21.| 13.5. 1 Pet. 5. 


& 9, 21, & 21. 8:1 Pet. 2. 3, 14 721, § 

& 22, 155 i Ex. 23 13. 3 10. J 
& 20. 17, Josh. 7.{k Rom. 16,2. Phil] 15: Phil F 
21 1 Sam. 8. 3. Ps.| 1.27<1,Tim. 2. 10,1 3, 15 
10. 3. & 119. 36.) Tit. 2.3. 3. O.& 


Prov. 28. 16. Jer.|1 4,29. Proy. 12. 23.) 13. 15. 
6. 23+ & 8. 20 eh Be a 2 Ee, 10t \. - 


scanty ‘tine ? ? Oued Ten se al 
pure, our tongues bridled, an 
improved diligently as a tal ‘ 
not, with ' this unruly membe 
others ; but may speak such p 
tive words, as are suited to 
hearers, if we would act : et 
gations as Christians, When we 

or respect, neglect these rules, | 

* Holy Spirit of God,” los m fort 
evidence, or éven bring our state into dow’ 
suspicion. Let us then watch aga 
evils, all anger and malice, and , 
the loving example of our God and 


NOTES. Psi 
CHAP. V. V. 1,2. Instead of the 
nant passions, mentioned towards | 
the preceding chapter, the believers” 
were exhorted to follow, or imitate ‘God 
beloved children, invall his moral p 
especially in that love: from: which. 
tion flowed. “Lhis might best b 
in the Person and love of € y who had 
ed human nature, and given himself for 
offering or sacrifice to God ; which was 
a sweet-smelling savour, i stain to 
al sacrifices that were consumed on the 
Not that the Father took: 
ings of his beloved Son, 
his justice and holiness sake glorified 
and a way was thus opened for the h 
exercise of mercy towards those who 
his awful vengeance; and in this he 
pleased. As the Father appointed and’ 
this sacrifice, and from love to ‘us, gave 
loved Son‘for our Sins; and as Jesus : 
* and my Father are One 2” so the love 
must be equivalent to that love o 
they were directed to copy in thei” 
duct:—Compassion for the desei 
condescension to the mean and ¥ 
to forgive injuries, self-abasement, — 
and enlarged beneficence, were most ill 
ly manifested in that love; which is ces 
ed as the pattern for our ges i 
¥. 3) 45 The ee had, in 


a. Lee ls po if! P ‘ tm 
5 For® this ye know, P that no whore-} words ; for because of these things * com- 
nonger, ‘nor unclean person, nor covet-}eth the wrath of God upon “ the children 
ous man 4 who isan idolater, hath any in-|of * disobedience. , 4 
heritance in the kingdom of Christ and ty Be * not ye therefore partakers with 
ete ce them. é 


4 


eae: : a ~s 
ft * no man deceive you with * vain y 
at ‘a; Ti Pts 5 - patra = 
9, 10. : . 18. 2 Thes. 29{t Num. 32, 13, 14.|* Or, unbelief. Heb.y Prov. t. 10—17, & 
10. Jer. 29. 8. 31 py 18. 2 Thes. , unhelie Prov: 1. 10-17, & 


-10—16. Mic. 3.| 3¢10—12. 1 John 4+} Josh. 22.17, 18. Fs.| 3.19.1 Pet. 2. 8.| 9. 7 
S Maite 56 ‘ : Tim. 5. 22. Rev. 


5, Mattes 24.°4. 244 L 78. 31. Rom, 1. 13.| Gr: 


£ . 21. ce 19) saa? is 2 Kin 18. 20.} Col. 3. 6. x vers 11. Num, 16.) 18. 4. 
pa ean ee Jer. 93. 14-16. u See on, 2. 2, 3. 26. Ps. 50. 18. 
chapter, warned the Ephesians against several |Christ, as temples of the Holy Spirit, as heirs of 


‘of those immoralities, to which they had been |heaven, and as lights in the world. Nay, they 
addicted before their conversion: and he here | must not allow of any indecent conversation, or 
resumes that subject. The degree, in which | any thing vain and trifling ; or even those witty 
fornication in particular, and other kinds of li-|turns of expression, by which improper senti- 


centiousness, were practised, and even allowed, | ments, being conveyed in an ingenious manner, 


by the gravest philosophers of | obtain applause, instead of exciting indignation. 
, can hardly be conceived by those, | Nothing of this kind could consist with the cha- 


nese, means an insatiable craving after more and jers to know, that fornicators, unclean persons, 
‘more of these sensual indulgences. Now, it }and covetous men were out of the way to heaven. 
cannot be denied, that the word sometimes has |The latter, though often more favoured than de- 
that sense : yet it can hardly be supposed, that;bauched characters, were, in the strictest sense, 
the apostle would, in so general a way, have ad-|idolaters; seeing they loved, trusted, and ex- 
ded to his warning against fornication, the men- | pected happiness from wealth, rather than from 
tion of that “* uncleanness with greediness,”|God; and sought to increase or secure their 
which he before had stated as the excess of Pa-|treasures, instead of seeking first his favour, 
'gan blindness and hardness of heart. (iv. 19.) |image, and glory. (Marg. Ref.) They were vot 
On the other hand, can it be thought, that cove-|therefore truly converted ; and, not being sub- 
tousness should here, and in all other exhorta-|jects of Christ’s kingdom on earth, they could. 
) tions of a similar nature, which the apostle ad-|not be entitled to the inheritance of that heaven- 
dressed to the Churches, be almost, if not entire-|ly kingdom, which God, for Christ’s sake, would 
Ay overlooked ? For they, who explain the word |bestow on all true believers. Some might in- 
‘in this text, of ereediness in lewdness, put the |jdeed argue against this declaration: and, excus- 
| same construction on it, in other places where |ing such practices, or amusing themselves with 
‘it occurs. No doubt, covetousness, or eager de- | speculations on God’s mercy, and the freeness of 
sires of gain, Whether to hoard, or to support |salvation, might persuade othere that they werc 
| extravagance, is as contrary to vital Christianity, | not absolutely inconsistent with a state of accept- 
as the grossest sensualities ; though more plau-jance. But, let none suffer any man to deceive 
sible, and not so easily defined ; and alsq asthem with vain words; as these very practices 
supplying the means of silencing or softening | brought the wkath of God upon the children of 
the reproofs of those, who would firmly protest | disobedience, or those who persisted in unbelief, 
against fornication, and even, in many cases,|impenitence, end the allowed practice of sin. 


Fhe clause indeed, ** let it not once be named,” | be noticed, did our limits permit. The common 
ke. may only mean, ‘Let it not be said, that a/principles which prevail, even in countries pro- 


90d of the discourse, in which the zaming |removed from an antinomian perversion of evan- 
‘oP mentioning of licentious practices, in a man-|gelical truth, properly so called, dictate vain 

er too common, tends to pollute the imagina-|words, which deceive vast multitudes. A smat- 
fons, or inflame the passions of the hearers: it|tering of vain philosophy, united with these 
inot be doubted, that the conversation of |common notions, leads numbers to conclude that 
2, who speak as if every thing was valuable | God will not punish men for indulging their na- 
portion as money can be got or saved by it, |tural inclinations, however irregularly. Many 
ts the judgment and principles of men, | popular writers, of late, have spoken of fornica- 
in another way, yet as effectually as ob-|tion, and even the seduction of an unmarried 


thout detestation ; for this Secame,|says, so called, in modern times deceive millions 
character as) saints, and their|with vain words; and no doubt, the grand de- 
8s his children, as members of {ceiver of mankindwhad prophets of a sinfitsr 


: Ps 


‘prosecute them with the censures of the Church. | But, vain, deceitful, words of various kinds might’ 


stian is guilty ofsuch crimes’ But, if un-|fessing- Christianity, among these who are far 


Sh, an . CHAPTER 0. ~" # Sea). bath 


. 


ii 
¥ 


Se ee te eS 


4. D. 64. . EPHESIANS. 


8 For ¥ ye were sometimes darkness, | of ‘ae things which are | 
zbut now are ye light in the Lord:'" in secret. 
2 walk as children of light : 

9 (For >the fruit of the Spirit és in 
all ¢ goodness, and ¢ righteousness, and 
€ truth ;) 

10 € Proving what is & acceptable unto 
the Lord. 

1i And have ® no fellowship with the 
? unfruitful § works of darkness, ! but ra- 
ther -reproye them. 

12 For ™ it is ashame even to speak 


whatsoever d 

14 Wherefo 
thou. that sleep 
the dead, * and Ck 
light. th is 


15 * See then that ye 
spectly, 8 not as fools, b 

16 * Redeeming the. a 
y the days are evil. — 

17 Wherefore = be ye not Aer 
@ understanding what the will 
Lordig. + 


1 Cor 5.9—11. & 
10. 20, 21. 2 Cor. 
6. 14—18, 2 Thes. 
3. 6. Ags 34 
Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 
3.5. 2 John 10,11. 
Rey. 18. 4. 

i Prov. 1. 31. ¥s, 3. 
10 Rom. 6. 21 
Gal 6. 8. 

kK 4. 22. Job 24. 13— 
17. John 3. 19—21. 
Rom. tl. 23—32. & 
13. 12,1 Thes. 5. 7. 

1 Gen. 20; 16. Ley. 
19. 17. Ps. 141, 5, 
Prov. 9. 7,8. & 13. 
18, & 15. 12. & 19. 


¥ 211,12. & 4, 18] 2 4. & 15, 14. 1 
& 6.12. Ps, 74. 20 Fis 2. 18 3.Jobn 
Bs.G. 2. & 42. 16. 
& 60. 2. Jer. 13.16. lat Phit 1, 12.1 Tim. 
Mat. 4. 16) Luke 14) 6.21. Heb: Ie 8, & 
79. Acts 17. 30. ke} Lle 33. 1 Pet. 2, 24. 
26.18. Rom. 1. 23,! 1 John 2, 29. & 3. 
& 2. 19. 2 Cor. -6.| 9, 10. 
24. Col. 1. 13. Fit.je See on, 4. 15, 25. 
33- 1 Pet. 2.9. 1! &6. 14- John 1, 47. 
Jobn 2, 8. fl Sam. 17 39. 
z Is.42.6, 768% 49} Rom. 12 1, 2 
6. 9, & 60. 1. 3. 19,] Phil 1. 10. 1 Thes. 
20. John. 1-4, 5, 9.) 5+ 21. 
& 8: 12. & 12. 46,\g Ps. 19. 14. Prov. 
1 Cor, 1. 30.2 Cor,| 21. 3- Is. 58. 5. Jer. 
8.18 & 4. 6. 1, 6.20. Hom. 14. 18. 
‘Thes. 5. 4—8. 1] Phil. 4.18. 1 Tim 
. John 2,9—11, 2. 3. & Ss 4, Heb.| 25, & 25. 12, & 29, 
© ver. &. Is. 2. 5.! 12.28. 1 Pet, 2 5.) 2. Is. 29. 21. Mat 
‘Luke 16. 8. John} 20, | 18,15. Luke 3. 19, 


Luke 12, 1, 2° 16, 27: 
2 16. Hev. 20, 12 "Ie ver: 33. ‘3 


p Is. 51.17.& 52. 1. 
& 60.1. Rom213.ju 2 f 
11.1 Cor. 15. 34. 2) 2, f 
Tim. 2.26. Margy | Prov, 24. 8, 

q 2. 5. Bz.37,4—10.) 25, 2. 24. 
Jolin 5. 25—29. Gal.3. 1.3.1 T 
11 43,44. Rom. ¢ 


12. 36. Gal. 5. 25.jh vere 7 Gen. 49.) 1 Tim. 50 20. 2 
1 Pet.2, 9—11. 1] 5-7. Ps. 1.1, 2. &} Tim. 4.2. Tit. 2. 
11,1 John 1. 7. 26.4, 5. & G4. 20.) 15 
b.Gal. 5. 22, 23. 21. Prov. 4.14, 15.}m ver. 8. Rom, 3. 42 
e Ps.16.2,3. Rom.| & 9. 6. Jer.’ 15.] —27.1 Pet. 4.3, 
17. Rom. 16 17. 


stamp in ancient days. When the vilest of trans- 
gressors repent, and believe the Gospel, they be- 
come “children of obedience,” from whom the 
wrath of God is turned away: but it could not 
be expected, that he.would punish the Gentiles 
for such abominations, and connive at them in 
professed Christians. If the Ephesians therefore 
meant to escape the condemnation of their hea- 
then neighbours, let them not partake of their 
crimes. 

V. 8—14.. The Ephesians had once been 
darkness itself, through total ignorance of God 
and. his will; but now, by the Gospel, they were 
made “ light in the Lord; ”” as One with Christ, 
the Light of the world. Let them therefore walk 
as,children of the Light; like persons, who were 
born, again ibte the spiritual world, to be trained 
un as heirs of the light of feaven. If they were 
inwardly enlightened, the Holy Spirit, by whom 
the change had been wrought, would lead them 
to a suitable conversation: as the fruit.of the 
Spirit consisted in all kinds of goodness, mercy, 
equity, integrity, veracity, sincerity, and faithful. 
ness; as weli as in uprightness in their professed 
faith, fear, end love of God. Let them then 
prove, or make trial of, those things, which God 
accepted ‘and delighted in; and.seek solid en 
joyment in them. But let none of them-counte 
nince those works of darkness, from which car- 
nal men sought pleasure and profit; but which 
were wholly unfruitful, and yielded no present 


real advantage to counte ice in any degree 
the future ruin to ¢ ey led. On the con- 
trary, let them repro¥e suchvVices in their ncigh- 


bours, by refusing to join in 
plainly against them, by sh 
nature and pernicious tenc 
a significant silence, when r 
might be unsuitable. For indeed it w: 
even to speak of the practices, ' 
thens secretly grin pe not on 
and brothels, but mo! e 
sacred mysteries of their abomina 
The light, however, of ea 
in an open profession, and 2 
conversation, could not fail to detect anc 
the detestable nature of such shameful, 
For whatever thus tended to make thin, 
fest according to their real was 
equivalent i in the spiritual world, to the 
the Sun in the natural world, avy 
this, according to the tenour of é; 
ment prophecies, (Je. Ix. 1.) the Lord n w 
on-sinners. of the Gentiles to awake froi 
sleep of sin, and their vain dreams of | 
happiness ; yea, to arise from the déath 
and Christ would, by his doctrine and 
give them sufficient light to discovér anc 
every danger, and te find the wa 
holiness. Surely, this one text 
silence the vain speculations of th 
ing from figurative expressions, 
state of sinners, as asleep, fag LE 
only object to, but absolutely co 
the most scriptural addresses a 
to repent and turn to God, and beli 5 
and seek salvation: : 


D. 64. 
re ie 
1s And >be. 


erein is © excess ; @but be filled with 


€to yourselves in f psalms, 
s,and spiritual songs, singing and 
ody &in your heart to the Lord; 


| God and the Father, ‘in the 


ur Lord Jesus Christ; 

th [Practical Observations. 

_k Submitting yourselves oné to an- 

her ‘inthe fearofGod. __ 

22 Wives, ™ submit yourselves unto 
Acts 16. 25. 1 Cor.| 26. Heb. 13.15. 1 

14,26. Col. 3. 16s) Pet. 2.5. & 4. li 

~ 1k ver. 22,24. Gen, 

Re 105.| 16:9, 1 Chr, 29, 24. 

.| 2. Mat. 26-30. Rom. i3. 1—5. 1 

ig Pse 47. 7. & 62.8.| Cor. 16.16. 1 Tim, 

6c 86. 12.& 105 3] 2.11.&3.4. Heb. 
13. 17. 1 Pet. 2, 13. 
& 5.5. 

12 Chr. 19. 7. Neh. 
5.9, 15. Prov. 24. 
21. 2 Cor. 7. 1 Pet. 
2, 17. 

m ver. 24, Gene 3. 

11,12. & 3,17. 1) 16. Esth, 1.16—18, 

& 55. 1. Zech. Thes. 3.9. & 5.18.) 20. 1Cor. 14. 34. 

9. 15—17. Luke cl 2Thes. 1.3. & 2.) Co}. 3, 18. 1 Tim, 


1. 21. Ps. 34. 1. is. 
‘63, 7. Acts 5- 41. 
1Cor. 2. 4. Phil i 


| 3. & 4. 6. Cob. 1. 


43, Acts 2. 1318.) 13. 2.11, 12, Tit. 2s 5. 
& 21. 24. Gah 5./i John 14. 13, 14. &| 1 Pet 3, 1-6, 
22—25. | 15. 16. & 16. 23— 


~ ¥.15—20. With these advantages, the Ephe- 
gians ought to see to it, that they walked accu- 
ately ; and to consider how they should behave : 
or with exactness, according to the commands 
and example of Christ ; keeping the middle way, 
g all appearance of evil, and aiming at 
complete obedience in every particular : 
spectly, cautiously looking at their 

hun the snares laid in them; not act- 
less, ignorant, or foolish persons, who 
sh into dangers, temptations, and mischief, bat 
as Wise men, who are aware of them, and escape 
them. Asa great part of their lives had been 
in heathen darkness, they ought also to 
ove their time for the future the more dili- 
Bently ; redeeming or buying it off from other 
\avocations, at the expense of much self-denial 
and watchfulness ; that they might spend it in 
feligious exercises, or in doing good to others 
sording to the duties of their stations : for the 
ays were evil, and the persecutions that awaited 
might render the term of their usefulness 
precarious, than in peaceful seasons: so 
t if they would secure their own salvation, or 
od to mankind, no time was to be lost. Let 
not then be as unwise servants, who were 
repared for their Lord’s coming, and were 
ant of their work: nay, let them spare no 
ins to understand his will concerning them; 
y might serve him intelligently, as well as 
sly, and without giving their enemies any 
re against them. Instead of joining, or 
& the revels of their neighbours, or seek- 
ion by intemperate drinking, which 
porary insanity, and various disor- 
dy and mind, and led to the most 
ievous conduct; let them wait 
ry appointed means, for larger 


j ia a CHAPTER VY. 
bbe not drunk with wine, your own husbands, ® as unto the Lord. 


f the Holy Spirit, whose sacred | 
* 


A. D. 6a: 


23 For°the husband is the head of the 
wife, P even as Christ is the Head of the 
church; and4@he is the Saviour of the 
body. iy 
24 Therefore, as the church is sub- 


6 thanks always for all|ject unto Christ, so fet the wives be 


to their own husbands "in every thing. 
25 Husbands, * love your wives, even 
as Christ alsotloyed the church, and 
gave himself for it : 
26 That"he might sanctify’ and 
cleanse it* with the washing of water, 
¥ by the word, 


27 That «he might present to himself 


H 6, 5. Col. 3. 22, 235] 195 

o 1Cor. 11.3—10. 

p See on, 1. 22, 23 
& 4.15. 


Cols 
Pet. 3. 7: Jude 1. 
t ver. 2. Mat. 20.28./x Ez. 16, 9. & 86. 
Luke 22. 19, 20.) 25. John 3.5. Acts 
q ver. 25, 26. Acts’ John 6. 51. Acts 20.! 22. 16. Tit. 3. 5—7- 
20e 28. 1 Thes. 1.| 28. Gal. 2. 4. & 2.1 Heb, 10. 22. 7 Pew 
10, Rev, 5.9. 20. 1 Tim. 2 6. 1} 3. 21, 1 John 5. 6. 
P yer. 33. Ex. 23.) Pet. 1.  18—2)-ly John 15.3. & 17. 
13, & 29. 35. Col] Rev. 1. 5.%& 5.9. | 17. Jam. 1. 18, 2 
3. 20, 22, Vit. 2.5) John 17. 17—19.) Pet. 1. 22, 23. 
9. Acts 26,18 1Cor.jz 2 Cor. 4. 14. & 11. 
s ver. 28, Gen. 2.16. 11. Tit. 2. 14 2. Cok 1. 22. 28. 
24, & 24.67.2Sam.| Heb. 9. 14. & 10.) Jude 24. 
12, 3. Prov. 5. 18, 
De i it SSA A, = ROS ee DON OMS Tl lag 
influences would fill their souls with satisfying 
consolations in every circumstance, and tend te 
the happiest consequences in future. In order 
to this, they should substitute in the place of the 
loose odes and songs of the Gentiles, or other 
trifling conversation, the psalms and hymns of 


the sacred scripture, and such spiritual songs as 


‘pious men composed on the peculiar subjects of 


the Gospel, and according to the doctrine of 
truth. In these they should speak to themselves, 
or to each other; attending to the affections of 
their hearts; that the inward melody of holy 
love and gratitude unto the Lord might unite 
with the outward melody of poetry and singing, 
when they used them in this manner, éither alone 
or in social worship. It was incumbent on them 
also to give thanks always, eyen in seasons of 
persecution and affliction ; and for ul? things, not 
excepting such as nature disrelished, being satis- 
fied of their beneficial tendency. Thus let them 
acknowledge their manifold obligations to God, 
even the Father, in the name of Christ; through 
whom alone blessings were bestowed on sinful 
creatures, and praises accepted from them. 

¥. 21. In order to glorify God, and adorn the 
Gospel, it was requisite, that Christians should 
submit to one another, and to all who had author- 
ity, according to their different situations and 
relations in the Church or the community, and 
the subordination established by the word o> 
providence of God. This should be done, not so 
much from secular motives of propriety and ex- 
pediency, as in the fear of God, and from a reye- 
rentialtegard to his authority, his favour, and 
glory; which would obviate those multiplied 
excuses, that might be made for the neglect of 
this submission, on account of the misconduct of 
superior relations, and on various other grounds, 


e 


3. 19:1) 10. 1Pet, 2% 2.« 
1 


4. Di 64. 


or wrinkle, or any such thing; ¢ but that 
it should be holy, and without'blemish. 

28 So ought men ‘to love their wives 
das their own. bodies: he that loveth his 
wife loveth himself. 

29 For noman ever yet © hated his own 
Resh ; but ‘ nourisheth and cherisheth it, 
éven as the Lord the church: 

80 For -we & are members’ of his 
a Ps 45.13, & 87. 

3, Is. 60. 15—20, Kile 1.4. 2 Cor. 17.2, 
62. 3. Jer, 33. 9} Cole le 32.2851 
Heb, 12. 22—24.; Thes. 5. 23. Jude 
Rey. 7.9—17.& 21.) 24. Rev, 21. 27. 

10—26. d ver. SL. 33. Gen. 


b Cant. 4. 7 Heb. 9.| 2. 21—24, Mat. 19. 
14.1 Pet-1. 19. 2] 5. 


Pet. 3. 14, e ver. 3l1p Proy, 11. 
17. Re, 4. 5. Rom. 
1.31. 

f Es, 40.11. Ez. 34, 
14, 15, 27. Mat. 23. 
$7- John. 6. 50—58, 

ig 1-23. Rom.-12. 5. 
1Cor.6. 15.& 12. 


V. 32—27. As a most important instance of 
that ‘submission te one another in the fear of 
*¢ God,” which had been mentioned, the apostle 
exhorted wives to submit themselves to their own 
Husbands, as an essential part of their obedience 
to the Lord, who had appointed this subordina- 
tion, and required this subjection, in “all things 
lawful, for his own glory and the benefit of man- 
kind. For, the busband was .constituted the 
head of the vife, as her ruler and protector, both 
in Providence and by the law of God even as 
Garist was the Head of the Church, and the Sa- 
viour of this his mystical body. The govern- 
ment of Christ and the subjection of the Church, 
are conducive to the benefit’ of the*latter, as 
Christ's authority is that of wisdom and" love : 
and in general it is beneficial even to the wo- 
men, to be subject to their own husbands, in the 
same manner, thet the Church is subject to 
Christ; though the rule may seem to admit of 
some exceptions. But to render this submission 
more easy, beneficial, and comfortable; hus- 
bands also ought to love their wives, with that 
tender, constant, faithful, and compassionate af- 
fection, which Christ showed to the Church. He 
had even given up himself to the death upon the 
cross, in order to save his people from their sins ; 
that, having atoned for their guilt, he might al- 
so cleanse them from their pollution, by those 
influences of the Holy Spirit, of which the bap- 
tismal water was the external sign; and which 
were communicated through the word, as the 
means of their conversion and progressive sanc- 
tification. (Marg. Ref.) Thus, as the heavenly 
Bridegroom, he prepares the whole multitude of 
his people, his one espoused bride, for the com- 
pletion of that sacred union ; that he might “pre- 


sent her to himself,” as the object of his choice, 


the purchase of his blood, and the work of his 
grace, a: glorious and glorified Church, not hav- 
ing one reinaiming spot of sin, or wrinkle of im- 
per fection, or any thing of the kind: but made 
complete it fioliness, without the least’ remain- 
ing blemish. 

¥.28=<51. The apostie, having described, in 
the most affecting manner, the effects ofthe love 
of Christ t6 his Church, and the subjection of the 
Church to his authority,’ here shows, that men 
ought t6 love their wives with a wise, holy, con- 


stant, and tender affiction, in conformity to that, 


EPHESIANS,’ wil 
a glorious Church; not having spot;| body, of his flesh, and 


31 For bt 
his father : 
unto his w. 
flesh. 3 
32 This is 
speak concer 

33 Neverthele: 
you in particular, 
as himself; and the 1 
m reverence fer husband. : 


12-27. Col. 2, 19.] Cant. 1—8. Is. 
h Gen. 2. 24, Mat ea ot Pine 


aystery : 
‘and the chure 


19.°5. Mark 10. 7,} 3.29. 2 

8. 1, Cor, 6. 16. ons 19. nae Hel 
i 6. 19, Col. 2. 2, 21. 3.2 
Tim. 3. 9 eae ae apse 95. 28, ed age 
k Pa — 


perfect ‘pattern : in every. "thing ial 
comfort and nines, igh aerte in 
sorrows, bearing with their nities, an 
deavouring to prom the } 
tification. They ou ante i 
as they do their own bodies ies = 
indissoluble is this enc rel: 
ginal intention, and when Prop rly 
and attended to ; that a maa, in loving 
may be said to love himself, as her com 
happiness ate, and bac dee 
ble from his own. Now, no man in 
can hate his own flesh, or take pleas 
wounding and paining it; but, self-love teac 
him to nourish and cherish it : in the same m 
ner that the Lord doth his gel, e 
liever in it ; all of whom he 
as members’ of his body, and cote tere 
his flesh and of his bones, © 
to love their'wives, be tender and 
and provide for their comfort, | 
ing view does this give us of 
people! He loves, and nouris 
them, asa man ox 
struct usin these duti 
ginal institution of f 
even to leave their p 
terests and com ih ew 
became indissolubly one 
them. All that was contrary to 
the effect of sin, and { 
guarded against : that so, : 
sider the wife of his’ “chuice, . or rather 
choice for him, as a part of hime 
cannot abuse without injuring bi 
cannot be hurt without his sharing th 
if any part of his own body had bod v 
V. 32,53. This is ideale says. 
a great mystery, I mean the u 
his Church : neverthelegs, to 
ject, let every man in particular 
what manner to love his wife, 
and be supplied with motives 
every woman to respect. rea he 
‘and authority of the husb 
head by the law and pro 
obvious, that there Ase in all ¢ 


3 and also servants and mas- 


re r the duty of the aie Siceon; 
mme cases elsewhere provided for.) 
fatt, xix. $—9. 1 Cor. vil.) “Indeed, a 
rt of the difficulty and duty ¢ consists in 
pe good behaviour, notwithstanding un- 
rable It is. bservable that the 
astle says, “let every one love his wife,” not 
ives : : so that polygamy i: is not even supposed 
y the exhortation, to exist among Christians.— 
Mystery. (32.) The vulgate, or the old Latin 
ersion, " exclusively used by the Church of 
pe renders this, ‘sacrament; which is the 
an | reason, « or shadow of reason, for 
di p of numbering marriage among the 
, even while that Church considers 
state inconsistent with high attain- 
nts in *holiness, forbids its priests to marry, 
| discourages marriage in various other ways ! 
Jany have enlarged on this mystery, namely, the 
ppointment ‘of marriage in the garden of Eden, 
a type, or emblem, of Christ and his Church ; 
or so they understand the passage.) The 
ving quotation gives the substance of an- 
_and modern. expositions of the passage, 
particular. ‘Adam, in whom the whole 
human race began, was a natural image of 
Christ, in whom the human race was to be 
restored: and his deep sleep, the opening of 
his side, and the formation of Eve of a rib ta- 
t of his side, were fit emblems of Christ’s 
of the opening of his side on the cross, 
regeneration of believers by his 
e love which Adam expressed to- 
and bis union with her by marriage, 
emblems of Christ’s love~to be- 


ie of his eternal union with them in 
one society after the resurrection. And Eve 
herself, who was formed of a rib taken from 

am’s side, was 2 natural i | image of believers, 
are regenerated, both in their body and 
y the breaking of Christ’s side en the 
These circumstances we may suppose 
figure that great event; and by prefigur- 

to show that i it was decreed of God from 
b n ing? ‘ee eae ) * 


“V. 1—14. 

oe follow the example of their fa. 
il, and may be known as his proge- 
y ‘then the beloved children of God 
his holiness, and should especial- 
Oye with their. brethren, their neigh- 


m. The perfection and obliga-} 
f this example are infinite ; so that there |) 


peck it will not direct aid 


e other conduct ‘* becometh 


“CHAPTER VI. 


: with their enemies, as Christ. 
degree of self. “denying, liberal, or, 


ss acter in mind, and inquire 


A. D. 642 


- armour of Ged, 10—17 : and by persevering pray- 
ers ; supplicating for all saints ; and for him es- 

: pecially, that he might preach the gospel with all 
boldness, 18—20. He commends Tychicus to 

them, and concludes with Bueeorte Salutations, 
21—24, ; ee ie 


R23 Gee 


sensualities or avarice ate utterly inconsistent 
with this relation to our God; but’ that every 
inexpedient indulgence, and every degree of 
selfishness is to be avoided. It is not enough 
to avoid all filthiness and foolish talking ; even 
‘witty and ingenious repartees, which would en- 
sure applause, must be repressed, with great self- 
denial, when they in the least infringe upon puri- 
ty, piety, or charity, and are unsuitable to the 
Christian’s profession. Our social intercourse 
should be conducted in another manner, in sub- 
serviency to mutual improvement; which will best 
be promoted by declaring the loving kindness of 
the Lord, and in celebrating his praises. But 
we must not only specify what practices are 
wrong: in many things we must insist upon it, 
that they who do them have no inheritance in the 
kingdom of Christ; and warn men not to be de- 
ceived with vain words, and so emboldened to 
those crimes, for which “the wrath of God 
« cometh on the children of disobed  .ce ;” that 
they may be put on their guard, and refuse to 
be partakers with them, The darkness of pa. 
ganism, and even that of many nominal Chris- 
tians, May seem to accord with such practices z 
but they, who profess the Gospel, should consi- 
der themselves as “light in the Lard; ;? and if 
they indeed are the children of light, the Spirit 
of God will lead them far from all such scenes, 
and cause them to bring forth the fruit of good- 


‘ness, righteousness, and truth. . Yet, even they 


need exhortations to walk in the light, and to 
prove more fully “what is acceptable to the 
*© Lord ;?? to avoid all degrees of fellowship with 
the unfruitful. works of darkness, and boldly to 
protest against them by word and deed; to let 
te light of their holy conversation so shine be- 
fore men, that sinners may be convicted in their 
own consciences, even in respect of those secret 
crimes, of which it is a shame to speak, write, 
or pre: in a particular manner. For the 
hol cone and conduct of a consistent Chris- 
tian iso nature of light; it manifests that 
the contrary conduct .of others is inexcusable ; - 
and his very silence is oftea most emphatically. 
eloquent. After the example therefore of pi 
phets and apostles, we should call on those, bo 
are asleep and dead in sin, to awake and arise, 
that Christ may give them light: and the Lord 
will employ. such. warnings and invitations to 
quicken with life from the death of sin, whom 
he will: even as he uses the farther instructions 
of his ministers to guide awakened persons in 
the paths of peace and holy obedience. : 
- 15—20. 

_ By the light of divine truth we should walk 
wish accuracy and circumspection; redeeming 
our time from sloth, needless sleep, or recrea~ 
tion, and impertinent visits, for useful and im- 
‘portant purposes; because life, health, liberty, 
and the use of our senses and understandings, 
are at all timea ae The world also is full 

23° 


gos A 


% 


TOES Se OME TEE SRT Be ER te 


Siow 


SSK 


ei a 


EE a 


VA ar 


A.D. 64. 


‘1 HILDREN, ® obey your parents’> in 
the Lord: ¢ for this is right. 

2 4 Honour thy father and mother, 
(which is the first commandment with 


promise,) 


23. Lev. 19. Xe 1 Cor. 15. 584 A 

Deut. 21. 18.1 bake Col. 3- 17, 18. 23j/d Ex. 20. 12, Deut. 
17.20. Esth. 2. 20,| 24. 1 Pet, 2. 13. 27. 16. Proy. 20. 20. 
Prov. 1.8. & 6.20.le Neh. 9. 13. Job 33.) Ez. 22: 7. Mai. 1. 
& 23, 22. & 30. 11.] 27. Ps. 19. ‘8. &} 6; Mat. 15. 4—6. 
17. Jer 35.14. Luke} 119. 75- 128. Hos.| Mark 7. 99-13. 
"2, 51. Cols 3- 20. T4.9. Rom. 7. 12. 


a Get. 28. pte oe ver. 5, 6. Rom, So 1 Tim. 5. 


Rom: 13. 7. 


of misery and-iniquity; and there is ‘no- work 
*‘ nor counsel in the grave, whither we are going.” 
Let us then acquaint ourselves with the will of 
our Lord, attend to his work, and wait for his 
coming. Thus we shall practically show our 
Piston, while many prove their folly by talk. 
ing about religion, without knowing or Going 
the will of Christ. When we are afflicted or 
wearied, let us not procure a vain exhilaration, 
by any degree of intemperance, which is hateful 
and ‘pernicious, and ends in deeper dejection ; 
but by fervent prayer, let us seek to be filled 
with the Spirit and to be satisfied with his holy 
consolations; and let us avoid whatever might 
grieve our gracious’ Comforter. Thus we shalk 
be animated to “ speak'to each other in Psalms, 
«and Hymns, and’ sniritwal songs ;” and, at 
least, with the melody of a grateful heart, to 
give thanks always, for all things to our God and 
Father,/in the name of his beloved Son; and 
* thus anticipate the joys of Heayen in the commu. 
nion of the saints on earth. ~ 
V. 21—33. 
If we all were subject one to another in thu 


fear of God, and according to» our several rela- 


tions in life; society would appear like a well 
organized body, and ,every individual would 
share the advantages. Every relative duty should 
be enforced by evangelical motives and examples. 
The most entire submission of wives to their own 
husbands will be no infringement of their liberty, 
if performed for the Lord’s sake, and after the 
example of the Church’s obedience to him: es- 
pecially if husbands also love their wives, after 
the pattern of Christ’s love to bis choggn people. 
He died for them, that‘he might Ae and 
cleanse them, to be to him for an honour and 
praise to all eternity, and that he might be glo- 
rious in making them happy. While we adore, 
and rejoice in, this condescending love, and press 
forward to that perfect holiness which is intended 
for us ; and while we reverence both the mystery 
of this sacred union with the Lord, as members 
of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones; and 
his loving authority over us, who nourisheth and 
cherisheth us, as a man doth his own flesh; let} 1 
husbands hence’ learn-how to love their wives, 
and to show themselves justly entitled to supe- 
riority, by wisdom, joined with tender sympathy 
and patient care; and Jet wives hence learn to 
obey and reverence their husbands. If the ori. 
ginal appointment of marriage, and the subject 
before us, were duly attended to, all harshness, 
tyranny, aid unfaithfulness, must be excluded ; 

for no man hateth his own Mesh: and on the other 

~ . et - ~ ‘ 


e Deut. 4. 40. Rat 


able attachment to: humour 


of Christ; yet, it would 


16. & 6. 3. 18, Rp ¥ 
12. 25. 28. & 22.7.1 16, 

Ruth 3, 1. Ps, 128.) 6, 7,2 
1,2. Is. 3.10. pe 19 


42. 6. 77s 
f Gen. 31. 14, 15, | 1 Chi 


Sam. 20. 30—34, meas: 
Col. 3.21. 


hand, all contests for slg 


interfering with cheerful obedie 
prevented., In short, were Christiani 
and Christians more attentive to the Prec 
their Lord; harmony’ and affectionate confid 
would sweeten domestic life, without any 
rial interruption or.alloy.- ut, as allare s 
it behooves every } : 
cessions and allowances, 
duty of the relation, tht 
across. Thus the worst 
and even an offending, or 
may be won upon: whereas, 
conduct can only render diss 
and tend to the most ash i 
consequences, © 


Laks 


parents living, to be obedien 
“Lord,” for his sake, from | 
obedience to his commands, 
of his Gospel, . This re ext 
be limited according to the ages ; 
circumstances of children. § oa 
had Gentile parents ;_ 
them when their 


on them to give up 
lawful, for the credit 
of children to parents 
equitable and reasona 
struments of their 
guardians of their 
ducive to. their good. he’se 
all nation$ coincide in this oi : 
expressly Gommanded chi 
persons and authorit ie 
and to requite their kindness 
tunity and ability. This. was 

logue as the first ¢omm: : 
table, being the first of the re 
the source of all the: others 


them to expect romps 
days, as a gracious recor 
dience ; unless the Lord s pala 

ward it more liberally in ano ther 
has been observed in every age, that 
were distinguished for flial obedience, 


Anon ERE ee Theapostle eA, = 


masters i of dealt to the 


Ps 14 1 Chr. 


Ps. 86. ll 


j ea 2,1 John 2. 17. 
ac p Jer..3.10. & 24, 
_ 1 7 Rom. 6. ‘Ay. Col 
Wa. 


3.) 236 
ween q Gen. 31. 6 38— 
Phil. 2,12. Col. 3. 40. 2 Kings 5-2, 3. 
‘Thes. 2. 4. 13. 
7. Mat. 7. 21.jr vers 5, 6. 
12. 50. Col. 1. 9.} 10. 31. 
4.12. 1 Thes, 4. 


1 Cor. 


s Prov. 11.18. & 23. 


parents, (for though fathers only are mentioned, 
doubtless mothers also were intended,) to use 
aha authority without rigour; lest their children 

ould be discouraged, prejudiced against Chris- 
itianity, or provoked to obstinacy and disobe- 
dience ; which always would prove painful to the 
parents, and often ruinous to the children. The 


ought therefore always to be used in a meek, af 
fectionate, and forgiving disposition : while they; 
diligently educated them in such a manner, and. 
with such instructions, as might best initiate 
them in th owledge of Christ, and true reli- 
rave them such friendly admonitions, 
might guard them against the various snares 
he world, he temptations of satan. In 
se exhortatior s the inferior relation is con- 
ntioned first; perhaps because the 
° it is most contrary to corrupt nature: 
t to be attended to, even when the su- 
eglect theirs.—‘ Make them to read the 
, SAYS Theophylact, which is the duty 
of all Christians : for is it not a shame to in- 
‘struct them in heathen authors, whence they 
may learn bad things, and not to instruct them 
the oracles of God? (Whithy.) This is an 
‘mportant remark: but immensely more is re- 
d, in catechizing and other instruction, in 
f mild correction, example, conversation, 
chfulness against every thing in word or deed 
coming in the presence of chi en, seizing 
pportunity of drawing their attention to 
at truths and duties of religion, and illas- 
th effects of wickedness, the love of God, 
of the world, &@ indeed immensely 
‘can be even hinted at in a note, is 
| in this brief exhortation. 
~$ “St. Paul next exhorts servants; who 
Christianity, to be obedient to their 
cording to the flesh, or to whom 
‘Subjected in temporal matters. . In 
ryante, at that time, were slaves 
heir masters ; and often treated 
ty, though seldom with modern 
See were ministers, of re= 


CHAPTER VL. 
5 Servants, } be obedient to them 
7m 


restraints, reproofs, and corrections of parents, \ 


‘in his" apparently More impoftant services. 


ther they were Christians or not: 
their authority with humanity and: gentleness ; 


A. Dz 64. 
thing any man n doeth, the same shall he . 
receive of the. Lord, t whether fe be bond — 
or free. 

9 And, u ye masters, do x the same 
| things unto them, * forbearing threaten- 
ing: ¥ knowing that f your Master also 
is in heaven Ne neither. is there respect 
3 | of: ‘persons with him. . , 

i Practical Observations.] 


ry Ps. 140. 12. Eee 5. 
8. Mat. 23. 8. 10. 
) & 24, 48—51. Luke 
12. 45, 46. John 13- 
“13. 1 Cor: 7. 22. 

+ Some read, botk 

your and their Mas- 

ter. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Phil. 


18. Is. 3. 11. Mat.)"Job 24, 10-12. 
5.12. & 6, 1.4. &} 31. 13—15. Is. 47. 
10. 41, 42. & 16, 27.4 6. & 58. 3—6, Am. 

Luke 6. 35. & 144] 8.4—7. Mal, 3. 4. 

14. Rom. 2, 6—10.! Col, 4.1. Jam. 5. 

2Cor. 5.10. Heb.} 4. 

10. 35, & 11. 26. X ver. 5—7. Mat. 7. 

t Gal..3.28. Col. 3.} 12, Luke 6. 31, 

it. Jam. 2. 8. 13. 2.10, 11.) = 

u Ley. 19, 13. & 25.,*'Or, 2#oderating.|z See on, Acts 10. 
39—46. Deut. 15. 1Sam. 25. 17. Dan.| 34. Rom. 2. Il 
11—16. & 24. 14,}°3. 6. 15, & 5.19,} Col. 3 25 { 
15. Neh. 5. 5. 8, 9.4 20. 


. 


have Beth requisite for the abolition of ‘slavery ; 
and in that state of society, as to other things, 
this would not have been expedient, as God did 
not please miraculously to interpose in the case ; 
and they did not deem it proper to exasperate 
their persecutors, by expressly contending against 
the lawfulness of slavery. Yet, both the law of 
love, and the Gospel of grace, tend to its aboli- 
tion ; and the universal preyalence of Christian- 
ity, must annihilate it, with many other evils, 
which ‘in the present state of things cannot wholly 
be avoided. In the wisdom of God, the apostles 
were left to take such matters as they found 

them, ‘and to teach servants and masters their — 
respective duties ; in the performance of which, . 


ithe evil would be mitigated; till in due time it 
/should be extirpated by Christian legislators. 


Servants were therefore taught to, obey their 
masters, not only with a respectful attention to 
‘their persons and authority, and a fear of dis- 
pleasing them ; ‘but with a jealous and trem- 
Ring fear of offending and dishonouring God by 

improper behaviour. This was to be done 
with a single desire and aim to please Christ, 
their. great) and gracious Master, whom they 
obeyed, in conscientiously serving even an un- 
reasonable and tyrannical earthly master. They 


were also to do their work, not as eye-servants, 


who are- diligent i in their master’s presence, and 


slothful in his absence, being only desirous of 


pleasing man; but as the servants of God, who 
heartily did his will even in their secular employ- 
ments.” Then they would cheerfully-and assidu- 
ously do service to their masters, as endeavouring 


to please the Lord, and not men, in so doing : 
being assured, that whatever good action any 


man did, from Christian principles, it would be 
graciously recom>ensed by the Lord; and that 
a poor slaye would be as much accepted, in per- 
forming the duty ‘of ‘his place, as any free man 
On 
the other hand, believing masters cought to act 
from the same principles. and in the same con- 
scientious manner towards their servants, whe- 
exercising 


not only without inGicting rigorous punishments, 


A. D. 64. 


10 4 # Finally, my brethren,» be strong 
inthe Lord, and in the power of his 
might. 

11 © Put on * the whole armour of God 
that ye may be © able to: stand agains? 
tthe wiles'of the devil... - 

12 For’ we ¢€ wrestle not » against 
} flesh and blood, but against! principali- 
ties, against powers, * against the rulers 
of the darkness of this world, against 
§ spiritual wickedness in || high places. 

13. Wherefore ! take unto you the 


a 2Cor. 13.11. Phibjd ver. 13- Rom. 13.jh Mat. 16. 17.14 Cor. 
3. 1. & de 8 1 Pet.| 12. 2 Cor. 6. 7. &) 15.56. Gal. 1.17. 
3.8. 10. 4; 1.Thes. 5. 8.)}{: Gr. blood =and 

bl. 19. & 3, I6ije ver..13. Luke 14i} flesh. 

Deut, 20. 3, 4. &! 29. 1 Cor. 106 13:!1 1. 21. & 3. 10, 
31 23. Josh. 1.°6,7.| Heb. 7, 25. Jude 24.) Rom.8. 38. Col, 2. 
9. 1.Sam. 23. 16, 1} f 4. 144 Mark 13622.) 15, 1 Pet.3. 22. 
Chr. 28, 10. 20. 2} 2 Cor. 2% 11. & 4/k 2. 2 Job 2. 2% 
Chr. 55.7, Ps.138:) 4. & 11. 3. 13—151} Luke 22. 53. John 
3.-Is. 35, 3. 4. &; 2 Thes, 2, 9—11. 1) 12,31. & 14. 30, & 
40. 28—31,. Hag, 2,| Pet. 5. 8 2 Pet. 2,| 16.11. Acts 26.18. 
4. Zech- 8; 9, 13.) 1—3. Rev. 2.24, &| 2 Cor. 4. 4. Col. 1. 
1 Cor: 16. 13. 2 Cor.} 12,9. & 13. 11—15.} 13, 

42, 9,10. Phil. 4.| & 19, 20. & 20, 2,!§ On, wicked spirits. 

As. Col. 11, 2 3. 7,8. Or, heavenly. See 
Tim. 2. 1. & 4.17.|g Luke 13. 24. 1} on, 1.3. 

1 Fet. §. 10, Cor. 9. 25-27. 2/1 See on, vere 11— 

c 4. 24. Rom. 13. 14.] Tim. 2. 5» Heb. 12.| 17. 

Col. 3. 10. 1-4. 


but also forbearing’ to menace or terrify their 
servants, or to express any haughty, or excessive 
anger to them, even when ‘most. evidently faulty. 
For though the laws. of man gave them great 
power in this respect; yet they must remember, 
that they were accountable to the great Lord and 
Master of all, for their use of it; who will deal 
with men, ‘according to their conduct towards 
their inferiors, and ‘expects his people to copy 
the example of his levity and mercys (Marz. 
Ref) 
V.10—13. The apostle here concludes’ his 
practical instructions, by’a figurative exhortation, 
taken from military affairs. As the ‘soldiers of 
Christ, the Ephesians were called to fight under. 
his banner, against satan, the world, and sit: 
but they were too weak in themselves for this 
conflict; and must therefore “ be strong in the 
* Lord,” by a continual reliance on his mighty 
power for protection, support, and assistance. 
In thé fulness of Christ, and in the graces of the 
Spirit, a panoply or complete suit of armour, 
was provided for every believer =) this the Lord, 
asit were, held out to\them, that, receiving’ it 
from him, they might put it on daily, in a diligent 
and watchful use of the appointed means) -'Thus 
armed, they might be able td stand against ‘the 
assaults of satan, by whatever artful methods 
he, or his instruments, attempted to obstruct their 
progress. For they, and ail Christians,° were 
called to conflict and wrestle, not only against 
theit own indwelling corruptions, the opposition 
of persecutors, the enticements of wicked men, 
and the allurements of the world; but also 
against ‘those invisible and formidable principal- 
ities and powers, who ruled the darkness of this 
world; even’ satan and his angels; the great 
authors of man’s ignorance, impiety, and iniquity, 
all overs the earth, "These might be called 
“ spiritual wickedness. in high places,” ‘not only 


~ 


EPHESIANS? 


having * do 


whole, armour. of God, , 
able to wi i 


Sa 


14 Stand the 
girt about 
breast-plate of 7 

15 And 4 you 
paration of * the 


faith, wherewith ye sh 

quench all the fiery ¢ 
17 And take ¥ the helme 

and * the sword o the S| rit 

the word.of God 3, 1 4ca00me 

. [Practical Observations} ° 
m 5-16. Ke, 12 1dq Deut, 98, by 
Am. 6.3. Luke 8.) Cant. 


13. Rev. 3, 10, © 
*O 


Luke 12. 35, 2 
Cor. 6.7.1 Peta, 
13. é 
p-Is. 50. 17.1 Thes. 
5. 8. Reve 9.9.17. 


as they held their em} 
to, the general opinion, and” 
wickedness, especially in their 
as being the authors of all idols 
came proud rebels and apostates, 
ly places ; and being spiritual 
holy world, they were cas’ 
had from the beginning op 
into heaven, by every mean 
pacity, or sagacity could su; 
fore necessary for all eng 
be completely armed 
powerful and determ 
might be able to stand in 
temptation, or persecut 
death. ‘They must 
the conflict, and w ; 
resist their foes: but some 
encourage, or give advant 
and as they could not know 
such occasions would be 
as vigilant and valiant sold 
that thus, “ withstandi 
having done all expected from 
stand victarious on the field 
approved by their great Com 
WV. 14-17. The minds of 
ought to be fortified and 
by conscious sincerity in thei 
truth in their whole co 
of soldiers were girded by 
when they marched out to | 
 eousness,” or ‘an hab 
obedience to the various con 
should be their:breast-plate, | 
them from fatal wounds in 
whereas conscious negliger 
would render them afraid to. 
death in'the cause of Christ. To 
ground in such difficult situations, 
hires 


* a Ma 
Fe D. 64, é 
+18 2 raying always with all prayer and 
ry “ssuppliea ion P in the Spirit, and watch- 
ing thereunto with 4 all perseverance 
and © supp ication for all saints ; 
19. : ‘me, that € utterance may 


zi. 16 ob, 2710 Hos. 12. 4. 1 Tim.| Luke 11. 5-8. & 
ni , 17. Js:} 2. 1 Heb. 5. 7-- 18. 1—8. 
6.16. Dail. 6. 10.) 2. 22. Zech. 12.Je Seeon, f. ver-19. 8c} 
86, 87. &} 10! Rom. 8. 454 3, 8.18. Phil. 1, 4. 
& 21. 36,1! 26,27, Gal. 4. 6, fel: 1,4. Philem. 
{gh Aude 38. cae $4 
1O. 12. 5.j¢ Matt. 
: cs 12, Phil.| Mark 13. 33. & 14| Cor. 1. 11.’ Phil, 1- 
a 5-17.) 38. Luke 21. 36. &f 19. Col. ‘4. 3. 1 
s 22, 45. Cole 4. 2. 1 Pies, 5. 25.2 Thes. 
a ae ‘y 52.54.) Pet. 4.7. ; ‘iL Philem. 22. 
‘a8 9 3. va Gen, 32. 24—28. Heb. 13, 18. 
- 4. 8 Dan. 9. 20 1 Matt. 15. 25-286 Acts 2, 4. 1. Cor, 


Boal 


forward in mae & rugged paths, “ their feet must 
* be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of 
“peace 3 that is, their motives and encourage- 
‘obedience, amidst temptations and per. 
ecutions, must be derived from aclear and com- 
| pen ive knowledge of the Gospel; through 
_ whieh God is revealed as “ in Christ reconciling 
“the world unto himself,” and actually at peace 
with every believer, notwithstanding past trans- 
pressions, and present defects and infirmities. 
' *Phis assurance would make obedience delightful, 
though self-denying, and animate the established 
believer to resist temptation, to endure tribula- 
‘tion, and to march through difficulties and ene- 
“mies, in the cause of Christ and in the way to 
heaven. (Note, Deut. xxziii. 25. Luke xv. 22.) 
Over all these faith must be ‘placed as a shield: 
“by crediti the testimony of God, realizing. un- 
seen object ting the soul on the promises, 
“and relying on the power, truth, mercy, wisdom, 
Beatty and providence of God, according to his 
word ; they would be able to ward off the tempt- 
Ms of satan; as. soldiers received the darts 
of the enemy on their shields. The suggestions 
oft the tempter would indeed often resemble darts, 
t “by the suddenness ana violence with which they 
| were. injected, -and fiery, or poisoned, darts, by 
the fatal effects | produced by them. For, as poi- 
“soned darts would fatally inflame the blood. of 
“those wounded by them; so the suggestions 
of satan would inflame the anger, pride, lust, 
| avarice, or other corrupt propensities of the 
‘heart, unless immediately intercepted and ex- 
nguished by the shield of faith. This clause‘is 
often interpreted exclusively of those harassing 
lemptations, by which hard thoughts of God, and 
horrid or desponding conclusions concerning 
emselves, are excited in men’s tninds: these 
9 immense distress, and eventually to guilt ; 
ith in God’s word must extinguish them ; 
nae the apostle meant the words in a 
comprehensive sense. To all this, Hope, 
tural expectation of victory and eternal 
a supply the place of a helmet to cover 
nD the day of battle; by counteracting 
souragement, which doubtfulness of the 
J id ‘induce, i in times of sharp temptation : 
t ight be called the helmet of salvation, 
could be courageously done without 
ys lete the whole, the word of God 
e Christian soldier for a 


; omprebensive cquaintance with its 


CHAPTER VI. 


Re 9.27.20, & 13.) 9.1°Tim. 3 16. 


sword : an 


- 5 
A.D. 64. 


be given unto me, » that T may open my 
mouth boldly, to. make known } the mayer 


tery of the gospel ; 


20 For which ‘I am an astacnanie 


ein * bonds: that + therein 1 may speak 
m-beldly, as i Scie: to — 


Ls 2 Cor. 8. a9 4 ea 3 R5 & 41) 7" 20. 2 Tim. %. 
h Acts 4.13.29, 31,| Col. 1. 26,27. & 2) . 
¢ Oritheregf. 

46. & 14. 3, & 18.)k Prov. 13. 17. Is./m See on, h: vers 19, 
26. & ASSES Jer, 1. 7, 8: 17, Ez. 


31, 2 Cor, 3. 12.1 See on, 3. 1: & 4.1 2.4—7, Mat. 10. 7. 
Marg. & 7. 4. Phi] 1.2 Sam. 10. 2—6.| 27,28. Acts 5. 29. 
1. 20.3 Thes. 2. 2% Or, @ chain. Acts 


Cole 4. 4. John 3. 
i1,% & 3. 3,41 : 


16, Jude 3. 


ye 


yarious doctrines, promises, precepts, warnings, 
and a readiness at reccllecting, and adducing, 
pertinent texts upon every emergency, would 
drive the tempter to a distance, and Procure a 
final victory over him. (Votes, Mait. iv. 1—11.) 
Thus the whole suit of armour would be cém- 
plete : for no covering was provided for the back, 
as victory must be sought by valour, not by cow- 
eee 

. 18—20. To give all the rest their full ef! 
feacy to procure, keep bright, and put on, this 


suit of armour, the soldiers of Christ must “ pray 


“ always ;’” constantly, frequently, at stated times, 
in occasional ejaculations, and more abundantly 
in the prospect, or in the hour of temptation ; 
using all kinds of prayer and supplication, in 
dependence on the Holy Spirit, and according: 
to his teaching and influences ; and “ watching 
unto it” against remissness, discouragement, 
weariness, intérruptions, and unseasonable en. 
gagement :. “‘ with all perseverance ;” seeing sa- 
tan would peculiarly tempt them to negligence i in 
this matter, that he might obtain further advan- 
tages against them. They must alse remember 
to help one another, and all the saints, by their 
prayers for them without distinction, Especially, 
the apostle entreated their prayers for him, that 


he might have opportunity, and liberty of spirit, 


boldly to declare his important message in the 
face of danger and death: for, though he was 
Christ’s ambassador of peace to the Gentiles, he 
was at that time executing his commission in 
confinement and in fetters: so greatly was his 
glorious Lord despised among men! | He, how- 
ever, did not regard this degradation, or feel any 
anxiety about his liberty ; provided he were ena-” 
bled to speak with becoming boldness, firmness, 


and impartiality, when called to bear testimony , 
to the truth. The reader, who is acquainted — 


with what hath been*written on this subject, will 
perceive, that, in some particulars, the exposition 
here given rather varies from that of approved 
writers. Perhaps zeal for particular doctrines, 
sometimes renders pious. men. too apt to explain 
eyery expression in support of them ; though it 
weakens the proof of them, makes one part of 
such passages coincide with the other by a need- 
less repetition, and leaves out other matters 
equally important. 
hended, that by adducing every thing which can 
be thought of, in explaining such metaphors, 
many tines: are. supposed to be contained in 


SE Sy ly sepeer, " 
~~ tr, entice int 


Indeed, it may be appre- 


law directs those, whom Christ hath redeemed 


AD. 64, ‘.. \ \ RPHESTANS: 
23 * Peace 4e to the brethren, © 
love with faith, from God th Fa er Wn 


the Lord Jesus Christ. | 
24 u Grace 1e 


21.9 But n that ye also may know my 
affairs, azd°*how I do, ° Tychicus, P a be- 
loved brother, and 4 faithful minister in 
the Lord, shall make known to you all 
things : 

22 Whom* I haye sent unto you for 
the same, purpose, that..ye might know 
our affairs, and that he might COmMPR, 


z Amen. 


L 3. 
1, ae 


s See on, Rom. 1.7. 
1 Cor. 1. 3. Gen, 


r hearts. 43. 23, 1)Sam, 25, 6-} Philem. 
yee Ps. 122. 6—9.\u Cols 4, 18.2 
ee 1, 12. Col. 4.|p Col. 4. 9. Philem} Pet. 5.12. ° John 14.27. Gal. ro 4. 22, Tit. 


16,2 Pet. 3. 15- 
q 1Cor. 4. 17. Col. 
1.7.1 Tim. 4.6. 1 


16. 1 Pet. 5. 
"Rey. 1.4. 
t Gal. 5.6. 1 Thes. 


v Phil, 2. 19.25.Col. |” Pa 13. 2 


x gal be Jobn 


° Pots 20.4. 2 Time 
4. 12. Tit. 3. 12. 


A, 8, 1 Thes- 3. 2. 
2 Thess 2. 17. 


them, which were entirely out of the writer’s | 
mind when he penned’ them— Bonds. Or, in a 
chain.—* The apostle was allowed to live at 
* Rome, with a soldier that kept him. To this 
© soldier he was tied witha chain, fixed on his 
* right wrist, and fastened to the soldier’s left 
“arm: and the chain being of a convenient 
* length, the two could walk ‘together with ease. 
€ The soldiers; who were thus employed, no 
¢ doubt reaped great benefit frorn the apostle’s 
= conversation and preaching” (Macknight.) This 
is probable, and the thought is worthy of atten- 
tion; but the words no doubt ares more than 
we know on the subject. 

V. 21—24. The apostle knew that the Ephe- 
sians would be anxious to know many things con- 
cerning him: but it was not requisite for him to 
write on that subject, as he had sent with this 
epistle, a brother and minister competent to in- 
form them, and to encourage and edify them by 
his converse and preaching. (Marg. Ref,)—‘ He 
* wished the Ephesians, (as well as the Philip- 
* pians and Colossians ;) to know whatsuccess be 
* had had in preaching at Rome, what opposition 
© he had met with, what comfort he enjoyed un- 
© der his sufferings, what converts he had made 
* to Christ, and in what manner the evidences of 
© the Gospel affected the minds of the inhabitants 
© of Rome.” (.Macknieht.)—The desire and pray- 
er of the apostle was, that peace with God, their 
consciences, and each other, as connected with 
faith and love, and communicated from God the 
Father and the Lord Jesus, might, abound to all 
the brethren. At the same time, he gave them 
his apostolical blessing, in such*language, as 
showed that the grace, or special favour and 
mercy of God, would be on all them, and them 
only, who loved Christ, in sincerity, and in an 
uncorrupt and holy manner. (Vote, 1 Cor. xvi- 
21—24.) 


cation of their ee with. mes 
dence, and affection; that they may in 
voke them to wrath, or tempt them to si 
bring them up in: the nurture and admoniti 
of the Lord; ‘But, alas! how sadly i is this 

neglected, even among-professor of the Gospel 
How many parents, even among professed Chris. 
tians, i their a 


- 


the children’s dicobedfentall _ 
casions it. On the other hand, 
do we see more regard paid to every. 
struction, or. trifling embellishmen’ 
religious principles and conduct! 
often, the education of children 
those habits, notions, or connexions, 
way for their subsequent ungodliness vi 
dissipation, licentiousness, or a 
they ruin themselves, and proj 
vice, and misery, in an accur 
sion. They, who fear God and 
dren, should watch and pray, 
lest they should thus prov. 
demnation to their own © 
God alone can change the” 
monly does it by means of the: goo 
and example of parents, and in~ 
fervent. prayers. Whereas the 
anxiety seems to be, that their’ 
wealthy, polite, and accomplished, 
the event to their souls, can have. 
expect the blessing of God upon ther 
masters will refuse their approbation i 
junctions here laid upon their servan 
vants their approbation to the exhor 
to their masters: but, alasif! thi 
to obey the precept, are prone to 
to explain it slightly. The greate: j 
however, servants now enjoy, the moi re 
ly should they yield obedience 
vice to their own masters ; an¢ 
tions should they use, not to d 
pel by a negligent, refractory, 
haviour. They ought especially to av 
ever may give plausibility to the i 
their being mere eve. servants and men- 
but Should always ‘act as in the fear: 
with © good-will, do service, as unto: the 


PRACTICAL. OBSERVATIONS. 
V, 1—9. i 
"The Gospel furnishes believers with most effi- 
cacious motives to all relative duties: and the 


from its curse, in what manner they may adorn 
his doctrine and show forth his praise: for all 
its commandments are right and beneficial — 
When children honour and obey their parents, 
they take a proper method to obtain tempora 

mfort and prosperity = ‘and. when they do it 
€ in the Lord,” it forms ‘ah evidence of their in- 
terest in his promises, which will be fulfilled i in 


¢ 
iemenaiitetie, i 8. ia . », | pil 


|i: eel Cee ae UN emer Ree Cr NNT HALAS 
amiss. CHAPTER VI, og 4 |, wheD- 64, 


il 


_ and not unto men.” This will engage the ser- 
“vants of Christo diligence in their work, even 
| # their earthly masters behave ill to them ; and 
“it will sanctify all their employments, and se 
cure them a gracious recompense from the Lord 

The same principles will render masters ¢on- 
siderate, kind, gentle, and conscientious in their 
whole deportment.; remembering that they also 
have a Master in heaven, who js no respecter of 
s. And, what orderly and happy families 
where relative duties are ‘thus at- 


ant warfare; but then ‘* our feet must also be 
«shod with the preparation of the Gospel of © 
“ peace.” In the constant exercise of vigorous 
faith, and lively hope, we shall possess our im- 
penetrable shield, and helmet of salvation: 
while, with “ the sword of the Spirit,” even the, — 
word of truth, we may drive our enemies before 
us, and seek the victory for ourselves and our 
' fellow combatants. Thus armed, and praying 
always with all earnestness by the Spirit, and 
“watching thereunto with ail perseverance,” . 
we shall be made ‘* more than conquerors, 
‘¢ through him that loved us.” |” Se 
% V.18— 94, eg 

All the saints are our fellow-soldiers, in our 
spiritual warfare, though divided into different 
battalions, distinguishable by a few unimportant 
externals; and we must help them all with our 
supplications: for general success against the 
powers of darkness, as well as personal victory, 
should be our noble ambition. But, all Chris- 
tians are bound ina peculiar manner to pray 
for the ministers of the Gospel, as they are ex- 
posed to the,special rage of the enemy: when 
they fall, itis “‘ as when a standard-bearer faint- 
eth? and their honourable conduct is of the 
greatest importance to the triumph of the Gos- 
pel. Those ministers especially, who are ex- 
‘posed to great hardships and perils in their ‘ 
work, have a claim to the prayer of ‘their bre- 
thren. For the ambassadors of peace, from 
the Lord to his rebellious creatures, have often 
been cast into prison and put to death as crimi- 
nals !—It is peculiarly desirable, that utterance 
shouid be given them in perilous situations, that 
they may boldly declare the mystery of the 
Gospel : for the more boldly they speak, in con- 
sisteney with the meeKness of wisdom and love, 
the better do they perform their work. Men of 
this stamp rather desire to make full proof of 
their ministry, than to enjoy personal ease or 
liberty: their own affairs will be inconsiderable 
in their judgment, compared with the success of 
the Gospel. They will, however, greatly re- 
joice to haye beloved brethren and faithful mi- 
ho is secure in the enemy’s country, will proba- | nisters, who are,able to comfort and establish 
ly be assaulted and shamefully worsted, when ;the people in their absence: and, while they 
least expects it. (Notes; &c, 2 Sam. xi. Mat.| wish for peace, with faith and love, to all that 

40—45. 69—75.) Habitual sincerity in} profess the Gospel, they must also.remind them, 
fessing and obeying the truth, and upright-} that grace will be with all them, and them only, 
aS towards God and man, must. be the girdle" who “ loye the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity” » 


of our loins, a the breast-plate in this import. 


strength; but our Redeemer is almighty, and in 
the power of his might we may overcome all. 
that oppose our course. Let us then: daily put 

_ on the armour, which the Captain of our  salva- 
tion hath prepared for us ; that, being sober and 
vigilant, and always ready for the battle, we 
may be “ able to stand against all the wiles of 
1 sé the devil”? The potent rulers of the darkness 
| of this world, who wrought spiritual wickedness 
| in heaven, will oppose our march to that inherit 
| ance which they have lost, and endeavour to 
bring us to that bell to which they are condemn- 
ed. They often have powerful allies in the prin- 
cipalities of the earth, and wicked mem always 

_ fight under their banner: but our flesh, the cor- 
_rupt nature. the traitor in the camp, is our, most 
| dangerous foe; while fear of present suffering, 
‘and desire of present gratification, continually 
‘war against our souls. | We must therefore en- 
gage in this warfare as men in earnest, continu- 
y expecting the onset of our foes, either by 
1 violence or deep laid stratagems. Some 
‘darts will every day be thrown at us, to in- 
e our passions or distress our hearts: but 
days of peculiar danger and difficulty must 
expected; and we shall not be able to with- 
stand in them, and,/having done all, to stand as 
conquerors before our Captain, unless we be 
habitually armed for the fight. The soldier, 


X 


i Pe ae a bia 


ty lhe ges > TARE ee i, See 


‘ t ee ‘ 
& i ArAPr , 
m : Came ay, 
ME ; - EPISTLE OF PAUL THE A PC 


« bie 2; 
. PHILIPPIANS. — 
# ‘s Pera a te 
“A os 
Ds he aA se ; “a 
The manner, in which the apostle and his associates were led te pass over from Asia into 
and to begin their labours at Philippi, in Macedonia ; as well as their success, and the 


bee 


be first preached at Philippi: but the conduct of the Christians there had 
exemplary, and their grateful affection to him so fwlly evinced; that he had only 
them with heartfelt gratitude, while he poured out his prayers? or them; and 
animated them to perseyere and press forward in their heavenly course. Some c 

against Geceivers of different deseriptions, whose base conduct and aw: ul doom, 

' most expressive terms, are joined with his exhortations, Not one censure, howe 
or implied, on any of the Philippians ; but unqualified commendation and confid 
Rev. ii. 8—11,) It istevident, that Epaphroditus, who had been sent with a supply of 
the apostle at Rome ; apa who seems to have been a pastor, and perhaps the princi 
the Church, conveyed the epistle to Philippi. He had, either by his journey to. ne, 
zealous labours in assisting the ‘apostle when in that city, brought a dangerous sickn 
himself; the tidings of which so afflicted the Philippians, and their sorrow, whe 
to Epaphroditus, so distressed him, that the apostlé was,induced to send hir 
he had intended, though to his own inconvenience. The subjects treated on 
to be deduced from them, need not be anticipated, (Vote, i. 24—30.) Tt is un 
the epistle,was not sent long before the two.years of the apostle’s imprisonment a 
ended ; wpielgte Oxford Bible supposes. to have: taken place about theclose of 
According to this I have dated the epistle, (though many fix an earlier date fori 
conviction, that more years were spent in the yarious labours of this great: 
generally supposed ; yet, at the same time, not considering the subject as 


o 


" 


CHAP, I. | 
The apostle addresses the Philippians, 1, 2: showing 
his thankfulness to God for their fellowship in the 
- gospel to that time; his love to-them; and his}: one 
confidence in them, as to the future; 3—8; and| the gospel; and to suffer eheei 
states the blessings for which he prayed in their|~ they had already been called to do, 27. 
5 behalf, 9—11. #He informs them, that his impri- | a = 3 hb TS, ee 
© “sonment at Rome had conduced tolthe furtherance | o i ote J 2 sities 
of the gospel, 12, 13: so that many had been} —*. te sip a sie 
rendered more bold in preaching it ; in Which he nts in Christ Jesus wh 
greatly rejoices, though some did_it from eorrupt} lippi, with f the bishops 
motives, 14—18; knowing that this will turn to ha Bee eS 
his salvation} and trusting that Christ willbe mag-|"1 Gord Ln” 4 eee 
nifiedia his body, whether by life or death, 19,20. | b Acts 16.13.11 Cor.) 1. Jude 1, Reve 
He.declares that he is prepared for either event ; on Ace toe : ss &ig, ag 
that to depart and be with Christ; would be far |"1. 9 Thes. 1. 1. 1d ” 14 
better for him; but that, as bjs life would be} 1.2. Heb. 13. 
useful to them, he doubts in his choice, and suppo- 


& 
t 


ses that he shall live, afld ‘set at libe 
may further their joy.of faith by 
21—26, He exhorts them to. wal 
their profession ; ‘to be of one mind 


Fe ee; 
€ Mark 13, 24. Jah t 
and.as he wrote this epistle, not only 
name, batin that of Timothy, who w. 
Rome with him’; he styles himself and 


A 


- 4 NOTES. a é = th : 
Wenap. I.. ¥- 4. As St. Paul’s apostleship 
- had never beea: called an question at Philippi; 


* 


ena ee ee ' ? o Raita cis, fie. ath Lot 


he unto you, and peace, from 
*, and from the Lord Jesus 


ange you, 
oS"... in every prayer ° mine 
ou all, making request ™ wi joy; 
_ § For® your fellowship in the gospel, 
from the first day until now ;_ 
_ 6 Being ° confident of this very thing, 
he Which hath P  eileg a good work 


xe 

wy on, Rom, 1.7. Col 2 5. 1 3. & 7.16. & 9 4 

ny, om Rom. 1. 8.| 2. 19, 20. Philem.| Gal. 5. 10. 2 Thes. 
6.17.1 Cor.?.4.) 7. ZJohn4: - ~ | 3.4- Philem. 21. 


p ver. 29.& 2. 18. 
Acts 11. 18. & 16. 
14, Rom. 8. 28—30. 


n yere7. Acts 16. 15, 
“1. 3,4. 1 These 1.1 Rom. 11-17. & 15: 
2,3..& 3.9.2 27.1 Cor. 1.9. Eph- 
1.3. 2 Tim. 1. 3.| 2 19—22. & 3. 6.) Eph. 2-4—10. Col. 

. Philem. 4,5. | Col. 1. 21—23.] 2. 12. 2 Thes. 2. 13, 
, | Philem. 17. Heb. 3.) 14. Ti®_ 3. 4—6. 


i ver. 911 See on 14. 2 Pet. 1. 1. 1] Heb. 13. 20, 21. 
Baie: es John 1.3.7. ~ | Jam. 1 16—18, 
; 2.8 3, 18. &4 lo 2 Cor. 1.15, & 2.) Pet. 1, 2,3. 

. ee 


the servants of Wivist.« He addressed hioself 
“the saints at Philippi, with the bishops 
¥ and deacons :” hence we learn that the dis- 
‘tinction between hisflops ‘and presbyters was 
" not then.generally established ; but that the pas- 
| tors of the Church were distinguished from 
| 


“BEph-2. 15, 16. Col. 


| 15. 7+ 10s { 


the descons, who managed the secular matters 
and the charities of the Church. (Votes, 2cts 

vi. 1—7. xx. 17—28. 1 Tim. iii. 1—7.) Much 
| labour and learning have indeed been employ- 
ed, to set aside this conclusion; but with little 
. success, even by the allowance of decided. Epis- 
 copalians, ‘Though it be generally resolved, 
‘ithat the word Jdishep, and elder, are equiva- 
_¢ lent in Scripture : yet this is not to be. under. 
-* stood so, that either, or both. of them, signifies 
« indifferently ghee whom we now call presby- 
at they both signify dishops, one 
Church by the apostles; there 
the second order in the Church, 
16 « all the Sater of .believers increased.’— 
| (Hammond) Beyond doubt, the apostle ordain- 
ed more than one, either bishops or presbyters, 
‘im some of the Churches. (Marg. Ref.)- But, 
this learned expositor did not perceive; that one 
Bishop, without any presbyters under him, comes 
recisely the same thing, as one presbyter, 
thout any bishop over him. ‘Till the Church- 
ve multiplied, the bishops and presbyters 
the same: but afterwards, probably.in the 
es of the apostles, the senior or more emi- 
age ie was called episcopus, or over- 


6, "The Pen and ‘subsequent 


ee 


he apostle’s mind, {and they would ogcur 


eir behalf; so that, “ always, in every 
of. ‘his,” secret or social, he made re- 


hat present time, (which was about 
55) wi ae peg turned” aside or 


CHAPTER I. 


k my God © upon every * re- 


duct of the Philippians, never occurred }. 


Reldings,. fron 3 the first fay of their f 


a 
aang 


* 


in you, 4 will + perform it until ¥ the dag 
of Jesus Christ. ed 
oat ¢ Even as sit is meet for me to ‘fink 


this of you all, t because * I have you in — 


my heart, inasmuch ® as both in my bonds, 

x and in the defence and confirmation of the 

gospel, ye all are t ‘partakers of my grace. 
8 For ¥ God is my record, z how 

greatly I long after you all. in the bow- 

els.oi Jesus Christ. 

q Ps. side. Eph. 4. 


6. Tydin sig. yo See; Rome 1 a 
12. 1 Thes 5. 23,24. 


u Acts 16. 23—25.| & 9, 1. Gal. 5 
2 Thes.1.11.1Pet| &20, 23. Eph. 3.jz 2.26. & 4, 1. 
"5-10. 1. & 4s 1. & 6. 20,2] Cor, 13, 9, tire. 
ie mete Heb. Tim. 1.8.& 2 9% yg. Col. 2.1. 1 Thess 
Heb. 10. 33, 34. 2.8. 2. Tim. 1.4, 

Bos gt gat on,1|x ver. 17. & 4.14.la 2,1. Is. 16. 11. & 
» Cor, 1. 8. + Or, 
s 1 Cor, 13. 7. 1| with me of grace.) Luke 1. 78 Marg: 
Thes. t.2—5.& 5, 
5. Heb. 6. 9, 10." 

t 2 Cor, 3.2. & 7.3. 
* Or, ye have me in 
your heart. Gal 5. 


Cor. 9. 23. Heb. 3, 


15. Marg. Col. 3. 
1.1 Pet 4, 13. “| 


12, Philem. 12, 20. 


5-1. 1 John 3, 17. 


or. eos remiss in their profession. (Note, £ 
Cor. i. 4—9.) He was therefore confident, that 
he, even God the Spirit, who had begun the good 
work of sanctification in their souls, would carry 
it on, and perform it, till the perfection of their 
redemption in body and soul, at the day of 
Christ. Some learned men Tender the words, 
here translated“ fellowship in the Gospel,” com- 
munication towards the Gospel; and understand 
them, of the liberality which the Philippians had 
shown towards the apostle. But this, in itself, 
was a cause of gratitude to God, vastly inferior 
to the conversion of very many souls, to par- 
take of all the blessings and salvation of Christ : 
the sentiment isnot at all in the apostle’s man- 
ner, in other epistles ; or even in the other parts 
of the epistle, where he mentions that subject - 
openly and perspicuously: the word xoryavie 
far more frequently at least, means participation, 
than sommunication ; and even when it has the 
latter meaning, it implies that the giver made the 
receiver his partner, or a sharer with him in his 
abundance; and the verb xosywyew in this re- 
sembles it, as also the other words from the same 
root. (iii. 10. iv. 15. Aart: xxiii.:30. . Luke vy. 
10. Acts ii, 42. Rom. xii. 13. xv. 26, 27. 1 Cor. 


1.9, x. 16. I8, 20. 2 Cor. 37. viii. 4 23. xi. ” 


14, Gal. ii.9: vi. 6. 1 Tim. v.22, vi. 18. Phi- 
lem. 6. 17. eb, ii. 14. x, 33. xiii. 16. 1 Pet vy. 
1. 2 Pet.j. 4 1Jolni. 3.6, 7. 2 John 11.)— 
These are nearly all the places, i in which this 
word, and those from the same root, occur in 


the New Testament: ane, it is evident that in — 


most places it means, parenerehsp, or participa 
tion; and in the rest, implies such a communi- 

cation as admits others to share with sthe fivers. 
‘ To have all things common, zorva.’  (Leigh.) 
tn not one of them does it clearly denote, a num. 
ber of persons joining together to raise a sum 
of inoney ; as it has been in this place interpret- 
Hh ae both in-ancient and. modern times ; though 


partaker's} 63.15. Jer. 38 20. Z). 
See on, yer. 5. 1) 2 Cor. 6. 13. & Fe 


‘2D. he 


eAth 


ann 


it evidently enervates and obscures the sense— 


The day, &c. (6.)_ * The Spirit of God will not 
‘ desert 1 ‘us to the end, unth even our mortal 


© bodies, being restored to life, and glovified, # 


¢ shail stand in judgment before Christ’(Bezu.} 
2 °F , “ 


o = 
pes ood al. - 


“4 


ta — ) ae «= 


‘4, D. 64, PHILIPPIANS; 
9 And this ¥ pray, that ¢ vour love|cere, & and without offence; ® 
may abound yet more and more, ¢ in a 
Knowledge, and zn all } judgment ; 
10 That. © ye may § approve things 
that are excellent ; * that ye may be sin- 


Christ, unto th 


ic 
me 

a . t Dia 

bh See on, ver. 4. 6. & 3h18. /] 2-2.Cor. 11. 18-15. . 2 

© 3. 15,16. Job ate Or, sense. Heb. 5.} Eph. 5,10. 1 Thes. 12 4 Butl would 

'Proy. 4. 18. Mat, 14. Gr. 5.21. Heb.: 5. 12— Pee 
43. 31—33. 2 Core Is. 7.15.16. Am. 14. 1 Jobn 4 1. ites 
$.7.1 Thes. 3. 12.) 5. 14, 15, Mic. 3. 2.) Rev. 2s 2. : 3. 


& 4. 1. 9, 10. 2| John 3.20. Rom, 2./f ver, 16, Gen: 20, 5 
‘Thes. 1.3. 1 Pet. | 18. & 7, 16.22 &! Josh, 14. 14. John 
22. d 8. 7, & 12. 2.9. 1, 47. 2 Cor, 1. 12. 
@ 1 Cor. 14. 20. Eph.|§ Or, try things that) & 2. 17. & 8. 8: 


32, 2 Com 6. 3. Gal.! 92, 
5. 11.1 Thes. 3,13: Se 


15.7. Cok 1. 9. &) differ. Job 12. 11] Eph. 4. 15. Marg.|h See on, 1 Cor. 1. 9.| 12. 11. Jag. 3 
3. 10. 2:Pet. 1.5,| & 34, 8. Rom. 12.| & 6.24. i 4. 17. 1 Ps, 1.3. &| 18. iW 
2 92.12, 13. Is. 5. 3 : 

SP 44 ie 


a0 y e 5 >} : = J <5 ati pared 
/ V.7, 8 . Many, who had made a credible pro- 
fession of Christianity, aflerwards fell away, hav- 
ing ‘‘no root in themselves 7 yet it was meet 
for the aposile to hope better things of the Phi. 
lippians, and to be satisfied that a good work of 
new creation had indeed been wrought upon 
them: for their long continued consistency © 
conduct had given them a peculiar place in his 
_feart ; Or, 28 it may be rendered, they had shown, 
that they had him in their hearts, and had abun- 
dantly evinced their love to Clirist, by their. kind- 
hess to his afflicted servant. During his im- 
prisonment they had cordially sympathized with 
him, and endeavoured to alleviate his sufferings ; 
and in all that he undertook, for the defence 
and confirmation of the Gospe), they had con- 
curred with him; and shown themselves parta- 
Kers of thie same grace which had becn bestowed 
upon him ; acting from the same holy principles, 
and returning bis love with reciprocal affection. 
Indeed, God was witness, how greatly he long. 
ed after them; with a holy, tender, and compas: 
gionate affection, like that of Christ to his peo- 
ple ; how he longed to see them, and how gladly 
he would exert himself in any self-denying ser- 
vices, by which he might be further useful to 
them, in their spiritual concerns. 

V.9—i1. The apostle next gave the Philip- 
pians a compendious account of his, constant 
prayers for them, He was confident that they 
were true believers, and ‘ loved the Lord Jesus 
« in sincerity ;? and he therefore prayed that 
love of him, his cayse, people, truths, and or- 
dinances; of the holy character, law and go- 
vernment of God; and of all men for his sake, 
might ** abound mone and more,” in all its varied 
exercises and happy effects: and that it might 
be regulated by an enlarged and exact know. 
ledge of divine things ; and by that sound judg. 
ment, which was the result of a holy relish for 
Spiritual excellency, a matured discernment in 
the various parts of religion, and deep experience 
of its power in their own hearts. For when these 
concur, they enable the Christian to judge, as it 
were, extempore, in a variety of cases; even as 
the healthy eye distinguishes objects, the ear 
sounds, and the palate meats, Thus false af- 
fections, unjustifiable measures, and enthusiasm, 
tvould be prevented; and. all. those evils, into 
which vehement zeal, without proportionablc 
knowledge and judgment, betrayed men, to the 
s¢andal of the Gespel and the divisian of the 


tions; false affections, anc 


rors and evils, by which : 


> 


« sini 
alloy, whether of false doctrine, superstitio 
a worldly spirit and conduct. The original 
is taken from any transparent object being 
in the Jight of the sun ; by which every mo 
atom of dross, becomes visible. The 
ceve, derived from the Latin, is mel sine ¢ 
ney without wax, or entirely pure and unm’ 
If the Philippians were thus sincere, the apo 
trusted, that, aceordingito his prayers for t 
they would be “without offer 
stumbling at the scandals laid in 1 
others, nor misleading or grieving: 
or causing their neighbours to 
word by their misconduct : fe 
and. passive sense may be implied. A 
he further prayed, that each of them 
thus upheld, till he should honourably 
course ; and even that the Church of 
might be thus preserved through suc 
nerations, until the day of Christ: 
“trees of righteousness, the planting 
“Lorn,” might not only be in some 
fruitful; but that they might resemb 
trees, which are laden with fruit on eve 
being filled with all holy tempei Ai 
good works, all the fruits of the 
every day of their future lives, in t 
pro¥ement of their talents, and acec 
duties of their several relations. 
fruits would not only be ben 
eventually advantageous to t 
through Christ, as the effects o 
accepted through bis mediation, th 
dound to the praise and honour of G 
ing and recommending the G 
gainsayers, and bringing sinners. to ¢ 
in the obedience and worship of faith 


ss 


s 


“A bs , 4 Fn { ’ Mees A se. ii ( 
4. D. 64. “CHAPTER 4. D. 64: 


iethrcn, i bee the things which happen- tion, # not sincerely, * supposing to add 
, affliction to my bonds. 


ed unte ve fallen out ™ rather unto 
ere 17 But the other of love, knowing 


the furtherance of the gospel ; 
AZ So that ® my bonds * in Christ are|that » Tam set for the defence of the 
gospel. 


pueaieer in all t the palace and rte all 
; 18 2 What then? Notwithstanding, 


@ibehslares 

“14 And many of theo brethren in the| ever y way, @ whether i in pretence, or in 

rd,P waxing confident by my i ae truth, > Christ is preached ; cand I there- 
indo rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 


ae more bold to speak the word 
19 For¢ I know that this shall turn to 


“4 without fear. 
15 Some indeed *preach Christ * even| my salvation ¢ through your prayer, and 
envy and strife ;. *and some also of| the supply of fthe Spirit of Jesus Christ, 

20 According to my € earnest expecta- 


ay 

- good-will : 

16 The one preach Christ of conten-| tion, and my hope, that © in ie Ma 

porta S. Pet. 4. 12—16. 42. & B. 7. 35.9. 

Fa 3 Log r Gs bases care 20. & 10. 56. & 1). 

: 4 Dy 0. 1 Cor. 1.23. 2 
vi aps fo all others.) or. 1, 10. & 4. 5. 
+ 19) ‘1 Thes. 1.8, 9 1 Lim. 3. 16. 

1. 28, 4.1. srk £7. {[5:2. 3. ey, athe 


u See on, f, ver.10.\z Rom. 3. 9. & 6. 6.18,19.. 
2Cor'2. 17. & 4. : 7 Col, 10, 19, &1E Rom. 8. e Gal. 4, 
AS Be ct {6.1 Pet. 1.11. © 

a Job 6. 14. & 16, a.la yer. rian Mat.ig Ps. 62. 5. Prove 

5.| Ps. 69.26, °° 23.14. Mark 12. 40.[°10. 28, & 23. 38. 
y ver, 7. Rom. 1.13] See on, xr. ver. 15. | Rom, 8 19, 

“=17, 1C€or. 9.16,Jc Matk 9. 38—40.|h Ps. 25. 2. & 1192 
17. Gal. 2: 7, 8. il Luke 9 49, 50, 1) 80. 116. Is. 45.17. 
Tim. 2. 7. 2. Yim} Cor. 15. 11. 2John} & 50. 7. & 54. 4. 
1541, 1 & 4. 6, 7:| 9—11. Rom. 6. 5, & 9. 38. 
Luke 21.14. Acts|d Rom. 8. 28.2 Cor 2 Cor: 7.14. & 10. 
22.11. & 26. 1. i 4.17.1 Pet. 1.7=9.| 8 1 Pet. 4,16. 2 
2 Tim. 4.16. Gr. le 2 Cor. 1,11. Ephsl John 2.28. 


19, 20, Su 2 Gor p. ae 


3.1 i 
Led or. for Christ. Yr a: 16. 18. Acts 5, | 


+ 


and selfish conduct of these men, proved them 
insincere in what they preached, and that they 
only wanted to excite contentions; which would 
not only have added affliction to the apostle’s 
mind duriag his imprisonment; but as they 
supposed, would also increase the virulence of 
his persecutors:—Others, however, acted from 
love to him, for the sake of Christ: knowing 
that,he was appointed, as the apostle of the Gen- 
tiles, to defend as a bulwark the pure Gospel, 
against all that opposed or perverted it: and 
that he was now lodged in prison in the metro. 
polis; not only as a witness for the truth con- 
cerning justification and Christianliberty, against 
Judaizers; but also to bear testimony before 
senators, pretors, and courtiers, nay, perhaps, 
before the emperor himself, concerning the holy 
doctrine of salvation through Christ Jesus. But, 
though some aimed to oppose, grieve, or expose 
him the more: yet, as Christ was preached by 
that means, either in a pretended or a sincere 
zeal for his honour, among great numbers that 
had hitherto been strangers to the Gospel; who 
might in due time be more fully instructed in 
the faith ; the apostle rejoiced, and he determin- 
ed to do so, whatever consequences might ensue. 
Not sincerely. (16.) Or, purely. * Not indeed, 
* with a pure mind, though otherwise their doc- 
* trine was pure? (Beza.) It is not certain 
who these’ preachers ‘were, or. whether they 
meant to excite divisions between the Jewish and. 
Gentile converts, or to stir up the persecuting 
rage of idolaters against the apostle, for boldly 
propagating a doctrine subversive of idolatry ; 
or that of the. emperor and statesmen against 
him, for “ preaching another King, one Jesus.’” 
But, the whole tenour of bis writings and con- 
duct shows, that had the doctrine which they 
taught been materially erroneous, he would have 
ally i impose the Mosiac law on the| opposed them, = of oe Ws their snc. 
ts, The designing, aaliGousy cess, ee ss ssa 


ie 12-14. It is probable the apostle had 
“been informed, that the Philippians feared lest 
“his imprisonment should check the progress of 
. the Gospel, and intimidate others from preaching 
or embracing it; and no doubt satan ‘and his 
“servants expected this effect from it. He how- 
‘ever, would have his friends to know, that his 
sufferings: had rather conduced to promote the 
_ cause of Christianity, through the interposition 
of God ; and that the restraint put upon his per- 
ieee ministry had been more than counterbal- 
| anced by other circumstances. So that his 
bonds for Christ's sake, and his constancy’ in 
 them#gjthe doctrine for which he was confined, 
“and which he preached even in that situation, 
‘had become openly Known eyen in Nero’s pal. 
ace among his courtiers, and in all’ other parts 
“of Rome; which had excited a general atten- 
tion to the Gospel through that immense city, 
‘whence the report would circulate almost 
| a the earth. Moreover, many Chris. 
tians, who were appointed to the ministry, and 
ualified for it, but who had before been timo- 
S, perceiving how the apostle was protected, 
nforted, and prospered, in his imprisonment, 
te greatly emboldened to preach, without 
‘of persecution, in the most open and useful 
wer ; by whose labours the knowledge of the 
spel was rapidly diffused. 
~15—18. Indeed, while some preached 
ist of good-will, there were others, who 
e actuated by envy of Paul’s reputation, suc- 
‘or measure of liberty, and who aimed to 
visions, even by preaching the Gospel of 
tobably, these were Judaizers, who 
ed part of their sentiments, and preach. 
pierce of the Gospel in order to form 
under their influence, and in. opposition 
stle and his friends; that so they 


¥ 


PHILIPPIANS. | 
shall be'ashamed, but ¢Aa¢ i with all bold-|t with’ Christ ; which is “mfay 


‘Me D642. 


ness, as always, so now age & Christ shall 
be magnified in my body, ! akeoe titan tee be 
by life, or by death. 

[Practical Observations.] 
A a) For to me ™'to live zs Christ, and 
‘™ to die zs gain. 

22 But if 1 ° live in the eth, P this is 
the fruit of my jabour: yet what I shall 
choose 4 I wot not. ‘ 

23 For] am ‘ina strait betwixt two, 


having * adesire to depart, and to. be 

i See on, ver. 14. i 3. Gal. 2.20, Col. 
Cor. %. 14—16. 

k 2.17. Rom. 6.13. 
19, & 12. 1. 1 Cor. 
& 20. & 7.34. 2 
Cor. 5. 15, 1 Thes. 


5. 23. 
eon 23, 24. John 


112-15, 2°17. 1 Pet. 4.2. 

m ‘See on, ver. 20. &|p Ps. 71. 18. Is. 38. 
2.21. 1 Cor 1. 30s},.18, 19. 

Gal. 6.14. Col.3.4-\q Gen 21-26. & 39, 
nm yer. 23, Is. 5%. 1,| 8. Ex. 32.1. Acts 
2. Rom. 8. 35—39., 3.17. Rom. 11. 2, 
1 Cor. 3.22. 2 Corie ZSam. 24, 14. 1 
12) 27, 28. & 21.19.) 5. 1.6, 8.8.1 Thes.) Chr. 21- 13: Luke 
Acts 20,24. & 21.! 4, 138-15. Rey. 14.’ 12, 50. 2 Cor. 6. 12. 
18. Roth. 14, 7—9.} 13. , {Is Luke 2. 29, 30. 
1 Con. 15.51.2 Corlo ver. 24. 2 Cor. 10.) John 13.1. 2 Cor. 
5.8. 2 Tim. 4.6, 


Tim. 4. 5—7..2 ad 


4.10. Col. 1.24, 2 


v.19, 20. The apostle knew, that these 
afflictive dispensations, however aggravated, 
+ would help forward his final salvation, through 

the prayer of his brethren, and the communica- 
tion of the Spirit of Christ to his soul, to pro 

mote his humility, spirituality, and meetness for 
heaven. ‘This satisfied him, as to his personal 
concern ; as he was willing to endure any abase 

ment or suffering, for the honour of Christ. And 
indeed he earnestly expected. a happy event of 
his trials; as one who with out-stretched neck 
eagerly looks for the coming of some beloved 
friend ; and he confidently hoped, that he should 
not be made ashamed in any thing, by the dis- 

appointment of his expectations or endeavours : 

but that, as in all former instances he had boldly 
and successfully stood his ground; inthis present 
case also, he shouldbe strengthened, andinspired 
with courage, that Christ might be magnified 
jn and by his frail body; whether his life were 
spared that he might again labour in spreading 
the Gospel, or whether he should be called to 
shed his blood i in confirmation of his testimony. 

Salvation. The connexion -between salvation, 
and “ the supply of the Spirit of Christ,” fully 
proves, that eternal salvation, and not temporal 
deliverance, was meant. 

V. 2126. With peculiar animation, the 
apostie here declared the happy frame of his 
mind, in his ‘perilous situation. As Christ was 
the Author and Support of his spiritual life, so 
syas he the End and Object of his life on earth. 
Hehadno other business, interest, honour, or 
pleasure, for which to live, but Christ and his 
giorv, service, and favour: and therefore he 
Icnew that to die would be his greatest gain; as 
he should then be enabled more perfectly to 
know, love, serve, and enjoy the favour of, his 

yracious Lord ; and have done with sin, tempta- 

tion, and suffering, for ever. Yet, ifhe continu- 
~ed to live in the flesh, and to endure hardship a 
little longer, it would be worth his while: as his 
labour would be fruitful of good to himself, as 
well as to-others, So that he kepw not which he 


| 29—31. 


24 N evertheless, x to abide in the 
is more needful for 
25 And, ha 
know that I she 
you all, 2 for y 
of faith ; 
26 That b your 
abundant in Jesus ~ 
coming to you again. 
27 Only © let your 
it becometh 4 the 
t Job 19. 26, 27 Ps, 
49, 15. Luke 8. 33. = 
& 23, 43. John 14. "on 15—17. Acts 11, 1k nes 
3, & 17. 24. Acts| 23, & 14.22, Rom, Parder aes 
7, 59. 2 Cor. 5. 8! 1. 11,12. & 15. 13.| 1. Col, 1.10.1 
1 Phes. 4,17. Rey,| 29. 2 Cor. 1. 24) 2.1 
14. 13. Eph, 4. 1113. 


u Ps. 16. 10, 11.) &|a Pa, 60, 6. 
17. 18. & 73. 24— 2.815) 13. 1 
1. 8. a > 


X ver. 22. 25, 26, 
John 16,7. Acts20. 


y 224, Ages: 
z Luke 22, 32. 


should choose, 'f it were left 
a strait between ere / ye dra 


had a most vehement t 
world of sin and so 
ately go and be- with shar 
life of faith, hope, and ye ie 
sight, fruition, and perfect holiness ast i 
incomparably more desirable, t F 
which could be possessed or 
Nevertheless, his pirreere 
more needful for the to 
ple, he was willing to- postp 
of his own happiness for their a 
indeed, having this confi 
own concerns; he was also 
tions from the ‘Lord, that : 
time longer, fo promote | 
blishment in the faith, and the 
God connected with ity 5 ae 
ted to come and renew his la 

he should be an instrume 
abundant rejoicing in Christ—“ Ch 
me living and dying.” (2h) Thu 
many others, translate and on 
words : but the antithesis betw 
of the verse is destroyed; the nm 
paratively cold, nay, selfish; ap 
would speak diftidently, after sue 
learned critics, the original seems 
this construction —ar better, (8 
* ginal is the highest ‘superiati 
* possible to form in any lang 
knight.) © Better beyond 
dridge.) * Could St. Paul think a 
« sibility much better than a life tendi 
‘as his did, to the glory of God, to ft 
‘tion of the Gospel, and to the 
« the joy of Christians ?” (Whitby,)- 
of the soul’s. immediate happiness ; 
in glory, is here declared ee n 
possibility of doubt, except as men d) 
apostle’ 8 tetsimony. 


CHAPTER I. - . A. BD. 64. 
ie pahether 1 a add see e you, or else be| token ofipershion; m™ but to you of aia 
absent, I. may hear of your affairs, & that | tion, » and that of God. 
ye stand fast h in one spirit, with one} 29 For unto you ° it is given in the 
mind, striving together for ‘ the faith ‘of behalf of Christ, P not only to believe on 
the gospel; him, but also to suffer for his sake : idk 
28 And *in nothing terrified by your} 3v Having 4 the same conflict which 
adversaries: which is to them !an evident | ye saw in me, and * now hear Zo de in me- 


Be h Jer. 32. 39. Jobn} 2 Fim. 4.7 

ey 15,- Col.| 17. 20, 21. Acts 2.1k Is, 51.7: 12. Mat. 

3. 6. 46. & 4, 32. Rom} 10. 28. Imke t2. 4 

‘5. 3 John] 12. 4, 5. 1Cor.j -7. & 21. 12—19. 
i CHa 12,12, &es Eph. 4,| Acts 4. 19—31. & 

1, 2. 4. 1. Ps] 3—6. Ra 8. 18.| 5. 40—42. 1 Thes, 

ee 7 rigt Sp & 22 Tim, nile 

; st. 12. 25. 1 Cor.|i Prov. 23.23. Aets| Heb. 13. 6. Rev, 2. 
+10, & 15. 58. &] 24. 24 Rom. 1. 5.) 10. 

16.15 14 2Cor, 13.) & 10 8 Eph U}12 Thess 1. 5, 6. 1 

a ‘| ‘13. ok oka 19.} Pet. 4-12—14. 


m Mat. 5, 10—12, 
Rom. 8, 17. 2 Fim. 
2. 10,11. 

n Gen. 49. 18, Ps, 
50. 23. & 68.°19, 
20. Is, 12. 2. Luke 17, 18. 

3.6. Acts 28.23. Iq Jobn 16, 33. Rom. 
© Acts 5.41. Rom.]| 8. 35—37. 1 €or. 4. 
5.3. Jam. 1. 2. 2} 9—14. & 15. 30—32. 
Pet.4.13. + Eph. 6, 11—18. Col. 


1.12, 13. & 6, 44,) V5. ‘& 5. 24 2 
45. Acts 13.38. & 
14. 27. Eph. 2, 3. 

Col. 2.12. Jam. 1. 


Tim. 2. 10—12. & 
ae 7 Heb. 10. 32, 


33. & 12. 4. Reve 
2-10, 11. & 12, 21. 


Thes, 2. 2.. 
s See om, ver. 13+ 


“w 27-30. iene of the events before refer- 
red to, nor any other, could harm the Philippi- 
ans; if they only took heed to have their conver- 
sation becoming the gospel which they had em- 
braced: (Vote, Bph. iv. 1—8.) The original word, 
rendered conversation, denotes the conduct of 

| citizens, when it accords to their privileges, and 
tends to the credit, safety, peace, and prosperity 
‘of the city. Thus the Philippians, ‘being gra- 
ciously made citizens of the heavenly Jerusa- 
lem, ought te act suitably to that high charac. 
ter, and to seek the honour of the Gospel and 
the welfare of the church, in all their actions. 
Then it would be well with them, and gladden 
the apostle’s heart; whether he came to see 
them, or only heard of their affairs, that they 
stood firm in the profession of the faith, and in 
obedience to Christ, amidst surrounding tempta- 
tions and bad examples : avoiding all dissentions ; 
| continuing as one body actuated by one spirit; 
being of one heart and mind in the great con- 
cerns of religion; not striving one against an. 
other, elther about their temporal interests, or 
reputation, or about any things of subordinate 
importance in religion, in which they did not. 
exactly agree: but, as one compact phalanx, 
striving with united force against the common 
|enemy, to exclude false teachers, to prevent 
abuses, to bear up under persecution, and by 
every Means to promote. the cause of Christi- 
vc In attending to these things, they ought 
m nowise to be intimidated by the number, 
\pOWer, menaces, or cruelties of their adversa- 
ries; whose malignant rage against such excel- 
m perons proved them enemies to God and ho. 
s, and in the way of perdition: while the 
and patient conduct of those who suffered |e 
hhrist’s sake, united to the holiness of their 
sters, was an additional evidence that they 
ie friends of God, and partakers of that 
“Hes which he wrought i inthe hearts of his 
=. (Note, 1 Pez, iy. 12Q—16.) For indeed 
ere called to an additional honour and 
O that it was given to them, not only 
eve in 1 Christ for salvation, but to be dis- 
“among his disciples by a nearer con- 
m in suffering, for which their re- 
id be | great in heaven; (Note, Matz, 

as they were ‘then enduring that same 
ict, ‘which they had seen the 
din, when “ah ee ands ir 


prisoned at Philippi; and which they heard that 
he was at that time sustaining, by his confine- 
ment’ at Rome. Many expositors are very eX- 
act, in this and other passages, in distinguish- 
|ing between the persecutions, which the apostle 
and the Churches were exposed to, from the 
Jews, and those which they endured from the 


the interpretation ; and the practical i instruction, 
if not thus lost sight of, is the same in either 


and his zeal for the admission of the Gentiles in- 
to the Church, without circumcision or regard ta 
the ritual law,. rendered him peculiarly obnoxious 
to them. But it is also evident, that zeal for 
idolatry and for local customs; and fear of in< 
novations and insurrections, as well as enmity 
against God and holiness, disposed the Gentiles 


in persecution. 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
V. I—11. 

Those servants of Christ, who most resemble 
their Lord, will thank God on every remem- 
brance of the congregations among whom they 
have laboured ; when they know that ministers 
and people, in their proper places, attend to their 
several duties, in such a manner, as evinces them 
to have fellowship with Christ, and to share the 
blessings of his Gospel. But, alas! how oftea 
are faithful pastors constrained to make request 


once were confident, but for whom they now 
tremble! We may, however, be always confi- 
dent, that God will perform his good work in 
every soul, in which he hath really. begun it by 
regeneration : ‘though we should warn men not 
to trust in superficial appearances, sudden emo. 


sentiment, or in any thing short of a new creation 
unto boliness. But, it is meet for us to hope the 
best of those who profess the truth, aud do not 


welfare of those, who have showed us kindness 
‘for the Lord’s sake, sympathized in our sorrows, 
and helped us in our labours for the defence and 
confirmation of the Gospel: as we raay well con, 
clude, that they are really partakers of divine 
grace. We should “long after them: in the 
* bowels of Jesus Christ ;” and peur out our 


09, a ae 


Pp Mat. 16. 1, ‘e 21, 1 Thes. 2 14, 


Acts 16. 19—40, E 


generally to concur, and often to take the lead 


with tears, instead of joy, for those in whom they: 


tions, external refurmation, change of sect or. 


disgrace it; and greatly to desire the spiritual ~ 


Gentiles, But this rather embarrasses than clears, 5 


case. No doubt, the Tees excited most of the. 
persecutions, to which the apostle was exposed 5 


oes 


I he Re Is 90 


5 
al 


ue se 


oe ED as. PHILIPPIANS, a, 
CHAP. I. Christ, in the puccess of his la 


assuring them that he should joyfu 
martyr for their sakes ; and exhorting the 
joice with'him, 17,18. He hopes to send Time.) 
thy to them shortly, whom he highly comme 
19—23 ; mats es also Epaphroditus, their me 
senger to iim 3. whe had had been sick, and was g 
ed that they had heard eer aaGod had ma 
cifully restored him, | ret 
—27. The apostle there: 
horts them highly toy 
seeing he had disregarded J 
their lack of service, 28—80. 


ble heresies: but when the su 
truth is preached among igno’ : 
should neither so much regard our 

tion, or that of our party, nor be so .con 
about the motives of the persons employed, as 
to rejoice, if by such men and means sinnt 
are brought acquainted with the all-gracious 

viour. The mortifying ci umstances, W 
sometimes attend these transacti will turn 
our salvation, if we be SRE oF , 

ner; through the supp! the if 


The apostle earnestly, and by the most affecting to- 
pics, exhorts his brethren to humble, condescend- 
ing, and self-denying, love, 1—4; after the exam- 
ple of Christ, in his incarnation, humiliation, and }. 
death on the cross; as terminating in his glorious 
exaltation, 5—11. | He exhorts them to diligence, 
in working out their own salvation, as depending 
on the grace of God, 12,13; and to profess the 
gospel, and adorn it, among their neighbours, by a 
harmless and blameless example, in such 3 man- 
ner, that he might rejoice with them at the day of 


prayers for them, when incapable of doing them 
other service. We cannot in general pray for 
ourselves, and in behalf of those who-.possess 
that faith which worketh by love, in a better 
manner, than by copying the example before 
us ; and requesting that our love maya bound yet 
more and more, and be exercised in knowledge 
and in all judgment ; that we and they may dis- 
cern between things that differ, and know how 
to choose the good and refuse the evil; that we 
may be sincere and diligent disciples ; preserv- 
ed from all scandals and offences, and “filled 
with the fruits of righteousness, which are 
“ through Christ, to the praise and glory of 
“ God”? For those things which most honour 
God, will eventually most benefit us: we should 
i not therefore leave it dubious, whether any good 
\ fruit be found on us, or not; a small measure 
of love, knowledge, judgment, spirituality, and 
fruitfalness, should not satisfy us : but we ought 
to long and pray to be filled with all good fruits, 
as aiming at great things, and nobly aspiring to 
do much good, and to be holy as God is holy. 
V. 12—20. 
The consideration, that the Lord “ worketh 
* all things aftér the counsel of his own will,” 
should reconcile us to those afflictive dispensa- 
tions, which seem to preclude us from useful. 
ness. Whatever satan or wicked men may in- 
tend or expect, our God can further the success 
of his Gospel, by the very events which arise 
from men’s endeavours to stop its progress. He 
often works by apparent contraries; and his 
most able ministers have been immured in pri- 
sons, that their bonds in Christ might bring the 
knowledge of his truth into the courts of justice, 
nay, even into the palaces of princes: and the 
blood ofthe martyrs hath more abundantly made 
’ fruitful the good seed of the word of God. Nay, 
the extremest sufferings and cruel deaths of his 
saints, instead of intimidating, have infused cou- 
rage into their brethren, while they witnessed 
the triumphant consolations of thefhappy suffer- 
ers. Indeed, satan will endeavour to prevent 
these blessed effects, even by stirring up men to 
preach the gospel from unworthy motives: and 
not only have ambition and avarice moved vast 
numbers to take this sacred office upon them; 
but envy, malice, and contention, have done the 
same: and Christ and his truth have often been 
preached, in order to grieve, perplex, or expose 
his faithful svffering servants! So varied are 
the effects of human depravity !° We should in- 
' deed grieve to see tares sown in the Lord’s 
field, and the souls of men deceived by damna- 


granted in answer to the pisyers n 
and by us. Qur earnest € pecsatio 
should not be, to be honoured by men, o 
cape the cross; but to be so uphel ami 
tempt and affliction, that we may no! be 
shame, or disgrace the cause ol A r 
we may act with such boldness and 
amidst dangers and ne ‘c Chri 
magnified in our bodies whether b: 
ous services, or by the. 1onourable 
our work and warfare. Ae 
V.21—30. 
We have not made that progress in ‘ 
life which holy Paul had; yet, if we 
believers, we habitually consider Chri: 
Life. Our main interest 
comfort in this warld, are centre 
his glory isthe great end. 
pale all our conduct. ortion 
epth of our experience in this respect, s 
be our well-grounded assurance, that 
« will be our gain.” If we have this ; 
our inheritance, death can take us awa 
nothing but what is Vain, vexatious, ¢ 
snaring, and utterly insufficient for our 
and it will convey us to the fountain-hea 
holy joys, which here we relished and s 
tasted, but were never able to partic 
out alloy or interruption - and w ) 
must that be, which can render death t 
gain,and make us long earnestly for the. 
of the king of terrors, as the mes 
Father, to put us in possessi 
inheritance! And how cold and heart 
pared with this, are philosophy’s 
the fear of death ! We should, hoy 
ing to live in this evil world 
good: this will retard, br 
our complete felicity, if our 
diligent labours and patient suffe 
sake. We need not wish toc 
pect; for we should not know 
make, It is blessed indeed to 
Peeneen twe, which the apostle | 


th 


i, D, he k 


ws} # ji cy nya ia $ 
F there be Guemipre  aky consolation 
in Christ, ii ‘arly comfort of love, if 
‘any fellowship of the Spirit, 4 if any bow- 
els and mercies, : 

2 © Fulfil ye my joy, fthat ye be like- 

Ra pre peel //% t 

Des 2 ane 22. 1 John 4 


€ol. 2. 5. 1 Thes. 
2.19,20. & 3. 6— 
to. 2Thes. 2. 13. 
2 Tim. 1.4-Philem. 
20, 1John 1. 3,4. 
F 2 John 4. Saag 4, 
See on, 1. 27. 
yer. 20. & 3. 15, 
16.%& 4-2. Rom: 12. 
16 & 15. 5,6. 1 
Cor 1. 10. 2 Cor. 
Pet. 2. 


‘Ud. 18.) 7,8. 12. 16. 
Th. & i6s\c Rom. 5. 5. & 8. 
4, Be 17, 13.; 9—16. 24, 1 Cor. 6. 
ne 5. 1, 2. 15.| 19, 20. & 12. 13, 2 
13. 1€or 15.| Cor. 13.14. Gal 4: 
Cor. 1. 5,6. 6. Eph. 1. 13, 14. 
4, 2 Thes, 2.' & 2. 18-22. & 4-4- 
If. Heb. 6. 18,] 1 Pet. 1. 2.22, 23, 
Ket. t. Se 1 John 3. 24. 
[ Y. gilaee 1. John!d Ste on,1.8 
"45, 10—12. Acts %|é ver. 16, & 1. 4) 13, 11. 1 
46. & 4. 32. Gal. 6.] 26,27. John 3. 29.) 8, 9. 
22. Eph. 4. 30—32,| 2 Cor, 2. 3, & 77. 


é have a Tonging desire to depart and be with 
« Christ, which is far better ;” and yet to be 
willing to al de in the flesh, in order, if the Lord 
our brethren. Yet, it can hardly be expected, 
that believers should generally be found thus 
uperior to the love of life, and the fear of death ; 
‘and thus willing to live and suffer from love to 
‘their brethren, when assured of their own salva- 
tion. Nor should we despise the day of small 


CHAPTER I. 


A, D. 64. 


minded, having the same love, deing of 
h one accord, of one mind. 

3 Let i nothing de done through strife 
or vain-glory ; © but in lowliness of mind 
let each esteem other better than them- 
selves. | ve? : ; 


4 1 Look not every man on his own — 


things, but every man also on the things 
of others. ie ' 


46. & 5. 12. 16.& 4.5, 6. 1 Pet.| 12. 15. & 14. 19—. 
Vver. 14. & 1, 15,) 2.1,2, 22, & 15.1. 1 Come 
16. Proy.. 13. 10.\k Luke 14.7—11e &! 8. S—13. & 10. 24. 
Rom. 13. 13. 1 Cor.) 18. 14. Rom. 12. 10.) 32, 33. & 12, 22— 
3. 3. 2 Cor. 12. 20.) 1 Cor. 15. 9. Eph} 26. & 13. 4, 6. 2 
4. 2. & 5.21.1 Pet Cor. 6. 3. & 11, 29. 
5. 5e Jam. 2. 8. 


hi Acts 1.14. & 21.4 6. 4. Jam. 3. te Mat. 18. 6. Rom. 


Gal. 5. 15, 20, 21. 
26. Col. 3. 8. 1 Tim. 


communion with him ; from the fellowship of the 
sanctifying Spirit ; from the favour of God, and 
the hopes and anticipations of heaven: by all 


leases, to be helpful to the faith and holy joy of| the sweet comforts arising from the very exercise 


of love, I beseech and exhort you: if the Lord 
has manifested his tender compassions towards 
you ; if you have any feeling for your spiritual 
Father, now also a prisoner for your sakes; or 
any for your brethren in Christ, redeemed by the 
same Saviour, heirs of the same heaven, aad 


things, either in ourselves or others; though we} sufferers from the same trials and conflicts with 
‘should press forward to this full assurance of| yourselves; “ Fulfil ye my joy,” ‘ the joy, that 


hope, and this entire submission to the Lord’s 
will, But nothing can harm us, if we “ only let 
# our conversation be as it becometh the Gospel 
S* of Christ.” In that case, all changes, personal 
or relative, in the Church or in the world, will be 
working together for our good. This then should 
be our primary personal concern: and all the 
\company of believers, however divided and sub- 
|divided, should consider themselves as one great 
farmy; and endeavour to “ stand fast in one Spi- 
“ rit, with one mind, striving together for the 
4 faith of the Gospel :” and to recommend the 
salvation of Christ to all around them... In such 
a cause we should not allow ourselves to be ter- 
tified by any adversaries; for their reproaches 
‘and menaces against such, as thus serve Christ, 
#8 a manifest proof, that they are in the broad 
|road to destruction, as they hate the, truth and 

mage of God in his people. This enmity of 
ungodly men against us for Christ’s sake, when 
we love, and are beloved by the brethren, is an’ 
evident token to us, that we partake of salvation: 


i 

by the grace of God; as both friends and foes 
dis cern his seal upon us: and to us “it is given, 
in the behalf of Christ,” to believe the same’ 
truths, to love and suffer for the same holy cause, 


Usa 
‘and ° 
¢ 


) endure the same conflict, which prophets, 
es, and martyrs, have believed and main, 


before us. 


mee" NOTES) 
GAP. 1. V.1—4. (Note, i. 27-30.) The 


evidently deemed harmony among Chris- 


7 


sential to a conversation becoming the 
therefore, speaks, as it were, to this 
Ee ay { . Le . “4s 

‘By all the consolation, and animating 


‘our deliverance from the»bon- 


ae 


ty 
Nee 


‘from the love of Christ and dangerously” intrude 


* felt at your conversion, by living together in 
‘entire peace and harmony.—“If any force of 
* exhortation, in the name of Christ” (JVhitby.) 
The original word signifies exhortation, as well 
as consolation, or rather an encouraging animat- 
ing exhortation. The authority of Christ, speak- 
ing by his apostle, as well as the consolation 
derived from him, seems implied. (Marg. Ref.) 
The expressions that follow are’varied, to include 
all that can be imagined in the most cordial 
amity, unity, and sympathy. Let them live to- 
gether as members of one body, animated by 
one soul; let their common love to Christ, and 
delight in his holy service, unite them in love te 
each other; let them be of one accord in every 
undertaking to promote the common cause; and 
let them seek, in behalf of themselves and each 
other, that degree of spiritual illumination, which 
might make them of one judgment, and of the 
same sentiments as much as possible. But, as 
differences in some things might take place; 
and even in the concerns of the Church, some 
would judge more favourably of persons or mea- 
sures than others; of which satan would take 
advantage, in order to disturb their harmony : 
let them al] watch themselves, that they did no- 
thing from self-will, a contentious temper, or an 
ambitious desire of obtaining applause, influence, 
or superiority. On the other hand, let them see 
to it, that they were actuated by a aumble spirit ; 


| and that, from a consciousness of the evils in 


their heart and conduct, which others could not 
observe, and from cardour to their brethren, 
they were ever ready to deem others more de- 
serving esteem than themselves. In many cases 
this could not be done, in respect of talents or 


derived from Christ ; from the pardon of} spiritual gifts; though self-fattery and vain- 


glory, in these things also, would readily and 
: hut if the endowments, 


‘ ‘ 


? 
~~ 


4. D. 64. 


5 Let ™this mind bein you, which 
was also in Christ Jesus : 

6 Who, being ™ in the form of God, 
© thought it not robbery to be equal with 
God ; 

7 But P made himself of no reputation, 


f Mat. 11. 20. &} Mic. 5. 2. Mat. 1.{ ~—15.Hos- 12.$—S. 
20, 25—28. Luke, 23. John 1. 1,2. 18! Zech. 13. 7 John 
-B2. 27. Joha 13. 15. & 17-.5. Rom. 9.| 5. 18.23. 8 8. 58, 
Acts 10. 38. & 20.) 5. 2 Car. 4, 4. Col.) 59. & 10. 30.38. & 
35. Rom. 14. 15..&! 1. 15,16. 1 Tim. 1-| 14. 9. & @0. 28. 
1S. 3.5, 1 Cor. 10. 17. & 3. 16, Tit. 2.) Rev. 1. 17, 18 & 
33. & 11,1. Eph.| 13. Heb. 1.3.6.8.) 21. 6. 

So 2, 1 Pet. 2. 21. &) & 13. 8. p Ps. 22. 6. Is. 49. 
4.1. 1John 2.6. jo Gen» $2. 24—30.] 7. &. 50. 5, 6. & 
wm Is. 7. 14. & 8. 8.) & 48. 15,16. Ex.| 52. 14. & 53. 2, 3, 
& 9,6. Jer. 23. 6.|:3.2—6. Josh. 5.13} Dan, 9. 25. Zech. 9. 


and the obligations connected with them, were 
properly estimated, they would rather tend to 
humble, than to exalt them; even as the apostle 
spake of his knowledge in the mystery of Christ, 
when he deemed himself less than the least of 
all saints. (Note, Eph. iii. 4—8.) They ought 
not therefore to regard either their own attain- 
ments or interests, alone or principally, but in 
humble self-denying love, to recede from every 
personal concern, fer the benefit of the brethren, 
and the peace of the Church‘ Be as ready to 
* assist and help others, as if you were their sub- 
¢ jects and inferiors: so the example of Christ 
* requires; and so the precept runs; that he 
* who is‘the greatest, should be the servant to 
¢ others.” (IWhitby.) 

V. 58. To illustrate and enforée, in the 
most effectual manner, that conduct which he 
had recommended, the apostle here called on 
them to cultivate and manifest the same judg. 
ment and disposition, which had been so conspi- 
cuous in Christ Jesus. He had been * inthe form 
of God;” he appeared in divine majesty and 
glory, as the Creator and Lord of all, in the hea. 
¥en of heavens, and all the angels worshipped 
him as God, One with and coequal to the Father. 
He had manifested himself as Jenxovan, to 
patriarchs, prophets, and the Church of Israel, 
through successive ages; and had not thought 
xt a robbery to be equal with God, and to receive 
divine adoration from men. To this he was 
conscious of having a full right, without in the 
least interfering with the honour due to the 
eternal Father. Nevertheless, he emptied, or 
impoverished himself; he divested himself of 
his divine glory, that he might appear on earth 
like one of no dignity or reputation ; as princes 

. travel without the insignia of royalty, and are 
hot known from private persons. He did not 
come down from heaven ‘in the form of God,” 
2s when he gave the law from mount Sinai; 


he appeared, not like himself “ the Lord of{jesty with the infinite God. Indeed, 


“glory,” but “in the form of a servant,” even 
of the lowest servant. As he was really a Ser- 
vant, to the Father, when in the form of a 
servant; so was he really God, when in the 
form of God. By this voluntary susception of 
a new chacacter, in order to man’s saivation, 
t« he was made in the likeness of men;” he 
assumed our nature, and became like us jin all 
things butsin. Thus the Oaly begotten of the 
‘Father tabernacied here on earth, “in fashion 


| a 


_ PHILIPPIANS: 


and took upon him ¢ the fe 
vant, and was made Fin the * lik 


men ; ne 
8 And being . 
lf, = and became obe= 

( aa the death of the 

> ay 


t he humbled | 
dient unto death 
cr Oss, 


9. 9. Mack 9. 12. 
Rom. 15. 3. 2 Cor. 6 
8, 9- Heb. 2, 9—18.| Rom. 8. 3. ¢ 
& 12. 2. & 13, 13.| 4. Heb. 3. | 
q Is, 42.1. & 49. 3,1 & 4. 15, 
& 52,13. & 53. 11,)* Or, habit. 
Ez. 34. 23, 24.Js Mat. 17.2, 
Zech. 3. 8, Mat. 12.) 9, 2,3. Luke 9. 
18. & 20. 28. Mark|t Prov. 15 .33- Acts} 2, 
10. 44, 45. Luke 22.; 8-33. Heb, 5. 5—7. 
27. Jolin 1343—i4.] & 12.2. im 


Rom. 


r ver. 6. hi 


“ asa man,” being truly man, but more 
man at the sametime: and he was pleased still 
more to abase himself, by submitting to the mor 
indigent circumstances, and the most accumulat. | 
ed hardships for our good; especially he be. 
came ast the Figs divine law, as our, 
Surety, an led righteousness, amidst 
inconceivable difficulties fe temptations. ~ 
this he persevered to the end, and, his voluntar 
obligations requiring it of him, he submitted t 
soffer death; even that of crucifixion, the mos 
ignominious and tormenting, and accursed 
of execution, to which the vilest of malefa 
were condemned: and he was most perfect 
resigned and obedient to the Father, through all) 
the inward agony, and multiplied indignities an 
cruelties, which he endured. Thus low he 
luotarily stooped from * that glory, whit 
had with the Father before the world was.” 
He not only abased himself to become man 
he denied and humbled himself as man, 
very depth of suffering and shame ; ‘fro! 
to worthless hell-deserving rebels and enemie 
The example can never be done justice to by 
human language; and all our imitation mus! 
necessarily fall infinitely short of it. In ; 
view of the subject, how important and energet 
is the apostle’s argument! How striking is th 
illustration !—But many persons have | 
to prove, that the apostle only meant, that * the 
‘ man Jesus, though he acted as the Ambass 
‘ dor and Representative of God, did not th 

* ofrobbing him of his glory, by claiming 
‘ty with God? -~ And this would sir 
meaning not only into insipidity, but abs! 
for it would propose as an example of the 
perfect self-denial and humility, a bare. 
tion from the most horrible impiety and 
tion imaginable! as certainly it must be 
for any mere creature, ia any circums 
harbour a thought of equality in honou 


pour 


cannot be consistent with our Lord’ 
and most express declarations cont 
self. (John v. 17, 18. 25. viii. 58. 
9.) Nay; the whole interpretat 
sage must be forced and unnatural: the 
of our Lord’s human nature, “in the like 
« man,” and “ in fashion as @ man,” mig 
justly be questioned, as the reality of his 
whe “ was in the form of God -” and his 
upon Lim the form of a servant, and 


te 


"ae. 


if ri2s 
9 Wherefore God also hath highly 
exalted hin , and given him a name 
which is above every name : 
y Gen. 3.15, Ps2| 11. 27. & 28. 18.) 2 Pet.1. 17. Rev. 
Luke 10. 22. John] 1. 5. & 541% '& 1b 
3. 35, 36. & 5.22-27.| 15. & 19, 16. 

R13. 3. & 17- 1-3, 5.12 Ps. 80s 272 Ephe 
Acts 2. 32—36. & 5.) 1e 20=23e Col 1. 
“18. Heb. 1. 4 1 
Pet. 3. 22. 


, 


—19. & 
10; 1— 
r . & 49.! 31. Rom. 14. 9—11. 
p 52.18. &i| 1 Cor. 15. 24—27. 
2, 44,) Heb, 2.9. & 12. 3, 


Jedient, are unmeaning words upon the Soci- 
an interpretation, but exceeding emphatical 
| that before proposed.—But. (7.) Or, Yet, 
‘or, Nevertheless, or, vi age See the 

owin s, among many others, com- 
gee. : eter gah the original, (Mark 
v. ‘20. 36. John xi, 15. xvi. 7. Rom. v. 14.1 Cor. 
t 12, xiv, 20. Gal. iv. 30. 2 Tim. i. 12. Rev. ii. 
4.1 .) Ona portion of Scripture, whieli is: of 
So great importance, both in respectof its gener- 
a sort, and also in the argument concerning 
our Lord’s Deity ; and which, at the same time, 
has been perplexed by discordant interpreta- 

ins, more than most other passages, a few ad-) 
ditional quotations, may be properly adduced, 


aie Wie ie oh ee 


which indeed may be omitted when read in a} 


family.—* Who does not perceive, that Paul de. | 
€ clares what Christ was, Jefore he assumed the) 
-€ form of a servant !—Christ himself, when he) 
'* was God, and consequently in that glory and | 
4 majesty which belong to God alone; and when} 
'¢ he did not thiak that he usurped any thing} 
* not belonging to him; yet, as laying aside this 
© glory, abased himself even so far, as to become 
¢ such as the servants of God are, that is, to be- 
€ come man: yea, and then also he conducted | 
« himself towards the Father, not as towards his 
equal, but his Lord; so that he voluatarily 
¢ submitted to undergo the most ignominous 
« death! And shall not we mortal and-mean 
t slaves be ashamed of our arrogance, in acting 
lt as if we excelled our brethren? This, I say, is 
: Paul’s argument, than which nothing can be 
more weighty and forcible—* He thought it 
‘no robbery.” ‘Or, as a most learned inter- 
» ‘preter renders it, “ He did not think it a prey 
Mf to be seized on?’ *‘ For he réfers that which 
follows, to the manifestation madefin the flesh : 
fhat this should be the meaning. Cl:rist, as 
sod, possessed of eternal glory and majesty, 
‘Knew indeed, that it was just and lawful for 
“him to appear, not in humble flesh, but with a 
dignity worthy of God: but be chose rather 
fo abase himself.—‘ But, I think that this also 
elongs to the pristine glory of Christ, which 
mentions, (John xvii. 5.) and that this is 
meaning ; Christ; when possessed of that 
mal glory of Deity, was not ignorant, that 
s'thing, (that is, in being’ coequal with 
the Father,) he did no injury to any ome, 
‘but used his own right: nevertheless he, as it 
were, receded from bis right, when he reduc- 
himself even to nothing; by taking on him 
fh of a-servant,” &c.- (Beza.) The 
1 robbery, is not found-in any other 
New Testament, and but very sel- 
writers; but the derivation S it 


ie 


CHAPTER II. 
earth 3 — 


| hope must be established. 


‘A.D. 651 


Yo That at the name of Jesus? every 
knee should bow, of zhings in heaven, and 
things in earth, and things » under the 


. 


11 And th 


a Gen. 41. 43. Is. 
45.23—25. Mat. 27. 
294 Rom il. 4. & 
14. 10, 11. Eph? 3. 
14. Heb. 1.'6. Rev. 


at © every tongue should 


4.10;& 5,13, 14, y Matt. 10. 32. John 
b Mat..12. 40. Johnj 9. 22. & 12. 42. 
5. 28, 29, Eph, 469.) Rom. 10. 9. & 15. 
Rey. 20. 13. 9. 1 John 4. 2.15.2 
¢ Ps. 18, 49. Marg.| John 7. Rey. 3. 5- 


fixes it to the meaning given to it in our trans- 
lation, ‘The word rendered egual, is tox, not 
tooy ; and many have argued from this circum- 
stance, that szmuilitude, not eguality, is meant : but 
the learned bishop Pearson has shown, that soz, 
especially used with ¢syas, may express equality 
as well as ¢7oy. Socinus inquires, * How can 
* God be said to be equal to himself”? To this, 
it may be answered, that the Son may be equal 


"to the Father, in’ the unity of the Godhead, 


which iis all that the apostle’s language implies, 
and all that Trinitarians contend for: nor can | 


‘this he denied, without begging the question, 


and denying that there is any distinction of Per. 
sons in the unity ofthe Godhead. —* He emptied 
* himself, taking the form of a servant; being 
« made in the likeness of men.” Thus bishop 
Pearson literally translates the seventh verse, 
Tf any man doubt how Christ emptied himself, 
the text will satisfy him ; by “ taking on him 
‘ the form of a servant :” and if any still ques. 
tion, how he “took on him the form of a ser. 
« vant,” he has the apostle’s answer; by “ be. 
“© ing made in the likeness of men.”’—Here it 
may be observed,’ that if Christ had originally 
been a creature of God, he must have also been 
his servant, before his incarnation ; and this con- 
cludes against the Arians, as weil as the Socini- 
ans. So afterwards, “ Being found in fashion 
«© as a man, he humbled himself, beeoming obe- 
** dient unto death, even the death of the cross.” 
‘As therefore his humiliation consisted in his obe- 
dience unto death ; so his emptving himself con- 
sisted in the assumption of the form of a servant, 
and that in the nature of man. The clauses are’ 
connected, (in the original,) not “by way of con 
junction, in which there might be some diversi- 
ty; but by way of opposition; which signifieth 
aclear identity. The grand point, in order fo 
understand the passage, is this, to determine in 
what sense Christ “ was in the form of God,’ 
and how “ he emptied himself:” and the above 
remarks, suggestec by bishop Pearson’s learned 
and able disquisitions on the passage, and some- 
times in his words, give, as it appears to me, the 
most complete satisfaction. The passage indeed 
is full to the point, as to our Lord’s Deity ; and 
all, who oppose this construction of it, are évi« 
dently baffled in the argument: so that after all 
their efforts, it stands unmoved, as the deep- 
rooted reeks amidst the raging billows. But, 
had some deeper impression been made on it, 
the Bible would still afford the humble believer - 
abundant proof of this “ great Mystery of godli- 
« ness,” on which every well-grounded human 


2-0 


~ © more,” 


"A: Dy 65. 


the glory of God the Father. 
[Practical Observations. j 
12 § Wherefore, ‘ my beloved, & as ye 
ye haye always obeyed, not as in my 


. presence only, but now much more in 


1.1 Pet. 1. 21. Cor. 9. 24-27. & 
£4. 1.1 Cor. 4 14, 1]°15. 58. Gak 6. 7— 
20. 28. Acts 2, 36.] Pet. 2. 11. 9 1 Thes. 2 3. 
& 10, 36. Rom. 10.|2 2. 5. 27. 295 | Heb. 4-11. & 6. 10, 


@ Ps. 210. 1. Jer. 23, 
6, Luke 2. 11. John 


9—~12. & 14. 11. 1/h 3. 13,14. Prov. 10,} 11. & 12. 1. 2 Pet. 
Cor. 8. 6. & 12.3.).16, & 13, 4. Mat.} 1, 5—16. & 3. 18. 
& 15. 47. 1). 12, 20, Luke 13.11 1. 19. Rom, 13. 11 
e John 5. 23. 8 13.} 23,24. Jolin 6, 27—| —14. 1 Cor. 9. 20— 
31, 32. & 14. 13423.| 29: Rom. 2 ward 
& 16. 14,150 & 17. 


23. 2 Tim. 2. 10. 


V. 9—11. When the eternal Word and Son 
of God, had fulfilled bis engagements as our in- 
carnate Surety ; ; God the Father most highly ex 
alted him in our nature by advancing him to the 
mediatorial threne. For the two circumstances; 
that it is Christ; ‘as Man, who is thus exalted, 
and that he isexalted as Mediator, render this 
perfectly consistent with his eternal glory and 
dominion, as “God over all, blessed for ever- 
The absolute kingdom of the Crea- 
tor, and the mediatorial kingdom of the Redeem- 


ér, established for the benefit and salvation of 
tebels against the Creator, who are condemned | tle addressed in the laniginge'of cordial oe 
by his law, must be distingtished. (Vote, 1/80 endearing and” toe cet an hyeuet 
Tt was in consequence of the | fore their eyes; let them act as | 
engagethents of the eternal Son, that the dispen- | had hitherto done: They had 
It was “ for|to obey the will of Christ, mad 
“ this joy set before him, that he endured the| apostle, not merely while he abode amo 
Nothing could be deducted from | but even with increasing attention Ne 


Cor. xv. 24—28.} 
sation of mercy was introduced. 


“© cross,” &c. 
bis authority, as God, nor any thing added to it: 


but it did not consist with the honour of the di.|in his absence, labour diligently in all 
vine law and justice, to deal withamen, except |of grace, and in the performance of ev 
through a Mediator, who was one with the Fa-|to obtain more complete deliverance 
ther, and one with them, their Surety, Sacrifice, power of sin, by the renewal of 
The mediatorial kingdom holiness. 
alone was given to Christ, ‘and given to him as|the great concern of tiein he cd 
Man: but had he not been God also, and pos-|‘* fear and trembling? 1 
«sessed of all divine perfectians, how could he|seem to come short of t 
(Note, Mazz.[be proved to have no 
) ‘Thus God the Father gave him q| falling away in'the hour of te 
name, and a degree of honour. and authority,| negligence they should lose their com 

above that of every other name? so that no Subject themselves to darkness and terror 
created being ever was, or could be, so honour. | approach of death; or lest they shou 
ed, as he was, who had been the Man of sorrows, | nour God, and prejudice men against 
and crucified between two’ thieves’ Insomuch | by falling into scandatous sins. *F 
that at the name of Jesus; the name given toa} (“ with fear and trembling, a ino 
poor Babe, born in a stable, and laid ina man-|‘ of these hooks, seems to imply, not 


and Intercessor. 


Per have administered ‘it ? 
Exviii.. 1, 


ger, (because that Babe was “Emmanuel, “ God 
* with us,” that Child born was the “ mighty 


“ God,”) every knee should bow, in submission | mond.) (Jorg. Ref) * Though we 
That is; all rational- creatures |* saved in Christ alone, apprehended 
shall either willingly adore him, or be punished |‘ yet we must press forward unto: 

as the enemies of God and his kingdom. This | © the way of righteousness; seeing th 
includes angels and saints in heaven, men on}‘ Of God are led by the Spirit of hi 
earth, the bodies of the dead who are under the |‘ they are justified, that they may ¥ 
earth, and indeed all the principalities and pow- |‘ works.’ ‘ 
In short, every tongue shall | justification, either exclusively or primaril ily 
confess, every creature must, one way or an- deliverance from sin and all i 
other, acknowledge, that Jesiis Christ is Lord af] which must “be, and will be, diligen 
lantly laboured for, by all the’ regenera 
viour: and this will beso far from interfering }as any sin remaineth; and which will 
with the honour of God the Father, (as Anti-|all things completed, till death shall be s 
tinitarians object ;) that it will be to his glory. of up in victory. The ani 


and adoration. 


ers of darkness. 


all, the Lord of glory, yea, Jenovaw the Sa 


PHILPPIANS, . 
confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, ® to}my absence, hk work: out iq 


‘his Person and Redemption, before - 


salvation & with fear 

13 For i it 
you, both ee 
pleasure. 


and 


kk Ezra 10. 3. a 

il. & 119. 120. Ys,| Cor: 
66. 2. 5. Acts 9, 6, 

& 16. 29. 1 Cor. 2m 2 E 
:3.2 Cor. 7.15. Eph 
6. 5.Heb. 4.1 & 
12, 28,29, 

12 Chr, 30. 12.. Is 
26. 12. Jer. 31, 33. 
& 32. 3% John 3. 


For Christ and the’ Father ne Ge) 
whole Deity is more displayed and 


universe, than by all his other works: s 
‘all f onour nae worship, which is rend 
to the Person/of ‘the Son, as “God acres 
* the flesh is virtually rende d to the G 
head ; through the medium 
which alone sinners can know, 
worship the infinite God, Ne 
xly. 21—25. Rom. xiv. 10—12 
V. 12, 13. As the Philippians, \ 


left them : and he desired, that they s 


Thus they should work e: 


‘liness of mind; but diligence, and 
« and solicitude, and fear of displeas ing? 


(Beza.)— Salvation here s1 


opt, pent 


B65. ute 
“14 Do all things « © without murmur- 
td disputing 23 
hat ye may be 4 blameless © and 
1 ess, § the sons of God without 
ce. ox the midst of ¥ a crooked and 
verse nation, among whom t ye shine 
s lights in the world ; 


Ex. 16. 7,| Thes 5. 13, 15. af Lake 6. 35, $6; ? 
14. 27. a Tim, 6. 3—5, Heb.! Cor. 6. 17,18. Eph. 

12, 14. Jam. 1. 20+] 5. 1, 2- 7, 8 1 Pet. 

& 3, 14—186& 4. 1}, 1-14-17. & 2. 9, 10. 

1 Pet. 3.11. 1 John 3. 1—3. 

q Luke 1.6. 1 Cor.|t 1 Tim, 5: 14. 20. 

1.8, Eph. 5-27. 1} Tit. 2.10. 15. Rev, 

Thes. 5. 23,1 Tim. 3.19. 

uu Deut. 32. 5, 6. Ps. 

125.5. Mat. 17. 17. 


s 


Bf ag “30. 10, 
ns 5. 9, Jude 16. 
_p Prov. =a. 10, & 
15.17,18 Mark 9 

3 84. Acts 15. 2.| 3.2.10. & 5.7. Tit 
. 39. Rom, 12.18. 1. 6.2 Pet.3- 14. 
14.1. & 16.17.(r Mat 10, 15. Rom. 


ae 
2 Gor. 1. 10—12. &/ 16, 19. Marg. Heb. 
’ ee ‘35. 2 Cor, 12,] | Te We > 


Acts 20. 30, 

+ Or, shine ye. Is. 
60. Je% Mat. Gy 
“30 Gal. 5. 15. 26.)* Or, sincere. 1. 10.] —61, John 5. 35 

/ pratt uaamm 5. 45. 48.\ Eph, 5,8. 


, ion, of Christ, have made all things 
: aoe S our salvation; the Gospel calls us to 
of it; the regenerating Spirit of Christ 
_quickens us ivhen.dcad in sin, and brings us to 
_ Fepeutance and faith. Thus excited and anima- 
kj ‘ted, we first diligently seek an interest in Christ; 


and then, for the full assurance.of hope unto the 
end, In this way of diligence we also receive 
. daily more and more of salvation itself, by liber- 
ty from sin, victory over it, peace anid commu- 
pion with God, and the earnests of heavenly fe- 
licity; and at the same time we glorify God, 
adorn the Gospel, are useful to our brethren, 
and shine as lights in the world. In doing these 
“things the Philippians should consider, that God 
“Was even then working in them that willingness 
to ) Fepent, believe, and obey, of which they were 
© onscious ; and that ability to reduce their good 
i s to effect, which their past conduct evine- 
ved. ‘In this he had acted according to his sove- 
reign. purpose of good-will to men ; and what 
they had experienced in this matter-should ani. 
‘mate them to more vigorotis exertions, and di- 
rect them to depend wholly on God to enable 
them for every good work. To will, &c.- * We 
-€ are not therefore stocks, but are willing’ in 
© doing well: not that God helps the imbecility 
£ of ur will; but that from being evil he makes 
‘it good, and that wholly of his grace’ ‘ 2nd 
- to do” *He does not say, that we may have 
| f the faculty of willing and doing well, if we 
br vill: but he says, that the efficacious gift of 
* willing and doing well is bestowed on us”— 
<a.) This shows the nature of divine influ- 
S upon the mind ; according to the constitu- 
of rational nature, and not against it ; by 
roducing in us a willing mind, to use all means 
‘obtaining help and deliverance ; and not by 
riving or constraining us against our will. By 
generating work of the Holy Spirit, the 
l and heart are prepared to discern and love 
aK, d holiness ; the Gospel sets objects be- 
ne — of n mind and heart; and we according. 
ch peashoxts the least infrageiens 


CHAPTER I. 


then to “ make our calling and election “sure,” 


a 
a 4. D. 63. 
‘16 «Holding forth ¥ the word of life ; 


';7 that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, 


® that I haves not run in vain, 6 neither la- 
boured in vain. — 

17 Yea, “andif Ibe } ifferéd upon 
‘the sacrifice and service of your faith, 
e I joy, and rejoice with you all. 

18 For the, same cause also ¢ do ye re- 


joice with me. 

( Practicai Onbepdeieny 
x 1. 27. Ps. 40.9, 10.) 1 Thes, 2. 19, 20 |t Gr. poured forth. 
& 71. 17, 18: Matt.Ja Is. 49. 4. Gal. “2. nema. ae, Tits. 53, 
10+ 27, Luke 12, 8.) 2. & 4. 11. 1 Thes.}. 12, 
Rom 10. 8~16.] 3.5. d 4.18. Rom. 12. 1, 
Rey. 22, 17. b ver. 30, & 1. 20.) & 15. 16. Heb. 13. 
y John 6. 63. 68.] Acts 20. 24. & 21,] 15,161 Pet.2. 5, 
Acts 13. 26.2 Vim.} 13, 2 Cor. 12. 45. é Col.’ le 24. 1 Thess 
2. 15=17. Heb. 4.Je 1 Thes. 2. 8. 2.1 3:7-—-08 
12, 13.1 Pet. 1. 23. Se ek Ce ae & 4, 4. Ephe 
1 Jobn. 1.1. 2. 16. 3. 13. Jam. 16 2—4. 
Z 1.26. 2 Cor. 2. 


rl 


ourselves; and perhaps it is not till long after, 
that we learn, from what Author and Source, the 
revolution in our judgment and affections, which 
led to newness of life, originated : nay, numbers 
cannot clearly discern this, during their sub- 
sequent earthly course. In short, “the carnal 
* mind is enmity against God,” all are by na- 
ture carnally-minded; none: are of themselves 
willing to repent and believe the Gospel, accord- 
ing-to the word of God; none can be compelled 
to do this against their will; but “ God works 
* in us to will and to do of his good pleasure? 
(Marg. Ref.) ‘the grace of God by Christ pree 
* yenting us, that we may have a good will, and 
* working with us, when we have that good will? 
(Art. x.) If the opposers of the doctrine, impro- 
perly called Calvinistic, in former and later 
times, had been willing and adle to understand 
those against whom they contended, it would have 
saved them immense labour, in combating sene 
timents, which few indeed maintain, in the sense 
which they seem to suppose. One of them, how- 
ever, has repeatedly quoted, “ operatur in nobis 
* vejle,” as one of Calyin’s dreadful dogmas, 
when it is exactly the vulgate translation of St. 
Paul’s words, which we render, “ works in us to: 
© will? 

V¥.14—18. In all their concerns, whether sea 
cular.or religious, the Philippians were exhort- 
ed to avoid every kind of murmuri ¢ against the 
appointments of God, and grud¢ ag of one an-« 
other ; and all angry controversies, or ambitious 
competitions for pre-eminence. Thus they would 
be blameless, and not liable to be accused by 
their neighbours, as contentious, selfish, deceit- 
ful, or injuriqus ; their whole conduct would be 
harmless and inoffensive, as well as benevolent ; 
and they would appear to be the children of 
God, by the purity, equity, and love exhibited in 
their characters. They would escape the re- 
proach and censure of observers: and heir bold 
profession of the gospel in the face of persecu- 
tors, joined with their holy conversation and 
spiritual worship, would cause them to shine, 
amidst their immoral, idolatrous, and licentious 
countrymen, as “lights in the world.”—The 


-{words may be rendered as the imperative, 
ita S prcaet according to our present **Shine ye,” &e. 
and desires, 3 as if the whele were. im they belonged, was crooked, deceitful, injutious, 


The nation indeed, fo which 


RS PRE RT ME 


ee va te 


Se NT NTI PT 


Pec Le SESS v 


¥ 


ee ee 


4 
Ae D. 65. 


-course into the harbour. 


“not run as one that loses. tbe race. 


h to send ‘Timotheus shortly unto you, 
ithat L also may be of good comfort, 
when I know your state. 

20 For * I have no man + like-minded, 
who will naturally care: for your state. . 


21 For all seek their own, not ™ the | 
things which are Jesus Chris «’s, 


me. 1 Sam. 18) 1. 3. 
| ver.4. Is. 56, 144 
Mal, 1. 10. Mate 16.' 
24, Luke 9. 57—62, 
& 14,26. Acts 13. 


% Or, moreover. 1 Thes. 3.2. 6, 

# ver. 24. Jer. 17-5 {i ver. 28. 1 Thes. 3. 
Mat. 12. 2%. Rom. 6—8~e ‘2 Thes. 1. 3.) 
35.12. Eph. 1.13.) Philem. 5—7s 3 

2 Tim. 1. 12. Marg.| John 3, 4, 


at: 4. 15.1 Pet. lk vers 2. 2% Prov. 13. & 15.38, 1 Cor. 
1-21. 31. 29. John 10.13.) 10. 24.33. & 13, 5. 2 
We ver, 23. 25, & 1.) & 22.6. Cor. 1.) Tim. 1.15. & 4. 10. 


1. Rom. 16. 2t. 1f 10,11. ol 4.11. 17 16. 
Cor. 4. 17. Eph, 6. Tine le 2)2Tim.1.5.(m 1. 20, 21. 2 Cor. 
21, 22. a 4. 8, 9.4F Or, so dear unto} 4.5. 5 ~ 14,15. 


and perverse s which appeared in their conduct 
towards one another, as well as in their persecu- 
tion of the Christians; but the doctrine and ex- 


_ ample of consistent believers would terd to en 


lighten them, and to direct their way to Christ 
and holiness; even as the light-house warns the 
mariners to. avoid the rocks, and: directs their 
This must be attempt- 
ed not only by folding fast the truth; but by 
£¢ holding forth the word of life,” in their pro- 
féession, discourse, public ore and holy 
actions. —In this manner théy would certainly be 
sayed themselves, and be instruments of saving 
others; nd the good work, begun among them, 
would be diffused and perpetuated to other gene- 
rations, This would enable the apostle to an- 

ticipate the joy reserved for him. in the day of 
Christ, when it would appear that his labours at 
Philippi had not been fruitless, and that he had 
And provided 
their faith, and its blessed fruits, were thus pre- 


~ gented in Christ Jesus, as an acceptable and ho- 


nourable sacrifice and service to God; if he 
should be offered on that sacrifice, by the shed- 
ing of bis blood, as a martyr in the glorious cause, 
as the drink:oflérines were poured upon the sa- 
crifices, (/Marg. Ref.) he would be so far from re- 
gretting this event, that be would rejoice at thus 
suffering for the confirmation of their faith, and 
congratulate them, yea, share their happiness, 
even while enduring the aronies of death. He 
would not therefore have them to be troubled on 
his account ; but rather rejoice with him and for 
him, as a very happy man, even in his imprison- 
ment, and in the prospect of a viclent death! 
Nothing can exceed the genuine magnanimity 
and disinterested love, expressed in this most 
beautiful passage, 

V. 19—23. ‘Fhe apostle’ did not, it seems, 
suppose, that he was at that time to suffer death : 
he “trusted in the Lord Jesus,” in whose hand 
all hearts and events were, that he should be ena- 
bled shortly to send Timothy, to inquire into the 
state of their souls and of the church; the result 
of which, he was persuaded, would, ‘conduce fo 
his comfort. He had selected him for this ser- 
vice, because he had at that time no one with 
him’ of so excellent a spirit as ‘Timothy, and so 


entirely coincident with himself in his views'and 


aims; or who would be concerned for their wel- 
faze, with so prudent, tender, and assiduous an 


PHILIPPIANS. | 
i9 * But &1 trust inthe Lord Jesus|’ 22 But = ye know the 


ys Pee “ DAL. (ib 


that, ° as ason. with the fat her, 
served with me he gospel. 
a 


int 
23 Him ther efor 


sently, P so. soo 
will go'with més), 
24 But 4 I trust ay 
myself shall come $ 
25 Yet I supposes 
tojyou © Epaphroditus 


n Acts 16.3—12, 2 ‘1a See on, vers 19, & 
Cor, 2..9. & 8 8 Bs! % Ro 4 
22, 24," Philem. 
p See on, ver, 20, % 2 iohn 12. 3Ji 


Tim. 1, 18. 2°Tim. 
Wo 20 Lit! Lede 
p 1 Sam. 22, 3. 


14. 
v 4. 18. 


children, (For ‘all too yan neti thee je 
ease, safety, intel est, credit, or indulgence, wh 
often interfered with the work, honbat, and ca 
of Christ. Probably, this: h 
with several, who had offe 
Paul, but had declined ¢ 
vices : others perhaps had’ re 
suspected by the same selfish cc 
most concerned had given the ap 
dissatisfaction, by preferring eas 
cure services, to those ih 
but connected with m 
peril, It may be heisih © ; 
most approved helpers were absent on ; 
vices, and others’ might _ be fully -emy 
Rome = but, after all deductions 
the apostle’ s complaint must st a 
ble testimony to the selfishness o 
The Philippians, however, had ¢ 
mental proof of Timothy ; and the 
be had imbibed the very mind of th 
his genuine son in the faith : ‘and 
ready to enter into his viet 
measures, to observe | 
comfort, and to labour, 
the cause of Christ; and 
spreading the gospel, as a son 
But, he deemed it better not 
knew how his own cause Ol 
which he continually expe 
fore the Emperor’s tribunal 
“in the Lord. Jesus, &e.” 
ference. to a providential’ 
thing immediately relating to. 
grace, should not pass uni otic 
most satisfactory assurance - 
may be obtained by carefully 
as seem to drop, without desig 
the sacred writer; and: which 
in the controversy; but wh 


Ref.)—Provf, &e. (22.) This 
thy was at Philippi with the a 
tory does not expressly mentio 
a: ah one di: of the 


prove that both are pin 
inepareds t 


\ 
id | 


Sey in labour, u 4 fellow-soldier, 
I -¥ and he that mi- 


by 


n him he e but on me. [ass 
should have sorrow upon sorrow. 


im. 2. 3, 4,.| 61.3. Mat. 11, 28.| ‘i. 8, 4, Acts 9. 37. 


. & 26.37. Rom. 94d 0b 5.19. Ps. 30. 
Wrovs 25.13. Sohn| 9. 1 Pet. 1,6... | 13.10, 11. & 34. 
. 16.2 Cor. 8.23.!b 2 Sam. 24. 17.4 19. & 43, 2.38. & 


Heb. 3. 1. Gr. John 11. 35, 36. 


103. 3,4 & 107.19 
18. 2 Cor. 11.) Acts 21.13. Rom. 


—22. is. 38. 1% 


4 12., 1§.. 1 Cor- - =e 9. Hage 
8. 4. 1. 2] 26. Gal. 6,2. E je Is. 27, 8. Jer. 8. 
aig ; sf 18, & 9. 24.8 45. 


‘Sam. 19, 39. Roni} 3. 
¢c 


J. 11,2 Cor. 9 er. 30. 2 Kings| 3. Hab, 3,2. 1 Cor. 
1h 9 1. Ps. 107418.) 10. 13. 2 Core 1% 


Ts.1 Be. 9. 1, 2, John 


24—30. The apostle was satisfied, confid- 
in the Lord, that be shonid speedily regain 
Ne liberty, and be enabled to pay the Philippians 
another visit, But before he could either spare 
Timothy, or come himself, he deemed it expe- 
dient to send Epaphroditus, whom he owned as 
a brother, and whom they had sent as \their 
messenger, to bring him a supply to.his urgent 
necessities. Probably, Epaphroditus, was a pas- 
tor of the Church at Philippi; and, being absent 
om his stated charge, he longed after them, 
and his labours of love among them; especially 
he was in heaviness, because they had heard of 
is sickness, and the thoughts of their sorrow 
on his account was more painful to him than his 
awn sickness! What a beautiful and admirable 
instance of genuine sensibility and a‘fection is 
i ere! In what book, except the scriptures, do 
lve meet with such? Indecd, Epaphroditus had 
seen dangerously ill; but God had’ graciously 
estored him for further usefulness: and in this 
e had shown mercy to the apostle also; to whom 
t would have been an additional sorrow, if so 
excellent a person had lost his life by ministering} 
o him in his bonds. It does not appear, that any 
miracle was wrought in this case; and we may 
hence infer that the gift of miracles could only 
ve exercised on particular occasions, of which 
|hose endued with them had some previous inti- 
I jation. ’ Thisis clearly intimated ;. and it shows, 
i at the apostle was as ready to own his want of 
ower, when truth required it, as to speak of his 
Miracles when needful. On account therefore 
he late sickness of Epaphroditus, the apostle 
a the more careful to send him back ; 
the j joy of the Philippians might be i increas- 
y seeing their beloved minister in health 
for the very thought of that joy would 
te his sorrows, though at a distancce from 
; and though by the loss of Epaphroditus’ 
istan ce and company. He would therefore, 
m2 to receive him, for the Lord’s-sake, 
pressions of thankful joy; and to es- 
ay honour such affectionate labo- 
5: becniiie elles the sickness of Bpa- 
he Be ot his excess of 


CHAPTER i 


gy See on, ver. 26. 2 Ke’ 8. 8. 


rm Mat. 10. 


ie . 
A.D. 652. % 


28 1 Beat him therefore the moré care- » 


< 


fully, that, when . fye see him again, ye 
may rejoice, | g and that I ey ‘be the less 
| sorrowful. 


ag hi Receive him therefore in the Lord 
with all gladness ; ered * hold such in’ 


) Peputation 3 ; 


30 Because for! the ay. of Christ he 


was ™ nigh unto death, not regarding his 
life, " to supply your Jack of service to-! 
ward ‘me. 

f ver, 26. Gen. 45}. Cor. 16. 10. 2 Cor. 


sili mete a 1 Tin, 


na ek. 15. 58 & 

16. 10, : ’ 
10, 11. Acts 2, 46,Jm vers 17+ 27.8 1, 
19, 20, Mat. 25. 36 
—4o. Acts 20. 24. 
Rom. 16.4. 2 Core 
12.15. Rev, 12. 11. 
n 4,10. 18 1 Cor, 
16. 17. Philem. 15. 


27, 28, & 46, 29, 30.) 7.2, Col, 4.10, 
& 48. 11. John 16. Jobn 10, 

22, Acts 20.38. |i Is. 52,7, Luke 2. 
Tim, 1. 4. 
Rom. 10, 
15. Eph. 4. Both 
{K 2 Cor. TO. 18. 
40, Al.) Thes.'5, 12. Heb 
Luke 9.5. John 13.) 13. 17. 0 
20. Rom.’ 16,2. 1)" Or, honour such. 


fot. 2 Bo 1 John 1. 


even regarded his life, that, in the place of the 
absent Philippians, he might render every possi- 
ble service to the apostle, both in his personal 
concerns, and in those relating to the propaga. 
tion of the Gospel. 
distance from Rome; Epaphroditus must have 
continued with the apostle a long time; or the 
report of his sickness at Rome could not have 
reached Philippi, and that of their‘sorrow have 
reached Rome, before Epaphroditus left that 
city, and consequently the epistle must have been ~ 
written towards the close of the apostle’s two 
years imprisonment. — Messenger, 
original is aposile. 
tinguished by Gr. will show the reader the dif. 
ferent ways, which that word is used by the 
sacred writers : 
observe, that it does not appear, in any one in. 
stance, to be used for bishop, in the geuceal aCe 
ceptation of the word. 


As Philippi lay at a great 


(25.). The ° 
The margin references, dis- 


and impartiality requires me to 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, é 


V. 1—11. 
“AN our consolations, hopes, and experience, 


in the fellowship of the Spirit, and the bowels 
and mereies of God our Saviour, as well as all 
our regard to our own peace, should engage us 


to beyof one mind with our brethren, and so to 


fulfil the joy of all wise ministers and Christians, 


Nothing so honours Christ, defeats the machina. 


‘tions of his enemies, or fills the soul with conso. 


lation, as this holy Jove: but envy, contention, 
and ambition, not only disturb the peace of the 
Church, but torture the soul that entertains them. 
Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoy- 
ed, except in proportion as ‘in lowliness of mind 
*¢ we esteem others better than ourselves, and 
‘look at the things of others as well as at our 
* own.” These are hard lessons to the proud’ 
and carnal heart of man. Many have learned 
the doctrines of the Gospel very accurately, who 
have’ not ‘ thus learned’ Christ.” We cannot 
study this) subject successfully, except by con. 
linually looking unto Jesus: but, whilst faith 
penetrates the veil of sensible objects, and con- 
templates the Saviour “in the form of God, and 
¢ jf thinking it no actos to be equal with God ae 


<a 


A.D. 65. 
ENE ae, so See 
CHAP. Til... 

The apostle exhorts to joy in the Lord; aud gives 

cautions against false teavhers, 1, 2: shows that 

‘ Christians are the true ciretfmcision, 3; and that 

he had better grounds of carnal confidence, than 

‘most had, who trusted in the law, 4—6; but that 

he counted this, and.all other things, as Joss-and 
dung, compared to the knowledge of Christ, and 
‘the righteousness of God by faith fa him, 7—9; 
desiring also to Know the power of his resurrec- 
fon, and to be conformed ta him, even in suffering 


yet ** making himself of no: reputation,” assum- 


ing the form of a servant, and the nature of man ;; aNd that we may be without re 
appearing as an infant in the stable, as a poor|0f this our nation; which, alas 
carpenter at Nazareth, as an indigent and des. | Crooked :.wJ perverse by the prev 
pised preacher in Galilee and Judea; as obe-|delity, impiety, and every kind | 
-dient to the law dtiring his life, and as an insult-| under a Christian profession, and abu m 
ed criminal at bis death upon the cross: when | of religious eae Let us then end 
these thiags are contemplated, and the height of| to shine among o 
his essential glory is contrasted with the depth | World, and to hold forth the word of life in got 
of his voluntary abasement, and with the motives families and circle, by an open profession of eva 
‘and effects of this stupendous transaction, we | gelical 


see such obligations and encouragements to self. ytion. Then the ministers, 
denying love, as the whole universe besides can| the Gospel, will anticipate them rejoici 

never supply: and, “ beholding, as in a glass,| day of Christ, assured that it will then 
“this glory of our Lord, we are graduajly| that “ they did not run nor labour in 
«« changed into his image.’ And whilst weton-| hoping that far more extensive and pe 
template his subsequent exaltation, and the name, 800d was done than they lived to win 
given to this lowly Sufferer above every name, | Such a prospect, a zealous servant of Chr 


we learn to abase ourselves that we may be ex- 
alted, to- serve othersiin order to ourrown best 
interest, and to labour and suffer reproach, that 
‘we may ensure glory, honour, and immortality. 
But, as every knee must. bow to Christ, as every 
tone must confess him to be ‘ Lord, to the 
*‘ glory of God the Father; let us examine 
whether we do indeed thus reverence, love, obey, 
and worship the incarnate Son of God; or whe- 
ther we are yet among those enemies, who must 
be bruised under his feet shortly. 
V. 12—18, 

Even those professed Christians, of whom we 
have the most favourable opinion, should be ex- 
horted not only to be obedient, as in the presence 
of their pastors, but to increase in circumspec- 
tion. when removed from under their faithful 
care. Thus ought we all to * work out our own 
** Salvation,” with jealous fear and humble cau- 
tion; waiting for the full assurance of hope, and 
the renewal of our souls to. holiness, in the way 
of simple dependence, diligent obedience, and 
serious attendance on the ordinances of God: 
thanking him for working in us the willing mind, 
2nd calling upon him for grace to perform the 
duties incumbent on us. Surely some zeéalons 


advocates for evangelical truths have never read | love to the souls of men: that the 
this chapter, for they can do nothing “ without | know the proof of us, may perce: 
*¢ murmurings and disputings !” These are their | Should have been ready to have se 
in all his self-denying labours, - 

their warfare. How can they be « blameless with an honoured father. Thus 
«sand harmless,” on this plan, when envy and | should attach themselves to the: 
strife ave inseparable from “ confusion and every | zealous, and useful of their senior 
it were, the spiritual warfare under : 
selves the children of God, who in so many fea. | and experienced soldiers : and thus 
tures bear the express image of satan? But let] ters. should communicate, their views 
younger brethren, and endea 
tious, and inoffensive, both in the Church and in| those principles of activity, by whicl 
been excited to self-denying, disinteres 


‘element: these are the» unhallowed!weapons of 


* evil work ?? And how can they. think them. 


“us pray to be made peaceable, humble, unambi- 


the community, that “ by well doing we may 


‘ 


‘Christians! For, while numbers, evident 


t 


as many professing 
the flesh, in the w: 


whom he contrasts ¢ wrist heave 
~- eonversation, and thi eetation of Christ” 
vaise their vile his 


body, like ovified body, 2 


Ql. , 


“ put to silence” the calun 


bp 
neighbours as lights it 


truth, connected with a holy convers 

ve. preachei 

Sin th 
2 


be animated to a readiness for death in hi 
ter’s cause ; whilst the exultation of f: 
grace would conquer nature’s reluctance 
fering : and certsinly they, who hay. been f 
offered upon the sacrifice of their breth 
faith, are to be considered as objects of pecu 
congratulation, for they haye almost. uni 
died rejoicing and triumphant. 
= ; V.19—30. 


¢ a 

Alas! in the best times how few are lik 
minded with the apostle, and naturally care fc 
the state of the Church, and of their felloy 


wholly seek their own interest, reputation, 
or. indulgence, “ and not Ae Bog? of. 
* Christ ;” we are dll too attentive to p 
concerns, and sometimes allow them to 
with our usefulness. So that a : 
dy to engage even in a service o 
ance, where no emolument or cred) 
pected; and in which losses, hi 
sufferings, must be encountered, i 
prodigy, and rather an object of asto 
than of imitation. But, fet ‘us seek « 
from this mean regard to our own ac 
uon, by increasing zeal for the glory of 


<8 


they] 


: oe ’ FE MiSs, sae 1 BSD 
40. 65. 5, Pak x CHAPTER it. Me aut ya A. D. 65, 


INALLY, my brethren,» rejoice in Christ J ests, and k haye ho confidence 

ie in the’ Lord. © To write the same|in the fleshs. 

things to you, “to me indeed is not Bret: Or a Though. oD | might also have confi- 

sous | but for you it is safe. dence in the flesh, If any other man 

y dof dogs, beware of eevil thinketh that he hath whereof he mh 

: beware of the concision. _—‘| trust in the flesh, I more: | 

“we are the circumcision, which| 5 ™ Circumcised the eighth day, n of 

roe 3 in the Spins and } i peaeice the stock of Israel, © Of. the tribe of Ben- 
jamin, ? an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as 

touching the law, 4a_ Pharisee 3. 

6 Concerning * zeal, *persecuting the 
church; * touching the righteousness 
which is in the law, blameless. ~ 

7 But what things ¥ were gain to me, 
those I counted loss, for Christ. 


ee * c f. 13.) 1. 47. Rom. 5. 9,9. 28. Gal. 2. 3. 4. & 
a4 8, es. 10, 2] 11. 1, Thess 5. 16s) 5. 1, 2. 6e Rev. 2. 
4. Le Gre 1| Jam. 1.2.1 Pets 1.]' 9 & 3.9. 
: 3.8. 6-8. & 4.13. 1g + 17% 5—11. 
er, 3. & 4, 4.le 2.17, 18.2 Pet: 14 Deut. 10,16. & 30, 
ae 12. 18. & 16) 12.%36. ~. | 6-Jer. 4. 4..& 9 


~ 1161 Sam. 2 1, 1\d Prov. 26. 11. Is} 26.°Rom. 2 25— 
fhe 15. 28. & 16.} 56.10. Matt. 7. 15.] 29. & 4. 11, 12, 
40. 31-33. Be. 29.| & 24, 10. Gal. 5.} Col. 2, 11. 

‘92, 2 Chi. 30. 26; 15.2 Lim. 4-14, 15h Mal. 1. 11- John 
27 Neh. 8. 10. Job] 2 Pet. 2. 22. Rev.| 4.23, 24. Roms Ie 

| 22, 15, ; 9. & 7. 6: & & 18, 

“Se, 11. & 39. 1s Bele ver. 19. Matt, 7! 26, 27. Eph. 6. 18: 

Ga) i 4. &l 22, 23.2 Cort. Jude 20, 

97.1. & 100. 1, 2.) 13. me 5. 13. 1]i See on, b. vere le 

R140. 2. 5.12. 2,3.) Tim. j2-2 Tim. —{-9. Ps. 105, 3 

40 16. & 61. 10.) 3. 1-6. & 4.°5, 4.| Is. 45. 25. Ser, 9. 

 & 65 14. & 66. 11,} Tit 1. 16.2 Pet) 23,24, 1 Cor. 1. 29 

» 42 Joel 2.23. Hab | 2. 18—20. Jude 4.) —31. Gal. 6. 13, 

Bn, 18. Zeph. 3.| 10-13. Rev. 21. » 14. es $e 
114.17. Zech. 10. 7}t ver. 3. Roms. 2. z 

nae 5. 12. Luke : 


‘ - 


1. 23-25, q Acts 23.6. & 26. 
¥2 Cor. 11. 18—22.) 4, 5. 32, & 10. 25. 
m Gen | 4% 12./r 2 Sams 21. 2, 2lu ver. 4—6. 8—10, 

Luke 2. 2. John} Kings}10. 16. Acts} Gen. 19. 17. 26s, 

7% 21—24, 21. 20. Rom. 20, 2.| Job 2. 4. Prov. 13. 
n apres 22.3.2 Cor, Gal-1« 13, 14. 8,& 23. 23. Mates 
s Acts 8.3.8 9,1) 13; 44-46, & 163 

ro, & 22.3, 4, &) 96. Luke 14, 264 
p Gen, 14. 19, el 96.9, 19. t Cor. 15.{ 33. & 16.8. & 171 

40. 15. & 41. 12, 1] 9,.1 Lim, 1s 12. $133. Acts . 272 

“Sam, 4.6, Jon. 4,\t Matt. 5, 20. & 23.| 18, 19. 38 Gal. 25 
| 9. Acts 6. 1+ 2]'25. Marks .10. 20, 15, 16, 8 5. 2—Se 
———+ —— 
same things to them which he had done to other 
Churches, Healso warned them to “ beware 
“© of dogs”? The Jews contemptuously called 
the. Gentiles dogs; but the bigoted selfish Ju- 
daizing teachers are suppesed to be here intend-. 
ed by that emblem; as they could fawn on those 
that favoured them ; yet were greedy, snarling, 
and ready to bite or devour such as opposed 
them, Perhaps apostates from Christianity are 
meant.' (Marg. Ref. Note, Is. vi. 9—12.) The 
evil workers may also, include those teachers 
and professors, who abused ‘the doctrines of 
grace, and indulged themselves in sin as a pars 
of their Christian liberty. The Philippians, how- 
ever, were especially cautioned to ‘* beware of 
‘* the concision,” or the eutiine off: the Judaiz- 
ers laid much stress on cutting of the foreskin, 
though they did) not mortify the deeds of the 
body: they wanted to cut.of the Gentiles from 
the church, but they cut of” themselves and. 
others from salvation, by their dependence om 
the-works of the law. The honourable title of 
the circumcision did not therefore belong to them. 


Rom. 74,9. & 9% 


enck in the work of the Lord ; that they may ov 
able to introduce them into useful services, as 
‘their companions in labour, and approved fellow. 
soldiers. What an ingenuous spirit doth the 

‘Gospel inspire! The most eminent ‘ministers, 
who most simply trast the Lord Jesus for every 
thing, will yet frankly acknowledge their obliga- 
\tions for temporal assistance to those, who owe 
ltheir salvation to their labours of love. The 
|affectionate pastor will be more full of heaviness 
for the grief of his people on his account, than 
for his own pain and sickness: and he will long 
after them, and to renew his labours among them 
'as a tender mother doth after her beloved infant. 
‘The Lord often afflicts such men to manifest the 
excelleney of their disposition ; but he will have 
mercy upon them, and not let them have sorrow 
‘upon sorrow: and they will readily put them- 
selves to inconveniences to remove the grief, or 
crease the comfort, of their brethren ; rejoic- 
ing, though at a distance,’in the thoughts of their 
joys, as an alleviation of their own sorrow. Such 
|ministers as thus spend their strength, and dis- 
gard even life and health in his‘cause, and to 
ly the lack. of service of those who are in- 
ble of performing it, should be peculiarly 
sured by the Churclif and by every Christian ; 
yet none should, without necessity, be kept from 

® people of. unde peculiar charge. 


‘Christians were the true circumcision, the cove- 
nant-people of God, the spiritual’seed of Abra- 
ham; ‘* the righteousness of faith” was sealed 
to them by the circumcision of the: heast, of 
which baptism was the outward. sign. They 
worshipped God, not so much according’ to ex- 
ternal forms, ‘as spirit ly, and under the teach~ 
‘jing of the Holy Spirit, (WVote, John. iv. 23, 24.) 


NOTES. 


at ions, by calling on the ei at ae to rejoice 
the Lord Jesus, and in their relation to him 
‘Glory and Salvation. ‘This he had often 
ated by various methods, and it was not 
It for him to repeat the same instruction : 
Fp tived safe for them, and suited to their afflich 


apostle did not thus put 
the Gentile converts, because he had nothing of 
a carnal or external nature to depend on: for if 
any man supposed himself to have distinctions 


was eae him, but ae for rae to write the shad more, Het had been . citeumcised on the 


init 
ip 


‘ 


k vers4—6. 1 Pets, Cor. 11.22 | Acts 26, cy 


‘That ancient rite was x0 longer of any value; 


~ 


and they rejoiced and gloried, in Jesus Christ, the _ 
Subject of all the prophecies, and the Substance 
of all the shadows of wh 3 dispensation. The 

mself on a level with 


stances. Some think he meant, that ii | of ‘this kind to glory in, he could: evinge\that he _ 


which. was descendéd from Rachel, the wife of 


._ © fication before God, excludes all works: those 


bg’ ‘Yea x Maubtteds: and yi coute ‘all 
rede but loss for * the excellency of the} : 
Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:|is of God by { 
» for whom I have suffered the loss of} 10. That k 
‘all things, and do count them ¢ dur dang,} tiple of ie 
‘that I may 4 win Christ, 
)o9 And © be found fin him, & not. ‘hev} 
ing mine own righteousness,» which is 


note 14. 30. Psa Luke 1,43. & 20.) 46. 2 Chr. 32, 25, 
226.6. Lake'1}.20,) 42—a4, John’ 20.) 31. Job 9+ 28—31.& 
Sor. 9, 10. 1 John] 13, 23. 10, 14, 15. & 15.14 

& a 19. b See on, ver. hs ‘16. & 42. 5, 6. Ps. 

‘Mat. 19. 27—20. 1! 14.93, & 19. 12. & 


¥, but that whiced is 
ithe | Fa 
ith = ’ 


11 If ™ by ani 
unto the resurrecti 


10, 18. & 


Y Acts 20. 24s Rom. aa a +15, 

3, 18. Cor-4.9-13.2 Cor.114 130, 3,4, & 143. 2.| a5, 94. 96, 46. 

Zz ver, 10. ta, 58. 11.| 23—27, 2 Tim. 4,6] Ke: 7, 20, AS.6.5)| 13; & 53, = bas Bow. os ie 
"Jers 9. 23, {fs Mat.[e'1 Kings 14. 10.2} & 58.608 64.5.6.) 23. 6, & 33° 16.1 8. 10, 11. ui ; 


21. 25—27. B16. 16, Kings 9. $7. ids Matt. 9, 13. Rom. 
27. Lyke 10. 21,22.) 4. Mal 2.3.’ 9.31, 8% & 10. I— 
John 14. 7. 20. &|d Mat, 13. 4446. 3.3 Tim. 1. 9. Tit, 
6. 3. & 17, B.) Heb, 3. 17 1 John} 3.5. Jain. 3.2. 1 

2 Cor. 2.2, 2} BCR TAe By John 1. 8—10. 
‘Cor. 4. 4.6. Gal. 1 le Gen. 7-23. Deut.th Detit. 27. 26. Luke 
46. Eph. 1. 17, 181) 19:8; 4. Heb. 6. 18.| 10.25—29. Ram. 3, 
&5.8,9. 18, 19. Col} 1 Pet. S. 19, 20. 19, 20. & 4. 13—15. 
2. 2,3. 1 Pet, 2. 7.46 See on, Rom. 8.1.| & 7. 513. & 8. 3, 
2 Pet. 1. 38 S18.) & 16.7. 1 Core 1.) & 10. 4, §..Gal. 3. 
bye n 28 " 30, 2 Cor. 5. 17. 10—13. 21, 22. Jam. 
7h » > Fg ver.'6. 1 Kings 8. 2,.9—11. 1 John 3.4. 


Dan. 9. 24. John} 15. 2i—23. 2 2 
16. 8—11. Rom. 1} 1. 10. & 4. 10—1 
17. & 3.21, 22. &! & 13. 4. Eph. 1} 

"é 


» A. 5, 6+ 13. & 5,21.) 19—21, Col. 2, 
& 10, 8 6. 10. 1 “& 3,1. 1 Thes, 
Cor. 1. 80. 2 Cor} ys 1 Pet, 1, 
5«21. Gal. 2 16. he 4.1, 2 rah 


3.1. 2Pet.1.1, | 18, : 
k See “on, z. ver. 8.}m Matt 206 
1 John 2.3.5. Rom 

I John 5. 21—29, &l FH; 


dw 


had suffered the thse of his worldly f 
pects, interests : and his” ‘Strength’ Sof 
superior talents, his learning, de 
| with the great; seemed to ) promise gre 
perity. But he ‘had renounced hy Fs 
country and liberty ; and he contin 
ed, that he should be ealled to I: 
in this cause yet he aeons a 
wise to be most worthless 
Christ, as the ground of his: ‘hope of accep 
with God, and of eternal salvation, 

fore, gladly parted with them in 
“the Pearl of great price, Phra 
make him rich, Se aaaee 


a) \ 
‘eighth dl according to the law and custom : 
rg could trace back his genealogy to Israel and 

rabam: he was of the tribe, of Benjamin, 


‘Jacob's choice; and which never apostatized 
from the worship of God at the temple, as most 
of the other tribes had done: | Roth his parents: 
were Hebrews; so that he was neither born nor 
educated a Hellenist Jew, who might be suppos- 
ed less exaet in the law. . As a Pharisee, he had 
been peculiarly strict both in the Mosaic cere- 
monies, and the traditions of the élders : his 
persecution of the Church proved his zeal. for 
that kind. of religion; and his whole conduct 
was externally so conformable to the letter. of 
the law, that in respect of that kind of righteous 
ness, noone could lay any thing to his charge, 
But all those things, which he once deemed most 
advantageous to him, and conducive to his ac- 
ceptance with God, as well as to his reputation 
and preferment, he at length learned to account 
loss for Christ, being assured, that if he depend- 
ed on them, or cleaved to them, they would pre- 
vent his salvation by Christ. He had therefore 
willingly renounced them all; as the merchant, 
in astorm casts overboard his most valuable 
property, lest it should occasion the loss of his 
life. (Marg. Ref.y 

V. 8—1L. ‘The present time is ‘to be noted : 
© go that the apostle, as te what relates to justi- 


in the hour of death, 
ment; as. Noah was ity 
swept away an unbelievit 
before God, not having, as 
life, “ his own righteousness,’ 
reference to the law, as its 
condemn him ; but « hat whicl 


“© God by faith ;” even at Tight 
God bestows on and imp! 
sinner; namely, the ‘p: 
death, of his ircarnigSNeAiedl 
swer the demands of Be hs 
transgressor’s salvation 
fect justice of God, 
2 Cor, vi 21.) All things else 
deemed worthless, compared with th 
ledge of Christ, and that j 
wiew of his glory, and experi ce 
which resulted from’ saving faith 
know more of the power of his 
the new-creation of his soul to hol 
might have fellowship with | 
ings, both ‘by the moitificati 
nature, and by enduring patiently 
‘of the world for his sake: “ Being” 
* formable ‘to his death;” tip, 
‘to sin, that hé might live 
ing down his life when: virgin to it 


® which follow, as well as those’which precede, 
€ faith? | (Bezu.)—The apostle not ovly had 
judged, at bis first conyersion, that his legal 

righteousness, and his worldly prospects, were} 
loss to him, compared with Christ: but) after 
many years ‘Spent in successfully preaching the 
Gospel wi th apostolieg] authority, miraculous 
gifts, immense labour, multiplied sufferings, and 
most exemplary holiness ; he decidedly deemed 
ali these things*to be logs, in comparison of the 
most excellent knowledge of Christ by faith, in 
the glory. of his Person and redemption. | For 
bis sake, whom: he: rejoiced. to-¢all his Lord, he 


: PRD ei) 


te. Be oh 2 ia: 
12 4 Not a as though PT had already 
attained, either were 4 already perfect: 


but ¥ I follow after, if + that I may appre- 


hend. that. for which also 1 am * appre- 
hendec of Christ Jesus, 
18 Brethren," I count not myself to 


e apprehended: but she * one thing 
pe ik ¥ forgetting those things which are 
behind, z and reaching forth unto those 
things which are before, 


y. 13516. Ps.119.Jr ver. 14- Ps. 42. 1+ 
 173—176. Ronm.| & 63. 1-3. 8 & 
7. 19—24. Gal. 5.) 84. 2. & 94. 15. “| 18—21. & 4. 11— 
37. Jam. 3.2 ie 1. Hos. 6. 3 137 


1. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 13. 
u ver. 8. 12 & 1. 


4 Job 17. 9, Ps, 138.| hes. 5, 15- 1 Tim. x Ps. 27, 4e Luke 
§. 10. & 6. 11, Heb,| 10, 42 2 Pet, 3, 8. 
Bins 13, 10. 2 Cor.} 12, 14. 1 Pet. 3. 11]/y Ps. 45. 10. 2 Core 
7 le & 13.9. Bph.} —13. 5.16. Heb 6) 1. 
4.126 Heb. 12, 23.|s ee 14. 1 Tim. 6,,z 2.12, Rom. 15,23 
21. 1 Pet. 5. —29, 1 Cor. 9. 24— 
ra Wi pat Pa. 110.2, 3. Acts| 27. Heb. 12. 1, 2e 
“9. 8—6. 15. Eph. 


. Prov. 4. 18, 


vice of his beloved Saviour : and that so, by any 
means, at any rate, by making any sacrifice, cr 


bearing any afflictions, he might attain tothat per- 


fect felicity, to which the saints will be admitted 
at the resurrection, and of which their preceding 
, Joys are an anticipation. The apostle did not 
_ Mean that he doubted of this happy event of his 
_ Tabours, (i. 21;) but he showed what that great 
- object was which he pursued, and for which he 
renounced all other hopes and prospects, and en- 
) dure such complicated trials ; and he instruct- 
ed others in the way of possessing an assured 
hope. It is evident, that the apostle speaks, not 
| of the resurrection in general, for this will be 
both ‘of the just and of the unjust,” but of 
, * the resurrection to eternal life,” in'that glori- 
| ous view of it, which is afterwards given. (JVote, 
20, 21.) When the sinner believes in Christ, he 
is immediately * justified by faith, and has peace 
with God ;” yet he “through the Spirit waits 
|€* for the hope of righteousness by faith ;” for 
at the day of judgment, when living faith will be 
distinguished by its fruits from dead faith, the 
/sentence of justification will not only be con. 
| firmed, ‘but proclaimed to the whole assembled 
world. 
" V.12—14, The apostle did not mention his 
simple dependence and earnestness of soul, as a 
ase that he had attained the prize, or was al- 
dy perfected in his Saviour’s image. On the 
contrary, he continued still pursuing : and aim- 
ing, by further labours, and progress in holiness, 
to finish his course and obtain the prize, for 
which he had been graciously arrested by the 
Lord Jesus, at the time when he was a malignant 
ecutor. He disregarded all past attainments 
d services ; as the racer, inthe Isthmian games, 
ron to forget the ground over which he had 
(rue and the competitors whom he had left be. 
hind ; and he reached forth to further labours, 
4 and increased conformity to Christ, without loj- 
cng if Weariness; as the racer exerted all his 
ar and agility to outstrip those before him, 
to p ass over the remainder of his course. 


of all ring considerations : thus he pressed 


if orward to the mark with unremitting speed, that 
the might receive the prize ms Boaysily glory, 
He Ole ae 


CHAPTER III. 


te oa his attention, to the exclusion 


A, D. 65. 


14 1 press toward the mark, for the 
prize of > the high falling of God in 
Christ Jesus. 

15 Let us therefore, cas many as be 
perfect, 4 be thus minded ; and if in any 
thing ye be otherwise-ininded, ¢ God shall 
reveal even this unto’ you. 

16 Nevertheless, ‘ whereto we have 
already attained, & let us walk by the 
same rule,4 let us mind the same thing. 


a Luke 16. 16. 2} 2.6. & 14. 20. ebb 13. John 7. 17. Jam. 

Cor. 4. 17, 18. & 5.} 1, 288 & 4 12 211.5. © 

1.2 Tim: 4.8. Rev.| Tim. 3. 17. Heb.{f Gal. 5 7. Heb, 10. 

3.21. 5. 14. Gr. Jams to} 38,39, 2 Pet. 2. 20 

b Rom. 8. 28—30.! 4. 1 John 2, 5, —29, Reps 2s 4, 5. 
& 9. 23, 24. 1 Thes.|d ver. 12—14. Gal.| & 3. 3. 
2.12. 2 Thes, 2. 13,| 5. 10. g Gal. 6. 16. Ephe 
14, Heb. 8: le 1 Pet.je Ps. 25- 8, 9. Prov.} 5. 2—8. Col. 2. Ge 
1, 3, 46 13. & 5. 10.} 2. 3-6. & 3. 5, 6.|h See on, I. 27. Be de 
2 Pet. 1.3. Is. 35. 8. Luke 11.| 2. & 4. 

e¢ Rom. 15. 1. 1 Cor, 


which God had called on him, by Jesus Christ, to 
aspiré after: even as the racer urged his course 
to the goal, keeping the victor’s crown full in 
view, and animated by the acclamations of those 
who excited him so to run that he might obtain. 
(Note, 1 Cor. ix. 24—27.) The word rendered 
“© were perfect,” (22,) is different from that 
translated perfect in the fifteenth verse. It is 


the preterite passive of the verb, which is often 


translated accomplish, or accomplished ; and it is 
the same word which St. John ases concerning 
our Saviour, and which is rendered, “It is finish- 


* ed;” except that here it is in the first-person _ 
singular, and there in the third. Whereas the ~ 


word in the next verse i$ an adjective, derived 
indeed from the verb ; but often used in a rather 
different meaning. _ 

Vv. 15, 16. The sete here exhorted all 
those that were ferfect, to be like-minded with 


him in these things; counting all but loss for 


Christ, deeming present attainments’ inconsider- 
able, and pressing forward to the mark. The 
very exhortation, (Vote, 12—14,) implies, that the 
temper and conduct, before described, form the 


Christian’s highest perfection in this world. The ~ 


word here used may signify the sound charac- 
ter of the established believer ; the man who is 
matured in judgment and experience, and hath 
made most progress in Christianity. It is 
used in the Greek authors, for men of full age, 
(about thirty,) as distinguished from boys and 
young men; and the apostle conveys a similar 
idea by it in other passages, (1 Cor. ii. 6. xiv. 20, 

Eph. iv. 13. Heb. v.14. Gr.) which seems to be 
the meaning of it in this place. In this way the 
Philippians would ‘best wait for further instruc- 
tion : and if any of them were otherwise minded. 
than their brethren, or than the apostle, and un- 
der any mistake or misapprehension ; in thus 
avoiding disputation, and diligently practising 
what they knew, from evangelical: principles, 
they might hope that God would make known to. 
them those things, of which they still remained 
ignorant; and their stronger. ‘brethren should 


bear with their prejudices, till they were in this: 


manner obviated. ‘Nevertheless, they all ought 
to be careful, not to decline from that measure 


of faith, diligence, constancy, and holiness, to. 
x 


A. D. 65. 


we, § and mark them which walk so, as 
ye have us for an ensample. 

18:(For ! many walk, of whom ™ I have 
told you often, and now tell you ™ even 
Weeping, ‘hat they are the ° enemies of 
the cross of Christ : 

19 Whose P end is destruction, 4 whose 
god zs cheir belly, and * whose glory %s in 
5 4. 9 1Cor. 4. 16. 


& 10, 32.33. & 11. 
1. 1 Thes. 1.6.& 


5. 21. Eph. 5- 5,6.] Jude 4, 13% Rev. 
1 Thes. 4, 6. 19. 20. & 20, 9, 10 

n 1, 4. Ps..119. 136.| & 21. 8. & 22, 15+ 
2. 10-14, 2 Thess Jer. 9. 1. & 13. 17-Jq 2. 21..1Sam. 2. 
3.7- 9 1 Tim. 4.! Luke 19. 41. Acts} 11—16 29. Is. 56, 
12. ray 13. 7. 1] 20. 19.30, 31. Rom.} 10—12. Ez. 13. 19. 
Pet. 5. 9. 2. 2 Cor. 2. 4. & & 34.3, Mic. 3- 5. 
i Ps. 3% 37. Rom.| 11.29. 11. Mal. 1.12. Luke 
Bees 17. 2 Thes. 3.fo 1.15, 16, 1 Cor.1. 
18, Gale. 7 & 6. 
12, 

37. Gal.2, 14, Eph.{p Mat. 25, 41, Luke 
4.17. 2 Thes, 3.11.) 12,45, 46.2 Cor. 11. 
2 Pet. 2.10. Jude] 15, 2'Thes. 2. 8 

12. Heb, 6. 6—8. 2 


18. 
m { Cor: 6. 9. Gaul Pet. & 1. 3, 17. 


12, 19, & 16,19. 
Rom. 16. 18. 1 Tim. 
6. 5. 2.Tim. 3. 4 
Tit. 1.11. 2 Pets 2. 
13. Jude 12. 
r By 52. 1. Hos. 4. 
. Hab. 2. 15, 16. 
Luke 18.4, 1Cor. 


It. 8. 11. Dane 4, 


witich they had attained: but that, by walking 
according to the same rule of divine truth, and 
minding the same means of improvement, ih 
which they had hitherto proceeded, they might 
keep the xround that they had gained, and make 
further proj*ress ; not growing slack in one part 
of a duty by zeal in, another. 

17—19. With full confidence that he act. 
aie with propriety, the apostle called on his clil- 
dren at Philippi to imitate him ; and to obsefve 
and copy such Christians as followed his exam- 
ple, and that of Timoth Vv and Silas, in these res- 
pects: for, alas ! many wa'tked in a very different 
manner. He had often spoken to them against 
their contagious principles aud examples; and 
he now mentioned them, not with acrimony or 
resentment, but with tears of campassion for 
their souls, and of grief for the dishcnour which 
they brought upon the Gospel. For in fact, 
they were the most dangerous enemic’s to the 
cross of Christ. They did not enter intoy nay, 
they hated, the holy import of that instructive 
transaction, which was the grand. display of tire 
divine holiness, of the excellency of the law, ana 
of the evil of sin; and their licentious lives more 
disgraced the doctrine of the cross, than all the 
abloquy and opposition of avowed enemies.— 
The end of their vain profession, if persisted in, 
would certainly be final perdition; as “ their 
« god was their belly,” the indulgence of their 
appetites was the end which they proposed to 
themselves, and the chief satisfaction which 
they sought ; to this base end they sacrificed the 


,Most important interests, and from it they  ex- 


pected their happiness, instead of seeking ‘it 
from the Lord. At the same time, they gloried 
in their licentious doctrines, practices, and suc- 
cess in making proselytes, and corrupting others; 

ef which they ought to have been ashamed, and 
which would certainly terminate in their -deep 
disgrace. For they were carnally-minded, and, 

not savouring heavenly things, ‘they regarded 
only their worldly pleasures and interests. Some 
expositors explain this almost exclusively of the 
Tudaizing teachers and their followers, and 


PHILIPPIANS, 
17 Brethren, tbe followers together of| their shame, * who mind earthly. 


20 For tour conversation is in 
ven ;% from whi nce 
Saviour, the Lord Je 

21 Whos 
athat it may be fas 
glorious body, accor 
ing whereby he is 
things.unto himself. — 


y 
1 


d like unto his 
Pe » the work: 


5.2. 6. 2 Cor. 11, 
12. Jam. 4. 16. 2 
Pet. 2,18, 19. Jude 
13. 16, Rev. 18. 7. | Pet. 1% 
s Ps. 4. 6,7. & 17.'u Gr. Ts. 
Ae Mat. Pech Gal. ‘eal 

om. 8.6, 7,1Cor.| 19. Heh. 12, . 25. 
3. 3. 2 Pet. 2. 3, Rev. 21, 10—27, on a8. 
t 1. 1821. Ps. 16.)x Acts 1. 21. 1] 22, 29. & 
11. & 17. 15. &) Thes, 4.16.2 Thes. 5. 
73. 24-26. Prov-} I. 7, 8. Rev. 1. 7. 2 
15, 24. Matt. 6. 19]y 2. daha i) 
wit 2) 3 


8. Eph, "2.6 ; ‘ 
lL. 5 & 3, Me 2% 1 Cor. 15. 
Heb. 10. 34, 36. 1), 


—21. & 1% 1 le 
Luke 12. 2). 32—| Tim. 4, rs 
34. & 14. 14. 2) 48. Hebi 9, 
Cor. 4.18 & 5. lk 


1-15, 


some suppose the Ghcnien ts ial 
meant ; and doubtless many of bey Sr vel 
of this stamp. Yet there were others who pe 
verted the Gospel; and the apostle’s words poit 
out at least equally licentious Antinomian pi 
fessors, whether Jews or Gentiles ; of which 
cannot doubt but man in eve 
of the Church. Nori io i Pig mere 
all the danger to lie on one side, when the PI 
site extreme is equally fatal, “3 
V. 20, 21. In opposition to the base a 
velling characters befofe described, - 
here showed that true Christians were ¢ 
of heaven, where their hearts and treasu 
lodge ani whence their ho 
were deriy: so that their ju sntyafie 
and conduct, would be of Vie gm 
Thenee also all true believers e: 
ing of Christ to be their judge, | tk 
tinually preparing tomeet him. Ini 
izing animal gratifigations, they d 
itself at present to be vile, and in a 
condition; being the seat of ensnari 
the instrument of sins, the e 
Soul in duty, liable to manifold loath 
eas'es, and condemned to return to corru 
dust. But they expected that Christ, al 
cond coming, would change their bodi 
ioning the: into a complete conformit; 
glorified body, rendering them i Inco 
spiritual, and thus preparing. them top 
and improve the haly felicity of the 
soul, to all eternity. This the Savi 
effect by his omnipotent operation, 
that divine power, by which he is t 
all things to himself, and so give them 
liverance from death, their last | 
contrast between “ the body. of our 
and ‘the body of his. glory,” into whiel 
will change our bodies, is remareae 2 
seems to be a reference to the | 


fection, the apostle’s language onde 
his Deity, im the most emphatical langua 


A.D. 68. 
| ‘CHAP.IV. 
y The apo pfcaniiealcly exhorts and encourages the 


ry to steadfastness in the faith, concord 
among hemselves, and joy in the Lord, 1—4; and 


to moderation, confidence in God, constant prayer 


* x ‘and thauksgiving, and universal good behaviour, 5 
by of their renewed care of him, in sending by Epa- 
“ “ s a supply for his wants, 10; for though 
learned and was able, through Christ 

___- PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

ae v.1—11. | 

‘We should be zeulous of good works, but we 
Tust rejoice in the Lord Jesus alone. Repetitions 
on such important subjects, though easy to the 
teacher, are safe to the hearers, and must not be 
deemed superfluous; being often more useful 
than the ‘most original, ingenious, and learned 
disquisitions. We cannot too earnestly guard 
len against those, who either oppose, or abuse, 
| ie doctrine of free salvation. Many of them 
“are greedy of their own interest, fierce against 
their opposers, and ready to rend in pieces the 
| Church, in order to propagate their own pecu- 
liar notions or observances. The true Christia: 
will be aware of them; he “ worships God in 
| *«the Spirit, glories in Christ Jesus,” has the 
circumcision of the heart, and confides in nothing 
of which unregenerate men are capable. But, 
how far short do many, who have confidence in 
the flesh, come of the attainments of Saul the 
| persecutor! Their birth of Christian parents, 
_ early baptism, and form of godliness, can scarce- 
ly be imagined superior to his distinctions of a 
‘similar nature: but where is their strictness, 
their zeal, their morality, and their blameless 
“€onduct? Yet they trust in their poor scanty 
tthless forms and duties; and deem them too 


valuable to be exchanged for Christ and his sal- 
vation! But, if they ever “ come to themselves,” 
and become acquainted with God, his law, and 
their own characters, they will count all their 
gain to be “loss for Christ :” and if, in conse- 
quence of their conversion, they should lose all 
outward things, and endure all kinds of perse- 
| cutions in the Lord's service; if they should 
| labour more abundantly, and walk more holily 
than their brethren; they will still count even 
il these things but loss and * dung, for the 
scellency of the knowledge of Christ :’” they 
ill renounce all dependence on their best ser- 
, and esteem all worldly objects worthless, 
mmpared with the hope of winning Christ, and 
g found in him. They will deprecate, as 
destruction, having their eternal state in 
Measure decided according to their own 
tecusness : they will desire, above all things, 
: the gift of righteousness by the faith of 


Bae 


- ‘They will see that no additions need be 
to his unsearchable riches, no security 
) his sure refuge, no appendages to his 
ehteousness. Thus they will account 
| tich, safe, and happy, in proportion 
surance of heing “ found in Christ,” 
the righteousness of God in him :” 
for this assurance, as well as in 
lorify so bounteous a Friend, they 


th 


CHAPTER IV. 


‘He declares his joy in the Lord, on account 


A.D. 65. 


strengthening him, to be content -in any station < 
. they had done wellin communicating with him in 
his affliction, 1I—14. Indeed, they alone had for- 
merly thus communicated with him:: and he re- 
joiced that they were thus fruitful ; as it would re- 
dound to their own profit; being a spiritual sacri- 
fice peculiarly acceptable to God through Christ, 
who would abundantly supply all their wants, 15— 
19. To him he aseribes eternal glory, 20: and 
saree with salutations and benedietions, 21— 
a et 
will also earnestly desire and aim at a more 
transforming knowledge of Christ, a deeper ex- 
perience of the power of his resurrection, and a 
nearer conformity to him in his sufferings and 
death, by dying to sin, and crucifying the flesh 
with its affections and lusts. And, at the same 
time, the love of Christ will constrain them, if 
called to it, to suffer, yea, to die with him, that 
they may be also glorified together. 
VY. 12—21. , 
Thousands and ten thousands have testified, 
that the above is-the judgment and experience of, 
true Christians: nor can any measure of per. 
sonal holiness, or self-denying labours, satisfy 
the man, who ‘ counts all but loss that he may 
“« win Christ,” and be justified by faith in him 
alone. He still “counts not himself to have 
“‘ attained ;” he is continually humbled for his 
manifold defects and defilements ; he still follows 


after, in hope of attaining to that prize, for which 


he was apprehended, when a careless sinner, 2 
wretched sensualist, ora proud formalist, by the 
Saviour’s preventing grace. In his Christian 
course “ he forgets the things which are behind, 
“and reaches forth to those that are before ¢. 
and “* presses forward to the mark, for the prize 
“of his high calling in Christ Jesus.2 In these 
respects there are indeed vast disparities among 
real Christians ; but all know something of these 
things. They, who are most perfected in the 
life of faith and grace, need exhortations to be 
thus minded : they who are newly set out, should 
be called on to emulate such honourable exam. 
ples: and, while they judge and act in this man. 
ner, as to these grand concerns, the Lord wilh 
guide them into the further knowledge of his 
truth and will. For satisfactory views of divine 
things are far better acquired, by peaceable me- 
ditation and diligent obedience, than by noisy 
disputations. We should, however, be very 
careful not to grow remiss and languid, in those 
things to which we have already attained; but 
still continue to *‘ walk by the same rule, and 
“mind the same things,” that we may make a 
perpetual progress in the divine life, and secure, 
as it were, every post of which we have got pos; 
session. Let us then study to walk after the 
example of apostles and evangelists, that our 
conduct may be meet for others to copy wih 
advantage: for, alas! in every age, there are 
professors of the Gaspel, of whom the humble, 
zealous Christian can scarcely think or speak 
without sorrow and weeping. Of these, minis- 
ters must tell their flocks in tender love; seeing 
“* their end is destruction ;” sensual indulgence 
is their filthy deity ; they glory in their shameful 
abuse of the Gospel, and mind cartbly things 


> 


A. D. 65 


: 


and crown, # so stand fastin the Lord, my 
dearly beloved. 

2 i beseech Euodias, and beseech Syn- 
tyche, ¢ that they be of the same mind in 
the Lord. 

3 And f J entreat thee also, § true yoke- 
fellow, » help those women which labour- 
ed with me in the gospel, with Cle- 


9 3, 20, 21.2 Pet. 3.) 15. 58. & 16 13.) —18.'1 Cor. 1. 10. 
11—14, Gal. 5. 1. Eph. 6.| Eph. 4. 1-3. 1 
b See on, 2.8 & 2 10—18. Col. 4. 12.) Thes. 5. 15- Hebe 
2 1 Thes. 3. 8. 13. 2 
e 2. 16. 2 Cor. 1.! Thes. 2.15.2 Tim. 
14. 1 Thes. 2. 19,| 2. 3. Heb. 3. 14. & 
20, & 3,9. 4. 14, & 10, 23. 35,f Philem. 8, 9. 
d 1, 27. Ps. 27. 14. 36¢ 2 Pet. 3. 17.|p See on, 2. 20—25. 
& 125, 1. Matt. 10.) Jude 20, 21. 24. 25., Col. 1, 7. 
22. John 8 31. &) Rey. 3.10, 11. h Acts 9.36—41. &}, 
15. 3, 4, Acts 2. 42.Je 2.2, 3. Gen. 45.) 16- 14—16. Rom 
&11. 23 & 14. 22.} 24. Ps. 133. Mark) 16. 2—4. 9 12,1 
Rom. 2. 7. 1 GCor.: 9, 50. Rom. 12. 16} Tim. 5. 10, 11. 


under a religious profession. But let us, as citi- 
zens of heaven, have our conversation of a con- 
trary nature: may we continually prepare for 
the coming of our Judge, “ that we may be 
¢ found of him in peace, without spot and blame- 
& less :” may we expect confidently to have our 
vile bodies changed by his almighty power into 
the fashion of his glorified body: and, in this 
prospect, may we apply to him daily to new 
create our souls unto holness; to deliver us; 
from our enemies, to bruise ‘satan under our 
feet, and to employ both our bodies and souls as 
instruments of righteousness, in his service on 
earth, till he shall come to receive us to his 
heavenly kingdom ! 


y NOTES. 

CHAP. IV. V.1. This verse evidently re- 
fates to the sabject with which the former chap- 
ter concluded. Seeing the Philippians had such 
hopes, and so powerful a Friend, let them stand 
fast in faith and obedience, amidst all enemies 
and temptations ; as they had hitherto done, and 
as had been recommended to them. The verse 
is principally remarkable for the variety of ex- 
pressions, in which the apostle poured out the 
affection of his beart towards his brethren, or 
rather children, at Philippi. They were indeed 
dearly beloved; with them he longed to com- 
mune; and he earnestly desired to be still more 
useful to them. He counted them “ his joy and 
* crown,” amidst all his sorrow and disgrace; 
and he expected that they would be so in the 
day of Christ. 

V. 2, 3. It is probable, that Euodias and 
Syntyche were women of note at Philippi, who 
on some account had disagreed; this both im- 
peded their usefulness, and tended to cause divi- 
sions inthe church. The apostle therefore en- 
treated them to aceommodate their differences, 
by mutual concessions and forgiveness ; that so 
they might be of one mind in Christ, for his sake, 


PHILIPPIANS. » 


a HEREFORE, my brethren, dearly| ment also, and with other m 
beloved » and longed for, ¢ my joy| labourers, ' whose names are in ¢ 


aT 
18. 1 Pet. 3. 8—1l+|] Ps. 34. 1,2, & 145.,0 Mate 24. 48—50,1) 17. by 


of Jife. o ‘ sb i yt 4 
4 * Rejoice in the Lord ! alway + 
™ again I say, rejoice, ey 
5 Let ® your moderation be known uns 
toall men. ° The Lords at hand. 
6 Be P careful for nothing ; but 9 im) 
i Ex. 32, 32. Ps. 69.1n Mate 5.3942, &) 10. 41. & 12. 29. 
28. Is. M3, Ez. 13.} 6. 25. 34. Lu ‘Cor. 7. 21—32, 
9. Dan. 12. 1. Luke] 29—35. & 12, 22—] Pet. 5.7- 
10. 20. Rev-3. 5. &) 30. & 21.34. 1 Cor, $2, 7-12, & 
13. 8 & 18, 8 &] 6. 76k 7. 29-31.) 15. ‘ 


& 8 13. Tit. 3. 2. 
Heb. 13, 5,6. 1 Pett 33 


‘ 
An 
‘ 


,13.Ps.34.5 | 
; ae fe Ae 
5. 12. Acts 5. 41. 
& 16, 25. Rom. 5 
2,3. 1 Thes. 5. 16 
—18. Jam. 1. a 


25. Jam. 5.8, 9. 1} 7,8. Luke 18.. 
Pet. 4.7.2 Pet. 3,| Eph. 6. 18, Cole 
2. 1 Thes, 5-17, 1 
p Dan. 3. 16. Mat.| 1 Pet. 4.7. Jude 

6. 25-33. & 10} 21. , 
19. & 13. 22. Luke! | 


Thes. 2. 2eHeb. q 


8—14. Bs 
1 Pet. 4. 13, ). 
m 3, 1.2 Cor. 13. 1, 


2. Gal. 1. 8,9. 


A 


pecting him must be precarious. ‘The word is 
masculine in the original, and some think tha’ 
the person intended was husband to one of the 
women above-mentioned ; others, that he wa 
some eminent minister at Philippi. The apostle 
however, entreated him to use his influence, ir 
bringing those women to a cordial agreement 
and in helping them to accomplish all their goo 
designs for the honour of Christ, and the pre 
mulgation of the Gospel: for they had fol 
merly laboured, by their private endeavours, | 
promote the success of his: public ministry ; 2 
Clement also had done, and several others, whot 
he acknowledged as his fellow-labourers ; ant 
whose zeal and love emboldened him to say, tha 
their names were enrolled in the book of life 
among the elect of God and the heirs of heaven 
(-Varg. Ref.) Tt is not certain that this was 
Clemens Romanus, an epistle of whose writing 
is yet extant: but it is generally supposed, th 
'the apostle meant him. oe hee ol 
Vv. 4. The apostle again exhorted the Philjj 
pians to “rejoice in the Lord alway :” eve 
the midst of persecutions, afflictions, and. 
ations; though they should be poor, ber: 
sick, imprisoned, or in danger of death 
-notwithstanding their manifold sins, and 
present lamented imperfections and defile 
the deplorable evils which they must 
among professed Christians, and the wr 
state of the world around them. For the fe 
mercy, salvation, protection, and conso 
their all-sufficient and almighty Lord; 
nour of their relation to him, the felicity 
-munion with him, and the eternal 
he had purchased for them, compr 
which,might more than counterbalan 
causes of their sorrow, and which woul 
and sanctify their hearts, and fortify 
self-denia), suffering, and death. NN 
to consider this exhortation as given, 
due consideration of their inward and ¢ 


and in seeking the peace and welfare of his|impediments: lest they should suppose 
Church. The “true yoke-fellow,” or genuine as-| be the case, he. would again call upon 

eociate in the work of Christ, whom the apostle} rejoice; for he knew, that if they lived 
addressed without naming, was doubtless well | their privileges, they could never want ¢: 
kupwn at Philippi; though our conjectures res-’ joy, and would generally be enabled to m 


‘ye 
‘ 


4. D. 65. 
every thing by prayer and supplication, 
with * thanksgiving, let your requests be 
made * known unto God ’ 

7 And tthe peace of God, which * pass- 
eth all understanding, * shall keep your 
hearts and minds y through Christ Jesus. 
$ = Finally, brethren, > whatsoever 
igs ® are true, whatsoever things ¢are 
it, whatsoever things ‘are just, 


oH 
Be 


. UE a ee ‘ 

. 29. 12. &lx Neh. 8. 10. Prov 12, 17.& 13. 13- 2 
vie. 260 3. 13. 2.11, & 4. 6. & 6.) Cor. 8.21. & 13.7. 
7 | ; 


~ 7, & 48, aot 2 nb aa Z 
: Bry 1 Pet. 1. 5, 6.) Tim. 2 2. Tit. .3. 
sh wea der ste 1 | | a4. Marg. Heb, 13. 

Luke 1. 79.jz See on,a.3.1. 18.1 Pet. 2. 12. 
ia Hom. 12. 9—21, 11" Or, venerable. 1 
Cor. 13. 4—7. Gal.| Tim. 3, 4. 8. 11. 
17 & 5. 1.) 5. 22, 23. Jam. 3.) Tit. 2. 2-7. Gre 
: & 14. 17.| 17. 2 Pet. 1. 5—7.\@ Gem. 18. 19. 2 


ase 


wee 
2 
™ 90 


mgr 
2 
3 


5—7. In connexion with the holy joy above 
cated, and in order to it, the apostle exhort- 
his beloved brethren, to manifest an indiffer- 
ee concerning those worldly possessions, dis- 
inctions, and enjoyments, about which men in 
contend and quarrel: that so, the meek- 
zess Of their disposition might be known to all 
aen, even to their enemies; who would perceive 

fw moderate they were, as to the acquisition 
and use of outward things; and how composediy 
y suffered the loss or want of them, or any 
those hardships, to which the injustice of their 
ersecutors exposed them. This they should 
im at, under a realizing assurance that the Lord 
at hand: the present life, with all its trials 
“enjoyments, was speedily vanishing; the Lord 
ould soon come to receive the souls of his peo- 
le to glory, and to terminate the prosperity of 
is enemies; nay, the day of final retribution 
\would speedily arrive with compizte redemption 
to believers, and perdition to ungodly men. 
Whatever then was taken from them, or wanting 
to them; whatever discouraged or distressed 
shem, in their own concerns or those of their 
orethren; they ought to watch against unbe- 
lieving anxiety and an useless solicitude about 
events: and let them in every case, by prayer 
supplication for themselves and others, make 
‘requests known unto God: pouring out 


pers, with thanksgivings for mercies already 
_+ In thus seeking to God, under a con- 
ess of their indigence, dependence, and 
thiness, and in believing reliance on his 
, Power, truth, and grace; they would 
that the peace which he alone could be- 
Sisting of an inward thankful admiring 
is forgiving love, an acquiescence in 
a confidence in his help, and a serene 
the soul, would be vouchsafed to 
peace indeed. could not be under- 
e, who did not experience it, nor 
ds give them an adequate idea of 


d exeellency : but they would 


CHAPTER IV. 


-|e 1 Tim. 4. 12.& 5. 


A. D. 65, 


whatsoever things © are pure, whatseever 
things f are lovely, whatsoever things 
sare of good report; if there be any 
4 virtue, and if there be any i praise, 
« think on these things. 

9 Those things, | which ye have both 
learned, and received, and heard, and 
seen in me, ™ do; and = the God of peace. 
shall be ° with you. — 

(Practical Observations.J 
Sam. 23, 3. Ps. 82.}h Ruth 3.11. Prov.| 24—27. Luke 6. 46- 
Ze Prox Tle 1. &} 12. 4, & 31. 10. 29.) & 8-21. John 2. 5. 
16. 11, & W. 7.| 2 Pet. 1. 5,4. & 13. 17. & 15. 14. 
Mark 6. 20. Lukeji Prov. 31.31, Rom.! Acts 9, 6. 2 Thes. 
2. 25. & 23.50, Acts| 2. 29. & 13.. 3.1] 3. 4.Jam.1. 22.2 
10. 22. Tit. 1. 8. Cor. 4. 5, 2 Cor. 8} Pet. 1.10. 1 John 
13. 3.22. 


K Luke 16. 15. Ijm yer. 7. Rom, 15. 
Thes. 5. 21.1 John} 33. & 16.20. 1 Cor. 


2. Tit: 2, 14, Jam. 
1.27 & 3.17. 2 
Pet. 3.1+ 1 John 3. 
3 


4.1. 14, 33. 2 Cor. 5.19, 
13. 17. 1 Cor. 105 20. & 13. I. F 
31-33, & M1. 1-1 le 

Thes. 1. 6. & 2. 2} 13. 20,21. 

—12, 14. & 3. 6-10.'o Is. 3.10. & 41. 10, 
& 4. 8. Mat. 1. 23. & 28% 
m Deut. 5. 1. Mat.| 20. 2 Tim. 4. 22. 
5. 19, 20. & 7. 21. 


{ 2 Sam. 1, 23, Cant. 
§. 46-1 Pet, 4. 3. 
g Acts 6. 3. & 10, 
22 & 22% 42.41 
Thes. 5. 22. 1 Tim. 
3. 7. & 5.10. 


find their affections, and all the powers of their 
souls, possessed and garrisoned by it, to the ex- 
clusion of anxious cares and harassing tempta- 
tions, through the merits of Christ, the supply of 
his Spirit, and the exercise of faithinhim. The 
word rendered “ moderation,” or the substantive 
of nearly the same import, is translated clemency, 


‘(Acts xxiv. 4.) gentleness, (2 Cor. x. 1.) patient, 


(1 Tim. iii. 3.) and zenile, (Tit. iii. 2. Jam. iii. 17. 
1 Pet. it. 18 )—* It means, meekness under pro- 
* vocation, readiness to forgive injuries, equity in 
* the management of business, candour in judg. 
* ing characters and actions, asia of dispo- 
* sition, and the entire government of the pas- 
* sions” (Macknichs.) ‘Equity; a mind mode - 
* rate as to the things of this life, and by no 
* means strictly exacting what is justly due? 
(Beza.)—* The Lord is at hand,” (5.) or, near, 
Some understand the elause of his being a pre- 
sent Help in trouble, &c. Others suppose, that 
the apostle meant, that the Lord would speedily 
come to destroy Jerusalem and deprive the Jews 
of that power and influence, by which they be- 
came the general instigators of persecution. This 
interpretation was probably adopted, lest it should 
be inferred, that the apostle erroneously suppos- 
ed the day of judgment to be near at hand ; but 
it is by no means satisfactory. Itis, however, the 
manner of the sacred writers, to-consider all tem- 


hearts before him, and joining their fervent| poral things as short, and the ** end of them as 


“athand, and the Judge as at the door -” and 
seeing death is the same, ina { measure, to 
individuals, as judgment will be to the world at 
large ; their language is in this. respect highly 
suitable and proper.—* With thanksgiving.” (6.} 
* Thus David, very often beginning with lamen- 
‘ tations and tears, concludes with thanksgiving.” — 
(Beza.)—Keep, &c. (7.) The mind and Heart arg 


‘distinguished. The peace of God, and the happy 


experience of it, fortifies and garrisons the intel- 
lectual faculties, against the cavils, objections tions, 
and vain reasonings of infidels, sceptics, phi o- 


phers, and heretics; and the afections against 


¢ believers could not fully ex-| the allurements and terrors of worldly objects. 
¢ : . : n 


« ’ 


A, D. 65. 


10 But PI rejoiced i in the Lord great- 
ly, that now at the last 4 your care of me 
+ hath flourished again ; wherein ye 
were also careful, but r ye lacked oppor- 
tunity. 

11 Not that I speak * in respect of 
want; for t 1 have learned, in whatso- 
ever state I am, therewith to be content. 
p See on. 3. le 3. 2| 85.6. Hos. 14. 7 » | 9. 8 11. 27. 


Cor. 7. r Gal. 6. 10. 
q 2Cor. ai '9..Gal{s Cor. 4. 11, 12. Ex. 2,21. Mat. 6. 
31—34. Luke 3. 14. 


2 Cor. 6. 18. & 8 
1 Fim, 6. 6—9. 


Tt Or, is revived. Ps. 


V. 8, 9. The substance of the practical ex. 
hortations, which the apostle had further to give, 
might be comprised in few words. Whatsoever 


* tempers, words, or actiéns, in any way expressed 


truth, candour,.sincerity, or fidelity ; whatsoever 
appeared grave, wenerable, or respectable ; what- 
soever was just and upright, stamped with pro- 
bity and integrity; whatsoever evinced purity, 
chastity, and temperance; whatsoever was amia- 

ble, or friendly; whatsoever was justly of good 
report, and approved as virtuous or commenda- 

ble among men: let. them continually think of 
such things, form a due estimate of the value of 


~each, adopt such as were really good, and en- 


deavour to manifest them in every part of their 
conduct, In short, let them practise what he 
had taught them, and what they had received as 
teachable scholars; what they had heard from 
him, and withessed in his example: and then he 
could confidently assure them of the comforting 
and protecting presence of their reconciled God, 
{as the Author of inward and outward peace,) 
syith their souls and in their assemblies. 

V. 10—13... The apostle would not conclude 
ithe epistle, without a special acknowledgment 
of the kindness shown him by the Piilippians— 
It had indeed * greatly rejoiced him in the 
« Lord,” with reference to his providence, will, 
and glory, that, after a considerable time, their 
cave of him had flourished again, as'a tree shoots 
forth 1 its buds in the spring. You have made 

* your care of me to flourish again.’ (Hammond.) 
This not only excited him to thank God, for put- 
ting it into their hearts to supply his urgent ne- 
cessities ; but it made him glad, as it evinced 
the prosperous state of their souls. Indeed, he 
then was satisfied, that they had all along been 
careful for him, and desired to help him; but 
they had wantedfhe opportunity or ability of 
doing it, so-soon a3 they had intended : yet per- 
haps his-godly jealousy-over them might make 
him fear,’ lest they were become disaffected or 
remiss. He did not) speak this with respect to 
the want which he had suffered, as if that were 
an intolerable evil; for he bad-learned in the 
school of experience, under the tuition of Christ, 
to be content and well satisfied with the appoint- 
nents of God, in whatever situation he was plac- 
ed., He knew how-to be abased by the deepest 
poverty, labouring hard for a mean subsistence, 
aeglected and despised; without repining, or 
using any dishonourable means of obtaining re. 
hef: and he was able to"abouxd, without deviat- 
ing from the strictest rules of temperance and 


humility, and without growing reluctant to the‘ 


PHILIPPIANS. 


. 20, |u 1 Cor. 4. 9-13, 2} 31. — 9,10. Eph. 


12 I know both 4% how “to 
and I ee how to abound : 
and in “all things, * I am instrue 
to be full, ne to be hungry, 
abound, and ‘to su nffer need. 

13 EY can Sih 
Christ which sti g 


Heb. 10. 34. & 13, « Det 
5, 6. 


Neh) Cor 8.4, 5, 
‘See on, 2 Co 


& 6.10. Col. 1. 1, 
1. 10. ® ll. 7 4 
12. 7—10- 


most self.denying and ie iit. af 
every respect, and in all things, he was initis 
into the mysterious life of faith, and com 
with God, as the Source of consolation 
he knew how tobe full, and able to impart 
others, without being betrayed i into inexped 
indulgence, pride, or love of worldly cused 
to be hungry, and d stitute of bare n . 
for himself, rrietoue tlle d or un 
ted for his place and ving Thus he found 
experience, that he could do all things, d 
respect, and.in whatever was. connected ¥ 
his duty: not by his natural ability, nor 
the grace which he had already receive 
through the strength communicated to hi 
Christ, whose power rested upon him, and” 
bled him for every service and aivaation to% 
he called him, ‘He seems to have learned 
things, by a deep sense of his own unworthir 
and his obligations to; the Lord ; by conti 
contemplating the poverty, abasement, 
ferings of Christ; by a believing © 
the wisdom, faithfulness, and love's, 
ordered all such matters in the best m 
sible; by a lively hope of immortal 
an ardent desire, by any labours or sufferi 
promote the cause of Christ in the world. 
pears wonderful, that the apostle, in so 
a city as Rome, where a flourishi 
Christ had be @ for a paaiameebe ti 
blished; and even after his imprisonr 
the Gospel had excited general attention, 
want the necessaries or comforts of li 
the Gentiles in general were little in t 
of giving to the poor, gr st par to 
port of the ministers of religion: and 
tle, like Elisha in respect of eedninly 
extremely careful not'to excite their 
or interrupt the success of the Gospe 
ewn concerns; so that, probably, i it ey f 
nerally known, that he was in want. | 
tians at Rome; as in other | 

be supposed, chiefly) of the lower ord : 
they had already to provide for ‘bdr n 
tors, the poor, and the expenses 0 "e! 
worship. ~ Yet, after all these « 
have been allowed their full weight 
the disinterestedness of the apeatle 
tention, to say no more; of the ht 
excite our astonishment.—Abased. 
‘ who'is poor, is despised by f 
* much soever/he may, be adorned with 
* cellent gifts of God? (Bezay (Nate, 
13-18.) 


CHAPTER Iv. | A. D.65: 
an odour of a dweet smell, a sacrifice 
n acceptable, well-pleasing to God. 

a9 But © my God shall P supply all 
‘your need, 9 according to his ¥ riches in . 
glory by Christ Jesus. 

20 Now ‘unto God and our Father 
be glory for ever and ever. t Amen. 

21 4 Salute every * saint in Christ Jesus. 
yThe brethren whichare with me greetyou. 

22 All? the saints salute you, chiefly 
® they that are of Czsar’s household. 

23 The » grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ 6e with youall. Amen. — 


m John: 12. 3—8. % 10. Luke 12. 30—) & 14.7. * 
Cor. 2. 15,16. Eph.| 33.2 Cor, 9. 8—11.|t ver, 23. See on, 
5.2. Heb. 13.16. 1]q Ps. 36. 8. & 104.] Matt. 6. 13, & 28. 
Pet. 2 5s 24. & 130.7. Rom.-| 20. 

n Rom. 12 1. 2) 9. 23 & 11, 33/0 See on, Rom. 16, 


Ww, ye Philippians, know also, 


when @ Edeparted from Macefor 
tt communicated with me, as con- 
giving and receiving, but ye 


, ee } 
Pareven e in Thessalonica ye sent 
once and again unto my necessity. 

~ 17 Not & because I desire a gift: but 
I desire » fruit that may abound ‘to your 
S11 aan ES 

"18 But * Ihave all, and * abound: I 


am full, having received of ! Epaphrodi- 


thines which were sent from you] cor. 9. 12. Eph. 1, 7.18: & 2.1 3—16. 

tus the: th ng: 0,2 Sam. 22-7. 9] 7, & 3:8 16, Clix 1. 1. 1-Cors. 1s Qs 
ee 4 Chr. 18.13. Neh. 5.) 1. 27. & 3. 16.1) Eph. 1.1. i 
ia “ vs 8, 18. 2) 1—5: John 15. 8. 16-| 19% Dan. 6,22. Mic.| Tim: 6. 17. y Rom. 16. 21, 22. 


7. 7 John 20+ 17.'r Rom. 8.18. 2 Cor. 
28. Rom. 1. 8 2) 4. 17. 1 Thes. 2. 
Cor. 12, 21. Phi-] 12.1 Pet. 5.1. 10. 
lem. 4. 6 1. i1. Ps. 72.19. 


Chr. 6. 8, Matt. 25./e 1 Thes, 2.9. Rom. 15. 286 2 Cor. 
2 a tana. 5°. € 1 Thes, 2. 18. 9. 9-13. Lit. 3. 14. 
] (oa 8. & 1. 74g ver. 11- Mal, 1.10.|i Prov. 19. 17, Matt, 
Rom. 15. 27.1 Cor.| Acts. 20. 32, 33. 1] 10, 40-42. & 25; 


Gal. 2.3. Col. 4. 
10—14. Philem. 23, 
24. 
z Rom, 16 16. 2 


10. 11. Gal. 6. 6.| Core 9. 12—15. 2] 34—40, Luke 14,12) p Gen. 48. 15.) & 115.1. Matt. 6.| Cor. 13. 13. Heb. 
aga Oe 18. Hebi! Cori. 16. 1 Thes.| —14. Heb. 6. 10, Deut, 8.3, 4. Neh. 9. 13. Rom. 11 36.{ 13. 24. 1 Pet. 5. 
130, 340 813. 16. | 2. 5,1 Lim. 3.3. &|* Or, 7 have receiv | 9. 15. Ps. 23. 1—5.y & 16. 27, Eph. 3.) 13.3 John 14, 

ed all. & 41. 1—3, & 84.) 21. 1 Lim, 1. 17.Ja 1. 13. 


‘Kings 5. 16.,20.] 6. 10. Tit. 1. 7% 1 
Cor. ll. 8—12. &! Pet. 5. 2, 2 Pet. 2. 
2.1115. | 3, 15. Jude 11. 

A Acts 160.4008 17. 1. 11+. Mic. 7% 1. 


Tt. & 112. 5—9, 
Prov. 3, 9, 10 & 
11, 24, 25. ‘Mal. 3« 


ik ver. 12. 2 Thes. 1. 


Jude 25. Rey. 1. 6.)b See’on, Rom»'16. 
3. 
1 2, 24,25. 


& 4.9—11. & 5.12.) 20, 24. 2 Cor, 13 
& % 12. & 11. 13.) 14, 


sutely supply all their wants of every kind, ac. 
cording to ‘the riches of his all-sufficiency and 
bounty.; especially by bringing them to his eter 
nal glory through Christ Jesus. To him there- 
fore, as the common Father of the whole family, 
he ascribed the glory of all, that was done in 
them, for them, and by them; and of all his 
manifested perfections, and wonderful works, 
which he desired might be universally adored for 
ever andever. Amen.—Nothing could more ful- 
ly'show the peculiar confidence which the apostle 
had, concerning the Christians at Philippi, (as 
well as his fervent prayer for them,) than this . 
conduct. Thessalonica was indeed a larger city 

than Philippi, but, ~probably, the converts to 

Christianity were poorer ; and perhaps they had” 
not been so fully proved, when he was driven 

from them, as the Philippians had been, (Voie, 

2. Cor. viii. 1—3,)—As Thessalonica was the 

chief city of Macedonia, at which St. Paul con- 

tinued some time, it has been supposed that the 

clause, “ when I departed from Macedonia,” 

relates to a supply sent to him, after he was 

‘gone into Achaia, distinct from what had been 

sent, to him in Thessalonica. 

V..21, 22. The brethren may here either 
mean the ministers at Rome, or such of the apos- 
tle’s friends as were come from other parts to be 
with him. . There were true saints. even in Ne- 
ro’s household, who kept their places, and serv- 
ed Christ in that most perilous and ensnaring 
situation !—It is probable, that they were pener-. 


ally ininferior stations. (Marg. Ref.) \~% 


V. 14—20. Though the apostle could well 
have endured hi8 poverty without murmuring; 
yet he was not on that account by any means the 
‘ess entitled to assistance: and the Philippians 
ad done a good work in communicating with 
im in his affliction, by straitening themselves to 
relieve him. ‘This renewed instance of their li- 
jeral affection made it proper for him to men- 
lion, what they indeed knew, that at the begin: 
hing of the Gospel being preached among them, 
when he was departing from Macedonia; no’ 
Church, except that of Philippi, had maintained 
Shristian fellowship with him, by giving him a’ 
supply for his urgent wants, and by his receiv- 
ing it from them, Even when he was success- 
fully preaching at Thessalonica, and labouring 
with his own hands fora maintenance, they had 
peatedly sent him presents. This demanded 
jis grateful remembrance: not ‘because he de- 
ired a gift for its own sake, or coveted the pro- 
rty of his hearers ; hut because he desired to 
‘toem fruitful in those good works, which 
vould conduce to their present comfort and fi. 
jure felicity : whereas, no doubt, it grieved him 
) professed Christians tenacious of their 


) 


fied with their conduct, and with bis own 
mstances, having received from Epaphrodi- 
e supply which they had sent. This he 
Ke 


fto'be far more acceptable to God than the 
gran t incense, being a spiritual-sacrifice, 
sing to him, as the genuine fruit of faith sith g ae 
Lord Jesus, and love to‘him. (Zph.v.2:)}.. | ‘PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. © ». 
é indeed could not makethem the're-}) 0s Vv. I—9. oe 
inn which he | _ Affectionate ministers, like tender parents, 
ose he was and whom he served,” would|can scarcely find words emphatical enough to: 


| 


ALD. 65. 


# 
express their love: and fervent desires, after the 


felicity of those, whom they regard as their pre-] winters 
They greatly] times the 


sent joy, and their future crown. 
long after their steadfastness in the faith, and 
constant devotedness to God, amidst the tempta- 
tions and allurements of the world: and their 
} ‘good conduct for a season makes them the more 
_ earnest with them, to acquit themselves in like 
“manner for the future. They so love the bless- 
ed office of peace-makers, that they will even 


supplicate by name their own children, to be of} friendship is precarious. 


one mind in the Lord: and they so much desire 
the success of every good work, that they use 


/ all their influence to excite every one to help all 


those, who labour in any way to promote the 
Gospel, and thus give assurance that their names 
are written in the book of life. Believers have 
always ground of rejoicing in the Lord, though 
they are not always able to rejoice : the perfec- 
tion of their duty 4nd the fuil enjoyment of their 
privilege, are precisely the same: their discon- 
solations arise from weakness of faith and grace, 
and they should be cailed upon to “ rejoice in 
s¢ the Lord alway,” though they be not able to 


come up to the standard, that they may aim|our appointed situations, 
high; for the nearer they come to it, the more/tians, who enjoy liberty and plenty, can s 
-will the Lord be glorified in and by them. Liv-}ly and unreservedly adopt sees lanereaens 
the indigent prisoner of Jesus. 


ing upon these holy, satisfying, and substantial 
joys, we should make it appear, that we are not 
of this world Let the carnal and selfish grasp 
at, and contend about, the possessions and pa- 
rade of a day: our moderation about temporal 
things, and our composure amidst injuries, and 
losses, shouid be manifest to all men. The 
Lord is at hand; the hour of death, and the day 
of judgment will speedily arrive. The transient 
joys and sorrows of the present scene are. not 
worth our solicitude ; all our temporal and eter- 
nal interests are in the Lord’s hands; we should 
therefore be carefu} for nothing, except to know 
the state of our souls, and the path of duty. In 
all our sorrows, fears, or wants, we should make 
our requests known unto God: for, though he 
knows them before-hand, he loves to hear them 
from us. Whatever our difficulties may be, we 
have always cause to unite grateful praises with 
our prayers and supplications: and in this way 
we shall find an inward satisfaction, and expe- 
rience that peace of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding ; so that our hearts and minds will 
be preserved in serenity, whatever storms may 
rage around us. All our privileges and salva- 
tion originate wholly from the free mercy of 
a4: yet, the actual enjoyment of them is inti- 
- mately connected with our holy conversation.— 
Therefore, whatsoever things are true, respecta- 
“ble, just, pure, loving, lovely, or of good report ; 
whatsoever is virtuous and commendable; what- 
soever prophets, apostles, or martyrs have ex- 
emplified ; whatsoever excellehcy we have 
heard, and read of, or witnessed in the conduct 
of the Saints: nay, whatever things the world, 
on go grounds, regards and approves as vir. 
tuous; these we should continually think of, 
gad agent practise; and in this way we may 

ype for the presence ay: Blessing of the cat 
of peace and love. 

ease 10-23. % 


PHILIPPIANS. | 


to their own account: and though be be wi 


, Who prosper i in religic 


las their spring seas 
ic 


Even 


then again 
Yet, they often , sanity, when they p 
haps are judged and faithful 


fers may some 
them, when if ¢ 
joicing greatly in th 
fokeere confide in 


cult attainment to keane i 


lief, a vain hankering after somethin 
ed, a fickle disrelish to present things, a 
tedious repetition of the same actions and 
which no longer give pleasure, render men | 
turally discontented in the most favourable 
cumstances : and their continual shiftings, fi 
one thing to another, resemble the tossing 
and fro of a man in a fever, who imputes his 
restlessness to his” posture, rather than to his 
disease, It requires much humility, s irituality, 
faith, and resignation, to render us con| 
Probably, few 


yportant Fa: 
should pray continually for patient submiss: 
and hope, when we are abased ; for humility 
a heavenly mind, when exalted; and to be i 
tiated into the practical mystery of tempera 
self-denying, liberal, lowly abundance; or, tl 
of cheerful, contented, and honourable 
gence, even if called to suffer hunger and ex- 
treme want. We can indeed of ourselves Jesh 
thing; but we may do all things through Ch ; 
who inwardly strengthens his people, in propor- _ 
tion as they simply depend upon him. He can 
teach and enable his ministers | live in poverty 
among the affluent, without grud 
coveting, or, repining ;. even 
equitable claim upon them 
abundance. Indeed, we shou 
at this, if we would be examples to 
and convince the wealthy that we ‘ 
* their’s, but them.” Notwithstanding 
people should be taught, that they do w 
communicating to the wants of their fait! 
tors, who are: justly entitled to liberal. 
ance, in proportion as they are willing to endu 
all things rather than hinder the gospel of 
And they who distinguish themselves in 
serviees, from pure motives, shall be | 
“ everlasting remembrance ;” for their 
cret good works shall be publish 5 
day, if not before. . The affectic 
Christ will not ‘ desire a gift;” na 
casions, he will firmly refuse it, wi 
straits may be: yet, he cannot b 
his people fruitful in such things, 


however, to study this im 


to suffer want; yet he must grieve, when 
neglect théir bounden duty, and so bring 
state into question, or prevent their own co 

We should not be reluctant, on proper occasi 
to acknowledge our obligations to. those 


a 


CHAPTER L. hited, th 
d to alr necessities ; and to,com-| maintained among them by mutual prayers, sa- 
i te of faith and love, as peg tai Piagite eicrpan "the Tosh ail fave. - 
fa sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, some to honour him in every situation ; and he 
spleasing unto God.” What we cannot can presetve them unhurt in their proper places, 
trust that he will, according to | however perilous, by the power which protected 
} Christ Jesus, supplying allthe'wants | the three young men in the fiery furnace : for 
‘who thus straiten themselyes,’ and | the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will be with 
them to his heavenly kingdom ; that | all his people, wherever dispersed, or however 
ybe to him, our God and Father, for | distinguished, and prove eventually sufficient for 
or / Whether saints reside ‘in palaces, them. rhe ae yt, LViaas PF ee i 
oF dungeons, emu, should bel” 


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"pei 
ae 
sg fae Rite abcebaly megs 
RN aiden sain, (2H) v0ic., wr-igatst EW Gs Lamdlaneltisy Kiser: ill bt 
watt) Preaey Qiseut @ RL nee)«e Be orl ws Petar LS: 2a ca 3.8) nag 
baa avid Sieg i:  } RIK, BJ Sh KS © ; F > Bae 
: % a e; iP} Wa ttisee tS y  2Uee GRE. Pe? & te “ ¥ . 

Chey + ’ SeNr mii ss > ee $ , eck? 

4 ‘ ot ES : Mae | 7 : at 
+ . , 
i ‘ [Pie Baw pras ep erty ; 


_ ‘Uolosse was a populous city of Phrygia, in Asia Minor, near to Laodicea and Hierapolis. It is 
/ (mot recorded, that St. Paul had been there; and the general’testimony of antiquity favours the 
~ opinion, that Epaphras, or some’ other evangelist, sent by the apostle from Ephesus, founded 
the Church at Colosse. This’ opinion, however, has of late been much controverted. It does 
__ (snot indeed appear to be a matter of much consequence to us; and I am not disposed to enter 
© on $0 uninteresting a controversy: yet; I must give my decided opinion, that the evidence against 
| ye the ‘apostle’s having been at Colosse, is far stronger, than any which has been adduced on the 
/ affirmative sideof the question." There is a great similarity between this epistle, and that to 
| pe the Ephesians ; and itis generally supposed, that they were written about the same time, ‘and 
| ** Sent bythe’ same messenger, even’ Tychicus : though Onesimus; being a Colossian, who:accom- 
wee panied Tychicus, is not mentioned in theepistle to the Ephesians, It is probable, that the apos- 
|} “tle had ‘heard of some teachers; who grafting heathen philosophy along with the tradition of the 
| | © Phariseés,‘on the ritual law of Moses, had corrupted the Gospel by this heterogeneous mixture ; 
* and were attempting to draw aside the Colossians. He’ therefore particularly warned them, 
_») ‘against these! deceivers, and ‘against all who, either br superstitious observances, or philosophy, 
ile attempted ’to draw them aside from the simplicity of Christ ;in whom alone they were complete, 
“and had every'thing which they could possibly want or conceive of: ~ These cautions and exhor- 
' tations are introduced, andiconnected’ with the thost exalted views of the personal and mediato- 
‘rial dignity of Christ ; and the fulnéss and freeness of ‘his salvation, which:many suppose to 
have been’ directed against some of those heretical sects, that sprang up at an early period in 
the Charch, the leaders of whichi soight to éxalt'themselves, by derogating from the ylory of the 
| divine Saviour. “It appears, howéver, that the Church at Colosse was, on the whole, in a very 
© flourishing state: and accordingly the epistle abounds more 'in thanksgivings to Gad, commen.’ 
op dations, and ‘animating exhortations, than in reproofs'and ‘warnings. \Epaphras was, probably 
+> when the apostle wrote, confined'as ‘a prisoner at Rome.’ (Philem.23.) 6 9 0 
ie APTS Wola MS ch ie yaa. s «A Th we Pig Bh rr yA Ze, ‘ 


iby | Ws Si et 6s 
* } WH rraseiein ae = Be pd Bs ih Wiad ioe ders die ey. 
a vi iat lian! eer ash 4 % BA ice Bt aR OP hy Bes.) Rania a Tenet ye? Be ee es j 
Cl, con rp AUL, * an apostle of Je: ‘. vist, 


salutes the saints at Colosse 1 2; thanks ; . AT Re : oT: 
account which he had heard pri byte cei God, and > Timotheus 
their faith and love, 3—8; sleegeredsdabd 4 sha 125 hg asa ; 
jow he prayed for ‘their increasing “know. ek 2 To ¢ the “saints-and faithful: bre- 
‘thren in Christ, which are at Colosse: 


ey ioliness, patience, joy, and gratitude for re- ‘at 
Gracé de ulito you, and peace, from 
‘Father, and the Lord Jesis 


love, 9—14.; declares ih exalted terms {4 
nal and mediatorial glory ‘of Christ; 15— 


Sy Py ahs ah 
by whom they, who were once enemies, were 


led, and ‘would be eternally saved, if | > cic Men eee y iy 
din the faith/of the gospel, of which SP See Cae nena pe gS cs 
ea minister, 2}—23 ; who rejoiced on, Rom. se uy 1.1. 2'Thes- 1. 1. (Wena y pes 


Sorina cok | 1, 2, Jude 2, 2 
¢ See on, 1 Cors 1-2.) 1, 2, Jude 2, Rer- 
Gal. 3.9.Eph. bili.4 


labours and. sufferings, for their sakes, 
0) ‘the Gentiles, Rihemy bade ve “is {ert 


Phil. 1. 1. Thee. 
se Ae 4 


a ee ee Oe ee eee 


~~ a . Oe 


PRT Ne eT ee 


¥ 
: 


a re ern 


le ee 


SEC ere A ye 


ee 


a Be er 


eae eS Se 


A; BD 6A, Pate _ COLOSSIANS, 


mg poe Tr. you, 


Re Sp er are 


.* sus his grace bestowed on them, and pray- 


*_ enemy could deprive them ofit. They had heard. 


> Me ie ‘ a 5 


ye thanks to God and the|ye heard ¢ 


3, We-£ ea if 
Father ae Lord Jesus Christ, ‘ pray- God in trath 


€ we heard of your h faith i in our dear fel 
Christ fects. and of the love which ye 7a faithful minis 
sy to all the saints; 

: ‘For ithe hope which is * laid. 
for y you in heaven, whereof ye heard b 
fore in ! the word’of the truth of the 
pel; day we heard 7, 
6 Which ™ is come unto yous as itis|for you, and to dé 
in all the world; and bringeth forth filled with the pre edge 
fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day|in all> wisdom and spirits 
1 Jobm 8.14.23. &y 8.2 Cor. 5. 19. & ing: 
6.| 4. 16. 4, 7. Epti. 1. 13. 1 


i ver. 23) 27. Aets| Thes. 2.13. 1 Tim:| 9 Ps. 110. 5. A 
2% 6. & 247 Art 15. 1 Pet. 2-2. 1k. 18, & 16. 14, & Eph. 6.21- 2 


e Ao Rom. 1.3 


f ver. 9—13. Eph.| 26. 6, 7. 1 Cor-|m ver. 23. Ps. 98-) 26. 18. 1 €or. 15.) 2, es we 
3,14—19. Phil. B| 33.19. & 15. 19 10, 11. 2 Cor. 6 2 oy a ; s 
9—il. 1 Thes. 3,10! Gals. 5. Eph. 1. ¥ 
13. 2 Thes. 2. 16,} 18, 19. 2 Thes: 2.| 15. Rom. 10. 18, &i rT 
27. 2 Tim. 1. 3.” 16.- Heb. 7. 19. 1] 15.19+ & 16. 26. 2) 2 Thes. 2 13, 1 
= ver. 9. 2€or. 7.] Pet. 3. 15. 1 Jolin} Cor. 10. 14. Tit. 2. 1. 1 Petel, 
ts Eph. 1. 15: 1 3.3. ver. 10. Mark 4} 2.3.&% 5.12. 
Bie $Johniis Ps. 31.79. Mat| 8.26—29. Folm 15.) p 4. 12. Philem. 23. 
6.19, 20. Luke - 16, Acts 12. 24+) q Sze on, Phil 2.10 
» Gals. 6. 1 Thes $3. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Rom. 1-13. %& 15.} 22. 95. ‘Acts 12: 5s 
1.3. & 4. 9, 10. 2} Pet. 1.3, 4. 28. Eph. 5. 9- Phil-| r Num. 12. 7. Mat. ry 1 Thes. 
Thes. 1-3, Philem.|1 3.16. Acts 10036.) 1611, & 4.17. | 94.45, 25.21. 5 vf 
§. 1 Pet. 1. 21—23.' & 13. 26. Rom, i0- Cor. 4.,2. 1%. & 7) 


23.19. Mark. 16. 


: NOTES. throughout the worl 
1-7. 1 Cor. i. asy ‘ Collosse was situated in| and having been atten: 
Phrygia, not far from Hierapolis and Laodi-| they had brought bi 8 
cea, in that part which borders “on Lycia and|the conversion of aii 
Pamphytia” (Beza.)—‘T cannot think they are | and spiritual phan aa atk 
called holy and faithful brethren, on account of] Jesus. The same blessed 
their adhering to the purity of the Christian | duced in the hearts and 
faith, in opposition to those that urged the ne-|sinee the time when 
cessity of observing the Jewish law. This was! gospel, and had iruly 
indeed one instance of their fidelity; but I/ edit, and been 
think it greatly impoverishes and debases ‘the | and his salvation 
sense of such an extensive phrase, to reducé it| ed from Epaphras, W 
within such narrow bounds. Many scores of| dear fellow-servant in 
criticisms ‘of some modern commentators of| faithful minister, appott 
« reputation, are liable to the same exception.”| for the good of the C 
(Dederidge.} The author quotes this passage, | pastor. Moreover, 
as exactly Conveying his ‘opinion, on several learn | of théi love to ‘Chris >! 
ed expositions, both before and since the time of} sake, which they exe 
the pious Doddridge. They give you a bucket | der his influences, and 
of water, and speak'as if they had emptied the| this:made bim so con 
well: terest in the heavenl 
V. 3+8.° The'apostle began the epistle as| We sive thanks, &e. Ae 
usual, by assuring the Colossians, that he gave}* the good Shephe 
thanks “ to the God and Father of our Lord Je-|* flock, but pray contin 
* thanks for the spiritual bI 
* them’—* The God and. | 
*© God of Israel,” «was the 
‘ trde God to the Jewish 
“the Father of our Lord 
* characteristic of the san 
* who worship him unde 
* the Father of our Lor 
* bim our Father “we 
* through faith i im; 2 
«© blessings from the Fath 
of it, in the word of truth, even the glad tidings |« in the” 3 pit,” (8) * Wro 
of salvation which had been sent to them. It|* Spirit w whose fruit is love 
was intended, that these should be _pablished 


ed" for perfection of that good work in them. 
This be and his friends had done, ever since they 
heard of their faith and love, (£ph. i. 15.) bless- 
ing God, who fad called them from the delusive 
pursuit of earthly things, to hope for happitiess in 
himself. The odject of this hope was laid ap in 
heaven, the place of perfect 5. and joy, out 
of the reach of the vicissi of this lower 


world, It» was treasured up for them, and no 


Gao mer 


4D. 64. : 


Ne That a oe walk worthy of the 

all pleasing, being ° fruitful 

and ¢ increasing in 
is of God ; 

Suen gthened with all might), accor- 


e and jong-suffering with joyfulness ; 
ean thanks unto ‘ the Father, 
which hath k made us meet to be } par- 


22.6. & 4,5. Mic.| 17.3. 2 Cor, 2 144. Jain, 1. 2=4, & 5S. 
. Rom. 4. 12.) & 4.6. &9,8. Eph. ‘4, 8. 2 Pet. 1. 6. 
4. Bph. 4. 1.| 1. 17,8 4. 13. 2) Rev. 14. 12, 13." 
2. 15. Phil. 1.| Pet. 1 2, 3. & 3.fh 3. 15. 17. 1 Chr. 
97. 2 Thes. 2. 12. 118. 1 John 5.2021.) 29.20. Ps. 79.13. 
‘B 3.20. Prov. 16.7.Je See on, 2 Core 12] & 107. 21, 22. t 
- Phil. 4. 18. 1 Thes.| 9. Eph. 3. 16. & 6.| 116.7. Dan. 2. 23. 
4.1, 2 Tim. 2. 4.| 10. Phil. 4; 13. Eph. 5.4. 20. 
‘Heb. 1. 5. & 13./f Ex, 15.6. Ps. 63.)i 2. 2. John 4. 23, 


16. not hee 2. Acts 1. 8. 2 Cor; & 14. 6: & 20. 17. 

e John. 15. 16.| 4.7. Jide 25. 1 Cor, 8, 6. Eph, 4. 

Gal. -5. 22, oe g Prov. 24; 10: Acts} 6. Jam. 3. 9. 1 
Eph- 2. 10, eit 5. 41. Rom. 2,7: &| John 1.3, 

‘5. S—5. 2 Cor. 6. 4.|e 1 Kings 6-7, Prove 


pose 3. 1. 14: 

Heb, 182. 2Pet.) 6: & 12. 9, 10. om. 8. 29, 
» | Thea 3.3, 4. 2| 30. & 9. 28. 2 Cor. 

dea sate 9. 19:} Lim. 2.1—3. Heb.| 5. 5. Tit. 2. 14. 

Is; 53.11. Dan. 12.) 10. 34—38. & 11.|! Rom. 11. 17.&15. 


4 pg 14, Johnt 34—38. & 12. 2, a a i Aaa Cor. Q. 28, 


Tj 16. & 


Vv. 914, ‘gisioe the time that the pe had 
heard concerning the professed Christians at Co- 
fosse, that they evidently showed their faith in 
"Christ and faithfulness to him, (2.) he and his 
- friends had not ceased to pray for them. He es- 
"pecially requested that they might be filled, or 
completely endued with, the knowledge of the will 
| of God ; both i in respect of his method of saving 
| sinners, and their duties to him and to all men, 
- as his redeemed Servants: that they might un- 

derstand the import and spiritual extent, of his 

commandments ; and how to obey them, in the 


} 
i 


~ the ea ‘sustained in the church, and in the commu- 


talents, ‘That they might know haw to apply 
gene rules to their own particular cases ; and 


them, i in the best manner, from the purest mo- 
tives, and with the happiest effect. Thus they 
would proceed “in all wisdom and spiritual un- 
« derstanding ;” with sagacity, ‘and prudent dis. 


uishing between real excellency, and_all deceit- 
Be cl kas 3 Wisely attending to their duties 


“fitout affording their enemies any advantage, 
F orl osing opportunities of usefulness out of timidi- 
, or failing of success through want of caution 
at 

scretion, He was desirous of this especi- 
that they might habitually behave in a man- 
wor sy of that glorious and holy Lord, whose 
and worshippers they were ; not disho- 
him or his cause, by any ‘inconsistency 
propriety of conduct, but acting as became 
highly favoured and Aivinely instruct- 
hat their conduct might in all respects 
leasing to him: 
of good. ‘work was connected with a 
er increase in the knowledge of God, 
2 oa and | harmony of his perfections, 
experience of his consolations. 
1-11) The apostie and his help. 


CHAPTER I. 
takers of m the inheritance of the saints | : | 


| power of darkness, 4 and hath translated 


mh Miorious power, 8 unto all pa-} 


utmost need ; aceording to the glorious power of 


‘to bear all their tribulations and persecutions 


several relations, situations, and offices, which | ance provided for the saints, in the world of per- 


‘and in the improvement of their different | 


so do the work of Christ assigned to each of 


oernment of seasons and opportunities; distin- parative darkness. They had, however, obtained | 


© most inoffensive and engaging manner, 


‘into the kingdom ¢ 


while fruifulness in. 


fother Spiritual blessings, were youchsafed ‘tow 


A.D. 64. 


2 in light : fst ae 
13 Who hath ° acti vers us from P the 


us into * the kingdom « of * his dear Son: 
14 * In whom we haye redemption 
through his blood, even * the forgive: 


ness. of Sins ; 
* [Practical onlay 
Eph. 3.6. Heb. 3.) Pet, 2.9. 1 John 2,|s Mat, 20. 28 Acts 


1. 14, 1Pet. 5.1.) 8,9. & 3:8, 20. 28, Rom. 8 24. 
1 John 3. 1—3. q ‘Luke 13. 25, John 25, Gal. 3.13. Eph, 


m Mat. 25. 34. Acts} 5.24, Rom. 6. 17—] 2. 7/& 5. 25.1 Tim. 


26. 18. Rom. 8. 17. 


22, 1 Cor. 6. 9—11-! 2. 6 Tit. 2, 14. 
pee 1. 18. 1 Pet. 


2 Cor. 6. 17, 18-1 Heb. % 12. 22. & 
1.2—5,. Eph. 2. 3—10, Tit.] 10. 12—14. 1 Pet. : 
n Ps. 36.9. & 97.) 3. 3-6. 1 John 8.} 1. 19,20. & 3. 18. : 
il. Proy. 4. 18. Is. 14. 1 John 2.2, Rev, 1. | 
60.19, 20: Heb. 12.jr Ps. 2. 6,'7. Es. Ou) 5. & 5.9.8 14. 45) : 
23. Rev. 21. 23. & 6,7. Deets 13, 141¢ 2. 18, & 3. 13. Ps. 
22,5. Zech. Mat 32, 1,2, & 190. 4, 
o Is. 49. 250 &| 25. al een 14. 
53. 12, Mat 12,.29,| 17. 1 €or. 15. 23— 
30. Acts 26. 18.) 25. 
Heb. 2. 14,15. ' |* Gr. the Son of his' 
p Luke 22. 53. John}. fove. Is. 42. 1. Mat. 
12, 31, 3%. 2 Cor.| 3.17. & 17.5. John 
4.4. Eph. 4,18, &) 3,5. & 17. 24, 
5, 8 & 6. 12. 1! Eph. 1.6. 


Luke. 5. 20 & 7, 
47—50. Acts 2. one 
& 10,43. & 1; ss 
39. & 26. 18. 

4.6—8. Eph. 4, 32. 
1 John le 9 & 2, 
12. : 


ers prayed also, that the Colossians might’ be 
most abundantly strengthened in all the graces 
of the new nature, with an energy suited to their — 


God, by which he converted, upheld, and com- 
forted believers: that sothey might be enabied 


with patient submission, petsever ing constancy, 
meekness of long-suffering, and joy in the Lord; 

whilst, amidst ali trials, they gave thanks to “he 
Father of our Lord Jesus, whose special grace 
had made them meet to partake of the inherit. 


fect light, knowledge, holiness, aad happiness ; 
at a distance from all ignorance, error, sin, tempt- 
ation, fear, and sorrow. As believers, they were 
even then called “te walk in the light :” and, 
compared. with the condition of unconverted 
men, their situation might well be thus distine * 
guished : yet, when the state of glory was spoken» 

of, into.which the spirits of their departed breth- «. . 
ren had already entered, they were still in com 


a lot in that blessed inheritance ; and their holy =. 
desires, spiritual affections, and capacity for de- 5 
lighting in the work and worship of God ; especi- 
ally their love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and his 
glorious salvation, constituted amectness for that 
inheritance, and all its joys and employme 
and a sure evidence that God iotcndet 
them to it. For, in order to effect this change 
in them, he had rescued them. fuom: the « power 
“ of darkness,” the empire of satan, the prince ’ 
of darkness, whose blind and abject slaves they 
had formerly been ; and he had translated them ~ 
ighteousness, of Jiberty, of | 
light and comfort, Which he bad constituted un. 
der his dear Son, or the «* Son of his love; 2 
(Marg. Ref) by faith in whom they enjoyed ‘ 
this redemption, as the purchase of his atoning: 
blood: by which forgiveness: of sins, and g 


them, (Notes, Acts xxvi. WY, A8. Eph. i. 7-1 


u 


AD. 64. 
15 Whois the Image of = the invisi- 


ble God; ¥ the First-born of wc erea-| 


ture ieee 
16 For# by him were all things creat- 
ed that are bin heaven, and that are in 
u Ex, 24) 10) Num.|y ver. 18 Ps. 89. 27,} 3. 1 Cot. 8. 6. Eph, 
“12.8. Ez. 1.26—23.| Jolin 1. 14. & 3616+) 3.9. Heb, 1, 2. to 
John 1. 8. & 14.4, 12. &3, 3,4." 


815. 24, 2 Cor. 4, b yer. 20, ‘Deut. 4. 
et: Phil, 2. 6. Heb. 39. 1 Chr. ra 
1.3 Eph. 1. 10. 2. 


x4 Tin. 1. 17..& & 
16, Heb. 11. 27. 


Heb. 1. 6. 

z ver. 16, 17. Prov. 
8. 29-31. Rev. 3. 14. 

a ver. 15- Ps. 102: 
25-27. Is. 40. 9— 
12. & a4. 24, John 1. 


10. Rey.. §: 13,14. 


13. 15—18.)—The apostle ciel himself'and the 
Jewish converts, along with the Gentiles in 
these things; and doubtless all are the subjects 
of the princeof darkness, of whatever nominal 
religion they are, till inward’ conversion ‘trans: 
lates. them into the kingdom of Christ. And to 


restrict the interpretation to the deliverance of | fore the creation of t 


the Geniile converts, and to the happy state. “4 
the Jewish converts, as “ the saints in light ;” 
totally to enéryate the passage, which is highly 
animated ; ahd to-make it inconsistent with it- 
self: for how could the'apostle speak of himself 
as one of these benighted idolaters? The  gto- 
rious power,” here spoken of, is sometimes as: 
eribed to God; absolutely, sometimes to the Ho- 
ly Spirit, and frequently to Christ. “For these 
* Three areone.”” (JMurg. Ref) ; 

V. 15—17. ‘Having ‘mentioned Christ,*as the 
well beloved Son of God, the apostle here’ ex- 
plained more fully the iniport of that expression. 
He declared him to be “'the image of the invisi- 
“ble God” (Mare. ‘Ref: Nate, Heb; i. 14.) 
Being possessed of all divine perfections, ‘as One 
with the Father; he appeared on earth, display- 
ing those perfections, ‘and performing all. divine 
operations, through the medium of the bunian 
nature. Thus he made the invisible God known 
to mankind, as his express Image : he represent- 
ed the Father, and manifested his glory: In and 
through him, as God manifest in the flesh, sin- 
ners might know, approach, trust, and worship 
God with acceptance; which otherwise they could 
not have'done. It seems evident that Christ is 
not called the Image of God, in respect of his 
divine nature, as many, especially the ancient ex- 
positors, supposed ;' and so by their illustrations, 
weakened or perplexed ‘the argument for his-real 
Deity: for the divine essence is no more visible 
in the Person of the’ Son, than in that. of the 
Father ; and therefore the’ One) cannot be the 
Image, or visible representation’ of the other.— 
But the’ Person of Christ, ‘as God in human na- 
ture, iS the visible, @r sensible discovery of the 
invisible God; and “he that hath seen him hath 
**-seen the Father??—The apostle further declar- 
ed Christ to be “ the First-born: of the’ whole 
§* creation ;” (for so the words may be literally 
rendered.) © Christ is often called the First begot- 
ten, or Qnly begoiten, of the Father ; and'it hath 
been shown, that these expressions must be-un- 
derstood of the mysterious union in the. sacred 
Trinity, and the relation of the second Person to 
the first in the divine subsistence ; for the grand 
display of the love of God to the world consist- 

l, in “ giving: his own’ Son to” become man,’ in 
arder to die for pur sins, rather than in giving lca 


* 


ena tansy 


in’ some’such sensé; “for,” si 
‘to mention all creatures in’h 


\€ principalities, “and powers,” 


by him all 


¢ 2.10.15. Rom. 
38. Eph, 1.21, &le 
3. 10. & 6. 1% 7 
) Pet. 3. 22, 3 Py 
d Prov. 16. 4 1245 2. Johnil. 1, 2) 
1. Rom. 11. 36. 8: 68. Bet 


him..when incarnate to 
pression’ here used)seems 
port: he was qualified to 
invisible God to men, by 
and essential, glory. (Noe, 
Existing, as. the fuciernal Son: 


the First. begotten Son o 
S| all things-when they called ato 

as the First.born ie theld € 
kingdom. The reasonioP 
apostle, demonstrates, that 


“ all things: were created.” He then 
earth, 
by the figurative terms ior oe 2 


the: highest» created | ; 
evidently intended: este ee. 
of God, however disti 
Christ, as one in Deity’ nae 
Father and the Holy Spirit!) Nay; 
they were all: created for him; 
of his glory, and todo bim servicer 
4.) that ‘he was before all’ things 
** all. things by, him consist,” or ; 
being and order; ‘so that with 
power, they must fall into, 
ence, (Margy: Ref) tis: 
to use stronger || 
and upholding Power, uni 
real Deity, than is here 
the Socinians can’ only sa 
live, and means no more 
of the Gospel-dispensation: 
creation; than which nothin 
surd, Or they may eb tha 
mistaken! And to suc 
oppose the demonstrative e} 
inspiration of the iti oe 
similar Janguage in 
every part. of the New ‘Testa 
also be observed, that however we 
the expression, **' The Firs 
“ure; no man can infer 
a sort of supra-angelic cr 
the inconsistent opinion of 
expressly opposing: St: 
own doctrine, or rather 
he confirms it; in whieh’ 
that he meant, that Christ was b >, ab 
distinct from, all creatures; yea, the 
Proprietors and: ‘Stipport, -of all ranks.an 
of themi in the universe, | First-born. cr: } 


egress 
ALD. 64. 
18 And g he is the: Head of the body,. 


ithe First-born from the dead; * that’ 
* in all thinge he might have the Ein 
e: na Be 
aoa For. Vit pleased the Beishiensi that i in 
Id all fuiness dwell: .. . ., 
And, f Ciavige m omade et 


‘> Hi 
24, & 2. 10—' 


Is. 5% 13. Mats 93, ineae QOL IR er 
, 1 Cor. 11. 3.| 8 & 28, 19. John|t Or. making peace. 
: » 1, 10. “ay 1.16. 27, Soins a | 8-90. P0785. 10,11 
& x a Rom s 
oy eae NERC ea a a OES 
nt. 1.1 John Heb. 4 5, “6. Rev.! 17-20. Dan. 9. 24 


“1.1, Bev. 1. 8. 8 5.918, Be Ls 15. —26, Mic. 5- 2. 5. 

B14. & 21. & & & 2. 23,24, Zech. 9% 9, 10, 

pace WOT. Hn ad glhg vn ot ee fl 14. Beta) as 

John 11. 25, 26,|1 2. 3. 9 om. 5; 1. 

the SiMe a4 Metart! 11. 25—27.) 2 Cor. 5. 19-21 

t A Luke 10. 21,22.) Eph. 2. 13—17. 

‘3 eer ek: 16. & 3. Heb, 13. 20, 21.2 
7 : $4, Eph. 1. 3, 23.) John 4. 9, 10. 

89, 2. Cant, §. 10.) 

th >» distinction between the eternal Son of God, 

+ and the most exalted of those creatures, which 


. derived'their existence from him. 
Ba oo) 5 18— 0. The same glorious Pesan of 
whose origifial majesty such sublime language] 


of the body, the Church.” This mani- 

ie y related to his mediatorial character, which 
- he voluntarily assumed and sustained in human 
_ mature, Heis also the Beginning, the ‘Author 
and Source, of spiritual and eternal life to man, 
the Resurrection and the Life, both of his body 
and soul: and “ the First-born from the dead ;” 
. the first who rose to die no more; the First: 
fruits of his people, who rose to inherit the me- 
/ diatorial) throne; as their Surety and for their 
benefit. “So'that it Was évidently intended, that 
‘in “all things he should have the pre-eminence,” 

| over all. worlds, and in all respects'; as to crea- 
tion, providence, redemption, essential dignity, 
Universal sovereignty, assumed and. delegated 
authority, ‘personal excellency, and the display 
of Omnipotence; as the Conqueror of * death, 
‘and of him that had’ the power of death ;” 
both in the world and in the Church; above all 
‘creatures visible and invisible; during time and 


_ to the Father, “ that all fulness should dwell in 
him” that all the plenitude of divine power, 
; _ -puthority, wisdom, knowledge, holiness, justice, 


God,” should dwell in the Person of Christ; 

| be’ exercised and communicated, through 
- his human nature, by virtue of the union of the 
‘oak Faeroe humanity in ‘his mysterious Person; 
_ that from his fulness all those might receive, 
bowbecame. One with him» by faith. Thus it 
éased all Fulness;”) the: original, infinite, 
hatistible Falness of Being and perfection, 
the Deity, to dwell ix Christ, for the bene. 
is Church: that, “« having made peace,” 
laid the foundation of an honourable recon: 
on/of sinners to himself, “ by the blood: of | 
is cross,” and the satisfaction there made-to 


8 


CHAPTER). ; 


the church: who is * the Beginning,| 
him, J say, whether rhey be © things i in 
‘eanthy “on thine A in heaven, 


: ciled, 


boy been employed, was next declared to be the} 


both: be included 2.’ 


_ truth; mercy, grace, even all “the fulness, of 


A, D, 64. 


through ‘the blood ef his cross,) by him 


n to reconcile’ all things unto. himself ; by’ 


| [Practical Observations.) 
21. And you, that were P sometime 
alienated, and enemies *in your mind by 
wicked merks yet now aig he recon- 


ty 


22 In'@ the ibody 4 Hi flesh through 
death, * to present. you. holy, ‘and. un- 


blameable,~ and pisad a aia * lin’ this 
sights 
Me ra 5. 18; Heb.) 18. ba 3.87.) 1. 4, BB. 7. 1 


Jame 4.4, 5°, \ Thess 407. Bit. 3 
hg ‘On, ‘by your mind) 14, 2 debe Se Lhe 


o "Eph 1.10. Phil, 


|| in wicked works. Jude 2 
p Roti 1 90: Re cnhy om. 7: 4. Eph. sob 15. “15, Be 254 
i 9, 10, & 8 7, 8. 1| 2 15,16. Heb, 10.) 5. Ps, aa lilehe aj 
Cor. 6. 9—11. "Eph.| 10. 20. ‘13. 21. 
ios 2 ‘12, 19. & 4,|r 2 Cor.\11. 2, Eph. 


in heaven owed their reconciliation to Christ’s 
undertaking for them: and all on earth, whether 
Jews or Gentiles, who believed in Christ, were 
reconciled unto God through their union with 
‘him, and their interest in the atonement of his 
blood. Thus the whole became one Church and 
one body in him: and they all will at length be 
translated to heaven, there to continue for ever 
ina state of perfect reconciliation to God, and 


friendship with him and each other. This seems 


to be what is meant by "all things.in heaven 
“and éarth :” for though holy angels become 
one family through Christ with redeemed sin- 
ners; yet they cannot be said to be reconciled 
unto ‘God, as they never were in a state of énmi- 
ty against him» (Votes, &c. Rom. v. 9,10, 2 Cor. 
vil7—21. Ephi tis 13-—17.)—Some commentators 
would wholly confine the meaning, to man’s hes 
ing reconciled to God and his service; otherg. 
explain it wholly of God’s being ‘reconciled ta 
his offending creatures; but. why should not 
For the atonement of Christ 
procured for all believers both pardon of sin and 
new-creating grace; that, they might walk with 
God in a state of mutual peace and Ages 


friendship. and love. 
_ toeternity. For “ it pleased,” or seemed good} 


V. 21--23... The: Colossians, among hehe 
were called to share these blessings. They hi 
been alienated from.God and his service, yea, 
‘enemies to him in their minds,” which, had. 
been manifested by their wicked. works ; so that 
they bad jastly merited tobe tr eated as enemies: 
yet, by his rich mercy in Christ Jesus, they were 
now brought into a state of reconciliation, This 
had been effected “ in the body of his flesh,” in 
the bady which he assumed. of our ature, that. 
he might be capable of suffetings and death, as 
a Sacrifice to divine justice for the sins of men. 
In: consequence .of t on the. Gospel had been 
preached. to them, and, they were enabled, to Dien: 
lieve) its,thus. they were freely. justified, and — 


brought te love and serve God, as at peace. with 


‘iim, by a mutual and cordial reconciliation: the — 
intent of which was, that they should at length 


vine justice ; he might effectuate that recon: | be presented before God. so perfectly holy, as to 
both in. respect of * things in heaven, |be  unblameable’ and unreprovable even in. his 
mn earth”? The spiriis of just men pists their sanctification being at Jength ren- 


ss eo 


a Se ee ee ee 


Ae Di 64, 


23. If tye continue in the faith|e 
«grounded and settled, and de not * moy- 
ed away from y the hope of the gospel, 
which ye have heard, and which was 
preached 2 to every creature which is 
b whereof I, Paul, am. 
“| been hid from ages, an 

24 Who now ‘rejoice in my sufferings n 
for you, and ¢ fill up that which is behind 
of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, 


a under héaven ; 
made a siinaater £ ; 


& Ps. 9%. 13, 14. & 
125. 5. Ez, 18. 26, 
Hos. 6. 3,4. Zeph. 
1..6. Matt. 24, 13. 


17. & 4.16. 25. & 26.16. Rom. 


16, 16-1 Cor..4. 1 


22. 32. John 8. 30} 58: --Thes. $13. 
—32, & 15. 9, 10,!y vers5. Rome 5 
Acts 11. 23. & 14.) Gal, 5« 5, 
22. Rom. 2. 7+ Gal.| 18, 1 'Thesy 


Johu 15, 6. 
Luke 8. 13—15, oe 24, 1. Cor. 15.) —3.2Cor. 3. 6. & 
y. 


9. 1 ‘“Thes- 3. 5,| 7. Heb. 6.19.1 Pet. 4. 5,65 

Heb. 3. 6. 14.& 4.) 1. 3. 1 John 3. i—|le Matt. 5. li, 12. 
. 14, & 10, 38.1 Pet.} 3.» 

1.5.2 Pet ae ver. 6. Mark 16. 


Acts 5. 41, Rom. 


22.1 John 2 27.] 15. Rom. 10. 18. 
Reve2. 10 |) Detit. 2.95. & 4 
U2. 7 Matt. 7. 24,!.19 Lam. 3. 66. 


dered as s complete, as their justification had been 
when they believed. (ote, Eph. v. 25—27.) 
This would certainly be the case with every one, 
who continued in the profession and exercise of 
faitb ; like a building that is grounded and set- 
tled on a firm foundation; and so was not, by 
any carnal fear, delusion, or expectation,.or, by 
any temptation, moved away from the hope of 


eternal life, according to the truth of the Gospel, 


which they had heard. The Lord had com- 
manded that it should be preached to every 
creature under heaven, and it had actually been 
published very widely, among Jews and Gentiles, 
without distinction of nation, or previous charace 
fer ; and of this Gospel St. Paul had been made 
He, uses a general 


a minister and an apostle. 
term, commonly employed on similar occasions; 


the import of which must be learned from other 
(Marg. Ref.) This last verse may be 
rendered, ‘ Since ye continue,” &c. implying a 
confidence of the sincerity of the Colossians, as 


places. 


evidenced by their steadfastness. But our trans- 


lation is good sense and sound doctrine; for 


many promising professors are moved away from 
the hope of the Gospel, “having no root in 
« themselves ;” fear of coming short is one grand 
means of the true.believer’s perseverance; and 
it was frequently the apostle’s manner, by such 
intimations, to caution his readers to beware o 
deceiving themselves.—Mind, &c.  (21.) This 


word denotes the higher faculties of the soul, 


the intellectual, or reasoning powers: yet, in 
these, man is an enemy to God; so yain is the 
notion, that the opposition of reason to the sen- 
sual appetites, is the conflict between flesh and 
spirit, of which the apostle elsewhere discourses. 

V. 24. The sufferings of the apostle came 
upon him, chiefly by preaching to the Gentiles: 
but the blessed effects of his ministry among 
them, and that of those, who concurred with him 
in it, cause~ him to rejoice in all that he endured 
for. their sukes: for he thus “ filled up that 
“ which was behind of the sufferings of Christ.” 


. COLOSSIANS. 


25, Luke 6. 48.1 Acts 2.5. & 4.12. 
Eph. 2. 21. & fy ver. 25, Acts 1. 


4.1.5.& 5. 18— 
5. 5,620. & 6. 1° & Ws 
Bhs As 23, Hph. 3..%, 8-1 
: 8, 2) Tim. I, 1%.& 2. 7 
4s 11. & 5.7» & Gi) Thes-2 16 Tic. 8 | 2 Tim. 2. 11,12. & 


Sr» 3e2 Cor %. As 
Eph. 3. 1.13. Phil. 
2. 17, 18. Jam. 1.2. 
d 2 Cor. l- 6—8, & 


Be his. ones) whieh is 
fa ie 
g mre di 
which is or 
the word of 
26 Even ® thi 


but ‘ now is ‘made m: 
* 27 To « whomGo 
what is ' the riches 
mystery among the 
m Christ ¢ in you, ® 


27, Phil. 3. 10. 2} 1 Cor. 
Tim. 1.8. & 2.9, sas 
10, 
e Sve on, ver. 18. iL, viene 
£ See on, b. ver: 23. Lule 8 10.27 D 
8 aR ed eos ia 
4. 6. 


19. 2h 10. 16 
Tim. 4.2—5. | n 3. 1 


The saferiage of Christ 
the redemption of his | 
could those of ‘the apostle’ it 
up the deficiencyy if there 
the atonement of Christ 
application is “made by” 
hearing; hearing by preac 
was then inseparable | from suffe 
apostle’s sufferings in his flesh 
of the Church, were necessary 
and could ‘not be dispensed with. 
filled up what was behind of the afflict 
Christ; as the sufferings of martyrs, n 
and believers ingen one age 
pain and distress, with 
Church, the whole of: whieh is cond 
necessary, in diffe: 
salvation of the whole ‘bo 
might» withthe more’ ‘prop! | 
suffered in the same cause, fr 
sons, in the sante meek and pati 
from the same spirit of zeal an 
divine Master: so that his affit 
Christ’s in every thing, except t 
were expiatory.—Christ is also 
sympathizing in» the sufferings 
and many think, the tle 
words with which the Lord 
the way to Damascus: * Saul 
cutest thou me?” In this sense 
of every part of the Lord’s mystic 
his sufferings: yet, the for: 
most suitable to the tenour o 
» V. 25—27..St. Paul had been m 
of the Gospel, according to the. 
ment of God in his gracious dea 
that he might fulfil the proph 
ture, in preaching to the 
them into the Church; thus h 
make known that mystery, hb 
den from. men, during all preceding ¢ 
tions and ages.of the world ; but was at le 
manifestly revealed to the holy ore 


4, D. 64. CHAPTER I, Ae D. 64, 


_ 28 ©, Whom we preach, P warning eve-|eyery man .t perfect in Christ Jesus; 
ry man, and dteaching every map "in| | 29 Whereunto [also " labour, * stri- 
i wisdom; _ hat * we, may present ving according to ¥ his working, which 
a feed Biss 4 apt st ‘ “f : Z * . 2 
OA a Pras Ee S| ee Bt ated] MORE met Ebay. 
x hapa : . ° ye 2 Slt) s ARES ¥ Sif, eS 5047 
20.8 eat € 2,10. 1 Core 1.30.} 2,16. 1'Thes.2. 9412.4... 
se 17 12, 18.) 2Thes. 3.8.2 Tim.ly 1 Cor. 12. 6. 11. 
Heb. 10. 14. & 13, 2.10. Rev. 2.3. ©] Eph. 1. 19. & 3. 7- 
21. = 2.1. Luke 13. 24,, 20. Phil.2.13. Heb. 
Nn 4. 12.1 Cor. 15.) Rom. 15s 20. 30.) 13. 21. 
«| 10.2 Cor. 5. 9. ‘| 1 Cor. 9. a 2 Cor. 12. 9, 10.8 
6.5. & 11. 23. Phil-| Phil. 127-30. Hebs! 13. 3, 


‘sists. The hope of real Christians is laid up for 
them in heaven, out of the reach of enemies 
and disappointments; they have been called to 
partake of it by “the word of the truth of the 
** Gospel ;” and blessed be God, the joyful mes- 
sage is come to us in this far distant region !—If 
we have known the grace of God in truth, it 
beingeth forth fruit in our holy lives and spirit- 
ual worship; but if it has in no degree this ef. 


= hearts of true believers, in the 

iltitudes of them, by faith, and the 
of his Spirit, implanting his love, renew- 
nis image, and writing bis law ; which fully 


nation. This may be learned from all the fel- 
’ ry-| low-servants of our common Lord, who faithful- 
eed, it cannot be made intelligible, how Christ| ly minister in different parts of his Church : for 
they all declare, that “love in the Spirit,” of 
Christ, of holiness, and of the people, ordinances, 
and commandments of God, is inseparable from 
| saving faith. - : 
of his faithful brethren ;-who warned every Man} 

to flee from the wrath to come, and from every 
_ other confidence, to this Refuge ; and to beware 
~ of delusion in so important a matter; and they 
instructed every man with all. wisdom, and in 
every thing, that could render them’ wise unto 
salvation, or wise to serye Gad in their several 
places, For they desired and aimed to present 
‘every man, who attended on their ministry, com- 
plete in Christ, perfectly justified, and at length 

rfectly sanctified. In this the apostle laboured 
with wu rwearied diligence; striving by every 
means to bring sinners to Christ, and believers 


ad 


~ to establishment and holiness : yet, this assiduity 
~ and earnestness were not of himself; but: sccord: 
ing to the working of a divine power on his soul, 
which wrought mightily in him, exciting fer- 
vent. desires after God, and the: salvation of 
souls ; communicating vigour to all holy affee- 
tions, raising him above ali low and selfish aims, | 
and supporting him in constancy, patience, and 
_ cheerful. fortitude, amidst all. difficulties and 
“persecutions. Some would explain this power, 
io mean. the miracles which the apostle wrought ; 
it every one must perceive, that. this wholly de- 
ys the energy, and darkens the meaning, of 


V.9—14, 


lines of divine truth; but we should also pray 
for one another, that we may be “ perfected in 


«« dom and spiritual understanding ;” in order 


God in every part of our conduct, and produce 
every kind of holy fruit in abundance. Thus 
we shall likewise incxease in the knowledge of 
God : for a humble; upright, teachable, and spi- 
ritual mind, exceedingly helps the exercise of a 
sound judgment, in investigating the nature and 
perfections of God ; and experience confirms the 
knowledge which faith receives from divine re- 
velation. This again tends to increasing simpli- 
city in dependence on God, which brings strength 


‘long-suffering with joyfulness,” under the se- 
verest trials and provocations. Indeed, we may 
well be thankful to the Father, if we have the 
witness in ourselves, that “we are made meet 
“for the inheritance of the saints in light ;” hav- 
ing acquired a relish for those contemplations, 
and that holy worship, in which the blessed spi- 
rits before the: throne are incessantly employed. 
Alas ! the whole world lieth under “ the power of 
“« darkness,” except as divine grace rescues some 
from this destructive bondage, by “ translating 


_.. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. | 
a ee. Vv. 1—8. : 
| Spiritual blessings, “* from God the Father 
d our Lord Jesus Christ,’ belong to the 
é faithful brethren in Christ, wherever 
rare dispersed; may we be found of that 
er!) We should thank God for those, who 
their faith in Christ by love to all his 
d also. pray heartily for them : (though 
personally. known to us;) when we 
é account of them ; for in these things 
he commurtion of the ssints,’ principally cou- 


«“ God ;” that these could not have been saved, 


by the blood of Christ, through whom their sins 
‘are all freely pardoned : the subjects of these two. 
kingdoms, with their respective ruiers, will 
shortly be-removed to an eternal and unchange- 
able state; Clirist and his people being collect 
fed together in heavenly felicity, satan and his 


* 


fect.on us, it will only aggravate our condem- - 


It is not enough that we know the grand out- 


‘« the knowledge of the Lord’s will, in all wis- 


that we may walk worthy of our vocation, please 


into the soul; that being invigorated with all — 
might “ according to his glorious power,” the be-_ 
liever may be able to exercise “patience and - 


«them into the kingdom of the beloved Son of , 


had they not@een redeemed from merited wrath. 


: 
fi 
3 


+7 


i 
f 
f 


prete-efing «eo. - 


A NN RE A EE eee amet 


A, D. 64. 


CHAP. If. 


The apostle 
Colossians, and the churches which had not seen 
him’; that they might be united in love, and so 


comforted ; and that they might attain ‘a clearand 
satisfactory knowledge of the mysteries of Christ}. 


and not be seduced. by deceivers,1—-4. He re- 
joices, as ifhe saw their order, and the steadfast- 
ness of their faith; and exhorts them to persever- 
ance ‘and thankfulness, 5—7; ‘warning’ them 


against vain philosophy and human traditions; and 


ee 


slaves being cast intoouter darkness and despair. 
Now, when these things are duly considered, we 
shall deem it so vast a favour, to be delivered, 
from the kingdom of the’ Devil, and translated’ 


into. that of Christ; that we shall know ourselves 


to have unspeakable cause for gratitude, in the 
deepest scenes of adversity, and the shurpcst 
conflicts ‘of temptation. For these’ trials will 
soon terminate, and we shall speedily find our.’ 


selves among ‘* those, that are come out of great 
* tribulations,” and are singing his praises, 
*¢ who has washed them from their sins in his 
« own blood?” 

V. 15—20. 


“when admitted into heaven, and not before, 
we shall have some adequate conceptions. of 
the great, mystery of godliness ;” and shall un- 
_ derstand the import of the .apostle’s energetic 


language concerning the Lord Jesus; “the Im- 
« ave of the invisible God ;” the First-born of 
the whole creation ; the universal. Creator, Sus: 

tainer, Proprietor, and Lord of heaven and earth, 

of men and angels, of the yisible and anyisiile 
world, and of all the hierarchies of cherubim 
aod seraphim before the throne of God; all 
which ‘* were created by him and for him, and 
** he is before all things, and by him all things 
“ consist.” Let.us then at present, adore these 
mysteries in humble faith : and, instead of want- 
ing, material images of the invisible God, or 
framing gross notions of him in our creative ima: 


mation, or vain speculations; let us contem- 


plate the glory of the Lord in Cnrist Jesus, the 
express Image of his essential exceliency.. Here 
we may learn. humble confidence, reverential 
fear, and filial love ; and be prepared for spiritu- 
al worship, joyful communion with God, and 
growing conformity to his holiness ; as dwelling 
in our nature, reconciling the world unto bim- 
self, the Beginning of our life, the First-born 
from. the dead; that invall things he might 
“ have the pre-eminence.” Here. we muy’ -be- 
come acquainted with the character of our God ; 
and, may approach him,.and_ have fellowship 


- with him, notwithstanding our exceeding guilt 


and pollution. For it hath pleased the infinitely 
glorious God, that all fulness should. dwell in 
€hrist, both. to relieve our. weak apprehensions 
and our guilty consciences; in-our discoveries 
of his glorious majesty and holiness, through so 
encouraging a medjum, as’ the Person of Em- 
manuel; making peace by the blood of his cross; 
and reconciling all things in heaven and on earth, 
to himself and\to each other, in this most gra- 
cious and anaes’) manner. 
V. 21-29. 


shows how ‘earnestly he prayed for the 


} unreprovable in'the ’ 


to. submit to, 
of Christ, 16, 
ces, to worshipla ; 
of voluntary humility; wi 
ed austerity, 18—23, 


If we be convinced, 
ss ated from God, and ene 
« wicked works ;” and are 
him, by the incarnation, sacrifice 
Christ ; we shall not attempt to 
or presumptuously expect. to 
deep mysteries = but we. sh 
suitableness in this plan o: Freden 
ing the honour ‘y oy divine law 
with the ‘he 
though much ks d 
the reach of, our low cap 
long to be * ‘resented 


impossible for’ us to abus 
grace to encourage. ourselves. 
things indeed must tty. | 
Christians : but every trial v 
every temptation whith | 
ss Me moved away from. 


“6 TooRiniiel in the faith: g 
tends to assure us, that we er 
© sented faultless befotenents 
* ing joy”? May this Gos 
*. fully preached to every, 
“ heaven” May numbers 
Paul, be raised up. and sent! 
rejoice in their sufferin ie 
and. after his ex 5 
ber that our afflictions, whe 

ed, conduce-to the’ 
tion, and the benefit of ‘th 
us be thankful, that God 
those mysteries, which ™ 
generations; and hath show 
glory, among us Gentiles. E 
ed, that these things can yet 
his saints. The ri olla 
“ with them that fear hi 

wonder to hear learned, ingenious. 
betray. their ignorance. oftacan® 
we reflect on their pride, carnal 
dent contempt of the humbling: 
cross, nay, their enmity. apie As Cl 
preached among us, let usis nqu 
ther he dwells and. teig 
can warrant our assured. 
all ministers should: © | 
«. man, and instructing 
« that “they. ‘may. pr 
‘$ Christ Jesus.” - May ‘semctbinnl 
thus labour with all. geet evo 
method endeavour to» promote Ce 
Christ ;. and be careful to * strive ace 
“© that working, which | workett nig 


* 


SAD. 64. CHAPTER. - A: D, 64." 


NOR FP would that ye knew * what| should beguile you with ® enticing words- 
great * conflict I have for you, and} 5 For though 1 ° be absent in the flesh» 
For them ®at Laodicea, and for'as many] yet am I with you in the Spirit, joying 
as haye €notseen my face in the flesh;|? and beholding your order, 4 and the 
2 That “their hearts might be» com-| steadfastness of your faith in Christ. — 
forted,© being knit together in love, and} 6 As ye have therefore * received 
unto fall riches eof the full assurance of} Christ Jesus the Lord, so*walk ye in 
bh rstanding, to the acknowledgment; him : # ye Gar SN 
e mystery of God, and ‘of the Fa-}| 7 t Rooted and" built up in him, and 
ther, and of Christ; © 'X stablished in the faith, as ye have been 
“+ 3 ¢ In* whom are ‘hid all the trea-| taught, abounding thereim ¥ with thanks- 
sures of wisdom and knowledge. giving. 1 #3 
“4 And this I say, ™ lest any man ; [Practical Observattons.] | 
@ 1. 2429, & 4, 12) 4. 3% Gal 3, 28| 1-3. & 5. 17, 23. tain chtace 
“Gen. 30. 8. & 32) Phil-2.1. 1 John 4. 23, 24. Rom, 1). 


a Luke 99, 44,Gall€ See on, i 17, 18. Eph, 3. 17; 
4 Luke 22.44. Gal. f See on, +27. . pices 


: , 19.2 Cor. 11. 3.11 
& 10. 30. 38,& 144] —13. Gal. 2. 4. 
9—11. & 16. 15. &}) Eph. 4. 14/& 5.6. 
17. 21—23-1 Tim-}. 2: Thes. 2. 9—21+ 1 


Cor. 15, 58. & 16. 
13. 1 Thes., 3. 8, 
Heb. 3. 14. & 6.19. 
1 Pet. 5,9. 2 Pet. 


- 4. 19. Phil 1. 30.'¢ 1 Thes, 1. 5. Heb.| 3.16. ‘ Tim, 4.1,2.2 Tim.! 3. 17, 18, U Matt. 7. 24, 25. 
“Heb, 5.7 | G& IL. & 10. 22. 2/1 Or, Wherein. 2. 16. & 3-13. Tit|r Matt. 10. 40. John} Luke 6. 48. 1 Cory 
* bee ‘at’, or, care.) Pet. 1.10. 1 John}k 1.9.19, & 3,16.) 7.30,11.2 Pet. 2i) 1. 12, 13.813. 20.) 3. 9-15. Eph, 2» 
b 4.1 16. Rev,| 3.19 Rom. 11, 33.1 Cor.| 1—3..1 John 2 18.} 1 Cor. 1- 30. Heb.| 20—22, 1 Pet. 2.4 


414.8 3. 14—22./h John 6, 69. & 17! 1.24.30. & 2. 6—8. 
¢ ver. 5. Acts 20.) 3. Rom. 16. 25. 1) Eph. 1.8. & 3. 10.] 7, Rey. 12,9. & 13.) 12, 20.2 John 8, 9.|x 1.23. Rom. 16. 25. 
38. 1 Pet. is 8.) Cor. 2.12, Eph. 1.) 2 Tim. 3. 15—17. | 8, & 20, 3, 8 88. 17. Is. 2. 5.) 1 Cor.15.58. 2 Cor. 
'd 4, 8. Is, 40. 1.) 17-19. & 3. 9, 10.|1 3. 3e Job. 28. 21. o 1 Cor.2. 4. Mic. 4.2, John 14.! 1. 21..2 Thes. 2. 

. Rom 15.13:2Cor.| Phil. 3.8, 2 Pet. 1.] Prov. 2. 4. Matt.) 9 ver. 1.1 Cor. 5.3, 6. 2 Cor, 5. 7. Gal.| 17. 
1. 4—6, 1 Thes, 3.] 3.& 3.18. 10.26. Eph. 3. 9%} 4.1 Whes. 2.17 | 2.20. Eph. 401. & 
2. & 5.14.2 Thes,Ji 1. 15—17. Is, 53.) Rev. 2, 17. |p 2 Chr. 29, 36, 1) 5. 1,2. Phil. 1, 27. : 
2. 16,17. 11. Jer.9,. 24. Mat.!m ver. 8. 18s Matt.| Cor. 11.34, & 14.40.] 1 Thes. 4. 1. y 1. 12,13. & 3. 17, 
€ 3. 14. Ps. 133. 1.) 11. 25. 27. Luke] 24, 4. 24. Acts 20.| q Ruth 1.18. Ps.78.Jt 1. 23. Ps, 1e3- &) Eph. 5. 20.1 Thes. 
John 17. 21. Acts] 10. 21, 22. John 1.) 30. Rom. 16. 18,| 8.37. Acts 2. 42-1) 92 13. Is. 61. 3.| 5.18. Heb, 13. 15. 


26. & 4.1. 2 John} 3, 14.1 John 5. 11,! —6. Jude 20, 


those, who simply depend on it and pray for it ;} mysteries, and such instructions as were deducis 
‘work and. seek the glory of the Lord: wisdom and knowledge must be derived by faith 
ay NOTES, a and prayer; and all science or philosophy cou. 

CHAP, I. V. 1—4. The apostle was desir-| trary to this were worthless, This the apostle 
ous, that the Colossians should know what ear-j insisted on, lest any man should beguile them 
nest longings he had experienced, and what| into some specious delusion, by enticing words 
Vigorous endeavours and fervent prayers he had | or persuasive reasonings, such as plausible ora» 
been engaged in, for them and the Christians of|tors often use, to impose onthe judgment by 
| Baodicea, (a neighbouring city,) and all others|addressing the passions; or by assuming as 
| who had never seen him, in order to promote | true, what is specious indeed, but false: as if e- 
_ their spiritual welfare. He especially wrestled | ther heathen sages, or Jewish scribes, could 
most earnestly with God in prayer, (iv. 12.) that |teach any wisdom, distinct from and preferable 
| their hearts might be.encouraged by divine con-|to the mysteries of the Gospel. ‘It grieved the 
solations, in every part of their duty; and that, |* apostle to think, how incapable he was render- 
_ inorder to this, they might be united together |* ed of serving them, otherwise than by his let. 
| in the most perfect love of one another: that so|* ters and prayers. Oh! that such language 


tion, might be excluded; which would otherwise |‘ a desire to use his liberty to the best of pur- 


| Passions, grieve the Holy Spirit, and interrupt |* finement he would wish he had done.” (Dod- 
‘their comfort. In this most cordial union, he| dridge.) All the treasures, &c. (3.) ‘ Let this be 
q rayed that they might attain and possess all)‘ the firmest argument against cavillers, that 


| ™ God manifest in the flesh” iz whom, or in| greatly interested himselfin their concerns, and 
feed iyetery, were treasured up‘all the riches | realized to his mind the prosperous state of their 
| of wisdom and knowledge. These were indeed | Church, as made known to him by Epaphras.— 
hidden from the eyes of proud unbelievers : but | Some think, that he bad an immédiate revelation 


ie infinite wisdom and knowledge of God were| concerning it; as Elisha hac of Gehazi’s ‘con- 


} aris , than in all his other works : all true wis-| ever, which he had of their prosperous state, he 

dom and knowledge consisted in a believing and | was filled with joy and complacency ;' as if he 

se 79Re sania understanding of these| had witnessed the orderly management both of 
ee » VE 24 is ssantiied 


_ and who go forth in that strength, to do thé| ble from them: yea, from this treasury all true 


= 


| all envies, resentment, suspicions, and competi-|* might inspire every minister who reads it, willy — 


certainly burden their consciences, inflame their|* poses, and to exert himself, as under such con. 


displayed in the Person and redemption of| duct in following Naaman. By that view, how. . 


A.D. 64. 


*g 2 Beware lest any man @ spoil you 
through > philosophy and vain deceit, 
ce after the tradition of men, ‘after the 
* rudiments of the world, and mot © after 
Christ: 


_Z Dent. '6. 12, a Acts 17.18. °82.Je ver. 22. Matt..15. 


2-9. Mark 7. 3— 


7]. 15) & 10 17. &| Rom. 1. 21. 22,2 
thee “he 2 13. Gal. 1. 14, 2 


16, 6. Phi, 3. & 2| Cor. 1-19-23. & 3. 
Pet. 3. 17. 18, 19. & 15, 35, 
a yer. 18. Cant. 2. 36. 2 Cor. 10, 5. Gr. 
15. Jer. 29.8. Rom.} 1 ‘Tim. 6, 20. 2 
26. 17. Eph. 5. 6.) Tim, 2. 17,18 & 3.) 4. 3..9. ; 
Heb. 13.9.2 John 8.| 15+ : ‘je Eph. 4. 20. 
Bao ATT My new a A ae aes 
their private concerns, and of those of the 
Church ; as to the external regularity and disci- 
pline maintained in it; and the constancy of 
their faith in Christ, notwithstanding the terrors 
of persecution, and the artifices of false teachers. 
As therefore they had by faith received’ Christ 
Jesus to be their Lord and Saviour, according 
to the several offices which he sustained for the 
benefit.of his Church ; let them continue in ha- 
bitual dependence on him, and obedience to 
him; let them seek~all their wisdom, strength, 
hope, holiness, and comfort, from him, and aim 
in all things to serve and glorify him. Thus, be- 
ing rooted in him as trees in a fruitful soil, and 
builded upou him as a house upon a firm founda- 
tion ; and being siablished by living faith in him, 
according to the doctrine which they had been 
taught; they would abound more. and more in 
faith, and proceed in their course with fervent 
thanksgiving to God for all his benefits. (Marg. 
Ref.) 

V. 8, 9. It was especially requisite for the 
Colcssians to be upon their guard, that no man 
might rob them, (as victorious armies plunder 
the vanquished,) of their hopc or comfort,. or 
tian them aside from Christ, by any philosophi- 
cal subtleties, and vain delusive speculations, 
which were opposed to the simple belief of the 
gospel. These were human traditions, which 
were delivered from the heads of the several 
sects of philosophers, and so handed down from 
age toage: and they formed the. elements or 
first principles of a supposed. wisdom, suited to 
the proud, curious, and carnal temper of the 
world ; but which was totally incompatible with 
the doctrine of Christ. The Judaizing teachers 
seem to have blended their system, with specula- 
tions borrowed from the Pagans, and their dif- 
ferent sects of philosophers : thus the traditions 
of the sages, and those of the Pharisees, were 
incorporated ; and the worldly elements of hea- 
then superstition or philosophy, were blended 
with legal und other external observances. | Un- 
Tess something of this kind be supposed, it will 
be found difficult to understand the apostle’s dis- 
course: for ne spoke of philosophical delusions 
and legal ceremonies at the same time ; he ar- 
gued against both of them at once, but he level- 
led his reasonings chiefly against the Judaizing 
teachers. To. what he had before advanced, he 
here added, that “in Christ all the fulness-of 
«« the Godhead dwelleth bodily.” 4 In the temple 
the Lord discovered his presence by tlie Shechi- 
nah, or visible glory ; yet, this was only.an em 
blem. or shadow of bis gracious presence: but in 


Pet. 1.18. = 
cd ver. 20. Eph, 2.2 
* Or, elements, Gal. 


COLOSSIANS. . 


| power: 


* 9 Forfin him dwelleth all ¢ 
of the God-head e bodily: 9) 

10 And. ye are» complete in. him, — 
which is i the all principality and 


Rte fis | Ras 
fiver. 2,3. & . 19.12. 18 
Is. 7. 14. Matt. 1.) 20: 
23, Jobn 10. 30. $8.|g Lukes 
& 14.9, 10.20. &y 1, 14:8 2 
17, 21.2 Cor. 5. 19.jh 3. WIE 
1 Tim. 3,16. Tit 1 Core 1s 


fh 
PY 


Christ, the fulness of the 1 
ty ; and all the divine perfec nS are 

by Christ, as God manifested in the! 
virtue of the mysterious Union of the d 
human nature in one Person, When th 
spoke of believers being ‘filled with allt 
“ of God ;” he evidently meant it of their 
a rich abundance of all divine communications — 
from God ; and his indwelling in his people refers — 

to his gracious and powerful , with them. | 
But.“ all the falness of the Goc iwelling: b 

« dily” in Christ, is language uns 
er, and evidently refers to his being 
the repository of all spiritual | 35. 
whose fulness all spiritual believers rece’ 
(Note, Johni. 14—16.) For God dwelli 
human nature, as in a temple 
perfections, performs all div 
communicates all benefits to 
medium. (Mang. Ref.) . Christ, is ae 
© said to be “ filled with all the fulness of 
* but the whole fulness of’ the 


‘to reside in him. Now Bes 
* never signify the gifts of God, or 
* of the gospel; but the divine natut 
‘ can the will or revelation of God 
« dwell bodily” ‘ in. any, person.’ Vi 
If the union of Deity and Manhoo = 
can be expressed in human 
doubt this verse does express 
V.10. As Christ was con 
his mediatorial work, by, “ all the ft 
* Godhead dwelling. in him bedily 
ers are completely supplied with all 
want, by their mystical union | 
“in him,”, as members of; his 
and as quickened by his Sp 
‘© Wisdom, Righteousness, Sancti 
“ Redemption:” all their: instruction, 
ance, holiness, deliverance, liberty, yicte 
happiness, are derived from him by. 
use of his appointed means. 
«‘ Head of all principality. 
Ref.) all angels being his 
the whole creation being in one 
subjected to him: so Christians 
to fear any creatures, (or 0 
from. them. The Judai 
have imbibed, and new-n li 
tions of subordinate deities, 
the scriptural doctrine of an > 
duced the mediatorial wor of th 
which. they at an early period attem 
rupt the Christian Church,» and. not 
out success. To this the apostle he: 


- 


' 


—— 
“aD. 64. 


CHAPTER II. 


A.D. 6%, 


91 In © whom also ye are circumcised|and ™ the uncircumcision of your flesh, 


with the circumcision made ! without 
hands, = inputting off the body. of the 
sins ~~ camel = by the circumcision of 


rein also ye are risen with sim 
“the faith of the operation of 

®who hath raised him from the dead. 

d you, being t dead i in 2 sins, 


} fehers,) ab well 23 in what is ‘s2id afterwards— 
“But Christians could have no occasion to pay 
| ‘Homage of any kind to those creatares, who; 
_ “however exalted, were subjected to Christ = 
| Lord and Redeemer. 
| v. il, 12. The disciples of Jesus did not 
‘ieadinbe eetiesteak vc21 of circumcision, in order 
| ‘totheir acceptance or complete salvation : for 
| in Christ, and by their union with him, they bad 
‘the true’ circumcision, which was not performed 
on their bodies by the hands of men, but on their 
hearts. by the Holy Spirit; in consequence of 
| ‘whose regenerating work, they were daily em- 
ad panes off the body of the sins of 
Thus they renounced and watch- 
> pathy all the sins, to which their natural 
“corrupt propensities excited them ; and they had |“ 
: vgrucibed the old Man as propagated from Adam, 


‘on the hearts of his people; by his 

. (Holy Spirit ; een Rom, ii. 28, 29.) For the 
_. “circumcision of Christ,” seems rather to signify 
bis work in the believer's soul, than his own per- 
{is mediator hun though that was 2 part of 
mediatorial humiliation, by which the trae 

Ne acision was procured for them, and in 
“they are rendered conformable to him. 
d of the outward sign of circumcision, 
m hed been. substituted ; (which some 
bse fo be meant by the circumcision of 
=) this represented that death and burial 
mhemn from former confidences, and sinful 

y pursuits, which true Christians ex- 
ice; in order to their being made conform- 
2 to him in: his resurrection. (Notes, &c- 
wi ere baptism of Jews and Gen- 


Christ : the washing away of the 
on of their sins ; and their dedi- 
i of the Pather, the Son, and 
, in whose name, as the God of 
on, they were baptized... The same 


hath * he quickened ‘together with him, 
y having forgiven you alltrespasses; __ 
14 » Blotting out > the hand-writing of 
ordinances that was against us, which 
was contrary to us, and © took it out of 
the way, nailing it to bis cross ; 
i5 And © haying spoiledé principalities 
and powers, he made a shew of them 
openly, ©triumphing over them * in it. 
«| a Epb. 2. 11. 4.5. Ps. 51, 1.9, Is] 53-12. Mat. 12. 29. 
x Ps. 71. 20. & 139.) 43. 25. & 
50. John 5. 21: oe 3 19. 


6. 63. Rom. 4. 17. 
& 8. 10- I Cor. 15: 


a i. 18.} 13. & % 13.&9. 9, 
& 55.7. Jer. 31.34; 10. & 19.8, 9. 


Acts 13. 38,39. 2 Se iy 14.2 30. Acts 2 23, 2s 
Cor. 5. 1% Heb 32—36,. 

1o—12. Loin izle Gen. 2.15. Ps.6.|* Or, im Aim 
—$. & 2,12. 13, Is. 49. 34, 25. & 

2 Nem. 5. 23. 


imward change had been signified by circumci- 
sion, which was administered to adult proseiytes, 
and then to their infant offspring, so that no 
argument can hence be deduced against the bap- 
tism of infants. (Notes, Gen. xvii. Matt. xxviii. 
19, 20.)—This conformity to the crucified and 
risen. Saviour was effected, “ through the faith 
* of the operation of God, who raised him from 
the dead ;” or by a believing reliance on the 
effectual saving power of God, as revealed in the 
Gospel of Christ. It is, no doubt, an important 
scriptural truth, that the faith, by which we re- 
ceive all other blessings, is itself the gift and 
work of God: and this has induced seme expo- 
sitors, and very many preachers, to explain the 
clause to mean, “the faith which God has 

wrought in the heart.” This was the author’s 
view, when he wrote the first edition of this 


+ work ; and indeed, till-he came to revise it, for 


this edition. But a careful examination of the 
subject has convinced him, that this is rather 
imposing 2 sense on the apostle’s words, ¢han 
inquiting after the true meaning of them.” The 
ablest Grecians are decided, at the idiom of the 
language will not admit of that construction = 
and certainly there is no instance in the New 
Testament, i in which a similar mode of expres- 
sion can fairly be thus interpreted. (Mark xi. 
22. Aéts iii. 16. Rom. iit. 22. 26. Gal. n. 16.'20. 
ii. 22. Eph. wit. 12. Phil i. 27.18. 9. 2 Thes. ii. 13. 
Jam, ti. 2: Rev. i 13. xiv. 12. Gr.) But it should 
be observed, that, though the clause does not af- 
firm faith to be the work and gift of God : it nei- 
ther teaches nor implies aay thing to the contrary. 
Indeed, this is clearly taught in the subsequent 
verse.—(JMarg. Ref.) Buried. (Notes, Rom. vi. 
1—3. 

V.13—15. The Colossians, being chiefly con- 
verts from idolatry, had been “dead in their 
* sins,” and in that carnal state of which the un. 
circumcision of their flesh was an outward to- 
ken : but God had quickened them together with 
Christ, by virtue of his resurrection ; having i in 
bis death provided for the forgiveness of all their 
transgressions, to the full benefit of which he had 


Nee ae 


ee ae 


Satie nomena 


a eS yet OL Og FREE An aay | ANI 
‘ rere, erry 
‘ 


A D. 64. 


16 Let no man therefore ‘ judge you 
* ins meat, or in drink, or } in respect 

h of an holy-day, or of ‘ the new moon; 
k or of the sabbath days : 


£ Rom, 14,3. 10—13.j¢ Lev. 11. 2—47- &y 17. 20, 21.1 Cor. 8. 
1 Cor. 10. 28—31. fix. 10-15. Deut. 14. 7—13. 1 Tim. 4.3 


Gal.2. 12,13. Jam) 3; Be. Ez 4. TA. rr aR ae ha 10. & 
Mats 15. 11! Acts 


13.9 
©Or, for eating and| 1\-3—18. & 15. 20.|+ Or, in part. 
“Ono K Rom. 14.2.6, 1d—th Ley. 23, Num. 28, 


Eee EE SEE REESE naman ne Daan 
thus admitted them! (Votes, Eph. ii. 111.) For 
Christ had blotted out the hand-writing of ordi- 
nances, the ceremonial law, which was, as it were, 
the bond of the ancient church, for payment of 
the debt. of sin contracted by wiplation of the 
moral law; but which Christ the Surety had paid 
in behalf of all believers, and so blotted out the 
debi: This was against the Jews, and contrary to 
them, as:well as to the Gentiles: for it is observa. 
ble that the apostle changed the person, when 
he came to speak on this subject, saying ws, in- 
instead of you. Not only was it a heavy yoke for 
them. to bear : but all its sacrifices and ablutions 
testified that they were guilty and polluted; yet 
could they not take away sims. So that the bond 
could never have been discharged, except as 
Christ came and made payment«of it; and un- 

believers among the Jews were nuder condem- 

nation, by the testimony even of the ceremonial 
law, as well as for the afditiona! sins which the 
multiplying of precepts necessarily occasioned. 

At ‘the same time the Gentiles, who had not so 
much as these typical expiations, were under 
condemnation as transgressors, and were exciud- 
ed by them even from the visible church. But 
Christ not only blotted out the deht, but remov- 
ed the bond out of the way, and nailed it as a 
cancelled deed to his cross, that it might no 
more appear against his people. The ceremo- 
nial law, therefore, and the whole Mostic dispen- 
sation, having received its intended aceomplish- 

ment in Christ, were of no more force or value 
than a cancelled bond: and the Gentiles, being 
admitted into the church by faith in Christ, and 
his ifistitution of baptism, had no need of circum. 

cision, or of any legal observances, and ought not 
to pay any regard to them. Moreover, Christ had 
at the same time virtually deprived the principal- 

ities and powers of darkness of their usurped 
dominion; and made way for the subversion of 
their kingdom, which was before universally es- 
tablished throughout the Gentile world. For by 
satisfying the justice of God for sin, he bad re- 

moved the cause of fallen m.n’s subjection to sa- 
tan, and made way for the preaching of the Bor 
pel to the nations, with the Holy Spirit sent down 
from heaven to make it successful. So that he 
vanquished those enemies when he hung upon 
the cross; when he arose and rscended, he led 
them captive; and he made an open show of his 
victory, and manifested the triumphs of his cross, 
when, by the preaching of his gospel, he proceed- 
ed to destroy satan’s strong holds, and to rescue 
his captives in the different nations of the earth, 

(Eph. iv. 8—10. )—Against us, (14,) ¢ Cireumci- 
© sion publicly testified innate depravity ; the 
* purifications, the pollutions of sin, and the sa- 
* erifices, that its guilt deserved death ; to which 


 — 


COLOSSIANS. 


. bai: 


sar Ns name 


come : Raith ow deere es} Seu rt id 
ine eletege , ra i 

& 29, Dent. 16. ah Ba Neh.| $. 24.32, 39 

—17. Neh. 89, & ,81.3. Is.J] John 1. 5 hy ma 

10. 31. Ps. 42. 4 re —— ra vy zt &% 9 


Rom. 14, 

i Num. 10. 10. & 28.) 
11. 14. 1 Sam, 20.) 
5. 1862 Kings 4. 23. 


Peete aoe ac 
he a eee 


* the remarkable saying 
* In those ceremonies there w 
* fession, than the removal of § 
silencing of the heathen orac 
al, yet rapid, subversion of the 
man idolatry, in consequence of the 
Christ, are fixed on by some commentators, 
almost the exclusive peal of the clause, 
“umpbing over them in it:? but these, i 
ever important, constituted ‘ay ‘small part of 
that victory over the ge me 2 
Christ obtained on the | 
quent triumphs; of which ¢ 
dying thief may be consider 
(Wate. Gen, ii. 15.) at ie 
V. 16,17. Seeing” reap? it Christ haa: fi 
cancelled. the Beit acta ih Ao ‘man ven." 
ture to judge and condemn the Genti believers, | | 
as guilty, or as no part of the’ i ‘because ” 
they disregarded it ; rand Tak lisquiet 
himself about such censorious judgm 
related to the distinction betwe 
ctean meats, or the use of, or. 
this or the other drink; oF the neg : 
Jewish festivals and solempities, le New-moons 
and sabbaths. “ Doubtless, this: last re ated prir 
cipally to the weekly sabbath, “as obsery 
ed on the seventh day, Was now become a 
of the abrogated Jewish jaw h b 


with the seventh day in pre! 
save as that was for the time a ppo' nte 
appropriation of apart of our time: 
ship and service of God, We of 
tially immutable obligation.” (J 

10.) ‘The first day of the we 


was the time kept holy by Cht a ians, in 
brance of Christ’s resurrection ; and | 
in the New Testament, nisays 
venth day, the observance of 

ing teachers wanted to Hogs ih 
conyerts. These things in et re 
of evangelical beset but | 
and substance of them were found in 
sulting from his Person, | 8s 
and consisting in the holiness,” 
nion with God, and hese 


‘Now, it is not ena 
“pretended to have received fror a 
‘the prophets, by eeaGlit ml pheceptl not a 
‘written in the law, might? enjoit abstinence 
‘from wine and strong drink, to such of their’ 
‘ disciples as aimed at superior holiness (mH Bick 
night.) (Marg, Ref) hy RL 


AD.64. = * 


48s Let ® no man} beguile you of your 
reward, § in. a voluntary humility and 
° worshipping of angels, P intruding into 
things which he hath nof seen, 


those 
q vainly puffed up by his © fleshly mind; 
Ps 13« 8. 1 


+ 4, 8. an 
18, 


“4 ‘18, 19. 


didates, by giving them wrong 


turning them out of. their course. The original 
word seems to be taken from the office of those, 
who pre in the Olympic games, and decided. 


to whom the prize belonged. Now, if any man 
such an authority among Christians, he 
would mislead all who willingly submitted to 


him, as well as domineer over their consciences, 
fe a would be attempted by certain persons, 
w 


solveit the mediatory good offices of holy angels : 
and they aimed to persuade others to the prac- 


all places, and acquainted with the sincerity and 


that they were more compassionate and 


@ most presumptuous intrusion into the supposed 
_ state of the invisible world: it substituted man’s 
arrogant conjectures and speculations in the 
“Place of divine revelation; and it was the ge- 
_Buine offspring of that selé-wisdom, with which 


the carnal mind is so prone to be puffed up. By 


thus exalting angels to the cffice of mediators, 
_ worshipping them in that capacity; they 
ly dishonoured Christ, the One Mediator 
God and man, to whom, as God mani- 


ropriated. They did not therefore adhere to 
Shrist the Head, ov hold communion with him ; 


3 of the Gospel, by choosing and worship- 
-other mediators: and as no sinner can ap- 
h God, or be accepted, but in and by Christ; 
error tended directly to ruin their souls. 
l true.believers are united to him, and re- 
> alll. grace from him: they are compacted 
ether one body by their union with him 
i ith each other, and by thus filling up their 
ee, and performing their proper fanc- 
ions in his Church ; as the human body is made 
members compacted together, by 
as veins, &c, united to one head. 


CHAPTER IL, 


8. 5, 6.1 Tim. 401. 
f Or, jue aren Sr pete 19. 10, & 
8, 


As Christ was “the Head of all 
« principalities and powers,” the apostle warned 
the Colossians not to allow any man to rob them 


of that glorious. prize, for which they were can- 
directions, or 


were induced, by an uncommanded and 
self-imposed humility, to worship angels; pre- 

that it was improper for mean sinful 
creatures to come to God immediately with their 
and that it was therefore expedient to 


tice. Thus, they ascribed divine honours to 
created beings, as if ever present with men in 
the desires. of their hearts: nay, they seemed to 
kind than the Lord himself. This might be cali- 
, and indeed it was a voluntary degra- 


dation, to which a rational. creatute ought not to 
| submit: yet, in fact, it originated from pride, and_ 


-fested in the flesh, such worship ought to be ap- 


‘but, fact, they departed from the grand prin- 


JA. D. 64. 


ig And # not holding the Head, from 
which tall the body, "by joints and 
bands, having * nourishment ministered, 
and ¥ knit together, 2 Ancreaseth with the 
increase of God. 


Cor..3..3.2 Cor. 12. 139,15, 16, 
20. Gal. 5. 19, 20./x John 15. 4—5- 
Jam. 3. 14—16+ & Rom, 11. 17, Eph. 
4. 1—6. 5.29. 
Eph. 4, 16. 1 Thes 


y ver. 2. Jobn 174 
i . 12.& 4s 16.2 


if PS 4, 3. Phil. 
27.& 2 25.1 

Pet 3. 8. 

Z 1.19.1 Cor, 3. 6. 


s ver. 6—9. & 1.18. 
Gal. 1.6-9,5.&2-l21. Aets 4. $2. 

4.1 Tim. 2. 4—6. <3. 1) Thess. 1. 3. 2 Pet. 
t Eph. 4.15, 16. +10. & 10.} 3. 18% 

u Job 10, 9—12. Ps, 16, ir “kK 12, 12— é 


— eee ee 

Thus Christians derive spiritual nourishment 
from Christ, through his ordinances ; and, being 
knit together, they increase m knowledge and 
holiness, by the power of God, and grow upinto 
nearer conformity to him. ( Eph. iv. 15, 16.)— 
Tt hath before been intimated, that the Jews 
seem to have borrowed some of the Pagan’ no- 
tions, and applied them to the scriptural doctrine 
of angels ; by these means the Judaizing teach- 
ers had begun to corrupt Christianity with anew 
and refined species of idolatry. To what lengths 
the same principles afterwards carried professed 
Christians, in the worship of departed saints, 

real or imaginary, and the worship of images, 
as well as that of angels, especially in the Church 
of Rome, is well known. But the whole was 
done in direct defiance to the apostle’s testimo- 
ny, which sufficiently proves all such practices 
to be as contrary to the honour of Christ in the 
Gospel, as more direct or acknowledged idolatry 
is to the honour of God in the law. Many ex- 
Positors bestow great pains, while commenting 
on this chapter, in showing what heretics, or 
heretical teachers, the apostie had in view ; and 
what sects of the philosophers had supplied, so 
to speak, the materials for these corruptions of 
the Gospel. But it appears to me, that if Cerin- 
thus, or the Gnostics, or any other heretics, 

had been then Known, as avowing antichristian 

tenets, the apostle would no more have scrupled 
to name them, than he did to name Hymeneus 

and Philetus: unless he had thought that by 
naming some, he should be supposed to excul- 
pate others, who, with some shades of difference, 

were equally corrupting the Gospel. In like 

manner, the Stoics and Epicureans are named 


‘by the sacred historian, in the same way as the 


Pharisees and Sadducees are; and if Christian- 
ity had been corrupted, exclusively, by the spe- 
culations of Pythagoreans or Platonists, it does 
not appear why the apostle should omit to pro- 
test aeainst them. But, if all the sects of the 
ie eo Saat held notions, suited to corrupt 
Christianity then the reason is evident, why the 
apostle names no one: and it is equally strong, 
against our interpreting his words of any one* 
exclusively. In fact, it is of immensely more 
importance for us to know whai, than whom, he 
opposed : forif our attention be engrossed by 
the danger of ancient ‘Christians, from this or 
the other sect, either of heretics or philosophers ; 
we shall probably be Jed to forget our own dan- | 
ger from papists, Socinians, philosophizing infi- 
dels, rational Christians, (as some call them- 
selves,) and alt the varieties of superstitious and 


' 


A. D. 64. COLOSSIANS. 
using 5),8 after the’ commatid 


20 Wherefore, * if ye be dead with Christ 

b from the * * rudiments of the world, why, 

as though © living in the world, are ye 
4 gone to ordinances ? 

1 (¢ Touch not, taste not, handle not; 

: i Which all are. to perish with the 


a 3.3. Rom. %6. 2—j* Or, elements. Gal. 4, 9-12, Heb. 
41. & 7. 4—6. Gal.je John. 15. 19. & 17,! 13. 9. 
2. 19, 20, & 6.14.] 14—16.'2 Cor. i0.'e Gen. 3. 3. Iss 52. 


1 Pet. 4. 1—3. 13 Jats 4,1 Jokn} 11.2 Core 6. 17-4 
b See on, ver- Tim. 4. 3. 
Eph. 2. 15. a Se on, ver. 14. 16. f Mack’ % 18, 19. 


enthusiastical deceivers; against all of whom, 
the apostle’s words, as explained i in an enlarged 
sense, Most solemnly warn us. 

V. 20—23. If the Colossians were indeed be- 
come dead with Christ to the ceremonial law, 
which is elsewhere ‘called the rudiments or 
sent of this world, (Marg. Ref.) Christ 

having discharged, and cancelled, that bond; 
why did they act as if they were still living in 
the world, under a carnal dispensation, and 
strangers to a more spiritual worship and service? 
and why did any of them submit to those, who 
dogmatically imposed legal observances and hu- 
man traditions of any kind on them?) The Ju- 
daizing teachers having imbibed also the notions 
of the heathen philosophers, had crept in at 
Colosse, and with great eagerness inculcated 
their principles, and seem to have met with coun- 
tenance from some professed Christians. They 
catied on them, ina dogmatical and authorita- 
tive manner, not * to touch,” or to eat such food, 
as was legally unclean, and not so much as to 
taste it; nor yet to handle any thing, which 
might pollute them : probably requiring them 
also to refrain from marriage. (1 Cor. vii. 1.)— 
The next words are diflerently interpreted.— 
Some. suppose them to be the words of the false 
teachers, forbidding the use of all food, which 
caused the destruction of life. ‘ Whatever things | * 
* tend to the destruction of life in the using’— 
(Macknight.) _ But though the words may bear 
this translation: yet, as there is nothing i in the 
original for-of life ; and as whatever is used as 
food, is destroyed by that use; the interpreta. | ‘ 
tion seems inadmissible. ©All which things 
* tend to the corruption of that exccellent reli- 
€ gion into which you are initiated?” (Doddridge.) 
This supposes the word @Sope.to be used na 
moral sense, of which many instances may be 
given. But the more general, and, as it appears 
to me, the best founded interpretation, supposes 
the apostle to refer to our Lord’s words concern- 
ing the traditions of the Pharisees, (Jfate. xv. 
17 :) and implies, that abstaining from such 
things, when not divinely prohibited, as support- 
,ed the body by perishing themselves, could do 
nothing towards the salvation of the soul.— 
(Notes, Matt. xv. 1—20. 1 Cor, vi. 12—20.) 
Whereas, ail such things perish with the using, 


and could communicate no real defilement. . T'y- 
pical instructions had in former ages been con- 
veyed by the rituak law; but its obligation had 
now ceased, and it was of no more authority, than 
the other doctrines and commandments of hu- 
‘man invention, which the false teachers added to } ons. ‘ce 
it. Fhe Saag of angels and the distinctions of rs and speculating teachers, al 


-honour to thi 


doatrinats of 1 
23 Whic 
of wisdom in i 
and + neglecti 


John 6, 27-1 Cor. 4. 

13. h'G 
g as. 29+ 13. Dan. 11-} 23. 
37. Matt. 15. 8-9 } 11. 
Mark 7. 7—13. Tits] 4: kp 


meats, had a show of wi 
pose on the injudicioits 
the rule of duty, and thu ¢ 
had a semblance of great devotion a 
nary sanctity : but, it implied that’ 
efia defective rule, and that he wo 
ed with what he had never com 
might also'appedr very humble to wor 
yet, this arose from abominable 
lief. The. abstaining from. m 
self-imposed austeritie: 
traordinary spirituality, by 
neglected, from a pretende 
mal indulgence, and’ zne 
and suffering: yet, all this was 
« nour,” to God, er any t 
nay, the whole tended: to satisfy 
able manner, the propensities 
carnal mind, by gratifyi Ip 
dom, self-righteousness, 
of others. The word, rendered 
is not elsewhere used in the Wi 
butit may be so naturally fo! 
words found in the eighteent 
ed. “ voluntary worshippiti eg 
by no-means doubtful. 
ently interpreted, ‘Nor 
‘ they regard those thip 
gratified, (or p 
* flesh,” he: mean 
gratified with every: 
pride, self- preference, 
“ Not by any provisior for s at 
Tl, * sometimes in 1 
food. and clothing nec 
the provision of the necessa 
cies of life, made. for. 
dows, is called Thee 
dy is as real a part of 
and ought to have such 
are necessary to its he 
wisdom which teaches th 
“ body, is not wisdom, but 
* Not yielding that due res 
* body which were mee 
*. fit sustentation of it.” ( 
€ marriage, which'* is 
all,” ¢and allowing 1 
6 satisfying those desires 
* by nature, brought 
« lusts” (Hammond: 
clearly made out: 
very well suit the ec 
doubted, that the” § 
‘speak against the corrupti 


~ 1 Re we RH ARH 


= gk i eS * - 
id ’ 


_ CHAP. III. * 
The apostle i See Christians to seek, and set ieee 
affections on, things above ; and being risen with 
ollowing him to heaven, 1 1-4, to mortify 


ast: to put away malice, and to seek eon- 
hrist in holiness, 5—11 ; especially in 


| philosopher, so to speak, on the su- 
“Pharisce, attempted to corrupt the 
» imlanguage strictly prophetical of the 
uent corruptions of the ‘* man of sin,” the 
papal antichrist. It may, however, be ques- 
tioned, whether the words translated “ satisfying 
the flesh,” which seems to imply full gratifica- 
tion, even to repletion and satiety, would have 
been used by the apostle in this connexion: so 
that, on the whole, the first interpretation ap- 
Deane to me the eee erry: 


"PRACTICAL, “OBSERVATIONS. 
V. 1-7. 

who know the worth :of souls, will seek 
and pray for the salvation of sinners all over the 
earth: and such as greatly love their brethren, 
i will earnestly strive for the establishment and 
| PROBTeSs, even of those whom they have not 
; and when they can do nothing else, they 
| pail wrestle with God in prayer for them, .The 
hearts of Christians are commonly comforted and 
animated, in proportion as they are ‘ knit toge- 
“ther in love:” and there are riches, in the full 
assurance of understanding of the Gospel, with 
which believers in general are but little ac- 
quainted. Indeed, there is an inexhaustible 
mine of most precious treasure in the word of 
God; from which men are enriched, in propor- 
jon to the simplicity, Giligence, and persever- 
» with which they seek it. We cannot 
“comprehend the mystery of God, even of the 
Pather and of Christ; but we may believe, ac- 
knowledge, contemplate, and adore it. Thus we 
' shall derive, from the treasures laid up in our 
‘Bmmanuel, supplies of wisdom and knowledge, 
far more valuable than all man’s boasted science 


from the proud and unbelieving, and can be dis- 
~ covered and appropriated only by faith. We 
have peculiar need to insist on these things at 
present, when so many are employed in beguil- 
| ing men with enticing words ; extolling the pow- 
ers pat human reason, and depreciating revela- 

a0 patpnsing theology, and idolizing philo- 
phy ; boasting of demonstration and experi 
D ‘in natural science ; rejecting unanswerable 
ences of the divine inspiration of the scrip- 
eS 5 and. treating all experience of the power 


“Feiss. 


f divine grace in the heart with the most sove- 


erficial speculators are thus beguiled 
fidelity, skepticism, or destructiye per- 
of Christiavity, it must rejoice every €s- 
d believer and every zealous minister, to 
that there is yet a remnant to be found, 
d through the land, who walk orderly, 
Sea obedience and worship of the 
ic «te steadfast in the faith of Christ : 

he tea find his heart, united ; and, if 


CHAPTER If. 


and philosophy: but these treasures are hidden. 


A.D. 64: 


love of each other, readiness -to forgive injuries, 
‘and gratitude te God, 12—15: to keep close to 
the word of truth, to abound im grateful praises, 
and to do all in the name of Christ, 16—17. 
The duties of wives and husbands, 18, 19.: of chil- 
dren and parents, 20, 21 ; and of servants, 22—25. 


walk in Christ, even as they have received him 

to be their Prophet, Priest, and King; that be- 

ing rooted in.and built upon him, they may be 

steadfast in the faith, and fruitful in every good 

work, “ abounding therein with thanksgiving. 2 
V. 8—17.° 

Let young persons and inquirers after the 
truth, especially beware lest any man spoil them 
through philosophy. They may depend upon it, 
that all the boasied Knowledge, which is opposed 
to the mysteries of the Person and redemption ~ 
of Christ, is a vain deceit, a worldly wisdom; 
like that of Jewish Scribes who crucified Christ, 
or that of heathen philosophers, who counted the 
preaching of the cross to be foolishness. Men 
cannot foliow such vain delusions, and be the 
disciples of Christ: for “in him dwelleth all the 
* fulness of the Godhead bodily.” All true 
Christians glory in this “ great mystery of godli- 
© ness,” and all who oppose it, are strangers to 
the life of faith and the way to the Father— 
(Join xiy. 6.) Without union and communion 
with Christ, and with the Father through him, by 
the supply of his Spirit, we can do nothing; but 
true Christians are complete in him: they derive 
all they want from his fulness ; and they are safe 
in his keeping, who is the Head of all principali- 
tyand power. If we enter into the Spirit of gen- 
uine Christianity, we do not want either Jewish 
exploded ceremonies, or newly invented super- 
stitions.. The cjrcumcision of the heart, the cru- 
cifixion of the flesh, the death and burial to sin 
and the world, and the resurrection to newness 
of life implied in baptism, and connected with 
faith of the operation of God ; sufficiently prove 
that our sins are forgiven, our debt is blotted 
out and cancelled, and that we are fully deliver- 
ed from the curse of the law. He who triumph- 
ed upon the cross over the principalities and 
powers of darkness, will also from his glorious 
throne, defend us from all their assaults and 
stratagems, till he hath made us more than con- 
querors. We want no other wisdom, righteous- 
ness, strength, holiness, liberty, or victory, than 
what Christ bestows. Weneed not regard those 
who judge us in respect of meats, and drinks, 
and holy-days, or other human traditions, which 
are not so much as a shadow of things to come, 
as Jewish ceremonies once were: but we enjoy 
the substance in Christ, and by walking in his 
ordinances and commandments. 

¥. 18—23. 

Having One all sufficient Advocate with the 
Father, we haye no occasion for any other medi- 
ator, and need not abase ourselves to worship 
fellow-servants, to the great dishonour of our 
common Lord. -Such voluntary self-degradation 
is real pride, which refuses submission to the 
teaching, righteousness, and authority of God : 
and it is the genuine eflect of a carnal mind, 
puffed 7p with ree Enow ene and yainly 


A. D. 64, 


F ye then be® risen with Christ, » seek 
those things which are above, * where 
Christ sitteth on the “right hand of God. 
2 4 Set your * affection on things 


Zboeve, © not on things on the earth. 


3 For yet are dead, and & your life is 


h hid with Christ in God. 


a2. eo. 20. Rom. 
. 6. 4, 6 9—11. Gal.| Eph, 1..20. & 4. 10. Phil. 3 19. 
z 29, 20, Eph. 1.] Heb. 1. 3. 13. & Saf See on, a. 2.20, 


19, 20, & 2. 5, 6. 1.& 10.12. & ap es 16. 


Db ver. 2. Ps. 16,11.) 2.2 Pet. 3. 22. 

& 17.14.15. & 73.|d See on, be vers 1 
25,26. Prov, 15.24.) 1 Chr. 22 19. & 
Matt. 6. 20. 33.| 29. 3. Ps. 62. 10. &| 19. Rom. 5. 10. 21. 
Luke 12. 33. Rom,} 91. 14, & 119, 36,) & 8.:2. 34—39. 1 

8.6.2 Cor. 4.18, 
Phil. 3. 20, 21. Heb, 
11. 13—16, 

©. Ps, 110. 2. Matt. 
22. 44. Ke 26.) 64.] —~17. 

Mark 12, 36. 8 14.1* Or, mind. 

62. & 16. 19: Lukele ver. 5. Ps. 49. 11 
20. 42. & 22. 69.) —17. Matt. 6. 19% 
Acts 2. $4. & 7.| Luke 12.15. & 16. 


24. 40. & 6. 39, 40. 


7. 14. Matt, 16. 23; 
Rom. 8. 4—6. Phil.| 5 
1.23. 1° John 2. 15 


John 3.3. Rev. 2 
17. 


intruding into those things which are not seen, 


The Church has long enough been corrupted, 
and souls deceived, with such gross delusions, 
with human inventions, will-worsbip, and self: 


imposed austerities: men have long enough 
been misled by those who said, ‘* Touch not, 
*¢ taste not, handle not ;” concerning “such 
things as perish with the using. But, whatever 
show there may be’ of wisdom, sanctity, or mor- 
tification in these devices; they certainly are 
worthless in themselves, they neither honour nor 
please God; and they gratify the proud self-pre- 


ference, the domineering bigotry, and the perse- 
cuting temper of the carnal heart of man. Let 


us then not depart from the simplicity of our de- 
pendence onthe Lord Jesus, and obedience to 
‘him: He is our Head of authority and influence, 
* from.whom the whole body by joints and bands 
«having nourishment ministered, and knit toge- 
* ther, increaseth with the increase of God.”— 

As dead with him to thé world, and ‘its: wis- 
dom and maxims, let us willingly bear his yoke, 
and steadily’ assert our liberty from human im- 
positions. What he hath left indifferent, let us 
regard as such; and leave others to the like free- 


dom ; and, remembering the transient nature of 


earthly things, let us endeavour to glorify God 
in our use of them, 


NOTES. 

CHAP. Til, V. 1—4. If the Colossians were 
indeed risen with Christ, as their baptism and 
profession implied, it behooved them to eviderice 
it, by seeking “ those things ‘which are above.” 
(Marz. Ref.) Perfect knowledge, holiness, 
and felicity, i in the immediate presence of God, 
and in his service and love, are evidently intend. 
ed. The assured hope, and the happy earnests 
and first-fruits of these, they ought to seek, in 
preference to all worldly interests or pleasures; 
and in the diligent use of all appointed» means.— 
Thus they should follow Christ their Fore-rua- 
ner : that, as ‘they were dead to sin and alive to 
God, in conformity to his death’and resurrection, 
so they might be conformed to him in his ascen- 
sion into heaven ; where, as their Surety, he was 


COLOSSIANS, 


35. Rom. 8 | 8, 9. 11. 19-25. 


& 4.14. & $. 21. 
& 10, 28—30. & 14. 
37. Prov. 25. 5, Ec} Cor. 15. 45. Heb. 
Te 24.1 Pet. 1. 3— 
h 2. 3. Matt. 11.25. 


1 Cox. 2. 14- Phil 
4.7.1 Pet. 8 4.1 


* 4° When Christ; who ie ‘our 
* appear, then shall Tye also’ 
him in glory. é, 
5 ™ Mortif 
bers which are 
cation, uncleann 
q evil concupi C § 
which is idolatry’ : OP eae a0, 


6 Fér- shel cay ie: the wrat 


i John 11. 25. ine 


6. & 20. 21., Acts} Cor. 4. 1% 
3. 15. Gals 2. 20.2} 21. 1 Thes. 4. 
Tim. 1.1.1 John iy Thess 1. 10 
1, 2 & 5.12 Rey, Jude 25... - 
2.7. & 22, 1. 14. | 
k1 Tim. 6. 14.2 “é 
Tim. 4.8 Tit 2.jp Rome 7% Se 
13. Heb. 9, 28 1 Jam. 4. le 
Pet. 5. 4-1 John 2.0 Mat, 15.19. Mark} 4, 
28. & 3,2. 7-21, 22. Rom. "re Car 


1 Ps. 17. 15+ & 73.) 29, 1 Cor. 5° 1+ 10, 
24, Is. 25. 8,9. Mat,| 11. & 6» 9. 13. 18, hr 


13.48, John 6. 39,| 2 Cor. 12. 21. Gal. 
40, & 14.3. & 17, 

exalted on the poeiers on 
hand of the Father, to’ appear 
and to prepare a place for ee I 
holding his glory, and -aspiring’ in hope 
heavenly inheritance, they t to v cl 
savour, pursue, and delight in, oe 
and not earthly. (Votes, Rom, 
according to their ‘profession, ‘and ie 
confidence respecting them, they were alre 
dead to their former’ hopes, i interests, mot 
and pursuits; ‘* and their life was hid ¥ 
*« Christ”? The spring of that’ cteral I 
which abode in them, and from which | 
present comforts, hopes, and “activity 
rived, was in Christ and his fulness ; th 
of this living water flowed into thei 
the influences of the Holy Spirit, th 
thus they were united to Christ, 
munion with him; and wisdom, s 
and comfort, were derived from hi 
and ruled in them; and. they live 
him, and to him. The~ 


‘and the nature, supports, an 


were hidden. from. carnal - 
understand what were the s 
active diligence and joyful patienc 
tion to all’ temporal interests and 
This life was likewise.secured, as a 
sure, from wicked men and- ; 
could by no means deprive them of 
it in’ their own’ keeping, but im ths "Ch 
by whom it was sustained, and who was 
the unfailing Source of it. Thus it was: 
“ Christ in God,” through the union of | 
with his human nature; and ‘so 
power, faithfulness, wisdom, | 
secured it for them. 
their Life, should appear,” 
judge the rea 5 oe al r 

who thus lived by him, appear 

being made completely like: him, ‘et i ir 
and soul; that they might all be 
ther with him: and their comfor 
the previous felicity of their parley 
would be an anticipation of this perfect ad ¢ 
nal glory reserved for them. vais” 


ry 


a. D: 64. 
oe cometh ‘on the t children of dis- 


7 ae which 2 ye also walked some 


mye lived in them. | 

tnow ye also * put off all these ; 

yrath, malice, blasphemy, a fij- 
unication out of your mouth. 

Lie not one to another, seeing that 
> put off the old man with his 


3 4—5. 2 
- 18. Jude 


:] 29. 22. “Mat. 5,22. et age 
4 26. ty ber. 19. 11. Is. 53, 
126, 31; $2.):8. Jer. 9. 3—5. 


as Pet. 1. f 3. 
ud 18 a 23, 23| Zeph. 3.13. Zech. 
, F. gp. ‘ Gl 2 wey 24. 
22 ; 1. 209 & 3. 14 8. 16. John 8. 44. 
r ha ‘ . 4,25. 1 Tim. 
é 1. 10. Tit. 1. 12, 


n—1 

m4 2. 
¥.| 7. Sude 8. Rev.16.9.!e ver. 8. Pom 6. 6. 
kla Eph. 4.29. & si Eph. 4.22, 


oa 6. The exhortations here. given, are 
dioutes to those that have been already consider 

| ved; (Notes, Eph. iv. 17—32. v. 1—6.) The 
| members which are upon earth,” signify the 
- swarious lusts of man’s carnal nature, the mem- 
«bers of the old man, the body of sin, In the 
_ wegenerate “ the flesh is crucified with its affec 
| > tons and lusts ;” yet there is still life in it 
Jt must therefore be daily mortified ; a continual 
- Opposition must be made to all its corrupt work- 
ings; the supplies of its life must be, as it were, 
Seat off; weg SAR must be made for its -in- 
a ; temptations, and occasions of sin 
“must be. y ere and even lawful inclinations 
-must be habituated to brook denial. Tbus the 
of the carnal nature, which affects 

andy <hings, and disrelishes heavenly, must be 
mtinually enfeebled, and put to death by a line 
eering unrelenting execution. In the detail of 
iculars here adduced, we may observe, that 
‘dinate affection, may relate to inexpedient and 

_ excessive desires after even lawful indulgences 
of any kind: though some understand it of un- 
ural crimes. Evil concupiscence, signifies the 
ple the heart, and i imagination, which 
be mortified, or gross crimes will follow. 
‘several expositors explain the word render- 
cavelousness, as denoting rather the excessive 
re of sensual gratification, than the love of 
. This appears a very dangerous miscon- 
n: for by this means,. sensuality is sup. 
to be forbidden with a needless redundan: 
ty words, and covetousness escapes without 
east rebuke: whereas the love of moiey i is 
jot of all kinds of evil, and both the scrip. 
at ai show it to be one of the 
pssible hinderances to man’s salvation, 
greatest of, all snares to the professors 
pel; nor. can any vice so properly be 
airy, aS avarice. The original word 
‘signifies having more, or have more, im- 
hankering after still more and more, 
dently the disease of the avaricious. 


as 
Ex 


ovetousness. 5 tho 


; in other respects. _ 


CHAPTER Ill. 


Be Se Se 


A. D. 64. 


10 And have 4 put on ¢ the new maz, 
which is f renewed in & knowledge, » after 
the image of him that created him : 

li Where i there’ is neither Greek 
nor Jew, * circumcision nor uncircumci- 
sion, ! Barbarian, Scythian, ™ bond zor 
free: ™ but Christ Zs all, ¢ and in all. 

Prartical Observations.) 
4. 23, 24, 1 Jeph. 3.6 


Pee. 14, 15. ay Fat. 7- 10- Gal. 
i Ps/117. Is: 19.2 


29. 14. Is. 52.1. & 
59. 17-. Rom. 13 
12, 13. 1Cor. 15, 
53, 54. 


3. 27. 
Eph. 4. 24. 
e Ez. at. 19, Be 18. 


d ver. 12. 14. ‘S| 


10. 
5. 17. Gab 6. 15. Siecle Roar 39, 50, 
pg 10.15. &i Mal. 1.11. Mat. 12.) Gal. 3, 29. 
24. Rev. 21. 5.] 12—21, Acts 10: Phil. 3-7—9..1 John 


£ Ps. 51-10. Rom.} $5. & 1S. 46—48. & 
Sra eae 13. 4 17. & 2. 17, 


~ Rom. 3. 29. &! 
g John i7. 3. 2 Cor. 


x ‘10, 11. & 9. 24— 
3. 18. & 4.6. i John} 26. 3Q, 31-8 10. 12. 


& 15. 9—13. 1 Cor- 
h Gen. 1. 26, 27.b:12+ 13. Gal. 3. 28. 


general meaning of the word in the New Testa- 
ment may be understood, from most of the pas- 
sages in which it is used, where its import cannot 
be doubted. -(Marg. Ref. Gr. re) There being 
‘in us naturally the old man,” (9.) ‘and the 
* body of sin : the inordinate affections and lust- 
‘ings of it are styled the members of that body; 

‘partly because they.exert themselves by the 
“members of the natural body; and partly, 
‘because as the members of the body are em- 
« ployed to accomplish the desires of the natural 
‘ body ; so these affections are employed to gTa- 
‘ tify the desires of the body of sin. _ As heathens 
piace confidence in their idols, so the avaricious 
‘ man doth: place his confidence in gold and sil- 
‘ver. The covetous person doth not indeed 
‘ believe his riches to be a god; yet by so loving 
‘and trusting in them, as God alone ought to 
* be loved and trusted; he is as truly guilty of 
* idolatry, as if he so believed? (Whithy.)—By 
‘the. children of disobedience,” some under. 
stand wicked men in general; and others seem 
to confine the interpretation to idolaters. But 
the word rendered. disobedience, often signifies 


5. 41,12. 2 John 9. 
ome su & 
& 15. 5..& 
17.33. Rom. 
11, Gal. 2. 20, 
1. 23. ee 


; and © the children of disobedience,” 
are doubtless all those, however distinguished, 
who do not believe and obey the Gospel; while 
the most profligate and abandoned, believing 
and obeying the Gospel, become the * children 
‘Sof obedience.”’ (Jéare. Ref)—The rites of 
Bacchus and Cybele were peculiarly observed at 
Colosse, the chief city of Phrygia, and conduced 
exceedingly to deprave the, morals. of the inha- 

bitants, in many of the things here. spoken of : 
but, alas! the case of multitudes, eyen in pro- 
fessed Christian, countries, requires the same 
warnings and exhortations. 

V. 7—11.. The Colossians hed once habitu- 
ally practised some or other of the above-men-" 
tioned vices ; when they lived among those who 
were of the same character, and when they had 
no experience or <xpectation of nobler interests 


‘or satisfactions. But now they must not only 
‘}m 
ugh a few in- had acquired strength by habit; but they ont 
may fonnid of its. being applied to an|lay aside as a cast-off garment, ail evil 

te The mpenslly those which are next -recapitulated 


ortify. these gross, carnal propensities, which 


7 


- giving one another, if any man havea 


A. BD. 64, 


* mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, 
meckness, long-suffering 5 
AS Forbeari ing’ ene another, and ¥ for- 


* quarrel against any.: Seven as Christ 
forgave you, so also dovye. 

14 And above all tlrese things, «fut om 
4 charity, which is >the bondof perfect- 
hess. 

15 And let ¢ the peace. of God ule in 


P Ste on, ad. ver. 10) Marg. Phil, 1. 8.] Cor. 6:7, 8. 

q Is. 42.2. & 45.4.) & 2 ty iJehn 3. Lule 5. 20—24. & 
& 65. 9,22, Matt f 17 ; 48-50, 1 Cor. 2. 
24.22.24. 31. Markju Roms, 22-9, 104 10. Eph. 4. e & 
13, 20. 22: 27. Luke! Gals 5. 6.; 22, 23.) 5) 201 Pet, 2 

18.7. Rom. 8. 29—| Eph. 4. 32.. Phila John 13. 34, Ras: 
SURO. it. & 11.) 2,2—4,.-P Phes. 5 | 12, Rom, 13. 8.5 & 
5—7. 2 Tim. 2. 10.) 15. Jam. 3.37, 18.{ Cor. 13. 1 Thes, 4. 
Lit 11. A Pet. 1.| LPet. 3. Sell. 2|.9. 1 Tim. 1.5. 1 
+2, 2 Pet..1,,.10. Pet.1.5—8. 1 John Pet. 4. 8... 2Pet. 1. 
John 1.43. Rey.17.| 3: 14—20. 7. UJobn 3. 23. & 
14, Rom. 15:1, 2. 9| 4.21. 

x Rom/8. 29) Eph.|/€or. 6.6. Gal. 6.2.) is Eph. 1. 4. 4 John 
1.4. 1 Thes, 1, 4—] Eph. 4. 2. 4.7—1%, 

6.2 Thes. 2.13, 14.ty Mat. 3.44.8 6.Je Ps, 29. 11. Is. 26. 
& Jers 31.3. Bz,16.) 12.14, 15. & 18.21.| 3. & 27. 5. & 57. 
8. Rom. 1.7, Bph} 35- Mark 11. 25.) 15. 19. ohn 14. 27. 
“2. 4,5. 2'Tim. 1.9:| Luke 6. 35—37. &)& 16. 33. Rom..'5. 
“Fit. ee: John! 11.4 & 17. 3,408) le & 14017. & 15. 
Be =e 23.34. Jam, 2.13.) 13. 2 Car. 5. 19— 
t Is. 83, 15, ae * Or, | complaint.|.31. Eph. 2. 12—18, 
20. Luke 1. Mat. 18, 15--17-.. 1] & 5. 1. Phil. 4, 7. 


The word translated blasphemy, may signify slau- 
ders and revilings, as well as profane spceches, 
respecting Gad and holy things. These, as well 


as all polluting discourse, and falsehood of every 


Rind, must be renounced: seeing * they had put 
“ off the old man. with his deeds,” by the mor- 
tification. of the carnal nature, and by ceasing 
from the allowed practice of all sin. . Fhey ought 
therefore to avoid whatever was in the least de- 
gree inconsistent with their profession. And as 
they “had put on the new man,” and professed 
their conformity to Christ; and. as this renewal 
ef the soul after the holy image of-him, who had 
at first created it, and who had thus new-created 
Ht, was in knowledge, or. by the transforming 
knowledge of the glory of .God in Christ; so 
they ought to act like men, who were of one 
mie and judgment with the Lord, “ hating ini- 

“ quity and loving righteousness,” in their whole 
conduct. Tor they were fully adsaitted to ailthe 
privileges of God's: people, and should therefure 
actin character, They were now members of the 
Christian Church, im which. all other distinctions 
were abolished. Greeks and Jews, circumcised 
and _uncireumeised, illiterate persons of the most 
barbarous nations, the unciwilized Scythians, and 
the meanest slaves, as well'as free men, were all 
equally made the children and heirs of God: by 
faith in Chtist: their relation to bim was alone. 
requisite for their acceptance, and admission to 
these privileges ; and he dwelt, in them all, by 
the power of. his Spirit transforming them into 


his own holy image; by which they were distin. | 


guished from all other persons. - 

V, 19-15. 
been freely beloved and chosen in Christ, and }; 
called to be saints, or holy, persons : 
Cee at. t Golosse ahi manifest in, 


COLOSSIANS. 


12 Pp Put ony therefore, 4 as the elect of| your hes 
God, "holy and * beloved, * bowels -of} called in 


As the elect of God, who. had. 


jet the, 


16 Let § the 
you } richly. 
and admonish 
and hymns, ™ 
ing with erace: 

17 And P whi 
or deed, do all ¥ 
Jesus. * giving tl 
Father by him. 


d1Cor.7,15. Eph 8. 6. Marg 
2016. & 4.16. " ‘sae 
e ver. 17. & 1. 12.& pis oe" 


107, 22, & 116. 17. 
Jon. 2.9. Luke 17 
16—18, Rom. 1. 21. 
2 Cor. 4.15. &. 9.jk 4%, 28. Rom: 
11, Eph. 5-20, Bil 1 Phes: 4. y 
4.6. UThes. 5. 18. 3 The 
1Tim.s. 1. Heb} 15) 
13015. Revi 7) 12, pine 
f'Jobn 5, 89; 40. 2h 
Tim: 3.515 "Hebi 4 ie 
12, 13. 1 Petals 14, 
32. Rev. 19.10, 
g Deut. 6. 6—9 
11, 1820. Job 23. 
12. Ps. 119. D1. Jer. 
15.16. Loke®. 51} 
John 15-7. 1 John 
2: 14, o 27. 2 Jolin 30, 


bh i ‘Tim, 6. 12. Tits 


kind, lowly, RRB phar mee 
rit: ati mg with each other, 
another, if any dispute or cause 
arose among them, after theres 
love to them, Over all t 


pact them into one. Ries 
perfect state of the, church, 
it.is_the very. bond which 
holy beings, in the perfect 
of heaven. (Notes, & €or. 
of God, in their hearts and. con: 
‘source of all their comforts ; 
rule within them, asith 
ferences; that they migh 
endearing an example to 
men, Especially this, s 
keep the unity of the 
“ peace :” because they had & 
state of peace with i in on 


in. this, manner, and. i in ones i 
they. could, . 
W.a86, 17. (Note, Ep v. 
word of Christ, the wholeo 
seems ue he meant; wwhie 
“ the Light of the 
Word of God : aul 


ant, that the / 
and, meditation, Ore” 
standings with ‘the instructions of scriptare,;t 
fit-migl ‘thus abundantly. dwell within them ; 
that ay eir enaeiemice. might be formed upon 


CHAPTER III. A. D. 64. 


he Lord. i et pert Ub oe 
on Fathers, ¢ provoke’ not your chil-}%receive for ‘the wrong which he hath 
dren #0 anger, lest they be discouraged.{done: P and there is no respect of per- 


22 Servants, ¢ obey in all things your | sons. 


” gnasters: ine to the flesh; not with} {Gal. 1.10.1 Thes} 14, 6.8. Ephi S.|10, Eph. 6: 6. 2 
5m enting aecording fosthe: i ese 24. 22, & 6.7. 1 Pe Bec ta hale is 
0 Gen. 3. 16. Esthefz ver. Rom. 3.} Heb, 13.21. g Mat. 6.22. Acts!'2, 1315. ©) In 1 €or. 6.7% 8 1 


4.20. 1 Cor. 11.3.) 14. Eph. 4.0 Si.jd Ps. 103.13. Prov.| 2. 46.°Epli. 6.5. 41 2.18.Gen. 15. 14], Vhes. 4.6. Philem. 
| & 14.34. Eph. 5] Jam, 3.14. -| 3 12. & 4. 1—4.| h Gen. 42. 18; Neh.! Ruth 2. 12,. Prov!) Tevet See 
| 22—24.33, 1 Tima Gen, 28.7- Ex. 20.) Sve.on, Eph: 6.4.) 5.9, 15. He. 5, 7.) 11. 18. Mat. 5: 12.0 2 Cor. 5.10, Hebe 
it,. 2. 12, Lev. 19.3. Deu! 1 Thes- 2,115 Heb. | & 8.122 & 12; 13.) 46. & 6, 1,2. 616.) 2. 2. a 
“f 2h. 1821. & 27.4 12.5—11. | 2 Core 7, 2: & 10.41. Luke 6p 4.1. Lev, 19.15. 
| 16, Proy. 6- 20. & Je Ps, 123. 2. Mal. 1.{ i Sve on, ver. 17. 2) 35.214: 14. Rom.| Deut. 1.17. 2'Sam- 
|. | 20. 20.8 30.11.17. 6. Mat. 8.9, Luke} Chy.31. 2t.Ps. 47.) 2:6, 7 8404, 5. 1] 14. 14, 2 Chr. 19. 
: | 6, 7. & 103. 1. &l Cor. 3.'8. & 9. 17,| 7, Job 34. 19. & 37. 


24. &| Bz.22. 7, Mal. 1-| 6.46, & 7.8. Eph. : & 9. 
18, 6, Mate 15. 4—6.. 8] 6- 5—7. 1, Time 6.| 119,10. 34, 145. Ee,} 18. Heb.-9. 15. &] 24. s¥suke 20. 21. 


j, Ee. 9.9. Mal} 19 19. Eph. 6. 1-3.| 1,2. Tit. 2. 9,10.|- 9.10. der 3. 10- 1] 10.35. %& 11.6. | Acts 10. 34. Rom. 
1 . Luke 14./6 ver. 22; Eph. 5.} Philem.. 16. 1Pet.| Pet. 1.22, ©» m John 12, 26.Rom.| 2.11. Eph. 6.9. t 


2. 
Fie «5 25. 28.) 24. Tit. 2. 9. 2.18, 19. 
29. 33. 


X k Zech. 7. 5—%[ 1. 1. & 14, 18: 1} Pet. 1. 17. Jude 165 
1 Pet. 3.7. le 1.10. Phil. 4. 18. ‘ 


3 | Mat. 6. 16, Rom.!*Cor 7. 22. Gak 1. 


thelr hearts cast into the mould of it, and their/him; for such services. can he accepted fro 
consciences directed by it. Thus they would be|sinners, only through his intercession. 
enriched in all spiritual wisdom and knowledge ;}. V.. 18, 19.: (Votes, Eph. v. 22—33, 1 Pet. iii. 
(ii 2, 3.) and would learn to act wisely in their}1—7.) ‘Fit. in the Lord ;” or agreeable to his 
whole conduct; or they would be influenced to| commandment, honourable to his Gospel, and 
use their Knowledge in all wisdom, by reducing }not contrary to the rule of obeying God rather 
i to practice. This would enable them, with|than man. Christian wives would at that time, 
readiness and pertinency, to teach, catition, ex-)in many cases, be required to obey idolatrous 
hort, reprove, or encourage one another’: while | husbands ; and Christian husbands, to love hea- 
those psalms and sacred poems, which they sang | then wives.—De not bitter. « Thou art not a lord, 
together with holy affections, under the influence|‘ but a husband; thou hast not got a maid- 
of divine grace in their hearts, to the glory of the |* seryant, but a wife; God would have thee the 
| Lord, would furnish them with words suited to] ‘ ruler of the inferior sex, not the tyrant? (Am. 
such mutvaladmonitions. Their idolatrous neigh-| drose.) ‘In this precept, fidelity to the marriage- 
ours had {aid up in their memories songs in praise |‘ covenant is enjoined : as well as care to provide 
‘of their base Geities and corrupt practices, which |* for the wife such conveniences as may be ne- 
they used, on every festive occasion, and’ when|* cessary to her happiness, agreeably to the hus- 
they met together for social intercourse, nay, for)‘ band’s station? ( Macknicht.) 
amusement and recreation when aléne. This, in| V. 20, 21, (Vote, Eph. vi 1—4.)—Discourag- 
fact, has always been the case, in every country ;| ed. “When parents are continually’ finding fault 
and the popular songs have an immense, but] with their children, and confounding the distinc. 
generally, 2 most pernicious effect on the pecple :| tion between wilful offences, or obsiinate disobe- 
|; They are learned in early life, and not soon for-| dicnce, or immoral conduct, andthe heedlessness 
| Gotten, and often are considered as proyerbial| or inadvertencies of youth ; and when they sharp- 
or oracular. ‘Let then Christians, excluding those | ly reprove, even the defects of their endeavours 
| polluting vanities, labour to get their memories| to obey, without commending what is right ; chil- 
‘and minds richly replenished with hymns and|dren imbibe the notion, that it is impossible to 
| Songs of praise to God, and of every kind, which | please their parents, and so discouragement ren., 
"are suited to prepare them for the worship of| ders them careless. They then count. their pa. 
heaven, and to anticipate its’ joys; and let them | rents harsh and unfriendly, they shun their com. 
these hymns and songs constantly, not on)pany; and in consequence are exposed to num- 
‘Public oceasions alone, but in social meetings | beriess temptations. patnsiah oo obey Gaiety ade 
iso; and even when alone, in their houses, or} V.22—25. -(Wotes, Eph. v. 8. Marg. Ref.) 
journeying, and indeed in any other situation.| Singleness, &e. That is, Singly aiming to obey 
is will also render them edifying and animi-|and honour God, in all they do’; doing it to the 
“companions to their fellow-christians. In| best of their ability, as serving a good, merciful, 
, whatever they are employed about, whe-| and bountiful God, even in doing the work of a 
} conversation, in social worship, in their|tyrannical, iniquitous, and idolatrous. master.— 
or domestic concerns, or in any Work of| This would render the meanest employment, 2 
or charity ; let them “do all in the name of} service acceptable, well-pleasing unto God: and, 
e“ the Lord Jesus ;” in a believing dependence on| however they might fail of pleasing their unrea.. 
his merit ;and grace, out of love to him, in obe | sonable masters, they would certainly receive an 
dience to his precepts, and for the honour of his abundant, though gracious, reward from God, 


fame; giving thanks to God, even the Father, by | especially in the heavenly inheritance —Serve the 


UNA ee Saree” F" 9D 24 Ar 


‘4. D, G4. COLOSSIANS,» 
» CHAP. 1V. py 


Exhortations te masters to behave properly to their ; 
servants, 1: to perseverance in prayer, 2—4; to 


Lord Christ. * We are,’ (says Schlictlingius, -a | forgiveness th ; 
Socinian,) ‘ to serve Christ as our beavenly Lord, } by putting on 

¢ which, saith he, comprehends faith in him, obe- | perfectness, that 
€ dietice to him, and worship and adoration of. 
© him?  (Whithy.) He that doeth wrong,’ Ke. 
(25.) ‘The misconduct of the servant would not 
excuse the cruelty and injustice of the master: 
and the idolatry, wickedness, or severity of the 
master, would not exempt the slothful, dishonest, 
or disobedient servant from punishment. (Marg, 


Ref) 3 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
nO See By oy oo" 


all men, and are o' 
long to the Lord’s- 
to be enriched. in divin 
by a comprehensive ; 
word of Christ; that, being 
the Holy Scriptures, we mai 
nished unto every good work, 
treasury we may deduce instru 
admonition, while we unite in the 
God, and in Preving bis ar 


hearts : and so we shall b 
every thing  in-thén 
« giving thanks to Go 
By these means our 
relative conduct will 
spiritual sacrifice. 
disobliging behaviour ¢ 
words and harsh conduc 
be precluded; because su 
meet for those who are devoted 
Children will thus learn 1 
rents, because this is well. 
and from the same motives pare! 
eXercise their authority, with 
tleness ; not exasperating their ¢b 
lent anger or durable resentment, | 
aging them py disapproving of 
to please. Th z 


The sincerity of our professed faith andlove 
must be evidenced “by a consistent temper. and 
eonduct: and'we should prove that we are spi-, 

\ gitually alive through our risen Saviour, by seel- 
an delighting in those things which are 
above, where he sitteth at the right hand of God. 
Thus we shall know our interest in his atonement 
by the life which we have derived from him, and 
may be assured that ‘¢ When Christ, whois our 
« Life, shall appear, then shall we also appear 
¢ with him in glory ;” though this life of faith, 
and experienced communion with an unseen Sa- 
viour, must be hid from ungodly men, and fre- 
quently derided by them. Having such hopes 
and comforts, we should daily employ ourselves 
in mortifying every carnal affection and in seeking 
a more entire deliverance, not only from hanker- 
ing after forbidden gratifications, but from all 
inordinate affection, and every desire of sensual 
indulgence, and from that idolatrous ‘* covet- 
# ousness, which God abhorreth :” for “ be- 
4 cause of these things cometh the wrath of God 
# upon the children of disobedience.” In such. 
practices and pursuits we might have been left 
to perish 7 
or not, we were by nature prone to them, and 
should have lived and died among the children 
of disobedience, if we had been left to ourselves. 
Let us then also pytoff anger, malice, slander, pose himself to the displea: 
revilings, irteverent words concerning God, pol-|no Respecter. of persons. 
luting discotirse, and all kinds and degrees of|and these alone, will rei 
insincerity ; for a Christian should no more allow |conscientious,. in all pl 
himself in any of these, than ‘2 courtier should | from loye to Christ, zeal fo 
dishonour his prince, and bemean himself, by |recommending his gospel, 
wearing squalid and ragged garments. Having | the assurance that theyare | 
therefore put off the old man and bis deeds, and |sings, But that evangelical 
put on Christ, and being renewed in knowledge |leaves. men regardless. of 
after his image; let us study to copy his example. | gives {hose with whom they. 
and to act consistently with our rank and charac-|cause for complaint, is very 
ter. be misconduct in the several. 
¥. 12—25. some who are,zealous for 
abe _ jdently and habitually. wrong 
As to all other distinctious, we may weil be |no doult but they deceive thi 
indifferent about them, seeing “Christ is all and | disgrace the cause... Let us 
* inell .” but we should be earnestly desirous of | for grace to exable usto.; 
evidencing ourselyes to be the elect of God, holy | God our Saviour, in ener nal 
aud beloved, by cultivating’every benign, friend-| that the sincerity of our love ma 
ly, humble, and gentle temper; by copying the | beyond. all rcasonable ground of s 


Seeks 


us servants walk 
ful, diligent, and conscientious, in 
masters; from fear of | and 


authority and all-seeing eye: 

true religion wil teach every 
work of his station Ae : 
ability, and with cheer 
* the Lord and not to 
for whether we once waiked in them|him the gracious reward 


itance, as the servanbof Gustatoama 


F, to ee 


and fearing, (when tempted 
he should come short of 


ee ork ae 


AD. 64. CHAPTER IV. | AeD. 64: 
A - h be alway with 
nat * give unto your ser 6 Let P. your. speec y 

Mt which is just and equal ; grace, 4 seasoned with salt, that ye may 
ae also have a Master inj know * how ye ought to answer every 
heat man. eT ee 
” tl in prayer, and @ watch [Practical Observations. 
> with ¢ thanksgiving 5 - 7 All'* my state shall t Tychicus de- 
ae cia ve raying also for us, & that} Clare unto, you, who is " a beloved bro- 
ore Eiocs unto us a door of utter-| ther, and *a faithful minister, and fellow- 
7 tocak, b the; mystery of. Christ, servant in the Lord: ~ j 
ch 1 am also in bonds: > 8 Whom y I. have sent. unto you for 
at * Lmay make it manifest, oa the same purpose, that he might know 
chtto s mre teem your estate, 2 and comfort your hearts ; 
: canteen in wisdom towards n them 9 With a Onesimus, a faithful and be- 
loved brother, who is one of you: the 
e eming the time. ? y ¥. 
er are mi bouh ee 2 shall make known unto you all i 
‘ eer ie; Eph. 3. 1. wage which are done here. 
Te Rom iad tin, 1.16% 2,%| | 10 » Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, 
15:-Neh. 5.” | 6. 1 Thes. 5.17, 18-|k Matt. 10, 26, 27+ 
: 5 12. Bld Matt. 26. ' 41.) Acts 4. 29. 2 Cote| 5 3.16 Dent. 6. 6,) 4. 29. y.1-Cor. 4. 123.0 


: 2 Is, 58.) Mark 13.33. Luke] 3. 12. & 4. 1—4 © "7. & 11-19. 1 Chr-lq Lev. 2, 13. 2 "Gor. 12. 18, Eph.6, | 
Pie La 36, 1Pet. 4. 7.\1 ver. 6. Acts 5. 29, 16. 24. Ps. 37. SO.) Kings 2. -20. 21.| 22. Phil» 2, tae 


Sasi 17." * 1 Cor. 2. 4, 5. $1. & 40.9, 10. &) Matte 5,13. Mark) Thes, 3.5. 
f Rom. 15. 30-32.) Cor. 2. 14. Eph. 6. 45. &. & 66. 16. &l 9. 50, Zz 2. 2. 1s. 40. 1. & ~ 
; tt. 23.) Eph. 6.19. Fhil- 1. 71. 1§—18. 23, 24-)r Prov. 26. 94, °5.! 61.2. 2°Cor. 1. 4, 
ecad 19.1 Thes. 5. 25. ne 16. Matt. 10.| & 78. 3, 4. & 105.| Luke 20.20—40. 1] & 2 7.1 Fhes. 2 


16.1—13. &| Phileni. 22 Heb.) 16. Rom. 15-1951) 2. & 119, 13. 46:] Pet. 3. 15. 11.&3. 2. & 4.18. 
15. Eph. 6.8, 9.} 13. 18, 19. Cor. 14, 19-25.) Prov. 10,21. & 15.)s Ephs 6, 2i—23. | KS. 11. 14.2 Thes, 
« Rev 17, aS 10 let Cor. 16. 9. 2] Ephs5,15.17.Jam-| 4. 7. & 16. 21—24,jt Acts 20. 4.2-Tim,| 2. 17. 


ea Cor. 2. 12. 2 Thes-| 165. & 3. 17. & 22. 17,18. & 25.) 4.12. Lit. 3.12. ja ver.7. Phileme 10 
¢ Yer. 12: & ies 2 Rev. 3. 7,jn 1 Cor. 5. 12,13.1 11) 12. Ee, 10. 12,)u ver. 12. See on) —19. 
Sam. 8 


23 Thes. 4-121 Tim-| Mal. 3. 16—18.} Eph. 6. 21. Phil. p Aas 19,29. & 20. 
erie Mb. lh See’on, 1. 26. &|'3. 7.1 Pet. 3.1. ° | Matt. 12. 34, 35.) 2.25, 4. & 27. 2. Philem. 
Ps, 55,17, 18 &l 2. 2,3. . lo See ony EpheS. 16.) Lake a. 22. Ephi]x 1 Cor. 4.1—4. pag. ; 

Bona {oe NOTES: ea strict it. But the, words contain a general rule 


CHAP. IV. V. 1. (Note, Eph. vi. 49) The! of vast extent and importance ; implying such 

; concluding admonition of the preceding chapter! habitual propriety, circumspection, and discre- 
related to masters, as well as to servants. The/ tion in the whole conduct, as may preserve Chris- 
former were here exhorted to give their servants | tians from being ensnared or drawn into sin iby 
that support, and recompense for their labours, ' their unconverted neighbours, and from giving 
which were just and equitable, implying care of| them any unfavourable i impressions. of the Gos- 
in sickness, provision in old age, and pro-|pel; and such an evident excellency of charac. 
aable rewards for extraordinary fidelity ter, as may silence calumny, soften prejudice, 
and ‘exertions. ° Thus they should in all things) and win upon the beholders to examine into 
‘act towards them ina considerate and reasonable those religious principles, which produce such 
| manner; not abusing their’ authority, but re-/happy effects. Thus the Colossians ought to 
_membering their accountableness to their Master | * redeem their time,” in acquiring and exercis- 
in heaven, (Marz. Ref.) © re ing this heavenly wisdom, to the honour of God 

| MM. 224. (Wotes, Eph. vi. 1820. Pil. iv.) and the good of mankind : in order that their 
47.) Inorder to’ the suitable performance of conversation might not only be inoffensive. but 
all the before-mentioned duties, the apostle ex-| always with grace,” the genuine language 
-horted the Colossians to persist steadily 7 in pray-| of piety, purity, wisdom, and iove ; savouring 
er; v sone against all indisposition ‘and im-| of heavenly things, as meat is preserved and 
ments; persevering, notwithstanding delays|made relishing by being seasoned with salt. 
1 ‘discouragements ; ‘and joining thanksgivings| (Matt. v.13.) By attention to these rules, they 
jes continually received. He also de-| would ‘Know how they ought to answer every 


[them to’pray for him and his brethren in} man, whether be asked a reason of. their hope, 
‘ministry ; that God would give them oppor-| and seriously inquired into the nature of Chris- 

y and boldness to speak the mystery of, tianity ; or whether he desired a solution of some 
fist; (i27.) for which the apostle was then| doubt or difficulty ; or whether he were disposed 

soner ; that, both when thus circumstanced,| to object, cavil, dispute, or revile : for the meek- 
hen set at liberty, he might fully manifest] ness of heavenly wisdom would dictate a perti- 
unsel of God, concerning the way ‘of sal-|nent answer on every. occasion, and preserve 
-yation, and the calling of the Gentiles, as he|'them from disgraceful contentions.— Salt. The 

Jught to'do ape pees fearing what man could do| wit, smartness, and ingenuity, often.accompanied 
im. ; with if ata or Le ig allusions, which were 


a (Wate, Eph. iv. 29. v.- aided 
owards pia that were without 3), 


ADD. 6% COLOSSIANS) 


e saluteth youyl’ and’ Marcus; sister’s son’ hath 
to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received |. are i 
commandments ; 3. if he come unto you, ihe, Ae 


¢ receive him ;) 

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, ; 
f who” are of the circumcision. These} 
only are my & fellow-workers ‘unto, the | Laodicea, 
kingdom ‘of God, which have been ® aj which isin 


comfort unto mic. — Leh of 16) Aare svg 
among» you, ¢ 


12.1 Eps :pliras: whois one of you, BQ 
servant of Christ, saluteth'you, Pabways} the church of th 
* labouring fervently for you in” prayers;|ye likewise read th 
m that ye'may stand perfect: and it com-| ce; 
plete in all the will of Go 


God. 
13 For ™ 1 bear hin record, that he} 


© See, on, Rows 16.4.9. 2 Cor 6, 1. 
21—23. “Phil. 4.8. aL Thes, 
d@ Acts 12: 12. & 13:} 3, 2. Philém: 1. 24.)m See on, 1.9: 222) 
5. 13. Wo 15-57-3848 2 Cor, 7> 6, 7, Uf 28. Mat: Ss 48.01) 
2 Tim. 4. Var Thee, 3,7. 4 Cor. 2s 6.8 Ide 20. 
e ver. 11. & Vet. $111.7. Philem. 23. | 2 Cor, 13. 11. Phil. 
13, Rom. 16. 2. kK Jolin 12. 26. Gal.| 3. 12—15. 1 Thes 
£3 John 8,9, Acts 1. 10.2 Pete 1.1, |/5. 23. Heb. 5. 14. 
10. 45.8 40. 2.11 See on, ver. 24 Jude 24. 

- Rom, 4. 12. Gal. 2.) Luke 22. 44. Gali f “i gay Rom. 
7, 8. Eph, 2. 114.4. 19. Heb 5, 7.) 15,1 

‘Tit. 1. 10. > | Jami 5. 16. n a 10, 2, 2 Cor. 
g ver. 7. 1 Cor. 3. 8.3. 


"Or, sty ving. 2. dy 
liom. 15,30. 


0.ver- 1 16.8% 2.1, 
weve le il. SB. q 
—. 

p.2 Vimy 40 
Philem. 24. 

q 2 Tim. 4 Hi 
Philem. 24.9 1} 

T See on, 0, ver. 13.) 


V.9—14. Onesimus, of whom we shall, read |'the spiritual welfare: 
 Afaiiey: (Philem:) and whom the apostle sent] those other neighbou 
with Tychicus, was, formerly aa inhabitant of} he had been con 
Golosse: the language used. concerning him, | Paul’s beloved companion, 
shows how high he now stood in the apostle’s| ings; he had been edueatec 
estimation. Aristarchus continued with Paul}seems to have been j 
during his imprisonment; (Marg. Ref: )- but | the Gospel in the var 
whether. this was voluntary, or whether he was] With him Demas sent 
confined with Lim for the sake of the Gospel, is; we afterwards read 
not ceftain ; the latter, however, is probable.—|(2 Tim. iv. 10.) = 
Marcus, or John Mark, nephew to Barnabas,| V. 15, 16. Nymp' 
(Marg. Ref.) was before this fully reconciled to} eminent Christian « 
the apostle ; and Paul’s unfavourable opinion of}ed family might 
him was completely erased, by his subsequent Church, or a soc 
good conduct. Probably, the Colossians had for- 
meérly received some injunction from the apostle | épistle to be read ine 

- lot to countenance Mark, as a minister : but he} Laodicea, as it was's 
now. reversed it ; for he and Aristarchus, with] tion; and that an 
one called Jesus, (a common name among. the | ceive from Laodicea, s 
Jews, and surnamed Justus, because of his inte-| among them. This diree 
grity,) were the only ministers of the circumci- | various conjectures. 
sion, who had cordially united with tim in} ; 
preaching the kingdom of God among the Gen- 
tiles, and who had beeu a comfort to him. | This 
is generally and justly urged, as absolutely con- 
clusive against the tradition of the papists, that 
the apostle Peter was at this time bishop of Rome, 
where he resided twenty-five years. It also ren- 
ders it bighly probable, tuat Luke was not aJew, | direction, a copy. ya 
or a circumcised proseiyte. Epaphras, a Colos- thence. forwarded 
sian, a pastor of the Church, and. probably its|tle contains, so Tle 
founder, sent his salutations to them. He could sdp and es 
not then attténd his labours among them, being 
confined as a prisoner; (Philemon 23;) but he}pr 
continually prayed for them so fervently, that he} 
even laboured, or agonized, or wrestled, with 
God for them ; that they might. be estabiished i in 
the faith, be steadfast and upright disciples. of 
Christ, and complete i in the knowledge and prac. 
tice of the whole will, of God. For the apos-|¢ to 
ile could testify te the greatness of his zeal, for |* di 


was not preserved. 
* the apostles ever \ 


the bishop of 
* been then, 


my 1. 3. -Heb.le Se a on, ne 16. 
; or. le 


d this encouragement from the 
engthen him? ( Bengel fins.) It 
© probable, that he had been newly ap- 
tec Me ihe ministry ; and “showed ‘some 
str of timidity or negligence : : the apostie 
“sent a message to him in’ particular, 
ing him to take heed to his sacred minis- 
d to perform fully the several duties of it, 
diligence, faithfulness, ‘bol dness, and zeal- 
s affection: for | edification ation of believers 
di the conversion of sianers ; by sound doctrine, 
example, ers, ‘unwearied la- 
be sbi a = power. For he 
had “ received | it from the Lord,” being ac- 
countable to him for his conduct in it, entitled to 
2 in his endeayours to act by his au- 
bound to seek his glory, in a de- 
erence to his own ease, security, in- 

itation, or accommodation. 
Mea 18. ‘The apostle wrote the salutation with 
his own band, as usual: and he called on the Co. 
“Tossians to ia remember his bonds” and long con- 
tinued suffering for their sake, as Gentile con- 
yerts : this would confirm them in the faith, ren- 
der them constant in enduring persecutions for 
the s case, and induce them to pay the 
ore entire regard to his admonitions: and he 
with praying that the grace of God 

be with them: . AGoee: ‘Ref ) 


PRACTICAT, ‘OBSERVATIONS, 
We a 6, 


or tet a rs os 
ere nis respect of persons with the Lord : 
isrministers must act with similar impar- 
, and exhort masters as well as servants, 
e rich as well as the poor, to the duties of their 
eral Stations ; and to render to their inferi- 
“ors what is just and equal, knowing that they 
« also have a master in heaven.” None of these 
duties can be performed aright, except we perse- 
fervent “* prayer, and watch unto it with 
ksgiving 3 7? and it is just and equal that 
S professing godliness, should pray for and 
‘servants, and give them suitable i instruc 
or their souls, as well as a conifortuble 
ion for their temporel life. They who love 
ospel, should always remember faithful 
rs in their prayers; beseeching the Lord 
st and prosper all their labours, and to 
em, witii suitable pleinness and boldness, 
the mystery of Christ: and they, who 
0 peculiar dangers or sufferings, in 
he Gespel, should be especially re. 
)the supplications of their brethren. 
om and circumspection are required 
iduct towards “ those that are with- 
whom wwe'are often connected in 
d@ engaged in secutar concerns — 
ily watch and scrutinize our 
> they will sometimes artfully 
: de, entice, or provoke us in. 
may charge the blame on our 


CHAPTER IV. 
18 The salutation * by the hand of me,} Paul. » Remember my bonds. Grace 


A, Dz 64, 


ée with you’ Amen. | 
14. ¥ Viny.'6. 21. 2Tim. 4. 22. Heb. 13-25. 


religious principles : ‘Shey, will make little allow- 
ance for our faults; and even our indiscretions 
may produce an abiding prejudice against the 
truth. On the other hand, a sober, discreet, up- 
right faithful, and friendly conduct, w will frequent- 
ly win upon them, and’ be greatly” instrumental 
to their good. We ought then to redeem time, that 
we may employ it in seeking wisdom from’ 4:e 
word and Spirit of God : as well as in employing 
it for the benefit of mankind. We should indeed 
store our hearts with good treasure, and season 
them with wisdom and grace, that our speech 
may always be instructive, an@ suited to the péer- 
sons with whom we converse ; and that we may. 
know how we ought to answer eyery man. 


OW. 7—I18. 


Christians should desire to‘know one another’s 
state: and mutual visits or friendly correspond. 
ence, among faithful ministers and fellow-ser. 
yants of Christ, may help forward this ‘ com- 
* munion of the saints,’ excite their prayers for 
each other, and tend to the comfort of their 
hearts. What’ amazing changes doth divine 
grace make in men’s characters! Faithless sere 
zvants thus become faithful and beloved brethren. 
Often. * the frst becomes last, and the last 
se ‘first, » in the visible church : our fears of some 
who have misbehaved are removed, and they be- 
come féllow-workers that are a comfort to us; 
while our hopes of others are grievously disap. 
pointed. But “the Lord knoweth them that 
“are his 7? and we should always “ labour fer. 
* vently in prayer” for those connected with us, 
“that they may stand perfect and ecmplete 
in the whole will of God ;” in this manner 
testifying our zeal for them, when unable to ren- 
der them other help. Ministers, especially when 
they first enter upon their office, or when they 
seem wavering in it, should be seriously and ak 
fectionately exhorted, “to take heed to their 
** ministry, which they have received of the Lord, 
“that they fulfil it.” For the smiles, flatteries, 
or frowns of,the world ; the spirit of error, and 
the various workings of self-loye, turn ‘many 
aside, or lead them into'such a style of preach- 
ing and living, as comes far short of fulfilling their 
miustry. "Thus their own souls are endangered ; 
their flocks are soothed into a formal profession, 
or deluded into error ; and the promising hopes, 
that had béen entertained ‘of their usefulness, 
are lamentably disappointed. Let such persons 
then take heed to themselves and to their doc- 
trine, as those who serve the Lord Jesus; let 
them remember the counsel of Paul, his bonds 
for Christ, and his” laborious, self-denying faith; 
fulness even unto death : for in preaching his 
doctrine, imbibing his spirit, and copying his 
example, we may expect that the favour and 


blessing of God will be with our souls, and: 


ferris aM the labours of our hands, 


_ FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL 1 THE 


ee 


aon 


in the ‘notes. Be yie sonciee nareaitee oF the apostle’s labours at Thessalonic 
be, at least highly probable, that he continued there a considerable ti x 
tiles, beyand the three sabbath-days, on which he reasoned with the ews in il 
and that he was peculiarly successful, (Wotes, Acts xvii. 1—15.) He t 
constrained by the persecution of the zealots for the Mosaic law, an 
who had formed a most unnatural coalition against him, to leave the 
heavy trials, and destitute of many advantages: for, though i 
been appointed over them,; yet, the pastors themselves must hav 
converts. (WVote; v. 12—15.) The apostle was, on this account) 
| them ; and Timothy having come to him at Athens, according to his aj 
| be left alone in that city, that he might send tiis his faithful coadpag 
/ Timothy, returning to him at Corinth, brought him so good an ac 
' ‘ filled by it with joy and gratitude. He indeed exceedingly longed to visit. 
‘ been repeatedly disappointed in his plans for that purpose, he at ke 
i which breathes a peculiar spirit of paternal love and affection, and shows t 


. Christians at Thessalonica, as equal, or superior, in faith and holine 
| "to which he wrote. It is clear from these particulars, that this epistle 
a and not from Athens, according to the spurious postscript ; but, probab 
; arrived at that city. This is supposed by some expositors to have be 
and by others A. D. 54: but, for reasons before given, a rather later 
' (Notes, Acts xv. 1-5. Preface to 1 Corinthians, Gal, ii. 1—5.)__ It is, howey 
i that it was written before any other of the apostolical epistles; and some 
out sufficient réason, before any other part of the New Testament, It 
design of the apostle, in writing to the Thessalonians, to confirm t 
i mate them to a courageous profession of the Gospel, and the prae 
3 tianity, notwithstanding the persecutions and trials to which they were 
i of his grand object, he was led to mention, with high approbation, the £ 
t received the Gcspel from him; ahd this-almost unavoidably led h 
t and conduct among them, in a way peculiarly instructive to the mi t 
i age and place.—‘ It is remarkable, with how much address'he impro | the infil 
_ *his zeal and fidelity in their service must naturally ere him, to inculcate upon th | 
* of the Gospel, and persuade them to act agreeably to their eg i 
ish his own 


« grand point he always kept ia view, and to which every thing else 
i '_. € Nothing appears, in any part of his writings, like a design to establi 
i _ *to make use of his ascendency over his Christian friends, to answer 
H “his own. Qn the contrary, he discovers a most generous disinteres' 
| _ £ The discovery of so excellent a temper, must be allowed to carry will 
2 * argument in favour of the doctrines he taught. And indee 
: € with attention, and enters into the spirit with which they wi 
€ sic characters of their genuineness, and the d divine authority of ie d 
s will perhaps produce in, him a stronger conviction, t 
‘ they are attended.’ (Doddridge.) ‘These remarks 
suppose, with Dr. Macknight, that the apostle intended, as 
authority of Christianity, by a chain of regular arguments, 
_objections that the heathen philosophers are supposed to. ave a agai 
quite foreign to the nature pf the episile; and also ‘to be grounded on mistaken 


, Ss F at 


O&. D. 5s. a _ CHAPTER TI. A. D. 5. 


the philosophers designed at so early a period, to enter into a regular disputation with the 
pip at! when, in fact, they derided them as enthusiasts, and their doctrine as _faolishnese— 
markable, that the apostle, in writing this first epistle, found very much to commend, 
which he oes unreservedly, and scarcely any thing to blame; though he saw it needful to in- 
‘mix cautions and warnings with his.exhortations. The exact, though manifestly undesigned, 
lence of this epistle, with the history contained in the Acts of the apostles, which it tends 
o elucidate and confirm, is y of notice, and may be clearly seen by consulting the mar- 
al references. It appears, afterward the apostle visited Thessalonica; (Note, Acts xx. 
—5.) but nothing further is found in scripture concerning this flourishing Church, except the 
second epistle which the apostle wrote to it. Thessalonicei is now called Salonica, or Salonici, 
y ane is under the dominion of the Turks, and the inhabitants are generally Mahometans.—‘ Our 
* epistle concludes with a direction, that it should be publicly read in the Church to which it 
-* was addressed. The existence of this clause, is an evidence of its authenticity: because to 
~ € produce ovhave been publicly read in the Church at Thessalonica, when 
“no such ete ad be en or heard of in that Church, would be to produce an impesture 
€ destructi lf ther the epistle. was publicly read in the Church of ,Thessalonica, 
* during St Paul’s life-time, or it was not. If it was, no publication could be more authentic, 
s 2am “Species of notoriety more unquestionable, no method of preserving the integrity of the copy 
_ ‘more secure. “If it was not, the clause would remain a standing condemnation of the forgery, 
one would suppose, an invincible impediment to its success.’ (Paley.)—It may also be 
sant ne ‘that the circumstance of this i inj unction being given, in the first epistle which the apostle 
implied 2 strong and avowed claim to the character of an inspired writer; as, in fact, it 
is are soared on the same ground with those of Moses and the ancient prophets. 


ye de 


er Tage oe ae f SEN SS 


-CHAP. ¥. ee God our Father, and the Lord Jesus 


The. ay pelle ‘slates thé christians at Thessalonica, Christ. 
* "4; and shows. how he thanked God on their| 2 We £& give thanks to God always for 
rt “behalf, and prayed for them; remembering the | you all, making mention of you in our 
i Pahokee their faith, love, and ‘hope, as evidences | prayers ; 
of their clectiou, ‘2—% He speaks more par- 3 8 Remembering without ceasing 
we ticularly coneerning’ the happy effects of his sue- ; € faith. | irs 
ie cess among them ; for “ receiving the word in your work of faith, and labour ot love, 
much. affliction,” eopyiag the example of their |! and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus 
aa | ‘teachers,and setting good examples to others; |} Christ, ™ in the meet of God and our 
© ~ their conversion from idols to the service of the | Father, 


true God, and their patient waiting for Jesus, the “ 
_ Deliyerer from the wrath to come, soon became ae Knowing, br ethren * beloved, your 


“oe _Spown jin eyery place, 6—10. election of God. 


fe g See on. Rom. 1. 8, 2. 15—17. Rom.jm Ee. 2.25. Acts 5+ 
‘and ® Silvanus, and > Timo- }"o'¢ 5 17. 1Gor| 16.6.1 Cor.13. 4~| 19. & 10, 21.2 Cor- 


oA - theus, © unte the church ofthe | !«4- Eph. 1-15, 15, 
Phil. Col. 
a Thessalonians, which ig © in God the| 3.” { nt Poke 
* Father, and i the Lord Jesus Christ : |" 5% 2 Tm» 3j Heb 6. 20. 1 3 
et, ogi de unto is and peace, from !i 2. 15, 14. John 6. 


7.2 Cor. 5. 14,°15.) 2 17.1 Tim. 2. 3- 
Heb. 13.21. 1 Pets 
3. 4. 1 John 3. 22. 

im vers 3. Rom. & 
28—30. & 11. 5—7. 

Eph. t. 4. Phil. 3. 

6,7.1 Pet. 1.2 2 
Pet. 1. 10. 


eg 3, 18. Rey. 2. 
<7=29. Rom. 16. 


| Rom. 2.7. & 5.3 
keene 5. —5.& 8.24, 25. & 
12. 12. & 15. 13. 1)° Or, beloved of Gad 
Cor. 13.13. Gal. 6.} your election. Rom. 
5 9. Heb. 6. 156 & 10.) 1.7. & 9. 25. Cal.. 

ude 1. —25, Rey. 2.19. 1 36. Jam. 1. 3, as 3-12. 2 Phes- 2-13. 
joe ag ke Gen. 29.39. Cant| 5.7. 1 John’ 3 oe 


3. 4, 5, 
21-23. & 15. 10. .& 


Sa NOTES. faith was living, “ wrought by love” of Christ - 

; ‘CHAP. LV. 1—4. Silas, or Silvanus, did | and his ministers, truth, and cause; and that 
lot come to the apostle, when driven from Thes- | this powerful affection induced them to dadour 
and Berea, till after his arrival at Co- | strenuously, in all things connected with the ho- 
, hor did Timothy return to him ; so that | nour of Christ, and the benefit and comfort of 
spistle could not be written from Athens, | their brethren. “They professed to ope in the 
14, 15. xviii. 5.) St. Paul joined these | promises of God, and to expect eterna! iife as his 

ellow-labourers with himself in this | gift in Christ Jesus; and this living hope ren- 
xpress his affection for the Thessa-| dered them patient, and constant in their ad- 
hom they were well known. Afier | herence to him, amidst tribulations and persecu- 
utation and introduction, he observ. { tions. These eruces and duties they attended 
tantly remembered, and mention- | to, as ** in the sight of God,” even their recon- 
in his prayers, their “ work of, ciled Father ; and the spostle was satisfied, 
rofessed to believe in Christ, | what he bade witnessed, that they were” his bre- 
tive obedience showed that their thren beloved, and tue elect of God in Jesus 
S-B 


A.D. 55. 
oT 


5 For “our gospel came not unto you 
‘» in word only, 9 but ‘also in power, and 
¥ in the Holy Ghost, and ‘in much assur- 
ance; as ye know t what manner of men 
we were among you " for your sake, 

6 And = ye became followers of us, 
Yand of the Lord, haying z received the 
word in much affliction, * with joy of the 
Holy Ghost : 4 

7 So that ye were » ensamples 'to.all 
that believe, © in Macedonia and Achaia. 


eo Rom. 2.16, 2 Cor.| 5: 5 22, 23, Tit} 8. 12, & 13. 15+ 
4.3- Gal. 2. 2+ 2) 3.5, 6. Heb, 2. 3.1) Eph S$. 1.1, Pet: 3, 
Thes.2. 14. 2 Tim.} Pet-.1. 126 13.3 John 11. 
2a Be s Col. 2. 2, Heb. 6.)2 2 13,14, & 3. 2— 
p 2.13.1 Cor. 4.20.1 11.18, 19, & 10,22) 4. Hos. 2. 14. Mark 
2 Cor, 3. Gs 2 Pet. 1.10. 19. 10,29, 3Ce Acts 175 
q Ps. 110,2,3. Markit 2.4—11. Acts 20.) 5.2 Cor, 8. 1, 2.2 
16:20. Acts 11- 21+}:18, 19. 33—35- 1] Thes. le 4. 
& 16. 14, Rom. 1.) Cor. 2.2—5. & 4.|a John 14. 15—18" 
16- & 15.. 18, fl 9—15. & 10.33, 2| Acts 5. 41, & 9. 31, 


Cor. 1, 24, & 2 Cor. 4,1, 2. & 5.3] Rom. 5.3—5. & 8. 
5. & 3.6.2 Cor. 10.}.—10, Phil. 4.'9 2) 16-18. & 15 PS 
A, 5. Eph. 1,17—20:] Thes. 3. 7—9. 1} Gal. 5.22. Heb. Fo. 
& 2..4,5, 10.& 3.) Tim. 4. 12—16. 1] 34.1 Pet. 1.6.8. 
Pet, 5. 3. b 4. 10. 1) Tim. 4. 
u 1 Cor. 9. 19—23.) 12. Tit. 2+ 71 Pet. 
2 Tim. 2. 10. 5. 36 

Aets 2 33. & 10.|x.2. 14. 1 Cor. 4. 16;¢ ver. 8. Acts 16.12. 
44—46. & 11. 15—! & 11.1, Phil. 3.17.) & 17-13. & 18.1.2 
18. 1 Cor. 3. 16. &| 2'Thes. 3,9. Cor. 1.1. & 9.2. & 
12, 7—12.2 Cor. 6.jy Mat. 16. 24: John} 11-8, 9 

6. Gal. 3. 2—5. & 


20, Phil. 2. 13. Jam. 
1. 16-18. 1 Pet.1. 3, 
xy John 16. 7—15-. 


Christ. ‘This he did not speak as a matter of 
immediate revelation : but his. favourable con- 
clusion respecting them was drawn, by tracing 
back the effects of divine grace in their conver- 
sion, to the source of them in their election — 
The purpose of God, in calling the Gentiles 
collectively, could not be known in this manner, 
and indeed some of the Thessalonians were 
Jewish converts, And, in what sense a remnant 
of Thessalonians, (that is, of the inhabitants of 
oe city,) could prove the national election of 
“the Macedonians, they who adopt this opinion, 
would do well to inform us. Some explain the 
words, to mean election to external privileges, 
as Israel had been chosen: but an external, pro- 
fession of Chrisfianity was sufficient to prove 
this; whereas the apostle grounds his confidence 
respecting the Thessalonians, on “ their work 
«of faith, and labour of love, and patience of 
* hope,” “ things which,” no deubt, “ accom. 
~-# pany salvation.” He had once indeed had his 
fears of them ; but subsequent tidings from them 
had fully. satisfied him: (iii, 5—7.) yet, if any 
individuals did not show the same ‘ active faith, 
*Igborious loye, and patient hope,’ as the rest 
did, they Were exceptions also to the apostle’s 
general confidence, respecting the professed 
Christians at Thessalonica. 

Y.5—8. The Gospel, which the apostle and 
his associates preached, had come-to the. Thes- 
salonians ‘not in word only ;” it had not been 
Jeft to its natural efficacy, or the power of ar- 

‘guments and persuasion on their minds... Num- 
bers had thus heard it in many ‘places, who 
nevertheless continued to live in idolatry and 
jniquity ; but it had come ‘ with power, and 
‘# with the Holy Ghost,” that is, with the pow- 
er of the Holy Spirit. This cannot -elute to 
miracles exclusively : for many saw miracles, 


¥. THESSALONIANS. 


of the Lord, not 
Achaia, but also 
faith to § God-y 
that we need no 


¢ what manner of | n 
to you, and how 4 ye & 
idols, to, serve } the lin 


8 For 4from you sounded out the: 
only in Macedonia. 
in every place. y 


pread abroad 


ue 


9 For they 


10 And to* wait for his Son fi 4 


» the wrath to come. _ 


Whee 


wie 
he 


LY Sag ps 


8,9. ‘ 13. Heb. a 
i Deut. 5.26.1 Sam-| Pet. S.12. 14) Reve — 
17) 266.36. PH\A2,)10. Tate unitate 
36.2 Thes. 3.| 2. & 84. 2 Is. 37.44] Acts 2. 2 & 

1. Rev. 14.6. & 22.1 17. . Jer. 10. 10.) 15. & 4. 10. & Fe 
17. Dan. 6, 26- Hos: 1+} 30, 31. 8 Lo. 405. 

e Rom. 1.8.3. John} 10. Rom. 9. 26. 2} 41. & 17.31. Rom.” 
12. ; Cor. 6. 16, 1% 1) 1:4. & 4/25. & 8. | 
f Ex,18.19. 2 oa { T. 15. dame 
3. 4. 


g vers, 6. & 


d is.2. 3. & 52.7, 
& 66.19, Rom, 10. 
14—13. 1 Cor 14, 


Is. 25. 8,9. Luke 
25. Acts 1.11. & 34 Re 
21, Rom, 8.2325. 

1 Cor. 1, 7. Phi 
3. 20. 2 Thes. 1. 7) 
2 Tims 4 8. Tit. 2.1 


136 

h Is. 2 17-21. Jer 
16. 19. Zeph. 2 11. 
Zech. 84 20—23. 
Mal. 1, 11. Acts 14. 
15. & 26. 17, 18.1 
Cor. 12. 2. Gale 4, 


and yet remained unbelievers: but the new 
creating power of the Holy Spirit, accompany: 
the word of God, had produced sucha a 
viction of its nature and importance, and 
an assurance of faith and ipa anata 
the Thessalonians. at all events to embrace < 
profess the gospel; even as a ship is:carried, by,” 
a full tide and a fair wind, over every obstacle, — 
into the haven. For they knew and observed, 
what manner of men the preachers of Christi- 
anity were among them for their sakes; while 
they witnessed: their: patience; self-denial, dili- 
gence, holiness, and Jove; and that they labour- 
ed with their own hands for a maintenance; that 
they might not be burdensome: e converts 
and this induced them to attend to. their doctrine 
So that they joined themselves to these despis 
servants of a crucified Saviour; they aso 
themselves with them in divine worship 5, 
copied their examples; and in doimg so, beca 
imitators of the Lord himself, Thus the; 
ceived the word into their hearts, amidst, great 
afflictions in their cireamstance., and fror 
their persecutors:: yet, had they such joy fr 
the Holy Spirit, as made them ample a 
(Marg. Ref.) In this manner they beea 
amples, not only. to. their idolatrous ne 
but even to believers in other parts o 
nia, and in Achaia: for the Gospe 
spread froin Thessalonica into th 
persons who went. out for that purpose. Ina 
places whither the apostle travel the report 
of the conversion and good conduct of the * 
salonians had arrived before him: and they 
came to him from other parts, declared the 
V. 9, 10. In every city the apostle met with” 
those who joyfully mentioned his prosperous en» 
trance with the gospel among the Thessalonians j) 
and how they had been oo ‘from the a ; 


ty % 
. gi eo ae 


Wf. D. 55. 
_) CHAP. IL. 
The apostle reminds the Thessalonians of his affec- 


tionate faithful’ labours and holy manner of life’ 
among them, 1—12. He expresses his satisfae- 
ire the manner in which they had receiv- 


Gither dead men, or imaginary be- 
vil spirits, to serve and worship “ the 
iving and true God,” by faith in Christ ; and 
to wait for the Saviour’s coming from heaven to 
raise the dead and judge the world, in believing 
and patient hope, diligent preparation, and uni- 
-Wersal conscientiousness. For they were fully 
assured, that God the Father had raised him 
from the dead, and advanced him to the media- 
torial throne, to reign at his right-hand, till all 
enemies should be put under his feet. Him 
therefore they looked and waited for, as their 
Deliverer from “the wrath to come.”.'To 
pee “both Jews and Gentiles had been 

for their sins ; and under this they 

instal have finally perished, if the Son of God 
had not become incarnate, performed his surety- 
shipt obedience to the law, laid down his life as 


a vicarious Sacrifice, risen as the First-fruits of 


the resurrection, ascended into heaven to be the 
Advocate of sinners, sent forth his gospel to call 
men to partake of this salvation, and accompan- 
ied it by the power of his Spirit, to overcome 
the proad and carnal opposition of their hearts. 
F Thus he had delivered them from the merited 
¥ wrath of God, which is coming, and Will for 
‘ever be coming, upon all’ impenitent and unbe. 
t _lieving sinners = of this deliverance their conver- 
‘sion was the sure evidence ; and having this ear 
nest and pledge of final salvation, they waited in 
joyful hope for that solemn season, which will 
ete the felicity of believers, and the de- 
vstruction sa the wicked. 
‘ ; 


) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

Tt gives cordial joy and fervent gratitude to 
faithful ministers, when they witness “ the work 
** of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope 
«in the Lord’ Jesus,” of those among whom they 

_ have preached the Gospel. This puts vigour in- 
‘to ‘their prayers and praises for them ; as evi- 
-dencing, that they are “in God the Father and 

_ “our Lord Jesus ‘Christ 7” partakers of * mercy, 

ea and peace ;” ‘* beloved brethren,” and 
tthe. elect of God.” But, -faith which work- 

- eth not obedience ; professed love that declines 
self-d enying labour ; and hope which is separated 

» patient continuance in well-doing,” can 

‘ove a man’s “election.” All other ways 

g it than that here prescribed, are vain 

el asory ; and this scriptural medium is not 
ple of being abused. Alas! even the Gospel 
ich the apostle preached, often comes in word 
and thus men continue impenitent, and slaves 

rat most, become only notional formalists 
ere professors. This should excite all who 


se 


© attended by. the divine power of the 
> eesencings inthe minds and-hearts 

hat full assurance of its truth and im- 
8 a = with them to 


CHAPTER if: 


4, D. 55% 


_ed the gospel ; and their constancy amid persecu®, 
tion, JS, 14: and speaks of the guilt and ruin of» 
the unbelieving Jews, 15, 16. He shows his joy 
on their account, his desire of seeing them again, 
and his hope of a joyful meeting at the coming oF 
Christ, 17—20. 


2 


break through a ae and make all sas 
crifices, that they may follow Christ, and be pare. 
takers of his salvation. This is the work of God; 
but he works by means: and when ministers 
evidently set before the people an edifying ex- 
ample; so that by imitating them they follow 
Clirist also, it is very conducive to their convic- 
tion and conversion. When this bappy change 
is effected, and sinners-join themselves to those, 
who walk as Christ walked: they are often 
enabled to receive the word, amidst poverty, 
contempt, and manifold afflictions, with atlas 
dant joy in the Holy Ghost. ‘Thus they become 
good examples to their families and neighbours, 
and even to their fellow-Christians: the word c& 
God sounds forth from them to others ; and they 
zealously embrace every Opportunity of diffusing 
this heavenly light. And when great numbers 
of careless, ignorant, and immoral persons, are- 
turned from their idols and iniquities, their world- 
ly pursuits and connexions, to serve the living 
and true God ; to believe in and obey the Lord 
Jesus; to “ deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, 
to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this 
“ present world ;* and to “ wait for the Lord 
«Jesus from heaven,” as “ believing that he will 
come to be their Judge,” and hoping ‘ to be 
* numbered with his saints in glory everlasting ;* 
the fact speaks for itself; there needs little pains 
to spread the report, for it is a work of God that 
will be sure to be known, and rendered conspi- 
cuous, by its own light. May. he then send forth 
ministers into all parts of the world, attended by 
his power, and thus made abundantly successful, 
in the conversion of the nations to the worship of 
the living God, and the obedience of faith in his 
Son !—But, let us remember, * that the wrath of 
* God is revealed from heaven against all ungod- 
“ liness and unrighteousness of men.” All tem- 
poral miseries terminating in death, are the ef- 
fects of that wrath: Jesus did not come to de- 
liver us from these sufferings, but from “the . 
* wrath to come,” the everlasting misery of hell, 
None but Jesus can deliver any man 
merited condemnation : all who believe in bim 
with an obedient faith, are delivered from it, and 
all others are exposed to it; “for the wrath of 
“God abideth on them :” for if all true Chris- 
tians ence were exposed to this wrath, all they 
whom Jesus has not delivered, must be still ex- 
posed toit. Let us then: examine this most im- 
portant matter with’ proportionable seriousness ¢ 
let us give diligence "to make our calling and 
election sure; if we Have obtained this assur- 
ance, let us re ber the price which our de- 
liverance cost the great Redeemer, that humble 
love may constrain us devotedly to obey him, and 
cheerfully tosuffer for him. But, if any are con- 
scious, that they have not experienced this de- 
liverance, let them take warning, without delay, 
§* t9 flee from the wrath to come,” and to seck 
Tefvigein Christ and bis selvation. 


Sty Pg = 


~ 


ALD. 55. 


> in vain: 


2 But even after that we had suffered. 
before, and were © shamefully entreated,| 


as ye know, at Philippi, we were 4 bold 
im our God to speak unto you the Sour 
of God with ¢ much contention. . 

»-$ For f our exhortation was not of de-' 
ceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 

4 But as & we were allowed of God 4 
to be putin trust with the gospel, even 
so we speak ; ‘ not as pleasing men, * but 
God, which trieth our hearts.’ 

5 For neither at any ‘time ! used we 


® vers 13. & 1. 8- 17. & 19, 8: Phi}. 1.) & 2. 2. oe bas 
10, 2 Thes. 5 1, 27—30. Col. 2, 1.ji 1 Gor. 2. Res 2 
b 3. 5 Job 39. 16.) Jude 3. Gor. 4. 2, € ea. 
Ps. 73. 13. 8 127.4 ver. §, 6.11. & 4.) 16, Gal. ie 10 
1, Is. 49. 4, & 65.1 2,2: Num. 16. 15.! Eph, 6, 6. Col 3. 
23. Hab. 2. cp 1| 1 Sam. 12. 3. Acts} 22. 
Cor.15, 2. 10. 58.} 20. 33, 34. 2 Cor.j[k Num. 27. 16. 1 
Gaul, 2, 2. & 4. 11.| 2.17. & 4.2, 5..&| Kings 8.39. LChr. 
Phil. 2. 16. YU, 2% Wy, 13. &) 29-17% Ps. 17-3.% 
¢ Acts 5.41. & 16. 12, 1618. 2Pety 44,21. & 13901, 2. 
22—24. 37.2 ‘Tim.} 1. 16. Prov. 17.3. Jere 17+ 
‘1. 12) Heb. 11. 36,]e 1 Cor. 7. 25. Eph.} 10. & 32.1% Joha 
$7. & 12.2, 3. 1)-3.8. 1 Tinh 1. 12,2. 24,25. & 21. 17, 
Pet. 4. 1416. 13. Rom. 8. 17. Heb. 4, 
@ Acts 4, 13.29, Si}h Like 12. 42. &] (2. Rev. 2.23.) 
& 14. 3. Eph. 6.} 16.11. 1 Cor: 4,1}1 Job 17. 5. & $2. 
19, 20. 2. &,9.17% Gal. 2.) 21,22. Ps. 12.2, 3. 
e Acts 6. 9, 10. &) 7, 1 Tim. 1. 11. & Prov. 20. 19. & 26. 
15.1, 2. Rin 2—9,! 6. 20. 2 Tim. 1.14. 28. & 28.23. & 29. 
i 


NOTES. 

CHAP. IL. V.1—8. ‘The Thessalonians well 
knew, that the apostle and his fellow-labourers 
did hot come among them with! empty specula. 
iions, or in an inefficacious manner: but they 
were sensible, that it was a well-grounded testi- 
mony, and not.a vague report, which had been 
spread abroad concerning them. | (i..9.) Having 
been, by immediate revelation, directed to go 
into. Macedonia; they had not. yielded to dis. 
couraging fears, whem they suffered the most se. 
vere, igno:ninious, and iniquitous usage at Phi. 
lippi ; (Votes, Acts xvi :), but as soon as they were 
set at liberty, they came to Thessalonica: and 
there boldly, in) dependence on) Ged and from 
zeal for his glory, they preached that Gospel of 
which he was the Author. This they did, with 


> great earnestness of spirit, and strong desires of 


their conversion; and. with the most. constant 
perseverance, notwithstanding,the opposition of 
the Jews, the disputings which they. were con- 
Strained to maintain with them, and the per- 

secutions which awaited: them. For their exhor- 
tations were not suited to:beguile men, either in- 

to false notions, or licentious practices ; nor had 
they any sinister or selfish motives, _ On the con+ 
trary, they were most fully assured of the divine 
authority and) excellency of the doctrine which 
they taught; and. conscious of, thesutmost inte- 
grity, purilys and sincerity in their endeavours to 
propagate it. For as they had been approved 
by God himself, and marked out to be ‘ stewards 
*« of his mysteries,” and intrusted with the gos- 

pel; so they had spoken with the ‘most. simple 
and sincere desire of approving themselves faith. 
ful to him, and! meeting with bis acceptance; 
knowing that he would scrutinize and prove the 


I. THESSALONTANS. 


OR yourselves, brethren, know # our| flattering» words, as: ye sili 
entrance in unto you, that i it was not cloke of covetousness ; » Gods: 


‘ed them in the plainest an 


‘and io all .other respects, th 


jately desirous of their spiritual growth and 


Cis SEN ee ee 


6 Nor® 
ther of you, n 
might have * 
the apostles of 


7 But * we- 
even tas a —s 
dren; 


unto: you, not ches g 
* but also our own souls, 
y dear unto,us.  * 


par do. Mats! 43. Gal. 5. 26, j 
22, 16.2 ee ee 1s eee ee Tt vere Li. Bn k Bige 
m Is. 56. 11: Jer, CP 9 by pee fs eee f 
12, & 8.10. Mic, 3. 218. 2 Cor, 10, 3 

“5. Male 1-10, Bae) 310, 4 He & 13 at 

28.14. Acts 20633)} 10; Se) 

Rom. 16. 18.2 Co if Or, used ui 

4.2. 8&7. 2. BL 
17s pee. 3. 3. B 


18.13. 40-11. na 
n Ste on, Rom. vp -| 16, Mat, 1 
& 9.1. Gal. 1. 20.) John 21 

o Esth. 1.4. & 5. 1. Cor. 2 

Prov 25.27. Dan. 2Cor. 10.1. & 
4, 30. John 5. 41.) 4. Gal. 5. 
44. & 7418, &12. Tims 3 


secret intentions of every 
indeed at all sought to p 
of their own ease, interest, repui 
modation; or in any way, e 

to their edification. ‘ar, ye 
i. 10.) They had never, on any 
ployed flattering words, t to soothe their 
into ai delusive opinion of © 
character, to. palliate thers 
their endowments’ or vir 
lonians knew ;. being bin ave 


guage; and God himself was ¥ 
had. never made religion, ot théh 

cloak to. cover any ie 
they courted. applause, or 
honour, among them, or 
on the contrary, they eve 
dye, and would not burden ther 
aintenance. This was a mark of. 
the other apostles. general 
churches, and Paulhad as just ack 
they : but he did not insist Ip 
himself or ‘his companions ;-be 
that it would have been bu 
ple, as they were in low ei 


gentleness of a nursing mot 
ed infant: whom: she deem 4 
suckle and attend on; and. 
pense of -ber disinterested. ¢ 
thrives:and is in health.’ Thus, being ; 


perity, they were not only willing to imp 
Gospel to them : but’the tenderes 
their hearts. accompanied their labours 


readily spent their strength, employed 


ALD: 35. ‘CHAPTER Il. A. D. 56. 


esieenber brethren, % ous received,the word of God which ye heard 
ious and srs for labouring a night of us, ye P eived it not as the word of 
Parham "because we would not be} men, but (asit is in truth,) » the word of 
able unto any of you, we preach-| God, which © effectually 1 worketh also'1 - 

ou © the gospel of God. jf you that believe. 
are 4 witnesses, and Godialsos| 14 For.ye, brethren, P became follow- 
iy and justly, and unblameably, ers of 4 the churches of God, which in 
¢ behaved ourselves. anne you that Judea © are in Christ Jesus: for ® ye also 
slic have suffered like things of your own 
yas ye know, * sie we veeugtie, eaaaei * even as they have of the 

: and & charged every one| Jews; . 

hcg Pate. Breve 8 children; | 15 Who both ¥ kidlews the ale icons 
© 12 That ye— would # walk worthy of| and their own prophets, and have * per- 
‘God, * who hath, called you unto his|secuted us; and they * please not. God, 


kingdom. and glory. and are’ ¥ contrary to all men: 


Se reap ‘Observation. _ 16.2 Forbidding us to speak to the 
pe 13) is cause also ! thank we Gentiles, * that they might be sayed, ® to 
doateaiteut ceasing, » because, when ye) J] u p their sins alway: ©for the wrath 


Z1 acer Num. (6, 15. Job & 21..& 3.1. &! js come upon peu to the uttermost, 


1Gor.| 29. 11—17. & 31.) 4. 1-12, & 5, 1,2 
Par aways 2] 1-39. Ps 7. 3-5.) & 6 1. & 1. 24. 
eee 6. 5. 2 Thes.| & 18. 20-24. Jer.| & 31¢1—9 1 Cor, 
3. 8, 9. 1 Tim, 4] 18. 20. Acts 24. 16.| 4, 14, 15. 

: 10. 5 al 3c" te eR ie 16. 

“8. 10. Ps. 82. 4, —10 SD 7 M 

gin th pny 9. 1.) Thes. 3.7 1Tim.| 8. Phil, 1,27. Col. 
Bake * 8%. & 18, 4 12. 2 Tim, 3.10.) 1. 10/8 2, 6,1 Pet. 

Mac 4 ad fae a Meee 7, 8. 1 Pet.) 1.15, 16 1 John 1, 

im 8 5 2 Tin) a 

oh a 
nee 6. Neh. 5. 15s) 


, T & 2 6 
a: Le & 5011. ‘Atal, 5, 24, Rom, 8. 30, 
20. 2. 2'Thes. 3. 12 9 23, 24, 1 Cor. 
48 1 Cor. 9. 7. 18.) 1 Lim. 6.2. 2 Lim.) 
26 ir. 11.9. & 12. 
| pte hee 18s Hebe 18- 22. Vime 1.9. 1 Pets L. 
! ever. 2. Acts 20.!p Num. 927. 19.) 14. & 2.9, & 3..% 


- 1. 1. &} Deut. 3, 28. “& 31. & 5 10. 
15.16. 19. 1 Tim| 14. Eph. 4. 17. ‘| Seé on, 1. 2, °3. 


47. 11, 18-20. 32. Is 3. 4, Acts 17, 1—8."5. 19. & 17. 5,6, 12. 
Gal. 4, 14, 2 Pet. 2 Cor. 81,2. & 18. 12, 13. & 19, 
3.2, 3, t Acts 8,1. 8. & 0.) 9 & 21. 27—31. & 

ni Jer, 23., 28, 29.) 1. 13. & 11. 19. &! 22. 21,92, Gal, §. 

Luke 5.1, & 8, 11.| 12. 1-3. Heb. 10. 11. Eph. 3. 8. 13. 
21. & 11.23: Acts} 33,34. a Ts. 45. 22. “Mark 
8.14, & 13.44. 46..0 Mat 5,12 & 21,116. 16. Acts 4, i2. 
‘Rom: 10.17, “Heb.| 35—39. & 23. 31—] Rom. {0. 18—15. 2 
4,12, VPet. 1. 25.| 35. & 27, 25. Luke Bae 10. 1 Tim, 

2 Pét- 1.1621, ) | 11. 4841. & 13.) 24. 

0 165—10. John 15.| 33, 34. Acts 2. 23,|b Gen, 15.16. Zech. 
3. & 1% Az 19.| & 3. is, & 4. 10. &! 5.6—8. Mat. 23, 32. 
Rom, 6/17, 28% 2-7. 52." ‘ © Joel 2. 30, 31. 
Cor. 3. 18. Col. L.|* Or, chased we out.| Mal. 4. 1. 5. Mat. 
6. Heb, 4. 12. Jam} Am, 7.12, Acts 22.) 3. 7—10. 12, & 12. 
1.18, 2 Pet. 1.23.) 18—21. 45. & 2h. 41—44a. 
_ $e 2% 2% 1John 3.]x Acts 12,3. 1 Cor} & 22 6,7. & 24, 
Sree Can 10. 5. 21, 22. Luke 11. 50, 
pl y Esth. 3.8. Luke 51. & 19, 42—da; 
q Aets9. 3, Gal. 1.) 11. $2; 530) & 21. 20—24. Heb, 
x Acts’ ll. 2, 3. 6. 3. & 10. 27—So, 

ae 1. 2 Thes, 2, 14-18. & 13. 50,818 Jam. 5. 1—6. 


1.9 2 'Thes. 1, 11, 
'4. 2, Tit, 2. 6. 9.f 12. & 2, 13, 14. Ps 


Rom. 1, 8, 9% 

m Jer. 41, 16. Mat. 
10. 13, 14. 40. Acts 
2; 41, & 10. 33) & 
134, 45) 48. & 
16. 14. 30—34. & 


Reds Rd a Dime 6.7224. 8 6. 
#2, 5.1 Sam: 12. 3— ‘13.17% 2 Tim. 4.1 
Acts 20. 18, 26.)h Gen. 50. 16, 17. 


34. 2 Cor. 4, 2} WChr. 22. 1i—13. 
5. il. & il. i. & 28. 9, 20. Ps. 34. 
we to Prov. 1, 10. 15: 


'deopialge ce “ability, exhausted their. spirits, 
“and even ventured their lives for them, because 
| they were dear to them: and they desired no 
| othet recompense, than the “ furtherance and 
$¢: joy of faith’? of their beloved people. 

V. 9-12. The’ Thessalonians could well re- 
“member the disinterested labour and fatiguing 
: toil of the apostle und his associates: for they 
“not ‘eg employed the er in the various wis 


couragements, and) commands; in.directing ‘the 
conduct of his children: so they had used the 
same means, of inducing them to'walk worthy of 
‘the haly perfections of that God’ whom they wor- 
shipped, and whovhad so graciously’ called them 
from the power of darkness into the kingdom of 
his Son, that they might betrained up on earth,: 
for the eternal glory and holy felicity of heaven. 
(Marg. Ref.) : 

V. 18—16.) ©The apostle and his friends 


res spending the enol or a considerable part 
Of oe night, in the same manner: lest, by being 
shargealile to any of their hearers, they should 
at their own success, Thus they faithfully 
‘to them ‘tite: Boapel of God: and the 


“God ;” orithe word of God which they had 
heard from them, as. * the word of man :” which 
may be disputed against; rejected, or even’ de- 
rided; without material’ criminality ‘or detriment, 
‘however plausible or- ingenious’ it'may be. On 
the contrary, they had received it, “\as the word 
6 of God,” (which it certainly was;) and had 
je} ancurddingty reverenced it, believed it, and obey- 
edit. * Thus it had: effectually Wrought in their 
4 | heants, Tepentance of sin, hatred of idolatry, faith 
in) Ciirist, love fo him and his cause, delight int 


iso. would,) in what a hiily; ssiaptity and 
a manner they behaved themselves ; hes 


: $0 that none OF them had seen any 
ng, bu xs evinced the greatest purity, prd- 
j sincerity, and holy love, < They had also ex. 
‘and animated them with every consolita- 

aT d charged them with authority, as 
wi of God concerning them, te 
, And asa wise end dffec- 
vases atguments ‘perstasiong, en- 


juation of his favour, and « realizing view of eter- 
jnaltbings. In this manner, they became imita- 
tors of the Christian Churches in Judea, in doc= 
‘rine; worship, and holy obedience : and’ they ad- 
ered: to the truth and will of Christ, patiently 
and cheerfully, amidst the: oon which 


meitabader hus br sti ihe Wil a a -t 


| thanked God continwally, because the Thessalo- 
nians had not treated “the word ef hearing of , 


‘the worship aud service of God, a supreme ‘vas. 


Ay Dy 55s 


.. 17 But we, brethren, being taken from 
you fora short time, 4 in presence, not 
in heart, © endeavoured the more abun- 
dantly to see your face with great desire. 


48° Wherefore we would have come} 


unto you, * even I; Paul, & once and 
again; but" Satan hinderedus. 
@ 2 Kings 5.26. Acts; 48. 11. 2Sam. 13] 4. 18. 2 Thes. 3. 17. 
17. 10. 1Cor. 5. 3.) 39. Ps. 6301. Luke! Philem:. 9. — 

Col. 2. 5. 22.15, Rome1. 13. & g Job 33, 14. Phil. 
e 3.6.10, 11. Gen. 15.23. Phill. 22-26.} 4, 16. 

31.30. & 45. 286 & ih Zech. 3. 1,2. Rom. 


€ 1 Cor. 16. 21. Col. 


they endured from their neighbours, who were 
instigated by the unbelieving Jews ; even as the 
Christians in Judea were ‘hated and persecuted; 
by those of their own) nation. Nor should this 
excite any astonishment; seeing the Jews, though 
professed. worshippers of God, had:murdered the 
promised Messiah, (as their ancestors had done 
the’ prophets ;} and they persecuted the apostles 
and disciples of Christ, from a proud and blind 
zeal for the law; and the glosses and traditions 
of the elders. In this, they were far from pleas- 
ing God, nay, they exceedingly provoked him : 
and they were contrary to all men, and opposed 
as much as possible the salvation both of Jews 
and. Gentiles... Especially, as they prohibited, 
and did ‘all in their power to hinder, ‘the preach- 
ing of the Gospel to the Gentiles; as if they 
eould not endure that they should be saved.— 
Thus, ‘with ceaseless; efforts, they fitted, up the 
measure of their personal and national iniquities, 
for which the wrath of God was, even then, about 
to come upon them to the uttermost; in the de- 
struction of their city and temple ; the slaughter 
of immense multitudes of their nation ;) the scat- 


tering, enslaving, and abject miseries of the sur-' 


vivors ; and the most: unheard-of ‘calamities of 
every kind, pursuing them into'every region 
of the earth, throughout numerous successive 
generations. (Votes, Matt: xxiii. 34—39. xxiv. 
arg. Ref.) The morose and-unsociable bigot- 
ry of the Jews, respecting all'Gentiles, from the 
time when they ceased to copy their idolatries, is 
largely insisted on by commentators!in general ; 
and the testimony of Gentilesyis adduced in proof 
of it. This evidence, however; is not:much: to 
be regarded : for ifthe Jews had shown the most 
compassionate, liberal; and. fiiendly, attention 
to idolaters in |temporal things; while they 
steadily adhered to the divine law, by separating 
from them, in all things relating to religion »ithe 
clamour of the Gentiles against their. bigotry 


would not have been silenced, if it had been even. 


abated. The steady refusal, of what some have 
called an intercommunity of deities:and religious 
rites, would, have sufficed:to keep up the. pre- 
judice against Jews, and the disdain of them, 
among the proud. Greeks ‘and. Romans ;for the 
same. reasons, that no philanthropy or liberali- 
ty, can, exempt those from contempt and ‘re- 
proach, even among, professed Christians, who 
unreservedly avow their attachment to the doc- 
trines of the Gospel, as their rule of-faith, and 
the precepts of Christ, as their rule of conduct. 
The Jews were, however, in this respect, very. 
faulty; and so are many Christians: but the 
grand point, which here demands consideration, 


Mes 


I. THESSALONIANS. 


Vi 2Cor- 1614. Phil. 
2.16. & 4 


19 For what) is 


k crown ; 

ye 'in th 

Christ at his’ 
20.,.For ye : 


15. 22, 2Cor. Wd o, 
12—14. Rev: 2.10.) 5,45 
& 12, 9-12. ha! 


K Prove 4, 97 & ted s 
4. & 16,31. & 17.1, 
is this; that the determined! 
Jewish nation, to the preachin 
among the Gentiles was the im 
wrath coming on them’ to the’ utt 
Britain, let every Britain, tremble at the tho 
of opposing the cause of missions among 
heathen, as too many are. disposed ' to do,» 
wrath come upon us also to’ the uttermost 
‘ They who obstruct the progress of the Gospel,’ | 
‘ and persecute the promote the a 
* nisters of satan, and th 
(18.) (Whithy.y > PO 
V.17—20. The apostté had been 
the Thessalonians, but’ his affections 
with them. ‘The’ separation, (for hi 
them with as” much reluctance 
with his children, whom’he leaves 
this evil world,) was “only for a short seasoi 
for the space af one’ Lote ee 
‘ was full.of the ideas of eternity, which 
‘it were, annihilate any period of'm 
(Doddridge.) He had, however) been € 
ingly desirous of returning’ to them 
had attempted with abundant ea 
in this he spake of himself, as Fim 
sited them again, and perhaps Sil 
but satan, by exciting disturbances” 
tion to Him at’ Berea, ‘and in other: 
hindered him from effecting his pi 
could fot have come with propri 
they might be sure, that he 
comé, and that he vould ‘em 
portunity of so doing. For what ‘did’ 
pose was the object of his hope in'th 
the ministry, but’ such’ success as ‘be 
with among them?) Or what was his 
crown of exultation’ im that” 
numbers of such ‘affectionate cont 
as they were; ies \ 
those in whom ‘he should’ rejoice 
Lord Jesus, when he would come to: 
world? For indeed he’and his bi é 
glory, or rejoice, in their gifts, 
excellency of speech; but 
God, as his instruments in: 
ners, and in encouraging b 
and conversation.) 


PRACTICAL OBSE} 
bsyn.0d tel BT <8 iin ide 
Cup fidente in payeeho ch nebo 
the souls of men, and conscious integ: 
support faithful inicers atiidat teh fel 
ships and sufferings : and when they he 
shamefully used in one place, they will | 
cline further labours’ aud: perils, ‘bwt-v 


AD. 55. 
>) oiekeGHAP.? TIT. 
The apostle shows, that his care for the Thessalo- 


* nians had induced him to send timothy, to estab-] 


* 


lish and encourage them, 1—5; whose good re- 


port concerning them had been a great eomfort 


Re BPN; ORY cee! 5 
courageous in speaking the Gospel of God in 
another situation. Even when their ministry 
excites the opposition of unbelievers, and con- 
strains them to engage in argument, and to con- 
| earnestly for the truth; though they love 

ace, and hate disputatioug contests; they must 
persevere in their testimony, for they cannot but 
speak the things which they have heard and 
known, All ministers should be careful, that 
their preaching be free from fallacy, deceit, and 
a licentious tendency ; and that their motives be 
equally pure, from all artful designs of advanc- 


ing, , and indulging themselves, by 
s of their ministry. . Far such discoveries 
have been made, respecting priests of different 


religions ; that men are very apt to suspect some 
fraud, or corrupt intention, to be lurking under 
a great appearance of zeal and devotion. It is 
in vain to oppose. arguments to this deep-rooted 
suspicion; except they are corroborated by mani- 
fest facts. We should consider ourselves, as 
“ allowed of God to be put in trust with the 
« Gospel ;” and recollect that this is of all others 
‘the most important stewardship: our faithfulness 
in it will produce the happiest consequences ; 
but unfaithfulness will constitute the most ag- 
gravated guilt, and ensure the deepest condemn- 
ation, We should therefore by no means seek 
to please men; but simply study to approve 
ourselyes to God, who trieth the hearts. Even 
‘the approbation of godly men may be fuilacious, 
land may interfere with our simplicity, in aiming, 
to please ‘the Lord by faithfulness.to our trust. 
).A. man may indeed, by harshness and severity 
in his manner of stating the truth, prevent his 
own usefulness; but selfish principles will far 
‘more generally lead men to temporize, to pal- 
liate, and to speak smooth things. This puts 
hearers into a good humour with themselves, 
and that makes them friendly tothe preacher; 
wh ich may be very conducive to his secular ad- 
vantage, and for a time even add to his reputa- 
tion, It is therefore a very great thing indeed, 
a minister to be able on good grounds, tosay, 
ither at any time used. we flattering words, 
pene nor a cloke of coyetousness, God 


be able to. appeal both to the Lord and to 
amen, that he hath constantly receded even from 
his equitable claims, out of love to the souls ‘of 
earers, and lest he should be burdensome 
© th But, when this decided faithfulness, 
thi ‘nambitious, disinterested, and self-denying 
plair ness of speech, on all occasions, unites with 
equal tenderness and affection, so that the same 

arsons can say, ‘* We were gentle among you, 
nursing mother cherisheth her chil- 
eing affectionately desirous of you, 
'* we were willing to have imparted unto you, 
* not the Gospel of God only, but also our own 
|¥ souls, because ye were dear unto us:” then 


are ; 


[ak 


‘to th 


CHAPTER Tif. 


1ess ; nor of men sought we glory :” and | 


A.D. 53. 


to him in his distresses, 6—8. He thanks God 
in their behalf, and shows how earnestly he de- 
sires to see them, 9, 10; and prays, that he may 
be enabled to visit them ; and for their growth in 
holiness and love, and perseverance to the end, 


“11—13., 


ae GY 


the servants of Christ come as. near to the mind 
of their Lord, as can be conceived attainable by 
mortal men. There are, however, but few, who 
are nt warped one way or the other; by consti- 
tution, habit, or. circumstances: it behooves us 
therefore to search out our.spirits, to be open to 
‘conviction, and to guard against our own peculiar 
weakness. 
of able, ‘faithful, and affectionate ‘ministers’ of 
Christ, we should not shrink from labour and toil, 
day or night; we should cheerfully endure hard- 
ship, both in preaching the Gospel ; and also in 
diligent endeavours to avoid being chargeable’ 


If we are desirous of the character. 


to those, who are unable, or unwilling, to assist 


us: and. we*should have a noble ambition of 
being able to appeal to men, as well as unto God, 
that we have behaved ourselves with purity and 
equity, and in a blameless manner, among them 


with whom we were most conversant. This will 


give energy to our words, whilst we exhort, en- 
courage, and charge our people, ‘te walk wor- 


“‘ thy of God, who hath called them to his king- 
* dom and glory.” Indeed, we ought always to’ 
have their welfare at heart, as a father 


hath'that | 
of. his children; and to seek it with t ame 


affectionate and assiduous earnestness, from the 
most disinterested motives. 
3 oV. 1320. i 
We should give thanks: to God without ceas- 
ing, in behalf of those who receive the Gospel 


from, us, not as the opinion of fallible men, but 


as the “ sure testimony of the Lord which giveta 
wisdom to the simple.” This it certainly is, as 


far as any man preaches according to the 
scriptures, however unlearned, obscure, or frail, 


the preacher may be. . When thus received with 


reverent faith and obedient attention, it works 
effectually an entire change in the judgment, 
disposition, and characters of men: they be- 
come followers, not of this or the other leader of | 


a sect, but of the primitive Cliristians; and may 


‘expect. to be reviled and persecuted by their 


neighbours, (as far as outward circumstances 


| will admit,) even as they were of the Jews. For 


the same nature is in men of every age and lime, 
which was in those who killed the Lord Jesus 
and the, holy prophets, and who persecuted 
the: apostles and disciples of the Saviour ; and’ 
satan, who ‘ worketh in the children of disobe- 
“dience,” hates the pure Gospel of Christ, and 
the faithful preaching of it to sinners of all de- 


‘scriptions, as much as he did of old. But they 


who would forbid us’ thus to preach to the chief 
of sinners, and to those who sre dead in sin ; and 
to evangelize the heathen, that they may be sa- 
ved, donot in this please God, and they are con- 
trary to allmen. The object and motives of those, 
in general, who would hinder the preaching ‘of | 
the Gospel, in any part of the world, are mani- 


fest: but it is grievous to think, that some appa- 


rently pious men, misled by an undue attach- 


' 


A. D. 55. I. THESSALONIANS. 


HEREFORE, * when we could 
no longer forbear, > we thought it 
good to be left at Athens alone ; 
- 2 And sent ¢ Timotheus, 4 our brother, 
and minister of God, and our fellow- 
Jabourer in the gospel of Christ, ¢ to es- 
tablish you, and to comfort you concern- 
ing your faith: 

3 That no man should be § moved by 
these afflictions : for yourselves know 
that & we are appointed thereunto. 

@ ver. 5s .&&% 2. z| Cor, 2,13. & 8. 23.f 25. & 29. 24. & 21. 


4 For, yerily, when we wer 
h we tala gendaniare that we should s 
fer tribulation; ‘ even as it came to p 
and ye know. Riri aes 

5 For this | 
longer forbear, — 
faith, ™ lest by som 
have tempted you 
in vain. 

6 But now, ° wh 


———————— 


s the temp 


as 


mi Sang yma NESE, 


—18. & 24. 0,#10fh John 16. 1 
Luke 21. 12. John 


i 2.2, 14." Acts 12 
15, 10-21. & 16. 


33, Acts 9. 16, &j 8. 1, 2 2 Thes, 1) 
14, 22. & 21, 13.) 4—6 ; 
Rom. 8. 35—37. 1 
Cor, 4.9. 2 Tim 
3.11, 12. 1 Pet. 2. 
2, & 4. 12, 


Jer. 20.9. & 44. 22.] Eph. 6.21. Phil. 2.) 13. Rom. 5, 3. 1 
2 Cor. 2. 13, & 11.| 19—25, Col. 1.7. &} ‘Cot. 15. $8. Eph. 
29, 30. [4 Odd : S. 13. Phil, 1. 28. 
b Acts 17. 15. e ver. 13. Acts 14.) Col. 1.23. 2 Thes. 
@ Acts 16. 1. & 17.422, 12%. & 16, 5 1.4. 2 Tim. 1. 8. 
14s & 18) 5. Eph, 6-22. Phil. 1.} 1 Pet. 4, 12-14. 
a Rom. 16. 2t. 1] 25. 

Cor. 16.10, If. 21f Ps. 112.6. Acts 2. 


Rev. 2. 10. 13. 
g 5.9, Mat. 10. 16 


and character, would render c 
4, 


tment to system, should countenance the conduct 
ty unavoidable : mie 


of those, who in every age, are actuated by the 
same proud and bigoted selfish spirit, which 
influenced the Jews of old, when filling up the 
measure of their sins, till wrath came upon them 
~ to the uttermost. The affectionate and faithful 
‘ministers of Christ may be forced from those, 
with whom their hearts are most united; and 
they may be frustrafed, through the devices of 


satag,in their Most earnest desires and endea- 

wong eoming to them again ; yet, their separa- 
. tion e only for a short space. Theit hope 
and joy are intimately connected with the spirit 
ual growth and fruitfulness of those, who’ have. 
profited by their labours. They are’ now “ their 
« crown of rejoicing,” far more than all possible 
eommendation from other men. And’ they will 
meet them, in the presence of the Lord Jesus, at 
his coming, as their glory and joy; and then all 
the pangs of their partings and separations will 
be richly and eternally compensated. 


persecutions as far as he 
the Lord to appoint vty 
suffering, for the trial of their fa 
of their sanctification, and the 
powerful and: excellent effects of h 
them. This the apostle had plainly and c¢ 
dently predicted, and warned them to e3 
when he was with them, even” befihe the Pp 
cution had begun: he had never allowed the 
be deluded by an expectation of peac | 
perity ; but had taught thenr to look for tr 
tions from without, and for inward « 
Accordingly it bad come to pass ; he and h 
sociates had been driven from them by 
persecutions: and as he had left 
midst of this fiery trial, he had sent to. 
they had stood it, and whether their 
thus been proved genuine 
wholly divest himself of sc 

er, ven satan, should: 
them by ‘his manifold artifi 
faith, and comply with the 
bours : and lest thus'his un 
their good should prove 
Some would explain what 
of persecution, exclusive’ 
other apostles and evang. 
of Christianity used this 
argument against its di 
the danger of the Thessalonians arose, 
any persecutions to which they thems: 
exposed, but from the vain reas 
beathen neighbours, respecting those 
apostle. endured, and ‘his leaving: * 
on account ‘of them. But the 
were themselves exposed to’ 
must expect to be ** who 
* sus ;” and what they 
would be, at least, as likely 
any reasonings of tleir en “The a 
‘continued to speak in the plural number, t 
the context evinces that he meant it only of him- 
self. This he seems to have done in some 
‘other places; but it was from modest y 
one of many ministers who were of t 
tind, and not from any affectation of 


§ 


NOTES. 


CHAP, I. V. 1—5. (Notes, Acts xvii. 15. 
xvii. 1—6) Timothy came from Berea to 
Athens, whilst Paul was there, but it seems that 
Silas did not. The apostle, being anxious about 
the new converts at Thessalonica, could not en- 
dure to remain any longer in suspense, or to act 
i as if he were unconcerned for their welfare : he 
therefore chose to be left alone at Athens, though 
that must have been very inconvenient to him : 
" and he sent back Timothy to Thessalonica, to es- 
tablish the Christians of that city in the faith by 
suitable imstructions, which he was eminently 
| qualified to give them; and to exhort and en- 
. courage them to hold fast their profession; what- 
. ever opposition they met with, by assuring them 

of peculiar protection, consolation, and reward. 
| This was intended, to prevent any of them’ from 
| being moved to renounce or disguise theif faith, 
| by means of the afflictions to which it exposed) 
| them: for they could not’but know, if they un- 
| derstood the nature of their profession, that the 
disciples of Christ were appointed to have fellow. 
; ship with Kim in his sufferings. Their situation 
| amidst the enemies of God, and their doctriae 
. z= 


oe AD. | CHAPTER IIL. A. D. 55: 


from you un pus pand brought us good lo ¢ Night and day 4 pray ing Pe ceek- 

yn Wee Oe of ye ‘a faith and charity, * andjingly that we might see your face, and 

~ that ye ve “good remembrance of us|* might perfect that which is lating i in 
* alway esiring greatly to see us), as| your faith? . ‘ 


te : see you: “11 NowfGod himself and our Father, 
& and our Lord Jesus Christ, * direct 


“7 Th erefore, brethren, t we were com- 
ed over you “inall our ‘affliction and|» our way unto you. © 


i e58,, by your faith = - 12 And ithe Lord make you t to in- 


8 For now * we live, ¥ if) ye stand fast crease and k abound in ! love one towards 
int the Lord. anether, and towards all) men, ™ even as 
~~ "9 For z what thanks can we render to| we do towards you : 

God again for you, * for all the joy] 13 To the end = he may stablish your 
wherewith we Jey me sakes >before| hearts ° unblameable in holiness P before 
ae our God ; sf ‘God, even our Father, 4 at the coming of 

hes sna sg - jour Lord Jesus Christ, "with all his saints. 


lataiea 


Luke 2. 87. A he 7 

. p.Prev. See fa &%.0,7. 13.2} 2. Cols.1.23- Heb.| © € ets, alas Pet, 1. 7 1Jobn 3 
ee 
Ser 


11—19. & 4. 7—16- 
m 2. 8. 
mn 5, 23. Rom. 14: 4- 
& 16. 25. 1 Cor. 1. 
8. 2 Thes. 2. 16,17 


26.7. 2 Tim. 1. 3. 
Ae peace it sto 1 ek le Rey. 4.8. & 7.15. g Ste on, Hom. 17. 
Cor. 4, 9-13, 2 3 d ver. 11. & 2. 17,) 2 Thes. 2. 16. 


2 Pet. 3. 17, Rev. | “oR, 1.30. &|* Or. guide. 


ofa tet 3 2| Cor. 11,23—28. 2] 3.3. i1. 


ae h Ena, 8 21—23. 


Cor. 2. 14. & 9.15. 


‘B25. Cols. 28. & 
a vets 78 StU) 4,13. 2 Thes. 1.11. 


f ver. 13. Is. 63. 16. 
Peta 2 ah 3 Jer. 31.9. Mal. 1.) 
2h. te Ba 6. Mat. 6. 4. 6. 8, 


ec, — Tim. 3. 10—12. z 1,2,3. 2Sam. 7 
hilem. 5. 1 Sam. 25.6. Heb] 1820. Neh. 9. 5. Prov. 3» 5,6- 1 Pet. 5. 10. 
rag : Be: 5. Phil Ps. 71. 14, 15. 2} ia 1, tl, 13- i 4. 10. Ps. 115. 14.{0. Eph. 5. 27. Col. bk 
bk: Crete a séae ! ¥ : Cor. 1. 15.24. Phil.| Luke 17. 5. 2Cor.j 32. Jude 24. 


9.10. Jam. 1. 17.!p Sce on, ver. 11. 

2 Pet. 3. 13. q 2 19.& 4.15. & 

K 4.9, 10. Phil. 1.9.| 5.23. 1 Cor. 2. 7. & 
2 Thes, 1.)3. 15. 23.2 Thes:2. 3. 

1 5.15. Mate 7. 12.0 Deut. 33.2. 

& 29.59. Rom. 13.) 14. 5.2 Thes: i. 

8 1Cor. 13. Gal.| Jude 14. 

526.13, 14. 22, 2 


ee card he 18. 2hy As a & i. 
> 3. Heb. 13.) 4. 7. Acts 11, 23. 

; Se 1 Core 15. 58. & 16. 
» 8 ver9, 10. See "| 13. Gal. 5.1. Eph. 


“2,27, Phil. 1.8 
oh en ee Phil. 1. 27. %& 4, 


» John 20. 17. 2 Cor. 


ae 


Tr Vv. 6—10.. During Timothy’ 's oan, Paul Head c over all things to his church, to direct, and 
. departed from Athens to Corinth; whither Tim-} make plain his way unto them, by r ing alk, 
-* othy returned to him, and Silas also. The ti- those providential hinderances whi hith- “# 
dings which he received from Thessalonica,|erto prevented bim : and heentreated the Lord 
concerning the faith and love of the brethren in| Jesus, (for as the former clause isan undeniable 
» that city,"and their affectionate remembrance of act of divine worship rendered to Christ as One 
« him, and earnest. reciprocal desire.to see him,| with the Father, so this aiso seems to have been - 
“were so satisfactory; that they not only relieved | addressed to him ;) that by further communica- 
bis mind from anxiety, but abundantly cempen.| tions from his fulness, he Would-cause them to 
- gated for all his other trials and distresses, andj increase in love of one another and of all men, 

* filled his benevolent heart with consolation. )J*or| not excepting their persecutors ; according to 
oa “pens > he seemed to,enjoy life with great relish, | the various. exercises of that holy affection, re- 
~- and to live to some ‘purpose, when his. spiritual | quired by “the commandments of God : ‘and to 
children stood fast in the faith, hope, love, and| abound in every oneof them, according ‘to the na. 
obedience of the gospel. Nor could he find! ture and measure of the apostle’ $fervent, spiritual, 
language, to express the gratitude he owed to}and enlarged love of them. This he desired, in or. 
God; -and the thanks which he now. azain «was|der to the establishment of their heartsin holi. . 
excited to render him, on their account, and for}ness; and that their affections, tempers, and 
at overflowing j Joys witb which this inspired his conduct,.might be unblameableyin every part of 
‘before God: whilst night and day he}their various duties to God, tewards each other, 
ed out his unremitted prayers, that he might| and towards all men, in the several relations of 
‘the satisfaction of once again seeing them, |life ; and that it might be manifested that they 
perfecting What was wanting: in their faith,] were so, as in the preseice. of, their boly and 
er in respect of knowledge in the traths|hearf-searching God and°Father, in that deci- 
jromises of God, or the vigour of; their be-| sive day, when the Lora Jesusshould come with 

- dependence on them. ‘The apostle here; all his holy ones, whether angels or redeemed 
an excellent’ pattern to all the bishops] sinners, to judge the quick and dead. (%!.1. 

stors of the church, to “be continually 22.) For the souls of the redeemed, who dicd 
tous t know of the welfare of their flock, | in the Lord, will descend with him from haven, 
antly praying for it, blessing God daily |‘to be reunited to their - glorified bodies : and ‘he 

and looking upon. it as the very felicity | saints on earth mili be changed, and mett the 
“4 lives? ee) (Marg. Ref.) | Lotd in the air, * This invocation of Christ 

. The apostl e closed the expres:|‘ must suppc him ombiscient, . omnipresent, 
i velo. Sudiaged fervour of ho-| and the Searcher of all hearts ; and these are” 
tion, by writing down the requests © the properties of God alone? (Pitty) 

4 Christians at Thessalonica. Hej 


aa 


even our Father, ahd PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. > 
Seauss” a8 ‘the: eapeivate hiss! the} ‘The love, which | the zealous Se oe 
+ Bway * aC rie &e. F ity, ' = 


Pa 


4 © * . : » ‘ . 


* fatiguegal order to obtain satisfaction concern- 


‘the followers of Christ are appointed to suffer 


* forewarn their hearers; that they may be pre- 
* pared for the cross, and meet every'trial with 


sion of the Gospel, have been,overcome in the 


» «© them, and his labour should be in vain’? But,| C 


A. De5. | I. THESSALONIANS. 


CHAP. 1V. 2 For ye know & what commar 
The apostle earnestly exhorts his brethren, to in-| we gave you by the ‘Lord Jesus. 
creasing diligence in omnarauetne ss. we 2 : 3 For © this “the will of God 
and to chastity and integrity inall things ; as God}; |. anita Baik noe 
had callesern to 1 Anos and they, who despis- : hie min : a * that ye shoul 
ed. such admonitions, would despise God himself, | St@1n tron " 
3—8. He calls on them to abound more and A That every o 
‘more in love of one another, 9, 10; to be indus-}how to possess ™ hi 7 
trious in their respective callings, 11, 12; and.to/tjon and” honour; 
moderate their sorrow for deceased: believers ;|. ss 
: : 3 5 Not °in the l 
from assured expectation of the coming of Christ, Genti 
to raise the dead, to change the living, and to re-|©VEO P as the Kia 
ceive all his people to himself, 13—18. ; not God : eae ti, te 
URTHERMOBE, then, * we * be- Bee 
seech you, brethren, and ¢¢xhort you| Ties i: 2 Pet] Acts 20, 62. ke a0 
> by the Lord Jesus, that-as * ye have re- Marrs sy ee oS BeeCr, | 
ceived of us how 4ye-ought to walk, and| “28.20. 1 Cor. 9. 21.| 11. Eph+ 5, 27 2} 20, 21.1 Pi 
e to please God, so ye would abound), 3% $.° Jo | Weep bis 
more and more. 


h 5.18. Ps, 40,°8.)/14.1 Pet. 1.2. © 113, 4.5.0) 
& 143. 10. Mate. 7./k Mat. 15. 19. Actslo Rom. 16. 

a 2.41. Rom, 12,14 4.2%. & 6.15, 14. 

2Cor. 6.1. Ke 10.) 2 Tim. 4. 1. 


21. & 12. 50. Mark| 15. 20.29. Rom. 1: 
1. Eph. 4.1. Phiilem.|¢ ver. 11, 12. Acts 


3.35, John 4.34, & 
7. 17. Rom: 12, 2 
9,10. Heb. 13.22, | 2G. 27. 1 Cor. 21. 
* Or, request. 23. & 13. 1. Phil. 
+r, besecch- ‘1.27. Col. 26. 2 
b ver. 2. Eph. 4. 17.| Thes. 3. 10—12. 
2 Thes. 2.1.1 Tim.|d See on, 2. 12, 


le Rom. 8. 8. & 12. 
2. Eph. 5. 17, Col- 
1.10. Heb, 11. 6+], 
& 13.16. 1 Johns. 
22 

f ver. 10. Job 1769. 
Ps. 92,14, Prove 4. 
18. John 15. 2. Phil. 


Christ bear to their people, and the longing de- 
sires after their salvation which they feel, can- 
not ‘wholly be separated from painful solicitude 
‘on their account, , Thi often disposes them to 
renounge,their. own conveniency, and to endure 


moved by the reproaches 0 e 
will feel, that he can fever ‘sufficien 
God, for all the joy Witt he derives from tl 
and the testimony of the acceptance of ‘h 
bours which their conversion impli 
be absent from them, such go 
will draw out his soul in more fe 
God continually ; that he in 
comfort of ‘their beloved  s¢ 
what is lacking in their faith, to 4 
ships or perils this may expos 
he beseech God, even our F ther, 
Jesus Christ, to peek 


ing the d.to promote their spiritual benefit, 
And itis @ great advantage for such as are en- 
gaged ata distance, from,those of whom they 
are thus affectionately desirous, to have faithful 
fellow-labourers, whom they, may employ in es- 
tablishing and comforting them, concerning their 
faith. In the most peaceful times, every Chris- 
tian should. count: bis cost, and remember that 


: a . 
he may again on earth mf 1 | 


he so tenderly loves: and 
Lord would make ther to 
* $n love one towards anoth 
‘ men;” and zhus, (avioyets 
law;) ‘establish their “hes 
‘holiness, before God our 
«ing of the Lord Jesus, ¥ 
pwhen all such desires and 
accomplished. May the IL 
are oe the een iC) 
this faithful, loving, diligent, “a 
; Spixit ; and ‘may he prosper alllth 
day of trial, that the experienced minister will! comfort their hearts, with numt 
generally feel a degree of anxiety ; and héwill ‘like these Thessalonians 1" 
not fail to.caution the peopleto be on their guard,} > See He 8 
lest by some means,“ the tempter should tempt { y. “NOLES = 
t,| CHAP. IV. . Val—5, 4 

in proportion to these ‘solicitudes ,will be his re-| the apostle to entreat the Thi 
joicing, ‘when he finds that his beloved children | most affectionate persuasia 
stand fast iff the faith, and walk in Jove ; and that| with earnéstness and au 
their “femembrance of him, and affection to|and more in the practi 
him, correspond. with;his feelingstowards'them: | concerning high heh 
In proportion as he has the mind of St Paul, he hey had received’ these instructi 
svill be “ comforted over them in all his. affliction | dient and teachable mapner ; and thus ha 
«and distress by their faith :” the pleasure of|ed how they ought to order their whole 
his life will greatly consist in seeing them stand | that, they might please God invall t 

¢ Ro Nee : ne a y" wat 


’ 


‘affliction: and ministers should not shun. to 


watehfulness ahd prayer ;#as in this manner they 
will best bépreserved constant and steadfast in 
‘the faith. Bor the tempter hath many artful 
devices » he.knows hew to suit. his suggestions to 
men’s dispositions, and to: avail himself of their 
circumistances; and he will be suresto work 
on their hopes, fears, desires, or aversions, by 
the malt subtle; metheds imaginable. So many 


who have for atime made a creditable profes- 


by 


+ * : 7 he “* e ; 4 ‘ ¢ 


a a ie oka 
re i ‘ ME Leta kT & 
A. D. 55. - CHAPTER IV. | A.D. 55. 
ie Gee cis Fe 
6 That no man. ¥ go beyond and * de- spiseth not man, but God, = who hath 

fraud his brother + in any matter; because also given unto, us his holy Spirit, 

sat 8 the e Lor } 48 [Practical Obsenvations.],: 
9 7 But’as# touching brotherly love, 
t b ye need not that I write unto’ you ; ° for 
“ie Pu God hath, not called u us unto ye yourselves are taught of God to love 
x uncleanness, but unto, holiness. {one another... 

' 8 He therefore that ¥ despivc ts, yde-} 10 ‘And indeed ye do. it towards 4 all 
ie A ‘ the brethren which are imall Macedonia : 
vy Ex. 20. 15, 2 | 3,4. Prov. 22. nal 29, 30,1 Cor. 1. 2+ hut we beseech you, - brethren, that ye 


Ley. 19. 11, 13.| Jer. 7, 6. Mic. 2] Bphy 1. 4, & 2. 10. 

“Deut. 24: 7. & 25) 2. Zeph, 3-1. Jam & 441.2 ‘hes. 2 increase’ more and more ; 

‘ i ALeiDal (2Gee 9 mn am. f 

i Ani. Bey 4 Ne cig ge a ipet.| 11 And f that ye & ‘study, to be. quiet, 
"23, & 28, 24. Iss 5./5 Deut. $2.35. Job) 1+ 14,15. & 2 9—|7 neh. 9.30. Acts 54) 7.1 John 2.10. &} 15. Col. 1. 4.2 'Thes. 
G ees aed psi he thee = 21, ae ig a A eee oly s = 14—19, 23,1 2. 3: Philem, ‘5—Te 
Ae . . % B 'e —16. levers 1 3. 12. 
45. 9—14. Am: Gi] 22 22,23. Ke. 5.8. Eph. 4.19.2 Pet.) 42.2 pet, 1, 21. 1lb 5. 1. Jer. 34 34.| Phil: 1. 9. & 3:14, 
‘John 3. 24, Heb. 8.10, 11. 1] 15)2)Pet, 3.28. 


5, 6. Zeph. 34 54} Is. 1: ‘Feet Rom.) |2. 10. 
Mal. 3.5. tr gee Ws 18s & 126.19.)f Ox, rejeoteth. 1). Tey 19, 18. Ps. John'2: 20627 If Prov.i7.1. Ee. 4. 
. 183. 1. John 13. 34.4e Is. 54. 13. John 6.) 6. Lam. 3. 26. 2 


: ‘Eph. 5, 6.2 Thes.} Sam. 8.7, & 10. 19. 
| Eph. 4, 28. Jam. 5,, 1. 8 John 12. 48. 35+ & 15, 12—17.|/44, 45, Heb. 10. 16.) ‘Thes. 3. 12. 1 'Tim. 
Acts 4, 32. Tries 1 John 5.2 l. 2. 2.1 Pet, 3. 4, 


Via, Se paar 22, eee Gal. 13, BION, 1.7. pane 
ress, oF) 5.21. Eph, 4.17. 49. 7, & 53.) 45. 4 : 
Lev. 25.|u Lev. 1. 44. & 19, 3. Luke io. 16.) 221% Eph $1 i acta hie A eine ay aa 
L Sam. as 3: Rom i, ate 8 | Acts 13. 41, tad Be Pet, 3.8.2 Pet. 1 ee : 


‘called to account, by men; but the Lord would 
‘not suffer their hypocrisy and injustice to escape 
with impunity ; being himself the, Avenger of 
all such clandestine frauds and impositions. Of 
this the apostle had before warned them, when 
he was with them, and he had testified’ that these 
practices should not escape the vengeance of 


sta he now ult a them: to be. still more 
zealous in every good work, and assiduous in 
cultivating every. holy disposition, Tt was indeed 
unnecessary for him to enter into an exact detail 

_of particulars; as they knew what command. 
ments he had given them in the name, and by 
the authority, of the Lord Jesus: for their sanc- 

; tification, or entire separation from all evil, and 
consecration to. God ; the complete mortification 
of the old corrupt nature, and the renewal of 
their ‘souls to t the divine image, by the influences 

_ of the Holy Spirit, through faith, constituted the 

_. will of God respecting them, It was especially 
% f “incumbent upon them to abstain from fornication, 
_ fas well as from adultery and other vile abomi. 
4:4" onations, which were generally practised among 
the Gentiles : :) that so eyery one of them: might 
understand, _in what manner to possess his body, 
‘Gaceanae of his rational soul, in a sancti- 
fied and honourable. use of all its ‘members, as 
instruments of righteousness unto God, and in 
an exact government of every sense and appe-. 
©, tite, according to the, divine law, and the ends | 
intended by the all-wise Creator. ‘Thus’ every. 
would act honourably, as a rat ional crea- 
ast ure, and a worshipper of God : whereas all the 
\ defilements of the imagination and affections, 
_ and every kind of inordinate or forbidden indul- 
ice, according to,“ the lust of concupiscence,” 
/ would be exceedingly disgraceful to a Christian ; 
being an imitation of the vile practices of the 
ntiles, the worshippers. of impure deities, and 
‘angers to the holy character, law, and truth 
WV Be, In like manner, the apostle warned 
e Th essalonians not to over. reach, or defraud, 
bre ca or neighbours, in'any transaction ; 
oem advantage of their ignorance, | 
ty or credulity ; by exacting immoderate 

s; or by any of those tricks and subter-| 
elfishness devises to impose ‘upon 
ty, without blasting men’s credit, ot 
Punishment by human laws. Such |* terms, and with the greatest heer '@Mack- 
ight not be detected, or could not he |nieit. y 


his family, i in ordet to give them a lic ce to live 
in an unholy manner, either by gratifying their 
sensual appetites, or their avarice ; but that they 
might be taught, inclined, and enabled to walix 
before him in holiness. The word “ unclean- 
“ ness,” here used, has led many learned expo- 
sitors to explain the sixth.verse of clandestine 
adultery. But, if fornication were forbidden, 
adultery must be of course: for even the Gcn- 
tiles condemned the latter, whilst’ they connived. 
at the former; nay, in fact, publicly sanctioned 


tezans; as it is evident from the writings of De- 
mosthenes, Cicero, ‘and others. * This interpre- 
tation is far from the most obvious meaning of 
the passage : ‘dishonesty is as inconsistent with 
Christianity as lewdness ; and in this over-reach- 
ine y franditlent manner, perhaps eveh more com- 
mon: and the word uncleanness may either be 
referred to what went before, or be understood 
fas a general word for wickediess, all which is. 
filthiness in the sightof God, (Marg. Ref.)— 
Notwithstanding the excellent state of the Thes- 
salonian Church, there might some creep in 
among them, who would: speak of the doctrines 
and comforts of Christianity, and yet affect to 
despise these practical exhortations, as incon- 
sistent with the: grace and liberty of the Gospel : 

‘but the apostle reminded them, that in so doing, 
they” did not despise him, Silvanus, or Timothy ; 
but God himself, who had given them his Holy 
Spirit, ‘by ‘whose ‘inspiration these exhortations 


.. 7 


God. For the Lord had not called | hem into 


it, when committed. only with slaves and cour- , 


had been written.—* In this passage St. Pauk. 
asserts his own inspiration, in the strongest 


A, Diss. I. THESSALONIANS. 


» and to do your own business, andito|, 15 For this we say unto you 
work with your own hands, as we com-} word of the Lord, that we, ®: 
manded you ; emain unt ’ 
12 That * ye. may walk honestly ‘to-| Lord, shall not 
wards'! them that are without, and chat. ye} ¥ asleep. J 
may:have lack of * nothing. 16 For z the 0 
scend from heayen, 


1S Bu m™ I would not have you to 

be ignorant, brethren, concerning them] the voice of > the are 
the trump of, God. 
Clirist shall vise first 


= which are asleep, that ° ye sorrow not 
even as others P which. have,no, hope, 
14 For 1 if we believe that Jesus cied,| 17 Then © we which are 
and rose again, even’so them also which| main, shall be * caught u 
* sleepin Jesus will *God’ bring with|them & in the clouds, to 
RE a ac iuila in the air : 5 and so shall w 
the Lord, . - | ; 


him. © 
: eka teats 
18 ! Wherefore, ¢ comfort one 
with these; wordsal cutie hip Sat 9 ’ 
t 1 Kings 13. les: 47.1.8) Zech 4.7) Revit. 7 


i 


BAF RES John 11, 24. Acts 8. 

* Ov, 10 man, 2 Cor.| 2. 

Rom. 12. 4—8, Col.} 11. 6—8. p See on, Eph. 2. 12, 
3.) 22—24, 2°Vim. lm Rom. 1.13.1 Cor.) Job 19. 25—27. 
5.13. Tit. 2.4—10.1 10. 1. & 12.1.2 Cor.) Prov.” 14.932, Ez. 

_1 Pet. 4.10, 1. 15:| 1.8, 2 Pet. 3. 8. 37. 11..1 Cor. 15. 
i Acts 20. 85." Rom.|n ver. 15. & 5. 10-1] 19. 

12, 1h. Cor, 4, 12;} Kings 1; 21. & 2.)q Is) 26.19 Rom. 8. 
Eph. 4. 28. 2'Thes.| 10. Dan. 12. 2+] 11.1 Cor, 15. 12— 
3-912. Tit 3.14, Mat. 27. 52, Luke; 23. 2 Cor. 4. 13, 14. 
Murgs 8.52, 53. John 11.| Rev. 1. 18. 

k 5, 22. Rom. 12:| 11—13. Acts 7. 60.|r, ver. 13. 1 Cor. 15. 
17, & 13.13. 2 Cor] & 13. 36.71 Cor. 15.) 18. Reve 14. 13. 
8.20, 21, Phil. 4.8.] 6.18.2 Pet. 3.4. |s ver. 17. Gen. 49. 
Tit. 2. 8-10. 1 Pet.jo Gen. 37. 35. Lev] 10. Zech. 14. & 
2) 12.& 3. 16, 17,; 19. 28, Dent. 14. 1-| Mat. 24. 31. 1 Cor, 

1 Mark 4.11. 1 Cor.}'2Sam. 12. 19, 29:} 15.23. Phil. 3. 20, 
5.12, 13+Cal. 4. 5.) & 18.33, Job i» 21s} 2. 2 These (2. J. 
iTin.3 7.1 Pet! Ez. 24. 16—18.! Jude 14, 15 


h Mark _ 18.434 
Luke 12, 42, 43. 


2 Cor, 4. 14, 118, Is. 27. 13. 
x Job 41. 11, Ps. 88] 9.14. 1 Cor, 
12. & 119, 147, 148.) Reve 1, 10. 

iat 17. 25. { di Corby: 
y See n. ver-13-Je ver, 15.1Cor 
2 1s, 25,8, 9. Mat. f 1 Kings te 
Pw aes a 5 et 
25, 31, & 26. 64.) » 3% 
Acts 1. 11. 2 Thes,| 12. at Be 
1, 7) 2 Pets S410.) 226 8.12.5. 
Rev. 1.7. ie. Mat: 26 
14. 62, 


a Num. 23. 21. Ps, fen 


cL! 


‘ 


¥.9—12. As tothe new commandment, which 
Christ had given his disciples, of loving one an- 
other, the apostle need nof write to them con- 
cerning the reasons, nature, exercises, fruits, and 
blessed effects of it: for they were inwardly 
taught of God, by the illumination of the Holy 
Spirit, thus todo; it’was an essential disposition 
of the new man, which counteracted and over. 
powered the selfishness of their old nature. 
(Marg. Ref.)~ Indeed, they did exercise that 
holy afféétion, not only among one another, but 
towards all the Christians of the several Church- 
es in Macedonia : yet, he would exhort them to 
increase more and more, in the fervency of their 
love, and in all the fruits of it. And, while men 
in general aspired to eminence, reputation, or 
authority, by an intermeddling and turbulent 
eonduct, it should be their ambition, (so the ori- 
ginal literally signifies,) to behave quietly, peace- 
ably, and contentedly in their own situations, 
however low and obscure; and to attend dili- 
gently to their proper work, in the community, 
in the Church, and in relative life. And, as most 
of them were poor, they ought to be industrious 
in their manual labour, ‘as the apostle had com- 
manded ‘them, at the same time that he laboured 
for his bread among them. ‘Thus they would be 
enabled to act honestly and creditably, ameng 
their unbelieving neighbours; paying all their 
' dues, maintaining their familiés decently, and 
being preserved from seeking relief by any dis- 
honourable services or compliances ; as ‘not hav- 
ing any want of things suited to their station, or 
requisite in order to relieve one another in their 
distresses. PRS ty ate ake her 
V. 1s—18__ (Notes, 1 Cor, xv. 23. 50-54.) inai, 


Perhaps the apostle heard, 
Thessalonian believers had late 

their relativesand brethren were ¢ 
about them, as not duly attending { 
lations suggested by the Gospel. 1 
would not have them to be i 
those, who were fallen asleep in, 
were in a safe pew a esta 
proper for them to sor 
in’so disconsolate a 
ward expressions of, 
had no hope respect 
or expectation of meeting { 
to do, For since they bel 
for their sins, and “ rose aga 
*© tion ;” they might th 
God would raise again 
of those who slept i 


of the whole multitude of b 
be found alive at his comin 
into tae full enjoyment of 
body and soul, before thei 
previously died and been) br 
solemn period, the Lord 


—o 


A.D, 55. 
- CHAP. V. 
‘of Christ will be sudden, and bring 
_ destruction on the wicked, “* the chil- 
t,” should prepare for it, in vigilance 


As the cor 


more lou 
in the 


age themselves and each other with these ani- 
mating topics, under'the loss of their brethren, 
the prospect of death, and all their trials and sor- 
‘rows. Some suppose, that the apostle expected to 
Jive till the day of judgment, because he spoke 
in the first person plural of those that should be 
alive at that time: but he elsewhere spoke of 
being absent from the body, and of being raised 
up With Jesus. (Marz. Ref.) He was one who 
remained alive after others had been removed ; 
his faith and hope, annihilated, ag it were, the 
“intervening space; his love made him consider 
the cause of the whole multitude as his own; 
and it is evident that he did not speak it person- 
ally of himself: for when the Thessalonians 
imagined that the day of judgment was at hand, 
|he diligently set himself to rectify that mistake ; 
(2 Thes. ii.) And, as the apostle expressly de- 
‘clares, that he spake “by the word of the Lord,” 
Ke by divine inspiration; the consequences, of 
\ allowing him to be mistaken in what he said, 
should very seriously be considered, Similar 
expressions may be found in other parts of scrip. 
\ture. (Ps, Ixvi. 6. lxxxi. 5. Hos. xii. 4.)—Some 
‘suppose, that Christ himself was meant by the 
arch-angel, being the ruler of all angels ; but, 
|| a8 We must understand the words, * The Lord,” 
lof him; so it seems not natural to explain an- 
| other term in the same sentence of him likewise : 
|and many intimations are given of different 
‘ranks and orders, among the holy angels. The 
esutrection of believers is exclusively meant, 
ry attentive reader must perceive; and 
all speculations concerning the bodies 


aa 


ae 


be wholly foreign to the subject. The 
y which prevailed among the Gentiles, left 
totally destitute of a firm, well-grounded, 
bimating hope of again meeting their de- 
I friends in a state of happiness ; and so do 
otions on these subjects of merely nominal 
fians. Some expositors have said, that the 
ia shall ye be for ever with the 
Ss that the souls of believers at.’ 
lys at least not permanently, wit 
is Not the apostle expressly assured 
contrary? (2 Cor, y. 8, Phil.i. 23, 24.) 


CHAPTER v. 


which the wicked shall arise, (a subject on | 
je scripture observes a profound silence,) 


AD. 85. 


and sobriety, ‘with faith, and Jove, and hope, 1 
—10. “Various exhortations, admonitions, and 
encouragements, 11—25. Coneluding prayer’ 
and salutations, 26—28. j 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
The ministers of the Gospel must not.only in- 
struct their hearers, in the great doctrines and 


also take in good part the earnest, repeated, 
affectionate, and authoritative exhortations of 
their pastors ; when they “ beseech and charge”, 
them.to abound more. and more in every good 
work, according to the commandments given 
them in the name of the Lord Jesus, For as all 
men come short of perfection, so zealous minis- 


‘ters’ cannot be fully satisfied with the present 


measure of the people’s fruitfulness, any more 
than humble Christians are with their own attain- 
ments. The will of God, as revealed ir his holy 
law and in his précious promises, implies his pur- 
pose of their complete sanctification: we should 
therefore diligently follow after perfect holiness ; 
and it may encourage those, who long for more 
entire sanctification, to reflect, that im this res- 
pect, their will and that of God are now coinci- 
dent. In aspiring after this renewal of the soul 
unto holiness, the strictest restraints must be 
imposed upon the appetites and senses of the 
body, and upon all those thoughts and incli.« 
nations of the mind which are connected with 
them : that, not only fornication and gross trans- 
gressions may be abstained from; but that eve- 
ry one may learn to ‘ possess his vessel in sanc- 
“ tification and honour ;” at a distanee from the 
lust of concupiscence, which so degrades numbers 
of those who know not God. It is a disgrace to 
a rational creature to be.a slave to his animal in- 
clinations ; and to act contrary to his better judg. 
ment, his true interest, or the welfare of his 
neighbour, for the sake of gratifications, of which 
the beasts are equally capable : but it is far more 
dishonourable for a spiritual man, a child of God, 
a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit, . 
and an heir of heaven, to have his mind and body _ 
polluted, or unfitted for communion with God, 
by unlawful or inexpedient gratifications, or even 
by improper thoughts and desires. Yet in many 
cases this will not be avoided, without watchful- 
ness and prayer, without diligence in every means 
of grace, and a constant care to shun all tempta- 
tions, or occasions of evil. It is equally incon- 
sistent with the character of a Christian, to go 
beyond or defraud his brother in any matter; or 
to injure him in his property, reputation, or con- 
nexions. This too calls for the most diligent — 
care, and the most impartial scrutiny into every. 
part of our conduct : for self-love, habit, and the 


|customs of the world, will otherwise lead us, 
|without reflection, in some measure to violate 


the golden rule of doing to others, as we would. 
« they should do unto us.” “fa belie¥er be led 


-one another for his sake: they remember the in- 


Jabour, working with their own hands in ‘any 


_ciencies occasion 


Pr * wae, Cae } ee eal 


oF) Apert gee 


“3 eee 
‘A.D. 55. I. THESSALONIANS, . 


UT of ® the times and the seasons, 
brethren, » ye have no need that I 
‘write'unto you. 
2 For yourselves © know perfectly, that 
@ the day of the Lord so cometh as a} © 
thief i in the night. 
3 For when they, shall say, © Peace 


a: Mat. 24. 3. 36. 


eg = 30—32. 


&.25. 13. Mark 13.5 —14, Is, 21. & & 
34, 35. Luke 12. = 56. 12. Dan. 5. 3— 


Acts 40, 2 Pet. 3. 10.1 6.Nah 1. 10, Mat. 

b 4. .. 2 Gor, 9, 1, Rev, 3. 3. & 16,15., 24, 37—39. Luke . 

Jude 3. le Deut. 29.19, Judg.] 17, 26—30. & 21. monies Acts 12. 2% ‘Mic. 4. 9, 

e Jer. 2 18. 27, 28..Ps. 10/11) 34, 35. & 13.41. 2]h Mat. 33. 33. 
& Mat. ake? “4244, Gade Ths up aie beta csi 


to commit offences of this’ ind; the Lord will 
surely chastise him, and thus bring him to repent 
and forsake them ‘but, if any cloak such allowed 
dishonesty, with specious appearances of ‘piety, 
or zeal for ‘doctrines, they will dreadfully find, 
that the Lord is the Avenger of all such ; and 
their present impunity will only tend to ‘their 
heavier condemnation at last. Of this the great 
champion forthe doctrines of grace forewarned 
his new converts, his beloved Thessalonians ; 
testifying that nothing could induce the Lord to 
connive at the want of strict honesty, in the deal- 
ings of men with each other. For God hath not 
called us into a state of peace with him, that we 
may go on in the polluting practic® of worldly 
lusts: but that, depending on his promises, “ we 
“¢ may cleanse ourselves from all ‘filthiness of 
« fiesh and spirit, ‘perfecting holiness in the 
“ fear of his name.” And let it be remembered, 
that he who despiseth such admonitions, doth not 
so much despise him that enforces them from the 
pulpit or the press, as that God, by whose Spirit 
they were originally dietated : yea, he as much 
despises God, as that man does who contemns 
the message of free ‘salvation. 
V. 9—18. 
All true believers are taught of God to love 


to their plan, they may exp 
and{cheerful assistanc 
mony in every one’s 


not forbid, nor does g 
affections ; but we 


but it is peculiarly i mp! 
grief and sorrow, as'men 
who sleep in Jesus ; whos 
him, and whose bodies 
to attend the triumph of the 
risen Redeemer. Our own 
sions, we must feel and mou! n for 
sion to the will of God 
be short, the re-union 
quent felicity unintei 
nal... Norshall such o} 
of death, be even’ 
than those, who | 
ing of the Lord; 
shquid cantinusligel 
incarnate Lord of 
“his own glory, an 
‘call his holy an 
with the voice o: 


structions, which they have received on that sub- 
ject whichis so congenial to their new nature ; 
by practice they acquire habits of kindness, com- 
passion, forbearance, and forgiveness; they love 
their brethren, wheresoever they meet with them ; 

and they feel an expansive benevolence to all:man- 
kind: yet they too may properly be exhorted 
to increase in these things’ more and more. It 
should ‘also be the height of their ambition, 
to behave quietly and peaceably ; avoiding” all 
interference in other men’s: matters, diligently 
attending to their own duty; being willing to 


lemn. joyful period ; ¢ 
each other with these w 7 


honest calling; and to be active in every service 
which their station in the church or the*commu-| - 
nity requires of them. When Christians are thus 
industrious, and contented in obscure: situations, 
submitting to many difficulties in: order to pay 
every one his due, decently maintaining their 
families, devising: by every. means to live within. 
the bounds of their micome; having no, need} tions nota 0} 

to raise contributi in ‘order to supply defi- | d: belong. to him. oe them, to. 
rovidence or extrava-| it, (Ph an unavailing. presump ptuous 
eady to'spare a little for the | (Marg. Ref.) In general, they Pp er 
mi brethren and neigh-|from his former instructions, that 


gance: and being r 
relief of their mori 


» te t Sa 


: 


AD. 55. 


* 5 Ye are all ithe children of light, and] ° 
the children of the day : we are not off: 


the nigh yor ‘of darkness. 
. 6 Therefore ™ let us not sleep,.a as a 


others; b 


arn im the night. 
8 But | let “us, * who, are « 
sober, putting 
love ; “ 

. of salvation: 


uke 16. 8. John] ‘38. Like 12. 97) 59.1q 
'12, 36. Acts 26. 18,] & 21s 36, & 22. 46. 


ov I Jee pli 6.18 


rove 19. 15. Is, 
+ 1. 6.) Col eects 8.4 


Bric Fy 


a Sam. 25. 86, 37. 
‘Prov. 23. 29-35. 
Is. 21-4, 5, Dan. 5. 


Pet. 2. 13. 


13. Eph. 5.8, 9 1 


11 Tim, 2. 9.15. & 

Pee 11, Tit, 2. 6. 
rf | ia4 Pet. 1. 13, & 
3. 38 


7. 
s Is. 59, 17. Rom. 
13. 12,2, Cor. 6- 7 
Eph. 6. 11, 13—18. 
t Job 19, 


23—27. 


5.8. 
vk 13.[p Job 4, 13. & 33. 
3a 35. 37. & 14, 5. * 


house, while the family is asleep, and: unprepar- 
ed for resistance ; ; and thus excites great terror, 
and plunders or murders, as he pleases : thus 
the day of the Lord is coming on the ignorant, 
the careless, the secure, and unbelieving, when 
they do not expect it; it will excite the most 
distressing consternation, and will plunge them 
into the most tremendous destruction. As the 
hour of death is the same to each person, that 
judgment will be to mankind in general, so the 
\ med remarks and illustrations equally answer 
/to both cases: and’ when sinners are flattering 
hemselves ‘with the hope of peace and safety, 
en sudden destruction will come upon them. 
is is further illustrated by another most strik- 
‘ing similitude : as the woman with child, (often 
‘when she is thinking of something else,) is sud. 
‘denly seized with her travailing pangs, which 
will unavoidably increase upon her; so ungodly 
‘men have abundant reason to look forward ‘with 
r to death and judgment ; yet they are em- 
alo yed and amused by so many other matters, 
that t they” are suddenly surprised with those so- 
le en events, when they least expect. them ; 

d this” st astonishment will be. followed 
| increasing misery, from’ which it will be 
108 sible, for them ever toescape. The former 
ster ends with a special revelation, concern- 
2 Lord’s coming to judgment ; and to ex- 
the beginning of this, as if it related to 
rs wents of a widely different nature, (which | o 
2 di do,) is eye. absurd. 

—11." The apostle judged it needful to 
hese : warnings, for the benefit of such per- 
2 were negligent i in preparing for the com- 
Lord : yet he was well satisfied as to 
ssalonians in general. They not only 

e outward light of the’ Gospel, and 
| to believe and walk in it; but, he 
ded, that they were really delivered 
r of darkness, and the i ignorance 
is 0! of hei heathen State. 


' 


CHAPTER V. 


let us ™ watch and be ° sober, 
® they that sleep, sleep. in the 
and 4 they that be drunken, are 


“the, days, be 


on * the breast-plate of 
and for af an yi t the 


4, 5. Acts 2, 15. 2 


& PRCA fs Ts. Rey, |r ver. 5. Roms 18, 
Rom.|o ver. 8. Phil 4. 5.} Pet. 249. 1 John 1. 


Ps, at 5. 11. & 43. 


| «the Lord was ‘coming asa thief in the night. 7? 
(Luke xii. 39, 40.) The thief breaks: into. the 


light of the Gospel. 


_ They . 


A, D. 55, 


» 9 For God hath ¥ not appointed us to 
wrath, but to. * obtain Aflealion by our 
| Lord. Jesus Christ, . 

10 “Who y died for us, that, 2 a hethet, 
we wake or sleep, we should live together 
with him... RE ae 

11 3 Wherefore, * comfort yourselves 
‘together, > and edify_ one another, ° eyen 
as also ye do. » 


[Practical Observations.) 


Hy 


Tit. 2. 14: 2 Pets 2. 
24, & 3.18. | 

z See on, 4.13.17. 
a See on, 4-185” 

* Or, exhort. Heb. 
3. 13. & 10, 25. 

b Rom. 14. 19. & 
15. 2 1 Cor. 10. 
23. & 14. 5. 12, 26. 
2 Cor. 12. 19, Eph. 
4, 12. 16. 29. ¥ 
Tim. 1.4. Jude 20. 
¢ 4. 10. Rom. 15. 
14,15.2 Pet. 1. 12. 


»19, 20. 1 Pet. 2. 8. 
2 Pet, 2. 3. Jude 4. 
x Rom. il. 7. 30, 2 
. Thes. 2.13, 14. 1 
Thes. 2, 16. Heb. Tim. 1. 13. 16. 2 
6. 19- & 10, 35, 36.| Tim. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 
1 Pet. 1. 3=5,, 13.| 2. 10.2 Pet. 1. 1. 
1 John 3..1—3. y Mat, 20. 28. John 
u3. 4, Ex, 9, 16.} 10, 11.15.17. & 15. 
Proy. 16.4. Bz, 38.; 13. Rom. 5. 6—8. 
10—17, Matt. 26) & 8 34. & 14, 8, 
24. Acts 1. 20. 25.1 9. 1 Core 15. 3. 2 
“8 13. 48.°Rom. 9.] Cor 5.15. 21. Eph. 
11—23, 2 Tim. 2.| 5. 2.2 Tims 2. 6, 


5. Lam. 3, 26. 
Rom. 5.2—5, & 3, 
24, 25. 1 Cor, as. 
13. Gal. 5. 5. 


were not, therefore, in danger of being overtaken 
by the day of the Lord, when unprepared ; as 
the thief surprises those that are asleep. They 
were all, according to their profession, nay, his 
confidence in them, “« the children of light, and 
“of the day,” (Vole, Eph. v. 8—14 ;) for none 
of Christ’s true disciples were * of the night or 
** of darkness,” They neither continued in ig- 
Nerance, nor lived in wickedness, nor wanted 
concealment for their secret practices; but, be- 
ing delivered from the thick darkness of heathen- 
ism, or the comparative. darkness of Judaism, 
they enjoyed, and walked according to, the clear 
It behooved them, there- 
fore, to act up to their privileges; and not to be 
supine, indolent, careless, and unwatchful, as 
others were : but to be vigilant, circumspect, upon 


their guard against (he assaults and stratagems 


of their enemies, and attentive to every. opportu- 
nity of. duty; and to be serious, considerate, 
moderate in every thing of a secular nature, and. 
indifferent to all animal indulgences. In gene- 
rabmen chose to sleep during the quiet of the 
night and to be drunken. or riotous, when 

others were asleep, ‘that their. excess might be 
the less noticed. In like manner, all sloth, uns 
watchfulness, intemperance, or excessive worlds 
ly pursuits, were more consistent with the con- 
dition of benighted heathens, than with that of 
Christians ;, who would, as it were, turn the day 
into night, if they were betrayed into such pracy. 
tices: -As therefore they enjoyed the fuil light 

of “ the Sun of righteousness,” they ought ta b= 
sober and vigilant: for they had not. only. a 
great work todo; but an’arduous warfare to 
maintain, against numerous potent, active, and 
subtle enemies : (Votes, Eph. vi. 10—19.). They 
ought therefore to stand armed like soldiers, and 
be vigilant as centinels: while faith in Christ, 
and a firm belief of ‘the: divine word, with reliance. 
on the promises ; with love to God, to Christ Je- 
sus, to holiness, to each other, and to all men, 
constituted a breast-plate. to defend their heart 


and affections from mortal sea and a well- 


y 
ee 7 Pie tad 


he D, 556 


12.1 And we beseech you, seine ey: 
4 to know: them which ¢ labour among} whi 
you, — fand are over you in the Lord, 
é and admonish you ; 
“ "18 ‘And to" esteem them very highly 
“in love for their work’s sake. * And be 
af peace among yourselves. this is tie w 

14 Now we t+ exhort * you, brethren, concerning y 

_Fwarn them ™ that are + unruly,” comfort 19 ® Quench 
the feeble-minded, ° support the weak, 20 © Despise 
P be patient toward all men... -. 21 4 Prove all 

15 1 See that * none render evil for | which is goods 


a1 Cor, “16. 18] Luke’ 17. (Ss Gal.6:)2. Hen.| 22 fAbstainfro! tut 
Phil. 2,29, Jobn 13484, 185. &f 12. 12. >» é 

e2. 9%, Mat. 9, 37.| 15,17.Rom- 14. 17] Acts. 20. 35. Gre C vactical | ! 
38. Luke 10. 1, 2:| —19. 2 Cor. 13, 11.{p Is. 63. 9. 1 Cor , 
7. John 4. 38, Ac! Pedigree /§,22. Eph. 4.) 13. 5. Gal. 5. 22. i 
20. 35. bCor. 3p) 9s Shien ~ 3, 15. 2) Eph. 4. 2» 326 & | 14.19. icra . 
& 15.10, & x rag fe ae 16,2 'Tim.] 5.1, 2. Col. 3. 12,| ‘Tim.6. 11. Heb, 12.) 1 
6. 


2 Cor 5.9. & Heb. 12. 14.|/13:°1 ‘itn. 3. 3. & 
& il, 23. Gab: 4:] J i= oe 18, 6. 11,2 Tim. 2. 24, 
21, PhiL.2, 16. oe f Ox, beseech, Rom.| 25. & 4.2 Heb. 5. 
2029) 1 «54 17;| U2 la 2, 3.& 13. 3. 

18. 2. ‘Ti 2. 6k See on, ver. 124. \q Gen 45. 24. 1 Cor. 
Rev. 263.0 I Jer, 6. 10. Ez. 3.) 16. 10,. Eph. 5. 15. 


f Acts 20. 28. 1 Cor 17~21. & 33. 3—9.; 33. 1 Pet. 1. 22, 
32) 28. Tite 1. 5) Acts 20. 27. 31. 1) Rey. 19.10. & 22. 
Heb, 13, 7% 17.1] Cor: 4. 14. Col, 1.) 9. 
Pet. 5. » 2, 3. Rev.| 28. r Ex. 23. 4,5. Lev. 
a. foo ee, 8; 12.|m Tit. 1-6—10. 19. 18. 1Sam. 24. 
18.8 3.17.14 |$ Or, disorderly. 2) 13, Ps. 7-4. Prov. 
& ver.14. 1 Tim. 5,1. Thes. 3. 11—13, 17. 13. & 20. 22. 
20. Tits le 13. & 2.)/n 2. 7—12. Is. 35.35) & 24. 17. W. BW.) y 
15, 4. & 40.4, 2.11+ Ez.) 21,, Mates. 3944, ¥ - Sel 
h Mat. 10.40.11 Cor.| 34.15. Mat. 12. 20.! 46. Luke 6, 35.| 17. Job. 21. Ps.) 
4.1, 2. & 9. 7—11., Luke 22. 32. Jolin} Rom. 12. 17—21. 1|' 34.1. Heb. 13, 15 
“Gal. 4014. & 6. 6.) 21, 15—17, “Rom:| Cor. 6.7. 1 Pet. 2,12 4.3. 1 Pets 2015.) ete 3. 1: 
i Gen. 45.24. Fs} 14. 1. & 15. 1-3. 22, 23.8 3. 9. & 4, 2. 4 John 3. 
133. 1. Mark. 9. 50, ; 7% 


grounded, realizing hope, of eternal happiness | of sinfiers ; to prea in th 
and complete salvation, was like a helmet to co- | duct of public worship, and 
ver their heads in’ the day of ‘battle, to defend | of their spiritual concerns, 
them from the féar of the most cruel persecutors. |in ‘the Lord, to act by his 
‘This hope they were'warranted to entertain; as |name ; and to admoni 
their conversion proved, that God ‘had not ap- persons | as rea, 
pointed them to eidure the severity of his wrath 
which ‘their sins had deserved ; but that he had 
chosen them to obtain salvation of his free mer- Seeleaee the! 
ey, through Jesus Christ; who had willingly |regard their adm 
suffered death to atone for their sins, and to ran- | ly directed to love tl 
som their souls; that “whether they waked or |teem them “ more : 
slept,” whether they lived or died, or howe- | work's sake’; and 
ver they were found at death, or at the coming 
of their Lord, they might live together with him | derived from their se 1 
in glory. - They ought therefore to comfort them- their guidance and ui 
selves and each other, when they met together, jentire harmony with ede 
by mutual exhortations and encouragements ; ; |likewise exhorted noe 
while every individual endeavoured to animate | junction with them, 
his brethren, and especially his most intiniate |sure such persons, as 
friend and companion ; ; and thus to instruct and {soldiers who quit the 
edify one another in faith and holiness, as they | comfort those, who were 
had already begun todo, : ' |rous, discouraged’ th 

V. 12—15._Icis evident that the apostle, either jrassed’ by perplexities. 
personally, or by Timothy, Titus, aad others of sions ; and support, by 
his fellow-labourers, was used to “ ordain elders jevery encouraging topi 
* in every city,” (ets xiv. 28. xx. 17. 28. 1Tim. v. stumble, or were of 
22.7%. ae fs and, though no mention is made jas well as support and 
of this, in th rief history of his labours at Thes- were sick and” nnably, 
salonica, nor in a the openipg of the epistle ; there | ; 
can be no reasonable doubt, that be had appoint- 
ed elders ovér th e church i in that city.. It was 
their office to ee among the ‘people, in 
preaching the word od, and i in every means | 
of promoting their editieatore and ME § ene 8H 


- * 


24 1 Faithful fs he that ™ calleth you; 
a who also will do it. 
25 Brethren, ° pray for us. 


ss unto the coming of our 
Christ. 


15,5013 he 8. 26. Ez. 379i j Heb. 4.12. 


Tit, 1..2.. Heb. 6, 
17, 18. 

m 3. 13. Rom, 3.30, 
& 9. 24. Gal. 1.15.0 Rom. 15. 30 2 
2 Thes- 2. 24. 2! Cor. 1.11. Eph. s. 
Tim. 1.9. 1 Pet. 5.| 18-20. Phil. i. 19. 
10. 2 Pet 1, 3} Col. 4. 3. 2 Fhes. 
Rev. 17. 14. ‘| 3.1—3- Philem. 22. 
n Num. 23. 19. 2) Heb. 13. 18,19, 


6 wr ae sect ay 

& 40. 10 & 
Boe 15. & 89. 
2. & 92, 2. & 100, 
5. & 138. 2. & 146. 
6. Is. 25. 1. Mic. 7. 
20. John 1. 17. & 
3.33. 1 Cor. 1. 9. 
=P 18. 2 Thes. 
3.3. 2 Tim. 2. 13. 


Kings 19. Si. Is, 9. 
7 & 14. 24—-26. & 
37. 32. Mat. 24.35, 


28. John 17. 19. & 3, 13. 1 Cor, 1. 8 


preaching of God’s word. Yet, : as there would 
be many false teachers, and erroneous doctrines 
propagated by them; they must be careful to 
prove, or.try, both the teachers and their instruc. 
tions, by the word of God, that they might re- 
ject what was spurious, and adhere to what was 
good and excellent. And, not only were they 
exhorted to abstain from evident evil; but from 
every thing, which appeared to be sinful, either 
in their own judgment, or in thatof others; anf 
to do nothing cancerning the lawfulness of which 
they doubted ; or which might appear suspicious 
to those around them, and so prejudice them 
against the truth. No doubt, cases often arise, 
in which we are required to do those things, 
which appear evil to misinformed, prejudiced, 
and unreasonable men; in order to obey the 
commands of God, and to follow the clear dic- 
tates of our own consciences. But, these are 
exceptions to the general rule, which could not 
be particularized in so compendious an exhort- 
| ation and they seem to be the only excep- 
yr and all ‘their trials would prove beneficial ;|tions; for it is better to ayoid what appears 
So that this constant spirit of gratitude was the | evil to others, though lawful in itself, if it can be 
will of God. concerning them, as his children in| done with a safe conscience; than by an unchar- 
Christ Jesus, Many have explained ‘ quench-|itable exercise of our Christian liberty, to cause 
‘ ing the Spirit,” of restraining the exercise of |our weak brother to offend, or to prejudice oth- 
piritual gifts in themselves or others : but doubt-|ers against the gospel. The Spirit. (19.) ‘ That 
Toc it relates principally to the sanctifying and | ‘ is, the afflatus, and light of God shining: into 
comforting influences of the Holy Spirit, in the|‘ our minds, But; some one will say, if that be 
hearts of believers; not excluding his striv-|‘ never extinguished in the elect, this is com- 
ings and convictions in the liearts and con-|‘ manded in yain. This, however, I strenuously 
sciences of sinners. (Marg. Ref) Thesetend|‘ deny: Nay, for this reason it is not extin- 
Bey a flame of sacred love in the: soul :|‘ guished in the elect,"because they cherish it ; 


ly to persevere in all a which 

age ly berievolent, beneficent, and useful, both 
among themselves and towards all men, without 
excepting even their virulent persécutors. (Votes, 
&e. Rom. xii. 14, ee This may also imply an 
and other Christians, 


ications of a bitter and vindictive spi- 
pit against their persectitors, to repress it by eve- 
fy suitable means, and with all their influence. 
aS r, 16—22. The substance of these exhorta- 
shas before been considered. (Notes, on 
passages referred to in the margin.) The 
; at Thessalonica were exhorted to con- 
‘wider i it as their duty, as well as privilege, to be 
| “always rejoicing” in the Lord: they were di- 
rected to pray incessantly, at stated seasons, oc- 
| a ebtigg and with frequent ejaculations; and 
aise ue every thing, which could put 
trees out of frame for this important privilege 
and duty. In. every circumstance, they were to 
-give thanks; as all their mercies were unmerit- 


they may be quenched by evil tempers, | ‘ and they are induced by these exhortations to 
procrastination, by worldly cares, by inex-|‘ cherish it. For he, who hath determined ne- 
ient indulgences, by trifling:company, or by|* ver wholly to extinguish his Spirit in the elect, 
gence, even as fire may be quenched with|‘ hath also made known by what means he will 
r, and will -go out, if it be not supplied with|‘ cherish it, namely, by the progress of his peo- 
‘it want air, or be- choked with ashes.|‘ plein piety’ (Beza.) Prove, &e. (21.) ‘ The 
convictions are often finally extinguished,|* apostle gives an injunction common to all 
the Holy Spirit will no more strive with} * Christians, having “ their senses exercised to 
and thus believers often greatly damp the] ‘ discern good and evil; ‘ to all, who are oblig- 
ur of their souls, mar their own com-|*‘ ed * to hold fast that whichis geod,” *and.not 
impede their growth i ia grace; by not|‘ to believe false prophets : which is a strong ar- 
hemselyes up without delay to those} * gument for the perspicuity and sufficiency of 
affections, which are excited in their} the scripture, and against the necessity “of a 
4 a the Holy Spirit, and by quenching ¢ living judge. For he that must try all things, 
1 the manner before.mentioned. » The|‘ must first try the doctrine of this living judge. 
0 warned his brethren, “not to de-|* For these words plainly teach that what we 
hesyings,” or those instructions and|« must hold fast, must first be tried. Hearers, 
divine will, which were given|* says St. Basil, who are instructed in the scrip- 
t prophets; either in explaining the|* tures, ought to try the things spoken by their 
, or from immediate suggestions of the|* teachers; and receive those things which are 
Wotes, 1 Cor. xiv.) Tie exhortation * cofsonant, and reject those things which are 
rly include the ‘more or « alien from, the holy seriptures.’ Whitty. } 
DB 


i ac ll 


D. 55.. CHA PT ER Vv. 4. D: a5¢ 
’ 98 And the very @ God of peace » sanc- 
“tif wholly olly; and Z fray Godi your 
wae and body, be ¥ pre- 


s¢ 


r. 


AD. 55. 


I. THESSALONIANS. 


| 26-P- preity all the brethren, with an this epistle. be read unto'a Ht 


holy: kiss. 
27 a1 * charge you by the Lord, * that 


p. See on, Rom. 16.) 17. 2 Tim. 3. 14 
16. 1 Cor. 16,20. |* Or, adjure. 1 Kin: 
gq 2. 11.°Num. 27.) 22. 16- 2.Chre 18. 
23.1 Tim, 1. 3.13. Mat. 26. 
Ke Se 7.21. & G 13. 


r Cob 4.16. 2 Thes, 


15, 63.| 3.14. 


V. 23—28. The apostle subjoined to his ex- ought to embrace : 
hortations, his fervent prayers to God ; knowing | and happy at all eve 
that his efficacious grace alone could produce} Scripture, we know 
He} * the Lord cometh, | 
besought the God of peace himself, as reconciled | and that when sinners are 
to believers in Christ Jesus, and the Author of all) carelessly, saying * peace Y 
their inward and outward peace ; that he would} ‘* den destruction cometh 
sanctify the Thessalonians, in respect of their!“ upon a woman with child, 


the will and power to do all these things. 


whole nature, as consisting of a rational and im- 


mortal soul, an animal life with its various sen-| ment, will not thus surprise him ; ‘unless he 
sitive appetites, and’ a material body : that every, tinually expect and prepare for thosé a 
sense, member, ofgan, and faculty, might be events ; ‘ Numbers at this” very hour, ates 
completely purified, and devoted to the service of | ing peace and safety to themseives, over Ww 
God; and that thus they might be, preserved | heads instantaneous. es 1 
He. was| (Doddridge.) And how. 
confident that the Thessalonians in general were | tonishment and conste 1g 
_ true believers; and'as he was assured of the| fidel, the careless proflij 
Lord’s faithfulness to his promises, and .cove-|or the hardened hypocrit 
Natit-engagements to his people, whom he had} struction shall thus seize upo 
so he was satisfied that he | sible method of escape ean 
Having |,we are in the land of light, ‘of ‘prayer; of fo 
therefore desired them also to pray for him, and |ness; though, we might | ave 
solemnly charged them: by the authority of the | cast into outer darkness. _ a oat eenve oF 
Lord Jesus, to let this epistle be read to. all the | with Pagan, Mahometan, or A: 
holy brethren, *the saints «that. formed. their |-ness and delusion; we atte ea 
Church ; he concluded with his usual. saluta-| pel, and the holy spacey pete 
Charge you, &c..(27.) | have been led to pay some attention 
it seenis evident, that this was addressed. to.the| then we are yet in darkness, that € 
pastors of the Church, and not to believers in} Lord should: overtake us as a thie 
general: else the persons charged, and they for} must, be. peculiarly aggravated te us 
whose benefit thecharge was given, would have | fore seriously inquire, whether we really 
been precisely the same. The-originalis, “1 ad.) children of the light and of the day, by 
(Marg. Ref) This shows, both }{umination, and by an ‘obedient fat? Let - 


blameless till the coming of Christ. 


called by his grace : 


would fully grant his prayer for them. 


tions ahd benedictions. 


¢¢ jure you.” 


that oaths and adjuratious are ‘in, some cases | seek to render this evid 
lawful; (Vote, Mat. xxvi: 63—-68';) and thatthe} consistently with our profession, by easting 
subject concerning which tlie apostle wrote, was | the works of dar kness, and sha do 

considered by him as peculiarly important.—|and carelessness; that ‘we 
This is worthy of the most serious consideration | others do, but may watch and be sober 


not make the reading of the Scriptures a part of| worldly faa to “the chi 
the eevices when they meet in the w ON of |** of darkness? but let 


cannot hear or understand them. The adyan- ook as the helmet. 
tage to illiterate people, te the multitude who | dence will continually in 
cannot read, or who can read but imperfectly,| not. appointed us to wrath, ee bet 
of an audible, distinct, and emphatical reading |tion by the Lord Jesus ; and that “whet 
of the Scriptures in’ public, can scarcely be cal-} « wake or sleep,” we shall surely hi 
It will soon render even the best}with him. And when we remembe 
“preaching more fully understood ; and it will,|purehased our deliverance from thi 
in $0me degree supply the deficiency in other | come, by dying on the cross as a 


culated. 


cases, 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
¥. 1—11. 


Curious inquiries about umes and seasons are |to live to him, with whom we hope to. 
“ Behold, | ever in glory. 


commonly unprofitable and vain. 
s¢ now is the accepted time;’’ the present time we 
ought to redeem, the present season of making 


cur peace with God, and of doing his will, we [for the salvation of souls, with unwearied 


Mark 57. Acts 19, Christ de with 


brethren, © 
28 The 


s Heb. 3. 1, 
Heb 8.1 


ath adj 


‘€ escape.” No man is sure, 


‘can be found! 


‘be : 
‘divine il- 


t, as ‘well as to: a 


may not sk 


sins; we shall not only be direet 
fort ourselves together, and to ed 
in all holy: affections ; but we : 

straining power of ‘grateful ‘love, and Tearn 


f V. 11—22, ‘ 
‘The office of a minister calls a man't 


hn A 
: ™~ 
AD 55. 


siduity, as well as to.preside over them in the 
Lord, nor ought 


‘the “labouring in the word 


1 Seps 

* and e” faithful pastors should care- 
fally be distinguished from slothful, ambitious, 
or men, who have the name and garb 


ers: they should be owned and attend 
yand their admonitions should be valued 
yed ; and they ought to be ésteemed very 
shly in love, not because of the name and office 
i¢h they bear, but “ for their? work’s sake,” 


“y 


‘proportion to their skill, faithfulness, and 


who despise the a nitions, reject the 


aut hority, and refuse respect set and ‘affection to the | 


ersons, of faithful minasters rs; but such as ex- 

h i 
pect the utation, esteem m, authority, or emolu- 
ment ofa inistry , witl out a diligent attention 
ious ; al orious duties, are even still 


sal. Outward respect may indeed be 
; but it is impossible for intelligent 
fians “to esteem them very highly in love 

or their work’s sake ;” though they will com- 
passionately mourn over and pray for them. Our 
dove of peace among ourselyes, must not induce 


“Us to connive at sin: but we must, according to 


our several relations in the church, in domestic 
life, or in society, warn, reprove, ae censure the 
unruly, as well as tenderly soothe and comfort the 
feeble-minded, and support the weak in body or 
‘soul. We should also learn patience towards all 
‘men, especially towards persons of weak capaci- 
ties, or little faith ; who are often very wearying 
‘with their complaints, scruples, doubts, mis- 
‘takes, and infirmities; and yet give no reason 
vat all to suspect their sincerity, but rather call 
_ for compassion, as harassed with sore tempta- 
-tions, which perhaps have an effect for the time 
upon their tempers. Eyen when we are injured 
-in the most atrocious mannér, we must see to it, 
that we on no account rendez evil for evil to any 
‘man; but must learn to follow, with persevering 
‘constancy, that which is good and friendly, both 
among ourselves and to all men; as knowing 
what patience and mercy we have experienced 
| from God. His glory is concerned in our “ al- 
| ways rejoicing :” this will be greatly promoted, 
we “ pray without ceasing ;” and in “ every 
bs ‘thing give thanks,” according to the will of 
in Christ Jesus concerning Us. To make 
progress in this life of communion with God, we 
ust be careful “not to quench the Spirit,” by 


CHAPTER V. 


spiritual authority ever to 


F et ce init. They, t therefure,_ are highly cui-_ 


A. D. 55. 


or postponing the good works to which his influ. — 
erices tend to excite us. We should also iearn 
to pay 4 reverent attention to every message, de- 
livered to us by bis ministers; and thus we shall 
grow in grace, and abound in consolation. Yet, 
‘as satan’s ministers are transformed into the mi- 
nisters of righteousness ; whilst we “ despise not 
“ prophesyings,” we muSt learn to prove and as- 
say men and doctrines; that we may distinguish 
between truth and specious error, and. so choose 
and ‘cleave to that which.is good ‘and right : 
and that for the honour of the gospel, we may 
5 abstain from all appearance of evil.” - 
V.23-—28., 5. 

The exhortations above given, show us what we 
ought tobe and to do: but we must remember, that 
our hearts are naturally opposite to them; nor 
can any inward and abiding change be wrought 
im us, save by a divinespower. As therefore mi- 
Nister’s should pray for, as well as. exhort, their 
‘people; every individual should turn the precepts 
and promises of God into prayers for himself 
and his brethren: and whilst he uses every other 
means of grace, and vigilantly_ shuns all hin- 
derances and temptation; he should still beseech 
“ the God of peace himself te sanctify him 
“€ wholly, in spirit, and soul, and body, and to 
‘* preserve bim blameless until the coming of 
“ the Lord Jesus.” If these be our earnest de- 
sires, fervent prayers, and diligent endeavours ; 
the promises and covenant of our God, his pow- 
er and love, and his immutable faithfulness, au- 
thorize our fullest assurance, that, having called 
us by his grace, he will keep us by the same 
‘unto complete and everlasting salvation; what- - 
ever immense inward or outward difficulties 
may seem to render it impracticable, The most 
eminent servants of Christ want and value the 
prayers of their weakest brethren. Let us be 
thankful that these excellent epistles are preserv- 
ed for our perusal also: and while we remem- 
ber, that the apostle charged the Thessalonians 
by the’authority of the Lord Jesus, to let them 
be read ze all the holy brethren, some of whora 
might not be able to read them all for them. 
selves; we maybe sure that Antichrist alone 
would forbid the laity to read the scriptures, lest 
they should lead them into heresy. We shall 
also learn the propriety of reading them in out 
public congregations ; and we shail. be stirred 
Up’ to study them with more humble. diligence 
and obedient. faith; that thus the grace: of. aA 


eens with his holy suggestions, Lord Jesus may be with us adso, 
- 
wie SA the 
7) ae 
. a ee en SO eee ae Se ee ea 


TO THE 


THESSALON, 


BES CS Raa 


This Epistle is commonly supposed to have been written from Corin 
foregoing, because Silvanus and Timothy still continued with St. Paul; 
very conclusive, and some difficulties attend this opinion. (Nore, i 3,4 
tain that it was not sent from Athens, according to the spurious 
of the epistle seems to’have been, to prevent mistakes, which the 
fall into, concerning the near approach of the day of judgment; 
struction of some expressions in his former epistle, and of what’ 

~ salonica ; but supported also by some person, or persons, preten ding 
think, by a forged epistle. As this opinion was of a very piper e 
ously opposed it. (Notes, ii. 1-4) He bad also heard of s 
pretences neglected their secular employments, and wal t 

_ them to censure and shun, yet so as to’seek their good. Amidst 
“ings, exhortations, and encourageme ants, it contains a most rem 
2—12,) the exact fulfilment of which is a full demonstration 
* the apostle wrote his epistles.—* Besides the general mart of 
‘ authority, which it bears in common with the rest of the epist! 
‘ from the exact representation it contains of the papal power, 
“man of sin,” and "the mystery of iniquity.” For, considering 
£ principles, here described, were to the genius of Christianity, it must ap 
€this epistle was written, highly improbable, that they should ever prevs 
* Chureh : and consequently, a prediction like this, which answers ine 
$to the event, must be allowed to carry its own evidence with it, and to ] 


“© of it wrote under a divine influence.’ el ih 
% Sie ih 
: , ' ‘." ‘cae nee ‘ | 
CHAP. T. God our u Fai nd 


The apostle salutes the Thessalonians, 1, 2; thanks 
God for their growth in faith and love ;' encour- 
ages their perseverance under persecutions, by 
the prospect of the coming of Christ ; and shows 
how. glorious he will then appear in the destruc- 
tion of all unbelievers, and the complete salyation 
of his people, 3—10. He prays for their com- 
plete sanctification and meekness for heavenly fe- 
licity, by the grace, and for the glory, of God the 
Birt nh aud the Lord Jesus Christ, 11, 12. 


AUL, # and Silvanus, and Timothe- 
"us, unto the church of the Thessa- 
lonians in God our Father, and the 

Lord Jesus Christ; ’ 
2 Grace > unto you, and peace, from 


a See on, 2 Cor. 1th Sceon,Roms1. a 1 Cor. 153. 
19.1 Thes. 1. 1. | 


% NOTES. i 
CHAP. EV, 2. (Marg. Ref. and noies on 
the scriptures r eferred VEE. 


v.58, 4. The apostle had received stich fur: 


ther sod accounts of the Thessalonians ; that he 
deemed himself bound to'return continual thanks 
to God in their behalf Fass was meet and right ; A 


seeing ates in 


Christ. af 
3 We “are bo 
for you, brethren das i 
that e your faith 4 
and the charity oF 
wards each other ab 
4 So that we ours 
in. the chatcheapais 
tience and faith. ina 
and tribulations that 


Rem 1. 862) Con. ‘Qua Enea hae 
ney 1 Pet. 


2k, 


ri Lane 15; 32. Phil. 
le % 2 Pets 1,13. 
e Job.17.9. Ps. 84|f 2 Cor. 7 
7. & 92.13. Prov.| 2.4.1 
4.18. Is. 40. 29—}'20, > 
31,Luke 17. 5g 3, 


Tie 


Cae 


t 


he 


é 


= 


punch ~ ; CHAPTER e AOD. 56. 


5 Which is ia manifest token "OF the geance on them that * know not God,tand_ 
k righteous arent of God, that ye|that obey not the gospel of our Lord 


imay b worthy of the kingdom} Jesus Christ ; re 
of God, ; ich ye also suffer : 9 Who shall phadwiiea with ever- 
* ees ' 2 7¢ is a righteous thing with lasting destruction * from the presence of 
ok) re 


the Lord, and from ¥ the glory of his pow- 
er 3 

10 When he shall come 7 to be glori- 
fied in his saints, and to be admired in ali 
‘them that believe, (because * our testi- 
mony among you was believed,) » in that 
1 i \ 


recompense tribulation to them 
2 you ; 
age ° who are troubled, rest 


ee In 4 flaming: poe ¥ ven- 
rH, 


94, 20—| Is, 61. 2. & 63. 4—fu Ts. 33. 14. & 66 


§ ver. 6. Phil. 1. 28.) 10—1: Tit. 2, 13, Heb. 9 2.18, Gr. Rev. 20. 
et. 4.14—18, | 23.15.49. 26. Zech.| 28. Jude 14, 15, 6. Heb. 10.) 80.] 24, Dan. 12.2. Mat] 11. 

: Job 8, 3+'Ps.9. 7] 2.8 Revs, 6.10. &}, pet 1.7%» & 20.) Rev. 6:10. 16, 1% | 25. 41. 46. & 26. 24.|z ver.’ 12: Num. 23. 

& 53.5. & 50.64 11. 18. Ets. 4e& 1 s Ex, 5.2.1 Sam.) Mask 9. 43—49) 23, Is.43.21. & 44. 

72. 2. & 9% 4. 16, eta 18. 20. * Gi the angele of| 2.12. Ps. 9. 10. &) Luke 16 25, 26.! 23, & 49. 3. & 60. 

11.7 ; (B19. 2 in? his power. John 1.| 79. 6, Is-27- 114 John 5.14. Heb. 10.) 21. Jer. 33. 9. John 

z ; os. 57. % Matt, 5.) 3. Eph. 1. 21. Col.|. Jer. 9. 6s John 3.) 20, 2 Pet. 2 17111. 4, Be 17. 0. 


"10—12. Luke 16.| 1. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 22.) 10. & 8. 19. Rom. 
i 256 Rom. 8. 17, 2} Rev. 22. 6. 9, 16+ 
20, “Cor 4. 17. 2 Tim.tq Gen. 3,24. Deut. 


85. Acts 


Jude 13. Rey. 14, 
‘1.28.1 Cor. 15. 34.) 10, 11. & 20. 14..&! 
1 Thes. 4, 5+ 21, 8 & 22. 15. 


| Gal. 1. 24. Eph. a, 
t Deut. 4. 30. of Gen. 3. 8. & 4. 


6.12.14, 18, & 2. 
7. & 3.10. 16. 1 Pet. 


9; 12. Heb. 4. 1. 9.) 4,11. & 5. 5. Ps, 2..9. Rey. 7, 11, 12. 

teph. Ae u i. 1 Pet. 4.) 1.) 21.8,9.%& 50.2—6,.| 18.. 44, Is 1. 19.816, Job 21.14. &la 2,13. 1 Thes. 1. 5. 
ae le » Rev. 3,] Rev, 7, 14—17., &| Dan. 7.10. Mat. 25.) Acts 6.7 Rom. 1.| 22. 17. Pa. 16.111.) & 21.13. 

“5. & 2. 7,8. & 6.{ & 51.11. Matt. 7.)b Mal. 3. 17. Matt. 


164 & 10. 16, & 15. 
18. &. 16626. 2 Cor. 


23. & 22.13. & 25, 
4). Luke 12. 27. 


Tr. # Acts 14, 


p Matt. 13. 30—43,| Br 12. 2% 2 Pet. 3. 
“22. Rom, 8. 17, i 


& 16, 27. & 25. 31. 


7 22. & 24, 36. 
Luke- 10:12. 2 


14, 13. & 21,4 41. 46. Heb, 10. 27. 
i | 7.10—12. Rev. 20: 


! 
; 
shes. 2. 14.2 Tim.! & 26. 64. Mark 8.! 10. 14,15. & 21. 8.] 10. 5. Gal. 3. 1y Deut, 33, 2, Is. 24) Tim. 1. 12.18. & 
eC ~ || 38. & 14. 62. John| + Or, yielding. ~ Heb."2. 3. & 5. 9.|° 10.19, 21. Matt. 16.] 4. 8. f 

n_ Deut. 32, 41—43.} 1. 51. Acts 1s 11. Ir Deut. 32, 35. Ps.| & 11.8. 1 Pet. 1. 2) 27, 8c 24.30, Tit, 
| Ps. 74. 22, 23: Be 791 Thes. 4. 135 17. a o— ie. & 94. te] & 3.5.8 4.17. win 


“he rejoiced arid gloried in them in the Churches 
of God, showing them what flourishing Chris- 
L tians. the Thessalonians were, and what a blessed 
seal God had given to his ministry in their con- 
version. This may induce a doubt, whether the 
epistle were written from Corinth, or not: for on 
that supposition Paul had visited no other 
_ Churches, since he wrote the former epistle, ex- 
cept such as were planted in that vicinity : and 
Ps can hardly suppose that he only referred to 
at Timothy or Silvanus had said of them, if 
ey had left him for a season to visit other 
Churches, and then returned. However, he and 
his fellowJabourers gloried in them; because’ 
they endured various persecutions and afflictions, 
| with exemplary patience and’ constant faith.— 
We are not informed of the particulars relative: 
he these persecutions ; but they seem to have 
exposed the Thessalonians to very great hard- 
he and dangers. 
V.5—10. The patience of the Thessalonians, 
ere: in the cause of Ghrist, and for con-| 


grace established upon earth, as introductory toe 
the kingdom of glory in heaven, Seeing, by 
these means, it would be manifestly shown to be 
perfectly just and righteous in God, to recom- 
pense with tribulation and anguish, those who 
troubled his harmless and holy friends and wor- 
shippers, by their cruel eumity and persecution 
because of their relation and conformity to him; 
as they would evidently be proved to be his in- 
veterate enemies. On the other hand, it would 
appear honourable to his justice, as well as his 
mercy, to bestow rest and felicity in heaven on 
those who willingly endured tribulation in his 
cause, for his sake, from his enemies, and ac- 
cording (to his will: and, indeed, having given 
promises to-this effect, his equity required the 
fulfilment of them. This righteous judgment of 
God wiil take place, when “the Lord Jesus 
* shall be revealed,” as visibly descending fr om 
heaven, attended by ‘ the angels of his power ;? 
his creatures, worshippers, and servants, who 
shall then act as the ministers of his authority, 
in showing mercy and in’ executing vengeance, 
t] (Marg, Ref.) ‘Then he will appear “in flaming 
‘* fire,” to burn up this visible creation, and this 
will be anemblem of his awful avenging justice: 
for he will take vengeance on all; not only on 
idolatrous Gentiles, persecuting Jews, and men 
of scandalous and abandoned characters ; but 
on all who continue strangers and enemies to the, 
true God, and his holy worship and service; 
| who have not”so known. him, as to fear, love, 
| trust, and serve him; and on all, who obey not 
at ai all ay ARaoee aN ; that they the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, by receiving him, 
‘Tength be counted meet and proper|relying on him, and submitting to him, as their 
‘to inherit that kingdom of heavenly | Saviour and King. All these persons, however 
ch G God. hath prepared for them that: numerous, or distinguist:ed by rank, accomplish+ 
in hope of which they so patiently ents, or splendid, actions, will be punished with 
las from loye to. his ‘Kingdom of sternal destr uction, being banished, as accursed, 


7 ae 


a 


ition, ‘of the. righteous judgment of God : 

_proved, that he would judge the would 6 in 
iteousness, and rectify all the apparent disor- 
of he: gta scene; seeing he left his: 


cutions sil tribulations, and his enemies to | 
in their impious and iniquitous opposi- 
“hag cause and people. Indeed, he per-| 


AD. 56. Il. THESSAL 


11 ‘Wherefore also, ¢ we pray always 
for you, that 4 our God © would * count 
you worthy of this { calling, and & fulfil} < 
all 4 the good pleasure of his goodness, 


4,18, Is. 66.9. Hos- 
6. 3. Zech. 43° °7. 
Mark 4.28 1 Cor- 


e Sve on, wer. 5s 


¢ See on, Rom. 1.9. 
. * OF, vouriisafe. 


Eph. 1. 16. & 3, 
14—21. Phil. 1-9—|f 2. 14. Rom. 8, 30. 
Ut. Col. i- O—13. 3! & 9423, 24. Phil. 3.] 1.8. Phil..1- 6. i John 6, 27—29 

| "Phes. 3. 9—18. 14. 1 Ehes. 2. 12)h Ps, 51. 18. Duke} Eph. 1. 19, 20) 1/1 
a Ps, 48. 14. & 65.| Hub. S.4 1 Pet. 5 | 12632, ph. t. 5.9} Thes. 1, 3. & 2 13a) 
20. Is, 25.9. & 55.) 10 Phil. 2, 13. Fite 36) Heb. 12, 2. RF 
2. Yau. 3. 17% Rev.ig Ps. 138. 8 Proy.| 5—7.° k See on, Z. ver. 10+) 26 
5,10. Johu 17% 10. 1 Petd = * 


from the presence of the Lord, in whieh’ alone PRACTICAL 
felicity can be! found, (Mang, Ref.) and finding] They, who. have alreac 
his avenging frown, like lightning, to appal and | selves by “the work of - 
torture their inmost souls, and the glory of -his|“ love, and the pariengi 2 of 
power irresistibly forcing them with dreadful | of growing exceedingly in al 
consternation into the place of torment. This | the highest attainments of 
will take place, when he shall appear with divine | beneath real perfection: 
majesty inhuman nature, to be glorified by his| grow in grace, and abe 
saints ; as the ri¢hes of his love, the precious-| of mutual love, t 

ness of his redemption, the efficacy of his grace, | will rejoice: and 

the power of his arm, aud his faithfulness to his| bound to give thanks to 
promises, Will be most gloriously displayed by|it is meet; and to sp 

their complete salvation. And not only will he| es of God, to excite 

then be admired dy those, that now believe in| to animate them 

him, who will then find their largest expectations | tient sufferings of exemp! 
far \xceeded, and who will not think it possible, } prosperity of ungodly : 
sufficiently to adore and praise such a glorious| fully demonstrate 
Benefactor; but he will be admired zm them] shall“ discern 

likewise, by all the inhabitants of heaven, who|‘* wicked, between 


‘will celebrate the wonders wrought by him, in|‘ that serveth him no 


thts saving and exalting such polluted rebels | those mysteries of pro! 

and enemies. This, the apostle was confident | wise greatly perplex 

would be the case of the Christians at Thessalo- | devoted worshippers ar 

nica, because his testimony concerning Christ|are proved and purific 

had been credited by them, and their faith mani: | tribulation, “ that they n 

fested by its genuine effects, * thy of that kingdom f 
V.11, 12. In the prospect of this decisive |and that wicked men are pern 

season, the apostle and his brethren prayed con- | that their rancorous é ES 

tinually for the Thessalonians, that. the Lordjmanifested, and the 

would vouchsafe them. whatever was wanting to | filled up, and that all 

make them meet for this felicity, to which the{ justice, which consig 

Gospel called them; that he would adjudge | intended for them. — 

them to be entitled to it, according to the grace | pear evident fo all’ 

of the new Covenant. in Christ; and that he|righteous in God, 

would accomplish that work of complete sancti- | those who trouble 

fication, and_prepare them for that glory, to} holy truth and service; | 

which the sovereign good pleasure of his good-|to all his perfections to 

ness and love had appointed them, and which he } those who have been 

had great complacency and delight in conferring | for their love to his 

on them: that so he would finish the work by | anticipating the g 

his almighty power, which he was carrying on in | by the light of revelati 

their souls, through faith, till at length it should | sure, to understand, the b 

be’ perfected in vision and enjoyment. This|thus to wait with composui 

they prayed for, in order that the name of Christ | coming of the Lord. : 

might be glorified in them, both by their present |‘ day of wrath, and 

bold profession of: his truth, and their holy con-}“ righteous judgment | 

duct, and zealons labours to spread the Gospel; | viour, onee a Man of 


- and in the sight of the whole world, and to all | despised, rejected, and diso 


eternity :.and that they might. also be glorified 
in Christ, by perfectly bearing his image, enjoy- 
ing his love, being owned. as his brethren, and 
sharing, as it Were, all his honour, according to 
the infinite riches of the mercy and grace of 
God the Father, and ths Lord Jesus.—The con- 
text shows, that the word calling must here mean 
the inheritance to which they were called.— 
(Marg. Ref.) . 


EP iy 


bes 1 


4° 4 


4 is 
CHAPTER Il. A. D. 58; 


Pp. i. |mor by word, ‘ nor by letter, as from us, ° 
Thessalonians, against grownd-| as that the day of Christ is at hand. é 

that the day of Christ was at} 3 [et ¢ no man deceive you by any. ~ 
y Br eae bese ela ee means: for that day shail not come, b ex- 
smies, usurpations, and impestares,| Cept there come a falling away first, and 
the destruction of numbers, and then| that ‘ man of sin be revealed, § the son of 
I elf into perdition, 3—12. He thanks| perdition 5 Fee , 
is special grace shown i 3 aa 4 Who opposeth !and exalteth himself 
iM Be eer ca es. above all that is ™ called God, or that is 
ed Bcrey sol ae and work, 16, 17. worshipped ; so that he, as God, D sitteth 
FOW .@ we beseech you, brethren,|in the temple of God, shewing himself 
> by the coming of our Lord Jesus) that he is.God. hat he 
rist, © and dy our gathering together 


Unto him, Ris: ee eee et 


“92 That ye] > not soon 4 shaken ‘in| Jer. 23. 2s—27. 


[Practical Observatiens.} 


5. 6» 1 Is. 14, 13. Ez’ 28. 
h 1 Tim. 4. 1—3, 2] 2. 6. 9. Dan. 7. 8» 
Tim, 3.1—3; & 4.| 25.& 8. 9-11. & 
3, 4. 1l. 36. Reve 13. Ge 
i ver-S—10. Dan. 74m 1 Cor. 8. 5. 

25. 1 John 2. 18.in Dan. 8. 12—14a & 


Ay ee AAR, arts < h : b ape Mie. 2. eae 

min or be tro uble “neither © SPIPit,} 4,5. 24,2 Pet. 2.1 
as GES pipet fe aon Ete thes 1,2. 

q . 1.) 13+ 27. Eph. 1.10.) 6. Mark 13.7-Luke} Rey. 19. 20. 

5.4.1 1 Thes. 3. 13. 2| 21.9.19. John’ 14.| £1 Thes. 4. 15. 2 

be ‘Fim. 4.1. 1.272 ActS 20- 23.) Pet, 3.4—8. Rey. 23. 11. &e. T1. 45. Rev. 13, 6, 

; 10. Mat.id Is. 7.2, & 8. 12,) 24.1 Thes. 3-3. | @ See on, Mat. 24.1k John 17.12, Rev.) 7. 

, + Mark! 13. & 26.3. Mat.24.!e Deut. 13. 1—5,} 4.1 Cor. 6, 9. Eph.! 17. 8.21. 


cas 


@istinguished. All these shall be punished! on earth, we may be sure of being fur ever glo- 
th * an everlasting destruction from the pre-|rified with bim in heaven! 

‘sence of the Lord :” the majesty of that coun- of ih b 

tenance, which was once defiled with blood and| NOTES. 

Spitting, and the glory of his power, who was} CHAP. Hl. V. 1, 2 Having encouraged the 


once crucified in apparent weakness, shall be} faith and patience of the persecuted Thessalo- 


intolerable to all the multitudes of the wicked ;| nians, by the prospect of Christ’s coming to per- 
and they will be wholly incapable of making the} fect their salvation, the apostle exhorted them 
ast resistance, when with tremendous frown he} concerning that great event, and as they hoped 
‘Shall say to them, “ Depart, ye cursed, into}tobe gathered together unto Christ in glory; . 
_ * everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his! he besought them not to allow themselves to be 
) angels” But, at that awful season, he will} easily deluded into the opinion, that the day of 
i me especially to be glorified in his saints, who| Christ was at hand; whether that opinion were 
re believed the testimony of his apostles | propagated by men professing to speak by the 
) ing him, and thus learned to trust, love,! Spirit of God, or whether it were grounded on 
ey, and rejoice in him, whom they have not| something, which he had spoken among them, 
t seen; and to know and worship God the|or on a misconstruction of some expressions in 
‘Father in and through him. No words can pos-| his former epistle. For such an erroneous ex- 
are y express the admiring and adoring gratitude} pectation would disquiet their minds, and create 
eae. which will unite with the exulting joy|in them needless troubles and apprehensions = 
triumph of that happy period. All hopes} and when they found themselves disappointed in 
and imaginations must fall immensely beneath} it, they might be tempted to question the truth 
those unutterable glories, and the holy affections | of the gospel itself. Ttwould at least take them 
With which they will be contemplated and ador-| off from the duties of their several callings in 
ed. But, every believer will then reffect, dis-| society; and their conduct, expectatigns, and 
ay, and mcrease, the manifested glory of the | disappointment, might render them the derision 
vine Saviour, and enhance the praises of all the! of their unbelieving neighbours. By the coming, 
habitants of heaven, “to the Lamb that was|&c. (1) This is generally explained, asa so- 
;and hath redeemed them to God with) lemn charge or adjuration ; which indeed agrees 
s blood.” May we then pray always for| very well with the apostle’s general manner: 
elves and each other, that “ our God may} but the preposition (ow:p,) here used, seems not 
unt usavorthy of this calling, and fulfil in us| to admit of that interpretation. Several learned, 
the good pleasure of his goodness, and the} men would explain this, of our Lord’s coming ji 
of faith with power; that so the name} providence to destroy Jerusalem, and terminate 
our Lord Jesus may be” finally “ glorified; the persecutions excited by the Jews: but that 
” and our salvation, “ and that we may be} coming was very near; and the apostle earnest. 
d in and with him, according to the| {ly warned his readers against supposing, that the 
of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” coming, of which he spake, was at hand. If, 
diligently seek to obtain and possess the | however, this had not been the ease, what could 
surance, that this shall be our felicity, | there be; in the near approach of divine judg. 


fo 3 


7 
i 
i 
4 
3 
a 
BE 
B 


ve he: 


do good to | V.3, 4, The apos‘le'again most earnestly ex. 


pang A ngd I them, to let nomen deceive them by any _ 


3. gd Dieta 


2 
AS DE56. 


5° Remember ye not, that; P when I 
was yet with you, I told you these things? 


o Mat. 16.9. Mark} Acts 20. 31. Gal. 5. 21. 1 Thes. 
8,48. Luke 24,6,7.lp 3.10. John 16. 4.12. 14s 2 Pet. 1. 15- 


artful device or pretence whatever, into so injuri 
ous an expectation: and it is evident that this cau- 
tion was not unnecessary ; for notwithstanding it, 
many of the early Christians expected the day 
of judgment speedily to come, which betrayed 
them into various practical mistakes. But St. 
Paul, by the Spirit of prophecy, assured them, 
that Christ would not come for this purpose, tiil 
a falling away vr an apostacy, of a great body of 
professed Christians from. the ‘true Gospel of 
Christ, had previously taken place. - Doubtless 
many apostacies occurred im the primitive ages 
under different heresiarchs: but all the cir- 
cumstances of this prediction were never verifi 
ed, except in that) departure from the faith, and 
that usurpation and spiritual tyranny connected 
with it, which took place in the Church of Rome: 


~and the manifest absurdity of all other interpre- 


tations, as-elearly shown in the controversies of 
those, who abet one or another of them, against 
their opponents, abundantiy. prove this. No 
apostacy of equal magnitude and duration, no 
@elusions equally pernicious and. abominable, 
have taken place since the apostle’s days, The 
imposture of Mahomet alone can be at all com: 

pared with it, and this could not be here intend- 

ed ; for that impostor and his successors were not 
placed “in the temple of God, the, visible 
Church.; but, without it, and in direct opposition 
to the very name of Christianity ; they propagat- 

ed their delusions mainly by, the sword, and not 
by lying miracles ; and the impieties of Maho- 

met never equalled the blasphemies here. pre 

dicted. In connexion with this apostacy,, “the 
«* maa of sin would be revealed” In the lan- 

guage of prophecy, a king generally signifies a 
succession of monarchs, of ‘the Same family, or 
carrying on the:same design, (Votes, Dan. vii. 17 
—24.) Thus “the man of sin” does not mean a 
singt: person;(but.a sucgession of men, impious 
in themselves, and conducting the same, wicked 
design of corrupting Christianity,’ in doctrine, 
worship, and practice; establishing .an intoler- 
able tyranny on religious pretences, and using all 
kinds of seduction, iniquity, and ‘cruel persecu- 

tion, to induce mankind to adopt the Anti-chris- 
tian system: ‘This man. of sin” would be ‘* the 
S* son of perdition;? (Jehm xvii. 12:) a genuine 
descendant of Judas, the apostle and traitor, who 


sold his Lord for money, and betrayed him with | 


akiss} a peculiar factor and agentof satan in 
destroying the souls of men, ‘and finallysinking 
himself into perdition as bis inberitance.— 
It is manifest, that no: succession of men have 
yet appeared on‘earth, to whom this description 
so exactly accords, as'that of the Roman pontiffs, 
as the visible head of the popish Church. This 
deceiver, however, would ‘foppose, and exalt 
« himself above all that is catled God, or is 
*¢ worshipped,” either by Christians or. Pagans: 

thus the Roman pontiifs have opposed the truths, 
commandments, and, disciples of Christ, in eve- 
Fy age, arid by every ‘means j they have opposed } : 


\ 


IL. THESSALONTANS. 


| what they perian8 


waS ho antecedent 


6° And how ye 
eth, that: he’ 


the prophetieal « 
man inventions. 
trine of haman me 
and his kingly office, 
with his laws, 
above all thatis ¢alled € 
by pretending to forgive sin 

manifestly continued impe 

indulgences to men to 
of God ; by dispensing: 
din! deerdes above, his” ; 
validity ; and by pees toy 

and authority. to the scriptures ‘the 
must not be understood in: 


“man of sin,” 
God,” and. we. ey 
within the visible’ 
ously usurps the th 
to be god: Many Ro 
vine honours, and den 


and they might rather pee sit 
of Jupiter or Mars, 
temple must be consi 
fessed. worshippers, an not ¢ 
thens. But the Roman 
the universal head of the 
called by his. flatterers. Fic 
earth ; arrogating the title 
ing of infallibility, prete 
pose. kings, and. bestow kingdom 
pleased; (with those: anropat 

mentioned,) ansWers so ex 
here given, that we 
was designed. . While 
ed the worship ofGod, 
of images, and of saints 
authority of his laws to 
own edicts; he himself mig 
idol, as well as the great t 
Church : : as he demanded 
mission and prostration from 
contempt on all author 
But, particulars cannot hi 
ed on. It suffices tosh we 
answered this descriptio 
a'sttiking picture; and 

that no other. successio 
accord to if; perhaps no: 
the visible Church! The 


of God ; but the Christian 
believers in particular, 
that phrase. - The» stri 
extraordinary predictio 
prophecy of Dapiei, 
by consulting the ma 
far-as the author’s views: 
by examining, the agicay onthe 
to, in thal mop hear 


sella Ty Soe Re He Me . & : f wy a 
aD. 56. ; “CHAPTER TI. A.D. 86 
MOF Ee ety of iniquity * doth 


; only * he who now letteth, 
he be taken out of the way. 
*n shall * that Wicked be re- 
om the Lord shall consume 
pirit of his mouth, and shall 
th the brighteess eae com- 


unrighteousness 4 in them that perish ; 
because € they received not the love of, 
the truth, f that they might be saved. 

“11 And & for this cause » God shall 
send them ‘strong delusion, i that they 
should believe a lie; 

12 That © they all might be damned 
who. believed not the truth, ! but had 
pleasure in ian hots oy 

(Practical Obsernatiorinsy “ 


him, whose coming 8 is after 
orking of Satan; ‘with all power 
signs, and lying wonders, 

10 And with all ¢ deceivableness of 
ie. 5.10: Rev.x Dan, 7: 10, 11. 26 -| 11.3. 14. Eph.2. 2: 
5 ales & 


Cor. 2. 17, & 4.2 
& 11. 13.15. Eph, 
4. 14. 2 Pet. 2. 18. 
dicCor. 1. 18.2 
Cor. 2. 15. & 4. 3. 


34. Rom 10. 1. 1 1k Mark 16. 16. Joh 
Thes. 2. 16. 1 Tims) 3. 36) 1 Thes,’5. 9. 
2.4. 2Pet..2 3. Jude 
«x Ps. 81. 11,12. &} 4,5. 

109. 17. Is, 29: 9—I] Ps, 11. 5. & 50. 16 
2 Pet. 2. 12. 14. John 12. 39--43.| —21. & 52. 3, 4. 
e Proy. 1. % & 2.) Rom. 1,21—25. 28.] Hos. 7+ 3. Mic, 3, 
1—6. & 4. 5,6. &{h i Kings 2% 18—| 2. Mark 14. 11. 
8 17» Mat. 13.13.) 22. 2Chr. 18. 18— John - 3. 19—21, 
John 3. 19—21. &; 22. See on, Is.6.9, Rom, 1. 32. & 2-8. 
8. 45—47. Rom, 2.{ 10. Ez. 14. 9. & 8.7,8 & 12.9. . 
7,8. & 6.17. Jam.li Is. 44. 20. & 66.) 2 Pet. 2.13—15. 3 

1, 16—18. |. 4. Jer. 27 10. Ez.| John 11. j 
f John 3. 17. & 5,| 21.29. 


paz. 18. 8—10. Rev. ie & 12, 
Acts 20. 29. pee eel 9. 17. 13. 1—5. 
het 20 20. Cob > Job Ps. 18.) & 19. 20. & 20. 10. 
' ¥ ii 4, Hor |p 7 9283.7 
6. 5. ¥. 1.16. &} 18. Deut. 13. 1, 2. 
2. 16. & 19. 15. 21.; Mat. 24.24. Mark 
iz. See on, 1.8, 9, 13, 22, 2 Tim. 3. 8. 
hn 2. 13,/a John 8, Al. 44.| Rev. 13. 11-15. & 
12 ‘& Ss. Acts 8. 9—11. & 13.} 18. 23. & 19. 20. 
10, 2Cor. 4.4. &le Rom. 16. 18. 2 


ale 


should be removed out of the way, The con- 
version of the Roman emperors to Christianity, 
in the beginning of the fourth century, tended 
greatly to prepare things for this apostacy ; by 
giving scope to the ambition and avarice of the 
ecclesiastics, and by multiplying exceedingly 
nominal Christians: but it was not till the sub. 
version of the western empire by the northern 
nations, and the division of it into ten kingdoms, 
that way was made for the full establishment of _ 
the papal usurpation at Rome, the capital city. _ 
V. 8—12. The obstacie abovementioned hay- 
ing been taken out of the way, that wicked or 
lawless one would be revealed, and would display 
the deformity of his character without disguise, 
by endeavouring to exalt himself above all laws, | 

human and divine. But, though this great usurp- 
er would practise and prosper, yet the Lord 
would at length consume him by the spirit, or 
the breath, of his mouth. (Marg. Ref) Ao- 

cording to the predictions of his word, and b 
the preaching of his Gospel, attended by the in- 
fluences of his Spirit, he would gradually waste 
and consume this antichristian tyranny, and ter- 
minate all his corruptions of the Gospel. This 

he hath heen accomplishing, during the space of 
above three hundred years, since the first dawn- « 
ings of the Reformation : he will shortly destroy 
the whole papal authority, and all its dependen- 
cies, by the brightness of his coming to spread 
the Gospel through the nations; (Votes, Rev. 
XViil. XIX. Xx. 1—6.) and he will finally condemn, 
and punish with everlasting destruction, all the 
actors in this grand delusion, when he shall come 
to judge the world. Such will ceriainly be the 
doom of this ‘lawless one,” this “ man of sin,” 
this “ son of perdition,” whose coming was to be 
attended, and success obtained, not by open 
force, but by the deep subtlety and peculiar en- 
ow their pernicious ways, were as a corrupt|ergy of satan; with the highest pretences of 
hich, working secretly, would at length | authority and claims of power; and with every 
S great apostacy. (Marg. Ref.) But/kind of counterfeit signs and wonders, either of 
empire, which ‘then Jet or hindered, deep-laid human imposture, or of satanical ope- 
effect, by keeping the Church under per.|ration, by which men would mimic the miracles 
on, and curbing all authority but its own,/of Christ and his apostles, as the Egyptian 
— fo retard this event, until it}magicians did these of Moses, It would also 
35K : 


ie v. Bey. During the § time which the 
“apostle | spent at Thessalt ca, he had stated 
‘these particulars to his converts, which they 
‘ought to have remembered. When they recol- 
lected what he had spoken upon this subject, 
they. would know, what withheld, or retarded, 
this apostacy for the present ; and so prevented 
‘its taking place openly and evidently, till the 
time appointed for it in the purpose of God. 
‘The Roman empire, united under one potent 
- Zovernment, and extremely jealous of all other 
power and authority, prevented the establishment 
of that spiritual tyranny and usurpation, by which 
satan was attempting to make his grand effort 
De Christianity : but, it would not have been 
Jent in the apostle to have explicitly men- 
j it, i in an epistle for general perusal; nor 
5 ould it have accorded to the style of prophecy : 
, Most of the fathers so far understood 
tin, . as. “to declare that Antichrist would not 
come, till after the downfall of the Roman em- 
‘pire. Had it not been for this obstacle, the evil 
‘would have broken out much ‘sooner.: for even 
‘when this was written, ‘ the mystery of iniquity 
i did already work.” This grand and deep de- 
is of satan, this mysterious system, ‘which 
as founded in, and productive of, all kind of 
niquities ; being placed in direct opposition to 
the “ great mystery of godliness,” was already 
‘operating upon the minds of men. The ambi- 
tion and avarice of some, who preached the 
ospel, and exercised spiritual gifts from cor. 
rup Motives ; who opposed the apostles, in or- 
fe obtain authority, influence, and secular 
vantage ; or who perverted the doctrine of 
fication by faith in Christ, introducing legal 
ences, superstitions, will-worship, self-im- 
austerities, and the worship of angels : 
he disposition of many professed Christians 


————— ee 


[iain 


‘Tied: 


To _—— rh a 


ae 
Il. THESSALONIANS. 


through pagiicaion of 

r belict of hes 
14 wid 

gospel, "tot 

our Lord Jesus 


reat 


r John 8. 45, 46. &) 


Ae D. 56. -* 


13 | But™ wejare bound to give thanks 
alway to God for you, bféthren, ® belov- 
ed of the Lord, because God hath ° from 
‘the beeenning P chosen you to Salvation, 4 


10. 11. 19. Rom. M 
7 Col 3.12 
John 4-10. 19. 

o Gen. 1.1. Prow 
8. 23.,Is» 46. 19. 


Pp ba oe 8. 33. ky “I 
11 le 4, 56 
‘Tim. ig , 

a Vers 10+ 12. ie 

1. Lr deg 1 Pet. 


mi. 2 ~See on, 
Row. &.8. & 6.17 
B ver. 16. Deut: 7. 

07,8. & 33, .12>. 2 
Sam 12.25. Marg. 
Jer: 31.3. Ez. 16} John 1. 1. & 8.44 
8. Dan.-% 23. &! Heb. 1. 10, 


A AE RET, 
‘be accompanied with all the various»kinds: of 
forgery, faud, and imposture, with which men’s 
senses-and understandings have been deluded by 
artful deceivers, in differentiages and nations of 
the world; and with every hypocritical device, 
which the ingenuity and sagacity of men or de- 

vils could possibly invent; to support the cause 
of unrighteousness, and delude the world-into a 


3, 15. Jam. 1. 18, | 3. 
8 Ste on, Rom. 3. 2a pre 


yet destroyed by the bri; rs 
it is very wonderful; tha 

sons ‘should éver think this pr 
ble to the Anti-christian delusiot 
fidels or atheists, who have’ 
profession of ' Christianity: lier oe 


atupid admiration, a blind reverence, and an im- 
plicit submission to the arrogant claims, and 


multiplied idolatries, and abominations, of this 
grand delusion. Tlus, by artful stratagems and 


machinations, multitudes: would’ be’ fatally de: 
ceived, among such as were in the’ way of perdi- 
tion.’ For, seeing they had not received the love 
of the truth, but had neglected or perverted the 


faving dectrine of the gospel, through pride and 


carnal enmity ; they would, for this cause, be left 
to judicial blindness ; and God would, by means 
of these men, send them a delusion; which would 
bind them: in the strongest chains of error and 


‘false confidence ; so that they would be fascinat. 


ad into the firm belief’ of satan’s lie, and ven- 
ture their souls upon it.» Thus, «being held in 
impenitence and unbelief, and under the power 
of their own lusts, they would be left to manifest 


their enmity to God, and’to fill. up the measure of 


their sins; that they might all be condemned at 
the day of judgment, and receive their merited 


punishment, who had not believed ‘the truth of 


Christ, but ‘had pleasure in Antichrist’s *de- 
** ceivableness of” unrighteousness,”: because it 
accorded to their pride, love of the world, and 
dislike to the spiritual ‘worship and service of 
God : for this seems rather to refer to the deceiv- 

ed, than to the deceivers.. It implied, that God 
would act inthis matter, according to the gene- 

ral rule, of giving up those, who obstinately hate 
the trath through love of sin, to be’ blinded’ by 
satan; and that there would be ‘a remnant, even 
under the deepest. darkness of Antichrist’s reign, 
of another ‘character and description, Nothing 
éan more exactly coincide with the system of 
popery, as it prevailed in the Roman Church, and 
tinder the Roman pontiff for many ages, than 
this passage does. Even their’ boasted preten- 

fions to miraculous powers, and: the inmposture 
or ambiguity of every instance, is the grand’ proof 
of all, that they were marked out by the Holy 
Spirit. (Marg. Ref.) And the adherence of 
the Church of Rome, even to the present day, to 
the worship of images, saints, and angels ; and 


’ to the doctrine of absolutions, penances, purgato- 


ry, transubstantiation, and the merit ‘of good 
works, proves that the man of sin, though con- 
suming by the Spirit ¢ id word of Christ, i is not 


wide-spread misc 
considerable de 


tences, tir the power. of ra a 
the impostures by which they» are 
plausible; or to things'really superdatural, 
performed. in: support of false’ tng 
claims toa divine Sani 3 in: it. 
V.:13, 14. The 
verses, that even at vals time;. ceanngltah 
sin to a who * received not t! 
“of the truth’ that the: might be saved 
was therefore bound to thank G 
brethren - at Thessalonica ;. ‘because it 
dent that they were:specially 
having been “ ‘from the’ beginning chosen to: 
* vation”? (Marg, Ref.) ar Mere 
the apostle meant ‘the | 
being preached: to } 
guished this choice of them, 
spake of the latter as the 
The doctrine of election oe rep 
considered, (Motes, Rom: viii. 28—31, 
Eph. i) but we may here add; that if ‘the ec 
of the Thessalonians was the effect of 
ceding choice of them; it comes’ to the 
thing, whether that choice was made'the: 
ing day, or from: before’ the: foundation. 
world, or from eternity; except as the 7 
be picece: would militate 
of God, and ‘his absolutel perfect 
Othierteias; if he acted o 
choosing them rather than hella 
idolatry’ and'vice ; it was equal oats 
eous to choose them from 4 as-at 
hour preceding their re This: 
them to salvation had not 1 
he foresaw they would be | 
purpose of leaving thent unholy 
sign of preparing them for sitar eer: 
‘¢ the ‘sanctification of the Spirit,” and 
creating energy, beginning, carrying on, 
iecting their renewal’ to wie divine 
* cleo their belief of the truth,” 
posed to the Ue of the man of sin. For 


“Ss ‘CHAPTE ER Us. oe: 


Bes 15 Therdlore, brethren, x stand fast,| 
-and ¥ hold 2 the tradité@@ns which ye have 
Resear hotter by wa, or our 


- > our Lord Jesus Christ him- 
od, even our Father, © which 
us, and hath Sree. ‘ue 4 eyer- 
15a ver. % & S14. | Eph. 2. 4,5. & 5. 


~ Phil.|b 1. 2- See on, 2. 25. Til. 3. 4-7 
ut The a 1 Joh 9.1 16. & 4. 


arts i mex aLeee. 
ele fre 1. Is. 35. 


d becn pr death of sinybe led 
them to believe the several truths of God’s. — 
; especial those rel to the Person an 
dempti ry ky were brought to re- 
ive. ae on him for pardon, righteous. 
; and so they received their title to 
ity, and were trained up for the en- 
of it, According to these purposes of 
! ting ‘hem, he had called them by the 
spel, which Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy, were 
_ sent to preach to ‘them : this “* came to them 
« not in word only, but with the power of the 
_ Holy Ghost ;” and their conversion by it both 
evidenced their « election. of God,” and was in- 
tended for “ their obtaining the glory of our 
| Eord Jesus Christ.” * How wisely and happily PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
4 does the apostle unite the views of the grace of V¥.1—4, 
. * God, and the duties of men! While he repre-| eres i gaoolisniy incumbent on ministers to cau- 
| -« 
thy 
€ 
Fe . 
} 
1 


Tasting ‘consolation, and e good “hope 
‘through grace, _ 

17 6 Comfort your } hearts, and » stab- 
lish you ‘in every ‘good word and work. 


10. & 51, 11. & 60.) Tit. 1e2. & 2 13.) Rom, 15. 13+ 2 Cor. 
19, 20. & 61. 7 Pied ‘Ti. 18, 19.1 1. 3-6. 

ide 16k Tob & Ti9. 1 Pet. 1jh 3. 3. Is, 62. 7. 
4 3—§.1 John 3, 2,3, Rom. 1. 11. & 16, 
: f Acts 15. 1)..8& 18.) 25, 1 Cor. 1. 8. 3 
17,18. Heb. 6. 18.4527.-Rom. 4. 4. 16<} Cor. 1.21, Col. 2. 
1 Pet. 1. 5—8. Rev.| & 562. &- Pues 13, 


7+ 16, 17+ & 22. 5. |e ver. 16' Is. Heb. 13. 9.1 Pet, 


8. 24, 25. Col. 1S 2, pa Jam. 1. 21, 22, 2 
: . 3. j John 8.18. 4 


endure to eternity, and of which they, then en- 
joyed the earnest; and he had given them a 
* good hope,” well-grounded, of a good, a suijt- 
able, and. sufficient portion and felicity, which 
originated from his mercy, and was evidenced 
and sanctioned by’his grace in their hearts; and 
which produced. the, most. beneficial. effects. in 
their lives, and supported them under their ma- 
nifold trials... He therefore bescught our Lord 
Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, 
still more and'more to comfort them; and to ren- 
der them steadfast, not only in faith and hope, 
but’ ina constant attention te holiness, in all 
their discourse and behaviour, and in an habitual 
Teadiness unto. every good word and. work. ~ 


Se ee 


ts our choice to salvation, in alight so wor-| tion men against expectations, not warranted by 
thy of God.; since: this salvation is still to be| scripture, but grounded on impressions, suppos- 
obtained, “ through sanctification of the Spir- ed revelations, and perversions: of the ea of 
# ts and belief of the truth.” .(Doddridge.) | God: for satan makes immense use of these 
- 15. The apostle, therefore, exhorted his/| things ; not only to unsettle men’s minds, and 
loved brethren to stand fast in the belief of] fill them with needless apprehensions; but even 
to shake the foundations of their faith and hope, 
to draw them off from their duty, and to expose 
the Gospel itself to ridicule and contempt.. If is 
sufficient for us to know that out Lord will come, 
and will gather all -his saints ante him ; and we 
should be careful te be always. ready ‘for bis co- 
ming, and to guard against delusions and pre. 
sumption, in respect to theexact time of that great 
event. We, know however, that the. Scriptures 
catffot be broken :, the day of Christ could not 
come, till the predicted apostacy had taken 
place. These prophecies have now in a great 
measure received their completion, and confirm 
our assured belief of the truth of the Scriptures: 
but, though * the son of perditiun” hath been re- 
vealed; though he hath ‘ opposed and exalted 
himself above all that is called God, or that is 
“ worshipped ;” and hath spoken and acted, as 
if he were a deixy upon earth, who was to be 
adored in the temple of God .himself ; though 
the mystery of iniquity, after working long i in se- 
cret, at length was brought to light; and “ the 
“lawless one” openly proclaimed his arrogance, 
enforced his presumptuous: decrees, and support. 
ed his delusions, by the working of satan, with 
lying miracles, and all kinds of impostures: yet 
the Lord hath not. yet fully destroyed him with 
the brightness his coming ; and-other prophe. 
'sies still remain to be fulfijled, before. the end 
shall come. But let us observe, that satan does 
most mischief by those who, J udas like, pre- 


truths which they had heard from him, not 

ly amidst. the rage of persecutors, but against 
es deceivers; maintaining the in- 
structions, which he had given them, whether by 

word of mouth when with them, or by any verbal 
message, or by his former epistle. Doubtless 
| the apostle’s traditions were worthy of credence 
end ebedience; but how shall we know. any 
peeek. them, except as they-were written for 
benefit? It is therefore a singular instance 

‘ ** deceivableness of unrighteousness” in 
the man of sin,” to attempt the support of his 
_ gorrupt system, bya single word in that very 

| chapter which most fully exposes his devices,— 


ral traditions, of equal authority to the writ- 
en word, being the rule of its interpretation, and 
fommitted-to the keeping of the Church, (thatis, 
tod e Romish clergy,) was the grand support of 
bery for ages; and of this fundamental princi- 
‘ple they have no better Scriptural proof, than 
is s ingle word, and one or two more of similar 
import! (Notes, Matt. xv. 1—20.) ; 
ba 16, 17... The apostle here addressed hime 
self in prayer, to “our Lord Jesus Christ him- 
‘ self,” along with “ God, evenour Father,” and 
i¢ Mentioned Christ fone 5 in this most-evident 
| eeeirine adoration; * for he and the Father 
4 2 One,” even that one God, ‘* who had loved 
ers, and given them everlasting consola~ 
well-spring of comfort in bis Gospel, 
Spirit in their hearts, which would 


a ‘ . # 


A. Dd. 56. a 
ge sCHAP: IIE. 
The apostle requests the prayers of the Thessaloni- 
ans; 
and prays for them, 1—5. He charges them to 
_eensure, and withdraw from, disorder ly walkers, 
who neglected their own business, and intermed- 


dled in that of others’; ingerspersing suitable ar-|/y 
guments, directions, and exhortations, 6—165.), 


He concludes with benedictions,. 16—18. 


INALLY,» brethren, ® pray for us, 
that > the word of the Lord may 
* have free course, and *¢ un plonied, 
deven as z¢ is with you : 
2 And. that we may be. e delivered 
from + unreasonable: and wicked men::' 
f for all men have not faith. 


a Matt. 9.38, Luke} 20, 1. Cor. 16. 9. 2 
10. 2. Rom. 15. 30.|, Tim. 2..9. 

2 Cor. 1. 11- — *) Gr. run. 

6. 19; 20. Col..4. 3:1¢ Pse 138. 2. Acts; 
1 Thes. 5. 1%. Heb,} 13. 48. 

13. 18, 19. id 1 Thes. 1,5. & 2. 


24. & 13, 49. & 19,.Je Rom. 15. 31. 1 


Cor. 15. 32. 2. Cor. 
1. 8—10. 1 Thes. 2. 
18. 2.Tim. 4,17. | 
t Gr, absurd, 

£ Deut. 32, 20. Mat. 
17. 17. & 23. 23. 
Luke 18. 8- John 2. 
23-25. Acts 13. 45. 


fess themselves disciples and apostles, and sell 
Christ for money : these are emphatically “ sons 
of perdition” and “*'men of sin’? «Pride and ain 
bition are always hateful; but they are most 
diabolical, when employed about spiritual things; 
and there have indeed been many Antichrists: 
yet, no one has been so mischievous, as he who 
seated himself in the'temple of God. 
V. 512. 

The world, in every age, has been replete 
with cheats and forgeries; yet none are so: ini- 
quitous or impious'as those, which some have 
called pious, frauds; and “satan, transformed 
*¢ into an angel of light,” carries on his trade of 
destruction, by means of lying signs and mira- 
cles, or other species of the deceivableness of un: 
¥ighteousness, with more fatal effect than in any 
other character, or by any other engine. “ How- 
ever, neither the father’ of lies, nor ‘any of his 
children, can go further, or ‘proceed more ra- 
pidly, than the only ‘wise God is pleased to per- 
mit him. Every event takes place in the ap- 
pointed season; and, after all the mysterious de- 
vices of iniquity, which satan, or wicked men, 
ean frame, “ the counsel of God shall stand, and 
**he will do all his pleasute;” and one Anti- 
ehristian power has often been employed, far 
besides his purpose, to stop the progress of an- 
other, still more pestiferous. Tt will at last ap- 
pear that none were deceived by any “energy of 
delusion,” who were nct at heart, enemies to 
thé trath and will of God, and disposed 'to take 
pleasure in unrighteousness: he is continually 
permitting the devil to seduce persons of this 
character into the belief of some tie, by which 
they. are held, as with feiters of iron, till they 
recéWestheir merited condemnation. | To avoid 
this fatal doom. men should take heed not to re- 
press their convictions, from love of ’sin ; they 
should pray earz’stly for the love of the truth, 
and for saving faith from which it springs; ane 
they should use every means of obtaining that 
humble and spiritual mind, which is the Best se- 
curity against ie fatal delusion. 

V. 1817. 


HI. THESSALONIANS. 


sses his confidence. respecting them, | 


3 But auth Lord i is faithfal, 
h stablish: 1 keep you: from 


4 And. confidence 
Lord touching you, ! that ye both 
will do the 1 Ge ; which 


you. 
5 And ™ the: 


50, & 14. 2, & 17, : bs 
5. & 28. 24. Rom] Phil.” 
404 16,2 Cor. 4, 3,} 21. 
T vere 6. . 
g See on; 1) Cor, 1} 27. 20. sink Py 
9, & 10. 13.1 Vhes,| & 15,18 1 Cor, 
5, 24, 19, & 14. 37,2 
h See on, 2. 17. 2.9. & 7.15. Phil-| 
i Gen, 48. 16.1 Chr} 2. 12, 2 Phesi4. 
4.10. Ps 19, 13. &|.2. 10, 11. ’ 
121, 7. Mat. 6. 13.[/m 2 $8. 58,17 
Luke 11. .4< John Ee Pei pote 
17.15. 2 Time 4.) 5. 36. 
18, 2 Pet. 2 9. 
Jude 24. 
k Rom. 15. 14. 
Cor. 2.3.& 7. 16. 


Jer. 9. 23, Jam 
i 16—1 Lr stacs 
2\n 
ne 


If we now hate sin, and 
bound to thank God for ¢ ad 
other. Many can well nemtepbe ae! 
they despised or hated the doctrines 
ture, and preferred soothing errors’ to: 
nay, some of us seemed to provoke God 
“us strong delusion to believe ia” 
should certainly have held it fast, if 
left to ourselves. If then. it be now 
with us, we may thankfully ascribe i 
vereign love of God, who’ from the 
“* chose us unto salvation, th 
* of the Spirit, and belief/of the » 
let none conclude themselves chasen ar 
who are’ strangers to the’ secenuaiend 
“¢ Spirit unto obedience, — pap ceases 
* blood of Jesus.” (1 Pet. 2.) — 
saving faith in any thing, 
“*- belief of the truth,’? a3” 
This belief of the trath b 
on Christ, and so to love an 
ed by the holy spirit upon his sess cae I 
pares him for the glory of our Lord Jesus Chir 
in heaven. Letus'then stand fast in this 
trine of the apostles, and» reject all 
additions from every quarter: us! 
sitate nor omit, to pray to our Lord: 
self, as well as to our loving God and 
that our interest in bis “ev: ec 
“ and good hope through grace,” may be 
ed ; not only by his “comforting ot 
« by his establishing us in every good 
«© work.” ‘Phen we may, even ‘in the 
flicted circumstances, look down wi 
wealthiest of those who have only 
consolations and hopes of this» vair 
who haye only the vain confiden 
tends the contempt, 
the Gospel of God our Saviour. 
NOTES HCE ier he 
CHAP: IE Vv. 1—5. “The seionetan aa 
requested the Thessalonians to pray for: hi 
his fellow-workers, and for success 
bours; that so, the word of the ° 
concerning him and his salvation, might vm 


ler. iil 


A.D. 56. CHAPTER HL A.D. 56: 


_ 6 Now we command you, brethren, 
P inthe mee of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that ye draw Fos disor from every 


we might not be chargeable to any of you: 

9 ® Not because we have not power; 
but > to make ourselves an ensample un- 
to you to follow us. — 

10 For even ¢ when we were with you, 
this we commanded you, ¢ that if any 
would not work, neither should he eat. 

11 For we hear that there are some 
which ¢ walk among you disorderly, 
f working not at all, but are busy bodies. 

12 Now them that such € we com- 
mand and exhort our Lord Jesus 
Christ, » that with quietness they esr 
and ‘ eat their own bread. 


a Matt. 10. 10, hs 4. Acts 20.18. [g Sce on, p. ver. 6. 


et : = for we behaved not our- 
2s disorderly among yous; 

. Neither did we = eat any man’s 
| for nought; ¥ but wrought with 
and travail * night and day, that 


. Se 4.2 Cor. 116.8 John x ne 2.1 Pet. 5.3. 
“tN | ver. 6, 1 Thess 2. 
"thes. 4+ 11-&5)] 10. 
we ae ver. 12. Prov, 13. 
i 14. See on: 27. Matt. 6+ 11. 
5 ie 18.3.& 20. 
$4.1 Cor. 4. 12. 2 


on, t Cor. 9. 4—14.}d Gen. 3. 19. Prov,|h Gen. 49. 14, 15, 
Gal. 6. 6. 1 Thes.| 13.4. & 20. 4. &| Prov.17. I 3 
- 6 2L. 25. & 24. 30— 
b See on, t ver. 7.) 34. 

John 13: 15. 1 Pet. 


ec “Luke 24. 44, John 


FB ae 4,1. bh 


i See ag ‘vere & 
Luke 11, Ss. 


e See on, eh 
£1 Tim. 5. 13 
Pet. 4. 15. 


Tim, Thes. 1. 6, 7.1 


-3 z See on,1 Thes.2. 
22, 15,) Tim. 4 12. Orit, 


21 9 


love to him; and into the * patience of Christ ;” 
that patience. which he exemplified, taught, re- 
quired, and bestowed ; even a resignation of soul 
under sufferings, meekness, and long-suffering 
‘under injuries; “ patient continuance in well- 
« doing ;” and a disposition calmly to believé 
and wait for the Lord’s time of deliverance.— 
As itis the work of the Holy Spirit to direct and 
lead the soul into the exercise of these holy dis-. 
positions; and as “ the Lord,” is here mentioned 
distinct from God, and from Christ; it has been 
men, such as the Jewish zzalots were ; whom) supposed, with some probability, that the apostle 
Ro arguments could convince, no persuasion or} addressed this prayer personally to the Holy. 
L. eeie mollify : “seeing their prejudices, the Spirit, ‘* the Lord the Spirit,” the third person 
of their perverseness and wickedness, | in the adorable Trinity. (Mang. Ref) _ 
ied them into all kinds of crimes, in order} V.6—9. The Thessalonians were generally 
to oppose and destroy the apostle, and others} deserving of high commendation ; but the apos- 
preached Christ to the Gentiles. The blind| tle had occasion to speak with authority, afd 
of the pagan idolatry, whom the Jews| implied reproof, in one particular, of which he 
stirred up to aid their persecutions, may also be} had before given some intimation. (1 Thes. iv. 
intended. Notwithstanding the abundance of| 11, 12.) He therefore commanded and exhort. 
miracles, and the fulfilment of prophecies, which} ed, or charged them, in the name, and as they. 
evinced the truth of the Gospel; yet all men} valued the authority, favour, and glory, of the 
chad not faith to believe it, that being the effect} Lord Jesus; that they should withdraw from - 
of a divine power upon the heart, which over- every one, called a Christian brother, who walk- 
ame the carnal pride, obstinacy, and enmity of|ed disorderly, like a soldier that quitted his 
allen nature. Probably some professed Cbris-} ranks or deserted his post. For they well knew 
p Secretly concurred with more open ene-| in what respects they ought to imitate him and. 
é sin attempting the life of the apostle ; and} his brethren: as they had not behaved ina dis-. 
brethren, having no real faith im} orderly manner among them, or done any thing 
were also destitute of faithfulness, in their| inconsistent with the regularity of families, or 
led friendship to him and his fellow-| of society. . In particular, they had not lived at 
irers. - He was, however, satisfied that the} other people’s expense, nor in idleness: on the 
d'was faithful to bis premises: and thatthe! contrary, they had wrought, with very great 
thessalonians were true believers, whom God] labour and fatigue, to earn a maintenance for 
fould establish in the faith, and defend against| themselves; even during the night, when the 
le devices of the wicked one, and of evii men ;} day did not suffice for that, and the exercise of 
seep from the evil of sin, and all_its fatal|their ministry also. Thus they avoid 
ects. He had also confidence in th= Lord res | chargeable to any person, that they might ex~te 
ctl ng them, that he would give theni grace, tc| no prejudice against the Gospel. Not that they 
ispose and enable them, both at present and in| had no right to a maintenance, or power to re- 
uture , to observe all the directions and com-| quire one, by the rule of the Gospel; but be- 
iments which he had given them. He there-| cause, in their circumstances, they counted it 
th ‘God ‘would guide and lead|aecessary to endure much hardship, that ‘they 
ts in a _comfortabie experience of} might become a proper example for their con- 
ds them, and into the exercise of} verts to imitate. (Notes, 1 Cor. i ; 


pero caaiseman in the conversion of num- 
bers from idolatry and vice, to the true worship 
of God, and in the holy lives of professed Chris- 
tians ; as the glory of the Gospel had been most 
ae among them. He requested 
Pompe to pray for the protection of him, and 

other preachers of the Gospel, from. the 
malice and violence of perverse and wicked 


i 


was 


e. used by 2 rapid progress, from heart to 
| 
‘ 
: 
f 
| 
t 
7 
j 
‘ 


A. Dz 65. 


ih well-doing. 


14 And if any man ' obey not our word 
? by this epistle, ™ note that man, and 


‘K Is. 40. 30, 31. Mal. & 10. 6. Phil. 2.12. 
2. 13, Rom. 2..7. 1 
Cor. 15. 58. Gal. 6. 


9, 10. Phik 1,9. 1 


~ Thes. 4, 1. Heb. 12. 

1 Daub 17. 12, Prov.| man by an epistle. 
© Or, faint — not} 5. 13) Zeph. 3. 2 21m vers 6. Matt. 18. 
Deut. 20. 8 Pss 274], Cot, 2.9 be % 15] 17+, Roms 160 17+ 1 


13. 1s, 40, 29. Zeph, 
3. 16, Marg. Luke 
18. 1, 2 Cor, 4.1 
Ne yagi 12. rele 


ip 21. Hehe 13. 


V. 10—12. ° Perbaps the apostle had perceived 


a disposition in some persons at Thessalonica, to 


make religion a pretence for indolence, “and for 
subsisting on the hospitality of their brethren, 


without w orking at their own (rades.—* How they 
* might fall into this evil, is easy to conceive. 


* Persons all alive to God and Wis Christ, and 


* knowing little of ‘the deceitfulness of the beart, 
* and the crafts of satan, might find it irksome 


_€ to attend to the concerns of this life. It was 


*a fault indeed, and very dangerous, if persisted 
“in: as it was soon corrected, in all probability, 


€ and in part occasioned, by the strength of hea- 


*venly affections, one cannot be very severe. in 
* censuring it. It may be worth while for those, 
Swho feel themselves much irritated against 
* similar evils attending on the out-pouring of the 
© Holy Spirit in our days, to consider, whether 
* they do not exercise more candour toward the 
© Thessalonians, ‘and respect them as real Chris- 
*tians; while they scorn thosé who. walk in 
“their steps as enthusiasts.” (Milner) The 
apostle, however, being fully aware of the conse- 
quences, had, when he was with them, command. 
ed them not to maintain in idleness such as could 
work and would not, either by private or public 
charity; that, being left to endure the pinchings 
offiunger and want, they might be compelled to 
attend to their proper duty. As God gives eve- 
ry thing to man in the way of labour; so the in- 
dustrious part of every community maintains the 
slothful. Or the words may signify, if any man 
refuse to work, he ought by all means to live 
without food : but, if that be impossible, let him 


‘ thence learn to consider how unreasonable and 
‘iniquitows idleness is; by which a man that can. 


not but consume, does nothing to replenish, the 
stores, that are thus exhausted. "The expression 
was for substance a proverb among the Jews. 
* They state it wrong, who render it, Let him 
* not eat, who does not work ; for none are more 
© deserving of relief from others, than they, who 
* through some just and necessary impediment, 
* cannot labour, though they greatly desire it’ 
{Beza.) This venerable’ reformer, of course, 
here takes occasion to expose the mendicant 
monks and friars, as exactly answering the cha- 
racter, described -by St. Paul, ‘How far reliev- 
ing vagrant beggars, of whose character, or in- 
capacity for labour, we know nothing, can con- 
sist with this rule, is worth inquiry. Certainly 
the money might be almost always better em- 
ployed. “Whatever rank men ststain, they are 
mere drones in the hive, unless they fill up the 
duties of their station for the common benefit — 
Chrjstians therefore should not countenance such 


iI. THESSALONTANS. 
13 But* ye, brethren, * be not weary. 


1 Thess 4. 3. Phi- 


t Or. signify that 


jealousies among arlene : 


evident injustice ; es] Y 
been one of the i lee ras 
fessed worshippers of Gad. 
The kindness required from 
which. they are propense, often 
persons an opportunity, on 
to seek exemption 
become useless at 
families are often : 
are contracted which 
bounty, is, diverted i 
should encourage 
port the sick and, 
fore reminded his be 
rule ; because he heard t! 


these disorderly persons among. 
not work at their own. ‘trades or. 


expected to be maintained SE hoe n 


brethren. These] 
tract a.sauntering, goss) 
indulge a aE he cul say: By 
per; and, having much a 
termeddle with other men’s ct 

turbance of families, by exciti 


ry of men fed But the 
manded and charge 2m, in 
Christ, and as they vane 
fore his tribunal, to’ c 
ness; and to attend to | 
humility, modesty, conte 
industry ; that, thus ‘subsist 
earnings, they might * eat tl 
not consume what 

V. 13. As the 
yiduals made of the rality : 
their brethren, tended to » the 
Christian charity, the apostle he ‘it 
sary, 1o caution them against § i 
well-doing, in this or any other 
Gal. vi. 8—10.) eg 

V. 14,15. Should assy ae Uthdthe 
bey the command given by the 
“ bour with quietness, and eat his own 
the others were directed to note him 
censure of the church ; and every 
required to separate from hi c 
might be put to shame, and brought to 
ance. Thus the scandal would” e Pp) 


sN 
they were by no means to show any ill wi ’ 
him, or do him’any injury, as if he were an € 
my ; but, to persevere in seeking his | t 
loving’ admonitions, considering bin ane ab 
ther, though * overtaken ina a fault.” (N ne 
Car. ¥-J uP 


anal 5 
, 58. CHAPTER IIE. A.D. 56. 


ors Fa 
Lord of peace himself ‘17 The salutation of Paul t with mine 
you ays by all means | own hand, which’is * the token in every 
*The Ler “ with you all. jepistle : so i write. j 
1 Ps. . =17. 1 Thes. 5.) 54. 10. 66,12. Hing. -¥8"=" The grace of our Lord Jesus 
! Christ Be with you'all. “seit 
Mat. 1.23, & “ WB -3b 2a 


‘16 Now 4 


et Soe a. "See om, 2» § Josh See on, Rom. 
Phi ibaa is 
t 1 Cor. cy 21. Col. of 


Sees 


by an ill-judged and A Whatever 
difficulties occur respecting public discipline ; 
believers. of every denomination might agree 
in separating from disorderly walkers, with pro- 
per admonitions and expostulations 3 that th hus 
being put to shame they might be brought | to Te- 
pentance. This would be so far from treating’ 
them as enemies, that it would be the wisest ex- 
ercise of brotherly love, It is peculiarly incum- 
bent gn ministers, to show the tendency of their 
doctrine in their own conduct, that the people 
may perceive how they ought to follow them: 
It is not indeed required, nor generally expected, 
that they should “labour and toil, night and 
“ day, to avoid being chargeable” to the peo- 
ple: for. “ they that ‘preach the gospel, have 2 
“ right to live of the Gospel ;” ane, if faithful 
and diligent in their work, they by no means 
“eat any man’s bread for nought.” Yet, they 
should be very careful to avoid every appearance: 
of ‘selfishness, indolence, or an encroaching S5piz- 
rit; and they must often give up their own inter- 
est, indulgence, and inclination, to make them. 
selves an example to the people, and to give en- 
ergy to their instructions. A slothful man is a 
scandal to any society, but most. to a religious 
saciety. It would be deemed rigorous, should 
we enforce the apostle’s rule, “that if any will 
not work, neither shall he eat : yet, in fact, it is 
founded in equity and love. It is injustice to 
the indigent, the weak, and the industrions, 
when the bounty of their brethren is wasted on. 
the indolent and extravagant. The. greatest 
kindness, that can be shown to the latter, is to 
constrain them, if possible, “to labour, worke, 
** ing with their own hands the thing which is. 
* good :” this alone can preserve them from 
mischief, temptation, and misery. None cae 
‘eat their own bread,” who are not willing, ia 
some Way, to labour for it. They who neglect. 
their own business become busy-bodies, officious - 
intermeddlérs, tale-bearers, and disturbers of 
the peace ‘of families, Churches, and communi- 
ties : for | “tbe devil finds some mischief still, for - 
* idle hands to do.’ Persons of this description 
ought t therefore to be discountenanced, rebuked, 
and. commanded. from the Lord. Jesus, with 
quietness to labour and eat their own bread; 
and, if they refuse to. do this, they should be 
censured, noted, and shunned by. all believers, 
Gl brought to repentance. No abuses, bow- 
‘ever, of this or any other kind, should make us - 
weary of well-doing, check our bounty to proper 
objects, or our genuine good-will to the most 
unworthy. While We use every means of peace in | 
our private or public capacity, We Must still pray + 
to the Lord of peace, to give us face always, 
and -by ail means;, and thatie. would be with us, 
md coutce, penagrres om us and all our brethren. — 


v. 16 The Lord Jesus, Yaa 
th the Father, and oo of all 

10. men, was here addressed in prayer, to 
Thessaionians peace in their hearts anc 
nces, peace’ with each other, and peace 
all means ; in 
, through the labours 
nd reir. Own mutual éndea 
prayers for each other : and 
er all, as the Author of 


e by an amanuensis, gave occasion 
counterfeit epistles to be written in his 
s: he therefore subscribed the salutation with 
own hand, as the token in every epistle that 
FGine from him. It is not unlikely, that he dic- 
tated his epistles, while labouring at his trade as 
a tent- maker. 
Vv. 18, (Marg. Ref) 


en “PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
| em v. 1-5. 
The success of the Gospel is as really pro- 
‘Moted by { fervent prayer, : as by faithful preaching. 
All, in whose conversion it hath been glorified, 
“labour to ‘honour it in their holy lives ; 
| they should desire and pray, that it may 
have free course, and be glorified in this manner 
all over the earth. “They ought also to beseech 
he Lord, to protect his faithful ministers against 


ose U le and wicked men, who are 
ery ‘where to be met with, even among profes- 
d Ch ris jans fa. who are equally destitute of 


_ ry 


faith an nd ; that they may not. be dis- 
eter by their ae ‘virulent or determined 
position. Oar whole dependence, however, 
must be upon the Lord’s faithfulness to bis pro- 
nis e5, W who willsurely establish those who rely on 
T preserve them from every fatal snare. 
an re -al evil. If by his special grace we haye 
h which multitudes have not, our obliga. 
im are immense ; and we should ear. 
ly apply to him to incline and enable us, per- 
, and without reserve, to obey his com. 
; and that the Lord the Spirit may direct 
$ into the love oh God and the patience 


ie It i sg importance to. the eredit and 
SCESs C + age Gospel, phat the injunctions « of the 


w from a every. brother who walks Gisotdeste. 
malig neglects or violates, the precepts 
ure Pious m e often betrayed in- 
disregard to this. rule, through humility an: 
idera ic which hb means the misconduct of: 
eC eer tarns to the scandal of bis 

into carnal secur:ty- 


t 


The time when this epistle was written, constitutes the princi 
long the general opinion, that the apostle wrote it soon after he 9 
account of the tumult excited by Demetrius and his craftsmen. (. 
several very learned and respectable men have, in modern times, sta 

_ opinion, which they think insurmountable. There is no reasonable dou 
Epistle to the Corinthians was written during the apostle’s abode in J 
thither from Ephesus. But, it is evident that Timothy was with him 

. name is inserted in the superscription. How then, say they, could h 
and entreated to abide there? (i. 3.) * And as to the only solution 
® be thought of, viz. that Timothy might follow so soon after, as to 
6 donia, when he wrote his epistle to the Corinthians; that supposition 
©terms and tenour of the epistle throughout. For the writer speaks 
* to return to Timothy at Ephesus, and not of his expecting Timothy to 
‘nia, (iii 14, 15. iv. 13.) “Therefore I concur with Bishop Pearson, 
* epistle, and the history referred to in it, at a period subsequent 
“ment, and consequently subsequent to the zra, up to which the Acts 
“history? (Paley.) ‘his is a fair statement of the main objec 
inferior moment, will require a little attention. It may, howe 
conclusion here deduced, does not lie open to still more insu 

- may be due to the total silence of the scripture, as to any su 
Ephesus, and his departure thence to Macedonia. It is indeed allo 
sonment at Rome, he mentions in his epistles, a purpose of visiting : 
tepions. (Phil. ii. 14. Philem, 22, Hed. xiii. 19. 23.) And in his. 

_ appears, that he had been at several places in the neighbourhood 
there is no intimation that he visited Ephesus. He observes, in the ¢ 
had sent Tychicus to Ephesus; which may imply that he had not go 
whether it be allowed, according. to historical records, not very : 

. from Crete to tome, hearing accounts which induced him to think 
necessary ; or whether his persecutors seized on him, and conveyed 
pected manner ; it seems evident that he was hurried out of these 

__ to settle his several concerns, in the manner which he wished to have da 
It might also be brought as an objection to this opinion, that Timothy, : 
St. Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome, must, on any computation, have 
of age; and though, at that time of life, the exhortation to flee youthful lt 
reasonable ; (2 7%m, ii. 22.) yet, the caution, ‘* Let no man despise thy yo 
consistent. But, the grand difficulty arises from the words of the apostle 
at Miletus: ‘And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whomT have 
* kingdom of God, shall see my face no more,” _It is evident, that the pi 
stood this, not as a conjecture, or as ‘a desponding inference,’ but as a predi 
apostle perceived the overwhelming sorrow, which it had excited in By) 
nor qualified it: and if seems unquestionable that the historian recorc 
(WVotes, Acts Ex. 25—-38.) The words, ‘ Ye all,’ &c. confine the interpre 


Miletus,- It can hardly be supposed, that after sa absence, of pechaps rather more t 


THE - 


e 
ay 
" 


7 


ss 


Oe 


ae 


“| esent; the prediction therefore would be exactly fulfilled, though ( visited many pla 
‘ in that neighbourhood ; nay, though he purposed, (which is not likely,) to visit Ephe: ro F 
vided he did not actually go thither, or meet any of the elders, to whom he gave the es 


Dine 


vee 


& D. 60: I. TIMOTHY. A: D. 69: 
years, the apostle, révisiting Ephesus, found, that all the elders whom/he had addressed at 

3 jer! were dead. But, except on this very improbable supposition, or on that of the words 
being a mere conjecture, in which the event proved the apostle to have been 
oy adhere to the old opinion, that this epistle was written immediately after 
hac Ephesus to go into Macedonia: because it is, om évery other supposition, 
rtain, that he never after left Ephesus to go into Macedonia. But, let us next cone 
the ge So cogently stated, against the ancient o nm, May not be 

ly answered. skaous folist have spent some considerable Cinees Macedonia, 
: Ephesus, and pe, he went to Corinth : for “ he went over those parts, and gave 
Beers whoeation: ” (Acts xx. 2.) Now, it is not in the least improbable, that unfore- 
ircumstances might induce * Timothy to leave Ephesus, sooner than either he or the apostle 


r ded. The virulence of the persecutors might drive him thence; or he might need. 
» counsel and instruction, in respect of the false teachers, or on some particulars, which he 
d learned concerning the state of ons Church. Various circumstances, indeed, might render 
inexpedient for him to con , according to the plan at first formed. On the 
other hand, it is probable, the apos ote tis istle as soon as he arrived in Macedonia : 
a ome at coy he might fully spew and cor nfidently hope, to come to Timothy at Ephesus ; 
isappointed, Thus, he had once and again, purposed to return to Thessalonica 9 
tan his Jered him.” (1 Thes. ii. 18.) Thus he had seen cause to alter his plan, in res- 
F poi ing to » Corinth, even after he had'givén'some intimations of it. (WVetes, 2 Cor. i. 15—18.) 
1y nprobably be conjectured, that the apostle, when he left Ephesus, expected that’ » 
‘imothy th abide there, till he had acaomplished his business in Macedonia and Achaia; 
21 that he should be enabled to go to him at Ephesus, as he took his voyage to Jerusalem, 
_ with th contributions ¢ of the Churches ; but, having been induced, by the malicious designs of 
thi Jews, to go from Corinth through Macedonia; so much time had elapsed, that he found it 
ecessary to ‘sail past Ephesus, lest he should.not 2 artive at Jerusalem by the feast of Pentecost. 
Ama one part ef his plan ; and the departure of Timothy from Ephesus would 
ner, As the difficulties ¢ on this side, seem to me far less, than those on the other, £ 
with diffidence, to the ancient o opinion, and shall comment on the epistle accord- 
7 he history, in the Acts of the Apostles, implies, that Timothy continued with the 
ile progress through ‘Macedonia, and his continuance at Corinth: and that he 
d with him through Macedonia into Asia. But, Timothy i is not afterwards mentioned, 
nying the apostle, either to Jerusalem, < or in his subsequent i imprisonment at Cesarea, 
de vi ‘to Rome: and it is probable, that he abode in Asia, and going with the elders. 
when they parted. from the apostle, he settled at that city, for some years, accord. 
; e al ‘an nt records ¢ of the Church concerning him. But, when four years, or nearly, | had 
pas ae at he ‘went to the apostle at Rome, and was imprisoned with him, but was 
gee atl faire sent to Philippi. (Phil. i ii, 19. Heb. xii. 23.) In respect to ‘Timothy, it 
sufficient. to pire the account before given of his appointment to be St. Paul’s companion 
vel, (NN dies, Acts xvi. 1—8.) Having been trained up under the apostle’s immediate care, 
nbibed, in an extraordinary degree, his spirit and principles, and was peculiarly beloved by 3 
him, Ha ving been. suddenly driven from Ephesus, St. Paul had left Timothy behind him to « 
et pees of that Church in the best manner that he could ; and wrote this epistle to 
im for his directi on in so doing. Whether. ‘the above conjecture, ‘(for « we have no authentic 
records to direct us,) of Timothy’s return to Ephesus, and residence there, be well grounded, 
Or not; these directions would not be in vain: for the substance of them would be equally ap- 
phi cable, i in any other Church to which he might be sent, or in which he might have resided —~ 
, it does not appear, that the apostle intended to give Timothy instructions, exclusively, 
n principally, respecting the Ephesian Church ; but rather general counsels for _his con- 
in the Churches of Christ ; and for all others, when called to act in similar citcamMstances.. 
The -epistle contains cautions against false teachers ; directions concerning the worship of God, 
bite the behaviour of believers; the character and conduct to be expected in bishops and dea- 
and their families ; exhortations to Timothy « concerning his private and public behaviour, 
jally in ordaining ministers, censuring offenders, and settling the other affairs of the 
FH admonitions against several sins and temptations ; solemn charges to faithfulness, and 
octrinal and practical matters interwoven with them. This, and the two following 
peculiarly replete with instruction to ministers; and should be continually studied, 
ted on, by all who bear that sacred character. — The postscript dates the -epistle from 
22; but’ tt is almost, certain that the apostte had never i) visited that city, (Col. ii, 1.) 


Tess 


+ 


_as all his hope of salvation and eternal happi-|life; which 


Gn his flesh.” (Beza.) 


AOD. 60. 
yo EPA 7, 


feigned faith, 5 ; from which some having swepy- 
ba 


* demn transgressors, 8—10; which accords with)m endless ge 
questions, rath 
which is in fail 
~  EPre 

5 Now P the 
is 4 charity, out of 
sa good conscie 
feigned ; bane 


* unto satan, 18—20, 0 
Pia aan’ apostle of Jesus Christ, 
i > by*the. commandment of ¢ God our} Cor ite 
Saviour. and Lord. Jesus Christ, which); aus. 20.12 bah etree 
@isour Hope; 4 K 4. 611. & 5.7. 16. Tie, 
Se eae ; i. [6.34% Gaby de 6 | 
2, Unto ¢ Timothy, £ my own-som in| 7. Eph. 4. 14, Col 
the faith’: « Grace, mercy, and peace, pobre pst chon 
2 See on, Rom. 1. 1.) 21. &e 40. 265 & | 2, 16, UPet. 143: 21. 


vats 


‘TF Cor. 1. 1- 16. & 63.8. Hos. 13.Je See on, Acts 16. 
b2. 7. Acts 9. 15,| 4, Luke 1. 47. & 2.] —3.1 Thes, 3.2. 
&& 20, 16-18. 1 Cor.! 11.-2 Tim. 1. 10.)f ver. 18, 1 Cor. 4c : 
9) tz. Gal 1. 1.11.9] Tit 1,3. & 2-13.) 14—17, Philog. 19} Pet+1.16,. 
* Wines 11. Tit. Lb) & 3, 4, 6. 2 Pet —22, 2 Fim. 1.2.) Fit 3.9. 
3. le 1. 1 John 4. 14.) & 2. LVI 4. "Tim 
© 2.3. & 4. 10. Ps. Jude2s. g See on, Rom. 1.7. 
NG. 21, Is, 22. 2id Rom. 25. 12,013.) 2 Tim. 1,2. Tits J. 
AB. 3, 11845.15, Col. 1- 27. 2 Phes.| 4.1 Pet. 1. 2 


© ES Se ST Be 

CHAP. I. V. 1, 2. In this address, Paul| But, the Ephesians: were. 
called hinrself an apostle of Christ, by the'com.- | tice of such fables ; or of 
mandment of God our Saviow’; by which, in this }related to their dese 
connexion, the Person of the Pather seems in-| patriarchs, by which they 
tended, as purposing salvation for’sinners,' form-| entitled to peculiar pri 
ing the plai of it, and giving his own Son tosbe gies led to endless 
in human nature, their Saviour: but, the Lord {and to many diffic 

esus was joined in granting this commission, as | troversies, and. at 
Being one with him in essence, authority, ‘and | carnal. confiden 
‘ceunsel. Him the apostle called * our Hope | than any improv 


‘néss, was fixed upon the Person and‘ atonement | creased, by faith’ in the S. 
of Christ. He also addressed Timothy, as his} God, through Jesus €h Th 
own son in the faith, or his genuine Son. Tn: all | fore was to be steadfastly obses 
probability he was the instrument of Timothy’s | imagine, that ‘endless 
conversion; "he had, as it were, educated him |extravagant, and ind 
in the gospel; and ‘Timothy reverenced him and |the Gnostics and eth 
sérved with him in his ministry, as a datiful'son|of the world : butt 
with a loving Father. From the exuberance of| mine in favour oft 
his love to Yimothy, he added the word: “ mercy”?| and it may well be ¢ 
to his- usual salutation ; “or perhaps because -his| heretics,had at so early 
gtd trials and services would require pecn-| gated their incoherent. 
iar consotations, from the compassion and mer- | ly edification, or “Edifi 
cy of the Lord towards him.—God our Seviour,|* it hath God-for its Obj 
(1) * The Father saves us, as reconciled to him | ‘te the true knowledge. 
€h the Son; and the Son saves, as reconciled }* God: it is efficiently 
Het é |e highly to his glory?) 
“M3, 4. The apostle left Timothy at Ephe-|/ ¥..3. The word rer 
sus, when he went thence into’ Macedonia, (Sze {by some explained of | 
Preface) that he might solemnly and constantly }and substance of whi 
charge certain persons not to teach any other} wards God and man. 
doctrines, than what he had done. ‘The Judaiz-|mean the messageof.Go 
ers would be sure to take the ofportunity of St.| the end of which is to m 
Paul’s absence to propagate their tenets : and ii}the love required: by | 
seems that he knew them to be zealous for the |suits the context: but 
traditions and fabulows pretences of the elders | charge given'to Timothy b 


eG From which some having " swery- 
ed, ep x iets ne aside unto vain jang- 
. 2 a a 

/be teachers of the Jaw # 


ony this, that © eye is not 


8, for unholy and 
e ers of fathers and 
_ 97.Je Rom, 4. 13-16. 


ch, 9. 13 Ps. 19 
slg & 119. 95 
127, 128. 


T1381. Marg. ‘t Pet. 
P27. & 3. 20. 
ic aa 12; 13. 15.) 2 Pet. 4: 18. 

. &. 12 2.J¢ Jer. 23,11. Ez, 21. 
. ©) P25. Hew 12. 16. 
: Ih Levs 20+ 9 Deut. 


2'Tim, 2.5, ° 


Crepe ee right interpretation : and th 
had reference both to the law as the rule 
duty, and to the grand design of the. Gospel. The 
charity, or love, here spoken of, must arise out 
heart; or the affections of the soul as 
by renewing grace from the love and 
of sin, and from carnal enmity and sel- 
1 Pet. i. 22.) anda ‘good conscience;”’| 
or one well-informed concerning the will of God, 
and made tender and active by divine grace, as 
purged ilt by the blood of Christ ; 
?might be infiuenced to act 
is whole conduct. It must 
unfeigned faith,” or a sincere 
on pelea truths, and: a reliance.on. the. 
of. Christ, and the promises of God 
phim. This faith, working by love, puri. 
e heart, end producing 8 good conscience, 
constituted the substance of what the apostle 
ordered. Timothy to give in charge to the Ephe- 
sian teachers ; because it comprised the grand 
essentials of evangelical religion.. The several 
characteristics of charity or love, here given, ad- 
- mirably distinguish it from the spurious charity, 
the favourite virtue of the world. It is not 
tural growth of the human heart, but ex- 
ly ina heart purified by divine grace. It 
sistent with, and grows out of, a good con- 
e, not sacrificing truth and common sense, 
as conscience, to the phantom of liberal. 
gs fram faith, instead of being inde- 
of it, and superseding it. 
fax From this lave, and purity, and.con- 
sness, some persons had swerved or de- 
t of zeal for external distinctions, legai 
and human traditions; thus they 
the faith also, and got engaged 
gs and angry controversies, about 
of small consequence.. For they 
f. being. teachers of the law, oF 
law, (the name frequently given 
Scribes 3) and to exercise that 
ans; in order to ire.a 
learaing, and to be called Rabbi: 


- 
th 
sik SS 


i eS eT ah ee | ea ere a ee ee ae, sy 


CHAPTER |. 


or a righteous man, but for @ the} 
and © disobedient, for the: un- 


ej Sen 


/ ‘nor whereof they affirmed.” 


4. D. 69, 


murderers of mothers, for ‘ manslaye’s, 
-» 40,For * whoremongers, for them that’ 
1 defile. themselves. with mankind, for 
m men-stealers, ® for liars, for ° perjured 


x 


| persons, and if there be-any other thing 


that is P contrary to ore doctrine ; 
11 4 According to, * glorious gos- 
‘| pel of * the blessed | i t whieh was 
committed to my trust. re : 


27.16. 2Sam, 16. 
NM. & 17. 14.2 


1 Gen. 19. 19. 5.2: 
Ley. 18. 22. es 
Kings 19. 37.2 Chr.| 13. Roi. 1. r 
32, 21. Prov. 20.) Jude 7. 
_ 20. & 28.24. & 30sJm Gens 37. 27. & 40, 
11, 17, Mat. 10.21.) 15. Ex. 21.16. Deut. 
9. 5, 62 Ex! 24.7. Rev. 18. 13. 
- 13. & 21. 14.|n John 8 44. Rey. 11, 12. — 
faa 35. 30—33.] 21.8. 27, & 22. 15 |s 6. 15s 
Dent. 21. 6—9.\6 Ex. 20.7. Ez, 17.|t 2.7. & 6.20.1 Cor. 
Prov. 28. i7. Gal. 
5. 21. Rev. 21. &. 
& 22. 15. 
k Mark 7, 21, 22. th 


faye” 


16-19. Hose 4.1, =.| 4.1, 2. & 9. 172 

& 10. 4. Zech '5.| Cor. 3. 18~20; Gal. 

4. & 8.17. Mal 3; 2, 7.Col. 1. 25. 1 

5. Mat. 5. -33—37. i 

p.6. 3. 2 Tim. 1. 15, 

& 4.3. Fit. 1. 9.& 
ij ; 


Cor. 6. 9, 10. Gal. 
§. 19—21. Eph. 5. 
3—6. Heb, 13. 4, 


but they. « neither Se eocaison what they said, 
They declaimed 
in a loose. and perplexed manner, upon general 
topics; not. understanding the spiritual nature- 
and uses of the moral law, which they pretended 
to esplain, nor the typical i import of those ante 
gated ceremonies which they enforced. 

V. 8—11.- The apostle, and, indeed, all com. 
petent ministers and established Christians, knew 
that the law was gocd in itself, or for its intend- 
ed purposes, provided a man used it law, 
according to its real import, and the design of 
the great Law-giver. The moral law is boly,. 
just and good, resulting from the nature of God 
and man, and men’s relations to him and to each 
other.. Even the ceremonial law had a relative 
goodness, for the time, as typical of Christ and. 
the Gospel: and. the entire Mosaic dispensation: 
was good, as separating Israel from other na- 
tions, affording them the means of grace, and 
introducing the Christian economy. Bat to en- 
force the Mossic law on Christians ; or to.teach’ 
them to depend on their own obedience to any 
\partof it for justification, was contrary to. the 
real meaning of the law itself, and ‘the. int 
tion of the Law-giver. It was evident, even’ 
from tbe books of Moses, when Properly under: - 
stood, that ‘Christ was the end of the law for 
pes. righteousness to. every believer ;””, and - that 
the strict demands and awful sanction, of the law 
itself, were intended to show the Israelites that 
‘they could not be justified by it, but must live by 
faith in the. promised. Saviour, _ As. then _believ- 
ers were righteous persons, in. “God's appointed 
way, the jaw was not enacied against them. AS 


to the divine Jaw ; it was not made te coerce the 
well-disposed subject, but the ill-affected- Its 


condemn the wicked; not te hoid the humble in 
servile bondage by its curse ; though it wall be; 
of course, the rule of their conduct'and the stand. 
ard of their duty. |“ The law is.not made against 
the righteous.” This seems a fair-translation, 


with respect to. laws in general, su with respect _ 


design, {as far.as it is penal.) is to restrain and 


F 


a Qa Aca A & 


the covenant and curse of the lay. ‘This accord- 


"D> 60. 1. TIMOTHY: 


12, And ™sIithank Christ’ Jesus our obtained'mercy, sikistas 
Lord, * who hath enabled me, for that he|antly in ee ee ah § 
¥ counted me faithful, 2 putting me into] 14And @ 
the ministry ; © exceeding” 

“33 Who * was before ‘a /blasphemer, | love which is 
and a persecutor, and i Bact 2 > but I 


U Johy 5. 23, Phil.| Cor. 7. 25. » Gal. 2, 13. 
2.12. Rev. 5. 9—|z Acts 9. 15. See on, Phil 3.6 
14, & 7. 10—12. ver. 11< b ver. 16. Hos. 2 


a Acts 8,3. & 9 1.- 


& 2Cor.3.5.6. & 4. 1 20, 
1. & 12+9, 10. Phil.| 5. 13. & 22,4. & 11. 30, 31. Heb. 
4. 13. 2 Fin. 4. 17:|°26, 9, 10. 1 Cor. 16, 1 Pet, 2. 10. 


y Acts 16. 15. 1 


and certainly is the meaning of the words. Prk renewing them to 
s* a man use jt lawfully ;” ‘that is,” says Theo-| ness. 
doret, ‘ if he comply with the scope of it, which} — V. 12—14, aes t 
¢ is to bring him to Christ: for against such |pel. of the blessed tae 
« there is_no law condemning them ; but.it lies |him, awakened inthe. / ti 
* against the lawless to condemn them, (/VAit-| tion of humble admiring srsindecsade 
dy.) After the, general terms of lawless and} forth into che Sane 
disobedient, which relate to. the disregard and.| his distinguished 
contempt of God’s commandments, as manifest- ring on him abundar 
ed. in the outward conduct of “ ungodly and sin-| by enduing bim: 
«¢ ners ;” which seém.to denote men’s neglect of| tion, and patience of faith, 
their duties to.God and their neighbours; and|he had enabled him and . 
# unholy and profane ;” which may refer to the| honourable service; /and adel 
gross sensuality and debauchery of multitudes, | faithful person, fit to be 1 plo 
and that daring impiety commonly connected} ard. and. ambassador; 
with it ;the apostle enumerates. some particular | by putting him into the. 
crimes of the most atrocious nature. Doubtless, | owning him as hig apostle. 
numerous examples of them. were found among | spects, most ibe args oe 
the Gentiles, and some perhaps among the bi-j before been a most daring 6 
goted Jews, who depended on, the law, and yet | name, and had pron cg se 
scandalously broke it. (Rom. ii, 12—29.) “ Men-|he had furiously persecuted Christ’s 
* stealers,” are inserted among these daring | and most injuriously haled them 
criminals, against whom the law of God directed | bitter sarcasms and’ reproache 
its awful curses. These were persons, who kid-| put them to death, from © 
napped, men.to sell them for slaves: and this}name and cause of their tora As 
practice scems inseparable from the other iniqui-| his conduct had been so ¢ 
ties and oppressions of slayery ; nor can a slave-| tained mercy: ‘for his sing. W 
dealer easily keep free from this criminality, if in- unpardonable, because he had 
deed ‘the receiver be as bad as the thief? * They } “ ignorantly in unbelief ;” 
who make war for the inhuman purpose of sell- | ledge had been greater, » 
ing the vanquished for slaves, as is the prac-|been exerted against the 
tice among African, princes, are really man.|own conscience, he would ha 
stealers. And. they, who, like African traders, |} to final . impenitence. — — ¢ 
encourage their unchristian traffic, by purchas-| lief, indeed, amidst s i" 
ing that which they Know to be thus unjustly | formation and convict 
acquired, are partakers in their crimes.” (Mack-| self-sufficient, obstinate, andc 
night.) The clause should have been, ‘know, | judice against the truth; y ae 
“ or have reason to, suspect.’. The apostle did *« that he ought: to do «m: 
not mean, that none-but persons.of so infamous |‘ name of Jesus,” and:was 
a character lay under the curse of the law; but;|ed that-he was the Messial: 
that it was directed against all. other practices, others, who were hurried on by: 
that were contrary to sound. doctrine, or the salu- | and selfishness, to, act in din 
tary nature and tendency ofthe Christian reve-| dictates of their own) ce 
Jation. According to this, eyery impenitent sin- | ‘ sinagainst the Holy Spirit 
ner, every, man who allowed himself in the prac- wilfully ascribing his 
tice of any known transgression, remained under | human imposture, or sat: 
remarkable, that many p 
Paul’s proud and wilfal ig 
sequent unbelief, ‘(two » 
serving of: divine waits te 
stances an ipa 


ea 


ed to the Gospel of the glory of God, ‘(as entrust- 
ed to the apostle,) by which he displayed all his 
perfections in the most honourable and harmo: 
nious manner, by. saying believers from their 
sins, as well as from .wrath: for, being. *f the 
* blessed God,” the Perfection and Source of fe- 
licity, as well as of holiness, he had devised to 

conder fallen men partakers ¢ of his happiness, by 


joined. with his siaceaNy = opp cc “ie 
[ Bheye4 imagine, , that in some mariner: or m 


= 


wedi 6 CHAPTER |. Az D. 60. 
sas Thiseie!@ea faithful saying, and{|should hearafter P believe on him to life 


hworthy of all acceptation, i that Christ 
Jesus camie into'the world to save sinners; 
Tam chief. 

eit, for this cause ™ I ob- 
mercy; that in me first Jesus 
eht shew forth > all long-suf- 
for a pattern to them which 


; Luke 5. 32. & 19,)] Num. 23. 23. Ps. 
1 


. John 1,.29. &! 25. 11. Is. 2. 18. & 
oe 8 43. 25. Eph 1. 6. 
Rom. S. 26-36, 3 hay 2 . 2 Thes. 
: ? "See on, th Ver. 13. 


This they must mean, if they mean 
ie ye eee : for, though his guilt 
ss than that of some Jews, = sin- 
against clearer light and more ‘deliberate 

were given - to final obduracy; yet, 
who tnaintain the doctrines of grace, sup. 
pose that many perish in their sins, whase eri- 
minality is farless than his was; that he might 
most justly have thus been left to perish ; and 

no reason can dy us be assigned for his sal- 
tion in preference to others, who had not com- 
mitted the sin against the Holy Spirit; except 
the ign grace of God, “ who hath mercy on 
«* whom he will have mercy, and whom he will 
«he bardeneth ;” andthat other reason which the 
apostle himself next assigns, namely, “ the praise 
of the glory of that grace.” For he supposes 
that he should have righteously perished, if the 
Lord bad been extreme to mark and punish his 
| ;; may; if his gracc and mercy had not been 
Pebeetonfiy abundant” beyond all expecta- 
_ tion, estimation, or conception ; not only in that 
: 
' 


- he was ready to forgive, bless, and employ him, 

when he repented, believed, and was prepared 

obedience; but, “in quickening kim when 

| ng#faith and love to 

_ Jesus Christ in his heart, that he might be inter- 

. ested in him and his righteousness. © (Votes, &e. 

| Bpheii. 10.) 

aa 15, 16. The conversion, acceptance, and 

teconciliation of so virulent a persecutor, should 

_ be considered as re illustration of the ore Ay 
the Gospel ; and of the exceeding riches o 

| mercy of God in Christ Jesus. It was indeed a 

| true “ and faithful saying,” authenticated by 

every evidence which proves Christianity to be 

“ word of God, who cannot lie ;” and it was 

pt nah to be received with humble and thankful 

faith, by men of all nations ; (as all are sinners, 

ad None can’ be saved in any other way,) and as 

pe hamaraet from salvation, who seek it in 

$ * that Jesus,” Emmanuel, the son of 

God, the Messiah, “ came into the world” volun- 


wily, and with the express design, and for the 
| sin of saving sinners, “ The Word,” 
v and was with God ; the Creator 


| and ‘of all worlds, the Lord of all crea. 
| tures, became flesh, that he might be the se- 


cond Adam, the Surety of the new covenant, to 


everlasting. 

417 Now unto ithe King eternal, im- 
mortal, * invisible, * the only wise God, 
t de honour and glory forever and ever. 
u Amen. . 


19. Is, 55. 7+ Luke 
7. 47. & 15, 10. & 
18. 13,14. & 19.7 
—9. & 23.43. John 
6.37. Rom. 5. 20. * 
Heb, 7. 25. 13. & 25. 34. Heb,| 4. 34. $7. Eph. 3. 
p John 3. 15,16. 36.) 1. 8—13. Rev. 17.] 20, 21.1 Pet 5.11. 
& 5. 24. & G 40.) 14. & 19, 16, 


25. 
1 Chr. 29. 11. Neh. 


47. 6-8. & 90. 2. 
kas Ps. 4%. 13. & 


& 145, 13. Jer. 10. 
1a. Dan. 2. 44. & 


q 6G. 15, 16. Ps. 10.) 4. 12 Sce on, Matt. & 


i} a: , Ie 
Joba 5. 11, 12. [ene 2. 
a 
16. & 45. 1.6. &ls Rom. 16. 27. Jude! 13, & 28. 20. 


falfil‘all righteousness, and make ‘an infinitely 
valuable atonement for sin; in order to bis offi- 
ciating’as the Advocate of his people in heaven, 
and reigning over all worlds for their benefit— 
The only end of this was “ the salvation of sin- 
**-ners,” of every nation and description, from 
condemnation, sin, satan, the world, and death : 
even all, without exception, who came to him by 
faith for this salvation. Of these sinners, Paul 
jedged himself the chief; the greatest enemy of 
Christ, andthe most deserving of divine ven- 
geance, of all who ever were, or would be, saved 
by him. This seems the purport of the expres- 
sion: but it is possible, that he supposed Aze ac- 
tual crimes to be so numerous and enormous, that 
his guilt even exceeded that of those who had 
sinned more entirely against their own convic- 
tions, and so had been given up to final impeni- 
tency. Instead of imagining, that there was 
something meritorious in his blind and obstinate 
sincerity, as some havé averred ; he considered 
himself as one selected on purpose, because he 
was more guilty than any other person in the 
world, (those only excepted, who had committed 
the unpardonable sin, if even they were except. 
ed;) that in him fret, or the chief sinner, Jesus 
Christ might exhibit, with the greatest lustre 
imaginable, that degree, in which he can bear 
with, and pardon, his most virulent enemies and 
the vilest ‘of mankind : that so it might stand 
upon record to the end of ‘time, for the encour. 
agement ofall others, in every age and nation, 
who believe in Christ, and rely on his merits and 
grace for the pardon of their sins, and the gift of 
eternal life; to prevent their being disheartened 
by aretrospective view of the number, nature, 
and heinousness of their crimes. 

¥. 17. Some expositors suppose this doxolo- 
gy to be addressed ‘personally to Christ as God ; 
because the apostle had before been speaking of 
him : but it seems rather to be addressed to the 
Godhead without distinction of persons, The 
Father, the Son, and the Holy spirit, three Per- 
sons in the Unity of the Godhead, as the triune 
God of salvation, constitute the Object of all our 
worship, which person soever we immediately 
address. To God, as the King eternal, in every 
age and under every dispensation, the universal 
and everlasting, though invisible, Sovereign, the 
inexhaustible Source of all wisdom, he ascribed 


iil a 


¢ ere - ait 


| 


As D. 60. 


¥ son Timothy, % according to the pro- 
phecies whith went before on thee, that 
fare 7" 


science ; © which some haying put away, 


See on, ver. U1 1.289 Tit Fe] & 4. 7 yc 
32. & ae t4. & 6.) 4, Phrilem 10. b. Se on,ver.5.863.9. 
38, 14520. 2 Tim.4.|¢ 4. 14, Vit. I. 9,’ Heb. 3. 


14.4 Pet. 15, 16. 
Revs 3.:3)8)-10. 
t 


“ pe a3 

all the giory of his conversion; salvation, faithful- 
ness, and -uSefulness ; and he désired earnestly 
that Goad might. be honoured, in’ all bis’ perfec- 
tions and wonderful works, By’ all rational crea- 
tures, for ever and ever.” Ainen.” “(Mare Ref) 

V. 18—20. Fhe apostle here referred to what 
he had before spoksn. (3.5. 12.) ~ The trust 
cowmitted te him by Ckrist, as’ ‘his ‘apostle, he 
had conimitted to ‘his “son Timothy -” he was 
encouraged to repose great confidence in him, 
siot only by what he knew of his principles and 
character ; ‘but by entertaining hopes of him 
* according to’ certain prophecies,” which in- 
spired ‘persons had uttered concerning him, “be- 
fore his anpoittment to the ministry; and he 
expected that by meditating upon’ them, he 
should be animated and instructed in. “warring 
‘a good warfare,” or rather, “ the good war- 
* fare,” as a valiant soldier ‘of Jesus Christ— 
This must be done, by maintaining and insisting 
upon both the faith of the Gospel, or its doc- 


1-3. 
¥ Gee. ost, Vette BW 
Phil, 2. 22. 2°Tim.y 18. 


j2 6. 12, 2 Cor. 20 
} 3, 4. Eph. 6. 12— 
2 Tim. 2. 8—S. 


W tvines as uncorrupted and unmutilated, and a 
ip good conscience, or an universally conscientious 
1) conduct. These Timothy must be careful to 


gonnect, both in his own example, and in his 
| preaching: for some professed Christians, hav- 
“4 ing neglected to maintain and insist on, a good 
conscience, had, after a time, renounced the 
faith’also, and made shipwreck of their whole 


religion; either by a total apostacy from their’ 


profession, or thé most heretical corruptions of 
the Gospel. Of this’ number. were Hymeneus 
end Alexander, with whom Timothy had'doubt- 
less‘been dequainted.  (AZarg. Ref.) “These the 
apostie had deemed it needful openly to excom- 
muiticate, and cast out of the Church, into the 
visible kingdom of satan; that they might not 
blaspheme Christ, or disgrace his Gospel by 
theit impious tetiets. “It is genérally supposed, 
that some sévere’ correction was also mitaculous- 
ly inflicted on them, which would tend to make 
7 them sensible of their gailt and danger, and 
subserve the charitable design of bringing them 
Fi tol'repentance, (Murs. Ref.) “We afterwards 
vead of Eymeneus ; and, probably, Alexander 
the coppersmith was the other person meant. 
(Marg: Ref.) it does not, however, appear, that 
oither of them was recovered by the discipline 
awarded them. Tt has often.been justly observ- 
ed, tint the severe censures, which the apostle 
inflicted on thosé, who had once been professors 
or ministers of Christianity, and publicly record- 
ed with their names anhexed ; constitute a mast 
conclusive proof, that fie had no fear of their 


I. TIMOTHY, 
‘18 This'#¢hatge T commit uhto thee,)? 


thou by them ® mightest wat a good war} 


19 > Holding. faith and a good con-|* 


Phil. 3, 18, 19, 2{ 


helng provoked te distfose “any ‘secret, of give} 


Tin. 3. 1-6, r 

Pet. 2, 1-3 1 

a ee 
4.1.29 Cort 

19, Gal. 1. 6—8. &) Tin 


5. 4. 2° Tim. 4, 
Heb. 6, 4-6. ' 


acthade of : 
had ‘witnessed ‘an 
implied a public el 
pect; and was the 
scious intes: 
frém it. Some ¢ 


age, who have 
ed by God our Savic 
Christ, have had no ot 
the salvation of the 
possessed in common w’ 
ren. In some respects 
ed, € grace, mercy, 
“ther and our Lo 
greater; they 
other men, and na 
themselves than th 
ful and useful ser 
ceptance, as well 
He, however, who 
ready to uphold an 
was perfected in t 
importance for us. 
ed persons, to preach no 
of the scriptures ; for satai 
of such teachers, to sow { 

to multiply bypocri 
turb the peace of. 

tions and contentions. 
upon any thing, that. 
“ sodly edifying which 


; ¥, 
The design of the | 
‘speculation, and solving abs 
giving heed to fables. 
‘but, when sinner ¢ 
God and faith in 


Lag 


All doctrines, ordinange 
far benefgial io us, a8: 
ing this effect in our 

that faith is de a wie 

men to love God. and. eact 1 
manner, But, alas! in how many: 


CHAPTER Ik A. D. 60. 


»} andthe. woman, was first seduced into sin, 13, 14. 
A promise eoncerning child-bearing, 15. . 
W * EXHORT therefore, that,* first of 
i all, > supplications, prayers, interces- 
sions, ® and giving of thanks, be made 
fordallmen; — 


* Or, desire. 2 Cor.) —43. Ps, 67. a 1. 3. 2 Thes, 1.3 
8. 6, 


Aas: i (pe CHAP. Tl. 


payers aud thanksgivings.to be 
especially for kings and rulers, 
“mercy of God, and the mediation 
de no distinction of rank or nation, 
res his appointment, as the teach- 
iles, 7 : gives directions concerning 
the modest apparel of women, 8—10; 
hem to teach, and requires them to be 
on, il, 12; as the man was first created 


ri from this plain and simple statement of 


. Eph: 3, 13. & 72. 19. Mat. 6.\d ver. 4, Acts 17. 
Heb. 6, 11, 9, 10..Jam. 5,16. | 30, 1 Vhes. 3. 12 
aiCor, 15.3. ye Rom, 1. 8. & 6.) 2 Tim.2. 24. Tit. 
b 5.5. Gen. 12. 23} 17. Eph 5.20. Phil| 2.12, & 3.2. 
—32. 1 Kings 8, 41 : 


hath been greatly encouraging to trembling peni- 
tents, when the preachers of this rich grace were 
themselves evidently iliustrations of their.own doc- 
trine ; even chiefsinners, yet pardoned and chan- 
ged, sent to declare to others the long-sufferi 
and mercy of Christ to them, as a pattern to all, 
who should. believe on him to everlasting life. 
Indeed, no man with Paul’s example before his 
eyes, can reasonably question the love and power 
of Christ to save him, whatever his sins have 
been; ifhe really desire and endeavour to trust 
in him, as the incarnate Son of God, who once 
died son the cross, and now reigns upon the 
throne of glory, in order to save all that come 
to God through him. For though some. ha. 
ving. obstinately rebelled against the light, are 
given up to final impeniience; yet all who. peni- 
tently seek salvation by Christ, according to the 
gospel, are most certainly clear of that sin; ha- 
ving committed their crimes, however atrocious, 
in ignorance and unbelief. Let us then seek and 
hope for this salvation ; and, in humble conscious- 
ness of our unworthiness, let us admire and praise - 
the grace of God our Saviour; and. ascribe to 
“the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only 
‘wise God, all honour and glory for ever: and 
“ever. Amen.” May all, who are intrusted with 
the ministry, faithfully and valiantly. ** war the: 
‘* good warfare,” with such weapons, as are 
mighty through God, to destroy satan’s strong- 
holds! May they, in their doctrine and exam- 
ples, and all Christians in their experience and 
practice, “ hold: faith and a good conscience !’* 
May all, who are tempted to put away a good 
conscience, and to abuse the gospel, remember 
that this is the old way of making shipwreck con» 
cerning: faith alsot. And may Hymeneus and 
Alexander be as beacons, to warn others from 
such fatal rocks; and as monitors to teach them 
_|not to blaspheme ; and tocaution them, “while 
- ie think they stand, to take heed lest they 
“ fall! 


and turn aside into vain jangiing? 
called Christian ministers, desire poh 
r wing neither what they 
dar tien: and. thus a few 
lity are substituted in the 
holy. law and the blessed Gospel 
ur! Others know not, or ac- 

ot, that the “law is good when 
ully 7? and they declaim in so ge- 
anner against‘the law and good works, 
many conclude the coramandments of 
iB be evil, or void of obligation in them- 
selves! But, believers derive great benefit from 
the holy law; and none have.any thing to fear 
om it, but the lawless and disobedient, the un. 
ly and profane. . We have all indeed deserv- 
is condemnation: there is none righteous, 
‘not one, except as made so by faith in Christ 
fd through his grace. It is allowed, that few 
a comparison, have been guilty of actual mur- 
er, | ide, men-stealing, or perjury; that 
ny are free from the guilt of fornication, 
adultery, and other still baser practices; yet, 
e same corupt nature isin us all: and our 
pmity against God, and ingratitude to him, 
r disposition to disobey and despise parental 
jority, to hate and quarrel with our neigh. 
5, to please ourselves, regardless of their 
‘the glory of God.; and a variety of pol- 
ated vand affections, lying and vain 
words,-and many other things contrary to sound 
doctrine, would expose us to the wrath of God, 
and justify him in our ‘final condemnation. Un- 
oi therefore, we are made righteous by faith in 


wist, and really repent, and forsake every sin, 
Weare yet under the ‘curse of the Jaw, even ac- 
dig to the Gospel of the blessed God, 
reached by St. Paul; and at the same time 
unmeet to share the holy felicity of heaven. 
a Vv. 12—17. 
t is peculiarly encouraging to recollect what 
aner of persons have been converted, pardon- 


NOTES, 

CHAP. I]. V. 1... Proceeding in his charge to 
Timothy, the apostle’xhorted’and enjoined, that 
“first of all,” as a matter of great importance, 
supplications, and’ prayers of every ‘kind, suited 
to every emergency, and accompanied with 
thanksgivings’ for mercies received, should be 
made especially in theiz public worship ; not on- 
ly in behalf of themselves, each other, and all 
their fellow-Christians ; but for all men, without 
distinction of-nation, rank, or party ; and without 
exception of their enemies and persecutors, from 
a. spirit of genuine and expansive philanthropy. 
The litany of the Church of Bngland aecording- 


qualified, counted faithful, put into the mi- 
Hy, and made instruments of good to mankind. 
ral who before were blasphemers, persecu- 
and injarious, have in different ways been 
employed on earth, and are now with holy 
in heaven ; celebrating the rich mercy and 
which they were made partakers of re- 
faith, and love, and that precious blood, 
they were washed from all their sins, 
their day, bare witness to that faithful 
é now would recommend to ge- 
4 even that Jesus’ Christ catne 
to ‘save sinners: and it stways 


A ae 


Cadel ae 


Ee 


»- 


> 
>. 


- sovereignty of God! But, whatever St. Paul 


AD. 60. I. TIMOTHY. 


2 For? kings, and ‘ for all that are ‘in 
t authority; § that we may lead a, quiet 
and peaceable life in » all godliness and 

resty. 

3 For ‘this is good and acceptable 


Sam. 20. 19. Prov.] 24. 16. Phil. 4 8: 
24. 21. Ec. 3-19,) Tit, 2. 10—14. 2 
13. & 8. 2-5. Rom.| Pet. 2 9—18. 2 


12. 18. 1 Thes- 4. | Pets 1.3—7. ~ 


@ Ezra 6.10. Neh: 
3. 11. Ps. 20. 1—4. 
%& 72.1. Jer. 29. 7. 

f Rom. 13.1. i Pet. 
2.13,14 | 

* Or, emineéni place. 

& Gen. 49. 14, 15. 2 


a 16. 1 Pet, 2. 5.) 
k See on, 1, 1. 1s, 45. 
21. Luke 1. 47, 
1 Is. 45.22. & 49.6, es 
55. 1. Ez. 1 : 
23. 32. & 33. bel | 


ly beseeches God ‘to have merey upon all| cations and thanksgivings, 
«men: yet, this scriptural petition has been| persecutions which they 
censured; as inconsistent with submission to the] likewise tend very much 
tions of those, who ch: 
tion to the civil go 

eublcrs of ae city ; if 
with quiet subjection to_ 
consistent with their a 
paid tribute and cu 
known to pray for il in authority”? 
over them; for their ' i success. 
in all their undertaking | 
peace of the commun 
upon their persons an 
opposed. no other 
juries which they suffe 
Rom. xiii. 1—8.) 
Roman emperor, who 


ll. Heb. 12.14. ji 5.4. Rom. 12. 1, 
h Luke 1. 6. & 2 


2. & 14.18. Eph. 
25. Acts 10.22. & 


5.9, 10. Phil. 1, 11, 


understood by “all men :” that we understand 
by ‘all men,” and we must pray God to have mer- 
cy on them, unless we mean to imprecate ven- 
geance on them. ‘The command, to “love our 
« neighbour as ourselves,” is our rule of con- 
duct, and should, dictate our prayers. God will 
hear our supplications for temporal benefits, or 
eternal salvation, in behalf of those, on whom 
he sees good in his sovereign wisdom to bestow 
them : and in other. cases, our prayer will return 
into our own bosom. But, how can we pray for 
enemies and persecutors, (whom we cannot know 
to belong to “ the election of grace ;””) without 
equally appearing to interfere with God’s sove- 
reignty?, How can we pray for our children, re-} and cruelty: but the a 
latives, or neighbours, or indeed for any uncon-|“ Kings,” in the plural mi 
verted person, or for those whom we are not sure| learn, that the Holy Spirit int 
are converted, without violating the same imagi.| for other places and ages ; 
nary rule! The malignity of an apostate indeed, | ferent governments e: 
may be so excessive, that it would not be proper All the kings and 
to pray for him: (2 Tim. iv. 14. 1 John v. 16.)| time strangers or enemies 
but such exceedingly rare exceptions to a gene-| that no. distinction, or e: 
ral rule, no ways interfere with our praying even| could be intended. 1 
for the salvation of all men that now are, or ever| made, in order th: : 
shall live, onearth. This is no more than the] “ a quiet and pea 
Lord’s prayer teaches us, (Votes, Matt. vi,| “ honesty ;” con 
10;) and if there be any individual, for whom| their duties to God 
we cannot pray, that the Lord would have mer-| molested, either by 
ey on him, and convert him ; the inability must} cutions. This object € 
arise from sin, even the sin of not * loving our} with this “ quietness and 
neighbours as ourselves.” Nothing can tend/fied. The disposition to’ 
more to perplex theological subjects, to preju-|and honest life, submit 
clice men’s minds against the doctrines of grace,| as far as consistent with 
nay, to bring them into odium and contempt ;}to procure them favour; and th 
nothing can more narrow and harden the heart|that God would answer their p 
against the human species in general; than this} was good for them,) by i c) 
method of making the secret decrees of God our| tolerate and protect them. 
rule of action, instead of adhering to,his revealed| V. 3,4 The conduct above 
will. We know not, and canaot know, who are| good in itself, and acceptable 
elect, and who are not; we,are bound to love all| viour; as a fruit of faith and gr: 
men, to pray for them, and todo them good, and} able to his name. For as” 
then leave it to God to govern the universe in his}.the salvation of mankind, 
sovereign wisdom, justice, and mercy, as he sees | rank or nation ; and can 
good. (Note; Deut. xxix. 29.) certainly save every indi 
Vv. 2; It was a proper expression of benevo- {him in his appointed way: 
lence, for Christians to pray for all orders and | willing that all men shot 
conditions of men; and to interest themselves | his good pleasure, nay, his 
jn the calamities and deliverances of their neigh- | command, that we should do all 
bours, of the community, and of any of the hu-| bring them “ to the knowledge of 1 
man species. ‘Chis would soften the prejudices, } The Gospel should be preached to eve 
and conciliate the favour, of those around them ;|ture : we are ‘equited to assure: all, 
especially when they persevered in such suppli- 


can address, that the Lord is able and 


AD. 60. CHAPTER HU. A.D. 60. 


7 Whereunto *t I am ordained ® a 
preacher, and an apostle, (* I speak the 
truth in Christ, amd lie not,) y¥ a teach- 
er of the. Gentiles in faith and ® ye- 
rity. 

8 >] will therefore, that men ¢ pray 
Tia ee 
t Sve on, 1. 11,12. 


.5 For thereli¢® one God, P and one 
/Mediatorbetween God and men, @the 
“Man Christ Jesus 


9 * gave himself.a ransom for all, 
yed:*.in due time. 
j 14. 1 Cor. 15. 45—] 12. 1 Pet. 2.18, 19. 


3.1 47. Phil. 2. 6-8.) & 2.24, & 3.18. 
Heb. 2. 6—18, Rev.} 1 Johm 2 1, 2+ a3 
_ | 10. 


0. 1°.| 1. 13. Rev. 1, 5. 
3.5 Job 33. 24. Is. 534) 5.9. : 

6. 6. Mat. 20. 28.16 Or, @ testimony. 
4.83. Heb.7.| Mark 10. 45. Johu) 1 Cor. 1. 6. 2 Thes. 

8, 6. & 9, 15.| 6. 51. & 10, 156 2) 2.210. 2 Tim, 1. 8. 

: Cor. 5. 14, 15+ 21.)°1 John 5. 11, 12- 

2-23- Luke; Eph. 17+) & .5- 2s 6. 15, Rom. 5. 6, 

1, John 1.) Tit. 2. 14. Heb. 9.1 & 16. 26, Gal: 4.4, 


& 9.1.2 Cor11.3i.fa Ps, 111. 7. 

Gal, 1. 20. , &. 14..1 Core 7. 7 

y John 7 35. Atts| Gr. Tit. 3. 3. 

u- Ec, 1, 1,2. 12. &} 9. 15; & 22. 21. Rie 2 Chr. 33. 11, 12. 
7.27. & 12. 8—10,' 26. 17, 18220. Rom-! Ps. 130. 1, 2, Lame 
Rom, 10. 14. Eph.| 11. 13. & 15. 16! 3.55, 56. Jon. 2.1, 
3.7, 8° 2 Tim. 1.| Gal. 1. 16. & 2. 9. | 2: Mal. 1.11, Luke 
11. 2.Pet.2 5. Z, Acts 14. 27., Gal) 23,42,43.. John 4. 

& See on, Rom. 1. 9. 2. 16. & 3. 9- 23, 24 Acts 21. Se 


any sinner who believes; Chirist will say to|“ flesh” “ One God,” in this passage, does not 


‘pumbers at the fast day, “ I called, and ye refus-| denote the Person of the Father exclusively, but 
ed 7 1% have gathered you as a henjthe Deity: the Manhood therefore of ‘Christ in- 


er chickens under her wings, and 
not.” As all men donot in fact 
i knowledge of the truth,” which 
qn the same sense, as * that all men 
be saved -” so the difficulty, if there be 
iny, presses equally on Calvinists and Armenians, 
$0 called, and even on such as deduce universal 
"actual salvation, from this text and a few simi- 
Mar oneg; for they cannot say, “* that all men 
"/*e actually come to the knowledge of the truth.” 
fthe clause, therefore, be explained to mean 
: more than the willingness of God 

all that believe, and his command, that 
' we should preach to all men, and pray for all 
“men, without distinction : it would follow, that 
he willed, or purposed, what he did not actually 
effect. But, it seems equally improper to say, 
‘with many expositors, that « all men,” signifies 
| “of all sorts ;? because itis obvieus to 
wilt tat with equal propriety be said, 


tervenes between a just and holy God, and our 
sinful souls; but then this Manhood is essential. 
ly and inseparably united to the Godhead, in the 
Person of the Son, who thus mediates between 
God his Father and men his brethren. - This 
provision and appointment has been made and 
revealed, for the common benefit of the human 
race, both Jews and Gentiles; that all who will, 
may come in this way to the mercy-seat of a 
pardoning God, to seek reconciliation to him. 
This Mediator therefore gave himself “ a ran- 
som for all?’ as “the Lamb of God, who 
“taketh away the sins of the world;” that by 
the all-sufficient atonement of his death upon 
the cross, and the redemption there made, a 
foundation might be laid for the hopes of sinuers 
all over the earth, and that all who believe, might 
actually be saved by it. No pious and consider- 
‘ate man. will assert, that Christ so gave himself a 
ransom for all, as actually to intend the salvation 
of those who never believe in him; ‘and that he 
thus failed of his purpose, and suffered in vain. 
On the other hand, there “are but few of those 
that limit such expressions to * some of all sorts,’ 
who do not allow the all-sufficiency of Christ’s 
atonement ; and admit that all men should be 
called on to believe in him, and that all who do 
believe will be'saved by him. Tt is therefore 
most important, to. determine that none will be 
saved by the ransom of Christ without true faith ; 
that true faith is the gift of God, and the effect 
of regeneration ; that “Known unto God are all 
“ his works, from before the foundation of the 
“ world.” and that all will certainly be saved, 
who were given unto Christ, and whom he spe. 
cially intended to save, when he became the 
Surety of his people. These’ propositions ate 
capable of clear scriptural proof: ‘and’when they 
are established, we may leave such expressions, 
as that here used, to bear in’ their most obvious 
import. Indeed, great wisdom and love are 


th that all men should be damned ;” 
doubtless some of all nations, ranks, and or- 
will be left to perish in their sins, “* where- 
nto also they were appointed.” 
V.5—7. As a further reason why Christians 
ought for all men, the apostle observed, 
that there was One God, the common Creator, 
Benefactor, and Lord, of the whole human spe- 
cies: and, as all had apostatized from him, and 
had purposes of mercy towards them ; so, 
here was also “ One Mediator between God and 
men, even the man Christ Jesus ;” which im. 
; es, that there is but one Mediator, and ex- 
es the worship of all other intercessors. 
s Christ is truly Man: and ‘though the effi- 
| cacy of his mediation and atonement is derived 
from the union of his divine nature with the 
fuman, in his mysterious Person, yet, his midia- 
fion between God and man is chiefiy made by his 
iman nature, in which alone he was capable 
ifering and dying. The apostle designed 
ite Christians to intercessory prayers: and 
$ ole argument for this enc, from the} of Christianity, as far more suitable to inquirers 
which God himself and the great Me-| and unestablished persons, than a systematical 
f te those, in behalf of whom these] arrangement would be. This ransom, once of- 
ons were to be offered. God, to whom] fered, was to be testified in due time, to men of 
eto be presented, is the One God, the] every nation: it was therefore incumbent upon 
‘alimen; and the Mediator, through} every Christian to promote thiv preat design, 
t presented, is the Man Christ Je-] according to his opportunity and <bility. Of this, 
St. Paul was ordained 4 hera/d and an aso 


d with us in the bond of one common 
bone of our bone, and flesh of our} (in asserting which, he solemnly appealed te 
; 3G 


shown, in this general way of stating the truths: 


‘As Di 60. | LePMOTHY, 


every where} 4 lifting .up holy hands,|), 10) 
without wrath and doubting. 9 0 | 
“te 1" (Practical Observationse) Pape orken 

9 In like manner also, & that women 
adorn themselves in modest apparel,| 
h With ‘shamefacedness and sobriety ; ‘ not 
with * broidered hair, or, gold, or pearls, 
or costly array. ; 


d Job 16. 17. Ps. 26:] 24, 44, & 6, 12. 14) 85.22, 28. 2 Kings 
6. & 65. 18. & 184] 95. Mark +11. 25.1 9 30. Esth. 5,1. 
2 Prov. 15. 8 &! Luke 23. 34. Acts| Psi 45,13, 14. & 
$y. 07, Is. 1. 15, Bl) 7. Gd. 1 Pet. 3. 7% [149.45 Prov. 31. 
58, 7—11+ Jers %9,'f Mat: 21.21. Mark) 2251s, 3-18-24. & 
30. Mal. 1. 9,.10.] (1. 23, 24. Jam. 1.) 61. 10. Jer. 2.32. & 


12 But f 
nor to “usury 
ro be in silen 

- 13 For 8 re! 
Bye. ky Sea 
34 And Adam. 


L) 
Be 


2.12, 
8 


ko 1 Pet.'3. 85. ‘ 


Acts 10,2 4. 31.[°6—8. 224 40800 Ez. 16. 9— |} Pet. 3.11. Rev, 
Jam. 4, 8. 1Jahn]g 2Peti 33-5. 9} 16s Mat. 6-28,.29,/ 1,5. 6—10. Prov. 31.Jm Gen. 
3. 20—22, Prov. 7, 10+ Is.3,] & 11. 8. Si. Acts 9.36. 39.15. 20," 

e 1 Kings 3.11. Bs.) 16. Tit: 2..3—5. '']* Or, plated. 1 Pet. Eph. 2. 10. »Tity 2| & 14.34, 
35.13. Mats 5..22—-]i Gen, 24) 53. Ex.) 3. 3. | 14. & 3+ 8. 2 Pets) 5, 22— 


Christ, who had appointed him, as his heart- 
searching Judges for the exact:truth of what, he 
had adyanced.;) so that he was now. employed 
as a teacher of the Gentiles.especially, in the 
doctrines and promises of the Gospel, in the na- 
ture of faith, and, in the faithfulness of God. to 
all his declarations and. covenant-engagements, 
and in every part.of his trath. and will. 
“¥. 8 According to the authority vested in 
him, the apostle enjoined, that Christians should: 
“s pray every. where,” according to the directions 
above given... The expression may. indeed in- 
clude their prayers in the closet, in the family, 
and in. social meetings; but the, chapter espe- 
cially relates to the manner of conducting their: 
public assemblies, in what place soever these 
were-held : for where two or three are met 
* togeth@r, there,” says cur Saviour, Tam in 
«the midst of you.” (Marz. Ref.)—‘ As the’ 
¢ apostle is.speaking of public.prayer, his mean- 
*ing, I suppose, is, that the men, and not the wo-} 
* men, were to lead the devotion of the assembly.’ 
G2) (Macknight.) ‘The antithesis between 
725 avdpas, (novarSpares,) and rae yuvateag, 
4n the next verse, the word itself, the arucle, and | 
the eonnexion, * In. like manner,” combine in 
establishing this observation,» The Gentiles had 
priestesses, as wellas priests, not only to their 
goddesses; but to theirgods also: but the Israel 
ites were not allowed to. conform to this practice. 
in like manner, women must net be ministers-or) 
preachersunder the Christian dispensation, _ In 
otder~ that men. might do this, .with acceptance, 
they must’ in: reverent*adoration lift up. ‘ holy 
hands: not satished witht washing their hands, 
befure they worshipped, according te the custom 
of the Jews, and indeed, thatof.many Gentiles; 
but, taking care to.keep ther pure from, all, in- 
justice and the practice of every sin... (Marg. 
Ref.) Tt was also necessary, that.they should 
avi all wrath and. resentment, either against 
each other, or against their persecutors ;,, that 
theie prayers and intercessions might be the ge . 
nuine dictates of enlarged good-will to all men; 
and not intermingled with any angry passions, 
whatever provocations might be given them. 
At the same time, they,should. not doubt the 
widiagness of God, through Christ, to hear their: 
prayers notwithstanding: all their former sins 


ang present conscious uaworthiness; or perplex 


religious assemblies ai 
their general conduc 
enjoined, in the mos 
women should. adorn: 
apparel, suited to:th at 
coming that. bashful 

ners, which a: ped ct 


copying the vain fashions 
‘attire was_ inten o re 
tractive to beholders, dis 


Sapte. ; 
£ 
wn 


intended ; and th 
ever garments | 
good works as the 
** women profess 
less meant it as 2 
women should refu 
fashions of a vain : 
they, should choo: 
simple in their attire 
that they. should ; 


appearance, than e 
nally, that ministers ough 
to their congregations, as 
the honour of the Gospel. . 
served, that foppery and 
dress in men, are most emp 
by the apostle’s silence abou 
timated, that surely. ch 
‘temptation to such a ¢ 
s worthy to, be noted by 
* precept ougat not to bi 
¢ of little. eset s 
‘cated by the two 
: and Gentile; and th 
« asa pragtice opposite 


‘ 
cS 


© 


od 


#D.- 60. 


CHAPTER II: 


AD: 60: 


the woman, being deceived, was in the| saved 4 in child-bearing, if they continue 


transgression. 
ne p she shall .be 


} 22. Mat. i. 21—25., Gal. 4. a 
Luke 2.7. 10, if. 


[ (Notes, 1 Cor. si. 2-16. siv. 34, 
before been observed, that this rule 
‘of an exception in the case of those, 
Ike by the Spirit of prophecy; and it may 
‘be added, that it only related to” public 
hing. . The women were required ‘to be si- 
t with all subjection, in their religious assem 
3; for the apostle, a as Christ’s representative, 
not author | women toteach, as that would 
over the man; anc 
ing subjection was to be shown, 
ing instruction. For the man 
B the woman of him, and for 
it it would be contrary to the ori- 
at the creation, for the woman 
over the man. is the 


3 first i 


in t 
enna. &o. Gen-iii.) This considera- 

was siited to teach the women, that they 
lapaoli affect authority, or presume to be 


' ‘The sorrows and pains, attendant on 
¢ . were indeed a peculiar mark of 
divin - displeasure against the transgression of} 
the first woman, and suited to bring it to the re- 
membrance of her daughters in every age: yet, 
they who professed the gospel of Christ, might 
wonifarted by the rhe of being supported 
, through that trying time, and 
even ¢ ‘deriving benefit from all their sufferings : 
at’ ast they might be sure, that there was no 
ourse or wrath in it, provided they continued 
fteadfast in the faith, and in love to Christ and 
his people, with holiness, purity, sobriety, and 
Some suppose the apostle to have 
meant, that though sin-first entered by the: wo- 
| man, whence all the pains and sorrows of child- 
bearing originated ; yet, through those sorrows, 
had come into the world, born of 2 woma 
y whom all those would be saved, who continu- 
4n the faith: and indeed the original may well 
‘bear that interpretation, which is also very an- 
ent. Eve, whom the apostle had just before 
oned, was thus addressed by her offended 
r: LI will greatly multiply thy sorrow 
thy conception, in sorrow shalt thou bring 
h children :” yet the preceding verse im- 
& promise of salvation through * the Seed 
hie woman,” for all believers, both men and 
(Gen. iii. 15, 16.) Eve herself is suppos- 
we been saved “ through child-bearing,” 
descended from her; though the an- 
bearing children was denounced on her, 
jar punishment of her atrocious guilt ; 
‘sorrow was turned into joy, her 
a‘blessing. In like manner, her 
eh involved with her in the 
ging forth children with sor- 


' 


© in faith, and charity, and holiness, with 
‘ was $8 
q Gen. 3. 16. 
¥ See on, ls 5. 


Seed, if they copied her example of faith and 
obedience. 


: hint ark 9%. ae: 4. ? 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
y. 1-8. ‘ 

It is a most important, though much neglected 
duty, for Christians to pray and returh thanks 
‘for all men,” according to the different rela- 
tions in which they stand tothem, and as their 
circumstances require. Thus they may show 
their love to those, whom they cannot etherwise 
serve ; and evince that they interest themselves 
in the happiness of mankind in general. . And; 
not only in public, but in our families and closets 
we should pray “for Eings, and for all that are; 
‘© in authority” both. as guardians of the pub« 
lic tranguillity, and in respect of their temporal 
and eternal welfare: this will far more.conduce 
to the continuance of our privileges, in being al- 
Jowed without molestation, “ to lead a quiet and 
* peaceable life, in all-gcdliness and honesty ;” 
than any means, which men of restless spirits can 
employ. But, Whatever effect cur conduct in 
these things may have on our neighbours ; it is 
Baud and acceptable in the sight of God, our 

* Saviour”. He’ hath no pleasure in the death 
of the * wicked, but that he should repent 
“and live.” It is his will, that all who repent 
and believe in Christ should be saved: “ he 
* commands all men every where to refient” and 
believe the Gospel; itis his will and Ure» 
that we should use every means of drawi n’s 
attention to the Gospel, that they “may ‘* Come 
« to the knowledge of the trath.” He: is 
One God of the whole earth, whom all men 
to worship and serve: and, as all have sinned 
and deserved wraith, he bath appointed “One 
‘* Mediator between God and man, even. the 
* Man Christ Jesus,” his incarnate Son, ** who 
« gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in 
« due time, that. wAoseever geveth in him 
* should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 
May he ordain and qualify many.p ers like 
Paul, to teach the nations in tru verity !— 
For surely we ought to oe that men should _ 
pray every where to God'the’Father, through our 
Lord. Jesus Christ, by the holy Spirit, “ lift- 
« jing up pure hands, without wrath and doubt- 
« ing” In proportion as we learn thus to wor- 
ship in spirit and truth, with reverence, holy 
love, pure zeal, and lively faith; we shall find 
our minds freed from narrow prejudices and re- 
sentment, and our benevolence towards all men 
greatly enlarged ; and we shall more emphati- 
cully say to our heavenly Father, “« Hallowed be 
“« thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be 
* done in earth as itis in heaven.” 

¥. 9—15. 

“Whatever renders the Gospel respectable, con- 
tributes to its success: and the modest, decent, 
and sober apparel of “ women professing godii- 
etme ‘must therefore have this tendency. Ther 


4. D. 60: 1. TIMOTHY.» 


') “CHAP. TIF. 

The office of a bishop is a good work, and the de- 
sire of it, as such, should be encouraged, 1. - ‘The 
qualifications required in bishops’ and deacons ; 
with»directions concerning their wives and)chil- 
dren, 2—13. The apostte'wrote these things to 


sire'> ¢ 


‘should be considered that, as raiment was only 
"Made needful by sin; so it is peculiarly unsuita- 


Timothy, (hoping to come to him'soon,) to regu- 
Yate his conduct in the church of God, 14, 15- 


The great mystery. of godliness, 16. 


HIS *is.atrue saying, if a. man de- 


a1.15.& 4. 9% 2 Tim. 2 11. Tit. 3.8. 


should. evince, tkat they are too much engaged 
in contemplating spiritual glories, to take plea- 
sure in the vain and unseemly decorations of the 
triflers around them; that being adorned. with 
good works is their chief distinction; and ‘that 
they can.make.a better use of their time and mo- 
ney, than in curiously adjusting their attire, or 
purchasing costly ornaments. But, alas ! in this 
trifling and expensive age, when almost all vie 
with their superiors in apparel, till distinction of 
rank is nearly lest; we too often find those, who 
come tothe places where the word of God is 
preached, decorated as much beyond what they 
can properly afford, and in as unbecoming a man- 
fier, as they are who frequent the theatre! It 

would be well, if the professors of serious godli- 
fess Wete whollyexempt from this disgraceful va- 
nity ; or if they always spent as many. hours in vi- 
siting the sick and poor, and as much money in 
relieving their distresses, as they do in uselessly 
decorating themselves and their children, after a 
manner Unsuitable to’'their rank in life, and in- 
consisent with their profession. These are by 
no méans, trifles, or pharisaical impositions, as 
some pretend, but apostolical injunctions ; and it 


ble for those, who profess to believe the Bible, 
to be proud and vain of the very badge of their 
disgrace. The original creation of the man, and 
then the woman; and the entrance of sin by the 
latter, who being deceived, was first in the trans- 
gression, conciim in showing the reasonableness 
of that subjection, humility, and teachabieness, 
prescribedsin Seripture to the woman, and the 
impropriety of her usurping authority over the 
man. But, asthe gospel gives special encour- 
agements to the woman, in.respect of those sor- 
rows which the entrance of sin’has entailed on 
her, provided she’continue in * faith and love, 
«¢ with holiness and sobriety :” so the considera. 
tion of those manifold sorrows, to which the fe. 
male sex is subjected, should teach men to exer. 
cise their authority. with the utmost gentleness, 
tenderness, and affection. 


NOTES. . 

CHAP. U1. V. 1. It has already been shown 
that the word rendered bishop, was at this time of 
the same import with that, translated elder, ov pres- 
Byter: (Note, Acts %X. 28;) for the charge, gi- 
ven by Paul to the Ephesian elders, is tere sup- 
posed to have been subsequent to the writing of 
this epistle. ‘The same fs also proved, by the 


b ver. 2—7, Acts. 


d Prov: 11. 30. Lia 


silence of the apostle’ cone 
than bishops and deacons. ~ 


that the selection or appointment 
dual, to be overseer, of the 


though very , a 


20. Phil.1.1. T 
1. 7. 1 Bet. 2. 25, 


© Acts 20, 28, Heb.je Fi 


12.15. 1 Pet. 4. 15. 
Gr. & 5. 2. 


2 


15. 10, Rom, 11.| 1 


was not at this time in 
said, and it ‘was true): 
tice ; that ifa man desi 
for, the pastoral office ;: 
to his flock; and to the 
to forego other prosps 
hardships and perils, b 
service ; ‘he it 
“ work,” and his) de 
and countenanced, 
qualified. tate 
V.2. Itis manifes 
ed to be principaily co e 
the bishops, being the apo: 
presentative: and accord 
here given him, how to fil 


on whom the same 
The apostle therefo 
what, manner of pe 
ought to be; that’ 
sires after the sacred 
ed, and likewise that thi 
ed to it might know: 
ever natural abilities, 
spiritual cifis any man- 
be considered as ine 
was not of a dlamele 
avoided scandalous vices, 
fessed conversion to*Chi 

to be “the husband of 
the apostles expressly cond 
well as divorces, except for 
Watt. xix. 1—9. Mark x, I. 
—3 5) yet. there was no direct 
man, who had previously tak 
one, to put the others am 
ibe Gospel ; and such a’ 
prcduced many bad conse 
life, and increased the* 
powers to the’ preachi 
the rule, that no man, bh 
respects, should be d- 
‘office, who had more. than: ane 
put away one to fake another, te! 
impropriety: of polygamy, and d 
lous pretences, and thei inconsistel 


AD: 60. 
ial 1 given to wine, ™ no striker 
a =i ° filthy ducers but P pas 
tient; agibrawler, r nee coyetous ; 
Ne 5 


ana 2 
24. Reyi1.9.. 
: Tie 3.2. Jam. 4s 


Jn ver. "a. Prov. 1 c Feats 15—17. 
19. & 15,27. Is. 56-1 2 


zs so rng i into bean | aise the Chris. 
fi; yet, without violence and conftu- 
) argue hence, as it has been done, that 
was lawful for other Christians, else it 
ot have been needful to restrict ‘pastors 


s11.| 11. Jude 11. 
51.jo 1 Sam. 8. 3. 
1.7.11. 1 Pet.5. 


ovetous, brawlers, strikers, &c.— 
inferred Suni this text, that stated 
pastors Ought to be married, as a pre-requisite 
totheir office; but this seems to be a mistake 
seal Seo permission, connected with a re- 
| sttiction, for an express command. It isp how- 
7 sufficient to prove, that mar- 
riage is ear consistent with the most sacred 
and the most exemplary holiness ; and 
the very basis of the anti-christian 
hibition of marriage to the clergy, and all its. 
au and’ consequent mischiefs. Yet, 
Percy endeavoured to infer a part of 
that system from this clause itself, and have sup- 

| posed thst the apsotle meant to prohibit second 
| arriages tothe clergy: but this is contrary to 
the whole tenour of Scripture; it is by no means 
jad stoma meaning of the words; and 

Pe certialy. bring in a part of those evils, 


must also be * vigilant,” a circumspect and at- 
Fears man; one who watches carefully over 
bis flock, capable of discerning dangers at a 
dances guarding the people against the artifi- 
cé@s of false teachers, and the devices of satan, 
bow ponent to embrace opportunities of useful- 
: he must be sober, serious, and temperate ; 
tein all his desires and indulgences ; 
‘of good behaviour” in all the transactions: of 
e; showing a meek, kind, equitable, faithful, 
| prudent disposition towards all men. He 
mld likewise be ready, according to his abili- 
‘relieve the poor, to entertain his brethren 
ait grudging, and with evident cheerfulness 
satisfaction; especially, he ought to be hos- 
itab ‘to Christians, who were driven from home 
persecution, or who in any other way were 
t to the place of his residence. He must 
feady at teaching, both capable of i instructing 
id prompt to embrace every occasion of 
ic or in private; counting it his 
making it his delight.—* But now 
i Feustoms are changed, aad inns 
open; in which travellers, for) 


CHAPTER ‘UL 


Gn Ihe Bes Fe 8.2} 
his own house, how shall. he take care of 
x the church of God ?) © 


John 10. 12. & 12,5)s ver. 12- “Gen. 18, ‘4.8. Gr. 
«| Acts 8. 19—21. iE Josh. 24, 15. eee. 29, $9. 


| what the apostie calls nospisabeg? (9 

This is a specimen of the way, in whi 
learned men, (some perhaps without ‘intending 
it,) Show us, that we have little or nothing to do, 
either with the practical, or doctrinal part’ of 
scripture | I should rather say, * Now, that an- 
‘|*cient customs ate changed, and bishops have 


be as Well accommodated, as taining a meek and firm suthority over 


A: Di 602. 


4 One that : ruleth well his own house, 
having his children in subjection t with 
all gravity : > 
5 (For *if a man know not how to rule 


Ps. 101.2—3. 
is. 2 eee 
Tit, 2.2.7. Ph 


20. $3. Rom. 16. 18. 
2Pet. 2. 3. 
Rey. 13. 11—15. 


Ges 15. Acts 20.28. 
a Pa hem 24s 


ight.) 
many 


F 


* ample revenues, they are bound to exercise ens © 
‘ larged hospitality to the poor, especially to the 
‘inferior clergy, who often have little of that” 
* money which is needful for accommodation at 
‘inns ; and who, if héspitably entertained by 
© bishops, would feel cordially reconciled to the 
‘ affluence of such kind superiors, and disposed 
“to receive their pastoral instructions with re- 
®yerence” Here, let me observe in particular, 
that when young men go for ordination or in- 
stitution, to places where they cannot be accom- 
tmacdated, except in an inn; it is incalculable 
what mischief might be prevented, and what an 
opening would be made for usefulness, if the 
bishops would entertain them in ther own houses, ~ 
and take the abundant opportunities, which this: 
would afford, of instructing them respecting the 
nature and importance of those solemn engage- 
ments, into which they are about toenter. The 
affection and veneration thus excited, in all whe 
are in any degree proper for these sacred servi- 
ces, and the opening thus made for subsequent 
admonitions and counsels, would repay the ex- 
pense of it a thousand fold. 

V. 3. The person, eligible to the office of a 
bishop, must also be free from every measure of 
intemperance, in the use of wine or strong liquors, 
which would both be scandalous to him, and 
unfit him for the impor‘ant duties of his station ; 
(Avtes, Lev. x. 1, 2.°9, 10. Prov. xxxi. 4, 5.) and 
he ought to be equally superior to anger; and” 
not liable upon any provocation, however great, 
to vent the vehemence of his passion, by striking 
‘the offender, as was often the practice among 
worldly men. Nor be greedy of gain, which 
might lead him to prostitate his ministry for the 
sake of “ filthy lucre ;” or, to carry on any dis- 
graceful employment, along” with ‘his ministry, 
for the sake of profit. But, he 1 Must be of a re- 
signed, meek, : persevering, end constant spirit ; 
peaceable, forgiving, and calm; not clamorous 
in disputation, or even in reproving others; nor. 
yet avariciously tenacious of that property, which 
he had obtained even i in the most unexceptiona-. 
ble manner. rat ; 

V. 4, 5, The bishop or pastor, should ka 
wise be able and careful to govern bis own} house- 

hold,'ip a discreet and regular manner; sain. 
do-. 


= ise; ‘thete is Tittle oceasion for mestics, and having ‘his children in due subjec- 


AOD 60, I, TIMOTHY. 


6 Not} anovice, ¥ lest, being lifted up| » 
with pride, he fall into * the condemna- 
tion of the deyil. 

»% Moreover, he must have aa good Fs 
report .of » them. which: are. without ; 
¢ lest he fall into reproach, nue a the 
snare of the devil. 

» {Practical Observations.) 

8 Likéwise. must. the. deacons. t wae 
gtave, not § double-tongued, » not: given 
to much gine, not greedy of filthy lucre ; 

8 Holding * the mystery” at the faith 
in a pure cotscicice. 1A 
+ Or, one newly come) Luke 10. 18, aa 6.9. 2'Tim, 2.26, 


in all ert 
12 Let the d 
one wife, ruling: 


13 For™ they tha 
fice of a degcon 
selves a good © 
ness in the faith 


1 yer. 6. & 5:22, 1 
John 4:1. t 


to the faith 1 ov.) 2. 4. Jude 6.) le Acts 6. 3—5. Phil, 
3.ay Heb. 5, 12, 23,]a, sisi 25. Sam. }. 1 
f See on, t. ver, 4. 


1. Pet. 2.2. 6. 3. & 

y¥ Deut. $44 /& 17 16.38 ie Sig Ps. 5.9. & 12.2.) 
20, 2)Kings 147 y } & 50. 19. & 52, 2. 
2 Chir. 26. 16. & $215 args $.12.. Col | Rom. 3. 13. Jam, 3. 
25. Prov. 16.18.19.) 4. 5.11 Thes. 4. 12.} 10. 

Bars. 120K 29. 23. 5.14. 1 Cor, 10.{h Seeon, ver. 3 
Ts. 2e.12> 1 Sek af 132. 2 Cor. 6, 3. &fi ‘See on, 1, 5619, 


2, ; 
n ver: 9. 1 Cor. 108) 4H 
Col. 1. 22. Tits [ty 


o Lev 21.7, 13-15) Vite 


6—8, & 8:1, 2Cor,| 8 21. 1 Thes. 5.22 |k ver. 16. 2 John 9, 
92, Te DY Pet, 5.5.) Tit. 2) 5. 8.1 Pet. i 
Z Es, Ud.) 92—14.1 4. 14-16, 


also have a: 
even among-h 
should fall in 
grace the Gospel ; 
‘the practice of his 
in the world an sir 
«false accuser,” 
ing, to retort his mi 
Gospel. (See 11. 
be generall advise able t 
ministey, naa cont 
bad; ; until a com 


tion, ruling over them in all gravity, and restrain- 
ing them “from all levity and excess; that their 
pearance, deportment, and attendance on the 
worship of God, might be an example to others. 
For if a man were evidently incompetent to go- 
vern hig Aon, family, and to preserve order and 
decorum in,it; how could it be supposed, that 
he would be’ ound qualified to preside over the 
church of God, and to preserve order, and har- 
mony among ihe numbers of whom it consisted, 
who were of various dispositions and situations, 
and generally removed from under his immedi- 
ate inspection? 
¥V.6. It would not be generally expedient to 
choose a new convert to this: office; or an inex- 
perienced person, one but superficially acquaint- 
ed with human nature and the things of God; 
lest the distinction.of his situation, or the ap- 
plause bestowed on him, should elate him with 
pride and ambition: and he should thus fall into 
2 condemnation, similar to that of the devil.—It 
is evident from this, that spiritual pride and am- 
bition constituted the. beginning of satan’s apos- 
tacy. Some have conjectured, that it was re- 
vealed to the angels, that the eternal Son would} 
assume a nature inferior to theirs, in which he 
would ‘rule ever them, and be worshipped by 
them ; and that’ satan and the other angels who 
fell with him, proudly disdained such subjection. 
But all our conjectures on this subject, must be 
uncertain, and in a measure’ presumptuous. The 
pride; however, and.ambition of ministers, on ac- 
count of their office. gifts, popularity, or success, 
would be of a similar nature to satan’s. pride in 
_ Heaven, and: might involve the novice under a 
similar condemnation. It is evident, that some 
exceptions: to this important general rule, must 
have been admitted, in the first formation of|i 
newly planted churches ; in which the special 
gifts of the Holy Spirit seem to have superseded 
the necessity of such previous study and experi- 
ence, as ate in all ordinary cases, indispensable, 
Vi ‘The: person elected. to ‘this ates must 


trieve and re-estal 
evident, that th 


by Timothy, an 
V. 8—13: TT 5 
pointec to. dispens 
and to manage its se 
oeeseheaee ccasional, 
were readers in ‘th 
tors and cong 
among them. nes 8 


the pastors, — 
and pradent ies 


before men’s faces, 
backs; neither latte 
bling, nor prevarica 
any occasion: not 


greedy of filthy gai id 
ter the athe of Sud 


CHAPTER Il. AyD. 68. 


© the church of 4 the living God, ¢ the 
piilar'and *.ground of ‘the truth. 
2. 20, Heb. 3.26.) 23. 36. Dan. 6. a Jer. 1.18. Mat. 16> 


write IT unto thee, 
; thee shortly? °° 7 


ong ie pg ey P. 2a 5e H 10. Mat. 16.) 18, 19. &/ 18) 18. 
1 Pet. Saale) O8- de) t. 1 
thou oughtest pana '¢ Sce on, ver. 5. _ ‘16, John hal pa) 3.2. Gal, 2.9 
isd 4. 10. & 6. .16:| Avtsa4a. 75, (Rom. in, stay. 
J house of God, whith | Deut, 5.26, Josh) 9.26.2 Cor. 3. 3.)f ver..16. John 1, 
orhes.2. 18. Philem.| 23. 1Kings 22" 3. io, 1 Sam, 17.P& 6. 10.1 S34 17. & 14. 6 & 18. 


) 22. Heb. 13, 23. 26. 36+ 2 Kimgs 19.] 9, Heb. pike: & 9 ngs Cet. 6.7; Gale 
) John 12. 3 John 144 4. Ps. 42, 2, & 84, bE a 12. 22. 3. Eph. 4 21. 
‘fa ver. 2. Deut. 31, 2z. Jer. 10, 10. &} aT aes Col 2 4, vy 


made of new .conyé ; that previous | by local customs, from so” attending’ on the in- 
. sdmission to it, ‘they be approved | structions of mez, as to obtain from them an 
men ‘of blameless. i The pameninate acquaintance with carte Wi is, 


addicted to the vanities Faassige, as niet EA Re Te of | the: wines: ‘of ‘those 
); not slanderers, or | who performed any public office in the Church, 
disa vantageous teports. of lis so replete with instruction, that it seems ihigti« 
(the original i is Dre Borws, de-\ ly worthy of *the mention made of it: by the 
' - women, temperate in all|apostle. — - 

‘ithfal i in the discharge of every re-| _V- 14, 15. The apostle hoped, when he wrote 
gus duty. Nor would it be pro; this, that he should soon be’ able to return to 
30° had previously to their co _| Ephesus; but, matters so turned out, that he 
Pinbre than one wife, or divorced | never again visited that city ;- and Timothy, i ia 
cing ‘ another, to exercise | 2! probability mtich sooner than had ‘been in- 
‘tt was requisite, that; tended, went to him into Macedonia. (Prefuce.) 
ir children and domes. | hue case Beverre ae apos'le should Not see Tin. 


» and t Jevangeics Wtvudied by him ‘aid %y the Hides 
ng the faith. jt regulate matters in the family or household. 
ich ie eg among the poor ip God ; even that Society of believers, in whom 
we ea for the the living: ‘God dwelt, asin his holy habitation. 
These directions'were not peculiar to the Ephe- 
sians, but would be a rule to Timothy in other 
churches also, where he might sustain ‘the ‘same 
office, and perform the same-services ; and to all 
others in subsequent ages, who, should be ems 
ployed in a similar manner. The following 
| words have been variously applied : ‘the chutch 
‘of the living’ God, by supporting, maintaining, 
land recommending ‘the truth. of revelation ; by 
‘publicly preaching and professing it, end by the 
‘worship and service therein. performed, may be’ 
considered as-the foundation which upholds the 
edifice, as a pillar that supports and’ adorns: it: 
‘This by no means includes the infaliibility of any 
rticular church; but merely implies, that di- 
truth is upheld,’ professed, and maintained, 
n-thé true church: whilst ungédly men in genes 
es | ral,’ Hot heretics in particular, oppose, pervert, 
| and ‘undermine it; and so error and: ignorance 
ve li the rest of the world; as with a dark 
‘dreadfal cloud. Some: apply it to Tim. 
othy and other fxithful) ministers, (Gai. ii, 9 *) 
but this seems to be only-a | part of ‘the preced- 
ing truth ; for the’ profession and suitable con- 
versation of believers, as really maintain’ and 
recommend! the trath, ‘as the minister’s Jabours 
Land doctrines do. ‘Others’ detach the sentence. 
inal ¥ from this verse, and conhectiit with the following, 
gene erally: means, that trial df per: | a8 if the apostle | had meant, that the doctrine 
ings, which is made by experience | there specified” was’ * the pillar and ground of 
Wives or women. Some think 6 the truth”? ; but, this construction also seems 
2dcons and of piehOpss. are | al; and the’ first interpretation is most 
i s'and satisfactory. As the church was’ 


ent to their suf. 
hey would be emboldened and 

Omptitude of utterance, which 
; wards their being admit- 
This 


L 


astor's or evangelists. _ 


2 


di eae: of the primitiv 
con, must tend to qualify men for 
it appears from facts that some 
e hers ; nor have we reason 
persons were then regularly 
pastoral office ; but ‘fninisters 


ed and best qualified believer 
y from t those that were matured 
ence. This does not, howeve re 
ular education may not, in the p esent| 
be most expedient. ‘peed (10.) 
ing eir names to ‘the Church ; thai 

4 We het aught to lay to their charge, he. 
show "ite _(Macknight.) No doubt this was 


n "good effects : indeed, the form of 
this day. But, it does’ not appear 
nal word can admit of this interpre: 


ie doctrine of God our Saviour; ia the midst of 


ES See SO ea ee Ng ee ee 


Ct ee, oe ee 


Ae D. 60. J. TIMOTHY. 


* 16 And ® without controversy, great is| Spi nh see 
A the nad of godliness: } God was 7€! 
Lior ine ’ ‘ . * 

t manifest in the flesh, * justified in the|° recety 
g Heb. rr: . 6.2. Mats. 1.234 John 1.2%, Rev. 1.} Pet. 3-18. 1. 

329. Mat, 13.11.) John 1. 1, 2 Ld} 17,18, - 6-8. 
Hom, 16.25. 1 Cor.) Acts 20.28. sal Gr. > manifested. 


8 3. & 965. LCor§ TJohn3. 56 
k Is. 50. 5—7. Mat. 


& 24.41 

1.7.14 & 9. 6.) 3. & 2 9-13. 1] 8,9 Acts 2. 92—] John 20, 12. Acts} ” 

den. 23. 5,6. Mic. 3b, Rom, 1.8,'4. 1] 3.10,11. Eph. 3.) 
f 17S ORIFS ih i eerie | 


a dark and wicked world; so, it was yery im.|“ Peace on e 
portant for Timothy to know, how to conduct They saw him f Y 
himself in subserviency to that great design. ness, and tempted by 
v. 16. That mystery of godliness, which| his agonies in the 
the church must maintain, was without contro-| they were employe 
versy, exceedingly great: it never could have} saw their incar 
been thought. of, ifit had not been revealed ; it! most cruel indi 
could not be received but by faith ; and it must/ sensations, who 
be very. Sapeeaiatt oindcrstand by man in his| and attended i 
present state, being connected with infinite and | They now behol 
incomprehensible objects. . Some persons might | execute his manda 
-on thatacecount deem it less credible; and oth. " ants, 
‘ers attempt to obviate the objection, by explain.| the world. In 
‘ing away the mysteriousness of it : but the apos- | astonishment, de 
dle declared it to be beyond all controversy ‘‘ a} wisdom, justice, ! 
¢f great mystery.” It must, however, be noted, | and desire to look 
that it was ‘the mystery of godliness.” The} spicuous disp ays ( 
‘tevelation and belief of it were the source of all| other works had 
the pious dispositions and affections in the heart | « in the flesh,” hi 
of failen men, and of all. the spiritual worship] Gentiles, as their Lo 
of God. in the world. , Had. this mystery never great mystery to 
been revealed, there would never have been any | he had been bel 
true godliness among men; none could befound,/tens of thousands o 
where this mystery Was unknown or rejected without the Mosaic 
‘aid: that abounded in proportion as it was scrip- | ritual and aecepte 
turally proposed and received. By this gli case has 
vy, men learn the true, character of God, and} same to this day. je 
tive way. in which sinners, may. approach and| ing been received | 
wotship: him; they discover their real situation, | 
‘their danger, and their. remedy; and thus they 
‘are’ brought to fear, trust, love, worship, obey, 
and rejoice in God... The substance and centre} cessor for sinners, _ 
of this great mystexy, was this, * God was ma | to have been ob scu 
s pifest inethe fies :” the divine nature, in the | terpretation given 9 
‘Person of the co-eternal and co-equal Son andj expositors, to ri 
Word of God; was manifested to fallen men, as} apostle’s fervent gf 
dwelling ia the man Christ Jesus ; so that who-|thod. But, the ev 
ever saw, or contemplated by faith, this express} duced to exact or 
Image of ‘the invisible God, saw the Father | doing violence to the _ 
alsa; (utes, John. 1-18. Piul, ii. 5—11. Col | The construction ne 
4A. 15+17.)—Thus. sinners», became . acquainted | first clause of the pas: 
with, and ‘reconciled to, God... This high. cha- ubseq 
racter Emmanuel claimed, when on earth; and 
the unmeasurable unction of the Moly, Spirit in his 
buman natare, as evinced by, his perfect holiness 
and stupendous miracles, justified his claim, But 
the Jewish priests and rulers put him to death, | 
«© because he, being» man,. made himself God ;” 
and he wis farther justified by the pouring out 
of the Holy: Spirit on the apostles and. disciples, 
who: bate withess ‘to. bis resurrection, and as. ‘foll 
cension into heaven. During the, whole of these} 
amazing events, * he was seen of angels’? These } «¢ 
« morning’ stars, who! sang together,” when he ‘ 
« called the world into existence, (Job sxxviii. in the world; 
7.) ‘saw their incarnate Lord laid as a babe in a] * ceived “up into plows, - 
manger, and sang Glory to God in the highest, manifested in the flesh, and 


P. IV. 


y, especially in respect of the 


id put i Seew.in the plack gh taht qur Saviour. 
c at cal the authority for this emenda 


who desire it as such, from 


thority in the church, by intruding into this 
d office ; without either qualifications suit 


them; from indolence, ambition, 

love of filthy Iucre ; is the vilest of all pros- 
and merits the deepest condemnation. 
Hone, who desire this office, or have 


sty the’ want of proper motives, or a blame 
bg ag in Gore. who a ead in’ holy 
Be, pastors of the Lord’s flock should 
be continent, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, 
eae ven. to hospitality, apt to teach, and remote 

m violent passions, and every kind-of covet- 
The more extensive the sphere, and 


the more conspicuous the station, to which any of 


“them are called, the greater measure of all these 
‘holy endowments is requisite: but no man can 
a meet person for the pastoral office, in the 
‘most obscure situation, who is unwatchful, frivo- 
given to wine, greedy of 
disposed to furious anger, negligent of BoA pose 
relative duties, selfish, averse to hospitality, and 
Ms or unwilling to ‘teach the flock. It would 
2 invidious to contrast this description with the 
_characters of those, who have sustained the mi- 
“ nisterial office, in different ages and parts of the 
‘yisible church. No order of men fulfil the du- 
ies of their station : but, alas! none have more 
Violated them than nominal ministers. It, how- 
eign us to look to ourselves, and those 


this office, should pray without ceasing, to be 
mabled more fully to transcribe these rules into 
_our lives: and the people should learn to distin. 
guish gpereenerics from upright disinterested mi- 
sters : they should make allowance for human 

28, which are incident to all : they should 
cir ministers by their prayers, blessing 
F such as are faithful, and supplicating 
yerting grace for such as are evidently the 
bf what they ought to be. It is incum- 

| ministers to rule well their own houses, 
@ their children in subjection with all 
ES. they find this teo difficult for them, 


CHAPTER IV. 


r great apostacy, and, corrup- 
the gospel in in after times, 1—3. Every 
- othcgon and to be received wits 


numbers seem to Pay any ab- 


is 2 laborious, but a 
do well; and, if duly qualified, 
encouraged 


1 and assisted in ob- 
heir object. But, to desire emolument 


to important duties, or any purpose of 


d into it, or who have any concern in ad- 
; others, forget, that nothing can compen- 


A. D. 62. 


thanksgiving and prayer, 4, 5. He direets Timo- 
thy in respect of his doctrine and personal con- 
duct, that he may behave so, as “ to save himself 
“ and those that hear him,” 6—16. 


* how shall they take care of the church of 
“ God?” The folly, ostentation, conformity to 
the, world, extrayagance, or ungodliness, of a 
minister’s family, will surely lessen bis own in- 
fluence, and prevent his usefulness, as well as 


.| his comfort. Itis also very wrong for novices, 


however eminent for abilities and gifts, to be 
pushed forward prematurely into this arduous 
work. This hath ruined many promising young 
men, by puffing them up with pride, and so cast- 
ing them into the condemnation of the devil. 
The honour of the gospel also is greatly concern« 
ed in the good report of ministers, amongst those 
that are without. And satan finds various ad- 
vantages against those who lose their reputation, 
and incur the reproach of the enemies of the 
gospel. 
vy. 8—16. 

Not only bishops and elders, but all concern- 
ed in the church of the living God, should be 
gtave, sincere, upright, candid, temperate, and 
disinterested ; those especially to whom money 
is intrusted, and who have the charge of re- 
lieving the poor: for to rob them is one of the 
very worst kinds of dishonesty. The mystery 
of faith will never appear respectable among 
Men, except it be held in a pure conscience. 
Professed Christians should therefqre be proved, 
and found blameless, before they are admitted 
to any office in the church. ‘Time spent in pre- 
paration and probation will not ‘be lost; and a 
precipitate zeal is not one of the prescribed qual« 
ifications for the ministry. All who are connect. 
ed with persons in public stations in the church, 
should be exemplary in their whole appearance. 
and deportment. The wives of ministers and dea- 
cons should be grave and sober, no slanderers, but 
faithful in all things. They should choose such 
Wives ; and their wives should be reminded to stu. 
dy and practise these rules ; and to assist and con- 
cur in ruling their children and households well, 
They, who have acted faithfully and diligently in 
inferior stations, are best qualified for more im- 
portant services; especially when, by enduring 
hardship and facing danger, they have attained to 
great boldness in the faith of Christ. These things 
id be frequently meditated upon and pray- 
ed over by all persons concerned; that they 
may Know how they ought to behave in the 
church of the living God, according to the rela- 
tions in which they stand to him, to his saints, 
and to the world ; that they may hold forth, and 
adorn, the doctrine of truth, as pillars and snp- 
porters of it. This will be despised, or revered, 
in great measure, according to the conduct of 
professors; which will be greatly influenced by 
that of ministers, their families, and connexions. 
The importance of these things is therefore un- 
speakable; and our watchfulness ought to cor- 
respond toit. Whilst numbers want a religion 
without mystery, (which they who worship the 
incomprehensible God cannot possibly have ;) 
and whilst many seem to make the very truths 

3H 


| 
) 


| 


‘shall 4 depart from the faith, giving heed 


‘ 


A. D. 60. 


OW * the Spirit speaketh > express- 
ly, that in ¢ the latter times some 


to seducing spirits, rand doctrines oi 
devils; - a 
2 Speaking & lies in hypocrisy ; hay- 

ing » their conscience seared with a hot 
rong i 
@ John 16.13. Acts| Thes. 2.3, 2Tim.| 17. 18. Rey. 9, 20. 
13.2. & 28.25. 1} 31-3. & 4.4. Gr. 

Gor. i2. 11. Rey-fe Gen. 3. 3—5. 13,}¢ 1 Kings 13. 18, & 
2 7. 11.17.29. &| 1 Kings 22. 22, 23.| 22. 22, Is. 9. 15. 
2 Chr. 18. 19—22! Jer 5. 31 & 23,14. 
b Fz. 1. 3, 2Cor. 11. 3. 13—! 32. Dan. 8.23—25. 
e Num. 24,14. Deu} #6. 2 Thes. 2. Mat. 7. 15. & 24 
‘4. 30- & 32. 29. Is.| 12, 2 Tim. 3. 13 | 24. Acts 20, 30 
2.2. Jer. 48, 47. &| Rev. 9. 2-11, &| Rom. 16.18. Eph. 
49. 39. Ez, 38.26.) 13, 14. & 16. 14. &) 4, 14. 2 Tim. 3. 5. 
Dat, 10. 14. Hos.} 17. 2.23. %& 19,20, 2 Pet 2 1—3. 
3.5. Mic. 4.1. 2) -& 20, 2,3. 8, 10, | Rev. 16. 14. 

Tim. 3. 1. 2 Pet. 3./? Dan. 11. -35—38 |h Rom, 1. 28. Eph. 
8! Jude 18. _ |.1Cor 8. 5,6. & 10.| 4.19. 
d Den. 11. #5. 2).20, Col. 2 18 Acts 


3. 6, 13. 92. 


of the Gospel a mystery of ungodliness: let us 
glory in the incontrivertibly: ** great mystery of 
“ godliness 7’ and show the sanctifying efficacy 
of itin our lives. Let us remember that “ God 
*¢ was manifested in the flesh,” to take away 


+ our sins; * to destroy the works of the devil ; to 


* yedeem us from ail iniquity, and to purify us 
* unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of 
‘good works :” and let us recollect, that the 


‘doctrine of his mysterious Person and Redemp- 


tion must be justified by the fruits of the Spirit, 
brought forth m our lives. Let us learn to_con- 
template his antecedent glory, his voluntary hu- 
miliation, his subsequent exaltation, and his fu 
ture coming to judgment; till we hate sin, de 
spise the world, are transformed into his image, 
filted with his love, and prepared to join the 
worship of his holy angels : and let us still pray, 
that he may be preached to all the nations on 
earth, and believed on in all parts of the world, 
and so wait till he shall please to receive us to 
his glory. 


NOTES. 
CHAP. IV. V. 1—5, To stir up Timothy, 
and others by him, to adhere steadfastly to the 


« Great Mystery of Godliness,” the apostle de- 


claved, that the Holy Spirit spake in the most 
express and decisive manner, not only by Daniel, 
and others of the ancient prophets, but to him 


by immediate revelation, and perhaps to several- 


‘of his brethren, (Marg. Ref) concerning some 


I. aan 
3 b 


ing «| 


}ed with thank 


hath creas 
giving of 
tlfe truth. | 


Pp and nothing to 


5 For 4 it is sa 


i Dan. 11, 37. 1 Cor 
7. 28. 36—39. Heb: 

13. 4 $ 
k Rom, 146 3. 3] 


ohn 
35. Rom. 
1 Cor. 8.8. Col. 2} Cor : 

20—23. Heb. 13. 9. 
1 Gen, 1. 29, 30. &'n 2. 
9, 3. Acts 10, 18—} 32, 


15. 3 Cor, 6. 1%. aay 


M Nets 1 Sap. ae aes 


jects of all worshi 
this delusion would 
of these apostate spi 
22. Col.ii.18) TF 
would be supported | 
would invent a varie 
men with’ pretended mi 
cheat them by legendary 
an infamous trafhe by f 
under the pretext of 
grandizing of themselves 2) 
the credulous multitude. Ni 
feel remorse for their lies and 
habit of villany, under the m 
ry piety, would cauterize their 
render them entirely callous; « 
nal skin becomes unfeeling by 
seared with a hotiron. 1 


other connexions, as well 
by the appearance of unec 
would discourage, and « 
if it were an unholy est 
persons: they would d 
bers, especially to the cle 
all kinds of abominations 
and connived at.” They” 


in the latter days, under the Christian dispensa- 
‘tion, or in after times, that would apostatize from 
the true faith of the Gospel. This apostacy 
wauld be effected by men’s hearkening to false 
teachers, who would be influenced by seducing 
spirits ; and thus they would embrace doctrines 
of devils or demons; and adopt such’ notions 
about the suuls of the dead, as would introduce 
‘the worship of saints as intercessors, and of an- 
gels as spirits superior to men, though inferior 
‘to God: This was a species of idolatry, like 
that of the heathens in worshipping their de- 


Pharisees had done before ther ’ 


xxiii.) But, indeed, God 
kind of wholesome food fi 


restriction ; and therefor 

might be received with — 

ho believed the truth, 

as to know their Christi erty. 

creatures being in themselves it 
‘0 


parted monarchs, legislators, and benefactors, | the pupae! r which he made them, no th 
as demons, or a middle order of beings between | was to. be refused as unclean, provided it 


God and men. And, as devils are the real ob- received with thankfulness : as the pern 


a exercise thyself rather unto 


rb bodily exercise  profteth * lit- 


& 6, 11. Acts 24. 16, 
1.10. & 4.16. 6.& 2Tim. 3. 12. Tit. 2. 
3. 19-7. Marg 12. Heb. 5. 14, 2 
| Proy. 4.2. John 7.| Pet. 1.5—8- 

16, 17, 2 Tim. 4.3.lb 1 Sam. 15.22. Ps. 
—10. 2 50 7—15. Is. Le li 


Tim. 1.6. 
2Pet- 


21 

atl 1&6 20. 2 Col. 2-21-25. Heb. 
5 ay 16:23. & 4] 13.9 5 

4. Tit. 1, 14. & 3.9.}* Or. for a little time. 


arn 4. & 2.10.&3.16.| Heb, 9. 9, 10. 


“Fa 
‘of God’s eg a ‘temperate use of it according 
to his precepts, and prayer for a blessing upon 
‘it, sanctified it to the believer’s use, and to fit 
him for the Lord’s service Every smatterer in 
lesiastical history, must know what apostacy 
corruption of Christianity most entirely ac- 
ed to this prediction. . Tle Judaizing teach- 
‘ sand the Gnostics, and others, aor ean 


rai iniquity in these respects ic, did even 
then work; but it was reserved for the Church 
£ Rome fully to prove the truth of the scrip- 
res, by accomplishing these predictivns in their 
t detestable enormities. (2 Thes,ii.) It has 


CHAPTER Iv. 
brethren in remem-/tle ; but ¢ godliness is profitable unto all 


| & 128. 1—6. Prov. 


% 


‘A. D. 60. 


5 thou shalt be ta things, 4 having promise of the life that 
as Christ, * nourish-| now is, and of that which is to come. 


9 This © zs a faithful saying, and wor- 
thy of all acceptation. - 

10 For £ therefore we both labour and 
*| suffer reproach, € because we trust in 
4 the living God, who is‘ tlie Saviour of 
all men, * See of them that be- 
lieve. 
c 6. 6. Job 22, 2. 


- Tit. 3. 8. 
Deut. 28. 


& 118. 8. Is 12. 2. 


22. Rom. 8 28. 1 
see 1, jer 17- 


Cor. 3. 22. 2 Pet. 
123, 4, “Pd 
25. Rey. 3. 12. 
e See on, 1. 15- 
f 1 Cor. 4. 9—13. 2] Pet. 1. 21. "i 
Cor. 4. 8—10. & 6.jli See on, 3. 156 
3—10. & 11, 23—|i See on, 2 4. rs 
3..16—18. Ee, &} 27. 2 Tim. 2, 9,10.) 36-6 5-45. 21, 22. 
12. Is. 3. 10.& 32.) & 3. 10-12. Heb.| 1 John 1.90. & 3. 
17, 18. & 33. 16. &] 11.26. & 13 13, 1) 15—17. 1 John 2.2 
65-13, 14. Mat. 5] Pet.4. 14, 15. &4.14. * 
3—12. & 6. 33. Rig 6 17. Ps. 37. 40.)k John 5. 24. John 
19. 29. Mari 30. 39, & 52 & & 84, 12] 5. 10—13. 

30. Luke 1 


a 


i—14. 


Job 5. 19—26. Ps 
372 3, 4; 16—19. 29. 
& 84. 1l. & 91- 10 
—16.& 112. 1-3. 


25132 


* most celebrated classical writers, and particu- 
‘larly Horace and Cicero, take the same liberty? 
(Doddridge. Blackwall.)\—The passage undeni- 
ably demands this construction; and all the 
ancient expositions and versions supply the ellip- 
sis in the same manner, or to the same meaning. 
(Note, Acts xv. 19—21.) 

¥. 6—10. Timothy was directed to attend 
to these precdutions himself, and also to put his 
brethren in remembrance of them, that they 
might be upon their guard against every spe- 
cious delusion. ‘Thus he would be a good minis- 
ter of Christ ; and. uct as became one, who had 
been fully instructed in the words of truth and 


it ‘been shown, in what manner the errors of | good doctrine, and who had digested them weil, 
“Wthe Judaizing teachers, and the traditions of the|2nd turned them into spiritual nourishment : 


as 


’ Pharisees on the one hand, and the speculations | he had been trained up in these things, and in- 
_of the heathen philosophers on the other, cor-| deed had made great proficiency in them. But he 
rupted the pure doctrine of Christianity in the | ought steadily to reject the impious fables 4nd 
primitive times. But, it should not be forgotten, | foolish traditions, of the Jewish deceivers, and 
that in subsequent ages, especially in the Raman}others who perverted the Gospel; which were 


Church, the mythology of the Pagans, and the 
‘writings of the poets, helped to introduce still 
further corruptions. For what are the nuns of 
_ popery, but the vestal virgins of the Romans, 
engrafted on Christianity ? Saints and angels, as 


no better thar the stories with which the weak- 
est and most ignorant of women, when almost 
superannuated, used to amuse children. He 
ought, therefore, to treat such follies with the 
neglect which they merited, and to exercise 


"Mediators, answer to the demigods and heroes} himself, by daily study, meditation, and practice, 


of the Pagans ; and the numerous processions 
_ and festivals, and the method of observing them, 
vans with surprising exactness, to those de- 
eribed in Homer and Virgil, especially in the 

ter. Indeed, it appears to me, that a learned 
an, who had leisure to compare all the pomp- 

and fascinating outward services ‘in the 
ch of Rome, especially, though not there 
lusively, with the Greek.and Latin poets, 
h “hay Thad almost said, a Rubrick and a 


e met with some ean which cogently 
led me of the popish picessings and fes- 
7 verse contains ‘one of the 
dest ellipses i in the New Testament, where 
listo be understood, contrary to that 


in every part of godliness; as consisting of a pro- 
per temper of mind and conduct of life, towards 
God; and as obtained by sinners, through the 
believing contemplation of, and dependence on, © 
“ the great mystery of godliness: In this he 
must daily make progress himself, and this he 
ought to inculcate on ethers. For no diligence 
in mere externals, however laborious, self- deny- 
ing, or exaet, could be of much use to any man. 
Even the Mosaic. ceremonies had little profited 
-| the Israelites in general, nor could they. much - 
avail the Jewish Christians ; and human inventi 
must be still more unprofitable and vain. — at, 
godliness, according to the principles and rae 
of the Gospel, was profitable unto all things ;- 
benefited the man himself, his connexions, the 
Church, and society. The promises of iemporal 


ich is ; before expressed : but some of the ie tines to Israel, 2s annexed to their nationat 


a prt re EL ee 


eee Oe 


— 


ee ae ee 


4. D. 66." 


1) These things ! command and teach 
12 Let ™no man despise thy youth; 
but " be thou an example of the beliey- 
ers, %in word, i in conversation, in SAASIYs 

in’ spirit, in faith, in purity. 
13 Till P } come, give attendance 4 to 
reading, * to exhortation, * to doctrine. » 
14 ' Neglect not the gift that is in thee, 
“which was given’ thee’ by prophecy; 
16.2. 2 Tim, 4. 2. 
Tit. 2. 15.& 3. 3. 


m “fat. ?8 10, 1Cor 
10. 10, 11! 2 Tim. 
22. 


17. 2 Pet. 1. 5-8. |s ver. 6. 16.1 Cor, 
p See on, 3. 14, 15 14.6. 26.2 Tim. 4, 
q Deut: 17.19. Josh.) 2. 
1, 8..:Fs./ly 25 30, 


2.22. Jams) ‘3 an 14.3. Tit. 2.18. 


t Mat. 25. 14—30, 
119, 97—104. Prov.| Luke 19, 12—26. 
2.4, 5. Mat. 13.51] Rom. 12. 6—8. 1 
2 Thes, 3.. 7) 8.| 52. John 5:39. Acts’ Thes. 5, 19.2 Tim: 
Tit. 2 7% 1Pet| 64. & 17. 11. | 1. 6, 1 Pet. 4. 9— 
5. 3. | Tim. 2. 1517. il. 

02 Cor. 6, 4—17-|r Rom, 12, 8.1 Cardi 1, 18, 

Phil. 4. 8. 2 Tim] 


it 1 Cor. 11. 1. 1) 
Thess 2. 6. & 3.10. 


obedience, were indeed no longer in force ; and 
godliness might expose a Christian to many out 
ward losses and persecutions; nor were any 
promises of wealth, prosperity, or long life, giv- 
en by the Gospel: yet, the new covenant engag- 
ed to bestow'on believers such spiritual peace, 
and such abundant supports and consolations, 
and they were under such'a peculiar care and 
protection of providence; that godliness might 
well be said*to have the promise both of this life, 
and of that which is to come. (Marg. Ref.)—~ 
This was therefore te be considered as a faithful 
saying, worthy of universal acceptation : for, in 
dependence on these promises, in experience of 
their accomplishment, and in promoting godliness 
among mankind, the apostle and his brethren 
both laboured without wearying, and suffered 
reproach without fainting : because they trusted 
in'the living God, who-is the Preserver of all 
‘nen in respect of their lives and temporal con- 
cerns; and who will therefore take especial care 
of believers, as interested in his covenanted bless. 
ings. Or, who is the Saviour of sinners, whether 
Jews or Gentiles, and of mankind in general ; 
so that none are rejected when’ they apply for 
his salvation; of which believers are already 
made partakers by special grace. 

V. 11—16. ‘Timothy was here required to 
‘enforce on the consciences of the people, the 


“practice of all 'those things, in which’ godliness 


consists, and-to teach them the nature, obliga- 
tion, motives, and encouragements of it: and, as 
jhe was younger than men generally’ were, to 
whom such important services were allotted, 
and probably than several of the elders at Ephe- 
sus; it would be peculiarly incumbent upon him 
to act with such sedateness ‘and wisdom, as 
might deprive every one of any pretence for de 
spising his person or admonitions, ‘on’ that’ ac- 

count, It behooved him therefore to be an ex- 
ample to the whole company of believers, by a 
steadfast and consistent adherence to the word 


-of the gospel, in his profession and preaching ; 


by a pious, pure, and edifying conversation ; by 
love tothe Lord; his people, and all men; by spi- 
rituality, and all the fruits ofittse Holy Spirit ; 5 by 
a lively exercise of faith in the mercy, promise, 


BS TIMOTHY. i 


thyself whol 
ing. may app 


‘doing this ¢ thew 


16» Take heed un 
thy doctrine; 4 


and‘ them that h 
x 5. 22 Acts 4 Phil. 


& 13.3. 2 Tim. 1.6)" Or, zn'a 
y_ Josh. 168. Ps. 1-}b 7 Chr. 
2.& 19.14. & 49.| Chr. 19. N 
3. & 63. 6. & 77! 18. 9. Luke: 
12, & 104, 34. &| Acts 20 ‘ 
105. 5, & 119. 15.| 3. tee eo 

23, 48. 97. 99, 148.| 2 Tina 4. 2: Tit. 
& 143. 5. 

Z Acts 6.4. 1 Cor 
16. 15. 2 Cor! 5. 14, 
a & 8.5. Tit. 2 


a ite: Mat. 5. 16. 


© ver.6. 


16s 1. Beh 


8 2 lat 3 


and providence of 
perils ; and by purity, a f 
excite suspicion, in fora 
lusts by which’ so many min 
“ Till the apostle came to “him,” (which 
hoped'to do, though it turned out ‘ot 
let him devote his time'to the study of ihe Serips 
tures, or in reading any other books which ci 
add to his flind of profitable knowledge ; 
exhorting and instructing the People iy rnd | 
doctrine. As he had been endued with excel 


of the apostles ; let him. not ee 
cise and improve those gifts : for some who. ml ‘| 


ceived those’gifts were thus igent, nay, they 
made a bad use of them, and perhaps were de- 
prived of them on that aceount. Let him there- 
fore assiduously and carefully meditate on these — 
things, and well’ consider the various important - 
duties to which he was called. Let him “give 
* himself wholly to them,” orbe “ 

“them ;” making them the one great | business 
and pleasure of his life, and cordially: devoting — 
all his time and abilities to this important ser. 
vice; that so his growth in wisdom and ministe-. 
rial endowments, and ‘in holiness, atenit 
fest to all around’ him. And, as he was h 
amidst various snares and diffeuleied; tends 

the same ‘deceitful heart as. tisets tel ba 
ought to take special heed” “unto himself,” > 
the state of his soul, his own growth in) 

atid his motives, temper, and conduct in every 
thing : he ought also to look. to his doc-_ 
trine, that it might be scriptural, ih 
gelical, and’ practical: we 


defended, and applied. And, what 

discouragements he: might ‘meet with, let him 
persevere steadfastly in this course; and he 

would thus ensure his own salvation, help: for. 
ward that of other believers, and be the instru. 
ment of conversion to many of those who attends 
ed on his ministry. uy, 


eth SD ave eR 


6 ae 
CHAPTER V. A. D. 60. 


rulers and teachers, 17, 18. How Timothy should yt 
behave towards accused elders and offenders, 19, ‘ 
20. A solemn charge to faithfulness and impar- 
tiality in ordaining pastors, 21, 22. Counsel to 
Timothy concerning his health, 23. The cha- 

‘racter of some is more easily known than that of 
otherafied, 25.1/ (Feed f 85 


. 


elder and younger per- 
en, 1, 2: concerning the wi-|_ 
royided for, or employed, by the 
st of Christians towards rela- 
wihawas expedient for) younger wi-| 
6. The honour to be shown fo diligent 


ledge of the scripture, to which they have attain- 
ed. Instead of amusing ourselves and others, 
with ingenious fancies and curious speculations ; 
orwith enforcing human inventions and super- 
stitions, by imaginary or fallacious explanations 
of their orifin, meaning, and benefit, which are 
often “ profane and old wives’ fables ;” we should 
exercise ourselves, and instruct others, in the 
substantial duties of godliness. This hath at all 
times the promise both of this world end of the 
next ; and our present solid satisfaction, (as well 
as our eternal happiness,) is inseparably connect- 
ed with it; but, all else is vanity and vexation 
of spirit, This faithful saying is worthy of uni- 
versal acceptation : “apostles, evangelists, and 
martyrs, have laboured; endured reproach, 
and faced death in all its terrors, in support of 
it, because they trusted in the living God; who, 
being the Preserver of all men, and the Saviour 
of the world, will surely take especial care of 
those that believe, and cause all things to work 
together for their eternal good. It behooves all, 
who command and teach these things, to take 
heed, that no man despise them: but, this is es- 
pecially incumbent on young ministers, when 
called into conspicuous situations; for they will 
be narrowly observed, and many will be ready 
to deem them unfit for their arduous services ; 
especially when they are called to instruct or 
admonish their seniors and superiors. Ministers 
should also be careful to confirm and elucidate 
their instructions by their example; and thus to 
lead forward believers to steadfastness in the 
faith, holiness of conversation, fervent love, spi- 
rituality, fidelity, integrity, and purity. Their 
time should be employed in reading and medita- 
ting on the scriptures, in acquiring religious 
knowledge, and .in communicating it, by the 
public and private duties of their ministry. This 
will leave them no leisure for dissipated plea- 
sures, trifling visits, or idle conversation ; and 
but little for amusing and merely ornamental stu- 
dies.. That measure of endowment which God 
hath given them for the work to which they were 
set apart, and to» which they solemnly devoted 
themselves, when ordained by the laying on of the 
hands of the pastors of the church, must not be 
neglected or left to decrease by disuse, but must 
be diligently exercised and improved. Alas! 
we cannot but.reflect with grief of heart, that so 


\CTICAL OBSERV. 
We l= 9e8 


foracles. They who allow them- 
speak lies in hypocrisy,” for their 
poses, will gradually become callous 
_ 4n impiety and iniquity, as if their consciences 
were seared with a hot iron: so that no des- 
perate infidels or profligates will be found so 
» destitute of feeling and remorse, as the sanctifi 
| ed impostor; nor ought we to deem any enormi- 
ty incredible, when properly authenticated, to 
have been committed by men of this description. 
‘Those false teachers, who most neglect the com. 
‘mandments of God, and allow themselves and 
others i1 the most atrocious violations of moral 
and relative duties, are most prompt to forbid as 
-evil, what God hath pronounced innocent and 
honourable ; and to command that as a duty, 
‘which he hath left indifferent. But, the law of 
the Lord is exceedingly broad ; and we shall find 
abundant exercise for watchfulness, diligence, 
self-denial, . and mortification of the flesh, in at- 
“tending to all its holy requirements ; without be. 
"img laid under further restrictions, or tasked to 
_jmaginary duties ; as if we had done all his will, 
- and wanted more employment! We should 
therefore be upon our guard against such impo- 
sitions, on whatever pretence they are enforced : 
and whilst we follow after purity, and exercise 
«temperance in all things, according to the will of 
God ; let us disregard such as judge us in those 
things which he hath allowed. Whilst, we are 
"satisfied, that every creature of God is good, and 
- nothing to be refused; let us remember, that all 
‘should be received with thanksgiving, by them 
 ywho believe and know the truth; that even the 
~ odivine allowance will not sanctify an intempe: 
: orate, inexpedient, extravagant, or untharkful use 
__ofithe creatures ; and that nothing will be good 
_ tous, except we seek by prayer the Lord’s bless- 
img on our enjoyment of it. 


Mit ’ V. 6—16. _ few of those called ministers, seem so much as to 
ee » who would approve themselves to behave ever seriously read these directions! and 
bful ministers, must put’ the brethren in re-|that their method of spending their time, the 


SS “=membrance of all those things, which Christ and 
~ his apostles, delivered to the church ; and, what- 
-other siudies or accomplishments may be 
supposed requisite ia those intended for the mi. 
~‘mistzy; it is above all necessary, that they “ be 
* nourish d up in the words o! § hand of good. 
* doctrine ;” and that they well digest that know- 


a. . ey . 
yee eee "2 eo! . i Se 


subjects of their studies, the objects of their 
pursuits, and the business and pleasure of their 
lives, form a perfect contrast to what they ought 
to be! But, may the Lord have mercy upon each 
of us, and write these admonitions in our inmost 
souls! May we meditate continually on them ! 
May our thoughts-and affections be engrossed - 


- 


abn TARRY Tee 


bs D: 60. 


EBUKE n not b an elder, but ’¢ in- 

, treat him as a father, and the ope 
ger men as brethren ; 

2 The ¢ elder women as mothers ; he 
younger as sisters, ¢with all purity. Ya: 
3 § Honour * widows that are widows 
i indeed. 
4 But if any widow have children: ori 
K nephews, let them ! learn first to ‘shew 
* piety at home, and ™ to requite their | 
B ver. 19. 20. Lev.[ 50. John 19. “i 9.39. Jam. ae 


7 And “these #i 
that they may b 
8 But if 


29. 32. Deut. 33, 9.| 27. 2 ver. 4,5. 911, 

Gal. 2. 11-14: f 4 12, Phil. 4.8, 1! Luke 2. 87. Jol 

‘b ver. 17. Acts 14.) Thes. 5.22.2 Tim.) 47.- 

23. & 152 4. 6. KP 2 22. k Judg. 14 

20, 17. Tit. 1. 5, 6.| Vere, 17. Ex.20.12.| Marg. Job 18. 19. 

Jam, 5. 14. 1 Pet} Matt 15, 6.1 Yhes,| Is, 14. 22. 

§. 1. 2 John 1, 3} 2 6.1 Pet, 2.17. &j1 1 Sam. 22, 2, 

John 1, Rev. 4. 4. } 3.7% Prov, 31.28. Luke 

h ver. 9. Deut. 10,] 2. 51. John 19. 26, 

; 18. KE 14-29. & 16. 27. 

25. Philem. 9, 10.} 11. 14x 27. 19.|* Or,stindness. Mat. 

Bre S 1 Pet.5, Job 29, 13. 13s & 34-16.) 15, 4—6, Mark 7. 
Bs.68.5 & 94. 66&] 11—13. 

a alates 18. 15—17,] 146.9. Jer. 49. 11.)m Gen. 45. 10, 11. 

& 23, 8. Matt. 23. 14. Luke] & 47, 12. 28, Ruth 

€ ver. 3. Matt. 12. 7. 12, Acts 6. 1. &! 2.2.18. Eph. 6, 1-3. 


n Sve on,2. es at Sam. 

o ver. 3. *Rath 1. 5. “a. 1i—l5. 
12, 20, 21, ae 
P Is. 3.26. & 49. 21 
& 54: A. Lam. 1 ab 


p Ruth: 2.12, Ps. 
94. Is, 12. 2.°& soir 
10. 1 Cor: 7 32% 1} De 
Pet, 3. 5, ; 
t See on, Luke 2.) 29, 
Le LS Bs Bois i.) € 


proper to” eer with 
tion, and to admonish’ th 
elder women he must e co ul 
tiful sons in such stations \ 
and he should behave 
men with that kind of 
is borne to sisters; and eye 
thing contrary to the strictest: lec 
attend his ministerial converse with 
Vig 4 The apostle next dire 
aged widows, who were really de 
be honourably treated and provided fo 
any widow had * children or grand-e ’ 
were capable of relieving her ; they ou. tol ; 
required, as a duty of the first importance, to 
show piety, ora respectful affec. 
tion, “at home; requiting the tender, labo. 
vious, and expensive care of their parents to 
them, in infancy and childhood, providin; 
them in old age: for that” rit 
debt due to them, and an acceptable 
God, even in preference” any other 
work, . 
V. 5, 6. The * widow in 
apostle peculiarly intend ; 
desolate, having neither chil 
able to maintain her; and being 
means of procuring a decent sub 
same time she trusted in God 
her, and used no improper methods’ 
a support; but devoted herself to his 
‘in continual prayers and supplica 
and occasional, public and private, and 
night as well as by day; taking great 
devotion, and employing herself ve 
supplicating God, in behalf of her 
tians and all around heriisiG 
But any one who lived’a deli 
sipated life; and perhaps chose to contin 


2 


by them! May we “ give ourselves wholly unto 
« them, that our profiting may appear unto all 
**men !” Let every minister then hear the apos. 
tle call upon him to “take heed to himself,” as 
ene that must give account; to look to it, that 
he experience the power of the Gospel in his 
own soul, afd. bring forth the fruits of it in his 
life; that his motives, tempers, words, and works, 
be pure and evangelical; that his doctrine be 
scriptural; that he “declare the whole counsel 
**of God,” and that he manifest his truth to 
every man’s ®onscience, as in the sight of his 
heart-searching Judge. And letevery one, who 
hath thus begun his ministry, persevere in this 
holy living and faithful preaching ; however de- 
spised, reviled, opposed, or discouraged he may 
be : for in so doing, le shall both save his own 
soul, and those of his attentive hearers ; whilst 
blind guides and mercenary teachers can only 
expect to go before their deluded followers ‘nto 
the pit of everlasting destruction. 


~ 
NOTES. 

CHAP. V. V.1, 2. The connexion of the word 
«ranslated “ an elder,” in this place, has induced 
expositors in general to understand it of senior 
Christians, as well as of pastors. It must likewise 
be supposed that the apostle spake of such faults, 
as resulted from infirmity, and were not openly 
scandalous : or the counsel here given cannot be 

onciled with a subsequent injunction. (Note, 
19, 20.) As Timothy was young, it was pecu- 
larly incumbent on him to aveid harshness in 
animadyerting on the misconduct of aged Chris- 
tians or ministers : he ought not therefore to re- 
buke them with severity, or in apparent anger ; 
but, to enitreat them to act with greater circum- 
spection, and endeavour modestly to convince 
them of the impropriety and bad effects of the 
mistakes into which they bad been betrayed : | married, that she might have Tess restra 
even as ason, placed in authority, would ad-|this self-i “indulgent course, must be consid 
dress an honoured parent, who had not acted | as dead in sin, and only alive to worldly pleasu 
with due regard to his character and situation. | (Marg. Ref) so that no ‘honourable attent 
In reproving young men or ministers, it would be | was due to her from the Church. 


A. D, 69. 


' + and tee, if mF have lodged strangers, if 
she haye ® washed the saints’ feet, i if she 
have relieved the afflicted, *if she have 
diligently | followed every good work. 
‘14 But ; the younger widows refuse ; 
for when they have begun m™ to waX wan- 
Ss Christ, a at will marry ; 


ia ei of’ for € oi 
“she have brought up chil- 


wer. 25- 25. & 2. 10+ 

‘| & 6. 18. Matt. 5.) ¢ Acts 16. 14, 15.1 
9. 36.Eph. | Rom. iz. 13. Heb. 

ee ned eg ae 


2.Tim. 2, 21: vers 14. 431 
Tit 2 1k & & 2 Cor#7.39, 40. 
-} 8. Gr. ee 


- 3. 1,1 Pet. 4. 17. 
John 13. $—15. Deut. 32, 15. Is- 
& 3.) 7 Ley. 25. 35. Is. 1] 3. 16. Hos. 13. 6.[p Gal. 1-6. Reve 2> 
| 17. Aets 9. 39.- Jam. 5. 5. aFec & 4.5. 


5 ee SE must wa in ,| ministers, and Pious strangers, as lay within their 
pastors and deacons; that the| province. Though no command is given for such 
ing a aocgeede at Ephesus might) an order of persons in the Church; (for many 
3 things of this kind were left discretionary, and 
to be determined according to circumstances > 
yet, they might frequently be useful, if properly 
selected and regulated. In this view the pro- 
priety of the rule here given, is apparent. As 
the apostle counsels the younger widows to 
marry, ft cannot be imagined that he would ex- 
clude them, when grown eld, from the number 
here intended, if otherwise qualified, merely. be- 
cause they had followed his counsel. By “ the 
“ wife of one man,” therefore, the apostle did not 
intend to exclude such as had married a second 
time, which the scripture no where disallows. 
But, shameful and astonishing irregularities, im 
this respect, were common among the heathen 
women ; they frequently left their husbands to 
live with other men, and then sometimes return- 
ed to them again; they often designedly gave 
them just cause to divorce them, that they might 
take other husbands; nay, they sometimes did 
what was equivalent to divorcing their husbands ; 
Ror were these things deemed scandalous; at 
least, not in that degree which they would be at 
present. Hf then any woman had formerly con- 
formed to these corrupt customs, it would not be 
consistent with the credit of Christianity to admit 
her into this select number of devoted widows, 
though no other objection lay against her; for it 
must exclusively consist of those, who had lived — 
yirtuously and honourably in the married state. 
(iii. 2. 12.) Some expositors think, that they 
who had married again after being divorced, 
were intended : but there is not the least intima- 
?| tion in Scripture, that the divorced should be 
restrained frem marrying again, even if justly 
put away, and surely then, not when unjustly di- 
vorced. They must also be such women, as had. 
an established character for good works since 
they were converted. Those were to be prefer- 
red, who had charitably educated the children of 
their poor relatives or neighbours, or who had 
fathfully done their duty towards their own chil- 
dren ; whe, when in more prosperous circumstan- 
ces, had hospitably entertained sirangers in their 
. houses; who had willingly stooped to the. office 
er reli of washing the feet of the saints, when wearied 
| young women, and perhaps children ; or to at-| with travelling ; and who had, from love to Christ, 
_ tend on such other concerns of the Church, its| readily relieved the afflicted, and dilig-atly =.- 


in 
ee, ; 
- a *» os 3 - 


even by means of; their benevo- 
By 2 persons as were a scandal to them. 
i “any man refused to provide for his own 

) ae for his wife, children, 
1; or for his aged parents } through 
ss, extravagance, or self-indul- 
ie considered as having re- 
e: faith, by manifestly and_ habitually 
to obey. Christ ; nay, as acting more 


ally and unreasonably than an unbeliev- 

er would do in such circumstances. The hea- 
pass in general, considered children as bound 
support their aged parents; and considered 
abe neglect of this duty as infamous, and fit only 
to be mentioned along with the most scandalous 
: (Marg. Ref.)—The manner in which 
nal ny covetous persons grievously pervert. this 
text, must not pass unnoticed : while they evi- 
ently violate the duties of piety, equity, and 
charity, as well as that of providing for their 
digent relations ; yea, while they bring up 
- their children, and maintain oe families, ih a 
manner utterly unsuitable to their circumstan- 
__ ces, from eagerness to amass riches ; they often 
_ quote this verse, in vindication of their. sordid 
‘avarice, and imagine that the apostle commanded 
“Men to neglect all other duties, in order to en- 
» Fich their children! (16.)—‘ Some plead these 
* words, to justify, or to excuse, their sordid 
“parsimony, and want of charity: whereas, they 
“p inly respect the provision, which children 
ould make for their parents ; and not that 


that no widows we#: to be relieved by the Church, 
aig under sixty years of age: for the dis- 
tresses of younger widows, as well as of other 
OF persons, might be very urgent. He is, 
efore , generally supposed to refer to a certain 
umber of carne. who were discharged from 


f and counsel to them ; to instruet 


ee 


] 


-yersary * to speak reproachfully ;_ 


13 And withal they learn 4 ¢o de idle, 
® wandering about from house to house ; 
and not ‘only idle, but tattlers also, and 
s busy-bodies, * speaking’ things which 
they ought not. 44 

+14 4 [| will therefore that * theyounger 
women marry, bear children,’ ¥ Hise the 
house, give none occasion to the ad. 


15 Forsome a are already turned aside 
after Satan. , ao 
16 If any man or woman that’ believeth 


Prov. 31. 27 2|x 11. 4. 3.. 1 Cor} Pet. 4, 14, 15. 

hes. 3.6—11. 7. 8,9. Heb- 13. 4.)* Gr. for their rail- 

r Ley. 19. 16. Prov.jy Gen. 18. 6. 9%) ing. Luke 23. 35— 
20. 19. Luke 10. 7.) Prov. 14. 1. & 34.) 41. — 


Acts 20 20. 27—29. Tit. 2. 5.la Phil. 3. 21, 22, 2 
3:2 Thes. 3. 1l6 11 Gr ; Tim. }. 15. & 2. 18- 
Pet. 4.15. Zz 6+ 1. 2Sam. 12.) & 4.10. 2 Pet. 2. 


t Acts 20. 30. Tit-| 14, Dan, 6.4-Rom.| 2. 20, 22. & 3. 16. 
1.11. Jam..3. 10.) 14, 13. 2°Cor. 11:).1 John 2,19. Jude 
ti See on, 2, 8. — ; 12. Tit. 2. 5. 8. 1 4,5 Rey. 12.9. 


tended to every good work. These widows, when 
grown old and left desolate, were the proper 
persons for this service. But Timothy was di- 
rected to reject the application of younger wi- 
dows: for experience showed, that their’avowed 
purpose, of no more entering into the married 
state, was not to be depended on. After a time, 
when their gricef.on account of their former loss 
had. subsided, various circumstances might in- 
duce them to marry again: and, as. their ad- 
mission into the number of devoted widows, im- 
plied an engagement to the contrary, and proba- 
bly was attended by some promise to this effect : 
so, their violation of it might be called “a wax- 
«ing wanton against Christ,” leading them to be 
unfaithful to him, for the sake of some earthly 
object. Thus their engagement would serve to 
their condemnation, by occasioning their viola- 
tion of that fidelity to Christ, which they had 
previously promised: the church would see it 
necessary to censure them, and their sin would 
expose them to condemnation, if not repented of. 
They might perhaps be tempted to apostatize 
from the faith, by marrying heathens: and this 
seems (0 have been the case with some of this 
description. For Christians, probably, would 
not be disposed to marry those, who had enier- 
ed into this number ; and if their inclinations led 
them to marry, their situation might expose them 
peculiarly to this temptation. The original is, 
= They will incline,” or choose, ‘'to marry,” 

V. 13—15. It might likewise be feared, and 
experience had shown there was danger, lest 
younger widows, being early freed from the em- 
ployments of domestic life, and haying much 
leisure, should neglect to spend it in devotion 
and the duties of their station; and so contract 
habits of idleness, and waste their hours in saun- 
tering from, house to house as trifling visitants ; 
tattling and gossipping about the news of the day, 
and intermeddling with other people’s affairs, 
spreading slanders, and speaking many things of 
a mischievous and improper,nature. (2 Jes. iti.11.) 
We should not suppose, the apostle meant, that 
all the younger widows, who were employed in 
this seavice, acted im this manner: but, it was 


f be counted. 
especially they 
and doctrine.” 

18 For kK the st ; 
shalt not muzzle 


rs hs, 
b See on, ver. 4.8. 

c See on, vere 3, 

d See on, bever-1s | 

e. 3. 5, Mate 2: 
Luke 12. 42. 


28. 10. Rom. 15.) 
27. 1 Cor. 9, 5—14, 
. Moy | 


an evil incident to 
sufficient reason fo: 
fore determined 
at liberty to ma 
stances admitted, 

the useful ane n} 
domestic bponaaes at 
given to. any adversaries of t 
reproachfally of it, through 
such as professed to be p 
Pees f Christ. For ‘| 
widows, being improper 

number, had Linch setae 
tions of satan, had married 
bands, and so relapsed into idol 
‘ converting men to the Christian 
‘ the “ turning them from satan 
* The casting off the faith may 
“ the turning aside after satan 


apostle’s determination, that 
should be a 


sixty years of a 
select number of deyoted w 
less lives and misconduct should 
dal, concludes with peculiar force agair 
vows of virginity, taken by young persor 
pretence of more strict, religion t 
practised in the married state: and, 
silence of the apostle concerning % 
had never been married, in this ¢ 
very expressive. / But the] 
before many ages had elapsed, ab’ 
up: this:deficiency S/o.) Sie alr 
V. 16.. In closing this subject, 
required every believer, man or 
was -able, to relieve widowstbelo 
families, and others who were de 
the church might not be burdenec 
or prevented from relieving 
entirely indigent and friendless. 
© ion of Estius, this precept 
© proprietors of slaves ; and bo 
€ tain their slaves, when they became i 
© of labour” (JMacknight.) The spirit 
no doubt, extends to servants of every kind, who 
have spent their strength in our service, as fa 
as we are able to suppeit them. 


pei shorn elie things, *)with- 
out" preferring oue before another, daing 
nothing: by * 
22 ¥ Lay hands # : suddenly on no many 
= neither be partsker of other men’s sins: 
» keep thyself pure. © 


33. 9. Prov. 16.) 6. Heb. 6.2 
a Soke 20. 3. 6. 10. Josh. Ss 


ae | 


hat sin P rebukgsbefpre all 
also may fear. Seis oon 
harge thee before God, and the 

al. 2 Pet. 2. 4 


4 2}: 20-Dewe 13.11. 
ie tae el ip.20.| Judes. Rev. 12.7] Acts 1s. 87, 38-4) 1 3 Tim 2 2. 
Bayes: $5.5] —9-& 14.10. Cor. 516 | Te 1 s—o- 
‘| t Ps. 107. 43. aa org ar ae - Eph. 5 11.2 John 
_| 43. Mat 28. 20. - & 3.17. 11. Rev. 18. 4. 
© Ox witht prejuly 4 4 Acts 6;.6.)b 4. 12 re 
dice. & 13.3.2 Tim by ‘& 20.26. 


s Mat: 16. 27. & 25. 


u Lev, 19515. Deut. 


guilty of any scandalous offence, witch elders 
orothers; Timothy, as presiding in the church, 
was required to rebuke them before all their 
brethren: not only in order to their being made 
ashamed and brought to repentance ; but, that 
athers might fear the same censure, and so be 


Bee oth others do not 
ace; and, in. general, ruling and 
punlited. (Mare. Ref) Indeed, as 
ou "chiefly relates to a more plentiful 
“maintenance ; it is improbable that| excited to greater circumspection. 
ers, who would not be greatly taken off} V. 21,22. The apostle here most solemnly 
their secular business, should be thus main.| charged Timothy, | ‘as in the presence of God ahd 
‘ on. | re-| the Lord Jesus Christ; and as he hoped to jin 
the company of the elect angels, who had been 
preserved and confirmed in holiness, when ma- 
‘ny of their company apostatized and ruined them. 
‘selves; who then witnessed his conduct, aod 
would ‘attend, when he should give an account 
of it to his sovereign Judge: that he observed 
these things, with the utmost care and exactness, 
whatever opposition and trials he might incur ; 
and that in all these regulations, he should take 
care not to prefer one man to another, through 
any carnal affection, attachment, connexion, or 
obligations ; and that he should manifest no par- 
tiality, either in censuring offenders, or ordaining 
elders, or in any other part of his important ser- 
vice. [a ordaining elders, especially, he mus 
be careful not to act in a hasty manner; but 
S| take time to examine into men’s characters, prin- 
ciples, motives, and endowments, that he might 
not be induced to lay hands on improper per- 
sons, by importanity employed in their behalf, 
He would need great care, in this immensely im- 
portant concern, to avoid being part=ker of other 
meo’s sins, and becoming answerable, in part at 
ieast, for the crimes of chose, who thus intruded 
into that sacred function, to the dishonour of 
God, the great detriment of the church. and the 
ruin of immortal souls; for even an obliging and 
easy temper might betray him into much crimi- 
ality, from which he must by all means keep 
himself | pure. Te is manifest, that Timothy is 
nere, and elsewhere, supposed to possess great 
whose doctrine and reproofs had of | authority in the Ephesian church, both in super- 
hem; and indeed, the grand enmity of intending the” elders >aulready ordumea and in 
ser of the brethren,’ and of ail bis}. rdaining others. © It is also allowed that he was 
would be excited against them. It was |an extraordinary person, especially appointed by 
= highly reasonable, er no accusation, | the apostle to this ’service; but there is no prof, 
that he confetred miraculous puwers by the ime 
c igation, “and thus to endanger his | position of his hands, as the apostles did. We 
jould be regarded, if supported or-|cannot indeed by any means infer the divine 
y testimony; which his denial right. aoa acy, from the authority exercised 
© would at Jegst counterbalance ay Timothy, np a and other evangelists: yety 
pect of those ‘whe were evidently jit is highly: probable, ‘at ‘Teast, that it was very 
, alee Si ' 


the doctrine of Peanty 29 
nes of the pastoral office: the di- 
‘Seems therefore to mean, that they who 
f ‘most prudently, faithfully, and diligently, 
ies most laborious in their ministry, shoul! 
most respected'and best provided for: especial- 
Bake Were most unwearied in preaching, 
e exhortation; «3 the exercise of au- 
mae ‘vas more’ suited to the natural disposi- 
; he Heiosn heart. (Notes, 1 Cor. ix. 4— 
4) Labourer, Kc. © This, as well as what 
2 n before, ‘js. affirmed by the apostle to be 
Scripture : yet it is no where written 
a the Jewish ‘scriptures. It is found only, 
)=.10/ Luke x. 7. The apostle must 
fore have read, either Matthew's or Luke’s 
before he wrote this epistle. And see- 
‘Saying as acripture, and re 
‘Pp it as of equal authority with the wri 
€ tings of Muses; it is a proof, not only of the 
early publication of the Gospels, but of their 
© authenticity, as divinely” inspired writings * 
E) aay (Notes, 1 Thee. ¥. 27, 2 Pet. iii. 


ean accusation against him, except it 


ested by two or three credible witnesses. 


night be disposed to revile those faithfu! 


¥ ee; 
wf. id 


F 


Som. 


“a, ee eee —..., - 
ED cme RN ar meena (ats age ete 


? 


. —— 


5 D . 40. 


23 Drink no longer water, * but use 
a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and 
thine often infirmities. 

24 Some men’s 4 sins are open before- 
& 8.18, Gal, 5.19 


+21. 2°Tim. 4, 10. 
2 Pet. 2. Se yy 


e © 869, 84. 4, Lev. 18. Tits 1. 7. & 2 
10, 9—11. Ps, 104.) 3. 

id Jers 2e 34» ‘Acts 1. 
16—20. & 5. 1—11. 


5. Prov. 31. 4—7. 
2 44.21, Eph. 5. 


early found expedient and) cunileciat to peace, 
to have a stated presiding inspector, of approved 
wisdom and piety; who’ might superintend the 
pastors and the affairs of a few. neighbouring 
churches, as moderator and. censor; and be pe. 

culiarly attended to inthe appointment of church. 
officers. Hence a moderate episcopacy was very 
early, probably even while some of the:apostles 
lived, generally prevalent in the church , indeed, 

this seems to have, taken place, between the 
time, when St. Paul gave his admirable parting 
charge to the elders or bishops, of Ephesus, and 
the time when: St,’John, from our» Lord’s »own 
mouth, wrote’epistles to the angels of the seven 
churches in Asia,» And after alt» the abuses, 
usurpations, controversies, and prejudices, that 
have. since been introduced ; probably the time 
will ere long arrive, when experience will. con. 

vince! pious''men of different: persuasions, that 
something of this kind, properly conferred, limit- 
ed, and exercised, would prove.a suitable remedy 
to those multiplied divisions, which so weaken 
and. disgrace religious societies, that in doc: 

trine, worship, and* practice, are in all other re- 

spects unexceptionable. 

Y. 23. This verse is aremarkable snatande 
of the/apostle’s neglect of exact method, inpen- 
ning his:epistles. It occurredto his mind, when 
reflecting on Timothy’s manifold cares and la 
bours, that his».frequent indispositions might be 
increased by his too great abstemiousness :, to 
the prevention of his usefulness, and the shorten- 
ing of his. days. He therefore broke in upon his 
subject, to counsel him, not todrink water any 
longer, at least a3 his only liquor; but, to.use a 
little wine to strengthen his stomach and preserve 
his health. . We’may, hence form an estimate of 
the exact temperance practised by these labori- 
ous servants of Christ, who so zealously pleaded 
the cause of Christian liberty, who placed no de: 
pendance on such matters, and who never pre- 
scribed their; own conduct asarule for other 
men! 

V. 24,25. In respect of ‘the choice and ordi- 
nation of ministers, it might further be observed:; 
that some men’s crimes were so notorious, and 
so easily proved, that they lay open beforehand, 
and. anticipated the judgment whicli_ was to be 
formed. of their conduct and pretensions. In 
other cases they followed after, so that dilig 
and impartial investigation would be requisite in 
order to detect them. In like manner, some per. 
sons applying for admission into the public ser- 
vice of the church, had a sufficient testimonial in 
their known and “abundant good works, which 
were manifest before any peculiar inquiry was 
made: and when this was not the case, yet, upon 
due investigation, Timothy and others might be- 
come acquainted with them. so that in must in- 


ea acini, © 


of reason, infer, that they, w 


provision for persons of this descrip 


hand, - before to» 
some men et follow after. ey.’ 

"25 Likey > also © good § 
some are } fore-hand ; and th 


that are other 


e 3.7, Mati 85°16.) 2 
Acts.9, 36. & 10.) 3 
22. & 16. 1-3. &IC. 


inno t be hic Ey areas 


stances, an impartial : 
without any respect 
them to know who were 
ble. to public stations, — ‘ 
© whose good or bad works ers 
‘ hand: for they. without. furthe 
« may be admitted, or are to be. re 
« those whose vices, or rks, are 
« For-they, afier caneiinler ai Inquiry; cal 
+ be long hid. And so, if thou be not hasty im, 
« laying on of hands, thou mayest timely disco 
« ver them. Or thou wilt. pot:he-partaker 
¢ the-sinnery having done aa 
* powerito discover them, 
bee pe 


PRACTICAL, RVATIC 
A 4 ®;- dant 
There isa. wpm be due’ to. the. 
must not»be withheld. by. their their juniors, _ 
placed in authority over them, or even o1 
count. of ine Every thing 
and. assuming must .b be; SRABEO ORs 
duct of young. ministers’ ——? LOTS, | 
it- would, be in. the son to hi 
rents, | Indeed, admoni oe 
efficacious, whether to old or you when m 
ness and affection unite with 4 
fulness... The greatest caution. BR a a 
quisite in the conduct of ministers, (es 
while inthe prime of life,).as: totheir most 
ful.coaverse with eRe i 
congregations =, that all « : 
and suspicion of evil, may be p 
indispensable duty, for child 
dren to requite the kindness of 
rents; ‘this is good and. acce 43 
nor are more distant relations exempt 
measure of the same obligation, whe 
afford it; that neither the Churc 
nor the public, may be, charge 
contributions, raised in any way, 
to such as are really destitute... .B 
fessor of the Gospel, through 
dence, selfishness, of sotbeTe 
wilfully neglect, or refuse to.p 
relatives: he,is, in the. 
tually a denier of the pte even.wor 
his neighbours who do. not pretend ta ) 
doctrines of grace. And may w 


their household, and to 
salvation of cher relative 
sistently with. the Ch 1) 
widows and others,of good ¢ ‘ 
left cestitute in the decline of life, o 
‘honoured as well as supported. - 

intent of these scriptures to. teach us, that 
religious society shéuld, as far as it is able 


CHAPTER VI. A. D. 60, 


‘pe’ VIL oy Meidneeltie Jow after righteousness, &c: and to fight the good 
Par tay crits fight of faith, 11, 12; and most solemiily charges 
pais unbelieving, and believing, him to be faithful till the coming of, Christ, 13, 14. 
imothy must shun those, as cor-|. He, ascribes . glory to the eternal God, 15,°16- 
er { Timothy must tharge the rich to avoid phil, and 

apostle’s doctrine, 3—5. The advantage of godli_| - confidence in wealth ; and to abound in hberal:ty, 

ness with contentment, 6—8. The mischiefsaris.; as seeking a treasure in heaven, against the time 

from the love of money, 9, 10.' ‘The apostle|/ to come, 18, 19; and he must adhere to the faith, 
Timothy to flee from these evils 5 evils 5 to fol. avoiding profane and d vain controversies, mica 21. 


office: but the most: pradent,: faithful, and dili- 
gent, especially the most laborious'in the word 
and doctrine, ought to be most honoured and 
best provided for. The reverse proportion in- 
deed seems generally to be adopted in this mat- 
ter: but the Lord will provide for bis faithful 
servants, whatever method men may follow in 
disposing of theirfavours. It may be expected, 
that the impartial public reprover will be expos-' 
ed’ tothe attacks \of malicious calumniators > 
and, though his faults should not be connived at, 
yet, accusations against him ought not to be re-~ 
garded, except well authenticated: but they, 
whorgive public offence by their crimes, should. 
be rebuked publicly, that others may be put upon 
their guard. All who are employed in important 
services in the’ Church, should consider them- 
selves as charged by the apostle, “ before God 
* and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect an- 
gels, to observe those things, without prefer- 
“ ring one before another.” The neglect of this 
rule, in the exercise of ecclesiastical authority, 
has given its opponents one of their best argu- 
ments against it. So much hath been done out 
of carnal respects, and by partiality to relatives, 
friends, and connexions, in admitting men into 
the ministry, appointing them to livings, and con- 
niving at their crimes; that the exercise of all 
authority of this kind) has* been considered. as: 
unlawful: How far those concerned in ecclesias- 
tical matters are culpable, in respect of “laying 
‘“ hands suddenly” on improper persons, without 
due‘ inguiry and circumspection, or from com- 
plaisance'to superiors or friends; and how far 
this rule is observed, or violated, in ail its extent, 
‘every man’s conscience must determine for him- 
‘self, till Christ shail come to take’an account of 
his»servants: But it-is certain that immense 
criminulity must rest somewhere: as ‘the multi+ 
tude of ignorant, slothful, ambitious, avaricious, 
immoral, and heretical clergymen, who remain 
uncensured throughout this land, and in almost 
every part of the visible Church, most manifestly 
proves. There must somewhere be those, who 
are, inthis respect, “‘ partakers of other men’s 
“sins ;” andait must require great care and 'con- 
scientiousness “for any one absolutely to keep 
himself pure: It is extremely difficult, under 
any ferm of Church-government; to conduct 
ry particular, in such a manner, as to “do 
“nothing “by partiality?” this will require cig- 
»| cutnspection, firmness, intrepidity, disinterested 
zeal, and the meekuess of wisdom} and thesey 
cannot be obtained’ without much fervent prayer. 
| These things, however, must be carefully ob- 
‘| served by those who would not be partakers of 
hi wy ~« lother men’s sins; as every person concerned” 
of: no tna pieced es ou ali, | must feel in pruportion*to his conscientiousness. 
- ted, who are  cisgrace to-their| But, they who honestly desire ‘to! do their duty, 


we them ‘to sordid penury, orto the tender 
sies of the wicked, in’ their old’ age. But: 
hen this provision should be limited'to stich as 
# trust in God, and devote themselves to his ser- 
», in prayer and supplication’ night and 
#day 2” at least to such, as give evidence, that 
‘he are of a widely different character, from 
those “ who live in pleasure, ‘being dead whilst 
« prey te la ! what numbers are there of 
among nominal Christians, even 
to pag vii sraery of life! ! And-how much does 
the gamé’leaven work among professors of the’ 
! These’ ‘things we. must give in charge,’ 
that the Church may be preserved blameless ;/ 

or at least: vet we may deliver our own souls. 

IMIi9—16,.60° FL 

Every one ¥ie: is brought forth into notoriety 
in the Church, should, as much as possible, be 
free from’ scandal ; and many are proper objects 
of charity, who ought not to be employed in 
public services. They who; in domestic life, 
have shown most diligence, humility, compas- 
sion, benevolence, love to the people of God, 
and reatlinéss for every good work, are most 
likely to fill up leisure time profitably, and to be 
| faithful i in whatever is intrusted to them. It is 
not sufficient to determine what would be best 
in itself, ‘of things not absolutely obligatory or 
tinilawfal : the state of human nature, and facts, 
_ must be attended ‘to, that it may be known what 
is most” fenerally expedient. Iv might have 

| seemed piausible to admit the young widows, or 
other young women, to such a service in’ the 
Church, as implied an entire devoting of them- 
sélves to religion for the rest of their days; yet, 
the apostle, not only with the wisdom derived 
from deep reflection and extensive observation, 
“Bitt, under the influence of the divine’ Spirit, 
ecided otherwise: He knew that this would 
e&pose them to temptation, and lead many into 
that it would tend to ensnare some of them 
improper marriages, and even occasion their 
is anid ruin; that it wanted give others: of 


el 


We, intrud 


ng ito’ matters not belonging to them, 
and improper conversation: and that it: would: 
hiérefore, be generally hetter for them to be em» 

in the duties of the married state, and in 
és of a family; that this would give less 
to mo mage micas ane to s 


y sey make shown ‘theinstotal: ignorance 
ature, “epee done eet: wits? 


4 
' 
: 


pee Fe 


~. Ge Pe Te PN ee) ok eR ee ks Oe ee a ee 


AD. ‘6@. I. TIMOTHY. ) 


m the words of our Lord Jesus ¢ 
vand to ® be ‘ ¢ which i 5 


.ET as,many.® seryants as are under 
the yoke, » count their own masters 
worthy of all honour, ¢ that the name of} t 
Ged and his doctrine be not blasphemed : 
2. And they that have 4 believing mas- 
ters, © let them»not despise them, f be- 
cause they are brethren; but rather do 
them service, & because they are * faith- 
ful and beloved, » partakers of the benefit. 
i These things teach and exhort. 
3 If * any man teach otherwise, and 
consent not! to wholesome. “words, even 


4° Hew 
but $ doting P 
of words, 1 where 
railings, evil sul 

5. § Perverse 
corrupt minds, ami 


, | BMpPoRIng that 
1. a Hh of 
° os 7. & 3.6. Prov. Bear We 
13,7. & 25. 14, 
26. 12. Acts 8. 9. 2 Phitet 
cas Rom — Tae 
1 Cor, 3. 18 § 
1, 2. Gal, 6. 3. Col we 
9.18.2 Vhes 2.445 Pet 
2 Tim. 3. 4 2 Pet. 07,6 
2. 12. 18. Jude 10.1 anorhe: 
16. Rev. 3.17. jv Mat. 
+ Or, a fool. tig. 33 


a Deut. 28. 48, Is, 
47.0 & 58,5. Mat, 
21. 29,30. Acis 15. 
BS 1 Cor.7 21, 22 
Gal. 5. 1+ 3.16: 

b Gen. (69) & 24d Cob 4.92 Philem 
212. 27, 35, &e-2}10—-16. 

Kings 5 2,4, 13Je Gen. 16. 5.18. 1, 

Mal’ 1) Kels Vor mam aA 3: Matty a iy writ 2. 1615. 
7. 22. Eph, 6,581 6. 24. 2) Pet. 2:20 3. 

Col. 3. 22—25, Tir.) Jude 8. 

2. OX Pet, 2. 17/5. %, Mat. 93. \8. 
—20, | & 25. 40. Rom 8 

© 5.14 Gen, 13. 7,) 29. Gal. 3. 26~29, 
8 2 Sams 12. 14.1 Cok 3. 11. 

Neh. 9.5. Is. 52, 5:)2 Gal. 5. 6. Epli. 
Ez, 36. 29. 23. 


re 17. 1 Rom.) 

24° 1 ' Cor. 
sohad “Pit. 2.5, 8 
10. 1 Pet. 2.12. &)* 


m Mat. 22. 21. & 

28. 20 1 Thes. 4 

1, 2. 8. 

ns. 7,3 Tit, 1.1 

pane 11-14. 2 Pet 
~3—7. 


Lis: Col. 1. 2 
4, & 3. 12. 2‘Thes. 
1.3 Philem 5—?. 
Or, delzeving. 
Jock 2. 28. Rom. 
i. 17. Eph. 3. 6. 
Heb. 3. b. 14. 1 Pet. 


t Or, sic 
4. 8 
ge se4 


k 1. 3. *6. Rom. 16- 
17. Gal 1.6, 7. 
{1 1, 10:2 Time 1213s 
& 4.3. ‘Lit. 1.9 
& 2. 1, 2. Gr. Prov. 
15. 4. Tit. 3.8. 


will, zener ally be directed in it; some men’s sins bretfiren ia ‘Christ, 
will be discover.d at once, going before to judg, | pect of religinus priy 
ment’ ;, others require more diligent search ;/ service, with d =a 
Whi ist the good works of others are eats dal a because of their inc 
an they that are otherwise, may yet be known | in his ‘love, as partakers of of t] stin 
upon due inquiry: so that a sufficient judgment | nefit of his free bes Reoge h 
may generally be formed for the regulation of| Christian masters wer 110. 
“men’s conduct, if their minds be free from pre-| slaves at liberty; though. th 
judice and partiality. Finally, let_us observe, | to behave towards then in.st 
that eminent grace will connect ‘the strictest} would greatly lessen tl 
temperance with the most fervent zeal for the] would have excited much 
liberty of the Gospel: that it is the duty of every | the jealousy of the-civil 
one to use proper means for the preservation of|tarded the progress reel 
his health and life, as a debt which he owes to expressly required by 
the Church, the community, and his family: and] principies both of the | 
that they, who are frequently infirm, who labour | carried to their 
abundantly in important. services, and whose | ish slavery, | TI 
earnestness in spiritual things inducesadisregari|ed to teach and enfo 
to animal indulgence, , should follow the advice | est importance; a 5 
of those, who give them proper directions for a} wise, and consented t no 
due regard to their health. which were indeed the words re 
NOTES... by bim, and an essentt f the 
CHAP. VI. V. 1-5. (Notes, Eph. yi. 5—8.| cording to godliness; 
€ol. vii. 22—25.) The apostle next directed, that | a,selfconceited i ignorai 
Christians who were uncer the yoke of slavery, | ed up. with an opinion 
should quietly attend to the duties of their low-| ambitious of distinetion 
ly situation ; counting their own masters entitled | entirely unacquainted: with 
to ail that respect, fidelity, and obedience, which tendency of the Gospel. | 
that Superior relation demanded; and not sup-| tain, to what set of, men 
posing that their religiuds knowledge, privileges, | but, as many of the Jews 
or liberty, gave them.a right to despis: their hea- submit to heathen gover 
then masters, tn disobey their lawful commanc e Judaizing teachers inc 
or to expose their faults to their neighbours.—| shippers of God oughi.naed 
‘Tis they ought to attend to, that the name of} tcrs;,and so paid the 
God might nut be blasphemed, anChis truth and suading them that they 
Worship | eviled, among the Gentiles, by means | berty. . ent there migh 
of the failure of Christian servants in acknow regal ‘ 
ledged duties. r nid. A ch of them, as enjoyed | tions; ! 
the privilege “of, i Sin Ly Ame ought by no | ious and nice Sp 
means to de lespise t th-hold from them | Such persons, howe 
due respect t and. ‘ibecause they were | doting, or raving, | ‘ae 


4 


* 


4)D260. €HAPTER VI. ALD. 6: 


6 But § godliness with * contentment 
vga mat °- 
7 For ¥ we brought nothing into this 
world, bie) * certain we can carry 
4h) 


temptation, and*a snare, and intod many 
foolish and ‘hurtful lusts, © which drown 
uven im destruction and perdition. : 

10 For * the fove of money is the root 
of all evil; which while some & coveted 


— gAndtshaving food and nega? let after, they have * erred from the faith, 
“usibe. therewith content. » und pierced themselves through with 
»9 Bur» they that will be rich’ fall i inte | many sorrows. 
yas 

£ —13. "33, Heb. 13. 5,6 ait! = Jam. 5. 1— & 8,20. 2 Pet-2:3+) 1. & 7.3, 4 Mal. 
eam jb 1 21. Be, 5jb Gen. 13. 10—13. > Pet. 2. is, 16.if Gen. 34. 23, 24. &) 7. “10. Matt. 23. 14. 
y. 3. 13—18. K| 15, 16 wan. sas 1719 | dude 88. 16. Ex. 237,84) Acts 1. 16—19. Tit. 
—91 & is 16|z Ps. 4% 17 Luke} Josh 7. 21 2| © %. 7. Dent. 7. 25.) Deut. 16. 19 & 38.) 1. 11. Rev. 38. 33. 

“46. 8. Matt 6.) 12.20, 21. & 16} Kings 5 20-27. Psi 6 Prov. 1.1 ¢ 5. 18. Jadg- 17-lg ver. 212 Tim. 4. 


, 33. Luke 12. 3),! 22, 23. Prox 15, 27. & 20 
. Rom. 5,.3—5 4a Gen. 2°. 20. & 48-) 21. & 21.6. & 2 


Be. 23, 2 Cov. a) 15, Deut 2. 7-& 8, 16 & 28. 9-22. 
7, i8 & 5. 1} 3, 4° Prov.27.2%—| Is. 5. 8. Hos.12 7, 
sn {. 21. : APE PBA ats 8 Am & 4-5 
1b 
- 25) 


w=19 Luse at.l 10,21. & 18. 19,20.) 30. Jude 11. Seg 
35.2 Tim. 2..26. | 2931.2 Sam. 45 al 
d Mark 4.19 Ephs) 10,11 Prov. 1. 194° Or, deen seduced. 
4.3% Hohni15— 7.| Is 1. 23. & 55. 1islh Gen. 19 14 26. 
e Num. 31. 8. Josh.) Jer. 5. 27, 28. Ez] 31, &e. 2 Kings 5 

7. 24—28. Mat 27.) 13.19. & 16, 33.) 27. Ps. 32.10, Pray. 
35, Acts 5.4, 5| & 22. 12. Mic. 3s 1. St. 2 Pet. 2,7, 8¢ 


Zeeh. 1). 5, Matt 
13. 22. & 19% 22 & 


fever,) about hava questions and disputes of]: 
words, names, forms, or notions, which bad no 
connexion with the power of godliness: nay, ov 
the contrary, they tended to excite envy and com- 
‘petition between one and another, angry contests 
r victory and pre-emi: nence, mutual revilings 

aod calumnies, injurious suspicions and jealous 
ies ; and absurd, obstinate, and violent contro- 
versies, between men of corrupt and carnal 
minds, who were destitute ofthe real knowledge 
of the truth and its sanctifying efficacy, and wh: 
only sought | their own secular advantage ; sup 
Posi to be valuable, in Proportion as 
it tended to enrich them, as if ‘gain and god’ - 
ness bad been but two names for the same thing ! 
Thus they wanted to persuade the Christian ser 
vants, that the recovery of their liberty was to 
be considered as a Christian privilege, of great 
 walue, which they ought to claim, whatever the 
nsequence might be : and, from the same prin 
_ ciple, they sought worldly deere by their religi- 
6. J lgpenecys and as their leading object — 
‘3 such men Timothy was exhorted to with- 
w himself ; and neither have acquaintance 

with them, ner ‘spend his time in disputing 

_ against them. (Marg: Ref) - . 

—  ¥. 610. _The'proposition beSiee mentioned, 
“ that gain is godliness,” might be reversed, 
thus contain a most important truth. God 
35, connected with a contented mind, was in 
ed very great gain, (Vote, iv. 8. Phil iv.10— 
23:) as it tended toa man’s. present comfort 
a everlasting benefit, whatever his outward 
ircumstances were. For men brought nothing 
into the world with them, but were born helples= 
d desti ute, except as Providence supplied all 
heir wants: and it was most certain, that no 
‘Wan could take any thing along with him when 
“he left'the world. So that, a subsistence du- 
ing his journey “was the utmost that any 
ave of earthly things; and a very mean 
canty provision would answer that end, as 
as Saiig luxurious and “abundant one, and 
less temptation and sin. fn a short 
none would be finally done with ; 


ought to be contented and satisfied with themr 
without indulging any desire of acquiring great- 
er affluence, or of being exempted from hard la. 
hour and mean fare : for discontent in a lowly si- 
~uation commonly produced a determination to 
be rich if possible, and led men out of the plain- 
path of honest industry and prudent economy, 
in dependence on the providence, and obedience 
‘6 the commandment, of God. It was indeed 
evident from facts, they who would at auy rate 
he rich, gave satan the opportunity of tempting 
arid ensnariig them into such actions, as c@ald 
not consist with godliness or a good conscience; 
urging them to use dishonest means of increas- 
ing their gains, and a variety of fraudulent prac- 
tices : it betrayed them into such a multipticity 
of employments and hurry of business, as left no 
ime or inclination for spiritual religion ; and it 
ied them into such connexions and companies, 
as tended to draw them still farther into sm 
and folly. Thus they were brought under the 
power of “ many foolish and hurtful lusts,” even 
the lust of the fiesh, the lust of the eye, and 
« the pride of life ;” which mocked their expec. 
tations, and proved most injurious to themselves 
and others ; till they were plunged into inevi- 
table ruin and eternal perdition: as men are 
drawn in by the vortex of a whirlpool, when 
they venture too near it, end so Are swallowed up 
and drowned, without any possibility of escape. 
When once “the love of men ex” is allowed to 
rule in the heart, it becomes the prolific root 
of all kirids of evil. Impostures, frauds, lies, 
thefis, robberies, oppressions, murdérs, ungod- 
‘iness, hypocrisy, apostacy, contention, law- 
Suits, Wars, cruelty, pride, luxury, sensuality, 
-and penurious avarice, are seme of the noxious 
weeds, of which it daily produces a most abun- 
dant increase, according to the different con- 
titutions, habits, and circumstances of mankind. 
Every species of impiety, i iniquity, and vice, in oné 
way or another, grows from it; and a large pro- 
portion of the miseries, as well as the crimes, 
mankind, originate, from the same source. Ant 

»hile some professed Christians, even in the 
apostle’s days, had coveted riches, they had 
been seduced into apostacy, or led to corrupt the 
aith, or to act grossly inconsistent with it: 
thus, they had pierced themselves through,” 


g both raiment sik Loar: 
‘needful forthe i 


4D. 68. : i TIMOTHY. 


11 But thou, ‘O nian of God, * flee} Pilate witnes 
these things ; ; | and ‘follow after ™ right- 14 Th 
eousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, ; 
meekness. 

‘12°® Fight the good fight of faith, ° lay 
hold on eternal life, P whereunto thou art 
also called, and 9 hast professed a good 
profession before many witnesses. | 

[Practical Observations.] .- 

13 I give thee charge in the sight 2) 
God, * who quickeneth all things, and 

before Christ Jesus, t who before ROacns 


i ver. 20. Deut. 33.) 2 Tim. 2. 22. Heb & 9. 23, 24 Col. 3. 
1. 1 Sam. 2. 27. &| 12.14. 1 Pet, 3.114) 15. 1 Thes. 2: 42.2 
9. 6. 1 Kings 13, 1.\m 4. 12. Gal. 5. 22,) Phes. 2. 14.2 Tim. 
26. & 1%. 18. 24,) 23. Phil. 4.8, 9.) 169) 1b Pend. 9 & 
& 20.28. 2, Kings! Tit. 2, 1, 12. 2] 5.20 
1. 9. 13. & 5. 20. Pet 1. 5—7. q ver. }3. Deut. 26. 
23. 17. 1 Chr. 23.Jn Ik 18) Zech. 10.:5.!°3.17—19. Is 44. 5. 
14,2 Chr. 8 14} L Cor. 9. 25, 26, 2) Luke 12,8,9 Rom. 
Neh. 12. 24. 36.4 Cor. 6.7. & 10. 3] 10. 9, 10 
Jer. 35. 4. 2 Tim. —5. Eph. 6. 10—13.|r See on, 5. 21. 

3, 17. L Thes: 5. 8, 9. s Deut. 32. 39. 1) 

kK 1 Cor. 6. 18. ap vers 19. Ps. 63, 8:| Sam. 2. 6. John 5. 


@ dwelling in’ ithe lig 
can ta unto; © 


a Rev, 1, 5. & 3. 
Tit. 2 13.0Hi 
: Or, professian. 28. 1 Pet 1 7. 
u ver. 20, & 4. 11— John 3,2, Revs 1 
16. 1 Chri 28:95 104! Zoe 
29, Col 4. 17+, a See on, 1 
x Cant. 4.7. Eph mt at 
‘5 27. Heb. oe er 18. Ser: 
Pet. 1. 19.2 Pet. 3.) 46., 
th oy 


Ee 14. 2 Tim. 2.| Prov. $, 18. Cant.| 21. 26. & 1). 265, 
26.& 14. 6 ‘Aets 
17, 25. Rev, 21. 6 


3, 4: Phil. 3. 12, 18. 
Veit Deut. 16.20. Heb. 3. 14. & 6. 
Ps. 34, 14. & 38] 18. 1 John 2 25.) & 22 1. 
20. 1s. 51.1. Rom.} Rev. 3. 3. t Matt. 27. 11. John 
14.19.1 Cor. 14. 1.Jp Rom. 8, 28—30.1 18. 36, 37. &, 19. 


* |b Prov. 
z 1 Cor. 1. 8. Phil} 17. 14 
1.6. 101 Thes. 3.Je See on. 1, 


1s. 5.23.2 Thes.} 3, Seal 


old Testament, concersiing th 
the apostle addressed 1 Tim 
* God,” one serait 
him as his messi 
horted him to flee, ett: 
to the utmost. distance from 
whirlpool, in which such num 
ed up; and to follow after 
ty to the perfect rule of waiv 
by. an upright faithful c 
a proper temper and 
every thing ; a lively 
vine promises: ta, 
his stewardsbip; 
ren. and mankind : 
meekness amidst i 1 
let him fight with 
© good fight of fait 
able and profitable confi 
and satan, to which. 1 
iet"him contend ear 
and. self- denying oO 
by resisting tempta 
and persecution, and 
weakening the eink ¢ 
that of Christ in 
let him press forward with, 
laid hold in actual possessic 
to which, he, (as well ast 
called by the special grace 
consequence, made an h 
truth before many y wi 
when ordained to ‘the min 
his. subsequent labou 
preacher of the Gospel. _ 
-'V. 13—16. To confir 
pose of persevering. 
e, 


as with wounds made by a sword, in every part 
of the body; so that even those, who were not 
finally ruined, were filled with many sorrows, 
andgmust endure the most exquisite auguish, in 
consequence of their folly. Ail this would bave 
been avoided, if they had been contented wit! 
food and raiment, and watched and ee 
against the desire of being rich. It is not to be 
supposed, that the apostle meant to establish, as 
an universal proposition, that every kind and 
every act. of wickedness, grew from the love of 
money, a: f:om their. only root for doubtless, 
mary kinds, and innumerable acts of wickedness 
spring from other roots, which have scarcely 
any connexion with the love of money. But, 
whoever well considers, what influence the de. 
®ire of riches, (not only to hoard them, but to 
purchase with them the gratification of pride, 
ambition, sensual inclinations, and even revenge,) 
has on the conduct of mankind; will readily see, 
that, as a general truth, there is sufficient 
und to aver, that the love of money is the 
root of all evil. The abandoned prostitute Ju- 
das who sold his Lord, the traitor who’sells his 
country, and the mercenary teacher of religion, 
combine in saying, “‘ What will ye give me?” Tt 
was the remark of a corrupt, but able, statesman 
in this nation, that ‘every man has his. price; 
and it is in some sense true of every man, who 
is a lover of money, of pleasure, or of worldly 
honour, more than 2 lover of God. The ambi- 
tious conquerors and destroyers of mankind, 
have always loved money, as the means of ac- 
complishing their object; and have extorted it 
from those.in their power, with the most entire 
disregard to justice, truth, and mercy. Nor did 
any of them ever desire to revenge himself, or 
remove a rival, by assassination, or perjury ; but i 
some wretch could be found disposed by love of| 
money to perpetrate the. villany.. (Marz. Ref) 
V. 11,12, According to the language of the 


pen that are ® rich in 
hey be not high-minded, 
* uncertain riches, ' but in 


d, = who giveth us ° rich- 
enjoy ; 


CHAPTER VI. 


ij 
they do good, that they be) life 


A. D, 69, 
a rich in good works,* ready to distribute; 
+ willing to communicate ; 

19 * Laying up in store for themselves 
a good t foundation against " the time te 
come, that they may * lay hold on eternal 


E €. -t 
jer, 13. & Dan. 4. 30. & 5. 19 tS ie 37. 8 Ee 3 58. 7, Luke'6. 35.) 42. & 19. 21. & 25, 
~ —23. Hos. 13. 6) 5. 13,14 Luke 6 35, 34. & 14. 12—14. Acts| 34—41. Luke 12. 33, 
1} Hab. 1. 15, 160) 1 Ps. 62: 8 & 84.11,} Acts x0. 33. Gal.c. 2 44, 45.& 4.34—} & 16.9. & is. 22, 
9. 23.) Rom. 11.20. Jam. 1) 12. & 118. 8,9. Jet-} i0. Heb. 13, 16. I a: 11.29 Rom! Gal, 6. 8, 9, 
re 19.1 9, 10, Rev. 18. 6, 7.| 17-7, 3. Pet. 3. 11. 3John! 1. 8. 1 Cor. 16. 2,{t Prov. 10.25. Luke 
Ik Job 31. 24, 25. Psjm See on, 3.15, 1} 72. bz 2 Gare 1,29. 12: 6. 48,49. Gal 5. 6. 
t. 6. 10- &j 52. 7. & 62. ‘Thes. 1. 9. q 5. 10. ni & 9. 6—15.- Phi Bes, 3. 17. 2 Tim. 
7 & 32. 2| Prov. 11. 28. Jer: 9jm Ps. 104.23, Mat} Acts 9 . Tit. 2] 4.12, 19. Heb..13) 
16. & 32.| 23, 24, Mark_ $2. Acts 14. 17. i 38. 16. 1 John 3.17. a Payeehs Stade 
. Ps. 10. 3,4.) 24. Luke 1 & 17.25. ¥ Deut. 15. 7. 11.'+ Or. eecia 16. 9. 25." 
73. 5—9. Prov.| 21. Eph. 5, fo Col. 3.16. Tit. 3+} Ps. 112. 9.. Prov.ls Ps. 17. 14. Matt,}x Seeon, o ver. 12 
1.|* Gr. the uncer ‘. 11. 24, 25. Ee. 11,| 6. 19—21, & 10. 41, “Pet Ie 4 << S 
56.1 ty of riches. Prov. 2Chr. 24.16 Ps.} 1,9, 6. Is. 32. 8. & 2 4 = - 


———————————— —— — rrr Oe 
tainly raise bim again to immortal glory if he 
down in his cause: and “before Jesus 
1 boldl borne witness to the 


the King of Israel, in the presence of Pilate, 
pe he knew that he should be crucified for|< 


that claim; who required his ser- 

thus constantly to confess him before mea ; 
‘and who had promised to own them that did so, 
before his Father and the holy angels: as in the 
sight of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus 
Christ he charged him to keep the command- 
ment before , or the trust committed to 
him, without the spot or blemish of any mis- 
carriage, neglect, 
p> ee of the world; that he might be 
#unrebukeable ;” that his brethren might see 
nothing to reprove in him, that the world might 
_have nothing to say against ‘him, and that his 
q might welcome 


J him as a gvod and faithful 
nt. In this let bim persevere, till “ the ap- 
ring of the Lord Jesus ;” which in his ap- 


‘whole world, who was “the blessed,” or 


s, and Lord ‘of lords, ? from over 


eeate in and of himself, having ‘nnderived, 


being surrounded with’ such resplen- 


ose 


ligent creatures. 


aaa natufe of Christ, as the only. 


5" ory will be rendered most illustri 
st shall 


or unfaithfulness, from fear of 


, he would display in the sight of 


st happy, ‘and only Potentate,” possessed of 
olute, ‘universal, and eternal dominion, “ the! 


unalienable, and unchangeable existente, per- 
i , and felicity ; who inhabited the “light 


ries, that no man could possibly ap- 
him, (except as revealed to sipners in 


oF ever can see with his bodily eyes, being 
‘oom the object of intellectual vision 


n.—The Godhead Ae seems to be here in- 
ed and adored, without distinction of Per- 
sons ; of which all these things are properly spo- 

ef ghether the Person of the Father, of the 
the Holy Spirit, be mentioned. But 
le God is revealed to us, only in and 


God, by the whole assembled universe. (WVotes, 
Maiz xxv 31—46. John i. 18.) —* Without spot,” 
* in respect of the commandment itself. and 
“ unblameable,” in respect of thy performance 
4 of it; which will contribute to preserve the 

good confession in the world, “ till the app: ar- 
“ing of our Lord Jesus Christ” | (Mackwght) 
This is true and important, and indeed implied : 
but the apostle, constantly in his exhortations, 
referred to the appearing of Christ; not to es- 
tablish as a doctrine, that it was near, in respect 
of time; but to inculcate a continual readiness 
for it, aid an habitual regard to it, in the whole 
conduct of Christians, to the very close of li 

V. 17—19, A few rich fersons had, it seems, 
embraced the Goxpel at Ephesus ; and, as wealth 
is a comparative thing, some such must be found” 
in other places. But Timothy and other minis- 
ters, might be tempted to psy them undue defer- 
ence; and it would r quire much firmness and 
impartiality to give them proper counsel, caution, 
and instruction He was therefore peculiarly 
directed, in the most plain, authoritative, and so- 
lemn manner, to warn them against the danger 
to which they were exposed, and to enjoin 
them the peculiar duty of their station — 
He must “ charge those that were rich in this _ 
“ world,” (which was perfectly distinct from be- * 
ing rich towards God,) that they should not 
be puffed up by affluence, and superiority of cir- 
cumstances above their brethren ; asif these im- 
plied more wisdom or excellency, or conferred 
on them higher privileges, ensured them more 
regard from God, entitled them to pre. eminent. 
authority in the church, exempted “them from _ 
censure or reproof, or authorized them to 
or contemn others: and that they should not 
confide in their riches; as if they could make 
them safe or happy, increase their present com- 
fort, give them any permanent advantage, or pro- 
mote their eternal felicity. For riches were un- 
certain, liable to be torn from them, often prov- 
ing the cause of distress, temptation, and sin, 
speedily to be left at death, and to be given an 
account of at the day of judgment. (Votes, 
Matt. vi. ‘19—24. xix. 16—26. Luke xii. 13—21, 
xvi.) Timothy & must therefore charge the rich, 


: and this display of} as well-as the poor, “ to trust in the living God,” 


both for present safety, support, and comfort, 


be seen as man, -exerci-| and for eternal happiness, remembering that he 
authority, and perfec ctions of ova wend bountifully all the things which ‘they 


ooh. 


——— a ar eae 


; hold on eternal life in actual possession; when 


. Fich men around them, would * lift up their 


— e ee es oe ee eS 


it. D. 607 i. TIMOTHY. 


«) 20,¥ O. Timothy, % keep that which is} 21, Which som me 
committed: to thy trust, * avoiding: pro-| ed. Sencsenanmehe te 
fane and vain babblings, and» oppositions | thee. © Amy fe 
of science falsely so eal é es 1638, 1 Ce Be abs 3 faa 

im, 1. 1 1. 19—2).'& 2 6far 18 ; 
gu 1d. Tits 1.9. Rey, &/ 9 19) Col. se 8 ee eee 


3. 3« 
a ver. 4, 5. & Ie 4 


6. & 4.7. 2 Tim. 
2. 14—16, 25. Pit 
1, 140 & 3. 9 

ib Acts 17, 78. “21. 


¥ ver. 11. 2 Tim. 21. 
Zver. 14, & 11. 
Rom.3. 2. 2 Thes. 
2 4.& 2% 15. 2 


€ Nike. ver. We § 


ties were Bye” 
then, having . aa 
uons, had. erre fot 
and. the evil was “hike 
therefore, given Timothy thi 


He closed this most mea 
usual salutation. 


enjoyed. They ought therefore to acknowledge 
him as’ the. Author of their abundance; jit was 
all given them in his wisdom, and revocable at 
his will, and could only. be profitable to them 
when used to his glory. . They must therefore be 
enjoined, by. the authority. of God bimself, to do 
good with their. riches, and to deem this their 
duty and happiness ;. instead of _avaricivusly 
hoarding, or. luxuriously wasting, them. By.re 

Jieving the wants of the indigent, and largely. 
contributing to, the support and comfort of thei: 
poor, brethren, they Must aim, to be rich in goo: 

works, the genuine fruits of faith and love — 
"They must be prompt and liberal in distributing 
their wealth to proper objects, and for valuable 

purposes; as the, husbandman scatters his seed 


s i 3 mitt at: oe # 
PRACTICAL - ceanpearpaet 1 ie ‘a 
¥. 1—5., a. pes 4 
It is most important to the honed ats 
pel, that professe Ee cinian daly ‘perform th 
various relative dt uties ; 3 d that “ servants cou 
* their own masters Me i ( 
though they. be un ‘The 
indeed, in this favour me »of Jibe paratea an 


without grudging, in hopes of a future barvest.|them to change one another: but 
‘Thus they would treasure up for themselves the | the precepts of Seri os all: = 
true riches, (not for their heirs, or they knew| them to behave with fe 


not whom, as misers.do their idolized wealth ;) 
and lay a good foundation for their hope and 
ee in the approaching season of affliction 
and death; showing’ their faith in Christ, (the 
k “er salvation,) by the unequivocal fruits of 

ve and obedience: that so they too might lay 


or disregard to the lawfa 


whom they serve ; no Ad 

answers, or to speak oe peer 0 | 
others without caus cep Uver| 
and pray for. them in 
godly and unreasonable. : 
are the name and a ie 
through those servants, who t 
dispute, about doctriues an 
averse to them, and chen 
nence in their places ; if no 
ty, and unfaithfulness ! Ls 
tally prejudiced agai 
matter is so little att 
who would be glad A 
milies, and to behave to 
far a8 it is consistent — 
tion, are often wearied 
fer servants who know. not 
of the misconduct of those” 
deed, some: servants wh 
peached, through lamer 
equality in religious privi 
in the family : and thus” 
pised their believing: maste 
giving them rade answers, ‘ 
siness, or doing it in the 
was-a part of their Chi 
they ought to honour and 
greater diligence and alae 
‘© are faithful and beloved, 
Sig.” No doubt: there 


the self-indulgent, the coyetous, and ungodly 


* eyes in.hell, being in torments.” 

V- 20,21. The apostle, considering the snares 
and temptations, the allurements and the terrors, 
which. Timothy had to guard against and over. 
come, in. order to the faithful execution of his 
ministry ; ; and reflecting also on the various spe- 
cies of false religion, which many artfully sub. 
stituted, instead of the humbling. holy Gospel of 
Christ ; again. most affectionately and earnestly 
called upon bim. to keep inviolable, withou! 
shrinking or wavering, the ministry, or. steward- 
ship, with which he had been intrusted.’ And 
he charged him to shun the profane and vain 
babblings of those, who wanted to impose the 
fodlish and trifling traditions and observances of 
the Jewish scribes, as well.as the rites of the 
Mosaic law, upon Christians; and the “ opposi- 
*<tions of science,” or knowledge, ‘ falsely so 
* called,” such as the Gnostics, or knowing ones, 
afterwards corrupted the Gospel with. .These 
Beccpistions were borrowed from the vain philo- 
sophy.of the Gentiles; and, being distorted and 
mutilated, to suit their purpose, they introduced 
them into Christianity; to render it more conge- 
nial to the heart of man, and especially to grati-| 
fy their fondness for disputation, and their pride 
of superior penetration and acuteness. Thus 
@ne corrupt ‘system of pretended knowledge was |i 
opposed to another, _jangling controversies were 
multiplied and perpetuated, the truth was ob-}} 
scured and overlooked, and the wildest absurdi-/ tiés up all ri 


— 


ED. 60. ‘ CHAPTER V1. AD. 6: 


With that good profession, which (in our minis 
try at least,) we bave made of the truth, before 
Many witnesses, who will all at last testify 
against us, if we forsake Christ, from love of this 
present world. 


community: and if any one teach otherwise,| worldly men pursue their perishing riches : let 

d speak contempttously of these exhortations, | us fight the noble and profitable fight of faith, 
and consent not to salutary words, which are,|and thus lay hold on eternal life, to which we 
indees the words of our Lord, and a part of the} also are called; and-strive to act consistently 


nan, who is infected by the love of abstract 
Westions, and strifes about words; whereof 
eth envy, contention, revilings, evil sur- 
ss, and perverse disputings.” This is ma- 
st from daily observation; to these things 
men of corrupt minds, and destitu.e of the truth, 
re peculiarly addicted; especially when they 
can make them ag? 5 gee ag age 
and reputation, being disposed to think that the 
best rel eats which they can get the most 
money, Instead of engaging in controversy with 
such mercenary, self wise, and ignorant wrang- 
lers, who will not consent even to the apostle’s 
words, or to those of Christ himself; we should 
withdraw, and thus protest against them, and 
them to dispute by themselves, or with one 
another. 


deemed a proud man, who knoweth nothing, 
yer his gifts and profession may be ;) and 
page en ad and shunned, as a distemper- 
# u V. 135—21. ; 
The apostle.charges us also, “as in the siglit 
“ of God who quickeneth all things, and of 
“ Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate wit- 
“ nessed a good confession ; that we keep the 
“ commandment of God without spot and unres 
* bukeable, till the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 
Let none suppose that our Lord delayeth his coms 
ing: in hit own times he willbe manifested, a8 
* the Effulgency of the divine’ glory, the Image 
“ of the invisible God.” This will be brought 
to pass by “the blessed and only Putentate, the 
“ King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only 
“bath immortality, dwelling in inaccessible 
light,” and invisible to human eyes. That we 
may be presented faultless before the divine Re- 
deemer’s presence with exceeding joy, receive 
the crown of immortal glory, and be admitted to 
the beatifie vision ; it behooves us now to be faith. 
ful, watchful, sober, diligent, and disinterested. 
Thus honouring our God here, and desiring to 
ascribe to him glory and power to eternity ; he 
will honour us at last before the assembled uni- 
verse. Ministers are required, especially, to 
point out to rich men their peculiar dangers an 
duties ; because they are numerous and impors 
tant. Whilst natzré prompts us to desire con- 
nexion with them, it produces a reluctancy to 
that part of duty which relates to them. Even 
modesty, timidity, gratitude, or supposed pru- 
dence, may warp as in this matter: a false aps 
prehension of what may conduce to their best ins 
terest, that of our religious society, or of the 
Church at large; and a fear of prejudicing and 
offending them, and so losing the opportunity of 
doing good to them or by them, may easily mis- 
lead us inthis great concern: not to speak of 
the dread of their frown, and the credit and ad- 
vantage of their friendship ; both which are very 
ensnaring to the ministers ofthe Gospel. But, © 
we must break through all these obstacles, if 


V. 6—12. 

We should always remember, that “ godliness 
with contentment is great. gain.” As we 
brotight, nothing with us into the world, and can 
carry nothing out ; let us trust him that bath hith. 

rto provided for us, to supply our wants during 
‘remnant of our pilgrimage. Having food and 
nent, we should daily beg of God, that we 
pex..b contented with it, and that he would 
“Keep us from every degree and kind of covetous- 
ness. We cannot look about us at all, without 
nerceiving that “ they, who will be rich, fall into 

_ © temptation, are entangled in a snare, and are 
overcome by many foolish and hurtful lusts, 

a ich drown men in destruction and perdition, 

_ For the love of money is the root of all” kinds 
© of evil,” in every part of the earth: and even 
among professors of the gospel, we often see 
piety, charity, mercy, equity, sincerity, teriper- 
ance, and humility, laid, like so many bleeding 
sacrifices, on the altar ef Mammon; while men’s 
ywn souls, and those of their ill-educated chil- 
_ are destroyed, to gratify the malignant de. 
Many hopeful persons, by allowing them- | 
s to covet something greater, more elegant, 
fAuent, have erred from the faith, have made 
ywreck of their profession, or have turned} watchmen, and deliver our own souls. We 
‘Mere thorny-ground hearers; and others} must charge them in the name of God not to be 
= pierced themselves through with many|high-minded, nor to trust in their uncertain 
, to the embittering of the whole of their| riches, or idolize them ; aod not to seek happis. 
lives. No words can express, no descrip.|ness from them, but from the “living God, who 
, the numberless and horrid evils that|‘ giveth us all things richly to enjoy” We 
iy flow from this source ; especially in| must show them the danger to which they are 
of @:tward prosperity, extensive commerce, exposed, of being betrayed into pride, avarice, 
Kpense, and loose profession! But, “ what| ambition, apes Sp8id and the love of out. 
i profited, if he gain the whole world,| ward splendour, “We must point out to them 
his own soul?” Let every Chris.| the proper use and improvement of their wealth ; 
this destructive lust: let the|cliarging them to do good, to be “rich in good 
ally avoid every appearance of|“ works, ready to distribute, willing to commu- 

‘lucre, or improvident expense :} nicate#? we must call on them to provide 
contrary, “ follow after righteous-| against the time to come, when it Will be said to 
ess, faith, love, patience, meekness,”| them ; Give an account of thy stewardship ; 

i iduity and earnestness, with which |« forthou shalt be no Jonger steward.” We 
You. VI. ‘i 3k 


we would be faithful stewards and vigilant — : Ht 


Apert Ii. TIMOTHY., 


whust exhort {hemso to use, present advantages, } Lord help ug al 
that they. may lay up for themselves a. better |} committed 
treasure, and ensure a good bope, and know | vain babb 
themselves to have a firm foundation, in a dying | positions 
hour, that'they may lay hold on e:ernal life-—|so many are d 
But, who is sufficient for these things? Or who le believing ¢ 


can give ‘such charges with energy, that is. n at 
himself evidently superior to the love of wealth, an 
or any thing that wealth can purchase? May the! and at all times ! 


ee 


4 PD eee Z at THE i 
: rece ah) Som f te 
SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOs 
f soba isaac, . ee ee ee ae ity ee 

Sit Re iy Ah EHS Ce Os bs t ere gad ty sndiNidh Sed ont ed ie 
’ ; , TO . FAS) eal a By ad sa lhe ol ae 
pI OIS & as) 9 { at Se va Be ae homer Bethe ln oa 


: nish ded let yrdie 


TIMOTHY. > 


The apostle was evidently a prisoner at Rome, when he wrote this ep 
it was written during his first imprisonment, as the epistles to the 
Colossians, Philemon, and the Hebrews, were: others, however, are 
ten When he was imprisoned’a second: time, and not long before he st 
- this appears to me by far the most satisfactory. The ancients from the 
* to be offered, andthe time of: my departure is at hand,” (iv. 6.) do ge 
this was the last of his epistles. And truly the words are not well cap 
for he says expressly, “* Fam now offered, and the time of my dissolution 
-* finished. my course.” ‘Whereas ‘he not only expected to be delivered fr 
says expressly, “ I know that I sball abide,” &c.  (Piul. i. 25, 26. P, 
© In his first bonds, he was in libera custodia, th: his own hired hou 
© His bonds were known in Cxsar’s palace, and to all others, Her 
_* that Onesiphorus was forced to “inquire more diligently after 
.* out”, Again, he said before, “* Manyof the brethren being encour 
« bold to speak the word without fear.” (2Ail.i.14.) Here “all men 
“Timothy was with Paul, when he wrote to the Colossians, to the Phili 
4; to the Hebrews. | (PA#.i. L. Coi.i 1. Philem. 1. Heb. xiii-23.), Mark. 
i joined in saluting the Colossians : but-both were abSent when this epistle was 
it be argued, that they came to’him dgfore’he: wrote ‘the other epistles: 
cerning Demas? For be’ was with'the apostle when/he wrote to the Colossi 
s - bim when he wrote this’epistle. (iv..19. Coliv.14.): The supposition, t 
/.... had come to the apostle, ‘before he wrote the other epistles, impli 
siderable time Before those: but the supposition, that Demas had repente 
"apostle, when lie wrote'to the Colossians, ‘implies, that this-epistle was 
—  ¥et, these contradictory suppositions must both be admitted, to suppo 
. epistle was written during the apostle’s first imprisonment... Indéed, 
“implies that the apostle considered himself, as one who'hiad finished his, 
". after a severe imprisonment, perhaps forsome time, was about to close: 
_ dom,, (Notes, 1. 1518) iv. |). This alsoiquestioned, where Timothy was, 
_ Awrote to him. ‘Itis generally thought that he resided xt Ephesus: and 
. though not certain. (Compare ii: 16=18. ive 1S. wish/ LCi. i. 20.—See. 
The scope of the epistle evidently was to ‘animate Timothy to endure pe 


and. constancy ; to catition him and’‘others against false teachers»an 


ie ct al 
‘had heen 


£ ciotls 


£ 
x 


* nothi 


is a CHAPTER I. A.D. 67) 
y int an sts? Can we discover any thing, that betrays a secret consciousness of guilt, or 
ion of the weakness of bis cause? Oa the contrary, upon the most calm and 
s survey, he expresses an entire satisfaction, in reflecting on the part he had acted ; 
a P 
stly, re ommends it to his beloved pupil, to fallow bis example, in maintaining the’ 
se, even at the hazard of his life. He appears throughout the epistle to: have felt 
pyiction. of the truth of those Principles he had embraced ; and glories’ in the suffer- 
» had endured i in stipport of them ; triumphing in the full assuxince of being approved by 
t Master, and of receiving at his hands a crown of distinguished lustre?’ pate fe og 
oe 524! sf} 
se 
“CHAP. 
The apostle affectionately salutes Timothy, with 
» thanksgiving and prayer on te pscatts: a Rabid 
and expresses a at desire of seeing him, 3 t 
vive 2 sg his bith, St Gua of his grantoie: el thank God,  whomI serve from 
ther and ; 7 Se /He exhorts him to stir_up: my forefathers & with pure conscience, . 
the gift of God which was in him, 6. He charges} that without ceasi,.3 I have remem- 
him not to be ashamed of the divine testimony, or| brance of thee in my prayers ‘ night and 
of him, the Lord’s prisoner; but to prepare for: day ; 
suffering, as having been saved and called by spe- 4 Greatly * desiring to see thee,! being 


grace ing to the blessed tenour of the 
ot 7-10, Brg this, Paul had been made an mindful) of thy tears, that 1 may be ™ fill- 
apostle ; for which cause he suffered, without be- ied Coane. joy; 
Ming either ashamed or afrak], as he knew the 5 When" I call to remembrance the 
power of him in whom he trusted, 11, 12. Helo unfeiened faith that is in thee, which 
exhorts him to steadfastness and faithfulness," ‘18, erate rt. te thy gran dmother Lois, and 


14; shows that those of Asia had turned from 
him; 15; and commends the diligent.and courage-|? thy mother Eunice; and 4 I am per- | 
suaded thati in thee also. 


ous Kindness. of Onesiphorus ;, praying fervently 
_that he and his family might find. mercy from 


aan last day, 16—18, 

pe ® an apostle of Jesus Christ, 
by the will of .God, according, to 

»the promise of life which is in Christ 

Fess jo ofaree Bestiary 

| Ef Toe Timothy, my dearly spe ttin 

ae 5.21. & & 6.23, 2] —13. 


son: @ Grace, mercy, and peace, from 
God the Father, and Christ Jesus our 


9g ‘on, Duke ajo Ps. 7.1 & 1s, 
44, & 66. 3. & 6. 
ge 9. 21. Rom: | 15. Marg, Jer 3e 


d See on, Rom. cree 
e Seeon, Rom: 1.8. 
Eph. 1. 16. 

fvere 5. & 3. 15. 
Acts 22.°3. & 24) 
14. & 26. 4. 

g Acts 23.1. & 24. 
16. Rom. 1. 9. & 9. 
1. 2 Cor:, 1, 12.,1 


It. & 15. 30—S2.}.10. John 1. 47+ 2 
Phil. 1,8, & 2. 26.) Cor 6. 6. 1 Tim I. 
1 Thes. 2. 17-20. 5.1 Pet. 1. 22. 

*& 3.1. : Ps, 22. 1008 86. 

ll Acts 20,19. °31.} 16. & 116. 16. Acts 
37, 38. Rey. 7. 17-) 16.1. t 
Vink. 1.5.19. Heb.| & 21. 4. q ver. 12. Acts 26. _ 
13.18. ‘ Ps, 126. 5.13. 61+) 26. Rom. 4. 21. & 


*3.Cor. 1-1 Cor. 1. 20. Eph, 3.}e'Sec on, 1 Tims 1, 
5.24: 39, 40. oy Tit. ds 2Hleb. 9] 2, Rom. 12. 19. 
0.) 1 


6. * for Phil. 4. 1. 


‘ek nk. S mie JOROTES: 

CHAP) TL. V..1. -'The gospel ‘intrusted. to 
the apostle by the sovereign will of God, accord- 
ed to the promise of Jife and salvation “made. to 
fallen man,’ througt: the predicted Messiah, from 
wir ones ‘all these predictions were “fafil- 

rist, and then the promise of life was 
sent to Jews and Gentiles without distinction.— 

*Thus he shows, that the gospel is not new ; but. 
the wery thing which God: promised by the 

rophets. FI would again and again admonish 
5 baer; ; hot to pass over the superscriptions 
"to th epistles of Paul, in a slight manner; as 
‘he uses, in them, with a’sort of inimitable bre- 

ty, to embrace the sum of the mystery of the 
pel: so, that while these are preserved, 
“ nurch: possesses that which she may - 
etoalllieretics” (Beza.) 

y Mare: Ref. Note,’ 1 Tim 1, 2.) 
 Theyapostle returned hearty thanks 
hy’s account, fo the one living and true 
‘he worshipped, -after the manner of 
enitors in successive ages, from. 

time; or according to the reve- 

Saviour vouchsafed to them. For 

yall looked forward to the Messiah, 
ed God with a believing regard to him ; 


h ‘See on, Rom. 1.9.| 3. Jer-31. 13. John! 8, 38. & 14, 5. 14. 
1 Thes, 1. 2. & 3+} 16. 22, 2de 1 John} & 15/14. Heb. 6.9, 
10. 1.4. hevees vod 

n Psé77. 6, Ps SP 


2 Pet. 1.3, 4.1 
John 2.25. we. an 


vate their descendants had rejected and cru. 

cified him, and new, persecuted those who be- 

lieved in him, The apostle had indeed formerly 

been a leader of these persecutors: but his con- 

science was now purged from dead works by the 

atoning blood of Christ, and made tender and 

well-informed by divine grace: so that he serv- 

ed God conscientiously and cheerfully, with spi- 
ritual worship and believing obedience. He 
especially thankful, that be was enabled co 
‘elly to remember Timothy i in his fervent 
quent prayers, by night and by day being mind- 
ful of the tears which he shed, as expressive ‘of 
his love and sorrow, when they last separated ; 

and longing greatly for another interview, which 
he‘was assured would fill his own heart with joy 
and satisfaction. This persuasion arose from bis 
recollettion of the unfeigned faith, which Timo- 
thy’s whole conduct. had. manifested to dwell in 
‘him, and to influence and sanctify his heart. This 
was the same precious faith, that had first been 
‘communicated to his grandmother Lois, and to 
iis mother Eunice. These pious women seem 
to haye- © waited for the consolation of Israel,” 
before they heard the. gospel, and thus were pre~ 
‘pared to receive it : having diligently given Timo. 
thy a religious education, it — ‘conduced te 


° 


A.D bY: _ IL TIMOTHY: 


*6 Wherefore put thee ins remem-|, « 9)W 1 ing ae 
brance, '* that thou stir up’ the gift of ene ive oS 
God, which is in thee, t by the putting|our works, 
on of my hands. purpose and! gx 

7 For. God hath not. given us ® the;in Christ Jes 
spirit of fear; * but of power, andy of} gan ; LP 
love, and of ¢ a sound. mind. ied 10-But is ™ ws 

8 Be not thou therefore ® ashamed. of appearing of = our Sait ve Ji 
b the testimony of our Lord, nor of me}® who,hath P abolished | 
e his prisoner: but ¢ be thon pattaker of|brought life and inn | 
the afflictions of the gospel, ¢ according through the gospel a ie. 
to the power of God, - 


q 2. 14, Is. 43. 26, 1] 33. 1 Cor. 2, 4. 
‘Tim, 4. 62 Petc1jy Rom. 5. 5. Gal» 
12.& 3.1, Jude 5.| 22. Cal. 1.8, 1 Pet. 
s 4.2%, Ex 55. 26, &| 1. 92. , 

36. 2. Mat, 25. 15,1z. Ps, 119. 80. Prov. 
de. Luke -19. 13-} 2. % & 6.414. Luke 
Rowse 32. 68 Ipv8. 35, & 15. 17 
Thes. §. 19. 1 Per: ‘Acts 26. M, 25. 2 


‘ P f Acts 2, 47, 1 Cor. 
4.14 & 5,11, 12.) 2.18, Eph 2.5. 3.17 
Rey. 1-2, & 12. uu. aim {,°2s Pitys: 
“& 19. 10, 
ever. 16., & 2, do het feats a: 20. & Ob a3! 
| aude Eph, 3. 1.{ 241 Thes. 407, 2m Is. gy ich 
& 4. Thes. 2% 13, 144 3. Luke aes 
aaa u, 12. & 4,] Heb. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 1-| Rom. 16. 28, E 

5. Rom. 8, 17, 18.) 15, 06. & 20.97) 20, 169. Col 


1 John 17 
15. e 


4. 10, UL, _ Core 5.18, 14. 3h: Cor, 4. 9-13; 21. Tit. S, 

t Acts,B. 12, fast 12. Ps. 119. 2 Cor, 11, 23—27. |b Rom. 3. 20, & 9 Be 
19. 6, 1a gles 6. Is. 51.7. Mark] Phil 3.10. Col. 1.) 21. & 1165.6, Eph.} bars: 
Heb. 6:2. 8B. 38.Luke 9. 264024. 2 Lhes, 3+ 4.1] 2,9) Tit.3.5.. : 
p Acts 20. 94k 2. Acts 5. 41. Rom.| Fet,.4, 13-15. Rev. }i Is. 14. 26,27, Mat} "8. 

13. Rom. & 15.) 1, 16,& 9.33. Eph.| 1.9. & M2. It. ) 1. 28.260 Bul 


ib Ps, 19. 7. Is. 8; 20.] 2 Cor. 6, 7 & 12,: Eph. 1,9. u. 
Hie! 4.8, Zech, 4 oe fg a7. & 19.] 9, 10. Phil. 4. 13, | & Jobn 6.37. & 10: 
- 6: Luke 10.019. &}35. Eph. 3, 13/1] Cob & rae 1 Pet, | 28429. 8) 1749. 14/2, 20. Beg 
24 49 Acts )..8, & Tim. 2. 6. deme, 1, 5, Jude 24. 
6.8. & 9 22. & 10 


vals %-26- 2 John}, 3.13. 1Pet. 42 ae 17, Rom, 16.25, | 10+ 21, Rom- 8. 28>] 31 3. 


, 


his being made partaker of the same faith, asin the faith, of Pu Je 
the apostle was, fully persuaded concerning bite, ed apostle of Clirist: Ontie 
€ Note, iii. 14—17.)—It is not unlikely, that 'Timo-' willingly to become a aker ¢ 
thy accompanied the apostle to Miletus ; and’ which were’ to'be endured ft 2G 
parted with him there, accompanying the Ephe-) pending’ for support, probetin: 
gian elders, when they returned to Ephesus. under them, * on tad ow av 
V, 6—8. (Note, ‘1 Tim. iv. 14.) "The spiritual | would certainly be*exerted © 
ifts, conferred hy the laying om of the apostle’s| ‘VQ The Lord, indeed 
Pande,’ probably. at Timothy’s ordination, ought hoth ‘the apostle and his. 
| brought them into a state 
« ed them with a ioly: 
Spirit, by whom’ they vi 
| Author of ‘all-ho 
and as the Gospel 
ed, was in all things) 
had hot been * acco 
if’ God had dealt: wit! 
must have been left’ u 
it was”* according: to 
love, and “ his grace, wine 
« Christ before: the: wor 
purpose of giving then 
Christ. Jestis, «which was 
appointed Surety of his 
© eternal ages.” ‘Wasieel 
the obvious me: ae of 


to be exercised in the performance of the minis- 
try intrusted to him. The apostle therefore re- 
minded him to stir up the gift of God that was 
€ qn him,” by meditation, prayer, and diligence ; 
as the fire is stirred, and so made to glow, when 
fuel beth been Iaid upon it. Thus love; zeal, 
and compassion for souls, being’ brought into 
vigorous exercise, he would be animated to im- 
prove his talents and’fulfil his ministry, with ar- 
dour and effect,’ For the Holy Spirit, whom God 
had given them, as established believers, was 
not the Author of a timid and cowardly disposi- 
tion, or of slavish and discouraging fears: but, 
as the Spirit of adoption, he inspired their hearts 
with holy cdéuragé and ‘confidence, gave vigour 
and energy to their spiritual affections, and enda- 
ed them with strength for service or suffering : 
whiie love to Christ, his people, and all mankind, | personal election fi 
animated them to self-denying and ‘perilous la~|* eternal ages,” (ovbieb 
bours ; and asotind mind, a sober judgment and [Ii 
héavenly wisdom, led them to choose the no-}; 
blest ends, and to pursue them in the perseyer- |supposing, that all. th 
ing use of the most prudent and effectual means.’ penitent and unbelieving, 
So that the spirit of a lively Christian was that of |‘ saved and called with 
courage, firmness, zeal, and consistency of con.|a Saviour was promised 
duct, in the midst ‘Of persecutions “and tempta-|the world. Indeed, 
tions. Timothy was, therefore, prone not: to s nent ; 


borne to the Lord Jesus, among dike ashe revil-}) > el spe 
ed and derided him : nay, he must not hesitate to ng fuse of ‘sinners: a & 


saving 
avow himself the fellowdabourer and dutiful son even — vis Son, was at: til 


‘Whatever notions the Gentiles. had of the soul’s 


‘ee. | 


h 


| Roce and. feic, involved, in obscurity and-uncer-. 


fection of the body, But,it was far Jess full and, 


CHAPTER I. . A.D. 67%, 


committed unto him, © against that’day. 
13.¢ Hold: fast’ 4 the form. of sound 
| words, ¢ which thou hast heard ef me; 


o* I am appointed a 


the Gentiles, © — 
ol sthe which cause I also suffer 
ngs: ‘nevertheless *t I am not{sus. Pe pratabae 
dy 5 @ for I know whom I have * bey} 14 That's good thing syhicks was com- 
‘am persuaded thatiy he is/mitted unto thee, keep.) by the Holy 
ee ice that * which Ihave }Ghost + which dwelleth in us. 


Te 
ver. 8. Ps. 25. 2.) 12. 21. Rom. 15.12, ‘ 
. Seater 7. & 54.4! 13 Eph. 1. 12,13. | 23. 46, Acts. 7. 59.) hes. 5 2h Heb. ‘1 Tim. id. 
wer 21. 13, Rom] 1 Pets 1. 20/21. 1 Pet/4. 19. 6. & 4, 14. &10.Je 8. 9. Luke 16.12. 
8 ver. & & 2 9. &l 1. 16, & 5, 4,5, &lx See on, q- "ver. Se (| bivers 18.& 40 8. 2s. Jade S Rew/s.{ Hana) a: 31 Con 
10-12. & 4, 16, 9. 33. Phil 1. 20..y John 10. 28—30.} Matt. 7.22 & 24.| 25. & 3.3.11, 9.17. 2 Cor. 5. 19, 
VEE Acts 9, 16%) Heb. 12 2, 4 Pet:| Phil. 3. 21. Heb..2,) 39. Luke 10. 12. ild Prov. § 14 Hom 20, Gal. 2.7. Cot 
“AG. 50. & 14. 5.| 4. 16+ 8, & 7. Thes. 5. 4. > & 6. 17. 1| 4.17. 1 Tim. 1.11. 
6. & 21. 27—31. K&ju Ps. 9. 10. & 56.\z. John 6. a, 44-1¢ ver. 14. & 3. 14. Time Ve 16. &6. 3.1 & 6. 26." 
"22, 2(—24. Eph. 3.} 9. Phil. 3, 8 1 & 17. 11, 12. 15.1} Prov. 3.13, 21, &) Tit. 2.1. 8. Ih Rom. 9. 18. Eph. 
‘je. 1 Thes. 2)" Or, trusted. oie: Pet: 1-5. Jude 24 | 4, 4—8. 15. & 25: é€ 2.2; Phib 4, 9. 5. 18. 1 Ties. 3. 
16. : aay 1. 7- Mattja Ps,.3t. 5. Luke | 23. Phil. 1, 27, 1'f See on, Cole 1. 4.[ 19. 1 Pet. te 22. 


ils existence, especially, as itis forfeited by sin; 
or that he will not make-every sinner miserable 
‘in his immortality ; and it serves to enhance our 
value forthe oracles of God, when we clearly: 
perceive: the insufficiency of the oracles of rea- 
son in the most important concerns.) , 

~ V. 11,12, St. Paul had been constituted a 
preacher, ‘and an apostle, of the Gospel, before 
described, that he might instruct the Gentiles in 
the way to\immortal life and happiness : but, in- 
stead of receiving, honour and affluence, as a 
recompense for his labours ; he suffered ali kinds. 
of injuries, and was. then in prison. asa criminal, 
in. continual expectation of an ignominious death. 
He was not, however, in, the least ashamed of. 
having engaged aud spent so many years, ia the. 
service of that Saviour, whom men.tkus desnis. 
ed: for ne knew, by, faith, divine teaching, and 
happy. experience, the power, faithfulness, and 
love of him, in.whom he. had believed: and, as 
nj he could not,doubt of. his compassion. and. kind. 
ness, so he was fully persuaded of his. authority 
and. ability to. take care. of him.in all events.. 
He had intrusted his life, his soul, and his eter- 
nal interests, inte his hands, as a precious depo~ 
sit.., He had discovered especially the value and. 
danger of his immortal soul; he had been cone, 
vinced that none else could. effectualiy deliver. 


nifest. by Shae’ appearance in human. nature; 
| whien through his righteousness, atonement, re 

tia and mediation, he aan 

> reign and power of death, aad, deprived him 

of he sting and terror, in respect of all believers; 
y might through-him face thatdreaded enemy | 

; ‘most tremendous form;-with comfort. and, 
so play being assured of the immediate en- 
trance of their souls into glory, and a future tri- 
umphant. resurrection. of their-bodies. from. the 
_ grave. oo of the gospel, like- 

wise he had brought life, spiritual and eternal, 

aid a-state-of @ state-of immortal felicity-as attainable by 
sinners, into. full light; and. bad giyen,the most. 
explicit declaration of the nature, certainty, and. 
method of obtaining, that, future _-happiness. 


mortality, they knew nothing of the way in 
eternal life might be attained by sinners ; 
Boye wholly ignorant of the meaning a 
the words,‘ life and immortality,” . 
ge futhein: ‘speculations served only. for 
or disputation, being blended. .with 


tainty, and.utterly inefficacious on their practice. 
The Jews indeed .had a reyelation.in. the Oid 
‘Testament, both of a future state. and the resur- 


explicit, than in the New Testament; it was 
i y.cunfined . to one small nation ; and it was|death;.and that Jesus both could and would 
mene understood and believed.even by | he had therefore. long before, and. by renewes 

em, Sothat whatever had been-conjectured, and constant, application, to. him from time to. 
| elie ed, previous to the coming of Christ, | time. ever. since, inirusted it in his hands by faiti: 
toncerning a future state ;/ it might properly be and prayer; to be washed, justified, and sancti-. 
ythat “he haé brought life and immortality | fied, and.at last to be. produced complete it in. 

p ligh by the Gospel : 2? the doctrine respect- holiness)and. meet, for glory, . What he. might 
it was placed in the most convincing and in-|pass_ through by the Ways he knew not; but be 
er Jight ; every proper question about: it | was persuaded, that Ubrist was fully able to keep 
ia _gisfnctoi resolved; and the whole was | the precious deposit to that day, to which he 
suited to answer the most. important. practical | continually had respect, as. ‘the. grand accom- 
poses; Indeed, after all medcrn improve. | plishment of, all shis hopes; when his beloved 

its and. metaphys: ical. demonstration ;ali in-| Lord. would. again. appear in glorious majesty to 
ul belief of. the immortality of the soul, |judge the world... His most important interests, 
ure state of retribution, rests wholly on jtherefore,. being. thus, secured beyond the reach 
lation; a- well as that of the resur- | of. all, enemies 5, he was-prepared to endure i ig- 

¢ body, and the way ofa sinner’s ac-|nominy, pain, and. death, without sorinking ;_ 
f indeed it. could-be demonstrated, } hoping to commit. his departing’ soul into his. 
is naturally capable of immortality ; |Saviour’s hands, even as Jesus himself had com. 


tb proved, except from immediate mended. his spirit .into those. of his AR : 


that im pig, Goi Walk wet sexsminas Father. (Marg. Refy rete) 44) og 


rin faith and love which isin Christ Je- © 


and. secure it, through the, trials of life and 


¢°* 


A. D. 67. 
1s ¥ This’ thou | Kramesta k that all they| 
which are’ in Asia! be turned away from 


_me; of whorn are Phygellus and. Her- 
mogenes:” 


16 The ™ Lord give mercy unto ® the 


house of Onesiphorus; for he oft o re- 
freshed.me, P and was not ashamed of 
@ my chain; ie 

# Joh 14.17. Rom! 4-10. 16. Phil ‘ pat seb 610+ 


8.11. 1 Cor. 3, 16: ; 
ii "ee 19. Neh. 5.n'4. 19. 
16. Eph. 2. 22 19. &c 13y, 144 B2,Jo, 1k Core 016. . 18, 
k Acts 16.6. & 19.1 31. Ps. 18. ts Philem, 7. 20. 
10. 27. 31+ & 20. 16.| 37. 26. Matt) 5. '7.1p See on, ver. 8. 
1.Cor. 16 19% +] & 10. 41; 4% fe 25\q Acts 98, 20.. Eph. 
: 35—40- 2 Lore, 8 


V. 18, 14. After, the above be Eaeeetel decla- 
ration of his own. experience, in the midst’ of 
sufferings and the prospect of a violent. death; 
the apostle exhorted his beloved. Timothy to hold 
fast, in a steadfast profession and. by faithful 
preaching, “ the form of sound words,” the 
substance, of evangelical trath, which he had 
heard. of him; and of which he perhaps had 
given him some compendious epitome, This he 
must do in the exercise of faith and love, by 
which the soul has communion with Christ, and 
receives communications from him, and so holds 
the truth in a vital and efficacious manner = and: 
he must thus gua.d himself, and others, against 
the innovations, which false teachers’ were intro- 
ducing by unsound and specious words. That 
good thing, the ministerial.charge, or the Gospel 
committed to his stewardship, he was exhorted 
thus to Keep, observe, and fulfil, without turning 
aside from. it. on any account + but he) must .do 


& 6: 19.2 Cor. 6. 


6-20, Marg. 


this “ by the Holy Ghost, which dwelt in them 5”) therefore:prayed, ‘that’ Onesip 
in, dependence on.his.sacred influences, sought by mercy in the day wie ee 1 


constant prayer, and by, compliance with: them: 


‘adhering closely to the words and phrases, in} sus,and: ministered t 
‘which the apostle had taught) the doctrines, of}now proved the genul 


“the Gospel. The teachers, in modern times, 
* who, in explaining the articles of the Christian 
* faith, use phrases different from the scripture- 
, phraseology,, would do well to. attend.to. this 
™ € apostolical injunction? - (Macknight:) 

V.15. The caution above given, was the more 
needful for Timothy, as he must have heard, 
that all they who were in Asia, had turned away 
from him, Some understand this of those minis- 


ters and Christians,: who had been natives of 


Asia, professing Christianity, and with the apos- 
tle at Rome; but who had. shamefully deserted 
him in the season of his greatest danger. Others 
suppose the apostle to mean, that the Churches 
in Asia, (or that. districtof which Ephesus was: 
the metrcpolis,) had withdrawn» their regard 
from him, being perverted by heretical teachers. 
Some, indeed, interpret it of the Judaizing teach- 
ers; but ‘they who had .always openly opposed 
the ‘apostle, could not besaid to be turned away | 
from him. These, however, and. other false 
teachers, probably had * succeeded. to alienate 
many of the apostle’s converts, Yet, the first 
interpretation. seems, to. be the true one.’ The 
expression, “Thou nowest,”, may only mean, 
‘No. doubt thou bast. heard :’ and to mention 
two indiy iduals, of whom better hopes had b een 


iL ANY HY: | 


{est very well. 


| prayed for him also, ‘s' 


lieve in Jesus Christ, is th hi 


tered unto. me 


ee 
ERA GHD, 
F Acts 28,30; 31i | 4 28) 24.0829 
& See aay rent 16. 1}. ph. 
“Kings 17 10, 
t Psiiso. 3, a Deaas a Sieion, q 
1. 72. 78. Rom. 3.x Luke 8. 3 


rar! 


formed; to Timetbify while scbidhet in Asia, 
witnessing the defection of many Chu 
seems wholly unnatural: MS Sh Mas PD ae 
V.) 165-18» -Onesij was, no doubt, 
exception to what h pet 
ing those of Asia; and D 
sided at Ephesus; a 
‘while he-was at Rome; 
The aposile thetefore pray 
ly: for On¢siphorusy bywhit 
ance, had greatly refreshed 2 ven 
spirits, and had’ not been ashamed .0 
known to be his friend when hie.ware 
many others had been?» He had'bet 
pains to find’ out the’ pl: 
Ment ; and had at last/suece: 
that the apostle’s imprison as. miore'clo 
and severe, ‘than ‘before : sothat (Chris 
general scarcely knew whet 
‘afraid to inquire after him.» (@ 


in how many «things b 


tion. The hese 0 co 
catch at the unfounded't 
was dead, because the’: 
for his’ household, — 5 


tute their practice’of pr : 
scriptural proof 5 and bow 
to meet with some countenane 
of God, if- that could be done: 
} s bi i+ | Bisa: 


PRACTICAL bes 
The promise of ih car 


preaching of ‘those min 
* according to the will 

outward dispensations vary; 
have in every age substanti 
and serve God after the 


“ mercy, and peace, from: 3 
* our Kiipeis nmr teser ar 
Christian’ en when separated at the’ 
orf ‘fervent’ prayers 
desires, of 


CHAPTER IL. 4. D. 67. 


feets of the error of Hymeneus aud PhilctoS 
17, 18: yet “ the foundation of God stands sure,” 
and all called Christians should depart from ini- 
quity, 19. Some are yessels of honour, others 
of dishonour; bat Timothy should seek to be the 
former, 20, 21. He is taught what to fiee, and 
what to follow after, 22; to shun disputatious 
questions; and to instruet opposers with meck- 
ness, in hopes of recovermg them, 25—26. 
Seas Ae Se oe SY 
a prospeet of immortal felicity, by faith in him 
* who is the Resurrection and the Life 2? let us 
give the more diligence in making our personal 
interest in his salvation sure to our souls; and 
let such of us, as are appointed to publish these 
important tidings to mankind, and to instruct the 
nations in the truths of Christ, prepare for saf- 
ferings ; knowing that bis mest honoured ser- 
yants: have always been most conformed to him 
in this respect. Ifthen we be despised and per- 
secuted for “this cause,” let us not give place 
either to fear or shame : for he, in whom we have 
believed, is eble'to bear us out, and to keep us 
safe to that day, when he shall appear to perfect 
our felicity: The hope of the meanest real Chris- 
tian rests on the same» basis with that of the 
greatest apostle. He teo hath learned the value 
and danger of his soul, and his eternal interests ; 
he jutrusts them, by daily faith and prayer, in 
the Redeemer’s hands, as the only security with 
which he can be satisfied. He too hath believed 
in him, and’ hath some experience of his power, 
truth, and ‘compassion; the answers which he 
hath received to his prayers, and the change 
that hath been wrought in his soul, increase and 
confirm his confidence; and thus he is “ per- 
*>suaded that the Lord Jesus will preserve him 
* unto his heavenly kingdom,” whatever dan- 
gers, trials, and enemies, he may meet with ia 
his way thither. In order to possess this 
nope, we must adhere steadfastly to the form of 
sound words, which the apostles have taught 
us ; not only rejecting new notions, but new ex- 
pressions ; which are often employed to exalt 
one part of religion, ‘by drawing the attention 
from others of equal importance. We must also 
be careful to hold, even an orthodox creed, “in 
‘faith and love which are in Christ Jesus -” 
this; as well as ministerial faithfulness, must be 
attempted “by the Holy Spirit which dwelleth 
* in us ;? and will never be performed by those, 
who trust in their own hearts and lean to their 
own understandings.. We need not wonder that 
self-wisdom, and 2 contempt of the influences of 
the Holy Spirit, united with a dislike to the hum- 
bling truths of the Gospel, and tobearing the cross 
for’ Christ’s sake, should turn so many in these 
latter ages from regarding the writings of the 
apostles; as similar causes turned many from 
them, when the apostles were living, and con- 
firming their authority an! doctrine by the most 
undeniable miracles ! But, if others cheose to 
follow the example of Phygellus and Hermo- 
genes ; let us copy that of Onesiphorus, by seek- 
ing out, refreshing, and ministering to, the 
afflicted servants of Christ, not being ashamed 
of, their poverty or disgrace, theugh laidim dun- 
geons or werk-houses; and doing them all the 


dren: yet suchas enjoy this advantage should 
be needa that ey will derive no benefit 
from the*unfeigned faith of the nearest rela- 


reproaches, ¢ontumelies, and injuries, which may 
be expected in the path of duty: whenever, 
therefore, we find our hearts discouraged, our 
hands 


. tit of Christ, to invigorate our faith and hope, to 

& shed abroad the leve of God in our hearts,” to 
|. animate us with zeal and holy affections, and to 
ea im us a sound mind and heavenly wis. 
‘ (Note; Phal.i. 9—11.) Then we shall not 
| be-ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, but 
glory in’ it, even among bis most scornful ene- 
| mies; we'shall not hesitate to join ourselves to 


now “that he hath saved us, and called us 
‘with a holy calling, not according to our 
" ® works, bat'according to his purpose and grace, 
us in Christ, before the world began ;” 
ik feel-ourselves constrained by love to 
ourselves and.all our talents to lus glory : 
shall: manifest the holy nature of our 
Jand.of that doctrine, which isso much 
sed and abused by the pride and carnality 
‘human heart. 
_ thet: V. 10—18. 
"We should bless the Lord continually for the 
24 ofour Saviour Jesus.Christ, for what 
and suffered to abolish death, and 


G ‘by which he hath brought life 

r to light.. As we have such de- 

v urance of a future state, such full infor- 
matien concerning 


terning the naturesof it, and.so clear 


tl voted be: 


° 


« 2.25. Neh. 7.2. Ps.| Cor. 13. 7. 2 Cor} 24 


eer m wore. 


HOU therefore, amy son, > be strong 

in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

2 And ¢the things that thou hast‘heard’ 

of me * among ¢ many witnesses, © the 

same commit thou to f faitliful men, & who 

shall be able to teach others also. | 

8 Thou therefore ® endure hardness, 
as ia good soldier of Jesus  hrist, 

4 No man € that warreth, ! entangleth 

himself with the affairs of ¢his life ; ™ that 


17. Jer. 23. 28.) 1.6. Hebs 6. 15.& 
Mat. 24, 45. Lukel 10, 32..& 11. 27. & 


ries, yet ° is 
strive lawful 


7 4 Consider W 
Lord give thee 
things. a 9 2,3 


a 1.2. See on, 1 Tims! 
1. 2, 18, n Luke 13, 
Cor. 9% 
Phil. 1.15. Col. 1. perk 
29. Heb. 12, de gs uits. 

0 47,8. Heb. 2.7. feb. 10. 
9% Jam. 1121 Ret. 4d, ed 


Pet. 5. 4, Rev. 2. 29 Ps. 6409. Prov. ; Luk 
10. & 3. 11. & 4 4.) 24, 32, Is 1.3. &} 21. a oa 


12, 1 Cor. 4.2. Col.{i 2 Cor. au 3=5, 
1.7 1 Pim, 1 12.) Eph, . 6. 11—18. 
a 2.17. & 3.2) See on, 1 Tim. t. 
. Rev. 2. fein fe 
ig wer. 24, czraik, Deut. 20. 5—7% 
r 25. Mal, 2-7.| Luke 9. 59—62. 
Mat. 13.52. 1 Dinm.|)/4.10. Luke 8.14, 
3. 2-9. & 4. 6.) 1 Tim. 6.9—12. 2 
Tit. 1, 5—9. 
h. ver. 10, & 1, 8. & 
$ 1t& 4 5. 1 


See on, 1 Cote 16. 
23. 2 Cor. 12.9, 10, 
Eph. 6. 10. Phil. 4, 
18. 2 Pet, 3.18, 
© 1. 13.8 3. 10; 14 
* Of, by. 
ai tin, 4: 14. & 6: 
12. 


10. 


pis 23, 24-26! Phat a temleb at 
H 


e See on, 14. 1 
“rim. 1. 18 & 5. 22. 
£ Num. 12. 7, 1Sam, 


Pet. 2, 20. 
m 1 Cor. 7 22, 23, 


Mat. 9., 37, 38. & Het 4 Be 123: Cor. 128. se: 
2Cor. 5. 9 1 Thes. a id 


20,1. & 21 33—d1 
Luke 10. 2. JobairGi 


4,.85—38, 1 Cor. 3. ck 


101. 6. Prov. 13. 


good we can with a constant affection, for the 
Lord’s sake. Then shall we bave an interest in 
their prevailing prayers; we may hope forthe mer- 
ey of God upon ‘our families ; and may rest assur- 
ed of * finding mercy of the Lord in that day,” 
when we shall most Know its unspeakuble value. 
And let those, who are thus comforted and re- 
lieved by their brethren, not be backward to 
acknowledge their obligations, nor negligent in 
praying for them and all their connexions. 


pel, and at all hazards to 
it, As therefore sok 
expect toi! and ha 
so he ought to be prep 
difficulties of every ba 
engaged in the; military hf 
with the management of £ 
merce; but left these pathy 
that he might be wholly at | erty 
commander under whom he 
obtain: preferment and a 
hot engage in any secular h 
affairs of life, so as toi 
Christ, who ‘had chosen hin 
and was able abun to m 
him, Tt is plain from 
Ministers may, on. 
bread by labour 
seeking to grow ric 
ments as‘ engross 
duce ministers into s 
them im so many pec 
greatly endanger their. 
honour of the Gospe 
we zociations, rather | 
games also, the. 
was not crowned victor, 
been managed accor 
therefore behooved 
regulate their gui 
word of God, otherwise th 
the _conqueror’s crown. 
man must first labour, 
fruits of the field ; so they 
and patiently execute their m 
received the gracious: n 


¢ NOTES. 

CHAP. IE. V.1, 2.. The apostle next ex- 
horted bis beloved son Timothy, to be bold and 
vigorous in preaching “ the grace that was in 
* Christ” for sinners, or to be strong in depend- 
ence on the grace of Christ. In order to continue 
and spread the knowledge of the gospel among 
men, he directed him to commit those doctrines, 
which he had heard from him concerning the 
Lord. Jesus, and his. atonement, resurvection, 
ascension, intercession, and salvation, in the pre- 
sence.of many witnesses, (or,dy many witnesses 
who. all concurred in attesting them,) ** to faith- 
** ful men,,.who might be able to teach others 
** also.” This does not indeed prove, that. the 
people had, no concern in the appointment of 
theic owa pastors, or of ministers to preach the 
Gospel. in dark places: but, it. shows, that Ti- 
mothy had a superintending authority ; and was 
empowered to take heed that none should be 
appointed, except faithful. men, able to instruct 
others also. It can scarcely be supposed, that 
there was:any competition at. that time. The 
apostles, and those sent by them, would doubt- 
less select the most suitable persons, and the 
people would cordially acquiesce in their choice. '|most obvious. constru 
‘The communication of divine trath to mankind, | verse; but, it may s 
by a.succession of witnesses, from age’ to ager husbandman must fr 
was thus effectually, provided for, {of the earth, or he 

Vigo Fimothy was again called on to. nor can the « 
consider: himself as. the good soldier of. Christ. sie SSOP? those. w 


Having enli ~nnder. his panner, he, waar bd selves, as 
to follow: hifa and obey, his orders ; he ast be | thy ought therefure well to consider 
ready te oor ‘his fife m the cange of the | BOP: eters, for thus ie Lord would 


: 4 J x i: 


re yt eae Tee 


- UVR ey Bie be git ere, A 


wh Aek. 2 uae | 


CHAPTER Ilr. 


a 


‘A. D.8z; 


aes » Remember that t Jesus Christ, ofjmembrance, ° charging hem before the 


e seed od of David, was "raised from the 
dead, * according to my gospel : 

9 Wi ‘I suffer trouble * as an 
eyil-doer, even unto bonds: 4 but the 
-word of God is not bound. 


> elect's sakes, that they may also 
he salvation which isin Christ 
sus, © rich eternal glory. 
Li It is? a faithful saying: & For ‘if we 
dead with Aim, » we shall also live 
him : 
12 If i we guffer,: 3 we "shall also reign 
him if we deny sim, he also will 
deny us: 
13 If we believe not, 1 yet he abideth 
pee ac m he cannot deny hiraself. 
- ebay [Practical Observations.) 
14 Of these. things ™ put ‘them in re- 


‘ . 9 1 Cor. 9. 22.1) Matt. 19. a 29+ 
t See on, Mate 1. 1. or. 4.15, Cel. 1.) Acts 14. 22, Rom 
en ‘30. & 13: : 8.17: Phil. 1. 23. 
23. Rom. 1. 3, 4 v8.35. John) 2 Thes. 1. 4—8 1 
Rev, 5. 5. _ 1 4d7. 24. 1 Thes. 5.} Pet.4.13—16. Rev. 


u See on, Luke 24.) 9. 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14. aS 9. oe 10.& 
“ie ace 2,24. 1/1 Pet. 2.10. 
ook 15, 11—20, je Rom. 2.7. & 9. KI peti 30, 9. Matt. 
+ 2. 16 & 16 23. 2 Gor 4. 17.| 10. 33. & 26. 35. 
2 Thes. 2. 14; Col. 1, 27. 2 Thes.} 75. Mark 8 38. 
1,11. & 2 7.) 2. 14. 1 Pete 5. 10.| Luke 9. 26. & 12, 
9. 1 John 2. 22, 23. 
Jude 4. Rev. 2. 15. 


1 
y Ste on, 1.8. 12.16.)F See on, 1 Tim. 1. 
Zo) Pet. 2.12. 14. &] 15. & 3.1. Tits. 
&4.15. 48. & 3.8. 

Bra Sle Eph.|g Rom. 56 8. ‘oll Is. 25: 1. Mat. 24, 
20. Phil. 1.) Cor. 4.10. Gal 2.1 35, Rom. 3. 3. 3 
ues Thee, $21. “19, 20. Col. 3. 3, 4.) 9. 6- 1 Thes. 5.24 


| BiSee om, tex ver. 3. Eph. John 14..19. 2} 2 Thes. 3. 3. 
3.13 Cor. 18. 4. 1 Thes.jm Num 23-19. Tit, 
1.2. Heb. 6. 18 


ie 24, 204 24] 437-8 B10 
4 in Sce on, 1. Ge 


“akan Thus it may 
hough our version renders itas 2 


behooved Timothy to remember Jesus 
ath e Eoeres Saviour, o of the seed 


was not ype called. on “to SiR and 
ich to others, the resurrection of Jesus; but 


nd his conduct under them. (Votes, Heb 
This could not fail to suggest proper 
and ‘encouragements, to perseverance 
st ncy. For preaching that Gospel, which 
ed these great ‘events, St. Paul was then 
trouble, as ‘a malefactor, even unto 
prison : yet,’ as the word of God 
und, but was successfully preached 
he was well satisfied, nay, he exult- 
_ For he willingly endured ail things, 
' led to suffer, from love to the elect 


ose fF complete “deliverance from all 
S enjoy nent of eternal glory, for 
aad shed his precious blood. ‘Thus 
ht "hee salvation: and his own: 


sufferings which preceded this great 


in Order to be an instrument in. 


Lord, ? that they strive not about words 
4.to no profit, dur tot the subverting of 
the hearers... 

15 § Study to shew thyself t approved 
unto God, "a workman that needeth not 
to be ashamed, * rightly dividing the 
word of truth. 

16 But ¥ shun profane and yain bab- 
blings ; * for they will increase unto more 


ungodliness. 


17 And their word will eat as doth a 
* canker: of whom are > Hymeneus and 
Philetus ; 

18 Who © concerning the truth have 
erred, saying, ¢ that the resurrection is 
past already ; 3 and © overthrow the faith 
of some. 

(Practical Observations.j 


o 4.1, Eph. 4. 1%. 
1 Thes.4. 1,2 Thes.} Cor. 5.9, 10. & 10 
3.6. 2 Tim. 5. 21.] 18. Gal. 1. 10.1 

. & 6.13. Thes.2. 4. 

per 16. 23, 24lu Mat. 13, 52 2 
Rom. 14. 1.1 Tim] Cor. 3. 6. & 6-3, 
1. 4. 6. 6 Gal 4. 1 Tim. 4. 6.12—! 5. 3. 

Tit. 3. 9—11. 165 * Or, gangrene. 

q 1 Sam. 12. 21. Jer.}x Mark 4.33. Lukejb 1 Tim. 1: 20. 


14.18. & 16. 10. 2] 5, 6. & 15. 33.2 
Thes. 2.7, 8 Tit 
1. 1 Heb. 12. 15. 
2 Pet. 2 2 18. 
Rev. 13. 3.14. 

a Nah. 3. 15. Jam. 


2.8. 1%. & 7. 8. &, 12 42. John 21. 15ic Matt, 22. 20 4 
16. 19. & 23. 32.) —17, Acts 20. 20.) Tim. 1.°19 & 6. 
Hab, 2. 18- Mat. 16-| 27. 1Cor. 2. 6. & 10. 21. Heb. 3. 10. 
2. 1 Tim. 4. 8} 3. 1,2. 2Cor. 4. 2.| Jam, 5. 19. 

Heb. 13. 9. 1 Thes- 5. 14. Heb-jd 1 Cor. 15. 12. Cal. 
r Jer. 23. 86. Acts] 5. 11—14. 
18..10. & 15. 24. 
Gal. 1. 7. Tit. 3. 
11. 

s Heb. 4.11. 2 Pet. 
1-10. 15. & 3,14.Gr. 
t Acts 2.22. Rom. 


3, 1. 

le ver. 14. Matt. i5. 
7.& 6.20. ‘Tit. 14 13. Luke 8. 13. & 
14. & 3.9. 22. 31, 32. Acts §. 
z 3.15. Ezra 10.10.) 39. 1 Cor. Vi. 18% 
Hos. 12. 1. 1 Cor.} 1 John 2.19. 


y ver. 14 1 Tim. 4. 


{dead with Christ, to sin and the world, and ready: 


to die for his Gospel’; they would assuredly live 
with him in that glory, which he entered on after 
his crucifixion and resurrection: if they denied 
him, ‘from dread of sufferings and death, or any 
other carnal motive, and persis‘ed in this denial; 
Christ would also deny them, and leave them to 
perish with his enemies: if they dared not to” 
rely on his word, would not credit his testimony, 
or were unfaithful to him, they would ruin them. 
selves ; but he weuld still abide faithful to his 
covenant-engagements to his true disciples, and 
true to his word of executing vengeance on un- 
believers. For he could not deny himself, or 
act contrary to his word, and his own essential 
and divine perfections, out of partial favour or 
weak compassion: so that it behooved them all, 
to “hold fast the beginning of their confidence 
« steadfast to the end.” 

V. 14—18.: Timothy was directed to remind 
Christians, and ministers, of the important prac- 
tical truths before stated: and to charge them 
most solemnly, as in the presence of the Lord, 
not to strive and dispute about words, and such 
frivolous matters, as the love of controversy 
magnified into important distinctions.. These 
disputes could answer no good purpose: but, on 
the contrary; they tended to subvert the hearers; 
perplexing them about empty speculations, feed- 
ing: their self-conceit and. contempt of others, 

‘on 


A.D. 67. Il. TIMOTHY, 


i9 Nevertheless, € the foundation of| but also of wood, ando 
God & standeth + sure, ® having this seal, 
i The Lord knoweth them that are his. 
And, * Let every one that nameth the 
name of Christ, ! depart from. iniquity. 

20 But ™ in a great house there are 
not only ™ vessels of gold, and of silver, 


f£Proy. 10, 25. Is.; Nah-l. 7. Matt. 7.] 14. & 37 27. Proy- 
14. 32. & 28. 16.) 23. Luke -13. 27.| 3.7. Rom- 12. 9, 2 
Mart. 7. 25. Luke] Jon 10. 14 28—] Cor, 7. 1, Eph. 4. 
6. 46. i Cor. 3. 10,} 30. & 13. 18 Rom.| 17—32, & 5. 1—11. 
11, Eph. 2. 20, 1! 8, 28. & ii, 2. 1) Col. 3 5—8. Lit. 2. 
‘Lim 6. 19. Heb.| Cor 8. 3. Gal. 4:) 11—14. 1 Pet. 1. 
11. 10. Rey. 21. 14.] 9. Rey. 178. 13—19. 2 Pet, te 4 
g Matt. 24. 24,)k Num. 6 27. Is} —10. & 3. 14.1 
Ma:k 13. 22. Rom| 53. 19, & 65 15:! John 3. 7-—10. 


honour, sancti 
ter’s use, and 
work. 

22 t Flee also” 
x follow righteo 
z peace, with them that 
out of a pure asa: es: 


p Is. 1,256& 52.11.|t Prov. 64 


‘to his state, character, and Circumstances. In 


8. 31—35. & 9. 11.) Mat, 28. 19, Actsim 1 Cor, 3. 9. © 16, 
Hb. 6. 18, 19. 9.14. & 11-26 &| 17. Eph. 2. 22. I 
¥ Or, steady. Ps.) 15.37. Rom- 15 9.| ‘Tim. 3. 15. Heb, 3. 
112 "6. & 125. 1,2.) 20, 1 Cor. 1.. 2.) 2—6. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 

h Hag. 2. 23, Zech. Eph. 3. 15. Rev. 2.n Ex. 27, 3. Ezra 1: 
3.9. & 4 7-9. 
Eph. 4, 30. 

iNam, 15. 5. Ps. 1. 
6. & 37. 18. 28, 


2. Dan. 5.2. & 3. 
1 ‘vob 28, 28. Ps. 34.) 96, 27. 2 Cor. 4. 7 


and drawing them off from the simplicity of faith 
and obedience: At the same time, Timothy was 
enjoined studiously to endeavour to approve him- 
self, im the sight of God) in all his conduct and 
miiistrations :. he was reminded to bestow pains, 
that he might perform his ministerial services, as 
a workman who knew how to go about his busi- 
ness, and needed not to be ashamed of his per 
formances, or afraid of having them most accu- 
rately examined. In preaching the Gospel, he 
must “ rightly divide the word of truth ;” giv 
ing to every person his proper portion, according 


this expression, the apostle is supposed by some 
to allude to the skill used by. the priests, in 
cu'ting in pieces the victims, and dividing them 
according to the legal prescriptions: and by 
others, to refer to the conduct of those, who 
carve for a large company; and are peculiarly 
careful, that no one wants what is suitable for 
him, To this conduct he was required to ad- 
here ; and to avoid the “profane and vain bab- 
« blings,” to which many paid undue attention ; 
for, however frivolous they seemed, yet the apns 
tle fsresaw that they would increase, and produce 
more ungodliness among men*professing Chris- 


tianity. For’ the words of such perverters of 


the truth, being of a poisonous nature, would 
imperceptibly diffuse their noxious influence, till 
they had eaten out the life and power of true 
religion ; even as a gangrene spreads in the hu- 
ma body; till it corrupts and destroys the whole 
of it. Of these vain’ dissuters, there seem to 
have been various descripti ins : but the apostle 
mentioned Hymeneus and Philetus in particular, 
who had wandered far from the ‘trath of the 
Gospel for they explained the doctrine of the 
resurrection in a mystical and allegorical man. 
ner ; as if it only meant the introduction of a 
new dispensation, or’some moral change in men’s 
characters, which were events in themselves, or 
in respect of Christians, already past; and thus 
they deniedthe future resurrection of the dead. 
(Notes, ¥ Cor. xv. 1—19. 1 Tim. i, 19, 20.) -In 
this mann+s they bad perv erted the faith of some, 
and’s:duced several into fatal heresies, who had 
once madé a promising profession of the Gospel: 


o Rom. 9. 21—23. | Tit.3. 1. & 


bah te 8. & 22.1 6. & 6 5. Lam. 4/49 


r Acts 9. 15. 
3 3. 17. Eph. 2.10). 


Rightly dividing, &e. £ 

‘that should be said ;- 
‘own; let him matilat 
‘wrest, nothing: Saijal 
‘ sider what the hearers ar 
‘ and what conducRaaa 


delusions, by whic 


of the doctrine of the res 

of election: but Christ b 
of eternal life to every 
is doubtless. “ the Foundat 
the apostle meant. 


can any one who has: 
ly deceived. Pate. 
of sealing the found 


Mal. 3. 3..1 Com 5.1 6. 18 & 10. 


4% Cor 7, Le Tim. 6. 11. 
Pet. 1. 22.1 John . pin 119.9. 
3.3, 

ver. 20. Ps, 119. 


ll. 


9.) Pet. 4. 7% | 12 


V. 19... Notwithst 


‘ gates of hell Rr eblea 


structures, and engrai 
them ; this nyse 
God, and a double | 
one side it was engr 
liever’s encouragement, * 
« them that are his ;”? he 
chosen ; he approves, 
those, whom he hath 
believing and obedient p 
the meanest of them fro 
pocrites, and he will 
whilst others are. dec 
supposed by some to ref 
concerning Aaron and, 
of Korab, Dathan, and 
On the other side, it is 
tion of all professed Chi 
chatacters and. direct: 
lievers; “Let every one, 
‘« of Christ, depart: fro 
must seek the assuran 
election ; thus they must 
of their faith and love, and 
for distinguishing grace; thu 
avoid the snares of deceivers, and m 
ference between themselves and every | 
hypocrites, (Notes, Zeah, iii, p.etaae ae! 

1 Cor. iii, 11.) ‘ sn 


aD. er. CHAPTER IL A.D. 61. 


23 But: > foolish | and unlearned ques-|that oppose themselves; * if God ! per- 


that they do gen r |adventure, will give them ™ repentance to 
“Sens Vo i As! the acknowledging of the truth; 
é 24 As Fceaient of the Lord 4. must! 26 And that they may recover them- 
J ik be gentle unto all men, {selves " out of the snare of the devil,» who 
are { taken captive by him P at his will. 


lo teach, * patient ; 
hIn Beckness : instructing those ; 
; k Jer. 31. 18, 19,33.) 20. 21. o.Ts. 42. 6, 7. & 49s 


+ 165] 7. Jams 1. 19, 2044) Le 
6.4, 5- 8 Jude 3. m tS ag ne Ez. 11.19. ‘& 36./¢ Gr. awake Lukel 25, 26. & 53. 12, 
34. 5. Josh.je John’ 6. 52. Acts) eiul ‘4.12, Col. 3. | 26. 31. Zech. 12.4 15. 17. 1 Cor. 15.) Mate. 12. 28, 29, 
24,9.) 7. 25. & 23.9 Jam,}i13. - 10. Acts’5. 31. &] 34, Eph. 5. 14. ‘Luke 11. 21, 22. 2 
Pt Wim: 4. 2-'Gr 4 h Matt.11. 29. Gal. | 11. 18, Jam. 1. 17.1n Ps. 124. 7. Is. 8.| Pet. 2, 18—20. 
Tit. 1. if¢ Is. 40. 11: 2 Cor.6.1.1 Lim. 6. 11.| 1 Jobn 5.16. 15. & 28. 13: Acts|) Gr. taken alive. 
10, 1. Gal.§5. 22. 1; 1 Pet.3. 15, 1 Acts 8.22.1 Fim.} 26. 18. 2 Cor. 2. 11.;p Job 1. 12. & 2. 6. 


le 1 lL 
tg fatt. 12. 19. Acts 
Vis. 2. re ee 10. 4. 
. 14. I 
Pim. a08. Sie ul, 


2.46 eek 1213.2 Thes. 

m3. 7 Matt. 21.) 2.9—12,1 Tim. 3. 
$2. Mark lL. 3, 4 7. & 6.9, 10. Rev.{ 
15. Acts 2. 38” &ls 412.9. & 202, 3. 


Luke 22. 31, 32. 
John 13. . 27. 
Acts 5.3. 1 Tim. 1. 
20. 


Thes. 2. 7. Tit. 3-\i Jer. 13-15-17. & 
2. Jam. 3. 17. 1) 26.12—15- John 5. 
gPetisi8y © 34, Acts 22, Ke. 


gb Tim, 3, 2. Tit. 


Pike v. 20~22.. ‘still further t to show, that here- 
‘gies : and defections were entirely consistent with 
the en ents of God by his covenant tobeliev 
ers; the apostle | observed, that in a great house, 
the “nabitation of some wealthy person, there 
we! ere not only vessels of gold and of silver,’but 
‘others of bas: terials; the former for ho- 
on 1 e other for meaner, uses. In 
like manner, visible church, not only true | 
ns and faithful ministers were found, as 
willing instruments in the honourable ‘work of: 
‘glorifying God, and promoting the good of men; 
| but persons also of a different character, whiose 
‘hypocrisy and iniquity were over-ruled, contrary 
| to their intentions, to fulfil his righteous purpo- 
| “ses, though to their own ruin and everlasting 
‘contempt. If then « minister carefully purified 
“himself from these evil things, and simply ad. 
'hered to the truth and will of God; he would be 
‘a vessel of honour, sanctified and prepared for 
= service of Christ, and ready to be his will- 
ng instrument in every good work. The apos- 
‘therefore warned Timothy, not only to avoid 
= doctrines, but “ to flee youthful lusts :” both 
; the sensual indulgences to which young persons 
| “Most liable; and also those impetuous pas. 
‘sions, that rashness, and love of novelty or con- 
troversy, and that desire of being distinguished, 
‘to which ae are sae palpenves ; andshe-ex- 


and mutual revilings, er even injuries, that (hey 
might be called fightings. Whitever Jewish or 
Gentile disputers did, “ the servant of the Lord 
“ must not sirive” in this manner, or with such 
weapons. Qn the contrary, he must be gentle in 
his' address and conduct to all men, even to the 
most virulent and unreasonable opposers, or per- 
verters of the truth: he must be apt and ready, 
to instruct men in the doctrines of Christ, with 
clear explanations, cool discussions, conclusive 
arguments and testimonies, pertinent illustra- 
tions, and kind language: at the same time he 
must patiently bear revilings, ridicule, and ill 
usage, without recrimination or resentment. Thus 
in a meek, dispassionate, forbearing, and forgiv- 
ing temper, he must continue to instruct such as 
opposed themselves, however perverse and ob- 
Stinate they were, provided they would attend to 
the word: still hoping that “ God, peradventure, 
* would give them repentance.” This might be 
sometimes the case ; and then they would hum- 
bly receive, and profess the truth, and depend on 
the mercy and grace of God in Christ for par- 
don, assistance, and deliverance. Bt should this 
take place, the'servant of God would reflect with 
remorse, on the sharpness: which he had shown 
towards those, whom the Lord had mercifully 
borne. with, notwithstanding their provocations. 
He should, therefore; rather hope and wait for 
their coming to themselves, “ awking as from 
s* sleep,” or recovering as men from intoxica- 
tion ; and so, escaping the snare of the devil, in 
which he had entangled them, by his artful de- 
Vices and suitable temptations, even as fowlers 
draw the birds into the fatal snare. That so 
they might recover their-liberty, though taken 
captive by satan, as prisoners are after a battle, 
who may be disposed of at the victor’s will; 
being consigned to death, to chains, or to slave. 
ry, as‘he pleases’ For such men would remain 

entirely in the power of satan ; unless God should 

mercifully please to give: them mepentaice, and 

so effect these atctavie MICE sd 


z well is to inculcate flaca on others : espe-! 
lly to follow after peace with all those who 
ed on the Lord out of a pure heart, or in sin- 
faith and wh Fouehoas eis their infir- 


ests Again the apostle saw it neces- 
to cautien his beloved Timothy, ‘against 
‘and unlearned questions: such curious, 
umMptuous, or useless guestions, as often ap- 
to spring from a depth of discernment, re- 

and ertidition; but which, in. fact, are 
ted by folly, and 2 want of solid acquaint. 
p the: majesty of God, with man’s true] 
c eal and with other subjects |” 


PRACTICAL, OBSERVATIONS, 
feats - 1—13. 
The falls A some, yee the good examples of 
.|others, should excite us, to be strong in ‘the 
grace of Christ and zealous in his cause. . None 
ought to be chosen or appointed to the: sucred 
inistry, who are not faithful men, and compe- 


et ezender fierce and hostile con 
proud and obstinate disputants, 


a * 


Bed be as he fe: eee 2) ee aR a eee Ts tee, ee oem, * 


4, BD. 67. 


SLCHIAP: LI. 
The apostle foreteits grievous, times, in the last days,) 
through the atrocious wickedness of those, who 
who would have the form, without the power, of 
godliness, 1—5; and the devices and opposition 
BAD. 0): = LAURA ABE a a 
tent to instruct others also; and all concerned io 
this important trust should be careful, to whom 
they commit the “stewardship of the mysteries 
* of Christ :” for if they wilfully, negligently, or 
pattially choose, or ordain, improper persons ; 
they will be condemned for it before many wit- 
nesses, however they here concealed their mo- 
tives or excused their conduct. The gyod sol- 
dier of Christ must be ready at his Captain’s 
word, to venture into the most perilous situations, 
and to endure the extremest hardships. He 
ought therefore to be hardy, self-denying, and 
courageous; one who loves his leader, and firm- 
ly believes be can make up all losses to him, 
even the loss of his life, which no other prince or 
general, can do for his soldiers. It is desirable 
that they who are engaged in this holy warfare, 
should be exempted from the necessity of at- 
tending to secular business ; but all, who would 
please their Lord, must avoid whatever is not 
absolutely necessary, and every thing that is en- 
tangling. Whilst numbers wholly disregard 
these rules; some, who are active, and seem to 
strive for'the mastery, are not careful to “ strive 
** jawfully:” for they either, spend their zeal 
about outward forms, human inventions, and 
doubtful disputations, or they use, unsanctified 
weapons, furnished by bigotry and resentment. 
We should also Jabour in patiencé and hope, as- 
sured “that in due séason we shall reap, if we 
6 faint not,” without vainly expecting to receive 
our réward, till we have given proof of our per- 
severing diligence. In all our hardships, con- 
flicts, and temptations, we must remember the 
Lord Jesus, and meditate daily on his sufferings, 
his resurrection, and his subsequent gtory. Thus 
we shall learn ‘to expect trials, and ‘be the less 
disquieted “if we suffer trouble as evil doers 
«6 even unto bunds ;” knowing that no power can 
bind the word. of God, or prevent the spread’ of 
the Gospel as*he sees good. And, if the mind 
of Christ be in us, we shall be willing ‘to en- 
“dure all things, for the elect’s sake,” and to 
promote the salvation and eternal glory of those, 
for whom Christ willingly laid down his life. It 
is a faithful saying, that if we be tims dead 
with Christ, we shail also live with him; if we 
suffer, we shall also reign with him. But, he 
will deny before his Father’s throne, those who 
deny him before men ; and his truth as much 
ensures the unbeliever’s condemnation, as the 
believer’s salvation ; for he cannot deny himself, 
and’ “heaven and earth shall pass away, but his 
«« words shail not pass away.” 
pabarigasers V. 14—18. t 
Ministers must cherge their flocks before the 
Lord, with great solemnity and earnestness, not 
to strive about words, or the S/ibboleths of a par. 
ty; which ‘tend to no profit, but rather to the 
suoverting of the hearers. In this part of our 
work we shall be likely to give offence ; forea 
ger controversy is exesedingly relishing to the 


a i ee 


an obedient faith! He 
people; and they may ki 
their diligent care to de 


ig Om eee ep ee re 


plain practical inst 
** study to show .o 
and to obtain his seal 
bestow pains to become 
preachers, ** workmen | 
“ ed ;” instructors that nov 
« divide the word of truth,” and t 
man the portion that belongs 
application to his conscience 
will lead us to a distance fot 
babblings, which contiuually ineres 
ungodliness ; for many a specious 


ed, without notice, to be i ror is all 
fessed Christians, which gradually 6 


canker, and destroys 
an “imperceptible: 
hath done more mischié 
among those who, retain. 
tures, than the manner of 
tus, in allegorizing away 
precepts, and so’ causing 
some. visionary mystical 
call spiritualizing ; but 

pose of deceivers, (thou 
meaning injudicious pe 
wonder of the igngrant, and 
tional men: and. thus it 
the substantial part of religion, 
selves with fancies ; and it i 

dices of the other against e 
Nothing can be so crude, fa 
erroneous, but it will su 
faith of some professors of 
the numberless delusion 
may be invented ; the! 
congenial to the pride 
simple truths of God’s w 

Va 


- 


Amidst all confusio 
« Foundation of the I 
cure and happy are. thi 


to honour the name/of Ch 
tion. These are the vessels 
yhich the Lord hath *- 
‘© glory,” whom he hath ‘ 
““mect for his own, use, ai 
“ good work :? and when 
honour shall be consigned 
vill be “ filled with all the f 
Let us then seek to” ] ; 
ness of flesh and spirit ;_ 
ministers. flee from youthful 
“ low after righteotsn 
“< with all them th 
“a pure heart: 
titions of the apostle te 1 e vast 
portance of avoiding foolish, curious, an 
yolous questions, and whatever cin / pre 


ostle » US 


* 


ethat ® in the last 
days; » perilous times shall come. 
oa For shige wall be ¢ lovers of their 
e etous, ¢ boasters, f proud, 
-h disobedient to parents, 
31, unholy, 
at ? natural affection, k truce- 


Dan. 725. & 11. 
36.1 Tim. 1. 20, 2 


IS. 


a 2e21. Jam. 2. 16. 


uke 12. 15. Rom-| Pet. 2. 12. Jude 10. 

i _ Col. 3. 5.2) Rev. 130 4. 5. 6. & 
16, 9. 11, -21. 

v- hb Mat. 15. 6. Mark 

ak oo Fp Rom. 1. 


Thes. ~ 9a 21. 1-3. 
Jam. 4. 1602] Ps. 15-4. Ez.17.15 
eet Side 16. —19, Rom. 1. 31. 
6.17.1 Tims) Gr.° 


is eee sarge Be 


otrifes ‘and angry controversies. Alas! how 

little bas it been remembered, that “the ser- 

«vant of the Lord must not strive, but be gen- 
@ tle towards all men, apt to teach, patient” 
Numbers seem to think that the reverse 

‘should be his character and conduct, and that 
zeal for doctrinal truths is incompatible with 

, meekness, patience, and love! This 

for controversy, both in teachers 

and hearers of the Gosnel, is one grand’ hinderance 

to our recovering sinners out of the snare of the 

devil ; for to exasperate opposers, is by no means 

the way to convince them. The artful enemy of 


our souls Knows how to bait his. hook, and | 


spread his net for men, according to their dif- | 
ferent tastes, humours, and situations. He con- 
ceals the ‘danger, ‘and allures them with the 
of gain or pleasure. They suspect not 
‘deception, till théy have swallowed the bait, 
or are caucht in the net: then they are “ taken 
« captive by him at his will; and they sometimes 
appear under a kind of necessity of proceeding 
in their ruinous courses. “Yet some are recover 
ed from out of the snare: for when God gives 
them repentance, they come to themselves, they 
acknowledge the truth, they confess their cuilt, 
they cry for mercy and deliverance, they obtain 
pardon and grace, they are set at liberty, and. 
| walk in newness of life; and satan can never 
hore regain his dominion over them. There is 


to “pardon those, who do repent: but, we 
ot tell whether he will give repentance to 
bse, who still continue to oppose his will: yet, 
hhe sometimes gives it even to ihe most obsti 
fate’ of his enemies, it is our duty to hope and 
pray for them; and in meekness to instruct 
them; as long as we have the opportunity. 
ad ii ; any feel themselves taken captive by sa- 
and long for deliverance; let them remem- 

at they can never recover themselves out 
the snare of the: devil, except by acknowledg- 
je truth of God in the Gospel; that this 
can'do without repentance ; that re- 

e gift of God: and finally, that 
Kit of him by earnest persevering 
sey 
Besar ey re 


CHAPTER IIE. 


A. dD. 67. 


breakers, * false accusers, ! incontinent, 
m fierce, 8 despisers of those that are good, 


4 © Traitors, heady, P high-minded, 


q lovers of pleasures * more than lovers of 
God ; 


5 Having sa form of godliness, but de- 


nying the power thereof: tfrom such turn - 


away. 


* Or, make-Dates| 10. 16. & 15. 14.1] 1.25.& 8-7, 8 i 
Mat 4. 1. john 6. Cs Soa John 2. RS 16. 
70. See on, 1 Fim. Is. 29. 13. & 48. 
3s. Fiz: 2. 3, “ailo,2 Pex 2. th Tie Pay 53. 1—3. 
in Gr. 8.9 33, 30—32. Mat. 7. 
11 €or. 7. 5. 9- alp Rom. 11. 20. 1) 15.&23.7,8.Rom. 
Pet.2 4.19/& 3.) Tim. 6. 17. 2a 20-24. 1 Tim, 


5. 1 oe a Be: EE 5.8. Tit 1. 16. 

3.18, 19. 1 Tim. 5./t 2. 16. 23. Rom. 16. 
46. 2 Pete 2. 13. Sp eg at 
ie 10. 12. wal . 6. 14.2 


a & 16. 6. & 17. 


Tim. 6, 5. Tit “3. 
r Mat 10, 37. Rom.} 10. 2 John 10, 11. 
7 


ps2. 6. Is. 53. 
3. & 60. 14. Luke 


NOTES. 

CHAP HL V.1—s. The apostle Peat 
and gave warning to Timothy, that in the last 
days, or under the Christian dispensation, peril- 
ous, or grievous times would arrive ; in which it 
would be extremely difficuit for Christians to 
escape the contagion of bad examples and corrupt 
principles, or for ministers to preach the unadul- 
terated truth of the Gospel; and in which they, 
who retained their integrity, would be exposed 
to the hatred and persecution of their professed 
brethren. For, while the love of Christ, of one 
another, and of all men, distinguished real 
Christians from others : a race was about to arise, 
who would in general “be lovers of their own 
“ selves,” in a carnal, inordinate, and exclusive 
manner; being covetous and greedy in getting 
and keeping wealts at any rate, and idolatrously 
trusting in it. They would be “ vain-gloricus 
boasters,” and “proud” of their abilities, 
attainments, and supposed merits ; blasphemers 
of the perfections, truths, and ways of God; 
disobedient to their parents; ungrateful to the 
Lord, and their earthly benefactors; unholy and 
profane, ready to violate promises and cove- 
nants, being unfaithful to every trust reposed in’ 
them ; false accusers of others, in order to find a- 
pretence for persecuting them; given up to the 
excessive indulgence of their appetites ; fierce 
and savage in their tempers ; not loving, but des- 


adventure, in respect of the readiness of | pising, good men and geod things; betrayers of 


those whotrusted them; of aseditious and turbu. 
lent spirit respecting their rulers: rash anc impetu- 
ous; haughty and imperious; and iovers of sen- 
sual or dissipated pleasures, rather than lovers 
of God ; delighting in these gratifications, and 
not in the Lord and his holy service. Yet, along 
with all these hateful vices, they would retain 
«* the form of godliness,” professing Christiani- 
ty: attending on sacred ordinances, and pretend- 
ing to be religions : whilst they renounced, “ the 
«* power of it ;” and at least practically denied, 
that it aught to have any sanctifying influence on 
their affections, tempers, and conduct. From 
persons of this character Timothy was. directed 
to tura_ away, and to have no fellowship with 
them. We are not to suppose that the Same in- 
dividuals would answer to the whole of this de- 


4, D. 67 


6 For " of this sert are they which 
@reep into houses, and lead captive silly 
women * Jaden with sins, ¥ led away 
with z divers lusts, 

7 * Ever learning, and never able to 
ome to » the knowledge of the truth.: 
8 Synlow ¢as Jannes and Jambres) with- 


& Mat. 23.14. Tit: 


Pet. 2. 18. Jude 16.J 5.44. & 12) 42, 43. 

eae saan 4: 18. 1 Obts S14! Eph. f Kee. Acts 13. 811) te Acts 

% Ps, 38. 4. Is. 1.4.2 4. 3, 4. Dent. 29] 4. 14. Heb. 5. 11, 7. & +3 42 ae 2 Conte 
\ Mat. 11. 28. Se Prey, 78. Be, Bay Ae Epb. 4.14. 2Thes| 15 1 Tim. 
y 1Cor- 12.2.2 Pets! 30. 10,11. Ez.14.|b See on, 2. 25. 2. 9-11 Tit.1 10.) & : 

8. 37. ae 4-10, Mat 13. e @ Wx i7s 1s 3. &) 3 Dot a ate. Aa 
@ Mark 4.19.1 Tim.| John S. 20, 21. &| 8.7.18. oe ae ee Kigaial 
So Hee es ’ John 2 18. & 4. 1. "Ow - 


scription: but men would arise, called Chris 
tians, who would be guilty of these vices ; some 
being: more notorious in one way, and some in 
another, even as the heathens were, and differ 
ing from them only in name. (Votes, Rom i. 29 
32.) Such persons have abounded within the 
visible church in every place, and through all 
succeeding ages hitherto; and some have been 
found, even among those that most zealously 
contended for the peculiar doctrines of the Gos- 
‘pel. Many such. were soon perceived in the pri- 
mitive church ; but things rrew worse and worse 
(18,) till the grand antichristian Apostacy was 
produced. The selfishness, enormous © covet- 
ousness, high-swelling words of vanity, and blas- 
phemous claims and titles of the church of Rome, 
have generally been supposed to be pointed at 
in an especial manner. Their countenancing 
children to disobey their parents, and parents to 
withdraw their natural affection from ‘their chil 
dren, in order the more readily to replenish their 
religious houses; their disregard of the most 
solemn leagues and covenants, and want of ali 
faith and mercy towards those whom they fulse- 
ly accused of heresy ; their enmity against true 
Christians ; the licentiousness countenanced by 
indulgences and dispensations ; their fierce per- 
secutions ; their arrogant conduct towards prin- 
ces and emperors, have certainly exceeded every 
* ether corruption of Christianity that hath yet ap- 
peared; yet they have always maintained, and 


IL TIMOTHY, 


teachers, and to embrace. 
religion ; which would a 


stood Moses; so do these also é 1 
truth: ¢ men of the fathe whe 
bate concernin: Way, 
9 Bat th 
for‘ their fo 
meNy as theirs also was, 
[Practical Observations. 
ko Se 


and as it were the mouth, of 


Schad (John vi. 70,71. Rev. re 
&e. (4.) Or ‘* Lovers of pleasures, 
“ lovers of God” This is the literal t 
tion.» The persons’ intended idolized plea 
devoting themsélves to } 

V. 6—9. There were, even 
days, men of the sort wh c] 
who, in a covert manner, and 
ation, crept into families, 
winding themselves'into corfid 
cendency over: the ‘consciences 
the souls of the unstable, for their o 
or that of their party. © Such’ deceivers 
out the weakest and most credu! 
that they might take adyz c 
information and discernment, to work 
imaginations and passions. Their s 
also chiefly among such “as ‘were 
‘sins, and led away with divers lusts 
such, as before they professed Christianity, 
been addicted to licentiousness, and, not 
renewed by divine grace, but merely m 
by temporary convictions, wi 
to the flatteries and soo! 


Taz 


conscience, and license to 
were also such as were “e 
ing pains to become acqu 


been very exact and pompous, in their “ form 
* of godliness.” It seems almost: self-evident 


that the apostle ‘foretells, what the state of 


things would be in the visible church, and 
among the professors and ministers of Christian- 
ity. No doubt; the Jews, just before the destruc- 
tion of Jerusalem, answered in’ many things to 
the description here given; and so do numbers 
of protestant Christians, so called, at this day.— 
There was, however, no occasion to warn Timo- 
thy, to ** turn away from” persecutine Jéws ; 
but, the mystery of ‘iniquity was already’ -work- 
ing, and it was necessary for faithful ministers 
to protest against it in the most decided manner. 
Without natural affection. (3.) * ‘The Roman 
* clergy, being forbidden to marry, can neither 
© have wives nor children openly; so. they are 
‘ without the affections natural to mankind ; at 
* Teast they dare not avow them. (Macknight.) 
The ‘word. rendered * false accusers.” (3.) is 
devils. he persons intended are the ministers, 


but running after every 
ening to every novel notion, ¢ t 
from one thing to another, and thus #* 
«to come to the knowledge of 
(Marg, Ref.) These -were the »per: 
the false teachers: first ass: 
insinuations’ and. flatteries,” € 
into a. kind. of captivity:to. slicing 
means they might accomplish: t 
ambitious, or licentious purpose 
Egyptian magicians, (whose n 
ed by tradition, and by some 
have been Jannes and Jambres,) 
by counterfeiting his mira 
voured /to bewilder Phar 
might not regard the mes 
these false teachers withstood the truth, 
ceiving men with a false gospel, and v: 
ing pretences ; being corrupt and. deprav 
their minds, alienated:from the faith .of C 
and rejected by God as hypocrites or apost 


4. D.67. 
* 10 But ¢ thou hast ¢ fully known > my 
doctrine, ‘ manner of life, * purpose, 


1 faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, 
11 ™ Persecutions, 


afflictions, which 
>me "at Antioch, at lconium, 
; what persecutions I endured : 
it of hem ali the Lord delivered 
1 ‘Ye a, and all that will P live godly 
Jesus, 4 shall suffer persecution. 


; Sy of ai Acts 9..16:8 20.| 2.9 

diligent follower\m Acts 9. 16. & 20.) 2. 9. 
of Pik 2. 2 19. 23,24. Rom. 8 |p 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 
€ Luke 1. 3.1 Tim.| 35—37, 2 Core 4+) Tim. 2 2. & 3. 
4.6. Gr. g—11, 2Cor. 1. 8—} 16. & 6.3. Tis. 1 
b 5.16, 17 & 4.3.) 10. & 4, Sik Bl 1&2 12 BWPet 
“Acts 2 42. Rony} 11.23—23. Heb 10.) 3. 11. 


; k 4. 14.) 33, 34. q Ps. 37. 12—15. 
“1 Tim. L. 3. & 4-|m Acts 13. 50, 51. & 


Mat. 5. 10—12. & 
10. 22—25. & 16. 
24. & 23, 3408 Mark 
10. 80. Luke 14. 
26,27. John 15. 19 
—21. & 16. 2-33. 
.& 17. 14. Acts 14. 
22. 1 Thes. 3. 3, 4 
Heb. 11. 31—38. 1 
Pet. 2. 20, 21. & 3. 
14. & 4. 12-16-&5, 
9,10. Rev, 1.9, 10 
&7.14.& 12.3. 7-10. 


91.2—6. 14. Is. 41. 
10, 15. & 43. 2. Jer. 
1/19. Dan. 6. 27. 
Acts 9. 23-25. & 
‘21. 32, 33. & 23, 
10, 12—24. & 25.3, 
4. & 26. 17. 22. 2 


Acts Lis 23. 2 Cor. 
1. 1%, : 
AB 2. 22, 2 Cor. 6. 4— 
io. 1Tim. 4 12. 
& 6. ll. 2Pet. 1. 
ea ae 
But they would not be able to proceed any fur- 
ther in their opposition ‘to the Gospel, than the 
limits prescribed to them in the wisdom of God ; 
‘and at length their folly would be published to 
| ‘gil men, even to their most devoted adherents ; 
as that of the magicians was, when the bile was 
upon them as well as on the other Egyptians. 
(Note, Ex. ix. Th) * ess els 
© ¥.10—13. As a contrast to the base spirit 
‘of the deceivers beforementioned, the apostle 
galled ‘Timothy’s attention to his own conduct 
‘and ministry. He had had full. opportunity. of 
"knowing accurately the doctrine, which he had 
‘preached in every place, the manner in which he 
ad lived, the leading aim and purpose which 
he had pursued in the most determined manner, 
with every particular, concerning his spirit, con- 
duct, and ministry; and hevhad attained to a 
full acquaintance with them. He had especially 
observed the patience with which he had endur« 
‘ed persecutions in several places. It is highly 
i cee that Timothy was converted to Chris- 
 ‘tianity, during theapostle’s first progress through 
he cities of Asia Minor, (Notes, Acts xiii. xiv. 
- -Rvi—1—3.) and that he was an eye-witness of 
St. Paul’s sufferings at that time. 


ns, rather than more recent ones, which Ti- 


éant; Indeed, it was a general rule, that if 
nan was determined to live a godly life, in 
lence on the atonement and grace of the 
Jesus, and according to his precepts, he 


dliness, without any direct connexion 
doctrine of faith in a crucified Saviour ; 
sion of that faith, without the exam. 
bdly life, might. be endured and tole- 
it, the open’ profession of. * the truth 
N Jesus,” and a resolute attention to 


CHAPTER TIlE 


Cor. 1, 10. 2Pet.| 


This satisfac-. 
ily accounts for his mentioning these persecu- 


m thy had not witnessed. Antioch in Pisidia is’ 


tlainly be exposed .to persecution. A. 


? 


4. D. 623. 
13 But * evil menvand seducers shall 


wax worse and worse, deceiving, and 
s being deceived. sit 


14 But t continue thou in the things 


which thou hast learned, and hast been 
u assured of, * knowing of 
hast learned them p05. ©) 


whom thou 


15 And that y¥ from a child thou hast 
known ¢ the holy scriptures, ® which are 


able to make thee wise unto salvation, 


through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
16 » All scripture és given by inspira- 


tion of God, ¢ and is profitable 4 for doc- 


b 2 Sam, 23.2. Mat= 
21. 4% & “22. 31s 
32: 43. & 26, 54> 
bs Mark 12. 24° 


r Seeon, ver. 8 &iy 1.5, 1 Sam, 2. 18, 
2. 16, 17. 2 Thes.} 2 Chr. 34, 3. Ps, 71. 
2-6—10. 1 Tim. 4.| 17. Prov. 8. 17.& 
4. 2 Pet, 2. 20. &) 22. 6. Ec. 12. 1. 
$. 3. Rev. 12.9. &| Luke 1. is. & 2. 
13.14. & 18. 23. Ao. 

s Job 12. 16. Is. 44.|z Dan. 10. 21. Mat. 
20, Ez. 14. 9,10,| 22 29. Luke 24. 
2 Thes.“2. 11. 27. 32,45. Acts 17. 
t 1.13. & 2.2. See} 2- Rom. 1.2.& 16. 

* on, 1 Tim. 4. 16. 
u Acts 17. 31. Rom. 
14.5. Marg. Col 
2. 2 1 Thes. 1. 5. 
Heb. 6. 11. & 10. 
oe ; - 


36. John 10. 35- 
Acts 1. 16, & 28. 
25. Rom. 3.2. & 
15. 4, Gal, 3. 8. 
Heb. 3.7. & 4.125 
2 Pet. 1. 19—21. 
26. 1Cor. 15.2 Pet.je Ps. 19. 7—11. & 
1. 20, 21. & 3. 16. | 119. 97—104. 130. 
a Ps. 19.7. John 5.| Jer. 23.22. 32, Mice 
39, 40. Acts 10. 43.) 2.7. Acts 20. 20- 
& 13. 29. 38, 39.) 27. 1 Cor. 12. 7, 
c 1 Pet. 1, 10—12.. 1] Eph. 4. 11—16. 
& ver. 15, 1 Thes.2.} Joho 5. 11, 12,J/d Seeon, h. ver. 10, 


13. Rey. 19. 10, 
ali the duties of vital godliness, would excite 
the scorn and enmity, of mankind; nor could 
any abilities, amiableness, or beneficence, secure 
aman from, some effects of their persecuting 
animosity. Instead of matters taking a more 
favourable turn, the apostle predicted that wick- 
ed men and seducing teachers would grow more 
and more subtle, daring, callous, malicious, 
cruel, covetous, and ambitious; deceiving others, 
and being themselves deceived by their own de- 
lusions and by.satan’s wiles. The history of the 
Christian Church, through all the subsequent 
ages, forms an awful demonstration, that he 
spake as he was moved by the Holy Spirit: so 
that all the declamations of infidels against the 
impostures, persecutions, wars, massacres, and 
mischiefs occasioned by Christianity, are only so 
many attestations to the truth of that religion, - 


which is contained in the holy scriptures, and in 


therprofession and lives of a remnant through 
every age; and they bear against nothing, but 
that spurious Christianity, which was long before 
condemned by the Spirit of prophecy. The in- 
dividual deceivers, whom the apostle in the pre- 
ceding verses described, vould soon be put to 
shame: but others, succeeding them in the same 
course, would, from age to age, carry on a simi- 
lar plan of deception, with more diabolical sub- 
tlety and iniquity; being themselves deceived 
by satan, while employed by him to deceive 
mankind, The original word, for ‘ seducers,” 
signifies magicians, or enchaniers, such as Jannes 
‘and Jambres bad been: that is, men, who by lying 
pretences to miraculous powers, opposed that 
Gospel, which had been confirmed by real and 
indisputable miracles... Now it scarcely admits 
of a doubt; what company of men, since the 
#postle’s days, -have most exactly answered this 
description. . (WVote, 2 Thes. ii, 9—12, Ker: xiii: 
11—17.) ey Y. 


A, D. 67. 


trine, © for repraof, for correction, * for 
instruction in righteousness + 


4.2. Prov. 6.23.1 13.Heb 11.1. Gr. | 9. 1. Mat. 13. 62 
& 15. 10. 31. Johnif 2. 25. Deut. 4. 36. Acts 18. 26. Rom. 
13-20, Eph, 5, i1—] Neh. 9, 20. Ps. 119.) 2 20, 
- 
"Vv. 1417. The apostle, applying what he 
had befare stated, called on Timothy vigilantly 
ito maintain, and persevere in, the profession and, 
preaching of that doctrine which he had learned, 
and assuredly believed’; knowing that he, had 
received it-from the Lord through his ministry, 
and remembering, that it accorded to the holy 
scriptures, with which he had from his childhood 
been acquainted. These, when properly under 
sood, ‘were sufficient ‘to fender him wise unto 
salvation, and to instruct him in all things per- 
taining to it; as they all spake of the promised 
Messiah, and prepared the mind for receiving 
him in faith, and submitting to his authority. 
For all the writings of Moses and the prophets 
were given by inspiration of God, to instruct 
men in divine things: and every part of them 
Was not only perfect truth, but profitable, to 
teach them sound doctrine respecting God and 
themselves, the eternal state, the way of accept- 
ance, and other interesting and difficult. sub- 
jects; to reprove and convince them» of their 
errors and sins, that:they might learn their. guilt 
and danger, and sovalue and embrace the reme- 
dy proposed; to correct and regulate their af- 
fections, dispositions, and conduct; and to; in- 
struct them in every part of »universal righteous- 
ness, with the obligations,’ motives, and: encou, 
zagements to it, Thus: they, were suited, and 
sufficient, not/only to:make» the Christian wise 
unto salvation, and to direct his whole behaviour; 
but, to perfect .“ the man of) God,”. the faithful 
minister of Christ ;, and fully to supply hint with 
knowledge and wisdom, and, whatever could | 
tend to his fitness: for every good»work, \in) his, 
private conduct, and public: services... Doubtless 
this'is stillsmost emphatically true,of the sacred 
scriptures, now the canon of the New Testament 
also’ is:completed. The Old Testament, almost 
entirely in its present’ form; was called: by the 
Jews, “The. scriptures,” or: ‘The Oracles. of 
“ God :? now, if every thing, which Christ and 
his apostles spoke om thé subject, was exactly 
calcitlated to confirm them in this opinion, and 
to discredit all traditional. revelations ; and. if 
the apostle here expressly declares, that the 
avhole was ‘divinely inspired » what are. they 
/ about, who, as professed friends to Christianity, 
and-in the office of pastors and rulers of the 
Ghristizn Church; labour indeed. to -persuade 
men, that the books of Moses, and other parts 
of the Olid Testament, are genuine and authentic ; 
but, speak so ambiguously on the point of their 
being diyinely inspired, as to leave'their readers 
in general to ‘suppose, that they do not’ believe 
them to be'so: or that this is a matter of subor- 
dinate consequence te 


+ BSERVATIONS., 
. 1—9, : 
The descent of a stone to the earth isn 


PRACTICAL 


it; 
a | 


11. TIMOTBY. 


when! any fermeor notion of re 


as Jannes_ 
' | stood’ Moses,’ by aping his Miracles; so 
| and by substituting visions, superstition: 


17.T 
fect, * 


ty 


"hes 


more natural, than mi 
from God : so that, ¥ 
bring them’ to love hi 
éad will not be attained, | 
influence of his new-cre 
not, therefore, wonder, ; 
under the fullest exiern al re: 
hath made to man, perilou 
ancs professed Christians. 
“ themselves, lovers of m 
“ of pleasure, rather than ™ 
land at this day abounds with 
ciples as are ‘here described; some 
and covetous ; others: boasters and 
- oJ 
ir to pi 


phemers, or reg: rdless 
or children, relatives’a) 
ful and unholy : other 
ous, intemperate, lic 
despisers of good men, ‘tra 
minded: and who caa number 
‘lovers of pleasure-rather than 
Can any man'serjously think t 
are léss abominable in) men” ' 
than they were in heathens? «Can: 

that they will be more terribly ished? tn 


: bly punish 
in proportion to theozeal and exe 
which the form of godliness’ is. 


the poiver of it is denied; the'mere eri 


cloak of an excuse for wilfu 
God’s) law ; the danger’ beso’ 
from men who openly casts 
Hypocrisy, superstition, 
mianism, ~are sinfectiou ¢ 
maladies’ the peisonous deat cht 
gerous, when mingled:to /resemble. 
ble medicine; and a wolf i 
most dreadful to the 
genus, (which is divided: 
pish and protestant, ancie 
and unlearned,) there have 
who. have insinuated the 
plausible pretensions and 
your and confidence of the: 
lous, ‘most ‘ignorant, and) 
man species ; and whovha 
by’ soothing them into q 
with sins, and led away w 
Those weak and ‘deluded’ 
safe and comfortable religio 
nial, humiliation, and mor 
“are ever learning, and 
“the knowledge of the tr 
in with artful and in 
description. For 


u 


men? resist the “truth bya "counterfeit ™ : 
rious speculations, instead of reper 


CHAP. Iv. © 

em nly charges Timothy to be diligent 
n hi ministry, 1, 2; as eve long, 
re sound doctrine, 3,4; and as 
i nearly finished his work, was about 
rtyrdom, and receive the crown of 
5—8. He presses. Timothy to 
him, aud to bring Mark with him, 
as almest left alone; and gives him 
on, direction, and caution, in several par- 
9—15. He shows Timothy how his bre- 
nm had forsaken him, and how the Lord had 


orted him, when ae a saa ite = 
q 5. eX] ine his coufidenee in him for 
Py Reraae, Baie, oi concludes with saluta- 
~ tions and benedietions, 19—22. © 

We CHARGE tec therefore before God, 

and. t e Lerd Jesus Christ, > who shall 

judge the quick and the dead © at his ap- 
pearing, and ¢ his kingdom ; 
a 2. 114, Sie on, 1{ 31. Rom. 2.16. &| Tim. 6. 14. Tit. 2: 
‘ 5. Me Be 6s 


14 9=!1..1 Cor, 4.) 13, Heb. 9. 27, 28. 
280. | 4S 2 Cor. 5. 9) 1 Pet 1,7, & 5.4 
Be ‘50. 6. R 5.| 10. 2 Thess 1. 7 
33. & 98, 9% Ee 10. 1 Per. 4. a 7. 


1 John 2. 28. Rey. 
‘U6. 27. & 25+ 31.) Rey. 20.11—15. jd Luke 19. 12. 15. 
‘Ree. Sohn §. 22—27.|c yer. 8. Col, 3. 4. 1| & 23. 42,2 Pet. 1. 
‘Acts 10. 42. 8 17%] Thes. 4.15, 16. 1) 11. 17. 


and ‘holy obedience. Such delusions act like 
opiates; they lull the conscience into a pleasing 
sleep, and increase the disease ; and they are 
red by men of corrupt minds, who are 
e@ concerning the faith, of whom all 
showil beware. Bat though it is grievous to 
perceive, “tliat evil men and seducers grow 
** worse and worse, deceiving. and being deceiv. 
\# ed ” yet we may rejoice that they cannot ex. 
ceed their limits ; that they cannot fatally delude 
 theupright believer; and that at length, their 
fly will be made manifest to all men, as that of 
their predecessors has been. 

iN re NS. 10-17, 

_ In orderto escape and expose every seduc- 
tion, let us study to become well acquainted 
~ with’ the doctrine and example of the apostle ; 

let us copy his tanner of life, ‘his purpose, 

faith, long-suffering, charity, and patience ;” 
let us frequently reflect on his persecutions, sup- 
ports, and deliverances: let us count our cost, 

ind know assuredly, that “if any man will live 

 # godly in Christ Jesus; he must suffer perse- 
& cution” in one way or another; as far as Pro 
e will permit the enmity of men’s hearts 
k forth against him. Let us then con: 
nthe things, which we have learned and 
ed to believe, endeavouring to get further 
mce with the holy Scriptures, which 
le to make us: wise unto salvation, by 
n Jesus Christ,” who is the principal 
both of the Old and New Testament: 
learg to reverence the whole Bible, 
ntence ia it was given by inspiration 
id is profitable to instruct, .reprove, 
‘uide us ia the way of peace and 
ling ynore can he wanting to ren- 
or the miinister, perfectly qual- 
service required of him, and tho- 
unte every good work; than 


Se 


ae ee 


CHAPTER IV. 


ing, experimental, and practi-| 
mS ; 


. 
AD.6t: 
2 Preach the word ; f be instant ¢ in 
season, out of season ; » reprove, rebuke, 
exhort, with i all long-suffering and doc 
trine. mes 
3 For * the time will come; when |) 9 
! they will not endure sound doctriné; © 


m but after their own lusts shall they heap 
to themselves teachers, ® haying itching 
ears; Ps 

4 And they shall° turn away their ears 
from the truth, and shall be turned. P unto 
fables. 


e Ps. 40, 9. Is. 61. 1] 5. 14.1 Tim. 4. 20: 
—3, Jon. 3. 2.) Tit. 1613. & 2.15. 
Luke 4. 18, 19. &} Heb. 13. 22. Rey. 
9. 60. Rom, 10, 15,; 3. 19. 

See on, Cok 1. ei See on, 2. 24. 25. 


m 1 Kings 18. 22.2 
Chr. 18,4, 5. Jer. 
5-31. & 23. 16, 17: 
& 27. 9. & 29.83 
Mic, 2. 11, Luke 6. 


28. . & 3. 106 26. John 3. i9—21, 
f Luke 7. 4, & 23..k See on. 3. 1—6.1' 1 Pet. 2. 1—2. 
23, Acts i2. 5§.| Tim.4.1—3. n Ez. 33. 32. Acts 


Marg. Rom, 12. 12, 
‘1 Tim, 4. 15, 16. 
g John 4. 610. 52 
—34. Acts 16.13. 


11 Kings 22. 8. 18.} 17. 21. Gr, 1 Cor 
2 Chr 16. 9, 10. &} 2.1.4, 
24, 20—22. & 25.lo 1.15. Prov. 1. 32. 


15, 16. Is. 28. 12.) Zech. 7. 11, Acts 7, 
& 30. 9—11. Jer.| 57. Heb. 12. 25, 
6. 16, 17. & 18. 13.,p 1 Tim. 1.4. & 4. 
Am, 7 10—13,} 7. Tit. 1.14.2 Peta 
Luke 20. 19. Jol; 1. 16. 

8. 45, Gal. 4. 16. / 


31—33. & 20. 7. 18 
2h. & 28, 16. 30, 
Sie 
h Col. 1. 28, 29, 1 
Thes. 2.11, 12. & 


cal knowledge of the whole Scriptures, in their 
genuine meaning and connexion, and the pro- 
portion of one part to another. All religious 
error springs from ignorance, perversion, or misz 
understanding of the Scriptures; from overlook. 
ing, objecting to, or explaining away, some’ part 
of them ; or from adding men’s notions, inven- 
tions, superstitions, or new revelations to them, as 
of equal or superior authority. The way there. 
fore to oppose error, is by promoting the solid 
knowledge of the word of truth, especially by 
the faithful preaching of the Gospel: and the 
greatest kindness we can do our children, is to 
muke them early acquainted with the Bible. Thus 
we shall do something important, that may tend 
to preserve religion-in the world, when we are 
removed out of it; and to perpetuate a succes« 
sion of those, who afe established in the faith, 
wise unto salvation, and. thoroughly furnished. 
unto every good work. £ For it is evident, that: 
the pious endeavours of Lois and Ennice, in 
bringing young Timothy acquainted with the ho. 
ly Scriptures, laid the foundation of all his sub.. 
sequent eminence and usefulness, in which be 
was inferior to none but the apostles, It is pros 
bable, that; while they were teaching the child 
to read, and treasure up in his memory, the Ora» 
cles of God, they little thought what a harvest 
in future life would spring from the seed thus 
sown. But the Scripture warrants high expec. 
tations in this respect: and it may fairly be said, 
that the education of wamen in useful knowled ge 
and genuine piety, in order that they might be 
qualified and disposed. to instil good principles 
into the tenderminds of Children, would haye 
the happiest effects towards reforming man. 
kind, and diffusing the light of the Gospel in 
the world’ (.4uthor’s m of the Rev, Jerem, 


Newell, annexed to a funeval serinon preaphed on 
account of fiz death.) 
3M . 

a 
la ———— ae Ps 


re 
«4D or: i. TIMOTHY, 


have’ ey bist err ] 


5 But 4 watch thou in all things; * en- 
the faith : a 


dure afflictions, do the work of * an evan- 
A gelist, * make full proof of thy ministry. 
6. For t lam now ready to be offered, 


‘ ey; ‘and the time of my departure is at hand. 
i iy Ix have fought a good fight, y I 


17. Deut. 3t. 14. 
Josh. 25. 14. 2 Pet. 


Lord, © the® rl 
me @ at that 
but unto all th 


a Is. 56.9, 10 & pearing. 


2. $.10.& 3. 10— 
62. 6. Jer. 6. 17.f 12. 


Ez. 3.17. & 33.;2i/3, Acts 21, 8 Eph.| le 14,15. oy, | 2,3 14. Luke 8 15+ LL, Lae. 1 

Z Mark 13. 34. 37.| 4.11» wa on, ec i & 31.28, John 17. Rew. det 

Luke 12. 37. Acts!* Or, fulfil Rom,! 12. } 6. 1 Tim. 6. 20. 

20. 30,31. 1 Thes.} 15. 19. Col, 1. 25, y hak € "34. Acts! Rev. 3.8. 10. eon be 

5. 6. Heb. 13. 17.| & 4.17. 13,’ 25. & 20-24. 1|a Ps 3t019: Matt! Gen. 18, 2 
FR, Rey. 3. 2. t Phil. 2. 17. Cor. 9% 24—27. 


See on, 1. 8. &lu Gene 48. 21. & 50.) Phil, 3.13, 14, Heb 
24, Num. 27, 12—" 12 1,2: b.2. 5. Prove 4. 9. 


1 Cor. 9. ‘25. Jam: 


‘NOTES. ~ 

CHAP. IV. V. 1—35. These repeated solemn 
charges of the apostle, to so zealous and faithful 
@ minister as Timothy, most emphatically show 
how difficult it is to Sl up this important office, 
in a proper manner. even to the end, especially 
in dangerous times. Again he called on his 
beloved Timothy, by the authority, and as im 

the presence of God ; and in that of the Lord Je- 
sus, who was appointed to judge the living and 
the dead, at his last glorious appearing to com- 
plete the design of his mediatorial kingdom, 
and to gather his saints into his heavenly king- 
dem; that he-should preach the word of God 
ag one in earnest, being “ instant” and unweari- 

ed in his work, “ in:season, and out of season,” 

at stated times and occasionally, when the op. 
? portunity was more, and when it was less, fayour- 
able; to large congregations, in private circles, 
in obscure places, before friends or enemies, to 
one, or to ten thousands. of hearers; when it 
might be done with safety and credit, and when 

it exposed him to hardship, reproach, peril, @r 
loss. Timothy, to whom this exhortation was 
given, had an infirm constitution: so that this 
excuse for remissness’should not be too readily 
admitted. In thus preaching the word of God, 
’ he was charged to reprove with authority the 
sins and negligences of professors; to rebuke 
with more’ sharpness those that were guilty 
of gross evils; and so to exhort, persuade, and 
beseech his. hearers, to attend to every part of the 
divine message with the obedience of faith. In 
this he was to persevere, “ with all long-suffer- 
‘“< ing,” thetgh many were unruly, ungrateful, 
er slow to understand his instructions ; and he 
must enforce his exhortations, by explaining and 
applying the doctrines of the Gospel, in the sim- 
plest. and most convincing manner. In these 
important services, he ought to be the more as- 
siduous, asthe time was about to come when 
professed Christians would not endure sound doc- 
: trine, the faithful salutary truths, an@ practical 
i yastructions of God’s word : but being led away 


and variety, and to’ 
in their delusions. “Thus © their 
would be humoured and ‘pleased; they wo 
turn them away from the truth. with conte: 
and disgust, and p attention 
ningly devised fables and. 
oppose the progress of thi 
was even theh beginning to w 
called upon to “ be vigilant 
and to shun all pursuits, which 
him from watching against 
which satan’ and’ se seve 
ways endeavour to’: : 
plicity of Christ; to" endure ‘¢ 
afMictions, to which his zeal” 
might expose him from fi 
enemies; to perform the office 0 
in the several places to which he 
cess; 3nd to make full proof of 
trying to the uttermost every 
good to the'souls of men, in the ex 
duties. ‘Timothy is said’in- 
been © ordained the first'b 
* the Ephesians :” but 1 
the office of an evangel 
of a diocesan bishop, as €x 
ages of Christianity. Thee 
have been extraordinary 
tlds, exercising great at 
over the several churehes 
perhaps when that Prager aor va 
cease in the church, dice 
substituted in its ple 
© twelve after Christ’s 
* whom they sent into'some 
© These, when they were 
‘ the gospék to them: that had no 
'* it, the scripture calls evangel 
V. 6—8. KH behooved Fi veal 
the gréater vigilance and fortitude, 
foresaw that he himself shoul 
martyrdom, and pouzout his blood: 
fering to the honour of the Lord 
'proaching event he was 
time was at hand when | 
out of the world, as-a sojout 
and departed to’ another’ pla 
himself as‘one who had finished his pu 
nistry, and had only the conelirding s 
through: and since the time - when Obi 
chosen him to be’his soldier, he ‘was ci 
that, he bad fought a igs fight ;? hejli 


- “? 


he 
oe 
ral 
1" 
[ 
tit 


with divers lusts, svould be exasperated or dis- 
gusted by i it; and desire a doctrine, which gave 
them no disturbance or offerce, whilst they in- 
i Gulged their sever: clinations. “They would 
\ therefore seek for achers after their own 
: 


n 
* Justs ;”. and mse “heap such unto 
& themselves,” as dissatisfied Without a large 
number of them, to gratify their love of novelty 


a ee —— " Rey we 13), cope 


aD. 6. 
ai 3 paangpemes to come, shortly 


: ws seat present wpe, and 4 is 

unto * T hessalonica; Crescens 

a ™ Titus unto Dalmatia. % 

y 2 Juke is with me. Take 
14, 26, 27+ 33 & 16.1 23, Gal. 1,2, 

i ~& 17 ‘32 Phil.|m 2 Cor. %. 13. Bs 

e 10,| 7 6. & 8. 6, 

[2 Joh 216168 Gale 2 1-3. rit 
5.4, 5 

ik Acts’ 17.1. on. 

1 

1 Acts 16. co & a6 


‘i Hiantly contended a inst sin, ‘the world, and sa- 
' tan; he had, at Christ’s 's command, through labours, 
perils, and sufferings, sought the subversion of | 
the kingdom of darkness, the deliverance of satan’s 
captives, and the advancement of the kingdom of 
Fron cas rae done, with the appointed wea- 
pons of his warfare, by faithful preaching, a holy 
' example, fervent prayers, and _patient sufferings. 
He had * finished his.course.” -He had set out to 
run the Christian race, laid aside.every weight, 
pressed forward through every obstacle to the 
mark, and was now about to seize the prize. “ He 
had also kept the faith,” bothinhis profession, and 
in the execution of his important ministry. He 
therefore assuredly expected the “crown of right. 
eousness ;” that glory and immortality, which were 
prepared for all true believers in Christ, according 
to the measure of their grace, services, and suf- 
ferings i in his cause... ‘This the apostle knew bad 
been “ laid up for him,” and he had little more 
to do, than to receive and enjoy it, The right- 
eous Judge would openly award. it to him “ in 
‘* that day,” to which he constantly called men’s 
attention; for, though as a sinner he merited 
condemnation ‘according to the law; yet, as a 
_ believer whose faith had been shown by his 
works, he was entitled to the reward of right- 
eousness, according to the Gospel. He expect. 
ed indeed, “when absent from the body, to be 
present ‘ «with the Lord,” and to have pre-liba- 
‘tions of his complete felicity with “the spirits of 
_ just men made perfect;” but the. public de- 
_ elaration of his right to the conqueror’s crown, 
and his sdmission to the. full enjoyment of im- 


- 56. Acts 
es 88. 2 a ‘acts 6. 10. Col. 
ee 14: Philem. 24. 
ce 9. 61, 62. & 


“mortal” glory, would be reserved for that day, | 
* when Christ shall appear to show his Tighteous- | 
in rewarding his. 


3, as well as his mercy, in 
hful followers. (Notes, 2..Thes. i. 5—10.) 
eee this. crown of . Tighteousness, Jaid_ up. 
him only, or for other eminent ministers or 
yras but for. all believers, in every age and 
2, even for all * who, love Christ’s appear- 
x.” for they all expect, prepare, and wait 
bis second, coming ; they look for their gra- 
is Fecompense from him at that period ; they 
hardships, and deny themselves worldly 
sand interests, in hopes of that recom. 
it regulate their habitual conduct, as 

ho: believe ‘that he will come to be their 

they long to'see him as he is, to be 

im from all sin, and to witness: his 
all his enemies; and, as far as 
exclude anxious doubts of their 
acceptance, they love the thoughts of his ap- 
Rearing to raise the dead and begs the world, 


an a SR MRee nc! TP ene 


Ja 


CHAPTER] Iv, 


eras 14. 4. Matt. 


4. D, 67. 


fo Mark, and ee him with thee : P for he 
is rofitable to me for the ministry. 
12/And 4 Tychicus have I sent © to 
Ephesus. ee: 
13 The * ‘cloak that I left at * Troas | 
with Carpus, when thou comest,- bring = 
with thee, and the books, 2 but especially 


_ |the parchments,. 


1Tim. 1.3. 
a1 Cor. 4. 11. 2 
‘Cor: 11. 276 
t Acts 16. 8. 11. & 
2. 5—12. 


Luke 13. 30. 

q Acts 20. 4, Ephs 
6. a Col. 4, 7. Lit. 
3. 

rt Ahad 16, 17. $25. 


o Acts 12. 12. 25. & 
15. 39. Cols 4.10.1 
Pet. 5.13. 


30, & 20. 16. 


v. 9—13. The-apostle greatly desired Timo- 
thy to come to him, as he was solitary in his im- 
prisonment, and had scarcely any with him whom 
he could employ in needful services. Demas, of 
whom he seems before to have judged favour- 
ably, had forsaken him in his perilous situation, © 
“ having loved this present world.” He had not 
courage to venture his life, by continuing with 
the apostle under his persecutions : he loved the 
world too much to give up all for Christ; and 
perhaps some prospect of secular advantage 
offered itself, with which he was caught, and he 
departed to Thessaloni¢a in pursuit of it. Whe- 
ther he finally apostatized or not, we cannot 
tell ; but the apostle stood in doubt of him. 
(Note, 1 John ii. 15—17.) Two other helpers, 
known to Timothy, were gone to different places, 
about the work of the Lord, with the apostle’s 
approbation ; so that only Luke, his faithful com-— 
panion in all his sufferings, continued with him, 
He therefore desired Timothy to bring Mark 
with him, who was employed in the same parts. 
Mark had once forsaken the apostle, having too 
much “ loved this present world ;” but he had 
repented, and had now regained hiss entire con- 
fidence, and might be profitable to him for the 
ministry at Rome, as he had been in other places. 
He also informed Timothy, | that “ he had sent 
“ Tychicus to Ephesus.” ‘This has been deem- 
ed a decisive proof, that Timothy was not at 
Ephesus at that time, and indeed it greatly fa- 
vours that conclusion: but, possibly, Tychicus 
might be sent by another way than the bearer 
| of this epistle, and calling at ather places, might 
not arrive till aflerwards ; and the apostle might 
mean, that he had sent Tychicus to supply Ti- 
mothy’s Place : at Ephesus, that he might come to 
him the sooner. Among these informations and 
directions, we find St. Paul desiring Timothy to 
bring his cloak to him. If the word means a 
‘cloak, or upper garment, (as it seems to do,) 
which he supposed he might want at the ap- 
proach of winter, it is a remarkable proof of his 
poverty to the end of his life, that he should need 
to send so far for a ‘garment to keep him warm 
during the remnant of his days! What books 


|and parchments_ were meani, Timothy would 


know ; but it is vain for us to conjecture. As 
Troas was not in the direct road from Ephesus to 
Rome, this may be urged as a proof that Timo- 
thy was not then at Ephesus: but it is not cer- 
tain, that he might not go by another way, to 
call upon some of the Churches with whigh he 
was connected. 


a 
¥ 
Bi 


ACD. 6. I. TIMOTHY: ae 


14." Alexander the coppersmith did |from eve 
me much -evil 5 the Lord * reward him} me. asi. 2 
according to his works : 

15 Of whom y be thou ware also; for 
he hath greatly * withstood our * words. 

16 At my first * answer > no man stood 
with me, but all men forsook me: © I 
fray God that it may not be laid to their 
charge. 

17 Notwithstanding, 4 the Lord stood | 
with me, and © strengthened me; that 
fby me the preaching might he fully 
known, and that all the Gentiles might 
hear: € and I was delivered out of the 
mouth of the lion. 

18 And the Lerd shall 4 deliver me 


@ Acts 19; 33, 34. es & 25. 


winter. Eubulas ex 
dens, and Linus, 
the brethren. — ~ 
22 * The Lord 
thy spirit, 


e lh Al. 10. 14. See 
on, 2 Cor. 12. 9, 10. 
t Lei 21. 15: Acts 
Gr. » LS. & 26.17, 18- 
b See on, ver. 10. Ps. Ton. 16. 25, a 
31, T1—13. Merk! Eph- 3.8. Phil. 
14, 50, John 16, 32.) 12—14, 
© Acts 7. 60. g Ps. 22, 21, Prov. 
d Ps; 37. 39, 406 &) 20,2, & 28.18. Jer. 
¥ ows he 16, 17.| 109. $1. Jer. 15: 20,) 2. 30. Dan. 6+ 22: 
Phil. 3.2. 21. & 20. 10, 11. 27. Heb. il. 33. 1 
2% Ste on, 3. 8. Acts 18, 9, 10. &/ Pet. 5. 8. 
® Or, preuchings. | 23. 11. & 27. 23,jh Gen. 48. 16. 1 


‘Vim, 1. 20. 16..1,Cor. (9. 3.2 
% 1 Sam. 24) 12. 2) Cor. 7. 11. Phil. 1. 
Sam. 3.39. Ps. 284 7, 17. t Pet. 3.15. 
4. & 109% §—20. 
“Jer. 15. 15. & 18. 
19—23. 2 Thes, 1. 
6,1 Johny 5. 16. 
Rev. 6. 10. & 18. 
6. 2. 


Cor. 1.10, 2 Thes 
3. 8s ; (3 


i 1. 12, Ps. 37, « 
& 73. 24. & 92. 10. 
ai 13. Ky & 25. 


—30. 1 ‘Thes. 5. 
23. Heb, 12: betas ; 
Jain. 2. 5. t Pet. 1, 3 
5. Jude 1. 24. 

k See on, Rom. 11.5 - 


though he was. deserted 
graciously pleased to stanc 
him sensible of his presence, 
tion: thus giving him stp 
ousty to bear. witness 
persecutors ; that so thea! 
might -be fully known by those 
by all present; and. that th 
lated among the Gentiles i 
with the most overbearing’ e1 
authority. Indeed, th 
erful and outrageous, yet 

time delivered. Sorbie 
Perhaps the apestle had in 
“who goeth about, as ar 

‘© whom he may pin 
tirely without hope, that | 
induce St. Paul to renoun 
he should thus seize, “upon hi 
certainly did not.ex 
but he was confident:th 
liver him from every @ 
satan to ptevail against hi 
any thing inconsistent — 
Gospel, or the benefit of } 
“« would preserve hitn to his he 
Tastead therefore of comp 
was ready to ascribe * glory: 
** and ever.. Amen?* 
V. 19-422... Priseay or 1] 
were near to the place whe 
but, as they frequently chat 
does not determine where hi 
—18.). The apostle bs 
by Erastus and.'f when 
with Timothy. >, but pe Sec tane eact o u 

and the latter was left sick at Miletum, the Ec 
not seeing good to enable bim to work a’ 

for his recovery.” Having again desired: 

>» 


V.14, 15, It is not certain, though probable, 
that this was the same Alexander, of whom we 
have before read. (Acts xix. 33, 1.Tim. i. 20.) 
The apostle, however, knew the person spoken 
of to be an incurable apostate, or enemy to the 
Gospel. . Perhaps, after having been excommu- 
nicated, he openly renounced Christianivy, and 
did every thing that he could to stir up persecu- 
tion against St.Paul and, the believers, and. to 
obstruct the success of the Gospel. He there- 
fore spake by the Spirit of prophecy, declaring 
that.“ the Lord would reward him according to 
€ his warks ;” or denouncing this awful sentence 
upon him for a warning to others:. We cannot 
certainly know, who are given up to final obdu- 
racy; and must therefore persevere in praying 
for our enemies and persecutors.. Timothy was 
moreover warnec. to beware of the malignant 
and subtle machinations of this wicked man; 
as he would do as much to injure him, and with. 
stand his words, as he had done against. the 
apostle and his doctrine. 

V.16—18. When the apostle was Arst ¢ after 
‘his second imprisonment” called before the 
emperor, (or the prefect, of the city in his ab- 
sence, as it is generally thought,) none. of the 
Christians at Rome had courage to. stand by him, 
but all forsook him to provide for their awn safe. 
ty, as the apostles had done wheh Christ. was 
apprehended. The cruel persecutions of the 
Christians at Rome, under Nero, seem to haye 
preceded the writing. of this epistle. Nam- 
bérs had then been put to death, or driven from 
the city, and the rest seem to have been greatly 
intimidated: so. that on this important oceasion 
none were found, who. cared to attend St. Paul 
to the tribunal. ~ This was a criminal weakness, 
the effect of unbelief; but, the apastle prayed 
that it might not be laid to their charge, Yets 


CHAPTER Iv. A. D. 67. 


pee, Sia ¥. a s a j . ‘ =. 2 * * 1 ” d 
"to Come to hit Before winter, (probably ap-]« they heap to themselves such texchers,” an 
CPR em Te might estas canes too always want NEW Voices, new gifts, new notions ; 


tions. Surely, every rea-| and they,are turned unto fables. This shouid in. 
xfished, pene wee a = duce those who love souls, to watch in all things, 
stle, that St. Peter was not at} to veniure and endure ail painful effects of their 
as written: if, therefure, he suf | faithfulness, to take every opportunity of preach- 
m dt the same time that the|ing the pure Gospel; and to make full. proof 
ene dic according to ancient tradition ;| of their ministry, that’ they may do all the good 
1é aprived at that city, after this epis-| in it that they possibly can. dn doing this they” 
n sent. ‘Tiraothy accompanied the {should be guickened by theiconsideration, that 
om Corinth, through Macedonia, proba: / their brethren, one after another, are taken away 
ly to Miletus etinsi he went to Jerusalem be-| or jaid aside ; and that their own term of use- 
fore his first imprisonment at Rome. (cts xx. fulness will Snap expire. In this, way We nay. 
4—16.) It would therefore have been wholly|bope to be ready for the-stroke of death, w en 
superfluous to inform him, concerning’ Erastus, | the time of our departure arrives: for the dili- 
if that voyage had been spoken of : and Trophi-| gent Caristian or faithfal minister, Who is con. 
mus accompanied the apostle to Jerusalem.—| scious of having actedin guod measure consist- 
(tats i “ 5 _ 
in € i :jat the close of life, “ I have feught the good 
ie bt hee sae =A gone whan « fight, I have finished my course, Ihave kept 
mus there, at some time subsequent to the voy-!* the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a 
towards Rome, in which he suffered ship-| crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the 
wreck ; for no intimation of such an event is| “ righteous judge will give me at that day, and to 
given in the narrative. Martial, a Roman poct, | all who love bis appeating. Tke true be- 
who lived aboutthis time, mentions Pudens and/|liever will give all the praise to sovereign grace, 
Claudia: and some suppose, that the same per-|and expect acceptance only by faith in Christ ; 
sons are here meant, and that they were convert- but, his conduct will prove, that ¢* he hath Jov- 
ed. to Christianity, by the apostle, during his im-|“« ed the Lord,” who first loved him, and that 
prisonment. eine: GaMs he hath exercised the faith of God’select. Such 
a man may therefore, amidst poverty, contempt, 


' 


? 


ieee ities 8): SES Rd Me see ec in hope of the glory of God : but this triumphant 
The impor nee of the wark of ministers, the | language cannot properly be adopted, ‘a 
peculiar temptations to which they are exposed, | most needed, by those who — been negligent, 
and, the multiplied evil effects of their unfaith.}\ukewarm, and unfaithful m the service of God, 
Jromierss dagie ecedpenag Beton zealous of them, as| Proportion as the duties of a man’s place and 
int ice of God and of the Lord Jesus, be. Station are neglected, his evidence of an interest 
. ean4in Christ must be obscured ; and uncertainty 
and discowragement may properly distress his 
closing scene. 
V. 9—22. ; 

like men engaged im the work, who make it} There are vatious characters in the visible 
ci church, and various changes take place among 
ministers. Some, who have apparently run well, 
are hindered, and forsake the Lord and his faith. 
ful servants, “loving this present world ;” others 
are recovered from grievous back-slidings, and 
become’ profitable for the ministry: and not 2- 
few turn open apostates or yiruient oppusers, 
doing much ‘harm to the servants of Christ, and 
greatly withstanding their words; whom the 
Lord will reward #according to their works. 
Others bring their characters into doubt, or in- 
cur disgrace, by their cowardice in times of 
danger; and their brethren are called on to 
pray for them, that the Lord would not jay that 
sin to theit charge. But, a few proceed with 
diligence and cotrage in every circumstance: 
though no man’stands by them, the Lord is with 
them to strengthen and comfort them ; he “ gives 
*s them a mouth and wisdem, which all their 
‘“* enemies cannot gainsay;” he delivers them 
from ontward dangers and enemies, as long 2s 
‘together with a curious and captious tem-{it is good for them; he preserves (hem fom the 
and Pecause << they have itching ears,’”} mouth of the lion that would destroy their souis ; 
the prurieney of which is not easily quieted, |and’ Le keeps them from every evil work even 

a - - i f Ny * - 


ore: é 
~ é 2 d 
ba = 4 a nD . we “ r 


ensable, as the time is indeed came, 
emost of professed Christians,’« will 

Rot endure sound doctrine ;” they are offend. | 
by the heart-searching, distinguishing, practi- 
8 ths of God’s word, which detects their 
ins, and shows the necessity of mortifying their 
*cahiar lusts: and they desire to be soothéd and 
ered in the indulgence of them, and to have 
shers according to them.” Hence some 
mollient, complaisant,’ ingenious, or 
Tangues ; others prefer curious, 
isquisitions, or virulent invectives: 
Werse sects and sentiments. Thus 
siences are quieted, and their self. 
contempt of others are humour- 


concluded with repested | till their ears are’ wholly turned! from the truth, © 


~ Somc, indeed, suppose Miletum | ently with his protession, may with comfort say = 


ty PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. . pain, sickness, and the agonies of death, rejoice - 


ce, concur in rendering it | from the time of their supposed conversion. In - 


p—~ qunrneyeanignies 


wi. D. 66.. ait TITUS. D 


unto his heavenly kingdom. Many such are | Jesus ed can ° . 
now before the throne, rising glory to his name: peers em 
may we be followers of them; may the “pi een 


THE 


EPISTLE OF PAUL THE AF 


it is remarkable, that Titus, of whom the apostle riptaindie ae ia terms 
bation, and most cordial affeetion in his epistles ; (Marg. Refui. 
Acts*of the Apostles. Nor is any thing recorded, concerning St. Pa 
called Candia, a large island in the Mediterranean sea. It is indeed probable 
was made known there, at an early period ; as there were Cretes present on tl 
cost, to witness the stupendous ‘miracles’of that day, and to ede te sa 
St. Peter, on that wonderful occasion. (cis ii. 11.) If, however, any who | 
on their return home, made known ‘the gospel to their neighbours the j 
reach none but the Jews and proselytes. But no information is given us of what pass 
island at that time, or afterwards; except’as this epistle shows that St. Paul had | 
with great success. Probably thig was subsequent to his first impris it at 
fore his second. He seems to have: had very great success in his minis’ 
some means to have been hurried thencé before he could o the' i 
regular manner, He therefore left Titus there, to settle the Ch 
the island, according to the apostolical’ plan’ in’ other’ places. —T 
cords have made Titus bishop of Crete: and because so large an 
dred cities, was an extensive charge; some have conferred on him the title 
E am not convinced, that ‘even this title would not have been’a derogation fi 
as an evangelist—* If by saying, Timothy and Titus were bishops, the 
© other of Crete, we understand that they took upon them these churches, 
* fixed and particular charge, inwhich they were to preside for ‘a term of 
© Timothy and Titus were not thus bishops: For, both Tim 
* Now the work of an evangelist, says Eusebius, was this, to lay the 
* barbarous nations, to constitute them pastors; and having coat 0 
* of those new plantations, they passed on to other countries. “ As to Tit 
© Crete, to ordain elders ih every city, and to set in order the things that 
® ving therefore done that work, he had done all that was assigned him 
* therefore St. Paul sends for him’ the very next year to Nicopolis.’” ( 
recorded, that he afterwards returned to Crete, and died there, when 
Dr. Whitby never doubted, nor does the author of these notes at all. 
“episcopacy was generally introduced into the churches, even during 
But the office of an evangelist of old, and that of a true missionary at f 
sidered, as perfectly distinct from that of a bishop, and in many respects, 
ral commission to preach the gospel to the nations,) superior to it—The 
the epistle was written from Nicopolis in Macedonia: but ‘had this been th 
would have said, “I have determined Aere to winter ;” not “there to winter.” ( 
were several cities called Nicopolis ; and itis not certain which is here meant, — 
instructions of it, are similar to those of the two preceding epistles, ieee 


Pe batalcge 
een " 


on hice 


‘ and * to convince the gainsayers. © - | 12 One 
' [Practical Observations) : ‘| phet of the ir 
10 Fort there are many unruly and yain| alway > liars, 
. 13. Thi 


- other excellencies of bis character, it was need-| to excess; so that, wh 


sa! 


A.D. 66. ' RPTUBLS 
8 But ™a lover of hospitality, ® a lover] talkers, 
of t good men, ® sober, just, holy, tempe-| of the ¢ 
Fate; F , lt W 
9 P Holding fast athe faithful word,| who y¥ sut 
§ as he hath been taught, that he may be} things whi 
able by * sound doctrine, both to exhort} lucre’s sak: 


“to See on, 1 Tim 
3. 2. 

nm iSam. 18 1. 1 
Kings 5. 1. 7. Ps. 
6. 3. Am. 515,07 


Pro. 23.23. 1 Thes.} 28. 1 Cor. 14, 24. 
5. 2142 Phes, 2225.1 2 Ving. 2. 25. 
2 Lim. 1. 13. Judelt Acts Z0. 29. Rom. 
3. Rev. 2.25. & 3.) 16. 17, 18. 2 Coe 
3.1). i 11. 12—15. Eph. 4. 
dobn 3. 14. & 5.1.44 1 Tim, 115 & 4} 94.2 Thes. 2. 19 — 
$ Or, good thiggs, 19. & 6, 3, 2 Him.| 12. 1'Lim. 1. 4 & 
‘o 2. 7, 2 Cor,6. 4—} 2. 2, 6. 3—5, 2 Tim. 3, 
3. 1 Thes. 2. 10. 3/§/ Or, dx teachings} 13. & 4./4.2 Pet, 
Bimod, 12. & 6.112 21, 7%; 8.) 1 Vim} 2 1, 21 John. 2.! 
2 Tim. 2. 22. 1, 10. 2, Tim. 4.3, |] 18. & 4.1. Rey. 2. 
Pp Job 2.3. & 27 6/3 ver. 11. Acts is.) 6. 1a 


Luke 20. 40. Rom.|s 
3. 59-2 Cots I. 10.) 


¥. 5—9. . Titus had been lefi in Crete, to set| were in every p 
in order what was, wanting in the government,!ber of ungoverna 
worship, and discipline of the churches; and es-| ceivers, who co 
pecially to ordain elders, in every ciiy in which! oy. admonitions, 
there were converts to. Christianity. (JVoles, 1) These were of ¥ 
Tin, iii. v. 21, 22. 2 Fim, iv. 5.) There were daizers were the 
many. cities in this populous island, and the; cious; they sul 
apostle scems to have been very succes*ful dur.! them aside from 
ine his short stay there ; but probably many had | 
before been converted to Christianity. The cha-| tions: 


aré called elders ‘and bishops indiscriminately, )| than from mistake 
correspond. to what hath before been considered ;| ner, they Raiaaral 
but, it is here added, that they ought to be such} some, and flattered ot 
as “had believing children.” They who had} got to be the heads of 
ciildren grown up, not having embraced Chris-} of enriching themse 
tianity, that were accused of riot and licentious. | of these deceiver: 
ness, or that would not be governed, and re-|tvine, and cone 

strained from. scandalous vices, were not to be|from the word. o! 
admitted into the pastoral office. The pastors) principles, and. 
must be chosen from those, who bad for some! might be mani 
time professed the Gospel, (when that could be} might have nothin 
done :) but, if their children proved untractable, | The character of ( 
it would at least be thought, that they did not} that numbers of ba 4 
know how to govern their own families ; and the | deceived, might be « 
misconduct of their children might reflect dis-| for Epimenides, a nz 
grace upon the Christian religion, as .wc'l asi reputation, who mig 
weaken the hands of their parents in the public| their own:” and 
minisiry. For the overseer and steward of God’s| prophet by his cou 
household, (WVote, 1 Cor. iv. 1—S.), must be an ir-| “ tians are always 
reproachable person ; and not of an.over-bearing,| they had in all 
sclf.wiiled, dogmatical temper, that could not} frauds, and impos’ 
endure to be opposed or contradicted. To the) ous or ferocious animals, 


fal that he should be a man, who “ held fast” in a| their time was eniployed 
steady consistent profession, “the faitaful word”| they were rendered tof, 
of the Gospel, according as it had been taught} excesses, and made no 
by the apostles ; without having perverted or so-| They united the, subt 
phisticated it, as many did; that so he might be} of the serpent, or the fiere 
a judicious, experienced defender of its truths ;| tigers, with the greedii 
able, by substantial, salutary, and holy doctrine,| swine. It is not easy te 
in every particular, to exkort the disciples to] concurrence of cireumst 
steadfastness in the faith, and to an honourable} tained so odious and 
conduct; and to confute, convince, or silence] character; but, the inspired 
gain-sayers, who opposed or corcupted the truth.j truth of this testimany ; and the e 
V. 10—13. ‘The qualification, mentioned in the] peared, ia the couduct of many false 
niyth verses was the more requisite, as therejiand professors of Christianity. ‘Titus 


- 


CHAPTER 1 Af D. oe 


© Jewish fables,, 


lieving is nothing pure ; but even theif 
-men that & turn, ' 


mind and conscience is defiled. 

16 They! profess that they know God P 
but. in works they deny Aim; ™ being 
abominable, a and disobedient, and ° unte 
{every good work * reprobate. 


¢ ipure alll things are wave: : 
that are dots and. aber 


‘&p 4.4. Heb, 12. 254.31. 2 1 Timg 3,4 4./k 1Cor. 8. 7.\ Heb.) 2. 1e—24, 2 Timy Eph. 5. 6s 1 Tim 
ail 2 Pet. 2, 22. is Troy oe 9. 14, & 10. 22. 3. 5—8. Jude 4, A 1.9 
’ h Luke 11. 39—41, . {1 Num. 24, 16. 16|m Job 15, 16. Revslo Jers 6.30. Rom. 
, Col. Acts 10. 15. Rom, 29.13. & 48. 1.8} 21.8. 27%, 1,28, 2 Tim, $. 8. 
[3 14, 14, 1 Core6. 12, 58.2. Ez. $3. 31.jn 1 Sam. 1s. aa O;, void of juas~ 
2Tim. & 10, 23, 26. Hos. 8.2, 3. Rom.d ment. 


cluded as unbelievers BiH, though they oe 


iretcd «to rebuke the harply,” or with 
ed to believe, i 


cutting reproofs and awful oe ; “that the 
Zhurches might be sound in the faith?” when} 
mouths of deceivers were thus stopped, hy- 
ites detected, and  unestablished Christians 
put upon their ard, Timothy had been taught 
inst) with meekviess, and to rebuke 
ting; but Titus was ordered to 
‘sharpness. Some have conjectured, 
jat y was too vehement in his natural 
grit, and Titus too timid apd pliant: others 
ibe the difference to the opposite characters 
jor the persons to be rebuked. But, in. fact, 
Christian meekness is as distant from pusilla. 
nimous connivance at sio and error, as from im- 
\s anger and impatience. This the apos- 
, pene even that of our Lord himself, 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. _ : , 
Vv. 1-9. , 
All who’ are not slaves of sin and gatan ate 
the servants of God: “ this honour. have all his 
by saints,” and this dignifies their meanest ems 
ployments ; though the office of ministers is 
‘confined to a few, and that of apostles and evan- 
gelists to a very small number. But sinners 
cannot serve God, except “ according to the faith 
of his elect” people; and by * acknowledging: 
“ the truth which is after godlinéss 2” (Notes 
1 Tim.iv.8;) nor can they be steadfast in the’ 
midst of trials and temptations, save ‘in hope 
“ of eternal life.” This was promised in Christ, 
“© before the world began 2? \and, though he 
who gave this promise can do all things else, he 
“ cannot lie,” he cannot “deuy himself.” In big” 
due time, he has manifested his word of truth by 
preaching: and all, to whom this is committed,» 
must take heed to publish it, “ according’ to the 
“commandment of God our Saviour,” that’ the 
common faith may thus be wrought in those, 
whom they May rejoice in as their own children ; 
and to whom, “ grace, mercy, and peace, may be 
“ given from God the Father, and the Lord Je-. 
© sus Christ,- our Saviour.” When. ‘a muittude 
of captives are brought forth, from the dark, 
|| dungeon of satan into the glorious ight and lie 
| berty of the Gospel ; many things will be wanting, 
and much required to be set in order, before 
their worship and service can be performed in a 
suitable manner, the best methods used for their: 
f| edification, and the most effectual defence made 
-{ against the assaults of their spiritual enemies. 
| Then the presence, counsel, and influence of 
some experienced and faithful servant of God 
| will be peculiarly useful; especially in respect 
of the choice and ordination of pastors to preside 
over them. arid'teach them, They to whom this 
important trust is committed, are bound, as they 
shall answer for it before God, to appoint blame« 
legs and faithful men to this stewardship ;- such, 
as are of pliant tempers, respecting their own hu- 
mours and interests, peaceable, sober, temperate 
+{ men; superior to the groveliing love of filthy 
luére : lovers of hospitality and of good men; 
just and holy prudent managers of domestic 
concerns ; attentive to relative duties ; constant 
and bold in professing the truth as taught in the: 
word of God, and abie by sound doctrine to ¥ 
|hort and to convince gain-sayers. As it is pe. 
|; | caliarly incumbent on ministers to educate their 
children with diligence aed piety, and te rule. 


i Tame in the faith, Titus 1 was to warn chen. 
. sharp rebukes, if Necessary, not to give 
ewish. fable traditions, or legal 
whicl entirely the com- 
nt F men 1 who. rhed from the truth,” 
nte their own usages on Chris. 
greatly, to distinctions of 
lean meats, and the ‘pharisaical 
ing, their hands, and other ex- 
s. (Notes, Matt. xv. 1—20.) 
» to the - real believer, who had 


fied by faith, all such things. were 
es, and used in a holy manner, 
i according to the precepts, and 
Go ‘hose, however, ss “that 


Nees were erroneous, par tial, 
cls so all their enjoymients and 
ever innocent or good in themselves, 
by their pride, avarice, sensual 
against God, They indeed pro- 
nd to be his people; but in 
im, le manifested a disre 


‘respects, especially in 
cating Christians, and 
the Churches of the 
abominable and dis, 
‘good work, rejected 
a blindness. Thy 


ETF eyen yo ee eRe Vere a pea Daa ai yo ay tM ESS I aan 


Tea 


enn tatadhe Makeadicaiend 


: 


A, D. 66. TITUS. 
“CHAP. II. liness ; 35 not } fal 
The apostle directs Titus to instruct. the peopleiin | tg ‘much ine. i ac 


their several duties, to exemplify them in-his own 

conduct, and to take heed to his doctrine, 1—10: 

and enforees his exhortations, by showing the holy 

tendency of the gospel, and charging Titus to 

Hi «go with authority and firmness, 11-—15. 

UT speak thou the things 4 which 
become sound doctrine : 

‘2 That’> the aged men*be * sober; 
© grave, 4 temperate, ¢ sound in faith, fin 
charity, in patience. 

3 The aged women likewise, that 
they bc in behaviour & as becometh + ho- 


a ver, 11-14. & 1694 5,-6.8. 1. Tim, 3.) 8.35, Rom. 12) 3. 
& 3. 8. 1 Tim: 1.} 2.11 1 Pet, 1. 13.) 2 Cor. 5.13. 1 Pet 
10. & 6.3. 2 Vim.) & 4. 7.& 5. 8. Gr.) 4.7. Gr. 

1.13, ¢ yer. 7 1 Tim.3.,e See on,!. 13. 

b Lev 19. 32, Job] 4.8.11. Phil. 4. 8:[f See on. “Pim: 3.5 

12, 12, Ps. 92 14.))Gr 


g Rom. 146.2. Eph. 
Pioy. 16. 31. Ise 65, 


8. Acts 24, :25.° 5.3.1 Tim. 2.9, 10, 
20." 1Cor.9. 25. Gal.) & 3.11. & §.5-10.1 
Or, ) vigilant. 2) 5.23. 2 Pet. 12°6.|, Pet. 3, 3-5. 

Cor. 15. 34,1 Thes.| Matk 5. 15. Luke|t Or, holy. women. 


them with prudence and. firmness ;_so the chil- 
dren of ministers should consider what a dread 
ful account must be rendered by them, if their 
unbelief, riot, and unruly behaviour, bring an 
imputation on the characters of their fathers, 
and interfere with their usefulness. 

V. 10—16. 

In allages, there have beep unruly and vain 
talkers and deceivers, by whom satan sows tares 
in the Lord’s field: and this should teach and 
induce the servants to be vigitant and diligent, that 
they may counteract the enemy. Kor ualess the 
«‘ mouths of such men be stopped,” they. will 
subyert whole families of hopeful persons, and 
teach the most pernicious doctrines for filthy 
lucre’s sake. To prevent this miscliief, is the 
most difficult part of a minister’s work; and his 


* wisdom must especially be shown, in discerning 


men’s. characters, distinguishing, between the 
weak and the wicked ; and knowing when to ex- 
hort with gentleness, and when to “ rebuke with 
« sharpness, that men may be sound in the faith,” 
For, though there are national differences of 
character, yet, the heart of man in every time 


-and place is deceitful and. desperately wicked : 


and while some need the. gentlest guidance, 
others must be exposed, and warned with de- 
cided severity; or they will turn men away from 
the faith, to fables, and human i inventions. . The 
true Christian learns to exercise his liberty in a 
pure and holy manner; all things are pure to 
him, and grace teaches him “to eat, and to 
« drink, and to do all things to the glory of God;” 
and when he fails, he has humble recourse to 


the purifying blood and .sanctifying | grace of| human nature is pecul 


Christ. _But unbelievers are defiled in their 
minds and consciences; their ordinary actions 
and religious duties are unclean to them: whe- 
ther they riot in licentiousness, as if that were 
liberty, or whether they enslave themselves to 
superstitious ébservances, ‘For, alas! numbers 
of various descriptions ‘ profess to know God, 
« but in works deny hum ; being abominable, 
¢ disobedient, and unto every good work re- 


& probate.” Yet, at last “the tree will be 


men to be 
bands;: to le r 
5 To be B: 


ivepbenieae” 
68 ‘Young me 
|| sober-minded. 


4 a Sy 1 Tim. 3.0 Gen. 
& 18.9. l 

I “on make-batess 2\-19. & 31. 10—31. 
Tim. 3. 3. Gr. ‘Tim. 5. 13. i 

i See-on, ver. 16 7p Acts 9. ah 
k ver. 4. Heb. 5. 12. Tim. 5410. 4 
Rev. 2. 20. 4 et) 16, 1 

LiTime $2.1. 4) 1 3. & Bot a 


§ Or, wise. See on.} Eph. 5. 22-24. 33 
yer. 2. ea : 18, Bilt Hs 
m 1. Tim. 5.146 > 

n, See on, ver. 2e 


“« known by its fruit; 
*« eth not forth good fru 
“ and cast into the fire.” 


between false teachers, and 
the apostle exhorted Titus: 
“as became’ sound pes 


their hearers the practice of c 
‘from evangelical pai : 
“men should be sober,” 
lant, “ grave, tempers 
fence, and ** sou 

profession of sound ¢ 
“ in charity,” or lov 
and ‘in patience,” 
tions. It does not ap 
tors of the church, were 
he original word fferen. 
lated elders, and signees nt 
The apostle ha ) 

(Note, i 3—9.) Ae c 

V.3—6. Aged 

ed as deaconesses 
be instructed to act con siste 
cred character, as professedl 
ritual priesthood, an 


which it implied. Thera d. 


speaking slanders or ¢ 
the national character i 


word is the same. 
«© devils ;” wank: shi 
elanderers and bac 
be careful not ‘to 
‘© wine :” some of | 
customed to ‘this when. 
need great self-denial to 
habit, aud liberty ac bse 


y ey Int all things shewing thyself a pat- 
tern of goo foe = in doctrine shewing 
$, * gravity, ¥ sincerity ; 
speech that cannot, be con- 
that he that is of the contra- 
ay be ashamed, ¢ having no 

to say of you. | 

#4 servants to be obedient un- 

“Ac 133-35. 2jy 2 Cor. 1.12. & 8s 5. 14-1 Ret. 2. 12. 
ies. 3. 9. 1 Fim.| 8. Eph. 6, 24. Phil. Edel 16. 


5, 3. 1. 10. b Is. 56. 5, Luke 13, 
; apts pe ue 17. 28.) 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14. 


eatin ¢ Phil. 2. 14—16. 
a Neb. Py Ee Eph. 6. 5—8. Col 


‘e vere 2, 


fatamide, vice, They were likewise required to 
be teachers of good things, in their families, and 
= paiwlaesc art : thatso they might be employed 
= younger women to be sober and 
peated it levity..or vanity » affectionate 
to their husbands and children, and taking plea 
sure in the duties of wives and mothers ; dis- 
rere avoiding all appearance of evil, or ground 
‘suspicion, as well as every actual violation of 
conjugal fidelity ; to be ** keepers at home,” 
and diligent in managing their domestic affairs, 
(for both are implied ;) not delighting to gad 
abroad, nor yet loitering away their time at 
home; tobe good or kind to all around them, 
anid “ obedient to their own husbands,” even if 
‘were not Christians, and in many things 
ved improperly to them ; for this would fre- 
gaéaily be the case. These things must be at- 
tended to, that the word “‘ of God might not be 
"or evil spoken of among the}v 
Gentes, ‘through any improper conduct of 
Ch in relative life. “Young men also must 
taught to be sober-minded, to act in a pru- 
d considerate manner: avoiding all youthi- 
il lusts ‘and Vanities, and attending to their 
‘several duties in the fear’ of God. 
* ¥V.7, 8. It was especially incumbent oa Titus 
to give in his own conduct, a pattern of all those 
good works to which he exhorted others, that 
they might have his example for a comment on 
his instructions. In his doctrine also, he should 
take care to preserve “ uncorruptness,” not ad- 
Mitting any of those additions or vain conjec- 
tures, by which the holy nature and efficacy of 
| truth might be altered ; “ gravity,” avoid- 


thing ludicrous, all affectation of wit, 
er did not consist with the solemnity 
the great concerns of God and eter- 
“sincerity,” or an upright, evident, 
sim to the glory of God and the good 
without seeking applause or worldly 
or the appearance of selfish designs 
at he did. He must also use * sound 
sh,” that could not be condemned as er- 
mbiguous, unintelligible, or of bad 
‘that, thus stating divine truth, in 
, and scriptural language ; they 
contrary part, whether heathens 
ht find nothing weak, frivolous, 
y object against ; but that they 
find fault with what was so 
d beneficial, might be put to 
‘mo evil thing to sy of him. 


CHAPTER IL 


4. dD. 66, 


to their own masters, atd © to please 
them well in all things ; not * answering 
again : 

10 Not f purloining, but & shewing all 
good fidelity ; that they may » adorn : the 
doctrine of * God our Saviour in all 
things. [Practical Observations.) 

3. 23—25.1 Tim. 6.|/ 2,3. 4.1. Phil. 1. 27. & 
1 1 Pet.2. 18—g Gen. a 


& 39. 8, 1 
e Eph. 5.24. ia We ine 
ee Pt Pte hie gt 


_ ae 16. 10. i 
Lak 5 2 
fan ise Kaveh Ma's 16. Eph. 


sii 2 Tim. 5. 17. & Ge 
1. 3. 2 John 9. 

k See on; 1. 3. t 
Tim. 1. 1, Is. 12.2 


V. 9, 10. (Notes, Eph. vi. 5~8. 1 Tim. vi. 
1—4). In general, servants must be exhorted to 
be obedient to their masters, and to make it their 
constant endeavour to please them well, and give 
them full satisfaction, in every part of their con. 
duct: and, in particular, they must not “ an- 
* swer again,” with rudeness or warmth, when 
found fault with, even though they had not been 
to blame; but rather bear an unmerited rebuke, 
than engage in altercations, and give further 
offence, or incur the charge of impertinence. 
They ought also scrupulously to avoid * pur- 
“ loining,” or pilfering, in the absence of their 
masters, such things as were put under their 
care or within their reach ; either to apply them 
to their own use, or to bestow them on their 
companions. The word is used concerning Ana- 
nias, who clandestinely kept back part of the 
price, for which his land was sold. (Wotes, Acts 

. 1—10.) This species of stealing was so com- 
mon among the heathen servants, that the same 
word sometimes signifies a slave, whichis gene- 
rally rendered a thief! and it is to be apprehend- 
ed that it is extremely common, even among 
servants who are called Christians ; few of whom 
are scrupulous about using, or disposing of, the 
provisions of the family, contrary to the inten: 
tions and interests of their masters: nay, some- 
times they affect the praise and pride of genero. 
sity, by giving away their property to dishonest 
hangers on, who acknowledge the obligation by 
reciprocal favours. But Christian servants must 


be taught strict honesty in these things, and 


“to show all good fidelity,” by uprightly using, 
or saving, whatever was intrusted to them, ac. 
cording to the will of their masters ; being satis. 
fied with the provision allotted them, and not 
countenancing any degree of waste or embezzle- 
ment. Thus they must “ adorn the doctrine of 
“ God our Saviour in all things :” for though the 
doctrine of salvation by faith in the divine Sa- 
viour, has: unspeakable glory and beauty in it ; 
yet unconverted men cagnot discern this, but 
rather deem it foolish, absurd, and pernicious: 
and the misconduct of professed Christians, con- 
firms them in these ruinous prejudices. On the 
other hand, honesty, fidelity, industry, a peacea. 
ble obliging conduct, and exact conscientious. 
ness, in’servants professing the Gospel, would 
put an Ornament and a lustre on the doctrine, in 
the eyes of their heathen masters. This argu- 
ment of its excellency would be intelligible, and 
excite their attention; and they would thus be. 


» 


A. D. 66. 


12 8 Teaching us, that ° denying un-)in § this f 


19. Mark 16. 15. 
Luke 3. 6. & 24 
47. Aets 13. 47) 
Rom: 10.18. & 16, 


Zeeh. 4. 7. & 10} 12 24. 1 Pet. 1.10 
12. Jobn 1.14. 16,) —12.&5 5 12 
7. Acts 11. 238. &|t Or, bringeth sal- 
5S. 43. & 20. 24.! vation to ull 9—19. Eph. 3. 6-3, 
Rom. 4. 4,5. & 5.| ath appeared. Col. 1. 6. 23, 2 
2 1S. 20,21. & 1.4m Ps. 95, 1-3. 10.) Timed. 17,» 
5. 6. 2Cor. 6. 1-| & 98, 1—3. & 117m Mats, 20, John 6. 
Gal. 2. 21. Eph. 1. Is, 2. 2,3. & 45.22 45.1 Thes, 4.9. He. 
7. & 2. 5, 8. 2 & 49, 6. & 62 10] 8.11. 1 John 2. 27 
es 2. 16.1°Tim-) & 60. 1=3 Mat, 28.Jo Is 55 6, 7. Ez. 


13) 4 Ps. 84. | 1.14, Heb 2. 9. & 


rendered more favourable to the trath, and might 
be induced at length to hear and embrace it.— 
The same observation might be equally applied 
to every other instance of relative and social 
good bebaviour. ~~ 
V. 11, 12. The nature of Christianity requir- 
ed, that such exhortations as have been consi- 
dered, should be given and observed ; for “ the 
« grace of God which bringeth salvation,” or the 
saving mercy and grace of God, and his abun- 
dant love to lost sinners, as discovered in the 
Gospel of Christ, “had appeared to all men,” 
‘or had beeh illustriouslv displayed before Jews 
and Gentiles, of every rank and character, with- 
ou! exception ; and the preachers were directed 
“to preach to all, and invite all, to whom they 
could obtain access. This doctrine, in the most 
energetic manner, taught all who heard it, “to 
« deny ungodliness and worldly lusts;” as it} 
exhibited, in the clearest light, the holiness and 
justice of God, the obligations and requirements 


of his perfect law, the evil ‘of sin, the future} 


state of retribution, the lost condition of fallen 
man, his need of mercy and grace, ahd the en. 
couragements given him to “ repent and turn to 
* God, and do works meet for repentance.” Tt 
taught men, that they ought to deny ungodliness, 
showed them how they might be enabled to do 
jt, and supplied the most powerful motives to set 
about it. Moreover, when this saving grace of 
God took possession of the heart in regeneration, 
the new nature, under the wfluences of the Holy 
Spirit, inwardly and efficaciously taught men the 
same things; the law was written in their minds; 
whilst new, and more constraining, motives to 
obedience, were drawn from the obligations of 
yedeeming love, the comforts of communion with 
God, andthe hope of heavenly felicity. 'Fhus 
in every age, the Gospel teaches men in general, 
and grace teaches believers in particular, * to 
« deny ungodliness ;” to refiise compliance with 
every inward an@ outward suggestion to neglect 
God and their duty to him, or to treat him with 
yrreverence, ingratitude, contempt, and’ enmity ; 
_ and constantly to resist and counteract that prin- 
" ciple of alienation from God, whence all idolatry, 
yfidelity, impiety, and irreligion, in thought, 
word, and deed, originate. Et teaches them also 
to deny “ worlcly lusts,” refusing to gratify 
those impetuous, carnal, and selfish desires’ of 
the human heart, which influence men to seek 
happiness from the world, and not from God ; 


such as pride, ambition, avarice, sensuality, |i 


wrath, malice, and enyy; whence spring all 
kinds of contentions, ‘wars, ¢ruelties, injustice, 


by 


prrus. | 


11 For! the grace of God, that } bring- godliness and w 
eth salvation, ™ hath appeared to all men,|P live 4 soberly, 


& 13, 12, 13. 1 Cor! 20, 
6 9—11. 2 Cor 7.) & 3 
1. Gal §. 24. Eph} 24 
A. 22—25. Col. S. 5 
—9. Jam. 4 4. 8—} P 

10. 1 Pet. 2, 12, &) Pet. 
4,2—5. 2 Pet. be 4.) 


licentiousnéss, which 
plague the earth: these 
teaches us, constantly 
resist, and mortify; refusing tt 
indulgence, opposing their fir: 
heart, and avoiding all tem 
The holy law of God, i 
love God anc cach other < 
obedience, it gives: 
encouragement to 
to works meet for 
under sin, and leaves: 
hope or help: for eve 
encouragement, to 
not to the law, but to 
according fo the G 
and efficaciously, 
the necessary*effect of ' 
“ and. worldly lusts,” 
conscientious government Of 
passion ; refraining from eve: 
expedient indulgence, an 
injurious to themselves, or 
soul, or in respect of socia 
and te live righteously,” 
quirements of uni jus 
orders of men; 
relative duties, to 
in an equitable and he 
labourers, and pool 
forgiving conduct 
truth, sincerity, an 
versation, profession 
ments ; In a compassior 
bavieur to the poor, af 
and a constant endeava 
comfort, and happine 
ail men,. according to th 
nity.: “ and godly,” or 
the ordinances of G 


name; worshipping hi 
and in ‘public ; halloy 
and studying Sis v 
fearing, loving, believir 
and delighting in Gc 
ments of his holy law,” 
fections of the soul, in a 
to please and glori 


‘ 


for that "blessed hope, 
$ appearing of the great 
Sy eae Jesus Christ; 
gave huuself for us, ® that 
icem us from all imiquity, 


Philax: Job 19. 25—27, 1s.,z Mat, 20. 28. John 

4.) 25.9. Mat. 16. 47.) 0 616 & 10. 15. 
»& 26. 64.| Gal 1 4: & 2) 20, 
Mari) 8. 38. & 14.) & 3. 13 Hph. 5. 2. 
62.1 Tim 6.13, 14-) 23—27, 1 Ti 1. 
2 Cor) 15 & 2. 6. Heb. 9. 
| dae 1 Pot. 3, 18. 
“Rev. 1.5 8 5, 9. 
‘fa Gen 49. 16. Ps. 


c ss Rom. 
4.24, 25. &l 
if he 27.2 Heb..9. 28. 


Ay 32.48, 2 Pet, 3. 
Be} Jolin 4. 14, 


manitold i:iemities and 


ee ‘heart, with all th 
« believer is conscious, 


z derances, of which t 


ersevere, looking 1g hy 
pes which te Pr omises of the 


obedient faith ; ond waiting in patient 
on { us “the appear ing of the glory of the 


tL pene © “ the ed th the great ‘God, 
our Saviour Jesus, Christ ;? wheb, 


the odhead,. ia assigning. by a single word 
} ng siate of unnumbered millions : 
shall be able to’ withstand the pow 
‘the justice, of that pwfal de- 


he ecision Be chcidied! will be 
; im, if who gave himself for us,” to die} 
an nature. as a sactifice i in ‘the stead of his 
) atone ‘or their sins and effect their 

salva ion, that through his expiation he might 
eee them from the punishment of all “ their 
7 and by bis power deliver them 
from tie dominion and pollution of al! their sin 
fol ‘propensities; and that he might * purify. 
em,” by his word and Spirit, from all re-| 
ins of defilement,, that they might be devoted. 


8 and servants, live to his ‘glory, and. to re- 
ommend his salvation ; as “a peculiar people,” 

Property not, only. us creatures, but as re - 
1 sinners, | and as having voluntarily devo. 
ie aided themselves to him. Thus they 
I > under singular obligations, as well as of a 
pula .. disposition, peculiarly pious, spiritual, 
kind, and upright ; not conforming 
‘aged and | eit of the world ; but 


‘Thomas, “ My Lord, 
r of Christ, as Judge, in 


“ CHAPTER WW. 


and rebuke 8 with all gue: 
man despise thee. i: Net way 


bteesrondd Mat. 3. 


© Acts 15. 14, Rom 


gh his human nature, he shallexercise om | 
; muniscience, and all the. ‘perfections Retr 


God, to be his worship: | 


n| * not be blasphemed,” 


A.D. 66: 


and» purify ¢ unto himself a4 peculiar 
peopie, « zealous of good works. 


15 These things " speak, and exhort, 
: Let. no 


130, 8 Bz 26, 
25. Mat.) Jv 21. 
‘Rom. 11.26. 27. 


14, 15.) Ay 18. ‘Hes 10. 24.1 
d Bx 15, Ye wae 5,| Pet. 2: 12. 

& Deut. 7. 6. & laf See on, 1. 13. 2 
2° & 26. 18. Ps} Tim. 4. 2, 

138.4, 1 Pet.2.9l¢ Mat 7. 29. Mark 
ever, 7% &. 3 8] 4. 2% 27, Luke 4. 
Num. 25, 13. Acts} 36. - 

9. 35, Eph, 2.10. 1}h 1 Tim, 4. 12, 
14,7, 8 2Cor 5.] Vim. 2. 10. & 6 


* i 


» Acts 15. 0. EH) 
Me 8. 1 Petal. 22: 
1 John.3, 3. 


the preceding verse ; and, in this verse, as He, to 
whom all believers are devoted, “to live no lon- 


« ger to thnmselves but to him,” as * a peculiar 
* people zealous of good works, »” concur to es- 
tablish this conclusion: for JEHovan will not 
give his glory to another. 
V. 15, As the things above inculcated were a 


 jeampen sion of the important truths and duties 


"\of Christianity, Titus was directed to speak - 
'|them ; to. exhort in the plaiest and most urgent 
>| manner ; and to rebuke with all authority, in the 
hame of Christ, those persons who neglected, 
perverted, or opposed them; that, acting with 
te erdae prudence, | and faithfulness, no one 
might treat him or his words with contempt, 
without being evidanaly, a despiser of Christ who 
sent him, 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
V. 1-10. 
3 tt he sound doctrine, and it is indis- 


‘pensably incumbent on ministers, to teach all 


Christians, their, several duties, in connexion 
with evangelical principles. Aged men and wo- 
men, professing godliness, are peculiarly called 
upon to “ be. sober, grave, temperate 5, stable, 

sound in faith, love, and patience ; and less 


\allowance will sy made for them than for others, 


if they indulge in levity, vanity, and ‘intemper-— 

ance ; or are betrayed into rashness, instability, - 
or selfishness. In. proportion as Christians ad- 
vance in years, they are supposed to understand 
better, what behaviour, appearance, attire, and 
language become holiness; they, will have need 
to. watch: aguinst censoriousness, and peevishness 3 
and they should be taught to seek comfort, un- 


der the decays of nature, from a nearer commun. 


ion with God, and not from « much wine,” or - 
any. undue indulgence. The excellence of true 
religion is manifested, when every one is taught 


and induced by it to attend on the duties of 
his situation ; and elderly pe: so is shou! Id be teach- 
»/ ers of good things to their juniors, by word and 


deed Thus aged and pious women may with pe- 
culiar propriety. instruct young ‘women in their 


Apene: as wives and mothers, “ teaching them to 


be sober, to love their husbands and children,” 
oes to any that love in a proper behaviour to- 
to be discreet, chaste, keepers at 
ligent in their domestic employ- 
teat a ‘obedient to their own husbands ;”? 

nd to. persevere in this useful and honourable 
Ppt ae § though they meet with trials, hardships, 
|or unkind ‘usage ; “that the word of God may 
“ Young men also must 


( *® 


we Dd, ‘66, 


CHAP. III. é 


‘The apostie taeatostes on Christians, subjection to ru- 
Jers, ahd good behaviour to'all ‘men, 1,2; from 
the consideration of their own.sinfulness, and their 
salvation by God’s mercy through Christ, that 
they might maintain good works, 3-8, He cau- 
tions Titus to avoid disputes ; and shows him how 
to deal with hereties, 9—11 : and, directing him 

' to meet him at Nicopolis, and about other mat. 
ters, 12—~14, he concludes! with salutations, 15. 


ics Sale them in mind » to be subject to 
principalities and powers, to obey 


ats. 43. 26.1 Tim. 
4. 6. 2. Tim ls 6) 


2 Pet. 1.22, 


Deut. a 12° 
2, Jude 5. 


& + 1, aie 
‘Prov. 24, 21, Ec. 


‘& be exhorted to be sober-minded ; *% and to 
copy the seriousness, piety; purity, discretion, 


and temperance of those, who are grown old in} Whether we are daily mot 


the service of Christ ; and not the levity, excess, 
and folly, of suchas are preparing themselves 
anguish for riper years, or treasuring up wrath 
against the day of wrath: But they, who would 
with energy inculcate these practical subjects, 
must ‘in ail things show themsélves patterns of 
“good works ;” cr else the most Scriptural ad- 
monitions will be disregarded, or expounded by 
their own conduct. Uncorrupt evangelical doc- 
trine also should be manifestly made the basis of 
such practical exhortations ; and they shouid be 
delivered with gravity as well as with sincerity ; 
that sound speech, which cannot ke condemned, 
may put to shame, and silence captious and ma- 
licious opposers. | As no rank in the community 
raises men above the ministér’s admonition, so 
none places them beneath his ‘attention. The 
conduct of the meanest servant may disgrace, or 
it may ‘¢adorn, the doctrine of God our Saviour.” 
The latter will be the happy effect, when ser- 
vants, professing that doctrine, are obedient to 
their masters, obliging in’ all things, “not an- 
** swering again, not purloining, but showing 
&* all good fidelity.” In this manner they may 
_ acceptably and effectually recommend the Gos. 
pel, and perhaps be instrumentz} to the salva- 
tion of the souls of their superiors. In these, 
and in allotherthings, it behooves every professed 
Christian to *tadorn the doctrine of God our Sa. 
«« viour ;” which alone can ensure that doctrine 
its-proper respect in this.evil world, 
WV, 11—15, 

The law teaches us godliness, righteousness, 
temperance, and universal holiness: but the 
grace of God which bringeth salvation, alone can 
teach sinners “ to deny ungodliness and worldly 

. lusts, and to liye ‘soberly, righteously, and 
« godly in this present world.” How great- 
ly then are they mistaken, who would inculcate 
such practical subjects, without leading men’s 
attention to the mercy and grace of God in 
Christ, for instruction, motives, help, and en- 
couragement! As this saving grace of our God 
hath appeared to allmen, and to us in particalar, 
by the word of truth; let us inquire, whether 
our whole dependence be placed upon that 
grace, which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, 
and sanctifies the unclean? 
have inwardly been taught by it, as truly peni- 

+ tent, to hate, forsake, and “deny, ungodliness 


* 


and may their doctrine 


remind the Cretians to obe 
‘had placed over Ree 
heathens, and general, 

: ong 


And whether we| 


Si) caer riod. | 


brawlers, 
ness unto ai 


Jer. 27. 17. Ma 
22.21. & 23. 2 
Ron. 13+ 1—7e. 


Gal. 6. 9, 10. Eph.| 
2. 10. Phil, hi 
Col. t+ 10. 1 Tim. 
5. 10: 3 Tim. 2. 21. 


and worldly lusts, and, to. 
“ eously, and godly in’ this. 


lowing after holtioge/ “prac 
ties ie God and man, xp 
coming to be oui 
ing th welledoing, i; 
«blessed hope, and t 
“ the great God, eve 
to * number us with hi 
‘ing? ff we indeed 
“ gave himself for’ 
served and eternal 
deliver us from | 
“and purify us unto 
© zealous of good. we 
further inducement, 
selfJenying obedience ; pr 
mate his love, our obl ati 
er given us of all. st 
needful good, The more. 
deemed font all ‘inig 
Christ as a ‘peculiar 
works ; the clearer 
interest in ‘his sa 
hope of eternal feli 
are removed fron 
ginary good works, 
alone; the more zeak 
abounding in real g 7 
upright, humble, ae 
of our Lord, and the b 
of mankind, bp 
things decidedly, en! 


from the contempt o 
sromed despisers of Cc 


“NOTES. 
CHAP. IIL. V. 1,2. (Notes, 
1 Fim. ii. 2.) Tits ae 


and powers, or civil goverr 


magistrates app 


ate 


Wie coeieheene te 
them, that so no disgrace migh 


urselves also were some- 
E disobedient, ! deceived, 
ivers lusts and. pleasures, 
alice and envy, ° Bey Gnd 


“by works: of cnighebolieness 


20. 1} 12. 9. & 13. 14,. | 2. 3. & 4. 10. 
_Eph.|m Jotn 8. 33. Rom. r 2.11 2. Tim. 1. 10, 
y Pep \asyi e > Soe Heb. 9. 26. 
n Rom. 1..29—31. Bs. pe a ie = 
Cor, 12.19. 2 Tims! 14. Bs 
Sagtag glee 3. tak 2. 1s, 57 is 
P 36. 2. Rev 18.) Luke 10; 27—25 
"5 - > ; Rom: 3.20. 28, & 
4. 5. & 9. 11, 16. 
30. & 11.6, Gal. 2. 
16—21. Eph, 2. 9. 
oT, 1. aes 2 Tim. 1. 9. 


at, 29, Acts 
& 26, 19, 
2 ; Ro 


§. 20. 21. 


Gospe bulent spirits and conduct 
, Eresced Christians. They must also be di- 
Hed to be ready to every good work,” show- 
za willing mind for any kind action, even to 
heathen neighbours : not reviling or slan- 
ng any man, nor even propagating disadvan- 
ports when true, unless there were a 
not brawling,” or disputing, with 
mony nd yehemence, even against those 
ured them ; ‘but acting with gentleness 


The preceding exhortations ‘would 
oppose the natural inclinations of 
erefore the apostle enforced 
r vhich related to the state 


ans, among “those in ‘Crete; 
bly the plain meaning of the 
ued, that they ought to bear 
d be kind to, their enemies, and patient. 
re heir perverseness and injustice: 
id Sere far greater 


o of AN eg 
srversely prefer- 
~ In different 
ant’? ie God, in 


he Loy way. gre had been 
usts,” and the love of worldly | 
‘some being ‘under the power of 
ul passion, some of another: they had 
ape from. the various com- 


od.ahd conduct in | privi 


ted one another,” 


CHAPTER UL. 


A D, 66. 


which we have done, but * according to 
his mercy, he saved us, by " the washing 
of regeneration, and aRenening of the * 
Holy Ghost; -. 
6 Which ¥ he hed onus + abundant. 
ly, 2 through Jesus Christ our Saviour ; 
7 That, ® being justified by his grace, 
we should be » made heirs Reon pans: te 
the ¢ hope of eternal life... 
t ver. 4, Ps, 62. 12, Cot 3, 10, Heb. me 8, 24. 28, Be 
4. 4. 16s & 5s 1, 2 


14 

& 86 5. 15. & 130. 
7. Mic. 7 18. Luke E Prove 1. 23. Is, ast ‘15-21. K1L 6S 
1. 50. 54. 72. 78.) 15. & 44 3 Ez.\ Cor, Bands Galy 2s 
Eph. ‘1. 6, 7. Heb.! 36. 25: Joel 2. 28.) 16. 
A. 16.1 Pet, 1. 8.| John 1. 16. & 7.37 b Rom. 8. fiz. 33, 
& 2. 10: Acts 2, 33.-& 16.) 24. Gal. 3. 29; &. 
u John 3. 3—5. 1) 45, Rom. 5. 5. 4. 7, Heb. 6.17, & 
Cor. 6. 11. Eph. 5-|t Gri richly. See on, 11. 7.9. Jams 2, 5» 
26.1 Pet 3.23. + Eph. 2. 4: & 3.8. | 1 Pet. 2.7 | 
x Pu. Sle 10. Rom )z 1.4, John 4.30. &le see Qe Re 
12, 2. sie 4 23.) 14. 16, 17. oe are 7) 136 

Rom. 3, 


= 


were ‘ vessels of wrath fitted for destruction.” 
Yet, he had not only spared them, but had ef- 
fected a blessed change in their state and. cha- 
yacter. For the kindness and philanthropy of 
God, (his love to sinful men, whilst he left’sin- 
ning angels to perish,) had made it proper for 
‘them to call him “God. our Saviour,” as he 
had purposed, planned, and effected men’s sal- 
vation, by giving his only Son to be their Re- 
‘deemer.. After this loye of God to man had. 
been displayed in the. incarnation, obedience, 
death, and resurrection of the eternal Son of 
God, and by the preaching of the Gospel, he had 
also brought the apostle and his brethren to par- 
take of this Salvation: not through the merit, 
or efficacy, of “ works of righteousness, whieh 
“they had done ;” but according to his exceed« 
ingly rich and free mercy, and compassionate 
good-will to them ; and by ‘the washing of re- 
generation,” that new birth of the Spirit, of 
which the laver of baptism was the sacramental 
sign, but nothing more. This was’ not only a 
‘washing of the heart from ‘the prevailing love 
| and pollution of sin, but made way for the renew- 
{al of the soul to the divine image by the power 
of the Holy Spirit; which Ged the Father had 
richly and abundantly poured forth upon them, ’ 
in all the variety of his gifts, graces, and conso- 
“aut through Jesus Christ our Saviour. His. 
>| atonement had purchased, and his mediation had 
obtained, this inestimable gift for sinners, in or- 
der to apply his. salvation to their souls. Thus, 
bein brought to repent, and believe in the Son 
‘of God, they had been justified in him: of his: 
free mercy and grace, without any of their own 
merits; and so they became, the adopted chil- 
dren and heirs of God, ac ing to the hope of 
eternal na which se had taught them 


80° auch: as anders to” ine 


¥ 


a 


he inimcesini 3 mvt of tes aah 


Ay. D, 66. : TITUS. 4 the | 


8 This.is4a faithful saying ; and these 
things I wil -€ that thou affirm constantly, 
* that they f which have believed in God, 
might € be careful to. maintain good! 10 A map ¢ 
works : these things are » good and pro-| the first and 
fitable unto men. 11 Knowin 

[Practical Observations.) subverted, anc 

9 But avoid i foolish questions, and) ed of himself. ~ 


k Job 15. 3. 1 Cor. 
8.1. & 13. 2.2 Tim. 
2. 14. 

1.1 Cor. 11. 19 Gal. 


genealogies, and conten 
ings about the law ; for the 
fitable and 


ine ‘Ams i 
Cor. 5. 


Lis. 1 John 5. 10—13. |} Philem: 11. 


oe 4. 5. 1 Pet. 1.21.1 2Cor. 9. 12—15. 
© Prov. 21. 28. Acts|e See on, ver, 14. &!li See on, 1.14.1 Tim. 


12.15. 2 Cor. 4, 13] 2, 14. 1 4—7. & 4.9. 2] 5 20. 2 Pet. 201. 
£Ps. 78. 22. John 5./h Job 22. 2. & 35.) Tim. 2 23. m Mat. 18 15—17. 
24. & 12.44: Rom.} 7, 8. \Ps« 16. 2, 3. 2 Cor. 13. 2. VI 


Beglect of distinguishing between those commu-| again; showing him the error 
Nications which constituted men prophets or| of his principles: and their cor 
2postles,; and those which ‘were, still are, and| ing him of his guilt and d; 
ever must. be, indispensably necessary to render) him to retract them. if this fa 
them true Christians. The expression, “ shed,” | eught afterwards to eject him, a3 
or, poured, on us,” in this manifest allusion to| nicated person : beit 1 
the ordinance of baptism, may properly be noted, | ous errors, and his | 
as an intimation, that the pouring of water on} herence to them, evin 
any. person, ‘in the name of the, Fatber, and} or turned aside from Chi 
« the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” is dapism,|the Church, by the art 
egually with immersion. mistakes arose, not from unavoi 

_V,8. “The saying,” which the apostle had | but from proud and, carnal prej 
just delivered concerning free salvation to vile | he sinned in them } and that 
sinners, was true and faithful; and the doctrines | “ ed of himself,” as his avo 
which he had stated, as well as the exhortations | rendered further proof a: 
before given, (for both seem to be referred to,)| he was therefore Reea pane 
he would have Titus insist upon with constancy, | tian, or allowed to continue i 
and without wavering; in order that ** they who) the Church. (Marg. Ref) iy 
* had believed in God,” and had come to trust | ferred to in the margin, and t 
in his. mercy, grace, truth, and. power, through that when a man’s own we 
Jesus Christ, might. be rendered careful to main-) demnation, without further 
tain, or to stand foremost in the practice of, good| said to be “ condemn 
works ; being influenced by love and gratitude, | any great difficulty ap 
and encouraged | by the promises of the gospel, to | text, except in. explain 
abound in them. .For though the. things before | the system of contendi 
stated in various. practical admonitions, could not 
in any degree justify sinners before God ; they 
were good.in themselves, and profitable to men, 
in respect of their temporal and eternal inter. 
ests, both to those .who performed them, and to 
others. 

V.9... It was cpeaibenk on Titus, to insist on 
the grand peculiarities of the gospel, and by all 
means to avoid frivolous and foolish questions, 
or subtile nice distinctions and “ genealogies,” 
which the Jews were attached to, as if men were 
the betterin the sight of God. for being descend 
ed from the patriarchs, These matters, and the 
@ontests and angry disputes of the Jewish teach-| 
ers about the Mosaic law, and the obligations {effect and evidence of 
of its ceremonies, were utterly vain, under the | doctrines, of similar i 
Christian dispensation; and only amused. men | proper adinonition, be r 
with such speculations, as took them off from the | excluded ‘from. their 
great doctrines and duties of, Christianity. Nae remain in AES 

fh 10,¢11.,.A heretic, in St. Paul’s sense, |i 
seems to have beeu a professed Christian, who 
obstinately denied,, and opposed, some funda | w 
mental doctrine, of the Gospel, as. taught by the | “ tion ; 
apostles ; especially if he were earnest to propa. i 
gate his ‘notions, from a vain desire of being the | w 
head ofa party,.an is so made divisions in the 


bearance : but ‘all hi is 
supposed some e: 
absolutely i inconsistent 
avowing these errors 

Nicated, as much as” 
were things restored | 
the Church of Chris 
but that they who di 
by nature ; the Deit 
ment of his death; 
merits of Christ, bei 
the need of sanctificati 
‘of obedience to God’s” 


Church. (Wate, “Cal v. 20.) Titus, was there doctrines: ce a 
fdre directed to, admonish. such. a man, once, and | any. injury in their tempor cre 


- 


send Artemas unto 
tbe diligent to come 


J ; ‘wit 
Zenas * the lawyer, and 
‘their journey diligently,| 
e wanting to them. : 
‘let ours also ¥ learn to 
0. 4.) 7. 30» & 10. 25, Spx Acts 21. Se & 28. 
‘ ll. 45, 46. 52. &] 10, Rom. 15-24. 1 
| 14.3. | ©} Cor. 16,11. 3 John 
@ See on, Acts 12 63, 
2. ee y See on, ver. & 


ee repentance, to 
e truth” The con- 
between excommuni- 


a of ae to asso- 


mrounication ns that any heat 
be made in men’s civil circumstances. 


Giscovered, that it is no sin to treat God’s word 
is of little or no consequence what 
etrines men believe! No wonder then, that 
cannc Qt explain | the Scripture into an agree- 
‘such tenets ; or bring the word of God 
its own insignificancy.. ‘But they, who; 


t, because their. deeds are evil,” and treat) 
lie, because it opposes their | 


tae a little ‘of this leaven Eecect| 


once seemed to flourish. 
Vv. 12-15. There were several cities called, 


time at liberty. Had he written from Nico- 


said, “here to winter2? He purposed to 
Artemas or Tychicus to inform Titus when 
eet him there, and probably to supply his 


But he was to bring, or to send before, 
Ov ho was either a converted Jewish doc- 
¢law, or one who had been a Roman| 


n Grete ; and he was studiously to help 
hat t by the Kindness of the Churches, 
and travelling expenses might be 
tus was also directed to remind 
friends of the apostle, and espe- 
sters, that they should “ learn to 
to stand forth in the practice of, 
such useful and necessary pur- 


Tab 


our in, “ useful trades,” 


CHAPTER nit. 


s; * for f have deter- Ly 


» has caused a latitudinari- ) 


that | “men loye darkness rather than 
not find much difficulty in tn-! 
such heretics aegald be sepa-| every good work : 
Nierne | ump,” in many Churches which | 


Nicopolis, and it is not certain which was here | 
meant: but it hence appears that Paul was at} lightened, disdain, or be Wwearied out by, the 


A. D. 66. 


* maintain 1 works for necessary uses, 
2 that they be not unfruitful. 
15 All that are ® with me salute thee 
b Greet them that ¢ love us in the faith: 
4 Grace be with you all. Amen. 


* Or, profess honest} ae mia Eph. a 
. 1 fim. i 5. 
Philem. 5. 2 John 

1, 2.3 John 1. 
a3 See Cor. 16. 
Epi. 6-24. 2 
Tin. 4. $2. Heb. 

13. 25. 


trades. Acts 18. 3 Phil. 1, 11. & 4. 17. 
& 20. 35. Gr. Eph,| Col. 1.10. Heb. 6: 
4.28. 1 Thes. 2.9. 
2 Thes. 3.8. 

Zz Is. 61. 3. Mat. 7. 
‘19. & 21.19. Luke 
13. 6—8-*John 15. 


. 16. Rom. 15. ay 


6—12. 2 Pet. 1.8. 
‘a See on, Ron. 16. 
21-23. 
b See on, Rom. 16. 
1—29. 


which would enable them, though no emolument 
were annexed to their office, to assist their bre- 
thren, and so, in this respect, not to be unfruit- 
ful. (Marg. Ref) With this admonition and 
customary salutations and benedictions, he con- 


But, the cluded the epistle. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1-8. 
Tt hath at all times been necessary to remind 


ingenious men have indeed at length} Christians “ to be subject to principalities and. 


‘« powers,” and to obey “ magistrates -” but it 


neglect, contempt, or proud opposition; is peculiarly so at present, when most valuable 


| 


of Christ, have given octasion to a contrary spi- 


privileges and liberties, which ought to have ren- 
dered cheerful subjection and peaceable obedi- 
ence universal, among all who name the name 


rit and eonduct in numbers, who seem to forget, 
that precepts to this effect are found in the 
/Seriptares. But real religion, in proportion as 
it prevails, will render men quiet subjects, as well 
as good neighbours and reijations, and ready to 
it will repress the turbulent 


betes to ail men. These dispositions and this 
conduct are the genuine effects of a deep con- 
viction of our own guilt, united with an experi- 
mental knowledge of the free salvation of the 
Gospel ; we shail not, if thus humbled and en- 


misconduct of the most unreasonable enemies ; 


as the spurious postscript asserts, he would | if we duly consider that we ourselves were for- 


merly foolish, disobedient, and deceived slaves 
to diverse base lusis, and a fondness for carnal 
pleasures ; ; “ that we lived in malice and envy,” 


se in Crete, and desired him to come without) and in short, were hateful to God, and disposed 


to hate one another, and thus “ vessels of wrath 
« fitted for destruction,” till divine grace effected 
the blessed change. Let us then often contem- 


) and Apollos, who seems to have been} plate the discoveries which have been made of 


the kindness and Jove of God our Saviour, to- 
wards our fallen apostate race, in giving his Son 
to be the propitiation for our sins ; his patience 
in sparing us during the years of our foolishness 
and rebellion; his goodness in sending us the 
word of salvation ; ‘and, above all, his mercy in 
causing us to partake of the « washing of regene- 
‘ration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost,” 


hey might not be unfruitful, but which he poured upon our souls, of his plenteous 
good example to the new converts. grace, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Surely 
athe words to mean, that er | we know that none of these things were procur- 


sat tess works of righteousness, that we had 


id 
? 
§ 


ADD. ik | PHILEMON? | 


© done’? And that we were “ justified freely |notstrive’ 
*€ by his grace,” and so made heirs according to } of opinion 
“* the hope of eternal life.” Having been there-! carcfully w 
fore brought into a state of safety, and made | are inconsi 
partakers of a joyful hope by the mere mefcy of | of God, and c 
God the Father, through the redemption of his | ny are subverte 
inearnate Son, and by the newlereation of the! fore withdraw 
Holy Ghost, it certainly behooves’ us to take the | admonitions; a 
lead in every good work, by which we can glori- | from the commu 
fy God our Saviour, of benefit mankind. | Minis. | tinuing impenitent 
ters should insist upon these faithful sayings, and ! the omniscient J 
affirm these»things constantly; and show the | tians find to do,t Ys 
tendency of the truths of the Gospel to holiness | ly : they should be eve’ 
of life: and. Christians should be ambitious of; and to prevent an 
exceeding all other. men in every. good thing, | who are labouring to 
for the honour of the truth through which they | who exhort others to 
are saved. i to maintain them in their 
, Vv. 9—15. cessary occasions, to set 
Attending to the good and profitable things | ous example. The 
before inculeated, we, should learn to avoid fool- | the knowledge 
ish questions and contentious disputations, which | of faith, wiil be 
are unprofitable and vain. But, though we must | Lord will be wi 


yeh 


Bie 
Byte : 


Philemon seems to have been a Christian of some eminence, residing | 
who had been converted under St. Paul’s ministry ; (19;) perha 
(Acts xix. 10.) When the apostle was imprisoned at Rome, Ot 
having, as itis generally thought, been guilty of some dishonesty, 
that city, though at the distance of seyeral hundred miles. “Wh 
gome sucli motive, induced. him to attend on St. Paul’s ministry, 
for his conversion. After he had given’ satisfactory proof of a real 
excellent disposition, by suitable behaviour, which had greatly end 
ed it proper to send him back to his master; to whonmrhe wrote thi 
cure Onesimus a more favourable reception than he could otherwis 
competent judges lave given it a decided preference, asa model of go 
ry kind, to the most admired remains of antiquity. Indeed, we can sc 
a cause, as that of Onesimus, could have been pleaded in a more ‘intere 
pathetic, and masterly manner. It is also very replete with useful 
entertained no doubt of Philemon’s compliance with his request; and e: 
do more than he said. ‘It is therefore probable that Onesimus was 
vour, but set at liberty; and, it ts generally thought, that he became a 
the Gospel. Onesiimus accompanied ‘Fychicus to Cclosse, and, it may b 
apustle wrote to Philemon’ at the same time; and that Gnesimus, hav 
to his master, and obtained his forgiveness, joined with Fychicus, in’ 
commission to the Colossians. f 4 


cates Ste Apwins 


CHAP. 1. | as he expected to bec 
The apostle -sdlutes’ Philemon, 1-3; declares his} concludes with salutations: 
joy at heaving of his faith and love, 4—7 ; earneat- 25. PEE. 


AUL, *a prisoner» f 
BC vand..> ‘Timothy: our 
is ver 93) See ong) &6,20. 4 

Epliy 36, 2 Seas tel Seo an, 2 Core ty 


ly and. pathetically entreats him to receive into fa- 
your his fugitive servant, Onesimus, now become, 
by the apostle’s ministry, a consistent betiever, 8 
—2: ; desires him to proyide for him a lodging, 


CHAPTER I. A. D. 64. 
y beloved, ¢ andijfel-) 


7 For we have ° great joy and consola- 
tion in thy» lovey because P the bowels 

. Rieloved Apphia, ‘and| of the saints are weiestiod by.thee, bro- 
u fellow-soldier, and. to pthery: Mehta 
hin thy house: et ‘Wherefore, though . might be much 
‘Grace to you, and. ‘peace, fa 4 bold in Christ to ¥ enjoin thee, that 
ou Mek Father, and the hard! Jesus| which is convenient, | isi, 
Reel 9 Yet, for *love’s sake, I rather beseech 
EP the Ik my God, er ah mention thee, being such an one as t Paul the aged, 
thee always in my prayers, jand now also “a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 
“i « Hearing of thy love and’ faith,, | 10 I beseech thee for * my son ¥ One- 
ch thou hast « toward t the Lord Jesus, simus, 7 whom I have begotten i in my 
| toward alls sins; bonds : 
6 That ! the communication of. thy| 11° Which in time past was to thee 
h may become effectual, b y ™ the ac-|* unprofitable, but now > profitablay to 
knowiedgingsof every good thing which snes rt to me 3» 

you in Christ Jesus. — . 


26. 1 Cor. 16.1. 1/0 1 Thes. 1, 3, & 2.js Rom. 12. 1. 2 Cor. 
John 3. 23. & 5.| 13. 19. & 3,9. 2} 5. 20.& 6.1. Eph. 
Wy Zeit John 4. 3 Jubn] 4. 1. Heb. 13, 19. 


Mark 9.17.1 Tim . 
1, 2, Pit. 1. 4: 
y Col. 4.9, 


: th See o ‘on, Rom. 1. 8. 
hil. 4. 3. Col.} Phil: 1. 3, ne 1. 
1. 1Thes. 3.2. | 3. 1 Thes. 1. 3. 2 


ones 1. 3. 2 Tim. 12Cor. 9. 12—14,| 3—6. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Z1Cor, 4.15. Gal. 
iN 3.14. Heb. 6. Pi se 20. 2 Tim, 1.Jt Ps, 71. 9. 18. Pro! 4, 19. 

$. Ppt. ‘ 16, 31. Pe 46.4. la Job 30. 1,2. Mat, 

\ ha Mat. 5.16.1 Cor. 4 ee 3.12. et W ver. 1.” See. oni} 25.30. Luke 17. 10. 


DiRCPdls ‘2. 
thes. 2.1. 6. 
vy 2Cor. 10. 8. 


14, 25. 1 Pet. 2.12. 
& 3. 1,16. 
in 2 Pet. 1, 8. 


1) Eph- 3.1. & 4.1. | Rom. 3. 12, 
x 2Sam. 9. 1—7. &|b Luke 15, 24. 32. 
18. 5. & 19. 37,38. 2 Tim. 4. 11. 


_ Or 
NOTES... . this liberal.communication from his temporal 
| “CHAP. Le ¥) i 2, The apostle did not in-|affluence, being made effectual for the relief of 
| tend to write authoritatively to Philemon, and/| the saints, and for the evident demonstration of 
| therefore he only styled himself “the prisoner} his faith from which it sprang. Others suppose’ 
« of Jesus Christ ;” which tended to procure an the apostle to mean, that his communion, or parti~ 
| affectionate regard to his requests: and he j join- cipation of faith in Christ, might be effectual in 
| ed Timothy with him, that they might be pre-|regulating his whole temper and conduct. But 
‘| sented as the united desire of him and his bre- though both these senses may be contained in the 
thren. Though Philemon is called “a fellow}, words, they seem to have a still further meaning : 
@ labourer,” yet it is not certain that he was a| and the apostle, probably, prayed that his endea- 
er; perhaps he served the cause of Christ| vours {o communicate his faith in Christ to those 
aap igence in another manner. (Marg.| around him, might be rendered effectual, through 
ats beloved Apphia is supposed to have| the evident excellency of his example, and that of 
though some think that she was, his family : so that men might be induced to ac. 
rchippus,, whomrthe apostle called| knowledge the reality and value of every good 
ier, and to whom he sent.a special | thing which was in them, by means of their rela- 
another. epistle, is thought to have] tion to Christ ; and thus to entertain a favourable 
been the ‘son or near relation of Philemon : and| opinion of that religion which produced such be- 
he seems to have resided in his family ; ; which | neficial effects on the conduct of those who em. 
was so pious and well-regulated, that it was in| braced it. This he hoped would be the case; 
‘sense a Christian church. | _ _ | for he had great joy and comfort in the accounts. 
Vv. 1a (Note, Rom. i. 7. Marg. Ref.)— that he heard of his liberal love, by which the 
ence it appears, that the nature of the Fa. urgent necessities of Christians and ministers 
| of the Son, is thé same: seeing the| were supplied: sothat while their bodies were 
do that which the Father doeth, and| refreshed at his expense, their hearts were also 
‘father is said to do that which the Son| rejoiced by his good example and pious conver. 
(Jerom.) sation; and therefore the apostle cordially own. 
take apostle thanked God continual- ed him, and greatly loved him, as his brother ir. 
grace bestowed on Philemon, making|the Gospel.. The word, brother, placed thus et 
in his prayers, His gratitude to the end of a.sentence, is peculiarly ernphatical, 
was excited from time to time, by the| and expressive of the most entire cordiality. 
accounts which he received of his “love} V.8—11. The apostle here enters on the im 
faith,” even his faith toward the Lord Je | mediate business of the epistle. When he con- 
ove to all the saints for his sake. —| sidered his own apostolical authority and Phile- 
ious meaning of the Passage requires u| mon’s character, che supposed that he might, 
ion of the words which arises from ati} with propriety, have enjoined him in the name of 
, not at all unsuitable to the Greek ‘Christ, to do what was ‘so evidently convenient, 
it is rather harsh in an English| or agreeable to the loving spirit of Christianity » 
‘apostle also prayed, “ that the yet. he preferred the language of a suppliant 
cit Philemon’s faith might be-|in the present case, and besought Philemon fos 
3 &G.” Some explain this of Tove’s sake, ¢ even the love of. Gary to them, anc 


on, Nom. 1. 7.| Acts 9 41. 


“16.19. Col. 4, 15 ik ver. 7. Pe 16. s. 
13. 13%. & on 25, 


2 Cor. 13. 14, 


i 
7 
5 


‘A. D 64. 


12 Whom TI haye sent again: ¢ thou 
therefore receive him, that is ¢ mine own 
bowels ; 

13 Whom I would have retained with} 
me, that ein thy stead he, might, have 
ministered unto me in f the bonds of the 
Gospel : 

14 But ¢ without thy mind would T do 
nothing ; that » thy benefit should not be 
as it were of necessity, but willingly. 

15 For? perhaps he therefore departed 
for a season, that thou shouldest receive 
him. forever, ; 

16 Not howe asa servant, but above.a 
servant, & a brother beloved, specially 
to me; but how much more unto thee, 


e Mat. 6,14, 15. &} 31. & 4.1. 50. 20. Fs. 76-10, 
28 21—35, Markje ver, 8,0. 2 Cor.1.| Is. 10, 7 Acts 4. 
11.25. Eph. 4. 33.} 24. 1 Pet. 5. 3. 2B. 
d Deut, 15.6.2 Samjb 1 Chir..29. 17%. Ps.jk Mat. 23, 8- Acts 
16. 11. Jers $2.20.) 110. S. 1 Cor 9. 174-9. 17- Gal. 3. 28, 
Luke 15, 20. 2 Cor 8. 12, & 9.) 29. 1 Tim. 6 2: 
@ 2 Cor..16. 17. Phil.| 5. 7. 7 Pet. 5. 2: Heb. 3, 1.1 Pet: 1 
2.°S0. i Gen. 45, 5—8, &} 22, 23. Dighine & 
£ See on, vet.1- Eph, 


their loye to him and to each other through him, 
that he would grant him one special favour, 
which he had it much at heart to obtain. He 
would remind him, that his humble supplicant 
was “such anone as Paul, the aged” minister of 


the Gospel, (for he was probably above’ sixty. 


years old at this time ;) who, having encountered 
numberless afflictions and perils, in seeking the 
salvation of men’s souls, was then enduring the 
hardships of a tedious imprisonment in’ the cause 
of Christ; and he could not doubt of Philemon’s 
readiness to do any thing, which might miti- 
gate the severity of his sufferings. His petition 
indeed was not presented for himself; but it was 
in behalf of “ his’son,” even of one « whom he 
«*had begotten in his bonds,” the son of his old 
age, for whom he had the most tender ‘parental 
affection ; and the name of this son was ‘* Qne- 
** simus !? In the original, Onesimus is mention- 
ed at the close ef the sentence; that the sus- 
pense, and most affectionate introduction, might 
prepare Philemon to read a name, which could 
scarcely fail of being associated: in his mind with 
unfavourable ideas. Onesimus signifies profitable ; 
in allusion to which, the apostle allowed that he 
had not formerly deserved that name, having 
heen unpnofriadle ; probably he had been unfaith- 
ful, dishonest, and unruly; perhaps addicted to 
other vices ; and this the apostle seems to have 
Known from his own ‘confession. But he spake 
of his faults in the gentlest language, and hasten- 
ed to mention the change that had taken place ; 
by which his character was now made to answer 
the meaning of his name, and he was’ become! 
profitable, both to Philemon and to’'St. Paul. He 
was prepared to-be an useful servant to the for- 
mer; heyhad been serviceable tothe latter, aad he 
hoped that he Would be still more so. 

V. 12—16: Onesimus was Philemon’s legal 
property, and’St. Paulliad required, and prevail. 
ed’ with him to’return to him, having made suf- 
ficient trial of his sincerity; and be requested 


not say’ to 
me even thi 
20 Yea, b 
thee in the 
in the Lord, 
21 Having ¢ 
dice I sae 


6. Phikd, 7 1 Timi 
6.2. Heb. 3.1. ela Cor. 
Jam. 2. 5. 1 Pet. 5) 1 2 
1. 1 John le 3 is 

m Ver. 10. 12, 
10. 40. & 12 alr 


Philemon té receive 
as he would the 

ing to the flesh, be’ 
spiritual child. 
at Rome, to minister to” 
which Onesimus qoulc 
the bonds of the sinyil 
from Christian love and 
knew that Philemon would 
any service in perents # he | 
so he would have cons d 
tering to him in his 
would not do any | 
consent, lest he s 
fit, and Philemon: 
cessity, rather than 
though he had hopes 
Onesimus’ faithful se 
by Philemon’s free 
that this was the Ex 
for perhaps he pern 
for a season, in so i opera 
that being. converted, he mi 
return with such a ion, al 
Philemon with suclf 
that they should cho 
of their lives, as fellow 
(Marg. Ref.) tn this 
mon would no longer ¢ 


“© as a brother beloved? 
to Paul i in an especial 1 


more then might i it ie 
be endeared to Phile 


domestics, and in the , 
Christ by faith. - a 
V. 1721. If Philemon deemed 
a partner, or partaker 
/dear to him for Christ's sake; peat 


given unto you. 
e thee * Epaphras, + smy 
Christ Jesus 5 


3 John 14. Z M25 &4 
Rom 153, pape 16. 7» co 
2Cor. t. 11. Phil} MP 

1,19» Jam: 5. 165, = 


— eI. er. F 
him by feveiwing Onesimus with as 
iness.as he would-haye received him- 
he had come in person: and, in case 
had ae Philemon, or was in his 
- to-his account : and, as 
‘his own hand, he gave, 
that he would re- 
. Itis generally observed, 
plain instance of adebt, being im- 
ch was contracted by another ; 
by a voluntary engagement becoming | 
e for the misconduct of ‘another ; that 
it be exempted from the punishment due 
6 his crimes, and partake of benefits to which 
no right; according to the doctrine of 
| Shsie’s voluntarily bearing the punishment of 
our sin 5, that we might receive the reward of 
eousness, by a reciprocal imputation.— 

the apostle understood that. Philemon 
ed some sharpness concerning One- 
mus’ conduct ; or, knowing him to be naturally 
vhat severe in his temper, he might fear 

. let he should | him, as the laws permitted 
masters to do their slaves in such. cases ; which 
would not only have been grievous to Onesimes, 


| but aeeonestel sk agi soot and to Philemon 
himself. He 


eH 


therefore 

matter : : though he could scarcely suppose 
Kp A be demanded of him; and ad- 
at althou he made this proposal, yet in 
e Pontes: intothe account, 

a bee jilemon owed to-hinr his own self, besides 


it _ salvation; thus intimating 
that ay could sufficientzy requite that obli- 
gation. He therefore pathetically besought him, 
im have an opportunity of rejoicing on 


nt him this request, which. would as. aareh 
h his compassionate heart, as Philemon’s 
y did the bowels oft the saints. Having 
>that he was ready to obey the Lord’s 
mated by him, he had written to him; 
sured, that he would do even, more than 
requested, Our curiosity is not gratified 
informed of the effect of this epistle:: 
n hardly doubt, that Philemon forgave 
received him with kindness, remitted 
ed to him, and afterwards gave him 
5 that he might attend on the apostle. 
ment with Tychicus to deliver the 
Colossians, seems to intimate, that 
: employ him as @ minister, which 


The apostle, though at this time 


expectation of being speedily 
he wrote this epistle; and he 


* i Ml tlh atin ae a 


CHAPTER Iy 


“prepare me also, aj» 
ast that ¥ through your}© Lucas, ‘ my fellow-labourers. 


Christ 4¢ with.» your spirit. 


b Acts 12. 12, 26. Rl 2 


so far interested himself 


5; poli had made him the. instru- 


his account, i in. the Lord’s. kindness to him; and 


2 ee Ape ee Pee 


e+ 
A. Dy 64, 
34 » Marcus, eAristarchus, 4 Demas, 
25 The © grace of cur Lord Jesus 
Amen. 


23. Phi}. 2. 25. & 

A. 36 3 John 3- 

ig See on, Rom. 16. 
24. 


Mex Bip WA y 


13.13, & 15. 27—|d Col. Ae td 2 Tits, 
39, Col. iS io. 2! 4. 10. 
Tim. 4. BS 4. 11. 


20. 
Aree 29. & O7.AE vers 1,26 2 Coren 2 Tim. 4. 22. 


when that took pines hea was peranided they 


did not forget to pray for bis liberty, that he 


might be enabled to visit them, and he trusted 


oy in answer to their prayers, this Would soon 


be effected; therefore he desired them to pre- 


pare him a convenient lodging. Bpaphras at- 
tended Paul so closely, that he might be deemed. 
his fellow-prisoner; or, perhaps he was: impri- 
soned with him. (Marg. ef.) 


* . PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—I6. 

The fellow-labourers and fellow-soldiers of 
Christ, ought to pray, and to thank God, for 
éach other, with the greatest constancy and fer- 
vency: for faith in Christ, and love to him, 
should unite saints more closely, than any out. 
ward relation can the people of the world. They 
who partalte of these graces, must and will de- 
siré to communicate. them to, others ; and their 
endeavours. will be rendered effectual, through 
fervent. prayer, and by an uniform course of 
piety, purity, integrity, and benevolence; which 
will constrain men to acknowledge the good 
things, which are in them: as believers in Christ. 
Faithful ministers have great joy and comfort in 
the little company of affluent Christians, whese 
love abounds in liberality to all men; and when 
the bowels of the saints are refreshed by them, 
and their wants generously supplied. It is by 
No means proper to exercise authority on every 
joccasion; eyen when ministers may be bold ta 
enjoin what is convenient. It is often far more 
prudent for love’s sake to beseech even juniors 
and inferiors ; especially. when it may be sup- 
posed that they will be reluctant to what is re. 
quired, and when it may be difficult. to convince 
them of its indispensable obligation. These re- 
quests, from such a one, as in any good measure 
resembles Paul the aged, will have the energy 
of injunctions, and engage compliance, without 
risking a subsequent distaste; which is always 
in such cases to be feared from. the remaining 
self love of the human heart ; even in respect of 
pious men, who would do. much. to alleviate the 
sufferings, or increase the.comforts of their faith. 
ful pastors. In such circumstances, wisdom aud 
humility will teach the.< _and experienced to 
become willingly the « iged, parties, when they 
might assume ‘a “sphetee tone. In speaking to 
men of their sins for.their hurniliation, the hei- 
nous nature and manifold . Aggravations of them 
should be insisted on: but in mentioning them to 
others, who are disposed to severity or resent. 

ent, we should soften and extenuate as far as 
tmuth will permit : and such subjects ought to be 
imtroduced, with alithe tenderness and caution 


Philemon and the Colossians, jimaginable, that every thing may tend to conci- 


HEBREWS. 


tiate, and mothing to) exasperate. | When) pen- 
itents show, their sincerity by “ works meet for 
«« repentance ;” they should be treated by minis- 
ters with parental tenderness, and taken..under 
their patronage, in respect of the temporal con- 
sequences of their former sins. For in this'man- 
ner, they, who were unprofitable to. their rela- 
tives and neighbours, and a trouble to all con- 
nected with them, are made profitable to. the 
community and to the Church of God... They of- 
ten become greatly useful to ministers and their 
families, and a blessing to all among whom they 
veside ; they supply other men’s lack of service 
to the suffering ‘disciples of Christ, by tending 
on them in their stead ; they ptomote the gospel 
by their example, conversation, and prayers ; and 
many of them become preachers of the word. of 
life to their fellow-sinners : for “ behold all things 
“ are become new !”—No prospect of usefulness 
should induce ministers to counsel their converts 
to neglect relative obligations, or to fail of obe- 
dience to their superiors.. One. great evidence 
of true repentance consists in returning to the 
practice of those duties, which had been ne- 
glected: and even liberty to engage. in other 
services, should be sought from those concern- 
ed, not as it were of necessity, but by their will- 
ing consent. We Know not for what services 
God may intend those, whom he hath marvel- 
lously conyerted : having therefore given our 
judgment, and used proper means, we should 
teave all things to his determination. 
V. 17-25. 

Little do men know for what purposes the 
Lord leaves them to. change their situations, or 
engage in enterprises, from. worldly or criminal 
motives. .We should have thought, that Onesi- 
mus’ departure from his. master, would have 
been final, and his journey to Rome ruinous ; yet 
the Lord had far other and, more gracious purpo- 
ses concerning him; and had not He over-ruled 
in a similar manner, some of our ungodly pro- 
jects, the writer, and many readers may say, 


THE 


TO THE 


—— See 


The general testimony of antiquity, the current tradition of the chureh, an 
most competert modern critics, determine this epistle to have been writte 
though some, both in former and latter times, have thought otherwise.‘ ' ‘he ep 
¢ Thus we find it written in all our manuscripts, one only excepted, in which it is oi 
« epistle to the Hebrews.” (Beza.) ‘ It is evident, that this epistle was generally re 

ff ancient times, by those Christians who used the Greek language, and lived in the « 


‘HEBREWS. 


aA 


worse and : 
pious family : 
none, but - stil 


shows to his. ret 
especially be att 
relations or dome 
be doubly welcome, 
miscenduct, that they 
flesh and in the Lord. 
such: cases, love:to be pi 
should. give. up: their own » 
prevail with offended | 
reconciled to theirp 
thatso the sever 
be. prevented, by 
graced... When’ 
others, or owe | 
sometimes be prop 
we can; as followe’ 
in his own body on: 
prevail.with our.b 
bearance ; espe 
who owe their ov 
on our ministry : a 
reminded to let their lo 
them in the Lord, to refre 
swer their confidence, and: 
modesty will permit t 
their prayers for “01 
vent; oben ante 
earth will be com cor’ 
if this be denied, the ae ne! 
be with their spirits, 
fore the throne to join 
riches of redeeming kk 
Serie 


shes & 
y 


empire. In particu Clement of Alexandria, before the end of the se- 
*d this epistle as St Paul’s, and quoted it frequently, and without any 
tis not expressly quoted as ‘St. Panl’s by any of the Latin writers in the 
‘However, it was Known to Irenzus and Tertallian. ‘It is manifest, that it 
an epistle of St. Paul, by many Latin writers in | the fourth, fifth, and sixth 
mer-) Origen, who held epic! peculiar notions ‘concerning it, says, * The 
rasbly hand it down as St. Paul’s” © is very certain, that t the churches and 
) were ancients with respect to Origen, must have conversed ‘with the apostles them. 
least with their successors. Since this tradition was ancient, in ‘the times of Cle. 
Jexandria and Origen, about an hundred and thirty years after ‘the epistle was writ. 
ust ‘have had its rise’ in the days of Paul himself, and so cannot reasonably be con. 
(Hallett in Macienight.)' The doubts, which have been entertained on this 3 subject, 
rincipally to-have arisen from the circumstance of the apostle’s name not beg fates 
ccording to his custom im all his other epistles. © If it js not to be considered as aul’s, , be- 
use jit does not bear his name; let it belong to no one, because it bears no name. "But, on 
‘the contrary I contend, from this very circumstance, that it belongs to Paul rather than to any 
her person. For why should any other person have omitted his name ? But Paul hada suffi- 
“ cient reason’ for: sending an anonymous letter to Jerusalem : not, as Ethink, because he was 
the peculiar apostle of the Gentiles, as Peter of the circumcision ; but because he knew 
i n was greatly hated at Jerusalem, by the enemies of Christianity, and that their fury 
; even then raging ; and was perhaps exasperated by occasion of “his imprisonment ; 
(39, 34 :) he was therefore unwilling to inflame them against the church by affixing his _ 
3 (Bez) * As Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles, in writing to the Hebrews, he | 
id not assume his apostolical character; because it was little respected by the unbelieving 
© Jews and Judaizing Christians. It being designed, not for the believing Jews alone, but for 
* the unbelieving part of the nation, especially the learned doctors and scribes at Jerusalem, 
* Paul might think it prudent not only to avoid assuming his apostolical character, but even to 
_ £-conceal his name, which would have prejudiced the" unbelieving part of the nation to such a 
: degree, that, in all probability, they would not have read his letter.’ (Macknizht.) The 


ap ; ed to prove the doctrines of Christianity, and the changes which it had introduced 
‘pawada introduce, to be entirely consistent with “ the oracles of God,” as received by the 
“Jews ; and as beingeither clearly predicted, or evidently typified, or at least sufficiently intimated, 
by them; so that any man, who fully understood the Old Testament, must have expected the 
‘substance of what was taught by Christ and his apostles, and the events which had occurred. 
. Ibis, therefore, highly probable, that he expressly aimed to write an epistle, which might be put 
_into thie conan of Judaizing Christians, or unbelieving Jews, and read by them, without 
rej on account of the person who wrote it; let them impartially consider his areu- 
a itt is, however, evident, that he supposed some of the Hebrews would know from whom 
) x. $4 xiii. 18. 23, 24.) But these intimations are not given, till the argumentative 
t of of the epistle is ended; and they would not be clearly understood by any but the apostle’s 
ids. ‘The writer’s connexien with Timothy, and his residence in Italy, tend to confirm the 


ee 


“ancient ‘tradition; and the other objections, as the supposition, that the style is more elegant 
than St. Paul’s; ‘and that he uses expressions, which amply that he received his doctrine from 
those who heard Christ, and not by immediate revelation, &c.; appear very vague and frivolous. 
| He might, perhaps, bestow more reed in this epistle, concerning the style, than he did when he 


Y 


$32, BET 


wrote to other Churches: but indeed, many competent | judges are of opinion, that it is not 
more elegant: and certainly the interaal evidence, arising from the writer’s manner of express- 
ine himself and his reasoning, and things of a similar nature, corroborate the opinion, that St, 
ul is the author: and if he thought it prudent to write as a converted Jew to his countrymen, 
not as an apostle who insisted on his authority; he must of course join himself with the 
ewish converts, and not distinguish himself from them, as having received his doctrine 
iately from Christ. (Comp: ii. 4. with 1 Pez. iv. = 
and some others, were of opinion, that the epistle was written in the Hebrew, or Syri- 
age: and translated into Gree& by Clement, or Luke: but if this had been the case, 
ardly be supposed, that no one copy of the Hebrew epistle should be mentioned as ex- 
their days, and as seen ‘by them. The quotations. m the Old Testament are generally 
om the Septuagint; even ‘where ‘that version im son je degree: varies from the Hebrew : but 
ald scarcely have taken Place, had the epistle. been written in Hebrew. The Hebrew 
are interpreted also i in Greek, in a Manner that is not at all like the” addition of a transla- 


spoke Greek ; and among Christians in general, as well as among the Hebrews ; 
e, » probably, he wrote in Greek, as most generally in use at tbat time, of any lan- 
rid: The Hebrews were the Jews in Judea, and who spoke a dialect of the He- 
uch of them as professed Christianity, the epistle was addressed ; and probably 
m, to the rulers and pastors of the church i that city : yet the writer evidently 

€ unconverted Jews also would read it}and their conviction and instruction 
leading part’ of his object in writing it. It opens with a declaration of the 
tial dignity of Christ; and proofs from the Old Testament that the Mes- . 


A. D. 65. y 


2, ot 


nent men of the nation; proves, by the most unansweral 
she law had their full accomplishment ; that he was the 
ect an entire! 
ese reasoning 
, Host solemn and affectionate warnings and exhortations, ad, 
- persons... At length the writer shows the nature, efficacy, and 
“the saints in former ages had been accepted’ by God, and ena’ 
“gn defence of their holy religion; after which he adds various 
agements, and exhortations ; and then concludes with the custa 
The. internal excellency. of this epistle, as connecting the Old 
most convincing and instructive manner, and elucidating both,’ 
or perbaps than all of them, added to other arguments, puts the 
doubt: we here find the great doctrines which we haye else 
proved, and applied to practical purposes, in the most convincing 
have been written at the close of the apostle’s frst im t 


that the ancient scriptures taught Israel to a 


covenant, under the reign of the Messiah. 


Set-at liberty, or daily expected-it, 


els 


sumer AC et AD. To: 

‘he writer declares the essential and mediatorial 
glory of the Son of God, by whom the Father 
speaks to. men under the gospel dispensation, 1— 

’ 4. He adduces several scriptures to prove, that 
the Messiah was to be far greater than the an- 

| ‘gels, and worshipped by them as their Creator 
and Lord, 5—14. 

4 OD, who 2 at sundry times, and > in 
divers manners, spake in time 
past unto © the fathers by the prophets, 

a Gen. 3. 15..& 6-} 84-30. & 46.2—4:)b Num. 12, 6—S), 

3.13, &e. & 8. 15.) Bx. 3.1, &e. Luke} Joel 2. 25. 

Ke. & Onl, Re. &] 24.27. 44, Acts28.)¢ Luke 1. 55. 72. 


12,1—3. & 26.2—5| 28. 1 Pet: 1, 10—12.) Jolin 7. 22. Acts 13. 
& 23, 12—15. & 32:4 2 Pet, 1.20, 21. 32. 


NOTES. 

CHAP. I. V.1, 2. The Hebrews allowed 
the divine authority of the Old Testament; and 
therefore the writer of this epistle waived the 
mention of his apostolical authority, and reason- 
ed with them principally from their scriptures’: 
and he thought it best to conceal bis name, that 
none might be deterred by it from reading his 
arguments, or induced to receive them with pre, 
judice. He therefore entered upon his subject 
without any introduction. That God, who in 
former ages had spoken to the progenitors of the 
Hebrews,from the calling of Abraham, to the lat- 
ter times of their nation, by prophets, mere men 
of the same fallen nature with their brethren ; 
who had gradually made known his truth and 
will, from:-time to time, through, successive gen- 
erations, and who had spoken to them in divers 
methods, by personal conference, by dreams and 
Visions, cr by supernatural impulses upon their 

P eae ; had in the last days, uncer the dispensa- 


ion of the Gospel, spoken to them by his own | 
Son, appearing personally among them in hu- 


man nature. ‘ibe eternal Word, or Son of God, 
had indeed appeared, and spoken to. the patri- 
archs, prophets, and others: but he then spoke 
as JnHoyas, as God, to 2, few individuals, by 
whom his will.was made known, to their bre- 
then: whereas he had at length become flesh, 
and dwelt among men, and among the Jews al- 
most exclusively, to fulfil ancient prophecies and 


promises, and to give the most complete and éx- 


EAT 
HEBREWS. 

; th Ne ¥ ; arr, , 
» siah was'to be far greater than the angels: it then show: 


(Notes, Phil. ii; 6—1 


‘some have endeavoured: 


Nat 


prisonment at 


rer 


pointed Heir of al 
so he made the y 
3 Who, ‘be 


Jer. 30. 24) & 48.47.) H 
Ez. 38. 16, Dan. 2.) 15, 
23. & 10. 14. Hos 
3. 5. Mie. 4.1. Acts! 


bray o> 

328. Bude 18. Pe bp see 
e vero 5 8. & 2% 3.) 

& 6.8. & 7. 3.! Acts 
plicit revelation of Gc 

to mankind; as meds 
them. So that, whi 
were the prop 
ly begotten Son 
ture, was the great P. 
tion. This rious 
pointed “ Heir of 
Son of God, the ¢ 
original right was ves' 
essential perfections ¢ 

of properly exerci 
no mere creature 

been appointed by 
assumed manhood, 
the mediatorial th 
ion and unrivalled glo 
things, and no crea 
of power, honour, « 
from him, and held in 


the more evident pro; 
“God made the wo 
Father and the eternal | 
and connsel, he had b 
of the heavens and the 
of 8: in the unive 
agent, by whom God 


text, is so absurd in itself, as 
other Scriptures, that it is astoni 


ever kave been adopted, The apostle et 


7° 
en 


fer, when he had ™ by 
our sins, " sat down on 
d of the ° Majesty on high ; 
Ta P so m@iph better than 
els, as he hath @ by inheritance 
‘more excellent name. than 


r 


8, 34, 5 
22. Caen: 1 Pet.) Rev. 5.11, 12. 

1. 2t. Rey. 3. 2i./g Ps. 2.7, 8. Phil. 2. 
7 29, 21. 9—11. 


ial throne as Heir of all things. 
it is as impossible to understand, how 
‘a man should have. this empire over all things 
/in heaven and earth, and over death itself, and 
£ yet be a mere man:'as it is to understand any 
* mystery of the sacred Trinity,’ CPiaiby)— 
(Notes, John i. 1—18.) 

Y. 3, 4. The essence of the Deity is invisi- 
ble to man ; but the only begotten Son, of whom 
the writer spake, had been appointed to make 
known his glory and perfections : being one with 
the Father,.and equal to him in the divine na 
ture ; and shining “in the form of God” with all 
the effulgency of his glory; and being also dis- 
tinct from the Father, as to his personal subsist- 
ence. By assuming human nature he became 
the Effulgency of the divine glory” to men, 
i made known the perfections of the Godhead 
to them, so that “ he who saw Him saw the Fa- 
ther also.” (For the Son was * the express 
_“ Image,” or the character of the Father’s Per- 
‘gon, or Subsistence ; and showed every part of 
the nature and perfections of God to man, with 
the greatest exactness, and in the most effectual 
manner possible; so that in proportion as any 
aman Knows Christ, in his Person, character, and 
salvation, he knows the Father also; and he that 
Knows not Christ. hath no real knowledge of God 
all. (Notes, Mait. xi. 25—27. 2 Cor. iv. 3—6, 
it 15—19) And not only did the Father 
the world by the Son, but the same di- 
ie Agent still upholds all things by the word 
f his power, as one in the unity of the Godhead 
the Father: and he even upheld all things 

=, and in their settled order, by his al- 
ty word and will, when he appeared on earth 
e “ visible Effulgence of the Father’s glory, 
> Character of his subsistence ;” of which 
mauy proofs in his miraculous power 
e course of nature, legions of evil spirits, 
j,and death. This same Person who cre- 
id upholds all worlds, as the High Priest 
ple, purged away the guilt of their 
Fameelf, and the sacrifice of his death 
gtoss. Then having risen as a mighty 
or over death and hell, he ascended in 


CHAPTER I. 


‘s. | 
and the ¢ isifmage of hisper-]| 5 For unto which of the angels said 
and & ijaeiins all things by # the: 


hes. |S 2 Sam. 7. 14, -1 


A. Dz 65: 


he at any time, * Thou art my Son, this 
day have 1 begotten thee? And again, 
* | will be to him a Father, and he shall 
be to me 2 Son? 

6 * And again, when he bringeth if 
t the First-begotten into the world, he 
saith, * And let all the angels of God 
worship him. ; 

7 And ¢ of the angels he saith, > Who 


¥ 5.5. Ps. 2.7. Acts}t ver. 5. Prov. 8. 24.) Rev. 5. S—13, 
13.) 33, 25. John. 1. i4. 18,)¢ Ge. unte 

& 3. 16. Rom. 8.ix yer 

29. Col. 1. 15. 18. ly 11. & 6. 17. Ps. pe 
John 4. 9. Rey. 1.} 4. Is.6. 2. Hed. Ezi 
5. 1.13, 14. Dan. -z 
Ms ; u Ps. 97. 7. Luke 2} 10. Zech. 6. 5. 
bringeth again. 9—14 1 Pet. 3. 


Chr. 175 13. -& 22. 
10. & 28. 6 Ps. 39. 


upon the mediatorial throne, at the right hand 
of the Father, where he displays his glorious 
majesty. There the incarnate Son is enthroned 
in pte-eminent dignity, as the Head of all things 
to his church, which he purchased with his own 
blood. For he was made so much better than 
the angels, or superior in authority to them ; that 
they were all made subject to him as reigning 
in human nature; seeing he inherited, as “ the 
“only begotten Sun of God,” a more excellent 
fame, or nature, than they ; for, however exalted 
any of them were, in capacity or autl:ority, they 
were only mere creatures, and he their infinite 
Creator. This interpretation coincides with that 
which hath already been given of similar passa- 
ges ; but it differs in some.degree, from that of 
several eminent evangelical expositors : for they 
suppose that the expressions, ‘the Brightness of 
“ his glory, and the character of his subsistence,? 
are illustrations, taken from external objects, 
of the eternal generation of Christ, and his €qual- 
ity with the Father in the Godhead. “But 
though the author is decidedly of opinion, that 
Christ is called the only Son of God, in respect 
of his divine nature ; and therefore allows the 
eternal géneration, as well as the equality of the 
Son with the Father: yet he does not think that 
the Scripture contains any #llustrations of these 
mysteries; or that we are taught to form any 
ideas of the manner in which they subsist; but 
rather to receive them in implicit faith, as the re. 
velation of God, and to adore them as absolutely 
incomprehensible by us in our present state. 
He, therefore, supposes these expressions to sig- 
nify the manifestation of the glory, character, 
and perfection of the invisible God to man, in 
and by the Person of his incarnate Son; whose 
original equality with the Father, by the parti- 
cipation of the divine nature ; and his yoluntary 
assumption of the human nature, concurred in 
rendering him the proper medium, so to spealy 
through which we might see the effulgency, or 
sbining forth of the divine glory; and become 
acquainted with the perfections and subsistence 
of God, in the best manner, of which in our pre. 
sent condition we are capable. He is also con- 
firmed in this view of the passage, by finding 
that the venerable reformer Beza interprets it in 
the same manner, and makes the same objectiens 
to the other interpretations. 
ie a 


él 


A.D. 68. . HEBREWS. 
jnaketh his angels spirits,‘ and his minis-| a ‘sceptre 
tersaflameof fire. {tre of t 
~ * 8 But unto the Son Ae ‘saith, :y Thy} 9 Th 
throne, ?:O God, is * for everand ever; >|4 hated. 
¥ Ps. 45.6. & 20. 28. Rom. 9.)b 2 Sam. 23.3. Ps.|~ thy God, 
ZS 3,4, %8.7. 14.) 5. 1 Tim. 3. 16.) 721-4. 7. —14i |) 


(8 9.6.7. & 45.21.) Tite -2, 13, 14. 1F & 99.4. 1s.% 7. &) © 7, 26, Ps. 
92.25. Jer. 23.6.) John S 20. le 1,2, Jere 23. 5.| & 33 5. & 


Hos. 1.7 Zech. 13.!a. Ps. 145. 13..Is. 9) & $3, 15, Zech. 9% |) & 40. 8. & 45. 7 
9. Mal 3. 1 Matt.! 7. Dam. 2.44.87.) 9% 1 | Is. 61. 8. ‘ 
1.23 Luke 1. 16,] 14, 1, Cor. 15. 25, 2|" Gr. rightness, or,| d Ps. 119, 104. 198 
47. John 10, 30. 33] Pet. ¥. 11> » straightness. Prove 8. 13. Am. 5.) 


V.5—7..’ In the preceding verses, the apostle | they: and his Sons’ 
had stated’ the outlines of that-doctrine; on which | such a participation of 
he meant more largely, to discourse : and having | any son partakes of 
declared the personal and mediatorial .superior-| dinary course of things : 
ity of Jesus the Son’ of God; to all angels ; he | munication of _exi 
proceeded to show, that the Old Testament pro-} power ; or adopti 
phecies spike. of the promiséd Messiah in simi-| The next quotation 
lar language. As we are satisfied by abundant/been meant of So 
evidence, that the writers of. the New Testament} but Solomon w 
were .equally inspired with those of the Old ;} Messiah, as the 
their expositions are of equal authority with the} that when Jeno: 
originals, which they quote. But when the|sense, “I will be t 
apostle reasoned with the Hebrews out. of their} obvious that this 70 
Scriptures ; he doubtless. quoted ihem in. that} understoad of the 
‘Sense, in which many of them had been used to} type. ext 
understand them, or in which they might be con-| phecy of the 
vinced they ougiit to be understood, Had not} kingdom, (J 
the more learned Jéws, at the time when the} (y. 7.) “ worsh 
epistle was written, been used to understand the | there spake of 
texts adduced, in the sense which the apostle| he had elsewhere de 
puts upon them; he would scarcely have lefi|ten Son, (Ps ii. 7; p 
them as proofs of his doctrine, without hesita | all things: and at the same 
tion, in an. argumentative treatise, which he} the most exalted of his c 
Enew must pass the ordeal of the strictest ex-|* the Son,” adore, an 
amination, by the. most prejudiced and hostile} “ they honoured the” 4 
persons. Now, if they were sufficient proofs |For, though the magist 
to the. persons immediately addressed; they | earth might be includec 
must be sufficient for all, who consider. the }God weve evide 
writer as fully knowing, by divine inspiration,| van had never 
‘both the doctrine of Christ, and the true mean-/ cerning angels 
ing of the Scriptures: though the context) he made them spit 
might otherwise, in Some instances, lead us to| der it,) and as flam 

_ suppose them instructive. accomodations; and) ing servants. ( Se 
though the Jews, in subsequent ages, to evade| He had indeed formed 
the writer’s conclusion, have attempted to put| pure, and spiritual in' 
“another constraction. on them.’ We have briefly | mandates, with ine 
considered these quotations before : yet it is ne-| love ¢ but he had n 
cessary here again to examine them. he first] al creatures to worship t 
is brought from’an evident prophecy of the Mes- | peremptorily forbid 
siah’s kingdom, (Votes, Ps: ii.) Jenovau had}ture: yet he requ 
there addressed him. in such language, as bad| to worship his Son, 
never been used to any angel. The words quot-{ world to dwell in human 
ed were spoken long before his incarnation, and] cided proof of an ai 
» were the declaration of an eternal decree : they | Christ and the highest ang 
must therefore relate-to his Sonship, or eternal; ¥. 8,9. A passage 
—generation : for the subsequent production of his} most remarkable p 
# human nature, by the power of the Holy Spirit,|((Wotes, &c. Ps. ae 
would not, give him that essential and original! him, as bis Son, 
superiority tothe angels, which, the argument] * ever and ever :” | 
here required ; nor. could his appointment to the} declaring the perpetuity of 
office of the Messiah be meant by the words, | dom to the end of the ‘world 
“« Thou.art my Son, this day have I begotten| deemed people to ail etern 
“ thee” as that appointment was the coenses| xy. nag As the sceptre 
quence, rather than the cause, of his superiority | would tule bis people, and all 
to the angels; he was advanced above them, as| universe, for their benefit, 
he bud imberited a more excellent name than|righieousness; the exercise 


ent 5 yh eth 


5, & 48, 13, & 
13, dete 32, 
Zech, 


Me: Lf 


«| t_10, 12. Ps. 110. 1.x 8. 6. 


‘CHAPTER 1 
gladness above h thy ferdieay ‘ 


ou, Lord, « in the begin-. 
bigeb ate op of em 


‘a all P Paha wa ie as su 


_ 2 Pet Cae § papi 8. 58. Jam.) 


+ lla 
HVOR ‘And’ ‘asi ae vesture’ shalt thou fold 


them up, and they shall be changed 
ia ties thou. art he same, = and thy:y ears 


rah eb Buh 

0. whic of the angels said 
mn my right hand, 

ntil I ale reste neal thy footstool? 

14 Are they not all * ministering spir- 


iq 132° 8, EX, 3. 14jU Ps 21. 8,9. & 132.) 9. 12, Phil, 2. 17¢ 
18 Is. 63. 3—6.| 25. Gr. 1 Kings 22+ 
Luke 19; 27. 1Cor:! 19. Job Ll. 6. Ps 
15-25, 26 Rey 19.1 103. 20, 21. & 104: 
1121. & 26.15. 1 4. Is, 6. 2, 3: Dan 
& 10. if. 7. 10. Matt, 13. 41e 
Matt. 22/44. Mark! Luke 1- 23, Acts 49, ‘50. & 18, 104 
42, 36. Luke 20, 42.| 13. 2. Rom. 13.6. Tle, 19. 2 Thesp 
“| Bae 2 54-36. & & 15. 16. AE boot Jude ‘ 
Be G4 a 


ee 


jus |‘° up for princes ° ‘and ‘rulers, up* and down the 


promote righteous- 
gand administration 
altog ether | righteous ; i whilst he acted | 
nd and Saviour of sinners, he would} 
love righteousness and. hate ini- 
on of ee he was essentially 


entirely free 

hole. conduct 

Id_ be fe hteous, 

ent of hi singed. would be} 
. On this a H : 


r, would anoi i 


d unchange 
would be produced 
from, all 
a 


ce 


re rca their atten mea- 
hey have been qualified for 
to which they. were called; ‘com. 
in n the trials a appointed for them ; and pre- 
for their uture happiness in heaven, 
pose, that angels _ were meant by 
y Vows, because the apostle was proving 
sriority to angels: bat he never bore the 
of angels ; and parteking of the same 
jeems to be the meaning of the expres- 

arg. Ref) The quotation was full to 
"3 purpose, by proving that Jenovan 
ie lessiah, in such. language, as. he 
of angels: and the Psalmist, from 
dduced his proof, spake of the Messiah 
¢, of his espousing the church to him- 
f believers as the companions of the 
‘ They | were indeed anoinicd with 


his excellency and dignity 
The ne ‘imagine ae 


*-s 


de ss for his sake ; but he, far more the creator of: all 


pee ee 


'* world, (Ps. xlv 16.) But this cannot be 
* true’: for beside that we read not of any chil- 
'* dren Solomon had by Pharaoh’s daugliter.— 
* Rehoboam, who succeeded him, was the’son of 
«'Naamah, an Ammonitess. And so far was he 
* from being able to set up his sons to rule over 
‘ other countries, that it’ was with great difficul- 
© ty, ! his successors kept two tribes of the twelve 
f steadfast, to them? Certainly “ a greater than 
«€ Solomon was here.” (Bp. Pierce.) Very 

hany other suppositions, by which the prophe- 
‘cles, ‘concerning Christ, are explained away, or 
enervaied, by men called Christians, might be 
shown to ‘be equally absurd, if the nature of this’ 


s| publication would admit of more than @ specie 


men. 

V. 10—12 (Note, Ps, cil. i. 2527.) The Psalm, 
whence these verses are quoted, seems to be 
a prayer of the afflicted church of Israel, for the 
1 | coming of her expected deliverer : “yet we might 
-|not have discovered, that the Son was personally 
| addressed in this Bassage, had not the apostle led 
vur’ attention to it in this view. But, ‘considere 
ing it in connexion with other scriptures, and re» 
membering that the ancient prophets continually 
spake ¢ of their expected Messiah ; we shall per. 
ceive a propriety inthe church urider affliction 
addressing herself to him as her unchangeable 
Friend. He had in the beginning created the 
heavens and the ‘earth; these would at length 
wax old and wear out as a garment, but he would 
remain possessed Of infinite power and perfec» 
tion : at the appeinted period, therefure he would : 
lay them aside, with as much ease'as a man folds 
up a garment, and changes it for another ; + and 
so introduce “ new heavens and a new eurth, 
« wherein dwelleth righteousness : Fd sand still He 
would continue the same “ Yesterda: to-day, and, 
“ for ever.” (xiii. 8) "Probably ‘many of the 
Hebrews were Prepared” ‘to understand this 
psalm of the Messiah, tas well as the others : it 
is, however, "to us a “nfost explicit testimony 
to the Deity of Ch rist, as One with the Father, . 
iv YES’: + and they, who labour 
to “prove tliat the Father was spoken of by the 

1 think that he reasons inconclusive. . 
absurdly 5 for what bad the: quotation, 
oo ‘to do. -with Clisete Fe te id 


Bk 
a eit: Ors a 


AD. 68. 


who shall be 4 heirs of salvation ? 

CHAR. TE Rete 
An cabest call to attend to the gospel; enforéed’ 
"By the consideration of the danger’ of reglecting 
£0 great salvation, thus revealed’ and confirmed, 
4—4, Further seriptaral proof of Christ’s supe- 
yiority to the angels, notwithstanding his tempo: 
rary humiliation in our nature, 3—9. An expla- 
“ation Of the motives, reasons, condescension, 
“and benefit of his incarnation, temptations, suffer- 
ings, and death; as connected with his being the 

» High Priest and Saviour of his people, 10—18. 
y Acts 21-22 1 Pets} 13, & 24, 31.) Luke} 94+) Rom, 8.) 17, 
1.12. Rey, 5,6. | 16. 22. Acts 5 19.) Gal. 3. 7, 9. 29. 
z Ps. 34.7.8 91012,) & 10. 3, 46 & 19.1 Eph. 3. 6. Tit. 5. 
12. Dams 6, 22. &] 7 (23+ & 16+ 26+ &} 7. Jam. 2. 5. 1 Pet. 


OQ, 23—23. Re 10. 12.|. 27 230 = 1.4. & 3.7, 
Matt. 1, 20, & 2.la 6. 12.17: Matt. 25. 


V. 13, 14.0 (Notes, vii. Ps cx. Matt. xxii. 42 
46, Marg. Ref.) Jeuovan had never spo- 
ken to any angélin such language, as. was con- 
thined/in another well-known prophecy of the 
Messiah: in whichvhe called him to sit, asa 
mighty Prince; en his righthand, till he had 
crushed and put under his feet all those who 
presumed to rebel against his authority, Did 
not the Hebrews well know, that all the angels, 
even the most exalted of them, were so far from 
possessing such supreme and universal authority; 
that they all were worshipping spirits, and ser- 
vants of the Lord, to execute his commands with 
unreserved submission ; and that they were sent 
forth by him, to minister to those of the buman 
race, wii were appointed to be the heirs of sal- 
vation? heir willing and delighifal obedience 
to such commands, and their loving sérvices to 
such inferior and sinful creatures, for the Lord’s 
sake, showed a most excellent disposition, and 
was worthy of imitation: yet no homage or wor. 
ship were due to them ou that account: onthe 
contraty, they were joint worshippers of Jeno- 
VAH, whom they adored, inthe person of Christ, 
the incarnate Son of God, and the Saviour of sin- 
ful men. As therefore such things were spoken 
of the Messiah, immensely above what was said 


of angels, in the’ sacred scriptures ; it wae ab-| 


surd to expect a mere Man, or a temporal king. 
dom: or to suppose that this glorious Lord 
would come to confirm and continue that dis- 
pensation, which had been given by the minis- 
tration of angels. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
‘ Vv. 1—4, 

‘We can never sufficiently bless our God, that 
he hath, in so many Ways, and with such in- 
¢reasing clearness, spoken concerning salvation 
to us fallen sinners : and especially that he hath 
Bent the message of mercy to us,. by his well-be- 
loved Son, whose dignity gives authority to every 
appointment, and certainty to every truth and 
promise. That the First-begotten of the Fa- 
ther, the Heir of all things, by whom all worlds 
were created, and by the word of whose power 


all things are upheld; who is the Effulgency of} hearts and hopes were plac 


the divine glory, and the manifestation of the di- 
vine perfections, should ‘* by himself purge our 
* gins,” is a mystery of love, which exceeds, 


= 


HEBREWS,” 
its, y sent forth to ¢ minister for'them|* 


2 For if tk 
was steadfast, 


7.1, 2 Luke & 15, 
= 9.44. | 
ec 12,5 Mat. 16.9.) 24. 


gratitude. Now having sat | 
hand of the M: jesty « high 

ties, and powers, are sub 
eth a far more exce 
us not then, absurdly. 
him our adorations, ¥ 
worship him 
self, that hen 
blood; and sh 
adore and * hor 
“ Father that s 


- We should never 
of Christ will at le 
and that all, who 
them, are his enem: 
of our God, in that way. 
tice also; let us bow ti 
deemer’s grace ; put ours 
tion; and seek that r 
which will make us del; 
commands, and rend 
* righteousness and | 
portion as we are 
gladness” from his fi 
his mystical body, this Ww 
and “if any man bi 
“ he is none of his. 
himias angels do, who: 
like a vehement wind, © 
execulirig his mandates: 
fove, their alacrity and” 
at his word to the pooré 
tion, who are thus more 
the mightiest of un & 
should deem none 8 2 
their concerns, beneath us; 
spirits, should count it our t 
good for Christ’s sake. — 
self-abagement will make | 
to be equal with the ang 
Christ upon his throni 
created thé world, 
power, destroy it as a 
make all things new: | 


treasures and fading glories, will bed 
his presence into everlasting misery 


4) 


Sh 


Ds. 


3, How sh; 

Kine great. salva ion ;. which at the first 
ibegan to be sf oken by the Lord,. © and 
was comes punto us by them. that 


o b bearing them Witheasy both 

s and. wonders, and. with divers 

“and + gifts of the Holy Ghost, |t 

ding to his own will ? 

me (Practical Observations.’ 4 Ws. ¢s 

5 For unto the angels hath he not put 
1 subj éction ® the world to come, where: 
" yiuete Snuiethid et 

6 But one® ina certain place testified, 

aying, P “What is. DAD) ‘that thou art 


10. 29 & 12, . Mat. 19, 11,12. Rom. 15 


of ‘Seon, 13 


6 20. 6, Ez. 17. 15.) 4. 17, Mark 1, 14. 
‘i a 33. Re | Luke: 24.19. Actsif Or, distribution. 
‘ of 2/220 1 Gor, 12. 4—11. 


18.1k Mark 16, 15—19.' Eph. 4. 8—11. 

16,%% | Luke 1, 2. & 24.|m Dan. 4. 35. Eph: 
4. 25, 26.| 47, 48. Jonn 15.27.) 1, 5+ 9 

2.2. & 51. 5.| Acts 1. 22. & 10.|n 6. 5. Rey. 11. 15. 
ya Ul. Luke} 40—42. * lo 4, 40& 5.6. 1 Pets 

69, John 3. 16—;1 Mark 16. 20. John; Je 11.) - 

5 pat 4. 12. My Abo Ba, Acts 2 32, p Job 7.17, 18. & 15. 

im. 1.15. Tit, 2, 33, &. 3. 15, 16. &| 14. See on, Psi 8 
Rev. 7. 10s 4 4-8) & 144.3, Tse 


t watts! im v.14, Pes 
ees fis pet of Christ’s pre-e 


> applical his: 
all a eid 


to give the more earnest, be 
oe roi te to what they had 
| cause : of the majesty of the Speaker, and 
gees malice at! his words. It was incumbent on 
who i essed Christianity, to apply their 
i ing reverence to these im- 
nt si sige at any time, through 
Bon, Wor Ny cares and pleasures, or per- 
gecution, they s ould be induced to let them stip, 
run out a8 water. from a leaky vessel. This 
ly represents the treachery of the memory, 
Eopeoie spiritual things; and the way in] 
| which good instructions, convictions, or affec- 
ions, gy adually vanish, and no abiding. change is 
ade, or effect produced, by | them. 
¢ punted the authority of the law to be the great- 


it was spoken by angels, as employed by 
LOVAH in delivering it to their fathers from 


p ae 

a aba to transgress in any way, without in- 
img on them merited punishment; how 
they | escape his Vengeance, who neglected 
reat ‘salvation of the Gospel? The great- 


the immensity of the price paid by him 
I salvation ; the depth of the misery. from 
ence he Saves his people, and their perishing 

it ‘its entire a HEEnES to the chief of sin- 


¥ ts 5 and the amt ae felicie 
ue 
= a call these a lg unite oh 


ral esr) 5 


zx 


‘than .the angels ; thou crowned: 
with glory and honour, and didst se 
ever the works of thy hands : 


r Gen, 50. 24. Luke] 11—13. 


elie ver.9,.° | 41. 
pee while inferior’ x %. 3. & 10. 5. Gen-|a, Mat. 16, 28, Mark 


he 5. & 1.13. Psi} 


‘The Jews 


: raphe its perpetuity 1 the more indubitable; be. ' 


‘mount: ‘Sinai; (Note, Acts vii, 53.) But if the’ 
sepoken by ministering spirits was stead-| 
Pe decreas would not permit any of 


he Saviour, who created and upholds all 


wi gabe igh lel Tae Mat Tih 


A, D. 63. 


we escape, if we Biri | maindful of him ? or 1 the son of man, that 
thou  visitest him ? 


7 Thou * madest. him a little t lower 
him 
him 


8 Thou ¢ hast put all things in subjec- 


tion under his feet. For in that he put all 
in subjection under him, he left nothing 
that is not, put under him. % But now we 
see not yet all things put under him : 


9 But-we see * Jesus, who was made 


a little lower than the angels * for the 
suffering of death, ¥ crowned with glory 
and honour; that he, ” by the grace of 
God, should ® taste death > for every man, 
q Job 25. 6. Ps. 146.) 9—11. 1 Pet. 3.22.) 2.33, Rev. 1s. 12, 


8,46 Ts. 51. 12. Rev, 1.5. 18. & 5|z John 3. 16. Rom. 
5, 8. & 8.32, 2 Cor. 
1, 68. 78. & 7. 16. ju Job 39. 1-12. &| 5. 21. & 6. 21, 


1 John 4, '9, 10.° 


1S. As. 7. 14. &) 9. 1... Luke 9. 27. 
Font & 53, 2—10.f John 8. 52. 
‘2, 6. Dan. 7. 


Mat. 28, 18. Job A. Phils 2. 7, Bs $2. 2 Cor. 5.15.2 


14) Rom, 8: 3. eta Jobn 1. 29. & 129 
| 8.35, & 13. 3. Or, 6y. Tin. 2.6. 1 John 
Cor, 15. 27. oly y Ps. aio Acts] '2e op! Rev. 5.9. > 

Phils. 2 


26 


rendering i it worthy to be called 80 great salva- 
© tion,” even so great a. salvation, that it sur- 


passes all conception. To refuse this invalua- 
ble blessing, from pride, love of the world, and 
sin, or attachment to superstitious vanities ; to 
neglect. i it, through, sloth, procrastination, and 
-| aversion to the means of grace, or a fear of per- 


secution ; and to oppose or corrupt it, from en- 


mity to God and holiness ; not only leave men un- 


der the curse of the law, bati incur the comdem- 


nation of treating the truth of God asa lie, of 


despising his, mercy, defying his justice and 
power, and rejecting his most, gracious and ur- 
gent overtures to a reconciliation. How then 
can such persons « e the wrath to come? 
This salvation Hebe to be published, in the 
fullest. display © under the Gospel dispense- 
tion, by the Lord himself. appearing in, human 
nature, as the great Prophet of the Church. He 
deigned to be the Preacher of this great salva. 
tion; and after his ascension into heaven to ap. 
pear in the presence of God for us, it was con. 
firmed to the Jews and others, by his apostles, 
and evangelists, who had been eye-witnesses of 
his glory, had heard his doctrine, and received 
their commission immediately from him. More- 
over, God bore witness to, their doctrine, as. that 
of his beloved Son, by various ‘miraculous pow- 
ers exercised by them, and conferred on others 
also; and by the gifts of his Holy Spirit, dispens- 
ed to them according to his own sovereign will. 
So that the condescension of the Son of God, in 
becoming: incarnate, and in. first publishing his’ 
doctrine by his own personal ministry ; his exal-. 
tation; andthe, subsequent sending of his am-. 
bassadors with, such, divinely attested credentials, : 
to preach salyation | to sinners, concurred in call- 


ae their attention from. the abrogated Moonie 


Jcuspensation to. Gheietiony, 


Sesidakhts Bese de He ese ay a Ney 
3 : 


A) De 65: 


10 For ©/it became him, ‘@ for whom| 


are all things, and by whom are’ all 
things, in bringing © many sons unto 
f£ slapy, to make ¢ the Captain of their 
salvation » perfect through sufferings. 
1) For both ihe that sanctifieth, and 
they who are sanctified, are * all of one: 


© 7.26, Gen, 18,25.] 11. 52, Rom, 8, 14)g 6. 20. & 12, 2 
Duke 2. 14. & 24.| —18. 29, 30. & 9.| Josh. 5. 14,15. Is, 
96. Rom.3.25, 26-| 25, 26+ 2°Cor. 6. 18.) 55. 4: Mic. 2. 13, 
Eph. 1, 6—8. & 2). Gal. 3.26. Eph, 1.) Acts 3. 15. & 5.31. 
7. & 3 10. 1Pet.| 5. 1John 3. 1, 2./h.5..8, 9, Luke 13 
Rey: 7. 9. 32 & 24. 26. 46. 

f Rom. 9. 23, 1 Cor.) John 19. 40. Gr. 
2,7. 2Cor. 35 18-}i 10, 10. 14. & 13. 
& 4.17. Col. 3. 4.! 12, John 17. 19. 

2 Tim, 2. 10, <1/k ver.14. Acts 17. 

26. Gal. 4.4. 


2.12: 

@ Prov. 16e, 46 Is. 
43.21. Roms LI, 36. 
3 Cor, 8. 6. 2 Cor: 
5. 18, Coli 3. 16,17. 
Rev. 4. 11. I Pet. 5+ 1+ 10 

e@ Hos. 1.10. John; 


¥. 5-9. The argument, concerning the 
Messiah’s superiority to the angels, is here re- 
sumed... “* The) world to come,” or the future 
age ot dispensation, was a phrase in use among 
the Jews, denoting. the times of the Messiah, of 
which the apostle was discoursing : and. it is ob- 
gervabie, that he uses. it: only inthis epistle. 
(Marg. Ref.) This period began at the first 
coming of Christ,and will continue till his se- 
cond coming. Now, it isnot subjected to apgels, 
but to him.whom. all the angels worshipped and 
obeyed ; nor were they ministerially employed in 
the introduction of it, as they-had been in the 
giving of the law. This had been implied in what 
was spoken by one in a certain place, with which 
the Hebrews were well acquainted, (Votes, &c. 
Ps. viii.). Ina view.of the’ starry heavens, those 
majestic displays of God’s creating power, Da. 
wid had exclaimed, ‘* Whatis man,” &c,? The 
words might indeed be explained of the atten- 
tion and kindness of God to so inconsiderable a 
cteature 28 man, amidst the immensity of his 
works, He had made: him at first in, some de- 

e inferior to’ the angels, but he had crowned 
him with glory and honour, and made him lord 
of this lower. creation. » Yet as man had soon 
fallen from his original dignity, had lost bis crown 
of honour, and retained but an imperfect domin- 
ion over the creatures; and as the Messiah was 
intended to be the chief Glory and Blessing of 
the fallen race: so, the Psalmist might properly 
be considered, as ‘in Spirit” speaking of him, 
and of Jenovan’s being mindful of, and visit. 
ang, the hnman race, by giving his own Son to 
become the Son of man for their salvation. In- 
deed, if the words were exactly weighed, it 
svould be found that they had not received a 
full’accomplishment in any other sense: for if 
God put al things in subjection under the feet 
‘of the Son of man, it must follow that there was 
nothing left that was not put in subjection under 
him; whereas it was manifest, that al) things, 
even here on earth, (not to speak of other 
worlds,) were not thus put in subjection to man; 
for many of the creatures ‘scorned to. bear his 
yoke, and. some even made’ war against him, 
But believers, looking: to Jesus, saw the accom- 
plishment of the words in his exaltation and the 
event of it: he had become a little lower than 
the angels, by appearing in the likeness of sin- 
ful flesh, that he might be capable of suffering 


1 11,16. Mark 8. $8. 
Luke 9. 26. aD 2 

m ‘Mat. 12, 48—50,|p 
& 25. 40. & 28, 10, 5 
Jobn 20.17. Rom.| 
8. 29, 

n Ps. 22+ 22. 25-6 


death ;, but speedily he had 
man, crowned) with glory 
on the mediatorial throne 
sal dominion, and ma¢ 
his church. »So that 
and earth, and u : 
jection to him; aad th 
fuse to submit to hi 
either be his willing se 
der his feet'as enemies; 
Thus by theans: of his hu 
pable of dy nd by. 
he was enabled to 
to his.peoplé: and’so 
terness for the benefit 
trast in his’ salvation; - whic! 
the effect of the plenteous me: 
vour of God to our ious race 
ist had intimated; nor Gould: 
sufficiently admired: — Little Io 
positors suppose the orig 
* fora short time;” that is, ¢ 
out Lord's humiliation on: ea 
the same words int th 
its sense here = yet there it 
to time; unless we ex the 
phecy ‘of Christ exe ly, 
that either Adam or E y 2 
tended, I! is indéedy ued, tha ' 
made in human nature,’ 

the angels, being * despi : 
“ men,” and considered | "the 
ject of the human race. 
ever, seems to be of no- ty: 
dignity and excellency asm ptibiy 
ion of others concerning ‘him, are’ me 
was in human nature, ‘as the 
been, *a little lower tha 
being made like us in» all th 
cepted, he became ca D 
which angels are exempted 
spects hé: was “made a | 
* angels :” but in all oth 
man, in his lowest jhumilia 
lower than they, being” 
others ofthe human race,:m ce 
himself before the fall, Beza think 
apostle includes the future glorific: 
lievers, as} one with Christ, and as*shari 
glory.--Zavte death. (9.)° Some explain 
words as signifying the pain, which our 


ae 


idee e CHAPTER Il. A.D. 65. 
ch ‘then as The children |¥ destroy: him that had the power of death; 
r yf flesh and blood, " he|that is, 7 the” devil; 


ise took .part of _the 15 And» deliver them, who >. through 


John 12. 24-, $1—jz Mate 25. 41. 89. 48. 1074, 
33. Rom. 14. 9. Paps 3. 8—10. Rev 75. 2Cor. 1. 10. 


2. 15. Rev. 1-18. | 2. 10. 8 42. 9. &!b Job 18. 11. 14. & 
y Is. 25.8. Hos. 23.) 20.2 24. 17. Ps. §5.4.% 
14.-1 Cor. 15. 54a Job 33. 24, 28. Ps. 73. 19. 1 Cor. 15. $8 
55. 2'Tims 1.10, | 33. 19+ & 56s 13. &} —57- 


i “4. Phil. 2. 7, 8. 1 
. John 1. | ‘Tim's: 16. 
X 9415. Iss 53. 12. 


brate the praises of JEROVAR i in his Church of 
redeemed sinners. In another place, where the 
Messiah’s deliverances, victories, and kingdom 
were predicted under the type of David, he spake 
as man, of “trusting in the Lorn,” amidst his 
irials, even as his brethren did, (Ps. xviii. 2-> 
and by another prophet he had said, “ ‘behold. 
« J, and the children which God hath given me ;” 
(Note, &c. Is. viii. 18;) this implied the same 
equality of mature and endeared affection, as 
the relation of brethren. - (Note, Matt. xxviii, 10. 
Jolin xx. 17, Rom, viii. 29.) Many things in the 
éighth of Isaiah, are evidently prophetical of the 
Messiah, and as such are quoted repeatedly in 
the New Testament; (Mare. Ref. Notes, Is. 
viii;) and, no doubt, the text here adduced was 
understood of him'by the learned Jews, when the 
apostle wrote: for he was well acquainted with 
their sentiments ; and would not have quoted it 
ina sense different from the usual interpretation, 
in an argumentative discourse, without attempt- 
ing to establish the novel interpretation by co- 
gent reasonings. (Vote, i. 5—7.) 
' W.14, 15. As therefore the children, of . 
mjwhom Christ spake by the prophet, even his 
‘}elect people whom he had undertaken to re- 
deem, were partakers of flesh and blood, or of 
the human nature; he also voluntarily conde- 
scended to partake of the same, in order that 
he might stand in the nearest relationto them, 
and so most properly become their Surety and 
representative; as well as be made capable of 
suffering ‘and dying for them: that by so doing 
he might, as to them, abolish the reign of death, 
by destroying the dominion of the devil who hata 
the power of death: For satan, by sedticing maa - 
into sin, first brought him under the sentence of 
death :. and every man must be exposed to the 
sting, the terror, the strcke, and the consequen- 
ces of death, whilst he continues unpardoned and 
uncony erted ; ; and the devil, as accuser and exeé- 
cutioner, may have much power in inflicting, or 
aggravating them. But the atonement of Christ 
made way for the deliverance of his people from 
satan’s bondage, and for the pardon of their sins 
through faith : themthe devil loses his power in 
respect of death alco, they are delivered from its 
sting, its terror, and its consequences ;_ whilst 
inward peace and hope reconcile them te its 
stroke, and the wliole will terminate in their glo- 
rious resutrection to eternal life. “Thus Christ 
delivered those, ‘Who all their’ life-time ‘had 
« been subject to bondage through fear of death.” 
Whatever pride, amibition, and desperate pas- 
sious, May sometimes effect or perpetrate; the 
fear of death is univers:’, and in some degree 
enslaves all mankind: the juster apprehensiéns 
men haye of God and eternal things, the greater 
| must be their dread /f death and its awful con- 
e luatjebinces) except as faith in Christ deliver them. 


dying ; and others, as marking the 
during which be continued dead : 
réssion seems to have. | been in use 
6 Jews, merely denoting, to die. (Marg. 
man. The word mdn is not in the 
nal ; and some think, that the. apostle meant, 
every ‘one of those many sons, who shall be 
brought to glory” (10.) The death of Chrisi 
i indeed sufficient for all men, and the proposal 
the benefit should be made toevery man: yet 
1one but believers eventually share the blessing. 
_V.10—~13. Whatever the Jews might object 
to the sufferings and crucifixion of him, who was 
ee to them, as their Messiah ; yet it cer- 
became the eternal God, for whose glory, 
d by whose power, all things were created, 
“are upheld and governed, to adopt this 
Tattos, It had not only pleased him as 2 Sove: 
to do this ; but it was admirably suited to 
manifest the glory of all bis perfections, yea, it 
was nece ry for the harmonious disp ay fthem, 


was pleased in his infinite wisdon 
m through | life and deatbsto’ bi 


fan nt them a by sega who sh ould 
fea The ‘word, rendered “in bringing,” 
e: with that translated “Captain,” not with 
Him,” in the preceding clause. But it was 
per, that this Captain, Prince, or Commander, 
iy. 4.) who leads countless millions of fallen 
_as the adopted children of God, to victo- 
‘satan, sin, the world, and death, and 
eternal, glory ; that this Author of their salva: 
tion, should be “ made perfect” through suffer. 
ings ; that is, perfectly authorized to, as well as 
qualified for, every par: of that most important 
rk. For, by assuming human nature, and 
ling himself to the death upon the cross 
sins, he made the salvation of sinners 
ent with divine justice, and showed us 
way of fighting the good fight of fuith, and 
ing forward to the conqueror’s crewn.— 
Jesus, who purificth his people from guilt 
isin, and cénsecrateth them to God, and they 
are thus sanctified by’ ay ‘sare all of one,” 
one father Adam; speaking tc 
sy the apostle might r nean Abraham.— 
e One with us in human nature: in or- 
t his sufferings might atone for our sins, 
at we might be justified by his “righteous. 
hich cause, he is not ashamed to own 
ethren, » notwithstanding his glori- 


d pollution. Thus, in a remark- 
his mittee ings, and subsequent 
&e. Pa. xii.) he hed “tne intro. 


pel ee -_ 


oe seitch ee a 


ayer 


ALD.65. ‘HEBREWS. “" 


fear of death, were all their life-time 
© subject to bondage. i 
16 Por 4 verily ‘he * took not on Aim 
the nature of angels; but he took on Aim 
© theiseed of Abraham. 
/17 Wherefore in all things £ it behoy- 
éd’him to-be made'like unto:A#zs brethren, 


18 For in 
ed, being tem; 
' them that - E 


£3. 2. 5. & 4. 15, 
& 5-1, 2. Is; 1105. 
h Ley. 6. 30. & 
15. 2 Chr. 29. Sarl ee 
Ez. 45. 15. 17.901] & 
Dan, 9. 24. Rom, . 
§ 10. 2Cor 5.18lk 7, 


1, 20. 

* Gre taketh | not! 
hold of angels. but 
of the seed of Abra- 
ham he taketh hold. 


e Gen.'22,.18. Mat 

1,1,&c, Rom.4. 16, 
Ke. Gal. 3. 16. 29. 
f See on, ver. 11,14 
*Phil. 2.7, 8. 


@ Rom. 8. 15. °21. 
1Gal,.4. 24. 2:Tim. 


an? 
as. 16, & 12. 10. 
Rom. 2. 25. 1 Pet. 


Many of those who have been enslaved by it, 
during the former part of their lives, or at least 
from the time when they began seriously to re- 
flect on the subject, are actually delivered from 
their terror by the gospel, and habitually think 
of dying, with composure and satisfaction : many 
who do-not before rise superior to their terrors, 
are entirely freed from them at that.critical sea- 
son; and even those believers, who fear death to 
the last, (as some perhaps do,) will be the more 
amazed at their deliverance ; when by the stroke, 
which they dreaded all Wer life time, they find 
themselves perfectly freed from all that they 
groaned under-and hated, and admitted te a 
felicity exceeding their largest expectations. 
(Note, 1 Cor: xv. 55—58.)—By death. ‘ Had not 
* this been added, the apostle might have have 
* seemed to speak very absurdly : for must God 
* become Man, in order to conquer the devil? 
* Assuredly, here was need rather of strength 
« than weakness, The apostle therefore declares, 
* that to render this victory the most glorious, it 
¢ was peculiarly suitable, that satan, the conquer 
© or of man, should be laid prostrate by a man; 
« and. so by the very death of a Man, he might 
* be destroyed, as by his own weapons. The devil 
* is said to have the power of death, as from him 
¢ sin sprang, which death followed ; and as he 
* daily tempts us to sin, that he may draw us 
€ with himself into the ruin of eternal death — 
* Understand death, as joined with the wrath of 
© God, which without Christ it must necessarily 
€ be: nor. can any thing be conceived more mi- 
« serable, than to be under the perpetual slavery 
© of this dread and horror.” (Beza) 

V. 16—18. The introductory words of this 
passage, are differently inter preted, Our trans- 
lation explains them of our Lord’s assuming, not|shed his precious ee ( 
the nature of angels, but our nature, in order to | fered, being tempted by’ 
be our Brother,..Surety, and Saviour; and the}and during his fast) flicts,. 
mention of the seed of Abraham, from whom he}s % 
descended, favours this mterpretation: but the 
margia, and indeed a great majority of commen-| filed by, thems)” be eal 
tators, suppose the apostle to mean, that the] trials fromman aor 
eternal Son of God, when angels sinned, did not}\y ; and in that’ he bore the wrat WE 
take hold of them, to preserve them from final | for our sins : he was able to 
perdition; but he took hold of fallen man, to res-|tempted or tried, and 2: 
cue him from his dreadful doom : and this lays} authorized as Mediator 
the firmer foundation for the subsequent infer-]in supporting, comforting, 
ence. The seed of Abraham, however, on this|and having a sympathizin 

for them; seeing he’ hat 
same pa eee himself, 


interpretation, cannot mean ali the natural de- 
scendants of Abraham, nor any of them exciu- 

it, continuing: perfectly. free from sin. 7 
of Christ’s humiliation, death, and’ ex 


though acc rding’ to 
other places; (Hom, iy. 1 
is not thought a Ter cla 
sent argument. The Fence in 
great, between the eee pee etati 
ing hold of fallen man, and = on fa 
he did not assut ure of the’ 
personal union with 

scension still more” 
the human nature of | th 
this was worthy of] 
appeared, that it 
order to the Hokie rs 
ners whom he gr 
be made like them 
those sinless infirmi 
ed them. This Was ni 
become their High Pr 
and reconciliation for their 
of himself, and so lay the fo 
sequent intercession for 
might give them the firmest 
of his compassion, love, and 
endearing and important 
who was One with the Fal 
one with them as Man 


thren in the most 
faithful manner ; 


miliation and sufferings 
he gave the most endé 
them, and taught them 
he would not fail them, | 
to trust in him; a 
could effect the pu 


sively ; but must be understood of Abraham’s be. 
lieving seed, whether Jews or Gentiles ; and this, 


pic 6. _ CHAPTER II. A.D. 655. 


Loe UL - 


of Christ above Moses is proy- 
—6. The Hebrews are warn- 


,ed not to eopy the example of their ‘unbelieving 
PR ok who perished in the wilderness. 7 
19, 


-e from the fear of death, and 
To taste death for 


was mindful of ° us, and visited us, in the most 
surprising manner, when he gave his own Son to 
be made a little lower than the angeis, for the 
to| suffering of death in our.nature and for our 
salvation: that, being crowned with glory and 
honour, and haying all power given to him in 
heaven and earth; he might rescue every man, 
who believes in him, frora all the effects of ori- 
ginal and actual sin, and raise him to far higher 
dignity, than what was lost by Adam’s trans- 
gression. By the grace manifested in the incar- 
nation of the Son of God, and the exaltation of 
the Son of man, the inert of our nature is eter- 
nally secured ; and all our concern should be to 
secure an interest in this salvation. Whatever - 
the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine 
or object : the spiritual mind will perceive pecu- 
liar glory i in the cross of Christ, and be satisfied, 
that it became him, (who in all things maketh 
the display of his own perfections his chief end,) 
“ in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the 
“ Author of their salvation perfect througle 
“ sufferings.” Wisdom, power, justice, holi- 
ness, truth, and love, beyond expression or con- 
ception, are displayed by our God, in that uniom 
which was voluntarily formed between “ him 
“ that sanctificth, and them that are sanctified ;* 
when “the Word was made flesh, and taberna- 
“ cled among us ; ” and when he “ whom alg 
“angels worship,” vouchsafed to become our 
Brother, and to own and glory in, that conde~ 
scending relation to us sinful worms! And what 
advantages may we not expect from so powerfus 
and gracious a Friend and Brother ? 
vy. 14—18. 

When the divine Saviour saw the children, 
whom he had undertaken to redeem, partakers of 
flesh and blood; he also was pleased to partuke 
of the same; though he knew, that ke must not . 
only dwell in their nature, but bear their curse 
pay theirransom, and through death, deliver them, 
from the old serpent, by whom sin and death en- 
tered into the world, to make havocof the hum 
race. For “verily he took not on him the ae 
“< ture of angels, but he took.upon him the seed 
* of Abraham ;” that we might be made the 
children of Abraham, and the friends of God 
through him! Let then sinners, who dread” 
death, and use a variety of methods to get the 
better of their terrors, no longer attempt to out- 
brave or smother them; let them not grow out- 
rageous or licentious through despair, nor let 
them expect help from the world or human in- 
ventions: but let them seek pardon, Peace, 
grace, and lively hope of heaven, by faith in 
him who died and rose again: that, being res- 
cued from satan’s power, they may De made su- 
perior té the fear of death, which hath alweys 
hitherto held them in bondage. Let the trem- 
bling believer frequently meditate on the love of 
| Christ, and on his cross, his sepulchre, his re< 
‘urrection, and his glory; and thus, in simple’ 
dependence and obedience, let him wait for more 
complete deliverance from the fear of death, and 

5 


‘ify us,” to ‘‘ destroy death, and him ace 
the power of death,” to deliver us from 
ondage, to become our High, Erica, to 
§ make reconciliation for our iniquity,” having 
‘by himself purged our sins.” (i.3.) What 
muiterable blessings are these, flowing to us 
rom ‘* the grace of God !” and what do they i im. 
y concerning the. natural state of man ! 

~ PRACTICAL 0 ERVATIONS. 
a LA a V.1—4. 
" ‘The excellency, im importance, and clearness of 
he Gospel, and the dignity and grace of the Re- 
leemer, concur in calling on us to “give the 
‘more earnest heed to the. things which we 
have heard :” for unless serious recollection, 
rve nt prayer, and reverent attention, with sub- 
quent meditation and practice, prevent; we 
hall surely let divine truths run out of our 
ninds, as water from a vessel with holes. Alas! 
ow many hearers of this kind are. found in all 
ur congregations and indeed We a in some 
measure criminal, and foolish, in 8 Tespect. 


nc hearts, that we may become less re 
practical, hearers of the word of life — 
ments of God under the new dispensa- 
io are. chiefly spiritual : but: they are on that 
Acco a ‘the more to be dreaded ; and “ if they, 
> despised Moses’ law, died without mer- 
* ey ; how. shall we escape, if we neglect so 
* great salyation,” as Christ hath purchased 
2 revealed? Blessed be God, this salvation 
$so great, that nothing but our neglect of it, in 
oe way or another, can exclude us from its eter- 
val advantages : ‘so that the trembling penitent, 
vho is ready to think himself too vile to be pardon. 
sd, or too polluted to be cleansed, may come to 
christ with cheerful confidence, and expect from 
tim the free gift of all that can be needful for 
im: and even they, who are conscious of hav- 
_ hitherto neglected so great salvation, may | ‘ 
e forthe pardon of that atrocious guilt in 
$same manner; being assured, that “where 
sin “bath abounded, grace shall ‘much more 
abound.” Yet even partial neglects will not 
cape. “rebukes ; and they, whose souls are not 
lly y ruined, often weaken their evidence, and 
ed arkness upon their minds by them. Let 
¢n mind this one thing needful : for, though 
not sit at the Lord’s feets as. they did, to 
¢ first began to speak the word; yet in 
patteading to the writings, which were pen 
by thos e, who heard the words from his gra 
i ps, and which have been abundantly at- 
by God himself, we shall be blessed 
good bet which cannot be taken 
3” -V. 5—13. 
rious God hath done wonderful things 
eation and providence, for which, 
re de the hasest returns ; but he 


. a 


A. D, 65,5 = 


partakers of the heavenly call- 
ing, ¢ consider 4 the Apostle © and High 
priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; _ 
.2 Who was ! faithful to him.that * ap- 
pointed him, & as also Moses was faithful 
in 2 all his house. ; 
8 For i this man was counted worthy 
of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as 
he * who hath builded the house, hath 


more honour than the house.” 


1.1.22, & 3 12.1 Eph. 4, 4. Phil. 3) £2. 17. John 6. 38 

7 thes. 5. 27. 2 in 1 Thes. 2, 14.) —40. & 8. 29, & 
‘Tim. 1.9.1 Pet.2| 2 Thes, 2. 14:1} 15. 10. & i7. 4, 
9, & 3. 5.2 Pet. 1-| Tim. 6e 12. 1) Pet.|* Gr made, 1 Sam 
3—10, Rey. 18. 20.! 5.10.2 Pet. 1 10.1 12. 6. 

b ver. 14. Rom. 11.! Judel. Rev. 17. 14./¢ ver. 5. Num. 12. 7. 
17. & 15.27..1 Cov.{d Is. 1, 3, & 5.12.)h ver. 6. Eph. 2. 22. 
9. 23. & 10. 17. 2) & 41 20, Bz. 12.) 1 Lim. 3. 15. 

Cor. 1. 7. Eph..'3.} 3: & 18 28. Hag.li ver. 5—10.& 1. 2 

6. Col. 1. 1% 1) 5s = ieee ae &-2, 9..Col. 1. 
im. 6. 2. 1 Pet» 5; 20.21. Rom. 15, 28.) 13: 

ea Pet 1, 4, tle 2, 17 &-4. 14, 15.\k Zech. 4, 9. & 6. 

John tl, 3.. | & 5. 1-10. & 6.) 12,13, Matt. 16, 18. 

© Rom. 1. 6,7. & 8} 20.& 7. 26. & 8. 1-| 1 Cor. 3.9. 1 Pet, 

28—30. & 9. 24.) FV. 11. & 10. 2t.] 2 5—7. 


MPO PS TE a SCE, SSS EE 
frorn that last enemy himself, in the Lord’s ap- 
pointed time. Let us all remember, that so 
deep was our ruin, and so heinous our guilt, 
that it behooved Jesus to become “in all things 
<¢ like unto us; that he might be our faithful 
« and merciful High Priest, in things pertaining 


« ¢ God, to make reconciliation for the sins of 
his people ;” that we may come to the Father 
only in his name, and pleading his atonement 
and intercession, not in the least doubting of his 
faithfulness and mercy towards all, whocome to 
God by him: and let the afflicted and tempted, 
instead of yielding to despondency, or giving 
place to the devil, (as if their harassing tempta.’ 
tions rendered it improper for them to come to 
the Lord with their prayers,) remember, that the 
Saviour suffered, being tempted, on purpose that 
he might be able to succour them ‘that are 
tempted ; that he hath infinite power and com- 
passion ; and that he only waits to be called in 
to their help, by fervent persevering prayer.— 
May we then hear him declare to us the name of. 
God, and teach us to celebrate his praises ; and 
may we learn to pass through all trials and. 
temptations, trusting in the Lord, and staying 
ourselves upon our God ; that we may at length 
be found among those, whom the incarnate Sa 
yiour will present before the Father’s throne, 
saying, ‘‘ Behold, Tand the children, whom thou 


‘© hast given me !” 
NOTES: 


CHAP. Il. V. 1—6. From what had been 
advanced, concerning the superiority of the 
Messiah to the angels, and his dignity, as the ins 
carnate Son of God ; the apostle took occasion to 

- eall the attention of the Hebrews to the offices 
whieh he performed for the benefit of his church. 
He addressed them as “ holy brethren,” either 
as belonging to that nation which was relatively 

‘holy, or rather as professors of Christianity ; and 
“ partakers of the heavenly caliing,” by which 
the Lord from heaven called them to leave 
the vain pursuit of earthly things, and’ to seck 
these things. which are above. He exhort- 


Py eee a holy brethren, | 4 For eve 


- 


ouse i 
man; bu fon ie 
God. Pat), 


mony of those 
spoken. after; — 
6 But Christ 1 
house; 4 whose 
hold. fast the confid 
ing of the hope firna 
(Practical 
1 See on, ver. 3. & 14 John 39. 46, 4 
2. Eph 2.10. & 3,| Aets 3. 22, 23 & 7, 
9. 37. & 28. : 
m ver 2.Num. 12.) 3, 21. Heb 85. 
7. Matt. 24. 45, &l 9, 8. 19—24. 1 Pet.! 23, 3 
23. 21. Luke 16.) 1.10—12, 22 & 
10. 1 Cor. 4. 2 1/p 1.2 & 4. 1 Ps) 6, % © 
‘Yim. 1-12. 2. 6, 7 Is: 9.6, 7.| Rev. 2. 
n Ex, 14. 31. Deut.| John 3, 35, 36) 11 * 
34. 5. Josh. 1.2. 7.) Rev. 2.18. © © 1s Rom, S- 
ei 2, 3 Matt| 1. & 1 


15. & 8. 31. Neh. t $5.) { 
9. 14, Ps. 105. 26. | 16. 18.1 Cor, 3.16.) Thes- 5, 
o Deit. 18. 15: 18.) & 5 


ea 
Luke 24 27. 44, 16. ph, 


2 ‘Phes. 2% 16 1 Pe 
1. 3—6. | 


: rs, from him 
mankind. (John xx. 21.) In this resp 

more especially superseded Moses, in h 
phetical office, as the law-giver of ‘Israel 


his high priesthood he supe 
his posterity. Of this latter” 
writer meant afierwards to discourse mo 
he therefore proceeded to show “how 
Christ was to Moses, as it might be prov 
the prophecies of his being the Son of Go 
had been faithful to the Father,jjwho had 
A (Mk 


pointed him to this office; a 
mankind the character, trut 
in the most perfect man 
been faithful to his trast,” 
all the commandments and stat 
gave to him; and in ruling overt 

might be catled his house, or th 
of Jenovan. (um. xii. 7.) — 
be considered as immensely superior to Mos 
“ for he was counted-worthy,” by the Fath 
of more glory and honour, | Moses ¢ 
be entitled: to; even as the builder of a 

more honourable thah’ the building, 4 
part of it. Thus Moses had been only 
of the house’of God, or amember of fis 
hold : but Curist had créated him, an 
nation; he had formed them 
arranged every thing, Wich s 
Specting their civil and | 

and given all the believers ; 
life, erace, wisdom, and abi 
as God, the Former, OW) 
Church, even before “his 
in a.different manner than 
every house is contrived, é i 
prepared for a habitation, by some per: 
skill and intelligence are visible in 
who built; all things ag Creator, an 


4 2 


as as the Holy Ghost 
ye will * neat his 


i on, in ihe day of * temptation 


ren pox fathers tempted me, 
me, © and saw my works ¢ forty 


"10 Wherefore 4 I was grieved with 
that — and said, They do always 


8. 2 Sam. 23. 2.{ 15. 1Sam. 6. 6s 2} 106. 14. 1 Cor, 19: 

22. 43. Mark! Kings 17s 24 2/% . 
36. Acts 1. 16.| Chr. 30. & 36,jb Ex. 19. 4. & 20, 
‘& 28 25, 2 Pet. 1.| 15. Neh. 9, 16s Job} 22 Deut. 4. 3.9 & 
21. 9.4 Prov. 28. 14,141. 7+ & 29. 2. Josh. 
U ver. 13. 15.& 4.7. & 20. 1. Jer. 7.26.1 23, 3. & 24. 7. Luke 


| 5, 20 Zech. 7. 1i,Je Num. 14-38. Deut. 
55.6.2 Cor. 6. 1,2.) 12 & 13 15. Acts| 8. 2. 4. Josh. 5. 6. 
Jam. 4.13—15. __j 19. 9. Rom. 2. 5, 6.| Am 2.10. Aets 7. 
xi BL IL Is, §54/2 Num. 14. 11. 22.) 36.& 13.18. 

17. ‘yj 9. 22, 23.Jd Gen: 6. 6. Judg, 


5. & 10. 3. -16.} Ps. 73. 56. 10.16. Ps. 73: 40. 
. Rey. 3: 20. Ex. 17.7. Deut: 6. 
pre 12, 1S. Ex." & 


Is. 63,10. Mark 3. 
5. Eph, 4. 30 


16. Ps. as 13, 


F things in the Church of Israel, could be no 
other than God himself: yet this honour the 
Messiah possessed; and this glorious person 
had at Jeng’ appeared i in human nature, as the 
Apostle ‘or Prophet of the Father, to introduce 
a new dispensation, and terminate the old one. 
a still plainer language, Moses had been, faith- 
ful, as aservant, in the house of the Lord, to 
introduce. the legal dispensation, which prefigur. 
ed. and bore witness to those things, that were 
to be more clearly revealed in future times: but 
Christ. was faithful, as a Son, placed in autho. 
ji er his own house ; for the church belong- 
+ Ban equally as unto the Father, though he 
oluntarily aqjed asthe Prophet of the Father 
mankind. ‘his spiritual house consisted. of 
hose, who had been given. to him and redeem. 
by him ; and who were valled by his grace, 
and “ made an habitation of God through the 
Spirit :” so that the apostle and the Hebrews 
professing the Gospel, whom he immediately 
addresse wit m were a part of that sacred temple, in 
which God would delight to dwell, to manifest 
eerrsence, 2nd to communicate his blessings 
ever: if they held fast their confidence in 
ist, their hope of ‘salvation by him, and their 
_and glorying io kim; and were firm and 
idfast in dependence on him, and obedience 
io him, amidst the various temptations and per- 
pensions to which this would expose them; 
as this perseverance would ae the proper evi- 
ence of their sincerity. Faithful. . Faithful- 
. God who appoints, and tenderness _ to 
whom he is appointed, are the two great 
ations, laid down as requisite in the 
Priest, here and elsewhere. (ii. 17. iv. 15. 
2-8.) He was made perfect, as to the latter, 
his assumption of our nature, and his suffer 
; i 


former. He faithfully mainiained the 
sand rights of God, in.every part of his 


CHAPTER Ti. 


en ‘not your hearts, as in the 


_ His Deity, as One with the Father, 


2 mae faithful in the whole reycla j 


A. D. 63. 


e err in their heart, and f they have not 
known my ways. - 

11 So I sware in my wrath, * They 
shall not enter into 4 my rest.) 

12 i Take heed, brethren, lest there © 
be in any of you * an evil heart of unbe- 
lief, !in departing from ™ the living God. 

13 But ® exhort one another ° daily, 
while itis called To-day; lest any of you 
be hardened through P the Bee uepitices 
of sin. 


e ver. 12. Ps. 78. 8. 
Is. 28.7. Hos. 4, 12. 
John 3. 19, 20..& 
8. 45. Rom. 1.28, 
2 Thes.2 10—12. 

f£ Ps, 67. 2. & 95, 
10. & 147. 20. Jer. 
4. 22, Rom, 3. 17. 

g ver. 18,19. & 4.3. 
Num. 14. 20—23. 
25. 27—30. 85. & 
32. 10—i3. Deut. 1. 
(34. 35, & 2. 14. 


h See on, 4.9, 32. Is. 50, 13. 
i 221-3. & 12. 15.) Jer. 17. 5s Hos. 1. 
Mat. 24. 4. Mark} 2. 

13, 9, 23,33, Luke|m Secon, 1 Thes. lL 
21. 8. Rom, 11. 2}. 9. 

1 Cor. 10, 12. in 10, 24,25, Acts 11. 
k See on, ver. 10] 93. 1 Thes, 2 11. 
Gen. 8-21. Jer. 3.) & 4.18. & 5.11. 2 
17. & 7.24. & 11.| Tim. 4.2. 
+] 8 & 16.12. & 17/0 See on, ver.7. 

9» & 18, 12..Markip Prov. 98. 26. Is 
7, Zl, 22. 44, 20. Ob. 3. Rom. 
1.10.38. & 12. 25+ 7. 11. Eph: 4. 26. 
* Gri If they shail) Job 21, 14: & 22.17.) Jam. 1. 14. 

enter. Ps. 18,21. Prov. 1. 


—_ 
world to accomplish, for rendering the salvation 
of man. consistent with the honour of God.— 
© The government of the Christian church is en- 
« tirely committed to the Lord Jesus ; and he, 
‘as supreme Head and Lord of all, governs 
* bothit and all things in earth and-heaven, for 
* the good of it : and therefore, if he be not truly 
5 God, God doth not now govern the world, but 
‘ hath given up the administration of it to 2 

‘ creature” (Whitby.) The words Eranleeae 
*« made all things,” may ratber relate to the for- 
mation of the church, than to the creation of the 
world : yet there can be no reasonable doubt; 
but that the apostle purposely intimated, that he 
who formed the church, alsd created the world : 
and certainly he asserted that Christ, whether 
as Former and Ruler of the church, or Creator 
of all things, was Gon. 

V.7—13. This address was di gepcted to those 
professed Christians who were in danger of apos- 
tatizing, or who did not seem in earnest in their 
religion : but it was peculiarly suited to exci ie 
the attention of such Jews also as might read 
The example of their unbelieving progenitors, 
and the words of their own scriptures respecti 
them, were adduced with great propriety on ae 
occasion. (Notes, Ps. xcv.) The warning given 
by the Holy Spirit in the days of Dayid, with re- 
ference to more ancient events, was equally ap- 
plicable to the Jews in the days of the apostle. 
On the present day, which might terminate their 
lives, or the season of the Lord’s long. sullering, 
or deprive them cf the means of 3 they 
were urgently entreated to attend to, and obey 
the voice of God, if they ever meant to obtain: 
his favour and escape his wrath ; and not obsti- 
nately to harden their hearts, and stupify thei 
consciences in wilful sin, by carnal prejudices “s 
and. pleasures. This their fathers had done, in 
that provocation of Jexovan, which had taken 


place i in the wilderness ; when, after all the de- 


monstrations of his power and goodness to them, 


;{they ungratefully wearied out his patience by 


their aggravated rebellions. That season was 


be Pee aR LN va 
| 


AD.65, 4IEBREWS. eh AD. 68, 


17 But * with whom) was’ he grit 
forty ted = wh i not with’ them 


14. For 4 we are made. partakers. of 
Christ, * if we hold the beginning of our 
confidence steadfast unto the end. 

15. While it is said, s To-day, if ye will 
hear his voice,; harden not your hearts, 
as in the provocation. 

16 For t some, when they had heard, 
did provoke : howbeit, "not all that came 
out of Egypt by Moses. 

q ver. 1. & 6. 4. &) 1 Pet, 4, 13. & 501. if 8110. 38, 39, 


Se 
> 
5 
oat 
es 
ae 


should not enter | 

them that belie ee: 
19 So we see ed could nC 

enter in because of unbelief, 


Josh. 14. 7—21i |e a Deut 2. 15 9.3 23. Ps. 
9, 22. 


42. 10. Rom. 1J-| i John 1. 3. on, ver.9,10.} Rom. 11. 4,5. 


17.1 Cor: 1. 30. &|r See wy mr ver. 6-1'Numi 14, 11. & 26.| X See on, ver. 10. fa See’on, ver. 4.1, 2 Mark 16. 

9. 23, & 10. 17.) & 6.1 65.'Ps. 78.17. y Num. 26. 64. 68.1; Num 14, hee 1 13.18. 36. 

Eph. i Reds See pe ver. 7, 8.Ju Num. 14. 24. 30.| Cor. 10, 1—13. 12 Deut. 1. 26—32.] Le 
38. Deut. 1. 36, 38. | Z Num. 14. 29, 32, a +10. Jude 


(Beza )—The apostle’s’ reasoning, tie that of! 
Stephen, (Votes, Acts vii ) was suited to show, 
thatthe fathers of the Jewish nation, had in ev 
age beén prone to resist the Holy Spirit, and 
who spake by him. This bad excluded the g 
ration which came out of Epypt from Canaan, 
the days of Moses: David, muny ages after, wa 
inspired by the Holy Spirit, to’ warn the tag? 
ites against imitating their unbelieving” progeni 
tors, and forfeiting ‘spiritua} blessings ; and the 
writer of the epistle warns his contempors 
hot to exclude themselves from heaven, in th 
same manner, as their ancestors were exclu 
from Canaan. In this view, there is a vast p 
priety in the warning and exhortation, ‘ 
V. 14—19, They, who professed the 
were made partakers. of Christ, and of all 
blessings of his kingdom and salvation’; p 
ed they maintained the b their 
dence, (or their subsistence in him by faith,)s 
fast unto the end; and thus showed that 
really were what they appeared to be. €or 
ing, therefore, the immense advantages, of pi 
severance, and the tremendous casequences 
apostacy, they should consider the words of 
Holy Spirit as if addressed to themselves, » Fe 
though the whole nation of Israel had b 
brought out of Egypty to hear the will of 
from Moses; yet, some’ of them, (how vast 
proportion need not be said,) did» provoke: 
to exclude them from ‘Canaan. © sage 
however, some exceptions even in that devote 
generation; as Joshua and Caleb, and some | 
the Levites, and perhapsof the women + Bs 
Num. xiv. 27—30:), and thus, in the ‘2 
time, a remnant of Jews ‘believed in Ch 
whilst the bulk of the nation were about to | 
ish in unbelief. » Yet God had not failed of 
forming his promises, when he excladed t a 
neration from Canaan; neither was it i 
ent with bis justice : ‘for with whom 
grieved, but with those obstinate trar 
who always rebelled against “him ? 
fore cut them off, and their dead bodies day: 
heaps in. the) wilderness; oa 
were performed to the remnant (lene 4 
to the children of the rebels; as they would al al. 
so bein the present case.’ And in that parti 
instance, when he sware in his wrath, mee r 


peculiarly ‘the day of eae a ;? for their 
fathers acted.as ifsthey meant to try how much 
provocation God would bear with, before he 
took vengeance/upon them. (Wote, Ex. xvii, 2.) 
Wherefore he twas at length so angered and 
grieved, by their perverse returns for his mani- 
fold favours, that he would no longer bear. with 
that generation of Israel; for he said of them, 

» that their wicked hearts ‘always led them to de. 
*part from him ; as they had never approved and 
chosen his holy ways, but had always preferred 
their own evil devices: he therefore: irrevocably 
determined, and confirmed it by an oath, that 
they should never enter into the rest of Canaan, 
the type of heavenly felicity. (Motes, um. xiii. 
xiv.) It therefore was incumbent upon the He- 
brews tolook well to themselves, lest there should 
be in any of them the same evil or wicked heart, 
the same proud, carnal, rebellious, and ungrate- 
ful temper, whence the unbelief of their ances- 
tors had originated ; and ‘lest. this should ‘be 
manifested by their apostatiaing from the living 
God ; either in rejecting Christianity, or in af 
terwards renouncing it: for in both eases. they 
would be deemed apostates from the living God, 
who now spoke to them by his beloved. Son, and 
inno other way; and they would be punished’ 
accordingly. To prevent this, they. ought also, 
day after day, to exhort one. another to embrace 
and adhere to the gospel of Christ; while the 
day of their personal and national: probation con- 
tinued : as they were, shortly to be cast off from 
being the people of God: and that generation 
‘was about to be visited in a far more tremendous 
manner, than their fathers had. been. in-the wil- 
derness.. This was needful to every one,‘ lest 
* any of them should be hardened through the 
 deccitfulness of sin :” for their sinful propen- 
silies tended to) deceive them into a persuasion, 
that satisfaction and impunity might be found in 
the world and in. disobedience; and that. the 
self denial and suffering, connected. with Chris 
tianity, were unnecessary and. intolerable ; and 
thus to delude. them, into negligence, procrasti- 
nation, and sinful indulgence ;, which producing 
frequent } violations of the light of their own.con- 
sciences, would gradually render them callous; 
and God might thus be provoked to give. them 
up to fatal delusions or final obduracy.—‘ Seeing 
* Moses the servant, could not be despised with} should not.enter into his rest ; the: trem 
* impunity; let them consider what punishment | sentence included none but the tisbrelicanbrall 
© they must endure, if they despised the Son of} that they could not enter into Canaan yer 22 of 
‘$,God, to whom Moses himself invites them?) their unbelief; nor could the Hebrews t 


a 


dod TL 
neve re artery 


* be, CHAPTER IV. ae A.D. 655. 
,otwe ewihy', ¢his rest, 4 any of you should seem te: 
‘admonition to humble fear, and against unbelief, | come short of it. 

“ly 2, Whe certainty and excellency of the hea-|_ 
 venly rest, as typified by that of the sabbath, and 
waan, 3—1! ‘The energy of the word of 
® pmniscience of our Judge, and the 
of our great High Priest, used as mo- 
s to steadfastness and earnestness in coming to 

e thr of grace, 12—16. oak 


ET 4 us therefore fear, lest, ‘ a pro- 
| mise being left ws of entering into 


: } C. er: tc 4 - Put 
la ver, 11: & 2.13.) Roms 11. 20. 1] 34. 1 Sam. 2. 30. 
1 ec 25. RK 13.| Core 10. 12. | Rom. 3. 3, 4 2 
Toy. 14. iS & 
» ba Jer. 32, 400 


2 For ¢ unto us was the gospel preach- 
ed, as well as unto them: but * the word 
preached did not profit them, f not be- 
ing & mixed with fuith in them that heard 
e Acts 3 a Os, because they 


e ver. 3—5, See on, e 
3 46. Gal 3,8. & 4s) were not united by- 
13, 1 Pet. 1,12. © | faith to. 

26,27. & 24. 48—|" Gr.» the word iof|g ver. 6.8 3. 12. 
51. & 25. 18.) hearing, Rom, 10.) 18, 19, & 11.6. 2 

Luke 12. 45, 46. &! +6. 17, Marge.) ‘Thes. 1,5. & 2. 13. 

13. 25—38. Row}! Rom, 2.25.1 Cor.| 2 Thes. 24 12, 13.-. 
3,/23-.1 Cor. 9..26,) 13.3.1 Tim. 4.8.) Jamt.21,° - 

2% ! 


- ll. 
d Mat. 7. 21—23. 


b ver. 9. Num. 14] Tim. 2. 13. 


ter into heaven, unless they believed in Jestis 
Christ. The vriginal word fur “ believed not,” 
(18,). is often rendered “were disobedient,” 
CRomex, 21 xv. 31. Heb. xi. 31. Marg. 1 Pet. i. 
7,8 iii. 20 :) for unbelief itself is av act of dis 
laberience, inseparably connected with disobedi- 
ence in other things, 2nd generally the source of 
Confidence. (14) (Marg. Ref.) (Note, Hed. xi. 
1) Wile tt is said, &. (45) * This sentence 
“is noble; from! which we learn, that the 
* words of the prophets did-not pertain: to that 
* one time; but that God, even'at this» day, in- 
* vites us to himself, by setting the writings of 
¢ the prophets before us.” (Beza.) « This is div 
rectly opposite to the conduct of many moderns, 
|who lab ur strenuously to prove, that thie las. 
guage of the sacred writers in many places was 
inteuded for certain descriptions. of persons in 
| theirowa time, and is but little, if at-all, applica. 
‘ble to us, whoare placed in. very different cir- 
cumstances. Bui, in reality, it is of compara- 
‘tively small. importance to us, as» to: religios, 
what the meaning of any  passaye in scripture 
y be, if welare not-concerned in, it, and can, 
nOllr si’uation, derive no instruction, encour- 
 @gement, or warning from it. . | 
meat sluariek. Ba fois: ' 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Poh tae Vs PaeGe. eer: 5 


yet ‘atheistically ascribe the glorious creation 
around them to chance or necessity : so they 
reason liutl:, ifiat all, better, who allow Christ to 
be'the Author of life, holiness, wisdom, strength, 
and salvation to the multitudes of his people, and 
yet deny his real Deity. All prophets and apose 
tles) acted as servants in the house of another, 
to bear testimony to Christ, and to honour him ; 
but he appeared, to direct and govern all things 
with unlimited sovereignty, as a Son over his 
own house: May we then belong to this spirit. 
ual building, and manifest that we do’so, by 
holding fast our confidence, and the rejoicing of. 
our hope in Christ, steadfast through all trials 
even tothe end!) © 9 | 
iq M719. E 
‘Alas! what numbers’ of professed Christians 
‘are as far from the power of true religion, as the 
Israelites were in the days of Moses, or the Jews 
in those of St Paul! The Holy Ghost therefore 
stili says ‘to them, ‘Today if ye will hear the 
‘voice of God, ‘and submit to his righteousness 
‘and authority; do not harden your hearts. 
While sinners are procrastinating, God may be: 
about to ‘say, *fhis night shall your souls be 
* required of you »” how infatuated then must 
‘they be to’ close their eyes and harden their 
‘| bearts against convic'ion, to run into dissipation 
and worldly lusts, and to yield to sloth and make 
delays, in such a perilous situation! Thus, like 
the ancient rebels in Israel, they provoke and 
tempt God, till being grieved by their obstinacy, 
and their earnal enmity to him and his ways, he 
swearsin his wrath that they shall never enter 
into his rest. Let thén such triflers and loiter- 
ers, on the ‘brink of the bottomless pit, look 
well to themselves ; for evil is before them. Let 
them remember that their unbelief springs from 
the:wickedness of their hearts; for they must be 
conscious that: theit excuses, their delays, and 
even their objections to’ doctrines and preach- 
ers, avise from covetousness, or sensuality ; from 
pride, and an aversion te the life of faith and ho- 
liness' We all, however, have need to exhort 
one’ another daily, or whilst the day of life and 
grace continue ; lest sin should first deceive, and 
then harden us ; till negligences and offences in 
lighter things, terminate in more daring crimes 
yr open apostacy. The happiness of being par- 
takers of Christ,.as our complete salvation and 
lation and upholding of the universe. | eternal portion, and the fear of God’s wrath and 
@ they are most absurd, who allow/eternal misery, combine to put us upon our 
house to\be builded of some man,” and | guard against hypocrisy and apostacy, and to 


| boa, bite hua and profess the Gospel, should 


: 
‘ 


’ “holy brethren,” and ail who are “ partakers 
of the heavenly calling,” will be sanctified, 
nd united in love, according to their measure of 
faith. ‘This calling is from heaven, and brings 
m n thither: yet we all need to be excited to 
‘consider more frequently, the condescending 
Apostle and compassionate High Priest, of our 
fession, Jesus Christ: and every renewed con 
lation of iis Person and his salvation, will 
st New instructions or new motives to love, 
ence, and obedience. The stewards and 
nts of God are required ‘to be faithful, in 
‘things intrusted to them, and many have been 
oved as such by their common Lord.» But 
nal Sya of God is counted’ worthy: of 
ir, than any, or all, of his servants:: 
nly a part of the spiritual house,’ of 


is the. great Builder, Proprieter, and 
1 his new creation of the Church pro- 
3 eternal power and Godhead, even as 


/ 


"1.9. 26, Mat. 13. 35. 


A. D. 65, 


enter into rest ;, as he said,. 


into my rest: although * the works were 


finished ! from the foundation of the| then would 


world. i 
4 For he spake ™ in a certain place of 


. the seventh day on this wise, And =" God 


did rest the seventh day from all his 
works. 

5 And in this place again, ° If they 
shall enter into my rest. 

6 Seeing therefore P it remaineth that 
4 some must enter therein, and * they to 
whom * it was first preached * entered 
not in because of unbelief: 

7 (Again, he limiteth a certain day, 


hh vers6. 10, 1k Eph. 1. 4.1 Pet. 1. Is. 65.15, Mat. 21. 
3. 14. Ys. 23. 12} 20- ai & 22. 3 10, 
: f. 15. Mat. 11-(m Luke 14. 21—24. 

23, 29. Rom, 5. 1, Acts 13. 46, 47.%& 
28, 28. 

i See on, 3. 11, Ps. Nek ore Sau. v ver, 2. Gal 3. 8. 
95. 11. Pp ver. 9. 1 Cor 7 !* Or, the gospel was 

hs Gen. 1. 31. Ex:.| 29. | furs. &e. 

20. 11. q Num, 14, 12 31.J]s Sce on, 3. 18,19. 


See on, 2. 6» 
“154 2. 1, 2. Ex. 
Si. 


’ 


excite us to persevere in the life of obedient 
faith. Let ts then beware of trusting’ to out 
ward privileges or profession ; remembering that 
anbelief and disqbedience will exclude men from 
God’s promised rest; and that nothing‘else car 
do it; and let us’ pray to be numbered with that 
remnant of believers, who will enter heaven, 
when ail others shall be refused admission ‘be- 
cause of their unbelief, 


NOTES. 

CHAP. IV. V. 1, 2. The awful justice-of 
JEHOVAH towards his ancient peopie, when they 
believed not, called aloud on their descendants 
to fear,” with a hamble and jealous distrust of 
their own hearts, a diligent self-examining at j 
tention to every means of grace, and a carefu! 
watchfulness against temptation; lest they 
should fall under a still more terrible condem 
nation. A promise indeed of “ entering into 
* rest,” under the Messiah and in heaven, had 
been left them in the scriptures, as a legacy from 
their believing progenitors, for whose sake they 
had been thus favoured ; and they’ were called 
on by the preaching of the gospel to partake of 
that promised benefit :. but it behooved them to 


‘fear, lest any of them should ‘be seen to come 


short of it, and so be excluded from heaven, as 
their fathers had been from Canaan: or even 
lest they should seem to themselves, or to others, 
to be'in danger of (loing this, either during their 
lives, or when death approached ; and this must 
be the case, if they rejected or renounced the 
gospel, and would probably be so, if they grew 


rémiss or wavering in their profession of it.’ Fou} earnests of it, in peace” 


the glad'tidings of entering into this test had 
been preached to’ the Hebrews, even as they 
had more obscurely been declared to their fa- 
thers ; whose unbelief and ‘consequent disobedi- 
ence had excluded them from Canaan, and from 
that Better rest of heaven typified by it.) For 


- 


HEBREWS. 


3 For © we which have beliened do|t saying in Daa, * 
i As I have| long a ti 
‘sworn in my wrath, If they shall enter| hear his v 


8 For if 


of another day. 
9 There2re 
to # the people a Pi 
10 For > he t 


lle ei us idenr thi 
into that rest, f lest’ hae 


the same ox § unbe 
[Pract 


t 3. 7,8.2 Sam. 23.) 55. & 105. 44. 
1,2. Mat. 22. a3.}z vers. 3.& 3. 11 
Mark 12. 35. Luke} Is. 11.10. 
20.42. Acts 2.29—] & 60. | 
31, & 28, 25. : : 

u 3: 7e 150 bs. 95 7.)t | 
x 1 Kings 6. 1. Acts} 
13. 20-23 lt. 
+ That is Josh Mat, | 
Seen, Acts 7. 454 14. 
y tlh 13—15 Deut|b 1. 
V2. (Sey RAE IG ev. 443 

Josh. 1. 15- & 22 Je Jo 
4. & 23. 1, Ps. 78 ‘Pet. 1, 


the word of hearing had nét. 
cause “not being’ mixed” 
ed by the faith oF the hear 
destitute of faith, by which the 
the word into their hearts, for t 
of the benefit, and to render it | 
obedience. And, in ike 7 
velation of the gospel would 
te Hebrews ; unless they had 
received it in a dependent and o 
Of all that vast multitude, which fe 
cerness, Not one came ype 
power of any enemy; or b 
sins, or present weal 
cause, but the wantof t 
hear the gospel are’ exe 
any account whatever, ¢ 
* He proves, that the 
* and his seed the land of € 
* lasting possession, was re 
© believers of all nations | 
« sion of the inirobr > cou 
* was the emblem; 
* eluded the rau Ile 
* ness from Canaan, 
‘ heavenly country ‘all’ ‘aa ean 
* sins. So that, in this ancient 
* state, with its rewards and 
© actually made knowa 7 
seg J 
V.3—11. The apostle 
ciple, that they who belie 
tered into that rest which’ ¥ 
‘ed; they had the title 


God, delight in his “fovea 
and joy through the pewanra ‘ 
anda full persuasion that | 

be found in the fuvour and salvation ¢ 
Jesus. It was evident that more was m 
the rest of Canaan, in the seriptu 


CHAPT 


2 For ¢ the word of God * is quick, 
emai and # sharper than any two- 
"a, piercing even to the ‘divid- 

f soul and spirit, and of the 
» * and zs a discerner of 


1 ag 16. 1 Cor.] 6, Proy 5.4. Is. 11. 
"2 1. 24.2Cor. 10. 4,| 4 & 49. 2 Acts 2. 
2. Rev, 5. L Thes. 2. 13. 7. & 5. 33. 


(19, 15.21. 
& 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. 
"Eph. 5. 13. 


3 Is. 51. 1 Pet. 2. 4.5 
1. on 33. 29. Ps. 45. 3. & 149. 


‘God had called it Ais rest, with allusion to 
a ment of the sabbath; though the 
s of creation from whieh he ceased, and in 
fhich he rested with infinite satisfaction, as be- 
ng « very goad,” had been finished from the 
prepentice of the world; above two thousand 
re hundred years hefore he spake thus of the 
Israelites: for it was thus written in 2 
Inassage of scripture well known to the Hebrews, 

erning the original i institution of the sabbath, 

» Gen. ii 1,2) And yet he spake so Jong 
ter, that “should not enter his rest ;” 
implied that the rest of Israel in Ca- 
is would be a type of a more spiritual and 
sacred rest, satisfaction, and felicity, in him and 
nie —— (in some degree resembling his com- 
y in his own perfect work of creation ;) 
would be conferred on his believing peo- 
The exclusion of the generation frorfi 
ang whom that rest was first preacked or 
proposed, implied that it remained for some 
papa in, which their posterity accord- . 
ely did; and the language denoted, that, | 
ile through unbelief numbers of them came | 
short of the better rest.of heaven, yet it was pur- 


ion of which another day was limited by 
Holy Spirit in the prophet David, many ages 
“ati which believers would enter 
which unbelievers would be 

—— pk ed. Now, as this was address. 
tothose, who were actually in possession of 
the promised land, and at the height of their 
prosperity as a nation; it evidently reiated to 
another a ‘better rest than that of Canaan, 
om which unbelief would exclude even the in- 
bitants of that good land. For if Jesus, (or Jo- 
: as it would have been better rendered, to 
_ prevent mistake and ambiguity,) had given them 
i Il the rest intended for believers; God would 
“Bt so long after have spoken “ of another 
“day.” Joshua had indeed given Israel rest from 
the fatigues and wanderings of the desert, and 
from the hardships and perils of war, by their set. 
: entin Canaan; yet there evidently remained 
for the true people of God another and better 
. est, even the keeping of a perpetual and most 
eas ed sabbath ; for the word is changed .to ex 
"press the idea the more strongly. This was reserv- 
E i for them in.heaven, where they have done with 
» pain, conflict, fear, death, labour, 
ntment ; and enjoy uninterrupted, 
effable, and eternal delight, in.God 
worship and service. This point 
argued from the old Testament so 
care because the Sadducees entirely deni- 
edt that ny Besier recompense than temporal pros- 


; 
. 
2 
| 
| 


ER IV. A. D. 65, 


the thoughts: and intenfs of the* heart. 
13 Neither ' is there any creature that 
is not manifest in his sight: but all things 
are ™ naked and opened unto~the eyes 
of him ® with whom we have to do. 
11 Sam. 16. 7.1 Chr.] 23. 24. John 2. 24, 
28. 9.2 Chr. 6. 30.| 25. & 21. 17.1 Cor. 
Ps. 7. 9. & 33. 14] 4. 5. Rev. 2. 23 
15. & 44,21, & 139..m Job 26.6. & 34, 


Hy, 12. Prov. 15. 3.| 21. & 38 17- 
il. Jer. 17. 10. &|n Ee. 12, 14. Mat 
- 


7, 21; 22. & 25.31, 
$2. John 5. 22—29, 


Acts 17. 31. Rom. 
2. 16. & 14. 9—12, 
2 Cor. 5. 10. Rey. 
20. 11—I5. 


perity was to be expected : and the Jews in gen- 
eral were prone to overlook thespirituai blessings 
proposed to them in the promises’ made to 
their fathers, and to rest wholly in-the temporal 
sanctions of the national covenant miace with 
them at mount Sinai. (Aofes, Ex. xix. 1—15.) 
He therefore added, that he who had enter c into 
lis rest, had weasel from his own works, in 

which he had previeusly been eccupiec : even as 
God ceased fron: creating wl, he rested on the 
sabbath day. Thus Jesus hau finished his work 
on earth, and had entered into his rest in 
heaven as ihe Fore runner of bis peuple : thus 
the souls of the righteous have ceased from 
their self denying labours, and sre enjoying 
their graciuus recompense : and thus the belicv- 
er, when brought to rest inthe mercy and love 
of God, through Jesus Christ, ceases from ali his 
allowed works of sin and folly, as wel .as from 
his vain endeavours to establish his own righ 
teousness, or to effect his own happiness.— 
As such blessings therefore were surely attaina- 
ble by those who diligently sought them; and 
as the promised rest would so abundantly repay 
their previous hardships and conflicts : it behooy- 


that some should enter in by faith. In con-/ed them to labour in the use of all appointed 


means, and in the persevering attendance on 
every duty, to enter into this rest, and to obtain 
the assurance and earnest of it ; fearing, lest any 
of them should fall under condemnation, after 
the same example of unbelief, by which their 
ancestors had been excluded from Canaan.— 
The apostle’s reasoning from the Old Testa- 
ment, concerning another rest, entirely distinct 
from the rest in Canaan ; even “ the keeping ofa 
* sabbath reserved for the people of God,?. 
which unbelievers even in Canaan came shert 
of, is as conclusive against all those moderns, 
who labour to prove, that the doctrine of a future 
state of righteous retribution, was no part of the 
religion of Israel; as against the ancient Saddu- 
cees. The proof of this doctrine, from compar- 
ing two passages in the books of Moses, with one 
in the Psalms, is as clear and conclusive, as our 
Lord’s proof of the resurrection by what Jexo- 
vau said to Moses fram the bush: and probably, 
the apostle knew the Pharisees ‘in generak 
would have allowed, that all who rejected it 
« erred, not knowing the Scriptures.” 

V. 12, 13_ It hath been greatly: controvert- 
ed, whether the holy scriptures, or the. pergonal 
Word ci God, be meant in these verses: but St. 


Paul never calis our Lord by this tithe; «and it- 


sppears to me, that the apostle meant the; writ. 
ten.wo-d: and that he gradually passed from the 
word -poken, to h m who spake it. The Hebrews 
need not be surpt.sed to find such deep and 


4. D. 65. HEBREWS, 


14 Seeing then that we have © a great|* tempted like as we hig a tye 
High Priest, P that is passed into the] sin. 
heavens, 4 Jesus the Son of God,* let us} 16 Let. 
hold fast owr profession. to Y the throt 

15 For * we have not an High Priest] tain mercy, 
which cannot be touched with'the feeling |of need. 
of our infirmities; but was in all points 


© See on, 2 17. es | Luke.24. 51. Acts] 6. 14. 

1.& 5.5, 6, 1. 11.8 3.21. Roms 5. 2 Ex. 23. 9, Js. 
pis & 6.20.% 7.25.1 8.34. 53. 4,5. Mat 8. 16, 
26, & 8. 1. & 9 1%|[q See on, 1. 2. 8) 17.8 12. 20, Phil. 
24, & 10. 12. & 12. Mark 1:1. 2. 7, 8. 

2. Mark 16- 19.ir See on, 2. 1. & 3 


t Sreon, 2. 17, 18. 
Luke 4. 2: & 22, 23. 
uz. 26. Is. 53.59% : 
John 8 46. 2 Cor-jy 9.5. E 
5. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 22. ae 
1 John 3.5. 


stripped of ail disguise; 
understood by him, ** withwwho: do, 
as with our Lawgiver and Judge, and to whom 
we must at length render an anesnutiaf a 
conduct, and of all our mast 
motives, and intentions. ‘Phe expresses | tia 
“ed and open,” are supposed. to. refer. 
sacrifices, which were flayed and pee snd | 
cleft down the chine; — areas part of the, 
body and of the intestine before con 
cealed, were exposed ae sa eee 
the priest. ee: Bee! PAveyeinecha 2 

V. 14—16. As therefore, a o0 
demnation were inevitable to sinners b 
omniscient Judge, whose quick and p 
word forced men even’ here 
selves ; it was the more needful fur the 
to" regard the great High-Priest,;whom _ e wa 
recommending to them, the ; 
God, who, haying appeared in human’ n 
in the court of the sanctuary, to’ i 
sacrifice; had passed through the i 
heavens into the immediate er i ‘ 
ther ; (as the high-priest 
sanctuary into the holiest fake tos) 
blood;..and. burn. the incense on: the | { 
expiation ;) and was accepted in his ministrs 
tions, and invested with all po nd 
earth, to save or to destroy 
to hold fast the profession 
dangers and persecutions, EF 
High Priest, who disregarded, ¢ 
pathize with them in, their pains 
for his sake ; or who would mak 
for their infirmities, or refuse , 
temptations: but he was One 
their parcon and salvation, 
}mitted to be tried and tem 
were ; as far as he could be, 
ture, or the least sin in his 
tion was needful, in onder that he n 
Sacrifice and their Advocate... As 
there was a mercy-seat above the ark of | 
venant, in the most holy place, be: 
High priests once a year appeared 
people, and over which the glory 
played, as propitious to them 
Father was'as it were, placed on 
a mercy;seat, in the heavenly. 
which Jesus appeared as th 
people, through whom he waited 
tions, to grant :pardons, and ta com 
blessings, to all who applied, for. (Dede 
faith and by fervent prayer. Let then er 
of them, before they were s 


interesting truths couched under the’ typical 
events of their history, or contained in other 
parts of their scriptures; for they were ‘* the 
« word of God.” This was no lifeless, feeble, or 
formal instruction, like’ the traditions and glosses 
of the scribes: but it was a living, active, ener: 
getic word; suited to be the instrument of the 
Holy Spirit in quickening those that were dead 
in sin; and in awakening, convincing, and 
alarming the most careless and insensible of 
mankind. It was even sharper than any two- 
edged sword, which would cut each way: for 
it would pierce the heart and conscience, like 
the irresistible lightning; forcing convictions 
and alarms upon the most haughty and obstinate : 
showing men their past and present sins in all 
their odiousness and aggravations : detecting the 
unsuspected pride, enmity, rebellion, ingrati- 
tude, and other evils of the heart; .distinguish- 
ing men’s characters with the clearest evidence, 
and exposing the base motives of their most 
specious actions. Thus, by exhibiting the glo- 
ry of the divine perfections, men’s relations and 
obligations to the great Creator; the spirituali- 
ty, extent, excellency, and sanction of the law; 
the evil and desert of gin, and the depravity 
of the human heart, in @ Variety of ways, and 
a multiplicity of experiments; it forces con- 
viction of guilt and danger upon the sinner, and 
compels him, as it were, to condemn himself and 
seek deliverance ; nor can any kind of delusion 
or hypocrisy stand before its penetrating ener 
gy; when experimentally and fully preached, and 
applied to the hearts of men according to their 
various characters. It is, as it were, a sword, 
which can pierce so deep and cut so keenly as 
to divide between soul and spirit, (1 Thes. v. 23.) 
and to penetrate the joints and marrow, whieh 
no other sword can reach: being, in plain lan- 
guage, a discerner of men’s most secret thoughts 
aud intentions; so that it often shows them their 
most hidden purposes, and makes them afraid of 
being openly named and exposed ; as ifthe.preach’ 
er kuew their hearts far better than they did 
themselves, and had a register before him even 
of those sins which they had forgotten. (Marg. 
Ref.) Thus “ the word of God,” is “ the sword 
¢¢ of the Spirit,” in the hands oF Christ, as well 
as in the hands of his people. For the Lord 
himself is the Speaker, when his own word is 
properly ‘declared’ and applied: ‘he discerns, 
and by his word, detects the thoughts and inten- 
tions of the heart; nor is there any creature, 
who is not wholly manifest in every respectiin 
his sight; before whom all things are naked, as 


{ WQNOR * every high priest, taken from 

among mien, is ordained > for men 
' _are stat-/in things ferraining to God, that he may 
: OP rien ance Ge oer WEE, offer ¢ both gifts and sacrifices for sins : 
Sih A rere ot ihe Hebrews UB aah Mae 
proficiency in Christianity, 11—14.| Lev.8.2, ke. fo 8 3, 4. & 990% 


* ‘CHAP. V.. im 
of the Aaronie high priesthood, and 
id qualifications for it are stat- 


this rest, lest they should fall after the example 
of ancient unbelievers, and perish with heaven . 
before their eyes; let believer§ keep close to 
Christ by faith and obedience, and learn to de- 
light in his holy day and sacted ordinances, as 
earnests of their expected eternal sabbath, and 
preparations for it: let them bear up under fa- 
tigues and hardships, in the prospect of heavens — 
ly rest; and if ever drawn aside, let them recol- | 
lect these things, and say to themselves, ‘* Res 
-* turmunto.thy rest, O my soul.” (Ps. cxvi. 7.) 
tte tnt 44 Ka Den 1G 
While. we find by experience, that * the word 
* of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than __ 
“ any two-edged sword,” to penetrate the heart _ 
‘and conscience ; let us remember, that the Lord 
himself is the Discerner of the thoughts and in. — 
'tents of the heart, before whom all\creatures aré 
manifest, and all things are. naked and open. 
With him we have to do, and to him we are ac- 
countable: and if under faithful preaching, we 
find our hearts condemn us, we are sure that 
“© God is greater than our hearts; and knoweth 
all things.” Instead therefore of quarrelling 
t with the heart-searching ministry, and choosing 
igent conduct, that it’ often causes men to|such lifeless feeble instructions, as are more like 
em to come short, even when they are launch-|a shaken reed than a two-edged sword: let us | 
ng into eternity; and they leaye the world in| lay open cur inmost souls tothe piercing strokes 
sloomy doubt, and their survivors in distressing} of the distinguishing word of God ; that we may . 
certainty, Whether they are gone to heaven or} learn our need of that great High Priest, even. 
liell, Let us then “ give diligence, that we} the Son of God, who now pleads for us before . nis 
ay have an abundant entrance into the ever-| Father’s throne in heaven. In robaray a ae we 
ting kingdomiof our Lord” Under every| know and. condemn ourselves, and abhor our 
sation, God hath declared man’s rest to be | sins; he will become more and more precious to 
n him and his love, as the only suitable and $uf-| our souls, and we shall. cleave to him more cone 
happiness of the soul; and faith in his|stantly. The thoughts of the holiness and hearts 
omises, through his Son, as the only way of} searching knowledge of God and our conscious- _ 
ing into that rest. His rich mercy, the|ness of guilt and infirmity, will endear to us the 
us redemption of Christ, and tle word of| Redeemer’s. condescension and compassion ; and’ 
sospel, will not profit those, who do not|we-shall rejuice that he can be “ touched with _. 
faith with his gracious message; for many|** the feeling of our infirmities,” and that he 
td and professed the truth, who are|knows what sore temptations mean, though he. 
Annded from the promised rest because | was perfectly free from sin.. Let us then ap. | 
f unbelief; their state is determined, and| proach continually to the throne of grace, where 
r Sabbaths and ordinances have only sery-| our reconciled God deems it his peculiar honour - 
ase their condemnation. Many thou-} to pardon rebels, and answer the prayers of those, 
hem every day; to whom, could we} who supplicate his favour in the name of his be. 
m; Wwe could only say; ‘Had you at-|loved Son: let us improve,the day of his pa- 
rday, it might have been well;|tience, and approach in his appointed way ; let 
- late?’ To survivors, however,| us come with believing boldness, as well as with 
y ay, “ To-day if ye will hear my | adoring reverence and humble repentance; let 
‘and the present is an accepted time|us seek for mercy to pardon our sins, to compas. 
y of salvation. “Many also are continu-! sionate our miseries, and to supply our necessj- 
to the earnest and beginning of} ties; and let ussupplicate grace sufficient for us,. 
th ; and others into the full pos- 
in the Lord, Then they 
ir sorrows, sins, and tempt- |} pensioners at the throne of grace, which is our 
ang and tears are exchang- } best preparation for appearing before the tribu- 
@ perfect serenity and. satis-|malof our omniscient and holy Sudge.. ot 
#s then tkbour to enter intot 


dement, come with humble confi- 
hrist, and in the love of the Father 
lim, to suPplicate forgiveness and mer- 
d to ask for seasonable and sufficient 
o support, comfort, strengthen, and sanc- 
m, as their trials and services. required : 
; ing a refusal, but boldly and freely, yet 
ta reverence and lowliness; enlarging and mul- 
iplying their requests, as fully assured of their 
iéavenly Pather’s readiness to do for them even 
‘ more than they could ask or think.” 
cee Bag eho By 
- PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
apt Ac Vo 1i—ll. , 

sd be God, that the gospél is preached 
, even as to the primitive Christians, and 
ar More ciearly than to Israel of old! Exceed- 
gly great and precious promises are given to 
is of entering into the heavenly rest: yet: we 
photild “ rejoice with trembling” in our outward 
idvantages ; lest any of us should be found at 
“to come short of the blessing, afd to 
nk under proportionably deeper condemnation, 
/brough unbelief. Nay, it is a very dreadful con- 
ence of a wavering profession, or a lax and 


¥ 


i 


"3 R 


i ea ets ae 5 i ee 
CHAPTERV. . A. D; 65: 


‘in all our trials and temptations, and toenableus 
for every day’s service: thus waiting as humble 


€& 


A. D, 65. 


¢ ignorant, and on ‘ them that are out of 
the way; for that he himself also & is 
compassed with infirmity. 

3 And by reason hereof he ought, » as 


for the people, so also for himself, to offer} 


for sins. : 

4 And ino man taketh this honour un- 
to himself, but he that is called of God, 
as was Aaron. 

5 So also © Christ glorified not himself 
to be made an High Priest; but Ne that 
said unto him, ! Thou art my Son, to-day 
have 1 begotten thee. 

6 As he saith also in another flace, 
m Thou arz a Priest for ever, after the er- 
der of » Melchisedec. 

7 Who © in the days of his flesh, 
2. 18. & 4, 15s) | 10. Gal. 1.13. [ik John 7. 18. & 8, 
* Or, | reasonubly\W 7. 27. & 9.7. Ex:| 54. 
bear with. 29, 12—19. Lev. 4.]l 1, 5. Ps. 2. 7+ Mic. 
e Num. 15. 22—29,| 3—12. & 8.14—21.) 5. 2. John 3.. 16, 

1 ‘Tim. 1. 13. & 0. 7. & 16. 6.15} Acts 13. 33, Rom, 
£12.13. Exe 32.8} —19% 8. 3. 
Judg. 2. 17. Is. $0.|i Ex. 28. 1. Ley. 8.]m ver. 10. & 6, 20. 
ll. 2, Nun 3. 3. & 16 &'7. 3. 15. 17%. Ps, 
7%, 28. Ex» 32, 2—| 5.7. 10.35. 46—48.} 110, 4, 
& 17. 3—11. & 18.{n Gen, 14, 18, 19. 
1—5. 1 Chr. 23. 13.Jo 2,14. John 1, 14. 


2 Chri 26. 18+ John} Rom:.8. 3, Gal.4, 
3. 27. 4.1 Tim. 3, 16. 1 


. NOTES. 

CHAP. V. V:1—4. In order more fully to show 
the nature and efficacy of the high priesthood of 
Christ, the apostle‘made some observations on 
that of Aaron; which tended to manifest its in- 


5. 21—24. Num. 12. 
1—9. & 20, 10—12. 
Luke 22- 32. 2 Cor. 
11, 30. & 12.5. 9, 


sufficiency, and to point out its typical meaning, ; 


as well as to illustrate his subject, Every high 
priest, selected from among men, was ordained 
and appointed for the benefit of man in the great 
concerns of religion. That office required him 
who sustained it, to present before God the obla- 
tions and sin offerings of the people: nor would 
he accept of any services, that were not offered 
in this way; which continually testified that sin- 
ners were unworthy to approach their offended 
Creator, save through an expiatory sacrifice and 
an intercessor. For, as the high priest was the 
head of the whole priesthood, so all the other 
priests were descended from Aaron, who had first 
obtained this office in Israel, and were, in some 
sense, one with him. ‘It was, moreover, proper, 
that the high priest should be capable of com- 
passionating, in a proportionate and reasonable 
manner, his brethren, who had sinned through 
ignorance and infirmity ; for which their ‘sin-of- 
ferings were appointed: ‘and this was provided 
for, by ordaining men of like passions with others 
to that office; who, being compassed with natu- 
rat and moral infirmities, were as liable to <mis- 
take or sin as they. Tt was therefore prescribed 
that they should offer sacrifices forgtheir bwn 
sins, as well as for those of the people & which 
was a plain intimation, that they could only be 
iypical high-priests, being not worthy to appear 
before God in theit own cause, but with the 
shedding of blood. (Marg. Ref. and notes on the 
scriptures referred to,.). Nor might any man as. 
sume this honourable office, of his own will or 


HEBREWS. , y = i 
2 4 Who ean * have compassion on the|P when he had offered up praye m 


‘le Sve 


supplications, 4 with strong cryi 
tears, * unto Him that was aa a 
him from d t and was heard f int 
whe feared; ea 
8 Though * 
ed he obedience 
suffered; 
9 And 2 being 1 
came the Author 
© unto all them that 
10 4 Called of 


a Son, ¥ yet ez 


39% Luke 22. 

44. John 17, Ai 2) 
q Mat. 27. 46, é 
Mark 15, 34. 37. 4¥ 
r Is. 53. 3, 4e IL} 5; 
John 11. 35. Vd 


V.5, 6. According to 
Christ had not taken honour 
ing asthe High Priest of 
express warrant: but 
T<./ament openly 
should sustain that 
place, “ Thou art 
gotten thee,” w 
concerning the Messi: 
5. Ps. ii.) so had he as 
his appointment to the pri 
phecy, (Votes, Pa.ex:) 
paid more regard to the 
dom, than to those of 
their prejudices for the 
positors, interpretin 
“have I begotten thee,” 
tion; (though that was only 
any sense’ the case, or « 
have strangely argued, that] 
as a priest, till after he : ; 
But the typical meaning of the I l cer 
will sufficiently expo 2 gross al 
this supposition, as we e 

V. 7-10. Though ¢ 
all sinful infirmity, yet he 
dition of a eee . 
compassed about with | 3 ! 
our frail nature; he * etece 
of sinful flesh ;” he Was dealt wit 


or 
oO 


Seen 


S- 
& for the time ye ought 
ye have need that one 
in, which de © the first 
Acts 28. 27. Col 3. 16. Tit. 2. 
g Mat. 17.17. 

19.19. 

5 E2ra 7. 10. Ps. $4} Phil 3. 1. 
g@ricG. 17,28.) 11. 1 Cor. 14. 19.j6 6. 1. 
uke 24. 


God and man ; he endured the most vio- 
temptations, , and agonies; and 
rt unspeakable. This was “in ys of 

fs his fiesh,” subsequent to his incarnation ; 
¢ previous to his exaltation, when his human 
ature became incapable of suffering, and was 
nade inco ly glorious, (Vote, 1 Cor xy. 
0.) s humiliation and distress were extreme 
agen garden, (Votes, Matt. xxvi. 
xxii 40—44) Then especially 
pode his Father most earnest prayers 
a ‘siagplicstions, accompanied with strong 
cries and tears, as vehement expressions of his 
afr ey he addressed bimself to God, 
las able to save him from death, and he was heard 
eee because of his piety, his reverence 
; divine Majesty, his loye, and his zeal for 
op ears of the Father. Or, as most commen- 

ti explain it, “ He was heard, and delivered 
« from his fear.” No doubt the most distressing 
dread of that awful wrath of God against our 
ins, which he had undertaken to endure, was 
e cause of our Lord’s agony in the garden — 
is might well oppress his human soul, without 
is having the least apprehension, that he should 
y sink under it, or come short of “the joy 


r’s faithfulnessito his engagement; any de- 
Sree re mes eebmission, or any degree | caine 
sin. _ For, the prospect of the temporary, and 

even transient, enduring of such a load of guilt 
and wrath, was sufficient to excite the most 


ee ee 

ke divine nature, even fear; and Shik 
F ascribed to God, as many others are; and 
ne could sympathize with them in it, and 
r them from it. By Panag coer a 
A ; though “ the 
d not pass feom him,*bat he willingly 
to drink it: yet he wes delivered 
agonizing terror which dictated his 
lications with strong crying and tears ;” 
afterwards calm and composed under 
est sufferings. Learned men have clear- 


ear this sense : and it seems more ex- 
haan argument. Our Lord 
id spared, or exempted, from any 
espiatory sufferings, concerning 
eeThy willbe doe,” notwithstand 
: of bis holy human na- 

that if was not possible for that 


CHAPTER V. 


41 Of whom ¢ we have many things to] principles of } the oracles of God ; and 
kay, and 1 to be uttered; seeing ye}are become such ™as have need of milk, 


A. D. 65. 


and not of strong meat. 

13. For every one that useth milk, * zs 
unskilful in » the word of rightcousness : 
for ¢ he is a babe. 


1 2 Sam. 16. 23. Acts!* Gr. Aath no io Is. 23. 9. Mat. 11- 
7. 38 Rom.3. 2. 1) rience. 25. Mark 10. 15- 
Pet. 4. 11. a Ps.119.123, Rom{ Rom, 2. 20. 1 Coz 
m ver. 13. Is. 55, 1.] I. 17,18. & 10. 5,6.) 13- Us & 14. 20, 
1 Cor. 3. 1-3 a zeae 3.9, 2Tim a 14. 1 Pet. 
Pet. 2. 2 3s 16. 


cup to pass from him, consistently with the gio- 
ry of the Father and the salvation of bis people ; 
yet the horror of his mind was allayed, he was 
strengthened to support the immense weight of 
suffermg that was laid upon him ; his sacrifice 
was accepted for his people ; he was raised from 
the dead, exalted to the mediatorial throne, and 
inyested with the power of saving “to the ut- 
*“* termost, all who come to God through him” 
So that, when the Son of God himself was ap- 
pointed to: the high priesthood, he learned the 
difficulty of obeying the divine commandments, 
in the present circumstances of human nature, 
amidst the temptations and trials to which men 
are exposed : of this he acquired an experimental 
knowledge, as far as could consist with sinless 
perfection ; and even his perfect obedience he- 
came more exalted and honourable, through his 
whole life, by the enlargement of his human pow- 
ers, and by the things which he suffered ; so that 
his zeal and love were never so admirable and 
astonishing, as when he agonized in the gar- 
den and hung upon the cross. . Thus, by his ap- 
pointmentto the High ee, by the obedi- 
ence. which he finished amidst sufferings and 
unto death, by the efficacy of his sacrifice, and 
by his subsequent exaltation, he was made ger- 


t before him ;” the least distrust of the Pa- fect, as Mediator; being fully authorized and 


pamethey for his gracious work; and so he be- 
“the. Author of eternal ‘salvation to all 
« those” of the whole human race, who obey his 
call to repentance, to faith, and to take his yoke 
upen them; mercifully giving them all things 
pertaining to that deliverance, 2s the purchase of 
his own blood, and leading them forth to all 
those conflicts and services, which are connect- 
ed with their laying hold of eternallife. For all 
this springs, from his having been nomigated and 
acknowledged. of God as a High Priest after the 
order of Melchisedec ; a King as well as a High 
Priest, and so of a nobler order than that of 
Aaron. (Votes, Geri. xiv. 18—20. Ps. cx.) It 
is observable, that Melchisedec is never men. 
tioned in the Old Testament, after the account 
of his meeting with Abraham, as recorded in 
Genesis, except in the hundred and tenth Psalm ; 
and never in the New Testament, except in the 
apostle’s.argument, in this epistle, concerning 
the high priestheed of Christ; a subject of infi- 
nite importance, and proved beyond all reason- 
able doubt, by this single argument! How 


unobserved, and which perhaps very few much 
-| attend to! 


4. D. 65. 


14 But strone meat belongeth to them 
that are ¢ of full age, even those who by 
10%: perfect. Mat.) 15. Jam. 3.2. Gr. jp Job 6. 30. & 12 


5. 48. 1 Cor. 2 6.|f Or, on /abit, or,} 11.& 34.3. Ps-119. 
Eph. 4, 13. Phi. 5. ‘perfection. 103. Cant. 1. 3. & 


Vv. 11—14. Concerning Christ, as a High 
Priest after the order of Melchisedec, the apos- 
tle meant to discourse more fully: but. the 
things which he had to say of him were such, as 
it would be difficult to state in a proper manner ; 
not so much: because they. were in themselves 
abstruse, as because the Hebrews were dull of 
hearing, through their prejudiced attachment to 
the Levitical law and priesthood. Though they 
had heard and professed the Gospel so long, that 
it might have been expected they would have 
been instruetars of others, in the great doctrine 
of redemption by Christ: they had so closed 
their minds to the truth, or turned aside from 
the purity of the faith; that they wanted some 
one to teach them «new the very rudiments of 
that religion, which were contained in the 
oracles of God, when rightly understood, They 
were become such Christians, as had need to be 
fed with milk, or to be taught the plainest_ and 
most obvious truths of the Gospel, being incapa- 
ble of receiving and profiting by its deeper and 
morespiritual doctrine. (Votes, 1 Cor.iii. 1, 2.)— 
For indeed. every man, who could only receive 
the simpier and more common. truths of religion 
without applying his mind. to the more experi- 
mental and exalted parts of it ; must be consid- 


| ered as a babe in Christ, how long soever he had’ 


professed the Gospel, being evidently unskilful 
in the word of righteousness, But the more 
sublime doctrines of Christianity, which immedi- 
ately related to the counsels of God for his own 
glory, and the display of his perfections by the 
redemption of Christ, and which indeed were 
obscurely intimated in ceremonies of thé Mosaic 
law, when rightly understood, were as s'-ong 
meat for those; who were matured in knowledge, 
judgment, and» experience; being the proper 
nourishment of their. faith, hope, love, and spi- 
ritual affections. For such Christians, oy reason 
ef use, or habit, acquired by assiduous medita- 
tion and unbiassed attention to the truth, had 
attained toa spiritual taste. and relish for di- 
yine excellency ; they had their spiritual senses 
exercised <o distinguish between good and evil, 
truth and falsehood; they could readily per: 
¢eive the nature and tendency of the things pro- 
posed to them, and the comparative excellency or 
worthlessness of them : even as natural men, by a 
sound judgment and long continued habit, de- 
cide at once upon natural things, with great accu- 
racy; or as the bodily senses distinguish and 
judge of their proper objects. (Marg. Ref)— 
“ Word ufrighteousness.” (13.) Or that word, by 
which men are shown the way of righteousness - 
both “ the righteousness of “faith,” for justifica- 
tion; and “ the sanctification of the Spirit unto 
% obedience, fh 
"PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

Fallen men cannot approach, God, except on a 
yercy-seat, through a high priest, and by a sa. 
crifice for sin: but a priest, whe was compassed | 


HEBREWS. | 


‘ple; and: the answer 


in which to convey ese in bE 


reason of 
cised ato 


tis 


2.3. Mat. 6. 22, 23% 
Eph, 1. 18. ; 
q Gen. 3, 5. 2S: : 


with infirmity, 
himself, howeyer h 
ignorant, and trai 
effectual adyocate w' ! 
in the more ordinary ¥ 

consciousness of our owl ¥ 
thiness, is well suited to 
weak, the erroneous, 
len; seeing “* we our 
infirmity :” and, though thi 
widely from that of the priests 
yet, no man should take itu 3 
pear to others, as well as himself, that 
ed of God to it, eshte a oe 4 
authorized to be our t ki 

excellency, as tle | rod ; and 

ment by the Father — 
to his’ ministrations : f 
and sufferings in the d 
offered up prayers and 
ther, with strong 
tender love and compas 


prayers makes way for the p 
and defiled petitions, when 6 
his obedience in our nature 
tempts to obey, and oure 
and comfort under all the te 
ings to which we are 
perfect for this great work, “ 
** Author of eternal salvation 
« obey him.” But are oes that 
we at present, whatever our former 
been, obey his instructions meh 2 
in. his sacrifice es t 
and make his comm 


those who thus come 
selves to him, and. 
Author of eternal:s 
Priest, and of his 
ministers haye many. 
will not be able tou 
less ‘he give tho 
“« that purpose ;” for 
many, .that ,they are ge) 
take offence, than'to 7 

are professed Christ 
evangelical doctrine, so. 
pected :, many are far from th 
ty, which is. proportioned 
which they have attended 
stead of teaching others, 
themselves: the first principles o 
* God ;? they * need mill 
‘© meat ‘2 they. are babes | 
not in teachableness ; 
word of righteousness, yet 
tate to their pastors! ‘Phe 
couraging : but we should stil: 
4nd: meekness, and ‘seek out accep 


CHAPTER VI of. De 6% 


“n's OS _{¢ dead works,.2nd of ‘ faith towards, God, 
the Hebrews forward] 2 Oi & the doctrine of baptisms, and of 
‘Christ, 1—3. He shows} h laying on of hands, and of i resurrec- 


Bey cen eiaces Reenie tion of the dead,° and of * etefnal judg- 
ment. 


the Hebrew Christians, and his de- Pie GP . 2 
fruitfulness, ditigcasee aa assured} 3 And this will we do, rif God permit, 
e end, 9—14. He expatiates on ‘the iad Aste 4.2. be 
“the covenant of grace, as confirmed 17. 18. & 23. 6, & 
braham by the promise and: oath of God ; pee SS. oo © 

ie strong consolation of alk future believers, en a = 7 
Thes. 4, 14-18. 2 


18. 30—32. Zech.| Mar « 16. Luke 
12. 10. co gee ie 16. 12. 50. 
4.17. & 21. 29 32. et 33. & Se 25, 
Mark 6. 12. Acts 2. 26, S 4. 3,2 Acts} 
38.& 3. 19. ee 2. 3d. 41. & 8. 12, 
“18. & 17.30. & 20.):13. W6. 36-38. & 
Qk Si nocan, had! 10.47. & 16. 15, 33+) Tim. 2. 18: 
7.10.2 Tim, 2.25.) S19 2-5. Rom-.jk Ec. 12. 14. Mat 
26. 6. 3,4. 1 Core 1. 12) 25; 31—46. Acts 17. 
AT. & 10. 2X 725! 31. i 24. 25. Rom- 
13. Col. 2. 12.1 Pet} 2. 5—10. 16. 2 Core 
3.20, 21. 5. 10, 2 Pet. 3.7. 
h See on, Acts 6. 6.| Jude 14,15) Bev. 
& 8. 17, 13. & 13. 3,} 20 i0—15. 
i ll. 35. Is. 26. 191 Acts 18. 231. Rom, 
Ez. 37. 1—14, Dan.| 15. 32. 1 Corn 4. 
p* Mat. 22723—} 19%. & 16, 7, Jawy 
Luke 14. .14-) 4. 15. 
‘Jehu 5. 29. & 11. 


HEREFORE, * lewhig the * princi- 
‘ples of the doctrine of Christ, » let 
go on unto perfection ; not © laying 
n the foundation of ¢repentance | from 
18. Mat. 5. 16. 1 John 4. 12. 

a, 13.9. a Mat. 7.25. Luke 


6. 48. 1 Cor. 3. 10 

oa steis —12. 1 Tim. 6. 19. 
gl. 1. 28, & 4-12.) 2 Tim. 2. 19. 

1. 4. 1 Pet. 5. 


a Ts. 55. 6, 7 Ez 


e 9. 14. Gal. 5, 19— 
2}, Eph, 2. 1. 5. 

f John 5. 24. & 12. 
44. & 14.1. 1 Pet. 
1.21.1 John 5. 10 
—13. 

g 9.10. Mark 7.4.8. 
Luke ‘11. 33, Gr. 
Mat. 3. i1. & 20. 
22, 23. “& 28. 19. 


ri je professors of the Gospel, as 
te rete in Christ, should beware of preju- 
nd pray for a mind open to conviction ; 
e should begin with simpler truths, and so, 
ually proceed ae such as ead more soe and. 
we ought to. employ ourselves pe- 
ao matters, in an experimental 
and practical improvement of doctrinal truth : 
thus we shall gradually be matured in judgment, 
and enabled to digest strong meat; and our spi 
ritual senses will be habituated to 2 just and ex- 
act discernment of good and evil; which witl 
tend to our stability, comfort, and fruit- 
fulness ke ar faith of Christ. (Nate, Phii. i. 9 
— - sa 4 


, 


Nor would he insist upon the important doctrine 
of the resurrection of the dead, or that of futu#e 
judgment, the consequences of which will be 
eternal happiness® oreternal misery. But, pass- 
ing-over these subjects for the present, he meant 
to explain to them the deeper and more spiritual 
mysteries of redemption by Christ ; and he would 
proceed to execute his design i in the subsequent 
part of the epistle, if the Lord would permit him. 
Some expesitors would explain these “ princi- 
“ ples of the doctrine of Christ,” as relating 
wholly to instructions ‘contained in the Oid 
Testament, concerning the Messiah’s kingdom ;. 
and others would confine them exclusively to 
the new dispensatiog. Those favouring. the 
former scheme, interpret the doctrine of bap- 
tisms, and of laying on of hands, to signify the 
legal purifications, and the laying’ on of the 
hands of the offerer upon the head of the’ sacri- 
fice as typical of repentance and faith; includ- 
ing the words in. a parenthesis. . But, ‘under- 
standing by principles, or “ the beginning,” 
not the most fundamental truths, or parts'of Chris- 
tianity » but she intreductory elements, the lower 
; i and easier beginnings” of it, as letters are the 
candid fp arguments. The necessity | first principles or elements of learning ; we may see 
bes pentance from dead works, such as are done & propriety in the interpretation above given. 
by) won dent ‘in sin, and which expose them to |Some of the things mentioned were, though most 
id of eternal death, was indeed |important, yet the more obvious and simple parts. 
ental to true Christianity: but they had |of Christianity; and the others were external 
structed in it from the first dawning of the {connected with their first profession of it, which 
ome (Note, AMait. iii. 2.) Nor |the Jews were apt to lay far more stress upon 
he speak particularly of the nature and | than they ought to have done: and it was obvi- 
p of fauh towards God, or a belief of his }ous for the apostle to mention such things as 
these, when he would call them off from the in- 
troductory elements of Christianity, to its more 
sublime and spiritual doctrines. ‘ Interpreters 
¢ observe, that the doctrine of Origen, touching 
© the period of the torments of the damned, is 
* here condemned: and indeed, the primitive 
© fathers, not. Origen himself excepted, taught 
* the contrary. If we do not the will of Christ, 
‘ says Clemens Romanus, nothing will deliver 
© us frometernal punishment. The punishment of 
|* the: damned, says Justin Martyr, is endless 
16 punishment, and torment in eternal fire. Ire- 
|* meus, in his symbol ef faith, makes this one 


2 a SES NOTES. 

CHAP. VI: V.1—S. The apostle here pro- 
posed tolead the Hebrews into a fuller acquaint- 
ce with the deep mysteries of redemption, of 

hich he bad spoken : (Vote, v. 11—14.:) and, in 

prder thus “to go on to perfection,” he would 
ke the elements of the doctrine of Christ, with- 
out insisting on them ; and he in this 
way ire p iF attenti 


fu ‘promises’ in Jesus Christ. He did 
d purpose to discourse concerning “ the 
of baptisms ;” either the various le- 
es, whether by immersion, ablution, 
ing; or John’s baptism, or that of 
| were distinct fram each other, and | 
_of by many in their nation: nor 
= on of the apostles’ hands, by which 

wers were conferred, as evidential 
the Gospel; or the laying ono 
ordination of ministers, as a signifi- 

‘the authority intrusted to them. 


« 


4, D. 65. 


4 For ™# i§ impossible for those who 
®™ were once enlightened, ° and have tast- 
ed of the heaveuly gift, and were made 
P partakers of the Holy Ghost, 

5 And have 4 tasted:the good word of 

wr 10. 26-29. & 12:10 Mat. 7. 21, 22. 
¥ 15—17. Mat. 12. 31,] Luke 10. 19, 20, 

$2.45) Luke 11. 24} Jom 3, 27, & 4: 
—26, 2 Lim. 2. 25.] 10. Acts 8 206 &i/q Mat. 13+ 20,21 
& 4. 14. 2 Pet. 24°10. 45, & 11. 17.) Mark 4. 16,17. & 
20—22. 1 John 5.| Rom. 2: 11. 1 Cor.| 6.20. Luke 8 13, I 
1 26. 13. 1, 2. Bh. 3. 7.| Pet. 2. 3. 2 Pets2, 
m 10, 32. Num, 244 &4. 7 1 Vim. 4] 18," 

(5.15, 16 

$$ 
¢ article, That Christ would send the ungodly 
© and»unjust into everlasting fire. Tertullian 
* declares, that all men.are appointed to eternal 
¢ torments, or refreshments; and if any man, 
€ 
¢ 
€ 


14. Jam. 1.17, 18. 
p.2 4. Acts 15, 8 
Gal. 3,2. 5. 


says he, thinks that the wicked are to be con- 

sumed, and not punished, let him remember 

that hell-fire {s styled eternal, because de- 
¢ signed for eternal punishment; and.their.sub- 
* stance will remain) for ever, whose punish. 
*“ment doth so. St. Cyprian. saith, that the 
© souls of the wicked are kept with their bodies 
® to be grieved with endless torments, There is 
# no Measure nor end of their torments, saith 
© Minutius. Lastly, Origen reckons this among 
© the doctrines defined by the Church; That 
every soul, when it goes out of this world, 
€ shall either enjoy the inheritance of eternal 
© life and bliss, if its deeds have rendered it fit 
* for bliss, or be delivered'up to eternal fire and 
€ punishment, if its sins have deserved that 
- state?  (Whatby.) ’ 

V. 4—6. Tl was the more proper to write in 
the rnanner proposed to the Hebrews : as those 
who adhered to the principles of Christianity, 
had dwelt long enough upon the introductory les. 
sons, and they who bad renounced them were in a 
most hopeless condition. The verses, that we now 
consider, have caused immense perplexityand dis- 
tress to. many timid and conscientious Christians, 
and they have been supposed to contain a cogent 
objection to the doctrine of the believer’s final 
perseverance. These things. must be adverted 
to in our examination of them. — It should be re- 
membered, that the apostle wrote in an age of 
miracles; and to the Hebrews, among whom 
the Holy Spirit was first poured out in.his extra- 
ordinary operations. The persons whose case 
is described, had been enlightened, and had 
obtained, that measure of knowledge concern- 
ing the nature and truth of Christianity, which 
enabled them to make a satisfactory pro- 
fession of it, in order to their admission into 
the church; “ they had tasted the heavenly gift, 
* and been made partakers of the Holy Ghost ;” 
being at their baptism, or afterwards by the lay- 
ing on of the apostle’s hands, endued with some 
measure of spiritual gifts, or miraculous powers; 
such as speaking with tongues, or. discoursing 
with supernatural fluency on divine subjects: so 


that in this respect, their own experience proved. 


to them the truth of the gospel. They had more- 
over * tasted of the good word of God,” and 
their convictions, impressions, and transient af- 
fections, made them sensible that it was a good 
word, of a holy and ‘salutary tendency, and that 


HEBREWS. © 


8 Ste on, m. ver. 4. 


God; and:« the powers of the 
COMEs*« te he ' tent 
we if they shall fall away, * t 
them again’ wnto repentance ; 
t they cmuciiyy ther a ; 
God afresh, ai 
shame. 


matt ob 8 


r2. 5. 


Ps. 51. 10,2 Tim. 
2. 25. 


it was for their good to attend to it; and their 
purposes of doing so had produced such hope 
and joys, as have been deseribed in the” 

the stony-ground hearer. (Vote, Matt. xiii. 
22.) Thus they had tasted of * the powe 

‘the world to come,” in their temporary 
alizing apprehensions of a future state,’ 
its happiness or misery; or they had expe 
ed the powers communicated, under the di 
sation of the Messiah, ese thing : 
miraculous powers, ) often 
and consciences of men in thes 


eternal things : but they are not 
they are not spiritually minded ; 
their element and delight; th not cordi 
receive Christ in all his offices, or sincere’ 
the spiritual excellency: of bis people, 
nances, and commandments. In shor 
nature, the principle of selfishiiess, is imp 
affected, interested, alarmed, or pleased 
new nature is not produced; and therefore 
time of temptation they fall away. In respe 
of spiritual gifts, or the miraculous pow 
the Holy Ghost, Christ will reject many, who’ 
been partakers, of them, declaring: th: 
“ never Knew them.” (Mote, Matt. 
But they, who received such 
through the laying on of th 
tles, had a-personal 
Christianity; which the 
tates in these days can 
have had: and therefore, 
occur, in which a 
state, can be unrese 
awful words ; 
be nearly similar, and they 
ly concerned in it. Ifthe per: 
apostle had thus characterize 
none else,) had totally apostatiz 
tianity, and were become its avov 
was not the minister’s dut 
about them ; it was generally fo 
to renew them to repentan 
store them with the spit 
considering the clear li 
sinned, in so ‘desperate a 
concluded, that they had’ 
my against the Holy S; ; 
operations, by eaecieelorae 
tanical influence. (Vote, Mait. 
In fact, as far as they could, they er 
‘themselves.the Sonof God afresh ; 


mies 


| 


<4, D. 65. CHAPTER VI. AD. 6. 


better things of you, and © things that 
‘accompany salvation, though we ‘thus 
| speak. ~ 

10 For 4 God és not unrighteous ¢ to 
forget your § work and labour of love, 
& which ye have shewed toward his name, 
in that ye have mimistered to the saints, © 


and do minister. 


@ 2.3. & & 9,15. 57-] 22 Si. Ps. 20. S.] 9. 36. 39. & 11, 29 
15. Mat, 5. 3—12.| Jer. 2. 3, 4. & 18.! Rom, 12. 13. & 15- 
Mark 16.16. Acts] 20. Acts 10. 4, 31. | 25, 26: 1 Cor. 16. 1+ 
11. 18 & 20.21. 2:f 1 Cor. 13. 4—7.| 3. 2Cor. 8. 1—§. 

Gal. 5. 6 13. 1] & 9.1. 11-15. Gal. 

‘These 1.3. 1John, 6.10. Phil, 4. 16— 

18. Cok 3,17. 2 

Tim. 6. 18..2 Tim. 

1. 18. Philem. 5—7, 

Jam. 2. 15—17, 

John 3. 14—17. 


7 For * the earth which drinketh in 
the rain that cometh oft upon it, and 
bringeth forth herbs meet for, them * by 
, it is dressed, ¥ receiveth blessing 


7 


from God: : 

8 But that which « beareth thorns and 
nthe rejected, and is nigh unto curs- 
ing; * whose end is to be burned. 

9 But, beloved, > we are persuaded 


28. 11, el 12. Mal. 3, 10. 11. Ez. 15.2—7.8 


“65. 9—13- &\z 12.17. Gens 3. 17,) 20.47. Mal. 4. 1+), 
4. 11-13. Is, 55.| 18. & 4+ U1s & S| Mate 3. 10. & 7. 
13. Joel 2. 21— 19. & 25.41. Jotm 
“Jam. 5.7. | 15.6. Rev. 20. 15. 
P Or, for. 34. Is. 5+ 1—7. Jere|b veT. 4—6. 10. & 
Wg Gen, 27627. Lev:! 17% 6, & 44. 22.1 10. 34. 39+ Phil. 

21. Ps. 24. 5.&| Mark 11. 1d. 21.) ly 6,.7 1 Thes. 
426. 6, Is. 44. 3.) Luke 13, 7—9. 1, 3, 4e , 
Bz, 34. 26. Hos.10-ja 10.27. Is. 27. 10, 


Cor, 7-10. Gal. § 
6. 22, 23. Tit, 2. 
1l—14. 

d Deut. 32. 4. Rom. 
3.4. 2Thes. 1. 6, 
7.2 Tims 4. 8 12 
John 1,9. 9. 41. Acts 2. 44, 

e Neh. 5.19. & 13.| 450 & 4.34,35,& 


Job 31. 40. Ps, 107. 3. 18. 

g 13. 16. Prov. 14. 
31, Mat. LO. 42. & 
25. 35—40. Mark 


la Deut. 29. 23+ 


or producing nothing but hypocrisy, selfishness, 

and iniquity; was likely to be left under the 

curse of the law; was near to the awful state 

above described : and everlasting misery in the 

‘flames of hell was the end reserved for him, if 

he continued in his present unfruitfulness. This 

was a solemn warning to professed Christians te 

beware, that they were not left to apostatize, as" 
.a punishment of their unfruitfulness. 

V. 9, 10. While the apostle spake such aw- 
ful and alarming truths, with reference to the 
|case of those, to whom he knew them to be sea 
sonable ; he would not have it thought that he 
‘had ‘so unfavourable an opinion of the Hebrew 
Christians in general, or of those whom he imme- 
diately addressed in particular: on the contrary, 
he and his fellow-labourers were “ persuaded 
“ better things of them, even things which ac- 
“ company salvation ;” namely, that they were 
réal penitents, humble believers, spiritually mind- 
ed: and grounded in the love of Christ, and of 
‘his cause and people, The expression is remark! 
able and emphatical : the things before spoken of 
might, or they might not, accompany, or be inse- 
parably connected with salvation; but those 
things, which he now spake of, were always found 
in true converts, and never in others. ‘ Nothing 
| availeth in Christ, but faith that worketh by 
* love’;” “ buta new creature.” “ Hereby we 
1“ know, that we are passed from death unte 
‘© life; because we love the brethren.” “ To 
‘6 be spiritually minded is life and peace.” There 
is No intimation in the whole Bible, that any one, 
who ever had thesé things came short of eternal 
salvation; or, that any apostate ever possessed 
them. The apostle especially referred in this, 
to those Jewish converts who had manifested 
their love tothe name of God, as revealed in 
Christ, by their works, yea, their laborious ser. 
vices, and in ministering to the saints for his sake. 
Of this a most admirable specimen had been 
given, after the day of Pentecost,-and many of 
them still continued the same disinterested self. 
denymg condact. These genuine evidences of 
faith working by love, God would not reject nor 
forget; he was not unrighteous ; and therefore. 
he would not fail to deal with them according to 
his promises and covenant-engagements to he- 
lievers, who have through grace, a claim ypor 


acting, as if they approved the conduct of those 
who nailed him to the cress, assented to their 
deed, and. apparently wished it in their power to 
repeat his ignominy and torture; and they put 
him to an open shame, by renouncing his reli- 
gion, blaspheming his name, joining his enemies, 
“and doing evil to his disciples. They were 
therefore to be considered as given up to final 
- obduracy, and left to the awful judgment of God. 
But this conclusion by no means authorized min- 

isters finally to exclude from the communion of 
i the church those apostates, who professed and 
appeared to be true penitents; much less did it 
authorize such rigour in less aggravated cases. 
In general, encouragement should be held forth 
to all, who appear penitent; and means are in 

most cases to be used for the recovery of such, 
as have most lamentably. turned aside ; though 
_ iil success will often discourage the benevolent 
endeavour. The very words, however, of this 
awful passage show, that all who “ are re- 
 newed unto repentance” shall be pardoned ; 
and that God leaves all to final impenitence, 
whom he determines not to save: so that the 


i 
f| 


: becomes a final apostate from him. 


i 


hich, being well watered by the rain from hea. 
, yielded an useful produce to repay the‘hus. 
‘bandman’s toil; the fertile appearance, and ‘va- 
‘Wable fruits of which showed, that it had re- 
‘i a blessing from God: thus, by divine 
being enabled to improye ordinances and 
tages, so as to become fruitful: in genuine 
works, honourable to the Lord and  profit- 
‘men, he was blessed, and would be still 
9. But, as the sterile soil would, neither 


produce any thing but thorns and bri- 
vas therefore generally left as a’ ne- 
desert, under the original curse: being 
for not! ‘oe all its produce but to be 

q » the mere professor of the gospei; 
witful under the means of grace, 


4 


him’on ‘that grouad. 


«= 


A, D. 65. 


HEBREWS. 


11 And we desire that every one of followers. of 


you do shew the same diligence, + to 
the fall assurance * of hope ! unto the 
-end: | 

12 That ™ ye be not slothful, ™ but 


ht Rom. 12.8.11. 1)'1 John 3.14 19. (15. 6. ple & 10. 32) 
€or. 15. 58. Gal. 6.1 ver. 18—20. Rom.[ 35. Mat. 24. 13.) 
@. Phil. 1.9~11. K! 5. 2—5. & 8. 24) Rev. 2,26, | 


25. & i 12. & I5elm 5. il. Gr. Pray. 
13. 1 Cor. 13. 13.) 12, 24. & 13, 4 & 
Gal. 5. 5. Col: nf 18 9. & 24. 930. 
5. 23.2 Thes. 2 bea 25,26. Rom. 
17. 1-Pet. 1. Bs 12, 

21. 1John 3. 1—2. ‘n fs ut & 3. 7% 


_ B15. 1 Thes.4. 1. 

2 Thes. 3. 13. 3 Pet. 
1.5—8. & 3. 14. 

3.10. 92. Is. 32. 17. 

Col. 2 2. 1 Thes-. 

_ 4.5. 2Pet [. 20, 


¥. 11, 12. The apostie'eamestly desired hil 
Jonged, that every one of thdse whom he address- 
ed, whatever he had formerly done, might thence- 
forth show the same attentive aud disinterested 
diligence in good works, which some of them 
had heretofore shown : that so, evidencing their 
faith to-be genuine, beyond all reason for doubt 
hesitation, they might obtain and. possess the 
ral assnrance of hope, in respect of their final 
salvation, to comfort them under all trials, even 
ig the end of their lives. Thus they would be 
tinguished, from slothful unfritful professors 
Chit istiamity ; ; and be SU DLOVES as imitators of 
their pious progenitors , ; and of those Christians, 
who by faith in the promises of God, and “ pa- 
« tient continuance in well-doing,” ee in. Wait- 
ing his time of deliverance from their trials, 
had at length entered into rest, and were 
actually enjoying that perfect felicity, in which 
all the promises of God to his people centered. 
This is a conclusive proof of the dnmediate hap- 
piaess. of believers after death; if this be the 
true interpretation ; and, after having maturely 
considered the other interpretations of the pas- 
sage, which some learned men have given; the 
author hesitates not to. say, that he considers 
them as absurd, and has no doubt, but the apos- 
tle meant to lead his readers to meditate on the 
happiness of Abraham; Moses, Joshua, and Job, 
and all others, who had on earth lived by faith 
in the promises of God, especially the great pro- 
tise of a Saviour, and aacuel salvation by him; 
had patiently waited, laboured, and suffered, in 
the obedience of faith ; and in consequence were, 
a the time when the apostle wrote this, inherit- 
ing the promises of God, of blessings thrqugh 
Christ to all believers. ‘* Assurance of hope,” 
should be distinguished from “the assurance 
*¢ of understanding,’ and, ‘‘ the assurance of 
faith.’ He, who so understands the Gos- 
Pel as to perceive the relation of each part to 
all the rest, and. its use.as.a part of one grand 
design, in something of the same skilful manner 


that an ana’ t understands the use and office 
of -every Pale human body, in relatioa te 
the whele; has “the full assurance of under-| 
* standing;” and those things which appear in- 

consistent, useless, or superfluous to others, he 

perceives.essentially necessary to the system, or 
great desiga,, The man, who is fully convinced, 
that this consistent and harmonious, though 
complicated, design, is the work and revela- 
tion of God ; and has no doubt. but the things 
testified ave true; that the promises and threat. 
enings will be fulfilled ; and that Christ wit! cer- 


- a 


‘a P) 
i Vo a ee 


doubt of the Lord’s pen 


for the covenant, ratified : 
respects typified, and in others 
the same with, that made - with: év 
and when God rave the promises 
«© of the faithful,” he at 
confirm them with an oa) 


cable. purpose of panes h 
self, and so pledged the | h 


that engagement: (Notes, 
16—18.) Accordingly, 
ed the Lord’s time, 
ings to him and his s 
sated, When old an 


Abraham), 
greater, ¢-he swa ie 


Cant. 1. & Jer. 6: 8. 25; 
16. ‘Roms 4. be B.'s 
Jam. 5. 10; 11. oie 
Pet. 3. 5,6 

0. ver. 15. & 10. 36. 
& 11.8—16. Luke 
8. 1b. Kom. 2.7. & 


ane 

ve “> 
2. 32. 
20:37; 


tainly save all true believe h 
 suranee of faith 2? thd 2p 
misapprehension, or temp 
doubt of his own personal interest in th: 
tion. But he, who beyond doubt, or. o 
is assured, that he himself is a trae "Welitveh 
terested in all the | Precious 
the sanctifying Spirit, and © 
“glory that shall be 
* assurance of hope.” 
« faith,” is the duty of 
doubts the truth of the 
fulness of the promises 
veracity : but “ the full as 
be obtained and -prese i 
though the’ want of it may, ve 
a criminal source, yet it ist 
of every one ; inde 
question, whether the 
be a genuine bank-bill, 01 
have no doubt, either of 1 
ness, of the Directors of 
every genuine bank bill 
“* of hope,” in the highest mea: 
is attained by compar 
if ever, ‘preserved ite some 
nution of variations © 
life : but a prevailing assu 
and of final salvation, ist 
gent and consistent 
seldom greatly interrupte 
hension; or, by peculia 
flicts; or by being betray 0 | 
V. 13-15, There could b 


those, who trusted in him 


he could swear by no g 


"ee ec 7 
was personally blessed in God an « 
“ ing great Reward .” his posterity 
ed; the promises made to them 1 


plished ; the Messiah at mg came, | 


‘y Herat for confiriiation is. to 


an 
d of all strife. 

rein God, willing * more abun- 
y to shew unto » the heirs of, pro- 
‘the immutability | of his counsel, 


firmed i¢ by an oath; ~ 
} That by. a hii immutable things, 


‘a? t 

aes 22. 7 Prov. 19.21. Is 14. 

24. 26; 27. ec 46. 10. 

rl 54.9, 10. & 55. 

lin i. Jer: aH sai 21. 
“w Ps 36,8. Cant. 5: 25, 26: Mal. 3. 

17] J. Isy 55. 7. Sohn Rom. 11. “29, Jam, 


10. 10. 1 Pet. oie ‘1.17, 
« Romly ver. 12 & 11.°7-1% Gr. énterposed, 
_} 9, Rom: 8. 17. Gal. with an-oath. vers 


3.29. Jam. 2.5. 1) 16. Gen. 26. 28. 


ee ak Pet. 3: 7. Ex. 22,11 
123, e' <1}. 
; le ver, 18. Job 23.Ja 3.11, & 7.21. Ps 


20—22. ; 
21. 30, 31. & 18, 14. Ps. 33. 11. 110. 4. Mat. 24. 35. 


the nations of the earth were cae to be blessed 
n him. 
Wes 16—18. Iti is customary for men to swear 
by those that are. greater than themselves, 
Ww om they « call on to witness wee SMa? 
ments, or to ‘avenge their unfaithfu 
teas, if they fail of them. When important 
concerns it, and the omniscient God is 
thus. reverently a and uprigbtly appealed to, it may 
nsidered as an act of worship to him : and 
; ‘confirmation of covenants and 
> means lish eee satin of 


"refy the vengeance of 
ry, The Lord there- 


Fn ath 18 to the weakness of man 
neness to belief ; and purposing to 


his etn one eon their: salvation was immuta- 
ble; confirmed the promise and covenant res- 
pecting it, with the most solemn ratification of an 
oath. at'so by two immutable things, even 
Word and the Oath, or as others understand 
the immutable counsel and inviolable oath,’ 
who cannot lie,” either by being de- 


0 alter his purposes, they all, (in the apos- 
fas consequently in all times,) who 
luge from the wrath to come, to 
ht hope of pardon and eternal life 
them in the gospel, might have a firm 
red hope, and the powerful con. 


333 _'These persons, 


b pana from it. 


d, re Rom. iv. ea iti.) 
he oath sworn to Abraham, irrevo: 
1¢ spiritual blessings of that co- 


that, mee were. of this” me 


CHAPTER VI. 
tin which iz sitio tino baible for God to 


6. |. Rom. 15.5. 2 Cor [g 12. 1,2. Rom: 3 ‘| 3. 


induced to decei*”: others, or by seeing’ 


loath, and covenant, was so sure in 
d| and kept the pi 


ach of them. (Vbre, Luke i, 67—80.) 


on aes eke bey ek 


A; D. 6%. 


,}lie, © we might haye a strong consolation, 
«who have fled for refuge to ¢ lay hold 
on * the hope § set before us: ~ 

19 Which hofle we have > as an an- 
chor.of the soul, i both sure and steadfast, 
and which * entereth intothat within the 
vail ; 

20 Whither ! the: Farsiinsieh 3 is. ™ for 
us entered, evew Jesus, made'™ an High 
Priest for ever after the order of Melchi- 


sedec. 

b Num, 23. 19, 1e 1 Kings 2. 28. 
Sam. 15.29. Rom.| Prov 3. 18. & 4. 
3.4. 2 Tim. 2. 13] 13. Ise 27. 5. & 5b. 
Tit.1, 2, 1 John 15 4 ie 64.7. 1'Tim. 
10. & 5. 10. 6.1 

ec Js. 51. 12. & 66. Cole 1. 8 23, 27. 
10—13, Luke 2.25.) 1 Tim. 1.1. 


1 Cor. 15. 58. & 
‘Tim. & 19° 

k 4, 16.& 9.3.7.8 
10. 20,2) Lev. 16. 
3.14. Mat. 27. Sle 
Eph. 2. 6. Col, 3. 1s 

12.10. John 14. 2, 


1. 5—7. Phil. 2. 1.) 25. m Ty 8.8 4. 140 Be 
jh Acts 27. 29, 40. 8. 1. & 9. 13.24, Be 
1 Ps. 4% 5, 11, ‘| ene 


2 Thes. 2 16, 17. 
d 11.7. Gen. 19. 22: 
Num- 35. 11—15. 
Josh. 20.3. Ps. 46. 
1. & 62.8, Ys. 32. 


Rom. 8. 34s 
43. 5 & 62. 5,] Eph. t. 3. 20—23, 
6. & 146 5, 6. Is.] 1 Pet. $. 22.1 John 
12.2. & 25. 3,4. &, 2.2. 


Mat, 3.7. 2 Cor. 5,{ Rom 4: 16 & 5.5 
18-21. 1 These1- 10,1 —10. & 8. 28-—39 


% 1=21. 


1, 2% Zech, 9. 12,| 28.16. Jer. 17-7, al Sce om, 5. 6.10. BE 


ber, it was needful to inquire, whether they,- ~ d 


ing discovered their danger of falling under the 
curse of the broken law, and under the wrath of 
God, had renounced all other confidences, and 
broken ‘through all hinderances, to flee for re- 
fuge, (as the man-slayer speeded towards the 
appointed city,) to the free mercy of God, througlt 
the redemption of Christ, according to the cove- 


nant of grace; laying hold on this Object of a'- 


sinner’s hope by faith, and by a humble persevers. 
ing reliance on the promises of God through Je. 
sus Christ, manifested by its genuine effects. 
They, who had thus “fled for refuge, to lay 
* hold on the hope set before them,” had a 
sotirce of strong consolation given them in: the 


‘oath and covenant of’ God : ‘and their conscious 


unworthineSs, depravity, and weakness; their ex- 
perience of the deceitfulness of their hearts; 


| their conflicts with inward and outward enemies; 


and the various temptations, trials, and perse- 
cutions, to which their profession would expose 


‘them, rendered such security, consolation, ' and 


hope i in God, needful to them, even as the anchor 
is to the ship. By this hope they would be pree 
served in their proper station, without being” 
driven from their profession, or duty, by any 
storms; while others would be induced to apos- 
tacy by worldly fears and’ hopes, or be drawn 
aside by manifold delusions: even as the ships, 
that have no anchor, will be driven by ‘the tem- 


pest from, their station, on the rocks or sands, 


forced out to sea, or dashed in’ pieces: one: 
against another. No anchors; how r, can at 
all times secure the’ ship from anvil cr being 
wrecked : but this hope in the divine promise, 


itself, 
ofsessor so steadfast in his adher. 


Re 


‘ence to the {ruth and cause of God, that it always. 
ensured him from final'ruin, and, in proportion 
to its vigorous exercise, secured him: from tem- 
porary failures, and against the storms of incum- 
bent iy yet “For,-it “entered into that 


ei 


38 


Pie eee oe ae 


ALD. 65. - 
CHAP. VII. 


‘The superiority of Melchisedee’s typical priest- 
hood, above that of Aaron, proved and illustrated, | 
41—10. It was intended, that the priesthood 
should be changed, and consequently, that the ri- 


low, before we ate Warra 
or final. The ge 
of the gospel, incl 
to embrece them; 
nation, when united wit! 
mercy, are such tokens o} 
to repentance, as should 
for his encouragement in Px pe st) 
on the other’ hand, the” self- confi 


© within the vei,” and fixed the heart in a stable 
Qnion with, and joyful expectation ‘of, those 
things, which were in the true Holy of Holies, in 
heaven itseif; and caused the believer to stay 
himself on the power, trath, and love of God to 
sinners in Christ Jesus, to’ bring him» to the en- 
joyment of that. felicity. For thither its great 
Object, Jesus the divine Saviour, hadalready en- 
tered, and continually ministered im the Father’s 
presence for the benefit. of all believers; being 
their -fore-runner and Representative, who, as}: 
their High Priest, had on earth atoned for their 
sins, by the sacrifice of himself; and who, being 
risen from the dead, was gone before them to 


heaven, to prepare.a place for them, to. remove 
all obstacles to their admission, to take. posses: 
sion in their stead, and to reign and plead in 
their behalf; being constituted a High Priest for 
_ever after the order of Meichisedee, of which or- 
t the apostle was about to discourse more fully. 


PRACTICAL. OBSERVATIONS. 
ee 
The principles and rudiments of the doctrine 
of Christ shottld be accurately understood, before 


men attempt to, learn the sublimer mysteries of 


the Gospsl : yet they ought not always to be con- 
fined to them, but should be led on towards per- 
fection, in knowledge, experience,» and. holi: 
ness. Even the fundamentals,,of  “ repentance 
« from: dead works, faith towards God, the re- 
« surrection of the dead, and eternal judgment,” 
should not always engross,men’s whole atten- 
tion : but every part of the truth and will of God 
should, in. due order and proportion, be set-be. 
fore, and enforced on, the professors of the Gos- 
pel. Much less then should we perpetually be 
discoursing, or disputing about “baptisms, and 
© laying on of bands,” and other externals ; 
which have their place and use, but often occupy 
far too much of the attention and time of those, 
who might be more profitably employed, We 
cannot but lament to see those who once made a 


credible-profession of the Gospel, turn back in- 


to the world-and sin, and, thus ina measure 
« crucify to themselves the Son of God. afresh, 
« and put bim to an open shame,” as. if upon 
trial, they found nothing in bis salvation worthy 
of their constant regard! In general we should 
warn and pray for such’ persons ; but there are 
cases, in. which we must let them: alone, as hav- 
ing .no prospect of their being renewed to re- 
pentance. "We should beware, and we ought to 
caution others, of every approach to so tremen- 
dous a precipice: yet in doing this, we should 
keep close to the word of. God, -xnd be careful 
not to wound and.terrify the weak, or ‘discour- 
age the fallen.and penitent. Knowledge, gifts, 
convictions. and. very. strong, impressions, must 
precede ; or an apostacy of this kind, cannot take 
place; great obstinacy and malignity must. fol- 


that springs from humble 


finally apostatize, were” Vv 
Jesus, whatever man might jt 


they, whomit is indeed im 
to repentance, aré commo 
themselves in ‘so awful a s 


most harassed by fears of this kind, n 
ally be assured tha thi hele 
ever they have been, or done 
ly run into ungodliness and 
total desperation. = 
71D 
A negligent and unfruitfal pro 
Gospel, tends directly to the bri 
ful: precipice above described “fe 
dant means of grace, and even th 
ings of the convincing Spirit o 
unchanged, and produce not th 
ness, which prave that they 
sing from God, and are Sines 
often given up, like waste lan 
thorns only ; their state” 
and the end of all u 
*¢ the furnace of fire, ¥ v 
“ ing-of teeth”) Let us 
caution avd watchful praye 
selves ; and let us hope’ the 
the case’ will admit. "Whils 
are in evident. danger; We’ 6] 
these, in whom we see the thir 
patily salvation, 


Mini: ters sho 
specify these in an'experimental s 
ing manner: and, concerning stich m 
hearers should examine the! et 
and seriously: instead of th 
about those texts, which 
as beacons to warn'the pre 
tal rocks, and not to aff igl 


than laborious, self deny 
the Lord, shown by min 
affection to his saints 
man’s debtor, and will rewarc 
proceed from pride and self-righ 
ever splendid and laborious th 
not unrighteous, nor will he forg si 
grateful love; 


ae CHAPTER VI. ai 
OR «this Melchisedec, king of > Sa- 


lem, priést ot ¢ tie most high God, 
im returning from 4 the! 
ngs, and blessed him ; 
also Abraham gave © a 
I; first being by interpre- 
f righteousness, and after 
de 18) & 5, 18, 21, fara 22. Lev. 


that also king of Salem, which is, king of 
Peace; ! . 

3 Without father, without mother, 
without * descent, having neither begin- 
ning of days, nor end of life; but made 
like unto the Son of God, abideth ¢ 2 
priest continually. 


1 Chr. 22. 9, Ps. 45-}\23. 5,6.& 33. e Or, pedigree, Ex. 


4—7. & 72, 1—3. 7.} 16. Mie 5. 5. L 6, 18, 20—27. 1 Chars 
& 85. 10, 11. Is.9.| 2.14. Rom. 3. 26.) 6. 1—3. 

%. & 82. 1, 2 &!& 5. 1,2. Eph. 2./g ver. 17. 23-28. 

& 4. §..22—25. Jer. 14—18. ; 


| 6. Mark 5. 7. 27. 32, Num. i8 
‘21. 1 Sam. 8. 15. 17. 


-\d Gen, 14. 14——46,/f 2 Sam. & 15, & 23. 
Is.41.2,3. | v4 Kings 4,24, 26, 


them *‘ set their affections on things above,” and 
wait patiently for his appearance, when they also 


ip of cold water, given to a disciple 
ard { his shall most certainly appear with him in glory. 


shall in any wise lose 
” We shoul therefore, desire, that 

30 are called Christians, may give 
igence in.such good works, as the 
Saints in the primitive ages did.— 
scriptural way of acquiring, and pre: 
the full assurance of hope, to.the end of 
8, Many have thus by faith and patience 
the promises; but no slothful professor 
stianity has any evidence that he is follow. 


~" 


: A NOTES. @ 
» CHAP. VI. V. 1—8. The apostle had re- 
péatedly referred to the prophecy, that the Mes- 
siah should be “a Priest for ever after the order 
“ of Melchisedec,” (Ps. cx. 4.) signifying that 
his priesthood would'resemble that of Melchise- 
dec, and not that of Aaron: he therefore next 
proceeded to illustrate that prophecy, and argues) 
more explicitly from it, as compared with ne 
scriptural account of this extraordinary person. 
(Note, Gen. xiv.18) Being king of Salem, pro- 
bably Jerusalem, and priest of the most high 
God, by an appointment of which we have no 
information ; he came to meet Abraham, afier 
he had vanquished the invading ki:-gs, who had 
carried Lot captive from Sodom: and as the 
priest of the most high God, he blessed Abra- 
ham, and received of him a tenth part of the 
spoils taken from his conquered enemies. His 
very name, béing by interpretation, “ king of 
“ righteousness,” and doubtless corresponding . 
with bis character and administration, marked 
him cut as a type of the Messiah and of his king- 
dom. (Note, i. 8, 9.) The name of his city sig- 
nified Peace, and as king of peace, he typified 
Christ, “ the Prince of peace,” the great Recbn- 
ciler of God and man, and of men to one another, 
in perfect consistency with the interests of right- 
eousness,‘and the honour of the divine justice: 
and the union of royal authority with the priestly 
office, (which were divided between the family 
¢ from ues of Aaron and that of David, in the case of Israel,) 
“lay hold for refuge on the hope set be- | plainly pointed tothe royal priesthood of the 
them.” And as he “ cannot lie,” the de-| Messiah. We have no account of Melchisedec’s" 
on of the unbeliever, and the salvation of|parentage, or pedigree, as in the case of the 
ewer, are alike certain, Let then such as | priests appointed by the law; who were all re- 
to Christ, and have their hope sealed to |quired to prove their descent from Aaron; and’. 
_“ the love of God shed abroad in their}exact rules were given concerning their mar-— 
the Holy Spirit,” rely confident. |riages, for this, as well asfor other reasons. But 
he power, truth, mercy, and coyenant of | Melchisedec was introduced into the sacred his- 
ds ab the opposition of earth and hell. |tory, as a priest of the most high God, who had 
Rom. viii. 29—39.) let them pray for faith {no father, or mother, or genealogy; that he 
iL to their security : thus let them | might the more exactly typify that High Priest, 
within the veil, staying their souls | who, as the Son of man, had no human father, as 
of God, and on the mediation of their | the Son of God was without mother, and who was 
t, in all dangers, afflictions, and| appointed to the priesthood, and without deduc. 
them follow the steps, as welling his pedigreefrom Aaron. Moreover, noth. 
herits, of the great}Fore-runner of|ing was said of Melchisedec respecting the be. 
et them by faith realize his appear-| ginning of his life, or the end of his days and 
Father’s throne for them, as their] priesthood ; that he might resemble the Son 
gh Frizst and King; and thas let}of God, whose existence is from eternity to eter - 


ay ee: : ; e 


i is a Pe . . i 


hese obtain an inward testimony, by the power- 
operation of the Holy Spirit ; and give abun- 
“proof in their lives, that they are the chil. 
1 of Abraham, and heirs according to the 
nise. Thi inward seal confirms to them 
ally that covenant, which God hath rati: 
oath to the heirs of promise in ge- 
use their infirmities are many and 
great, their condescending and com- 
ther is “ willing more abundantly 
m the immutability of his counsel,” 
by his peel word and irrevocable oath,| 
might kave a strong consolation, havin 
a to lay hold on the hope set *e 
Indeed the Lord having sworn by 
t pda no pleasure in the death of 
10 it that he should repent and live, holds 
abundant encouragement to all, whom he 
to fice from the wrath to come, and in- 


4D 65, HEBREWS. 


_.4 Now consider;how great this man 
qvas, unto whom even = the patriarch] receiveth tt 
i Abraham k gave the tenth of the spoils. | 10 For 

5 And verily, they that are of the sons} father, when 
of Levi, ! who receive the office of the} 11 if the 
priesthood, have a commandment ™ to} the Levitical p. 
take tithes of the people, according to the} people received ; 
law, that is, of their brethren, though|need was ther, 
they ™ come out of the Joins of Abraham ;| should rise after 


6 But he, whose *descentisnot counted} dec, and not be cal 
from them, ° received tithes of Abraham, | Aaroi ? eS 
aud blessed him that p had the promises.| 12 For the priesth 


7 And, 4 without all contradiction,’ the | there is made of nece 


less is blessed of. the beiter. of the law: *“ean ee : 
8 And here * men that die receive| 13 For he of whom these ‘1 
tithes : but there he recetveth them, of | spoken, pertaineth to another trib 
whom it.is.witnessed that't he liveth. which no man gay, ; ‘attendance | 
+s Aa f has fe 


h Acts 2:29, & 7m ver.10. Gen. 35.| 20—-40, & 28, 1—4, 
S0KKs D1, R46. 260Ex 1] & 47. 7-10. & 48, 
i Gen. 12. 2.:& 174 -5.1 Kings 8.19. | 1520. & 49. 28 
5,6. Rom. 4. 11—}*' Gri pedigree. ver.) Num, 6, 23—27. 
13.17, 18. Gal, 3.!-s. Deut. 33. 1.2 Sim, ; +t 

\ 28,29 Jam. 2. 23.Jo yer.4. } 6, 20.1. Kings 8. 55.| u vers 4. Gens 1442 ver. 
k Gen. 14. 20, p 6 18—15. & 11.| 2 Chr. 30.27. Luke! 20. Rom. 5. 12.ja ver 

. 4,° Exe 28. Li! 13. 17. Gen. 12. 2.) 24. 50, 51. 2 Cor. | Marg. ~ | See 
um.) 16 10. 11.} 13.8 13. 14—17. &| 13514. Xx vere 5. Gen, 35.) 6: 
17- 3-10. & 18 | 17.48. & 22. 17,|s ver. 23. & 9.97, | 11, & 46,26,1Kings'b Is’ 

am 7, 18. Acts 3,25, Rom.)t ver. 3.16. 24,°25.| 8. 19. 31 

m Ley. 27, 30—33.| 4. 13.,Gal. 3.16. "| John 11. 25.26. &\ y-ver. 18, 19. 8 8.) Acts: 
Num. 18. 26—32 2/q 1 Fin. 3 16- 14.6, 19. Hey. 1,! 7, 10—13. & 10. ife Num. 
Chr. 31. 4—6- Neh./? 11. 20,21. Gen. 275) 18. —4. Gal. 4..35 9.) 27. 
43. 10. ‘ Li ee ‘ Col. 2. 10—17- 2 


Ri 4 


e sprang out of 


nity; and who kath Rad no predecessor, Loateies to ‘be blessed, in. thi: 
will have no successor ip his efficacious, merito-| by the superior and mol 
rious, and perpetual Priesthood, In all these} dren by their’ paren’ 
' respects, the silence of the scripture, being in-| priests. (Marg. Ref) So 
tentional, and referring tothe great Antitype, is}er than. Abraham, or Aaro 
mentioned in language taken from the instruc-| ofthis race, was eviden 
tion to be conveyed, rather than from historical] priest for ever after’ 
fact: of which learned men have brought in-| Under the law ind 
stances from other writers of antiquity. (Marz.} took tithes of their 
Ref.) tion after another | 
-V.4—10. The argument, arising from the|in the case of Melchi 
fact that one of Abraham’s.contemporaries was] of Abraham, the Repr 
superior to him, was very conclusive against | rity, concerning whe 
the perpetual obtigation of the Levitical Jaw, and | be lived; by which it i 
the perpetuity of the Aaronic priesthood, and{should arise, to whom 
that of the covenant made with the nation of| would pay their deve 
Israel at Sinai. The apostle, therefore, exlert-| whom they. would receis 
ed the Hebrews to, consider, how great a person |“ to speak it ina 
heir inspired lawgiver had represented Melchi-| that even Levi, : 
sedec to be, not’so much in respect of his regal} from him, paid tithes 
authority, as of his priesthood : when even Abra-]| were in the loins of tl 
ham the patriarch, and honoured father of their tive, when Melchisedee Bi 
whole nation, who was not one of Melchisedec’s| ciently proved the inferiori 
subjects, or in any other way connected with him, | priesthood to that of the 
owned his superiority, and paid him tithes as|lute dependence on him 
the representative of the most high God! Thel|him. Indeed, it may be. 
Levites indeed were ordered in the law, as the|.was in the loins of Abra 
Lord’s tribe, to take tithes of their brethren the] ture, his miraculous and im! 
descendants of Abraham, of which the priests}and lis being the intended 
had a tenth part for their portion : but Melchise-| type, sufficiently show th 
dec, who was not of Abraham’s family, received| the Seed to whom 
tithes of that patriarch himself: nay, as the priest| made, This argu 
of God, he pronounced the benediction upon} the nature of ox 
him, to whom the promises concerning the Mes-| sentation by him, 
siah, and all nations being blessed in him, were | consequences of hi 
made. Now it was well known, and certain] thod of our recovel 
heyond contradiction; that the imfcrior character | « Lord fi 


Pu 


rm eae 


, 


r 


CHAPTER VII. 2 A, D. 65, 
es seehaaeaee concerning priest-jof the commandment going before, for 


ee ie 
p is yet far more evident: for 
the similitude of Melchisedec [Practical Observations.) 
iseth another priest, 19 For I the law made nothing perfect, 

is made, not aftert the law of} but * the bringing in of ™ a better hope 
| commandment, but after » the| did; by the which a we draw nigh unte 
of an endless life, . Gor. 

he testifieth, Thou arta priest 


thereof. 


4 


. Rom. 3.31. Gal. 3.) Tim. 4.8)" Rom. 8. 3. Col. a. 
ever after the order, of Melchiseuec. | Rom. Ren Caen, tang 
“18 For there is verily 1a disannulling | ver. 19. & 8.7, 8.|° Or. it was then 416, & 10 19— 


0.9, 10. & 10 22, Ps. 73. 28: John 
=4, & 189. Acts 13.)m 6, 18, & 8. 6. &) 146. Rom,f.2, Eph. 


39. ae 4. 21. 1| 11,40. John le 17.) 2. 13—18. & 3. 12. 


3. A’ 


eS 
Sy 


2. 16 Cole, 14. 20. i yer 11, 12 & 8. 7 


. 3. 11. 17 21.) Gal, 4. 3. 9. Eph 25.28. Rev. 1, 18. 
|e ver. 3.17, 21. 24, —13. & 10. 1-9. 


| bringing in. 


! . 4. 
9.9,10.& 10. 1. 


stration, yea; more evident than any other argu. 
ment could do: as this Priest was not constitut+ 
ed after, or according to, the law. of Moses, or 


11—17. If God had designed, that the 
eds pertect state of the church on earth should 
be under the Leyitical priesthood ; and if com- 
plete salvation could have been obtained by that 
institution, without reference to the priesthood of 
the Messiah; what occasion was therefor an 
er Pricet to arise, and of another order? O 
‘why should the Holy Spirit dictate such a pre 
Gietio., and excite suc an expectation? The 
iten coiimandments indeed, and many other parts 
of the Jaw, were given, before Aaron was. ap- 
pointed tu the priesthood, orexpressly mention- 
ec, as the imended high priest, and progenitor of}, 
the ‘sacerdotal race: but the Aaronie priesthood 
was introduced before the whole was completed, 
land received its final confirmation : the appoint 
ment of that priesthood constituted an essential 
part of it 5 and was so inseparably connected 
with its mimstrations, that scarcely ary part of 
it could be exactly perfurmed without them,— 
‘Phus the people received the law, along with the 
Aaronic pricstnoud; the termination of which 
| eae render the observance of it impracticable, 
) Mecessary consequence. The change of the 
“priesthood must therefore imply a change of 
“the law too; and the appointment of a High 
Priest after the order of Melchisedec, ‘must 
abrogate ‘the ceremonial law, and terminate the 
legal dispensation. For ithad been expressly and 
repeatedly predicted, that the Messiah should 
arise from another tribe, even that of Judah ;' 
(Marg. Ref ;) and though mst of their 
kings had been of thet tribe, yet none of them 
“ever presumed to officiate at the altar, ex 
t Uzziah, who was severely rebuked for his 
merity- (Note, 2 Chr. xxvi, 16—21.) Thus 
net were the kingdom and the priesthood 
under the law; whilst their union, in the) 
*son of the Messiah, of the tribe of Judah, was 
predicted in the most explicit manner. In. 
‘it was evident, and sufficiently proved, 
* Our Lord” and Saviour, to whom the 
le called his brethren’s attention, was de- 
from Judah, and of the family of David ; 
Moses i in the law had said nothing con- 
their admission to the priesthood: so 


carnal commandments relating to mere exter- 
nals, and incapable of securing spiritual excel- 
lency to the appointed high priests; but he was 
constituted, 4* according to the power of an end- 


the sins of the people : yet that was a part of hi 
priestly office, and he had power to resume his 
life, and to preserve it for ever ; that so he might 

perpetually execute his office, as the only one to 
whom it belonged, and who alone was capable of 
duly performing it. 

“'V. 18, 19. This prediction before-mentioned, 
and.its accomplishment, implied a disannulling, 
or abrogatis gf the preceding commandment, 
concerning the priesthood, sacrifices, and purific 
cations. And this-was intended by the Lord, be. 
cause they were in themselves’ weak and unpro. 
fitable . for though they had a temporary and 
typical use and benefit, in respect of the nation 
of Israel till the coming of the Messiah, and to 
believers, as means of faith and grace ; yet they 
had no inherent efficacy to purge the conscience, 
or the affections, and they did not at all profit 


law made nothing perfect, either in the state of 
the church, or the hearts and consciences of the 
worshippers: but the introduction of a better 
hope, even that of acceptance with God, through 
the sacrifice and intereession of Christ, brought 
the church to its highest state of liberty, and its 
worship to the most entire spirituality, which its 
condition in this world admits of; and provided 
most effectually for the complete justification, 
the inward peace, and the sanctification, of all 
believers. For by that hope, men are allowed 
to draw near to God, even to his mercy-seat, 
with humble boldness; and are not wholly ex. 
cluded, as the Gentiles during the law, or kept 
at a great distance, as the Israelites themselves 
were. The concluding words may be rendered, 

“« The bringing in of a better hope zs that by 
“ which we draw near to God”? The original 
word signifies something more than bringing in, 
and implies that this “ better hope” was brought 
in, even under the old dispensation, by the pro. 


i . oving, that the “Aaronic priesthood 
Mi peer were, abrogated, _and. of no) 


Priest after the order of Mel-| types of the law ; though more fully and clearly, 
‘| when Christ had actually come, and finished his 


& the weakness and i Placenta th 


any of its prescriptions, which were in themselves ° 


“less life.” For though Christ willingly died for. 


those who rested in them. For the ceremonial - 


y or efficacy. The prophecy of| mises and prophecies of the Messiah, and by the’ 


4 By 66. 


20 And inasmuch as not without an 
dath he was.made Pricst: 


21 (For those priests were made with-. 


eut* an oath; but this with an oath, by 
him‘ that said unto him, © The Lord 
® sware, and will not repent, Thou arr 
a Priest for ever, after the order of Mel- 
chisedec ;) 

22 By so much was Jesus made 4 a 
Surety r of a better testament... 

23 And. they truly * were many 
priests, because they were not suffer- 


$2. Prov. 6+ 1s & Mat.26°28. Mark 

20+ 1600.0) 14, 24. Luke 22. 

r 8. 6—12. & 9. 15) 20, ¥ Cor. 11. 25. 
12. 24. R 


13. 20, Dan, 9. 27 


® Or, the swearing 
of an oath: 
© Ps. 110. 4. 
See on, 6. 16—18. 
4 Gen. 43, 9. & 44, 


14. Neh. 12. 10, 12 


work on earth, and entered into his glory. «* The 
«¢ weakness and unprofitableness of the cerémo- 
nial law,” either to justify or sanctify those, 
who rested § in the outward observance of it, and 
did not by faith look to the things prefigur- 
ed by them; was exactly parallel to the Chris- 
sacraments, when the opis operatum, the 
j pcre: attendance on the ‘ outward and_ visible 
Sign,” is depended on, while ‘the inward and 
€ spiritual grace,’ the things signified in them, 
are disregarded. To such persons they are 
*‘ weak and unprofitable ;” but to believers, they 
are means of grace, and solemn and acceptable 
acts of spiritual worship. 

V. 20—22. The very great superiority of the 
Priesthood of Christ, to that of Aaron, was evi- 
dent from another particular. JEHOVAH ap- 
pointed the Levitical priesthood “ without an 
oath,” by which he showed that the appointment 
was revocable, and that it would not always con- 
tinue. But, in constituting the Messiah to be a 
perpetual High Priest, he most solemnly con- 
firmed the appointment with an oath : thus de- 
elaring most evidently, that it was never to be 
disannulled. In proportion therefore to this 
immense difference, it was to be concluded, that 
Jesus was the Surety of a better covenant than 
that of Aaron. The word rendered “ Surety,” 
signifies 2 person that is bound with another for 


the payment of a debt, or the performance of; the office passing so frequently 


an engagement. Jesus the Surety of his peo 
ple, became answerable for their debt of sin, 
and engaged to satisfy divine justice, and mag- 
nify the holy law as their representative; as well 
as to bring them to that repentance, faith, and 
holiness, which are requisite to their nastabes 
tion of the blessings of his covenant: and, 
entering into this engagement. and fulfilling it in 
their behalf, he became the Surety of the Fa- 
ther to them for the performance of all the pro- 
mises of the covenant; being. authorized and 
exalted, in human nature, to confer on.them all 
the blessings stipulated therein. The word ren- 
dered testament, is commonly rendered covenant ; 
its import hath been repeatedly considered, and 

we shall have occasion shortly to speak of it as 
used for a testamentary appointment, The. bet- 
ter covenant, of which Jesus is the Surety, is not 
‘kere contrasted with the covenant of works, by 


‘HEBREWS, e av) 


‘brought the church and: every “believer, 


temporary legal covenant with I 


by} as his death. was the appointed 42 


ed to continue by re . 
24 But this man, oe he 


nueth ovary ith. an t¢ unche 
priesthood. 


28. & 13. 6. Is. 9. 6, 
7. John 
nd 6. 9. Rev, I. 5. 

L r 
+ OF a peck it dle 
which passeth notix ver. 19. & Ile 6.) 
from oné to an-| Jeb 22. 17, & 
ot 
Ud 18 & 5s 7 ts 
45, 22. & 63: 
Dan. 8. 18.171 9;| Rem. 


t Sce on, ver. cube 


24, Jer. 322.0 | 1 do 
y 18. is) Jone 18°. sea 
Rom. $2: Eph. 2. 


which every ces amanie an 
curse ;-but Weta frre: Mosiacoon el 
with Israel, and sation unt 
which the. church, 80, long, contisued : 
the covenant.of works had n 
Aaronic priesthood ph te whi 
exhibited in shadows the seningr if the 
nant of grace: » But the;coyeriant. of - 
was Surety, was far beuer veuthetiet 
high priests. of Israel) were typical su 


far clearer light, more perfect liberty 
abundant privilege, than» eee r ¢ 
fore be’ abrogated; or, being” fulfilled, an 
ing answered the purposes for which it was 
pointed, it must) become invalid 2 as. ale; 
when the term of) it is expires 
it is paid and cancelled, — This was n t 
order that the irrevocable p: i 
and the better covenant ratified to bie, migh i 
openly introduced, and: n 
fit of the nations of: the earth, 
V. 23—25.. ‘The sane 
another proof of the super 
priesthood above that of. 
case there were many pries 
sinful dying men, they. were 
their station, and others succee 


other, strongly marked its we: 
cy. But the person of whom the 
ken, and concerning whom! 

coursing, possessed an unch 
that was never to pass out 
would: be liable to interruptic 


sins of all his people; so; heaven 
sanctuary, in which his subsequent: mi 
were, to be perfarmed:; and there 
immortality, he must’ 
in the most perfect oe 
of all things. On which ai 
only by his: omnipotence, » n 
priestly yeepene pac << c 

ly; to the end, in all possible emergenci 
tremities, from all guilt, pollution, ‘and. tem 
tion; in all dangers, and against: all e ‘emi 
every one; and the whole company, | of 


3 , 7 age 


i 7h 65. : oie CHAPTER VIL : A, Dy Gs. 
+296 For »stichan High Priest ¢ became for his own sins, h and then for the peo« 
hs, who és @ holy, harmless, undefiled,| ple’s: for + this he ‘did once, when he. 
separate from sinners, and ¢ made high-] offered up himself. pa) 
er than the heavens ; |. 98° For * the law maketh men high 
ho needeth not ‘daily, as those| priests which have infirmity; but ! the 
ts, to offer up sacrifice, & first] word of the oath, which was since the 
& 8) 3. 14. & 4. 27. |e ‘Phil. 2 101 


law, ™ maketh the, Son, 8 who is * conse 
i] Cor. 5.21. 1 Pet, 1.| Pet-3..22 Rey- 1+} crated for evermore. 


-}h Lev, 4. 13—16. & 
9.15. & 16. 15. 


Kk See on, 51,2 Exe] 2. Be S, 6s & 4, 14 
i $2.21, 22+ Leve 4.) & 5. 5s 8 
+1 1p 9e14e 25,28. & 10.) 3. : ‘ ‘ 


| ia. Mat. 28. 19a 5. 


i . 28. 18. : ; Wot ver. 
* ark 16, 19. Eph.| 4. 3- Ke. & 9 7,| 6—12.Is, 53. 10-12.]1 See on, ver, 216 Ps.|* Gr. perfe : 
"7. John 84 1. 20-23. & 4. B—] Ke. & 16. 6. il. Rom. 6. 20. Eph 110. 4. © 440, & 5.9. Luke 1 
SEs Atal. SF cag. 5. 2, 25. Tit, 2, 14.]m See on, vere 3.& 1.) 32. John 19, 30. Ez. 


it; had appointed the eternal Son of God to that 
office, who was in all respects competent to it, 
as he alone could be; and he was moreover 
consecrated or perfected to it for evermore. It 
was therefore evident, that the Levitical priest. 
hood was’ intended to typify, and prepare the 
way for, that of Christ; which was purposed ih 
due time to supersede and disannul it. woe 


rough all ages and nations, who come to God 
4s sinners for salvation by him, believing in his 
mame, depending: om his atonement and interces- 
on, and asking “all blessings for his sake, 
‘and 29 the free gift of God through him. This 
heis able'to do, because he is not like a mere 
man, who undertakes to protect or deliver an- 
other, and perhaps dies in the ‘critical season ; 
‘but he ever liveth and reigneth, as a Priest upon 
his throne, to make intercession’ for those, who} 
‘eome to God ‘by him; to plead his merits and 
sacrifice in their behalf; to present their persons, 
) servi and prayers for acceptance, through 
‘the ransom of his blood; to interpose between 
them, and every one that would lay any thing to 
‘their charge; to protect and deliver them by 
/his almighty power, and to give’ all things to 
‘them from bis unsearchable riches." cag 
|. 26—28. The considerate inquirer into 
this most interesting subject, would perceive, 
that sucha High Priest’ as Christ could alone 
suit the case of lost sinners, who were to be res- 
tored to the favour and image of a holy God, in 
‘qa manner consistent with the glory of his name, 
‘and peculiarly suited to display that glory.— 
‘Such a one became, or was proper for them, as 
‘was perfectly holy in his’ nature ; harmless and’ 
spotless in his own’ obedience, that no charge 
might be brought against him; undefiled in his 
ministrations; separate in disposition and con- 
duct, from the sinners in'whose' behalf he was to 
|interpose ; and made bigher than’ the heavens, 
and all their glorious inhabitants: ‘that the dig- 
nity of his Person, and the pre-eminence of his 
exaltation might give efficacy to bis ministra-| 
“and manifest the justice and holiness of 
in saying sinners for his sake, and through 
nerits. | He must be one, who had no ‘need 
er sacrifices for himself at all, or repeated- 
behalf of others; as the Levitical priests, 
rere the coadjutors of the high priest,) 
'; and the high priest did on every re- 
‘the great day of expiation. » But such a} 
est could not be found, except Jesus, 
e oblation of himself, being of infinite 
réd further sacrifices fur ever need- 
law made infirm and sinful men 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
Tee oe > Seeiapeaadlelige 

Every part of scripture was intended, in ohe 
way or another, to honour our King of Rights 
eousness and Peace, our glorious High Priest 
and Saviour: and the more accurately we exa- 
mine it, the fuller will be our conviction that 
« the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophe- 
‘ cy.” May we then learn in simplicity to trust 
in him, and’submit to him, to copy his righteous. - 
ness, to seek the peace of his kingdom, to de- 
vote all’that we are and have to his service, and 
to’expect blessings from him alone! May we go 
forth in our spiritual conflicts, at his word and in 


tp ier YY: T1997. 


ms 


(» ‘CHAP. Vie 


Barther evidence ef the superiority of the Messiah's 
priesthood to that of Aaron, 1—6; and that the 


Simai-covenant was to be abrogate, to make wa: 

_. for a new and better covenant, through a superior 
~ Mediator, 7—13: 

OW of the things which we have 


, spoken, tis is the sum 7 # We have 
such an High Priest, > who is ‘set on the 
right hand of the throne of « the os at 
‘in the heavens ; 
2 A®@ Minister of * the sanctuary, and 
crn © the true tabernacle, * witich the Lora 
- pitched, and not man. 

3 Forme every high’ priest is: ordained 
to offer cifts and*sacrifices : wherefore it 
és of necessity that this man ® have some- 
what also to offer.’ 


a Ste on, 7. 26—28.) & 145. 12. Is, 24.Je 9. 11. 23, 24. 
B See on, 1. 3. 18.) 14» Mie. 5.4, F 1k. 10. 2 Cor. 54 2. 
& 12. 2, Rey. 3-21.ld 9.8—11. & 10. 21,\ Col, 2. U1. 
e 1 Chr. 29. AL Job; EX. 28. le 35. & 29.1g¢ See on, 5. 1. & 7. 
‘ocr 22: Ps. 21, 5.) 44. Rom. 15. 8. 
45; 3, 4. & 104. 1. |. Or, oly things. 


27. 
h 9. 14, & 10. 9—11, 


__ It becomes us to aspire after a degree of spi- 
‘rituality: and- holiness, as much superior to those 
of old festament-believers, as our advantages ex- 
oeed theirs: . No man who knows God, and his 
holy law of love; and who understands, the evil 
of sin, and the difficulty of saving sinners to the 
glory of God, could desirethe continuance of a 
priesthood, “ aecording to:a carnal command: 
« ment,” which appointed these to that. office 
who were themselves sinners, and needed to 
* offer sacrifices for themselves first, and then 
“ for the people ;” nor could they wish those to 
retain that station, who generally filled it. - But 
now, that the Son of God is made the High 
Priest of his believing Israel; even such a High 
Priest as became us, being ‘‘ holy, harmless, un- 
** defiled, separate from sinners, and made high 
* er than the heavens:;” we may: well rejoice 
that he-is consecrated for evermore, and that 
he hath-an unchangeable priesthood. As’he is 
able to save to the uttermost all, who came to: 
* God through him ;” let the vilest of sinners 
approach in this way: to the mercy-seat of our 
forgiving God, seeing ‘* he ever liveth to make 
* intercession for them’ None need be dis. 
mayed, but: they who’ will not come unto God, 
or who will not come im the name of his beloved 
Son: and the-case of those will*soon become 
hopeless, how great sotver their present pre- 
sumption may be. But let believers meditate 
on the power and grace’ of their great High 
Priest, and on his universal and absolute so- 
vereignty; and let them copy his holy, harm- 
Yess, and undefiled’ conduct, and separation: 
from: sinners; then they may confidently ex. 
pect, that he will “save them to the utter- 
s most,” and ‘deliver them, in alltime of’ their 
* tribulation, in all time of their wealth, in 
© the hour of death, and in the day of judgment.’ 
NOFES;@) of. 

CHAP, VI. © V. 1, 2. The principal mat- 

t€r; or the substance, of what had been discours- 


he presided: over the tr 


priests that 


5 Waa sree the 


shadow of hi 


he, ¢hat thow mi 
to the pattern’ she 
mount. “raeel Sais 


excellent ministry, by 
is ® the mediator of ai! 
which was established o 

mises. 


Practical: Obsemoasionas] f s ee 


John_ 6. 51. Eph. Ro rte a n7. 22. 
5.2. Tit, 2. 14, a Gal. 3 
i7. 11—15, Num.if , 9 


16, 40. & 17.12, 13. 
ky 18: 5. 2 Chr. 
25. 18, 19. 

f Or. they 
priests 


ed on. was this, a 
Priest as became, Ae 
who, having finished his 
cended into the heavens, a’ 
eminent dignity, pide ph 
of God, in that place wher 
ous majesty, and which may 
throne; (ote, Js. Isviv 1. 
constituted the minister to 
or-in the most holy place, of 


tabernacle had been a 


RS 


or Se 


“ the Lord pitched,” by his aln 
galt was not constituted by 
our, as the tabernacle: in 
tae Some pee hon ts 
heaven exclusively, 
the sanctuary + 
nature of Christ, invy 
men; and in ere 
the holy of holies 
ture is. needful to. con 
Priest, rather'than to be the 7 
trations, the figure) seems 
whole tabernacle comprised 
puter sanctuary; and as t 
went into the former, while 
ciated. in, the: latter, in 
whose typical services* rend 
ed; and as the ballon 
whole Church of God, (th 
man nature of Christ als 
to explain * the true. ta 
whole Church ofthe red 
heaven; as one, by: its u 
for believers: separately. 
“the .habitation off Nes 
Christ ministers _pers 
above, as sole’ High: Prie he pre: 
whole true, tabernacle, and so the] 
services of the spiritual priesthood o 
rendered acceptable and etionsion 
meritorious intercession im heaven. - 


aor if that frst covenant Pp had been 


ld no place have been 


will make *a new ‘ cove- 
house of Israel, and with 


~ pygrts 


age their fathers, i in “the day 
* I took them by the hand ¥ to 
em out of the land of Egypt; be- 
they continued not in my covenant, 
1 * regarded them not, . saith the 


10 use ere fe’ covenant that I 


the house of Israel after 
i, | Ez. 15. 60, 61. &] 136. 11—14. Is. 40. 
i 26, . 11. & 63. 9. 11—13. 

7 Ex. 32. 8. Deut. 

29.25. & 31.16— 

18. Josh, 23. 15, 16: 

2 Kings 17. 15—18. 

.) Ps. 78. 10, 11. 57 

Tse 24. 5; 6. Jere 11. 

7, & & 2% 8, 9, & 

31, 82. Ez. 36. 8, 

59. & 20. $7, 38. 

a Judg. 10. 13, 14. 
Lam. 4, 16. Am. 5s 
22. Mal. 2.13, 

ib 10. 16, 17.” 


ST. 
. $1.31 la 9. 1820. Ex. 24. 
3—11. & 34, 10.) 
<4 27,28. Deut. 5. 2, 
3. & 2% 1.12, Gal. 


Pe 


51.18. Mark 8. 23. 
Acts 9. 8. & 18. 11. 
Ex. 19. 4, 5..Ps. 
32] 77.20. & 78. 52—| 
54. & 105. 43: & 


, 3 aes . 
nee S—6. (Note, v.11.) As every high priest, 
ng to the law, was appointed to offer gifts 
ad. sacrifices : so it was requisite that this Per- 
son, even Christ, should bave somewhat to offer; 
that the Antitype might correspond with the 
ype, and indeed for still more cogent reasons. 
He therefore assumed human nature, appeared 
on earth, a and there gave himself a sacrifice to 
God for the sins of his people; and then he as- 
cende ed into heaven, to appear before God, as 
with the bleod of the sacrifice, in their behalf : 
ich exactly corresponded to the method 


expiation. (Notes, Lev. xvi.j, It was not proper 
for him to continue on earth, after he had offered 

sone all-sufficient sacrifice: for in that case 
he would not have been a priest; seeing, in res. 
of the legal services, there were priests ap- 


iestly tribe, could not properly have inter- 
ered in them: and heaven was the appointed 


leritorious and efficacious ministrations; 
the true holy of holies, the place in which 


rs s from the mercy-seat. The priests in- 
ho offered sacrifices in the earthly sanc- 
uary, ee ministered in the worship of God after a 


yhich was formed to be an exemplar and 
heavenly things ; this had been inti- 
loses, when he was charged to form 
‘relative to the tabernacle, according 
t pattern shown to him in the Mount. 
240.) The various particulars 
a Chri ist and his salvation, which were 
Be mivmecic, its furniture, and wor- 
ady been explained. (.\% tes, Ex: 


Pe ee ee 


CHAPTER VIIL. 


rib ed to the high Priest on the great day of 


ed to perform them; Christ, not’ being of 
ary, in which he must perform the rest of 


AH displays his glory, and dispenses his 


ee 

A. D. 65; 
thosé days, saith the Lord ; «I will * put 
my laws into their mind, aah write them 
¢ in their hearts: and @ | will be to them 
a God, and ¢ they shall be to mea people 

11 And f they shall not teach every 
man his neighbour, and. every man his 
brother, saying, § Know the Lord: 4 for 
all shall know me, ‘ from the least to the 
greatest. 

12 For* I will be merciful ;to their 
unrighteousness, and their sins a their, 
iniquities will | remember no more. —. 

13 In that he saith,! A new covenant, 
m he’hath made the first old. Now that 
which decayeth and waxeth oldie ® i 
to vanish away. 


e Ex. 24. 4 7 &{ 22.32. 2 Cor. 6.16 
34,1. 27. Deut. 30./e Ex. 19. 5,6. Rom- 
6. Ser. 31. 33. &] 9. 25, 26 Tit. 2. 14, 
$2.40, Ez. 11. 19. 1 Pete 2. 9, 10. 

PIs. 263. & 54. 13. 
Jers31. 34. John. 6. 
45. 1 John 2. 27 


k 10. 16,17. Ps: 2% 
7. & 65.3. Is, 45; 
25. & 44,22, Jer 
33 8. 

I ver, 20, Mie. 7. 19, 
Acts 18.28.39. Roms 
li. 27. Eph. 1. Ze 


& 36. 26, 27.2 Cor. 
3. 3. 7,8. Jam. 1. 
18, 21. i Pet. 1, 23. 


* Gr. give. g 2 Kings 17.27, 28.) Col. 1. 14. 1 Johrs 
+ Or, upon. 1 Chr. 28.9. 2Chr.| 1 7-9. & 2. 1, 2¢ 
d 11. 16. Gen. 17.7,| 30.22, Ezra7.25. | Rey. 1, 5. 


8. Cant. 2. 16. Jer, Jer. 24. 7. Ez. 34,41 See on, ver. 8. 
24, 7.& 31e 1. 83.) 30, Hab. 2. 14. ie 12. 18, 19, 
& 32. 38. Ez. 11.) John 5.20. 9.9, 10, 

20.8 36. 28. & $7.;i Jer. 6. 13. & 42. - Is. 51.6. Mat. 24, 


27, & 39.22. Hos. 1.| 8 & 44.12. Acts 8.) 35. 1.Cor. 13. 86 & 
10, & 2. 23. Zech.| 10. Cor. 5. 17. 


8.8, & 13.9. Mat. 


XXV—XExi.) There seems no reason for re-. 
stricting the meaning of this charge to the hu- 
man nature of Christ; seeing his Person, priest- 
hood, sacrifice, and intercession, were evidently 
predicted in the directions given to Moses on that 
occasion. Instead of interfering with the priests 
in the typical services of the temple, Christ had 
obtained a far superior ministry, of real intrinsic 
value and efficacy, in the heavenly sanctuary; in 
which he was as much superior to the priests af. 
ter the order of Aaron, as the covenant, of 
which he was the Mediator, was a better cove- 
nant, founded and established on better promises, 
than the Sinai-covenant with Israel. It has re. 
peatedly been observed, that all unbelievers con- 
tinued personally under the covenant of works ; 
and that believers were personally interested in 
the covenant of grace, by faith in the Messiah 
that was to come. The Mosaic dispensation 
contained init a typical Gospel, and its ordi- 
nances were to believers means of grace, as well 
as acts of worship. But the covenant here re- 
ferred to, was that made with Israel as a nation, 
securing the possession of Canaan, and various 
temporal benefits to them, on prescribed condi- 
tions : and the promises of all spiritual blessings 
and of eternal life to believers of all nations, 
and. through all ‘succeeding ages, which were 
openly revealed by the Gospel, and ratified 
through Christ, are of infinitely greater value 
tham any temporal advantages to a single nation 
could be. ; 

V. 7—18.. The Hebrews might learn from 
their own. prophets, that their national covenant 
andthe legal dispensation were not intended to 
be perpetual: forif that covenant had been free 
from defect, and suited to bring the chureh to 
T 


2 
o 


ahs iN Le ‘ ; st i 
ff. D. 65. ; HEBREWS,” i 
CHAP. EX: * nacle which is called g the E 


The taberndele a and its furnitnré, and the typical!’ “4 Which had ‘the golden cens 
meaning of i its ordinances, 1—10. Ati application | i the ark of the »c: y t ov 
of the subject to the Priesthood, sacrifice, and about went ‘ oo 


covenant of Christ, 11—28. 

VWNHEN verily * the first covenant > had 

Hi also * ordinances of divine service, 
and a worldly sanctuary. 

2 For there was 4a tabernacle made: 

e a first, wherein was the candlestick, 

and the table, and the shew-bread; which 
is called } the sanctuary + 


‘golden pot’ 
rod that budde 
covenant; 
5 And ™ over it the: 
shadowing © ‘the me: 
we cannot now spe 


v 


Ex. 26. 31—33, &} $71. 
3 Andafter ‘the second vail, the taber-| 36. 35-33, & 40.3.) & 40 it 
21. 2 Chr. 3: 14.Is-}ke Ex, 


a 8.7.13, 2. Ex, 25. 8. Col. Ex, ba 23—40. & | 25.7. Mat. 27, 51.11 fs 

b ver. 10, Lev. 18:] 2.4. 26. Re 37. 10—| ¢ ver. 8: & 10..19.1 110-2, f 

3,4 30. & 3. old Es. 26. 1—30. & 24. & 39. 36-38. & | 1 Kings 8. 6. jm Ex, 250 10. 

Num 9.12. Ez, 43.4 36. 838. & 39. 32; 40. 22—24, bh Lev. 26. 12.1 Kin.| 33. & 40, 3. 

ti. Luke 1. 6: | $4, Gc40e2. 18—|t Or, holy. Ex: 26:1 7, 50.-Rev-8 3s. | Deut 10. 25. alo. 
© Or, cercinonies. 20, 33. i Ex. 25, 10—16« & Kings 8. 9. 21, , 
@ ver. 10, TL “& Bt ee £6. 19. & 10, 20 Chr. 5- 10. 


ee ee 


the highest state of perfection to which it was 
. to be advanced on earth; there would have been 
no place for a second. or occasion of introducing 
it,/or proposing any plans for another covenant; 
as the Lord never changes his methods without 
Texuson. The Mosaic law indeed, and the Sinai- 
covenant, were well suited to introduee the pro- 
mised Messiah and the Gospel-dispensation, and 
to form, ‘as it ‘were, a proper scaffolding for that. 
magnificent edifice : yet they did not secure the 
sanctifieation’and: salvation of the people ; nor 
did they even prevent such national apostacies, 
as were a forfeiture of all their privileges — 
About the time of the Babylonish captivity, 
therefore, the Lord, by his prophet Jeremiab, re- 
proved the nation of Israel for their violations of 
his covenant, and promised to muke a new cove- 
nant, with his people. The passage here quoted 
has already been fully explxined, and a few hints 
must here. suffice; (Note, Jer. xxxi, 31—34.) 
The words, translated from the Hebrew, * al- 
though 1 was:a husband.unto them,” are here 
rendered, “ and I regarded them not.” Learn. 
ed men have endeavoured to prove, that they 
may be rendered either way; but the translation 
here adduced from the Septuagint, is not the 
most obvious meaning of the original : as, how- 
ever, both propositions contain truth and instruc- 
tion, the difference is, to us immaterial, The 
prophecy was fulfilled in the, conversion of mui- 
titudes of Judati and Israel, in the primitive 
times of the-gospel: butit is also, fulfilled to ali 
the spiritual Israel, who,are really a holy nation, 
as Israel according-to the flesh.was relatively - 
the repentance, faith, divine and efficacious 
‘teaching, and sanctification of the chosen people 
“of God, as well as their complete. forgiveness, 
were provided for, in the betteg promises of this 
new covenant; end thus their holy obedience, 
@heir final perseverance, and their eternal salva- 
ticn, were secured. .The apostle, therefore, in- 
ferred conclusively from. this prediction, that 
a promise of a new covenant had.in effect made 
the first old or antiquated; and this was as 
much as to say, that it was decaying, and about 
to vanish away. So that the abolition of the na- 
(ional covenant made with Israel, and the abro- 
gation of the Mosaic law, should baye been ex- 


pected at the coming: of the Messi, 
to their own patie, EE op 


a High } Priest, as nada 
that he hath accepted: his. one 0 
self; that he hath exalted/him to 
of his Majesty inthe Hea’ 
of the'sanctuary and of the true 
that he hath made a better’cov 
in behalf of his*true people, 
on better’ promises, than those: 
let us see to it, that we draw ni 
appointed way, as spiritual’ w 
ble faith, and submission ‘to his 
lying on ‘his mercy and truth, anc 
his proniised blessings. If it. 
for those who ‘had. the: e 
heavenly things, to a 
divine prescriptions ; 
demnation, who have tle 
heavenly things themselves; yet 
mediators, prefer human thaditic 
in their own name as if rt us per 
fuse to come at all, as if. sufficien 
felicity?» In every pone an 
obedience, we should. ) 
perfect standard of sctiptuisis 
tion must be proportionably m; 
takes in the way of a sinner’s < 
ance cannot but prove fatal in thee 
only discovered and rectified, 
V.7—13. 
We should often inquir 
covenant be really s 
for, though the gospel-dispe: 
and though the Lord hath, 
by the hand to lead us forth 
tichristian idolatry: yet he 
veyard to us at last, unle 
into our minds, and write th: 
the principle of Deposits op 
obedience; unless ot 
from him »s our God, and w iph n 
'as bis people: and ‘unless we are ti 


CHAPTER IX, ye Ss 65. 


6 ‘Now when. these things were thus] 9 Which was *a figure for ¥ Stns 
‘ordained, ® the priests went always into/ then. present, in which were offered both 


bernacle, accomplishing the] 2 gifts and sacrifices, a that could not 
make him that did the service perfect, as 
pertaining to the conscience ; 

10 Which stood only » in. meats and 
drinks, and © divers washings, and 4 car- 
nal * ordinances, imposed on them © until 
the time of reformation. 


into the second went.the high 

je; Once every year,* not with- 

which he offered for. himself, 

‘ errors of the people. : 

he * Holy Ghost, this signifying, 

““ the way into the holiest of all was 
, made manifest, while as the first 


& 10. 10—22, John] 11. Gal: 8, 21. Num. | -19 7-21, 
10.7. 9. & 14, 6.Jb 13.9. Ley. 21. 2,1 Deut, 21. 3.6. & 
Epi. 2, 18. &e, Deut. 14. 3—} il. 

& ver. 24.& 11, 19.) 21. Ez. 4. 14, Acts 
Rom. 5,14. 1 Pet.l 10. 13-15. Col. 2, 15: { 


3. 21- ¢ 6.2. Gr. & 10.22.} 2.15. Col. 2. 20— 
it 3.7. & 10. 15. Is.] y 7, 11. & 11.39, 40.) Ex. 29. 4. & 30.19; 22, ; 
63,11. Aets 7 51.| 1 Pet. 1. 11, 12. =21. & _°49. 12% Or, rites, or, cere 

tg 98, 62. 8 28.25. Gal.| z See on, 5.1. Ley. 14. 8, 9. &}) monies. 


a ver 18, 24. & 7.) 166 4°84. & 1746 2.5:% 6.5. Gal, 
18,19. & 10. 1—4., 15, 16. & 22, 6.) 4. 4. Eph. 1. 10." 


<r —- SS — ss - 
as/ The golden altar of incense is not mentioned. in 
this catalogue ; for what reason we know not: 
but the conjecture of some expositors, that the 
words rendered, thé golden “censer,” meant 
that altar, is groundless: for that was stationary 
in the first sanctuary, 4nd’ was not used by the 
high priest on the day. of atonement, who burn- 
ed incense on a portable censer within the veil. 

¥_ 6,7. ‘When all the particulars above men- 
tioned had been prepated, according to God's 
appointment ; the ordinary priests performed the 
several parts of their office in the first'sanctuary 
at all times, without further limitation. But the 
high priest alone was allowed to go into the 
most holy place; nay, be was not allowed to 
enter thither more than once, or on one day 
in the year; nor even on that day, uli he 
had offered sacrifices for his own transgressions 
and those of the ‘mation; and then he took the 
blood of the sin-offering within the veil, to sprin- 
kle before the mercy-seat. (WVotes, Lev ne 
Thus, out of Israel, that holy nation, one holy 
tribe was selected; ofthat tribe ane holy fami- 
ly ; and of that family} one person, to be “ holi- 
‘‘ ness to the Lorp’” yet even this person, 
so carefully selected from the whole race of men, 
might not approach God ona mercy-seat, with- 
out atoning blood, and only one day in a year; 
on pain of death for his presumption if he 
transgressed these rules! The word rendered 
errors, seems to denote all those sins, for which 
sacrifices were appointed ; indeed all, but those 
presumptuous -sins which were -punished by 
death. Some commentators mention carrying 
the blood of the sacrifices into the temple, to 
sprinkle it before the veil, as one of the services 
performed by the ordinary priests: but po blood 
was carried into the tabernacle, except that of 
the sin-offerings for the high priest, or for the 
congregation; and this was done by the high 
priest himself. (xiii. 11. Wotes, Lev. iv.) 

‘VV. 8—10. By all those restrictions and limi- 
tations, which kept even the worshippers of JE- 
HOVAH at so awful a distance, the Holy Spirit, 
by ‘whose inspiration they were revealed and 
recorde , conveyed this important instruction > 
namely, that the way into the holiest of all was 
not yet “made manifest. This: inaction, must 


it, to ide hia i in such a manner, as 
caprightly to fear, love, trust, and obey him.— 
l"Phus all true Israelites, from the least to the 
preatest, are taught of God; and sealed as his. 
|} people; and thus they are assu-ed, that he hath 
Been merciful to their sins, and will remember 
their iniquities no more. This “ righteousness 
# shall be for ever, this salvation shall not be 
“ abolished, »” and the blessings of this irrevoca- 
ble covenant will be the eternal portion of eve- 
true believer. But all other things, whether 
ey be worldly vanities, external privileges, or 
and notions of religion, will soon decay, 
old, vanish away, and leave those who have 
in — most pattie for evermore. 
NOTES. 
V. 1—S. The apostle, knowing 
Xcessive and dangerous attachment of the 
s to the legal ceremonies, proceeded 
‘enema show their typical refer- 
jo Christ. The first covenant had indeed 
: es of divine worship, the observance of 
Ww e h Gonsfituted a considerable part of the le- 
gal righteousness of Israel, as a nation: and it 
chad a sanctuary, built of auch materials, and de- 
‘corated with such magnificence, 23 this present 
World affords, and as carnal men admire. For 
Moses, at God’s command, caused. the taberna- 
the’ erected, which, Gehide's the courts, and 
orch, consisted of two parts; in the first 
on, called ‘the holy place,” or the sanctua- 
re the candlestick, the table, and the shew- 
+ and within the second veil, in the holi- 
all, were the ark, and the other things 
‘mentioned. (Notes, &e. Br. xvi. $2—S4 
svi. xxxvii—xl. Win. ‘sviL) The golden 
on which the high priest burned incense 
he veil on the day of expistion, seems to 
‘left in the most holy place during the 
the year. The rod of Aaron and the 
if manna, were within the holy of ho- 
iy; oF near the ark, as the word. may 
; but'they seem not to have been 
“(2 Kings vii. 9) The typical 
hese things has been shown; and 
ary to speak of them particularly 
. even ‘as it Was not for the apostle. 


Priest b of eC things to come, i} by a 
greater and more perfect tabernacle, * not 
made with hands, that is to say, not of 
this building ; 

12 Neither! by the blood of goats and 
ealves, but ™ by his own blood, ® he en- 
tered in ° once into the holy place, P hav- 
ing obtained eternal redemption for ws. 

13 For if the blood of bulls, ‘and of 
goats, 1 and the ashes of an heifer, sprink- 


f Gen- 49. 10. Ps,{h 10.1. Acts 20. 28 Eph 
40, 7. 4s. 59. 20|1 ver, 1—9. & 8. 2! 1,7. Col. 1. 14. Vite 
Mal. 3, 1. t. 2.| John 1.14. Gr 2.14, 1 Pet. 1.19. 
6.& 11. 3. Johnjk ver. 23, 24. Acts} Rev. 1,5..& 5.9, 


of Christ, " who 
Spirit ¥ offered’ him 

to God, ® purge your 
» dead works; © te serv 


4q aris 19. eae ales 
Tr Nume &. 7, |X 

12. 2Chre 30, 19, “57.15, 
Ps. 51. 7.. Acts 15.) Rom: 
9.. 1 Pets 1.22, 1.17) 
s Deut. 31. 27. Qly See. ‘val Se 
Sam 4. 11. Job 15.) % 27. Mat. 3 
16, Mat.7. 11. Luke ‘Eph. 5a. 
12, 24, 281 Rom. 11-) 141 Be 


4, 25, 1John ,! 7, 48. & 17 24, 25-1n See on, vere 7 24°] 12. 24, (13218. 
2) 3. & 5.20. 2) 2Cors. 1. Col. 2| 26-& 10. 12. t See on, ver. 12. iz Lev. 22.20. 
John 7: 0 Zech. 3.9, John 1. 7. 


1 

g@ Secon. 2.17. & 3,1 ver, 13. & 10. 4. 
1.& 4. 15, & 5. 5) Ley. 8 2.'& 9. 15. 
6. & 7. 1—11, 26) & 16) 5—10. 

a7. &s 1. _.. jm 1.3. & 10, 9-14. 


p.ver. 15. & 5. 9% 
Dan. 9.24. Mark 
3.29 Gal. 3+ 13, 
14..1.Thes, 1. 10. 


u Is. 42.1. & 61.1, 
Mat. 12. 28 Luke 
4.18.. John 3: 34. 
Acts 1. 2, & 10.381 Cor. 


be constantly inculcated, as long as the first ta- 
bernacle was standing, "and the ceremonies of 
that worship continued in force. For the tem- 
ple, being formed after the pattern of the taber 
nacle made by Moses, and having the same mi- 
nistrations perfor med atit, might be considered 
as the continuation of it; and “ the first taber- 
* nacle,” is distinguished from that ‘ vreater 
** and more perfect tabernacle,” -afterwards 
mentioned, (11, 12.) So that the holy places, in 
which the priests of Aaron’s family’ ministered, 
till the coming of Christ, are evidently meant, 
A few believers indeed, under the divine teacb- 
ing, saw a little concerning the way of access to 
God, of communion with him, and of admission 
into heaven, through the promised Redeemer : 
but the Israelites in general looked no further 
than the external forms; and scarcely any person 
conceived an idea, that sinners of every nation 
’ should have that boldness ofaccess to God through 
Christ, and all the privileges and hopes, which 
believers enjoy under the Christian dispensation. 
The difficulty, of guilty polluted rebels being thus 
admitted into the presence and favour of a holy 
God, was declared by those appointments: but 
the sacrifice and priesthood of the incarnate Son 
of God at once disannulled them all: when he 
hung upon the cross, the veil of the temple was 
rent ; bis ascension into heaven, and intercession 
there, opened the way to the mercy-seat; by his 
doctrine the way into the holiest was made mani- 
fest ; and thenceforth it was only necessary that 
sinners should be made willing by regenerating 
grace, to avail themselves of such an invaluable 
privilege. The legal ordinances therefore, ‘es- 
pecially those of the great day of atonement, 
were figures for the time that they lasted, (or, 
as some render it, “of the present time,” the 
happy period thus prefigured being then arriv. 
éd;) in which were offered various gifts and sa- 
erifices, that could not give the worshippers ge 
nuine solid peace of conscience, or make a per- 
fect reconciljation between the sinner and his of- 
fended Judge. The offerers, who rested in them, 
and did not by faith rely on the promise nee 
could not obtain forgiveness of sins, or Spiritual 
blessings; but were only exempted from tempo- 


ral punishment, : and a 
leges, as members 
Israel, which wasin a 
government of Je HOVAR. 
ordinances of that ¢ a 
ed with its sacrifices; they cons. 


of regulations concerning meats: 


divers baptisms, or ‘washings 
typical of sanctification ; 


tions, which were carnal in’ 
for wise purposes they were 
coming of the Messiah, 
veformation, by the i 
ple and spiritual worship. - 
be of no use to the Jews, who, 
of zeal for them, and it was 
brew Christians to adhere ‘sO. 
them. The Holy Ghost, Be. 
press attestation to the divi 
ses, which should | 
tice, in these days of 
V. 11—14. . After long 
mised Redeemer was com 
capable of procuring a) 
ages and to all eternity, th : 
tion on all believers; and ft 
ancient promises of God 
ed to do, by officiating. as. a 
greater and better tabernacle, th 
by Moses, or even the temple b 
or any made with hands that is } 
not builded after the ge or ¢ 
like the lewer eae 
of infinite wisdom, and the 
power. This may be. exp ed 
holy human nature, in which b 
earth, and officiates as Priest 
the heavens themselves, 
the presence of God for us. . 
to atone for sin by the bloo 
calves ; and to enter into 
with it: but having s ii 
blood on earth, as in the court 
he entered in, once for all, into: 
in heaven, to, plead the merit of it 
Father’s throne, as the complete men 
all the sins of his people; having thus p 


, 4) 
St. 
© z ib 
a 7 7 rete eM 


me 


chee TX. A.D. 65. 


13 An fri nue he’ is ethe Me-| 
ator of § the Ne ew Testament, that by 


16 For where a testament is, Mere 
must also of necessity * be the death of 
the testator. 

17 For ® a testament és of force after 
men are dead: otherwise it is of no 
strength’ at “all while the testator ‘liy- 
few 


ve ibiey wich are ‘called 
the ' promise of mi eternal’ 
2 Tim. 2:10. Titn Gen, 48. 21; 22. 
1.2. & 3. 7. 1 Pet. John 14. 27, Gre 


1. 3,4 R00. ee 3, 156 
*. Or, debreusMaien ite OS 


19. 2% & 25. 34. 
46. Mark 10. 17. 
Luke 18 18, John 
10, 28. Rom. 6. 23, 


1 


3,4 
ii sex. 1&8. a 13.4 Ps. 37. 18. Mat 
Ph at a ae 


or them “ eternal redemption” from wrath 
sin, and all its consequences ; and being as- 
ured, that no further atonement would ever 
reqnired in their behalf For if the blood 
F bulls rev ae and such irrational creatures, 
expiate the guilt of the nation, or 
, on the dav of atonement, or ow 
occasions, (Votes, Lev. xvi.) and if the 
‘an heifer mixed with water, and sprink- 
jose who were unclean through the touc! 
fa dead body, could produce a typical external 
, by which they might be admitted inte 
h ‘congregation of the Lord ; (Votes, &. Mum 
ix) how much more efficacy might be suppos- 
2d in the blood of Christ, actually to remove 
It and defilement ! The exalted dignity of his 
Aeviue nature, the entire purity of his human na- 
s, the honour put on the law of God by his 
st perfect obedience ; and the voluntary of- 
ie OF himself, under the immediate influen 
s of the eternal Spirit, as a spotless sacrifice to 
divine justice in the stead of sinners, concurred 
render it glorious in God, for his sake, fully to 
rdon, and freely to accept, all who were in- 
rested in him by faith. If then there was the 
t efficacy in external expiations and purifica- 
tiotis, Whrough the appointment of God, and be- 
cause they showed the guilt and pollution 
‘sin, and typified the method of its removal ; 
that it became proper for Ged, through Bier os 
confer temporal benefits on criminals : how much 
more efficacious must the blood of Christ be, to 
Legs the believer’s conscience from the guilt 
of those evil works, which’ were committed 
7 such as were gaia j in sin and deserved death, 
r that really polluted the soul, even as the touch 
of a dead corpse did the body ! As therefore, i: 
abundantly suited to render the exercise of 
} consistent with the most perfect justice 


his appointment to his mediatorial offices; and 
as he was carried through his last scene “of suf- 
ferings, by his most perfect zeal and love, which 
also gave value to his sacrifice: so the Holy 
Spirit seems to be intended, and his eternal - 
Deity, (as well as the everlasting value and effi- 
cacy of Christ’s atonement,) is attested by the 
epithet here employed. The Levitical services 
were all shadows ef heavenly things : the expia- 
tions were therefore types of some real expia- 
tion. * Now what expiation is there in the whole 
© universe, if the Sacrifice of Christ is exclud- 
“ed? (Macknight.) 

V. 15—17. Because of the unceasing and in- 
exhaustible efficacy of his sacrifice, Christ was 
appointed to be the Mediator of the new covenant. 
He had undertaken the cause of sinners, which 
must otherwise have been relinquished as des- 
perate; as he alone was capable of offering a 
sacrifice of sufficient value to make a real atone- 
ment: and he had come into the world in hu- 
man nature for that purpose ; in order that, by 
megns of his death, to atone and pay a ransom 
to God for the transgressions which had. been 
committed by believers under the old covenani, 
or the legal dispensation ; even they who lived 
before his coming, as well as all. others who 
were called by the grace of God to faith in him, 
0} might receive the promise of an efernal inherit- 
ance, (Votes, Rom. iit. 21—26.) For the temporal 
inheritance alone was secured to the Israelites by 
their observance of the legal expiations; and 
they among them, who sought and obtained spi- 
ritual and eternal blessings, were made partak- 
ers of them through the anticipated efficacy of 
Christ’s redemption. Yet that grace was finally 
confirmed to them. by his death: so. that in this 
respect, the covenant he mediated might also be 
considered as a Testament, by which a man be- 
dliness, and honourable to God to accept the |queaths certain legacies to Persons specified 
s of sinners who believed ; so when appre-| therein, to be given to them in consequence of 
‘by faith, it would remove the burden |his death, Thus Christ might be considered 
from the conscience, and give the trem-|as having acquired, in his mediatorial office, 
nner peace, confidence, and comfort in|a conditional right to dispose of-spiritual and 
ching, worshipping, and obeying the living |eternal blessings, as by. his will and Testa- 
d Christians therefore could have no oc-|ment;_ these he bequeathed to all such as 
9 cleave to the abrogated typical expia should apply for them in faith; and though, 

“Mosaic law. Some expositors, by|by a special favour, some were made partak- 
Spirit,” suppose the Deity of the |ers of them, in consequence ‘of his unfailing 
t: but this seems rather to be|engagements to assume human nature, and 
ord Curist; and as the holi-| make tedemption. for their transgressions ; yet 
ence of our Saviour; his miracu-|even their right to them was incomplete till after 
d'the supports given to his hu-|his death, and all others must be admitted to 

onstantly ascribed to his im-|claim them on that ground only. For whep a 
on with the Holy Spirit, sealing Testament is made, the death of the testator 


a 


* 


18 Whereupon neither © the first tes-} 21 
fament was * dedicated without blood: {with 

19 For when Moses had spoken every/the vessels 
precept to all the people according tothe} 22 And » 
Jaw, he took P the blood of calves, and of|law purged 
goats, with water, 4and j¢ scarlet wool,| shedding of E 
rand hyssop, and § sprinkled both the book r 
and all the people, 
. 2 Saying, t This és the blood of the 
testament which God hath enjoined unto 


2 the patterns of t 
should be purified 
heavenly a thems 
sacrifices than these. 


you. 
© 8. 7-9, Exe12, 32) 16. 1438,» 19. 18, Ps. 81.7. | u Ex. 99. 19.90. 86.17 Lev. 
23. & 24,38. fq Lew. 14, 4—6, 40]s 12. 24. Ex. 24. 8)" Ley, 8, 1.19. eo. ee 


» Or, purified. ver.| —5% Num. 19.6. | Js. 62. 15. Ez. 36. 


. 19, tae , [ 
34, 22, I Or, purple. Mat) 25. 1 Pet. 1. 2. 3, 9: 1a. S10 14] gona 


. 2Chr. 29. 1942 ver. 9 
p ver. 12, & 10.4.1 27.38. Mark 15, 17]t 13.20, Zech, 9.11. 99, Revie, oy ga le en etna 
Ex. 24.5. Lev. 1+] 20, John 19.2.5. | Mat. 26. 28. 
2, 3. 10. 8 3. 6. &'r Ex, 42. 22. Num, 


22, Ez. 43, 18—26.| 8.5. & 10.1 
% Lev. 14. 6, 1452512. 17. 

$1, 52. a Caves 
the venerable ames, which have I : 
with other circumstances of a similar nat 
render me afra ) prefe 
either interpreta 
whole, but think th 
most obvious, and ¢ 
neral way of reasoni 
V. 18—23.. 


must of necessity take place, before the legacies 
can be elaimed: it is of no validity till he be 
dead ; for, as he may. change it at pleasure while 
hhe liveth, so it hath no force till afterwards, 
Thus Christ died, not only to purchase the bless- 
ings of salvation for us; but to give efficacy to 
his testamentary disposal of them ; though he is 
different from all other testators, in that he rose 
jagain, and ever liveth to be the executor of his 
own testament, for the benefit of all that are in- 
vested in it. Thus the passage has generally 
Been interpreted: but this is the only. passage, 
_§n which the original word, is expressly used in 
Scripture for a testament, or the will of a dying 
person, The change of the meaning also from 
i¢ovenant to testament, seems unprecedented : the 
Mediator *“ of.a testament,” “ the blood of a tes- 
“* tament,” are expressions, to. which it is difficult 
to annex any precise ideas; and. the Sinai co- 
venant can hardly in any sense, be called a tes- 
tament; Several modern expositors have there- 
fore endeavoured to establish another interpreta- 
tion. * For this reason, of the new covenant 
© he isthe Mediator,.or High Priest, by whom 
* its blessings are dispensed, and also the Sa-| might sprinkle the b 
® etifice, by which it is procured and ratified :| emblem of the two-fold be 
* that his death being accomplished, for obtain-/ ment ;) and then putti ny 
© ing the pardon of the transgressions of the first] stalk of hyssop, they spri 
* covenant, believers of all ages and nations,| (ores, Lev. xiv. 7. 
¢ as the called, seed, of Abraham, may receive] also knew, that Moses sp 
* the promised eternal inheritance... For where} and all its furniture with bi 
* a covenant is made by. sacrifice, there is a} them for the worship of Go 
£ necessity, that the death of the appointed In short, it was a ge 
* sacrifice be produced... For, according to/ thing was by the law pt 
* the practice of God and man, a covenant is| showed, that nothing could 
* made firm over dead sacrifices ; seeing it ne:} not even his religious duties 
* ver hath force, whilst the goat, calf, or bul-| was expiated by the deat 
¢ jock, appointed as the sacrifice of ratification, cient value for that end, and t les 
* liveth. Because from the beginning, God ra-| ly depended on it. Ant ind 1 
€ tified his» covenants. by. sacrifice, to. preserve} ly an universal rule, tha’ 
« among men the expectation of the Sacrifice of} blood, no kind or degree 
* his Son; hence not even the covenant at Sinai] ed, or the punishment ¢ 
* was made without sacrifice, or blood? (Mack-| It was then necessary, 
nizht:)—It appears to me, that the original will] the law, for the exempla 
admit of this interpretation; but the nature of| things te be purified by 
this work does not admit of my enlarging on the| cent animals, and by th 
criticisms, by which it is supported. On the one] blood; or they could not be ac 
hand, the cavils, whieh have;been raised against] the worship of God: bu was: 
the apostle’s reasoning’as inconclusive, if the first ¢ 


more durable and immutable re; 
interpr station be adopted ; and on the other hand, | heavenly things themselves should 


nant had not been ler 
blood. For after the law of t 
had been delivered from. the 
had spoken every preeept ; 
ing to the outlines of th 
tional covenant was to be es 
had.,cousented to it; he’ 
and proceeded to the soler 
covenant, asia typical medi or 
the nation. (Votes, Bx. xxi 
specified some. particul 
in the history ; probably. ta 
traditionary usages of 
casions, To preyent 
it was customary to) 


‘ 


A. . DL 65. 


is not entered into > the 5|hath k : he appeared to put away sin by ithe 


for us : 
‘that he should Coffer him- 
s the high priest ‘entereth 
place every year with blood 


tien must he. often have suffer- 
ce ‘hb the foundation of e world ; 
y once, * in the e id of the world, 


vere 12 Ex, 30. 
10. Lev. ge 


2 8.3, | 1 Cor. 10. 11. Gal. 
on, Yer. 7 14:4 4.4. Eph, 1,10. 1 
“Kx 10, 10. Pet. 1. 20, 


nt of superior excellence, even by 
rifice of the death of Christ, which 
initely more valuable than all of them.— 
to his efficaciously interceding for sin- 
in heaven, and opening for them the way to 
ene peat c that they might commune with 
reconciled Father in his ordinances, and at 
mitted. into heaven, it was necessa- 
rist shoukl on earth, in our nature, 
blood, and die a gaehiice on the cross, 
emight have the infinite merit of that sa- 
o plead before the throne, in behalf of 
ould come unto God by him: other- 
‘mercy shown to sinners would dishonour 
justice holiness of God, and their admis- 
zi pete gal as it were, defile that ho- 
‘ worl ridly wary,” made by the hands of 
e figures of the true, for which the 
jlood. als might be a suitable consecra- 
but he had entered into heayen itself, to 
immediate presence of God, as the 
rebels and enemies, and i in order to 
them full pardon, abundant grace, and 
life ; and a sacrifice of proportionably 
or value was necessary, that he might per- 
this ministration to the glory of God, and 
ation of his people. This had been pro- 
the sacrifice of himself: and there was 
at he should frequently repeat’ his 
sufferings and death, after the manner 
»high priest ; who every year went into the’ 
with the blood of others, even of the, 
‘for sin- offerings ; for in that case 
ten have suffered, since the first 
soon after the foundation of the 
the efficacy of his gracious interpo- 
f of sinners began. This he must 
sacrifice had been of small, or 
‘as it would have been, if he 
man, ‘or amere creature. But, 
the: intrinsic and infinite value 
ppeared, in that, after he had|*« 


Christ had not entered into “a 


ers: had ail along been saved” by} 
= at ‘Tength appeared m hems) 


k ver. 12. & 7. 27. 
| 16.21, 22. 2 Sam. 


I ver, 14. & 10. 12. 


.| m Ger. 3.19.2 Sam.jo See on, ver: 25, 


id promised for “four thousand eh at I: 


2. a et i ae ee en ee al a ¥ 


gal hands, which are} sacrifice of himself. 


27 And ™ as it is appointed ‘into men. 


=| Once to die, ® but after this the judgment ; 


28 So ‘Christ ° ° ‘was once offered P te 


bear the sins of many ; ; and unto 9 them 
that look for him, shall * he appear the se- 
cond time, * without sin * “unto salvation. 


Rom, 5, 13, Le 10. 2 Tim. 4. 3. 
n 6. 2 eee —ahash 2 Pet.3 
Ee. 11,9. & 12, 14, 

12, 13, & 24. 1¢.] Mat. 25. 31, Rele Zech. 14. 5. — 
Job 7. 21. Dan.9.! Jolm 5. 26— 14.3, Acts1.11. 4 
24. John 1. 29. 1] Acts 17, 31. Rom. ‘Vhes. 4. 14-16. 2 
Pet. 2, 24. & 3. 18.| 2. 5.& 14.9—12. ¥ rigs: 1. 59. & 2. 
iJobn3.5. — Cor. 4.5. 2 Cor. i 1. #Joha % 2% 
10. 2 Tim. 4, Rev. 1.7. 

26. Eph. 5,2. Tit., Jude 15. Rey. oats eg 6. 10. & & 


2. 14 11—15, ny 

it teas. Rom. 3- 
14. 14. Job 14. 5. &|p Lev. 10.17. Num.| 23. 1 Cor. 15. Si 
30. 23° sv 89:} 18. 1-23, 1s. 53.4—} Phil. 3. 21. 1 Thes 
48. Ec. 3, 20. &) 6.11,12. Eke eet 4. 17. 3 Thes. 1. 18, 
9. 5. 20. & 12 lq Poi 3.20, 1 Thes. 


& 10. 4. 10, Ley. 


nature, once, in the last period of the world, 
when the concluding dispensation was -to be in- 
troduced : that by the One sacrifice of himself 
he ‘might make an all-sufficient atonement for 
sin: and both provide for the full pardon of ail 
the sins of the numberless multitudes of believ- 
ers, through every age and nation; and also for 
the destruction of sin out of their hearts and na- 
ture, by their gradual sanctification: that so 
they might at last be made as righteous, holy, 
and happy, as if they never had been sinners. 
So vast was the value and efficacy of his one cad 
Righa holt 
. 27, 28. As by the sentence denounced on 
the | human race in Adam, the surety of the cove- 
nant of works, it had*been “ appointed for men 
Gnce to die ;” (from which Enoch and Elijah 
‘alone had been excepted, nor was that favour 
to be hoped for by any others, till the end of the 
world ;) and as it was-also appointed to ali men, 
without one exception, that after death they must 
appear in judgment before God, and receive an 
eternal recompense of their cSnduct during 
their lives on earth; which judgment must be 
unto condemnation to all sinners, who have not 
previously obtained a pardon; and as without 
shedding of blood there can be no remission of 
sins, nor could the legal sacrifices really atone 
for them: so Christ, the second Adam, the Sure- 
ty of his people, had once offered himself « to 
« bear the sins of many,” even of all the multi- 
tudes that ever did, or ever shall; believe in him, 
that thus he might fully expiate them, and make 
way for their entire pardon and complete salva- 
tion. So that, though they are’ not exempted 
from ‘the stroke of death; they are delivered 
from the penalty, the ‘sting, and “the conse- 
quences of death: they will at length be made 
conquerors “over that terrible enemy, and thus 
be justified in Christ at the day of judgment, and 
inherit eternal life through him. He therefore 
needed not to appear on earth again in the like- 
ness of sinful flesh, to be numbered with trans- 
gressors,” and be * made sin for us:” but he 
appear in another form, in all bis 
+ cpm and personal glory, as the omni- 
omniscient, oo righteous ‘ Tudge of 


4. Bass BEBREW'S: 


The inefficacy of the legal sacrifices is shown, from 
the frequent repetition of them, 1—4. The abo- 
lition of them, and the substitution of the Sacri- 
fice of Christ, was foretold by the Psalmist, 5— 

_ 9; by which believers obtain eternal remission, 

, 10—i8. Exhortations to faith, prayer, and con- 
stancy in the gospel ; and to love and good works, 
19—25. The danger of wilfully renouncing 

» Christ, after having received the knowledge of 


CHAP, X. 


very imag 
> with those 
year by year 
ers thereunto 

2 For then * 
ceased to be 


the truth; with warnings, expostulations ; an 
encouragements, 26—39. r 


the world ; in order to complete the salvation of 
all those, who believe in him, wait for his com- 
ing, and prepare to meet him, by faith, hope, 


love, and patient obedience. It,is generally 


supposed, that some of the expressions used in 
the latter part of this chapter, allude to the cere- 


monies used on the great day of atonement; 
Particularly, the scape-goat dore, or carried 
away, the sins of the people into the wilderness; 


and the high priest, when he had entered into the 


holy of holies, in linen garments, came forth to 
the people in his splendid sacerdotal robes, to 
pronounce the blessing upon them. ‘Did he not 
© appear the first time without sin? Yes, certain- 
€ ly, as to any inherent guilt ; for the scripture 
« says, “ He had no sin”? What then is the 
© meaning of this opposition, that at his first com- 
* ing ‘* he bare ‘our sins,” but at his. second 
© coming “ he shall appear without sin unto sal- 
« « yation?” These words can have no .other 
* imaginable sense but this, that at his first com- 
« ing he sustained the person of a.sinner, and suf 
* fered instead of us: but his second coming 
¢ shall be on another account, and he shall.ap 
* pear, not as a Sacrifice, but as a Judge.’ 
€ Tillotson.) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
V. 1—14. pat 
The ordinances of divine service, and the 
worldly sanctuary of the Mosaic covenant, point 


out tous Christ as our Light, and the Bread of 


life to our souls; and remind us of his divine 
Person, his fruitful Priesthood that flourishes 
for ever, his perfect righteousness, and his all. 
prevailing intercession ; * which things the 
« angels desire to look, into” with admiring 
praise and adoration, At what a distance hath 
. sin placed us from our holy, Creator ; when all 
the preparatory sacrifices of the law still left the 
worshippers secluded, and in asense banished, 
even from the ‘presence of God on his mercy. 
seat ! 
more purge the guilty conscience, than distine- 
tions in meats, and * divers baptisms,” could 
eleanse the polluted heart, or new-create the fal- 
len nature of man. Blessed be the God and Fa- 
ther of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the way into 
the holiest is now manifested, by the coming, sa 
erifice, and ascension of our great High Priest. 
Now we sinners of the Gentiles may come with 
more boldness to the throne of grace, than Is 


rael’s pontiff himself could : and now the gate 


of heaven is thrown open to all believers. Eter- 
nal redemption, and the promise of eternal m- 


2 1S Seon re is a Sl 


Ali these sacrifices and services could no 


a Seeon, 8.5 & 9 
9. 23. Col. 2. 17. 
b ver. 3, 4. 11-18 


heritance, are pur fe 
Christ, who, through the 
himself without spot t 
purges the most guilty co 
works to serve the living Go hil 

that seals the pardon, new-creates th 
soul. May we then be made partake 
heavenly calling, and s ission o! 
only through the shedd 
blood of the New Tes 
enjoined unto us! _ 


We must never pre: 
cept upon a mercy-se 
great High Priest, w! 
appear in his presence f 
and blessings must be 

the agonizing, yet yolunt 
cious Sian the teen ee 
the gift of his. royal mun 
creatures. We must ascril 
cation, and all our real good. 
all-procuring cause; and 
nances, and offer our. sp 
sprinkled with his blood, 2 
their defilement. Nay, we 
sion into heaven, as the place 
pared for us, through the p 
for the ransom of our ; 
of our inheritance; which 
been contaminated by out 
we should in all things le 
Iue. of the one: sacrifi 
peared on, earth to) offer 
know our interest in hi 
Strained by his love to” 
reserved obedience, In 
reconciled to the appoin 
look forward to judgment | 
and so wait prepared for his 
time without sin to perfeet ou 
as no wisdom, learning 
tion, or authority, can 
from the sentence of de 
liver.a sinner from cond 
judgment, except an in 
crifice of Christ;, nor will 
eternal punishment, who, h 
or neglected this great sab 
criminal suffers many 
fences, previous to his 
of the law is mot exec 
vengeance inflicted, till } 
convicted, and condemned, 
banal. cess aah 


Or 


ries 


4 For it is € not possible that the blood 
of bulls and of goats, should ftdke away 


sins. 
“\ © EBracticat Observations] 
11.1 Ene 17. 18. 


purged should have 
ence of sins. 

hose sacrifices there is da 
again made of sins every 


66.3. Jer. 6. 20. &if ver. 11, Hos. 14.2. 
—— 7:21; 22. Hos. 6.6.) John 1. 29. Rom: 
| Mic.7 Lev. 16, 6—11. 21,] e 3, Bo. 9.13. Ani 3t, 32 ae Ll. 27. 1 Jobn 3, 55 
d 9. 7. ‘Es. 30. 10.) 22, 20,30. & 23.27,| Ps, 50. 8—12, & 51.| 6. 6, Ts Mark 12 
32. 28. Num. um. 39. 7— 16. Is. 1. 11—15. &! 33. 


Tk 


z 


But the reading’ with an interrogation is founded 
on the best authority, and is most satisfactory. 
If any sacrifice had been offered of sofiicient ef- 
ficacy to atone for sin, there would have been 
no need for a continual repetition of it; and 
} that repetition showed the inefficacy of the most 
solemn legal sacrifices. On the contrary, when 
the one sacrifice of Christ had been offered: the 
legal sacrifices were virtually abolished ; no oth. 
er sacrifice Was required; no repetition was ne- 
cessary ; the end was fully answered ; nothing, 
except faith in him, was needful; and the ap- 
or} pointed ordinances were no longer prefigura- 
tions, but memorials, of his one all-sufficient 
atonement, 

V. 3,4. The apdstle’s argument implied, that 
no sacrifice could really atone for sin, or bring 
sinners into a state of acceptance with God unte 
eternal life, which did not make full satisfac- 
tion to his offended justice, and render it ho- 
nourable to him to remit the punishment of it. 
But the legal sacrifices were so far from being 
thus efficacious, that they did not suffice for the 
individuals, or the generation of Israel, who pre- 
sented them, even in respect of a permanent 
exemption from temporal judgments: for the 
most solemn of them, at the day of atonement, — 
was tather an annual remembrance of their sins, 
thana removal of the guilt of them : so that they 
had only a respect to the year that was past ; 
and the same remembrance was made of sins, 
when the day returned the next year. For in- 
deed it was not possible forthe blood of buils 
and goats to take away sin, by making an actual 
atonement to divine justice for it. As divine ap- 
pointments, such sacrifices might be a suitavle 
acknowledgment of guilt, and profession of re- 
pehtance, and reliance om God’s mercy, on ac- ° 
count of which he might bear with the Israelites, 
and give them temporal benefits ; and they aptly 
typified the sacrifice of Christ. But they could 
not possibly render pardoning mercy, in its most 
plenteous exercise, consistent with the infinite 
justice and holiness of God; without which no- 
thing could possibly take away sin, according 
to the apostle’s reasoning in this place. The 
same argument equally proves, that the blood of 
a mere man, or of a mere. creature, cannot take 
away sin. A guilty creature deserves wrath for 
his own crimes: if a perfectly holy man had the 
full disposal of his own life and soul, and could 
be willing to devote them to destruction, i in the 
stead of a single guilty person ; his life might be 
an adequate ransom fort the other's life, his soul 
for the other’s soul ; but this must be all: and 
even in this case, we cannot conceive that God 
would appoint, allow, or accept, such an atone- 
ment. If the most exalted of mere creatures” 
t should willingly assame our nature, and suffer 

Ue 2D 


eee on ee ees ee a? eee ee Ra Seen © Chee 


: NOTES. 

ag: 1, 2. As the Hebrews would 

ackward in acceding to the apostle’s infer- 
, concerning the inefficacy of the legal ex- 

iations ; roceeded still further to argue 


alata the way of salvation 
, and the several blessings confer- 
"through him, as a shadow, or 
rude sketch of a picture, does a man; than 
e a lively or adequate idea of them; as the 
jon in a mifrour, a good portrait, or statue, 
of the person thus represented. So that 
sacrifices, which were constantly offered eve- 
y yearvon the great day of atonement, could 
aot m the very persons, who came into the 
ts of the temple on that solemn occasion, 
from the guilt of their offences, or perfectly 
ted with God. He was pleased, indeed, 
exempt Israel from punishment, and to con- 
to the nation their external benefits, while 
hey adhered to the prescribed worship : but 
they, who were actually pardoned and saved, 
ived those blessings by faith in the promised 
’ This must be allowed to have been 
case: for if these sacrifices could have com- 
atoned for the sins of the people, would 
not have been discontinued, as no further 
rs "Seeing. the worshippers, having 
from their guilt, would have 
oe acd burdened with such a conscience 
sins, as required more and further sacrifices 
:0 take it away. This is the privilege of Chris- 
tians: for the sacrifice of Christ, being of in- 
ic and infinite value and efficacy, there is no 
sion that it should be repeated : but believ- 
having once had their consciences ptirged 
| dead works by faith in his blood, are per- 
justified and accepted unto eternal life: 
eforth they seek no other sacrifice; they 
more brought under condemnation ; they 
ally apply, in the exercise of penitent 
unfailing efficacy of that atonement to 
“consciences ; and thus they preserve in- 
cted with humiliation and 
ess of conscience, notwithstanding the’ 
of sin in their hearts, and the guilt 
‘thence contract in*their daily con- 
“ould they not,” &&. (2.) Some ren- 
ey would not have ceased to be of- 
‘is, they would have continued 
“being efficacious and adequate ; 
ri, from the apostle’s pre- 


. 


CHAPTER ®: - “4. D. 66. 


es 


A. D. 65; 
5 Wherefore, & when he cometh:into 
the world, he saith, » Sacrifice and offer- 
ing thou wouldest not, i but a body * hast 
thou prepared me: 
& ver.7& 1.6. Mat.) & 8. 3. Gen, 3.15. 
I. 3, Duke 7. 19.] fs. vii & 14. Jet.) John 4. 2, 8. 2) 
Gr. 31. 22, Matt. 1. 20) John 7. 


h Ps. 40, 6—8. —23. Luke 1. 35.)" Or, thou hast fitted 
iver. 10. & 2, 14. John 1, 14. Gal. 4,1 me. { 


4.1 Tim. 3, 16. 1 


temporal death, in its most horrible forms, for 
our salvation; we must perceive that the atene. 
tment would be of very small value, when compar- 
ed with the guilt to be pardoned, and the punish- 
Ment to be remitted, for the sake of it; nor 
could this render it consistent with the perfect 
justice of God to pardon the atrocious and innu- 
merable rebellions of so many millions, and to 
give them eternal life, on so inadequate a con. 
sideration. If without shedding of blood there 
« could be no remission,” it must have been, 
because God saw that sin fully deserved his 
wrath and the curse denounced against it; and 
that it could not consist with perfect distribu- 
tive justice to remit the punishment, except 
through 4 vicarious sacrifice : and ifthe blood of 
bulls and goats could not possibly take away sin; 
it must have been, because they were not a suffi- 
cient satisfaction to divine justice; or in other 
words, a sufficient declaration of God’s holy ha- 
tred of sin, his judgment of its desert, and his de. 
termination to maintain the honour of his broken 
law, inorder to render it consistent with his glo- 
ry finally to pardon sinners on account of it— 
Now it must be evident, that the crucifixion of 
Peter, or of Paul, even if they had been free from 
sin, would have exhibited’ nothing decisive in 
this matter; there would have been no equality 
between the sufferer, or his sufferings, and the 
criminals to be pardoned, and the punishment 
to be remitted for the sake of it: and the case 
must still be the same, how high soever we ‘as- 
cend in the scale of created being. But when 
** God manifested in the flesh,” became the Sa- 
crifice, and his death upon the accursed tree’ the 
ranssm, when ** God purchased the Church with 
« his own blood ;” the Sufferer being of infinite 
dignity, his voluntary sufferings were of infinite 
value. The perfect justice and holiness of God, 
and the honour of his law, are as legible in the 
cross of Christ, as his love to sinners : infinite pu- 
rity and infinite mercy are in perfect and eter- 
nal harmony; while unnumbered millions of 
rebels who deserve the final wrath of God are 
pardoned, and made heirs of eternal felicity, 
through this satisfaction of inestimable value. 
We see that this was an expedient adequate to 
its object ; and that such a sacrifice would siiffice 
for the sitts of the whole world, if all men were 
willing to come to God through it. It is neces- 
sary for us to insist upon this, not only as compris- 
ing an unanswerable argument for the real Deity, 
and the proper atonement of Christ: but. be- 
cause many, who profess to believe both these 
truths, under colour of blaming metaphysical ex- 
actness in stating doctrines, and affecting 'to treat 
the orthodox reformers, doctrinal puritans, ‘and 
modern preachers of the Gospel,'as men of 
Narrow minds; advance macy things contrary 


HEBREWS.’ 


6 In k burnt-offering Ja 
sin ! thou hast had no pleasut 
7 Then: id im Lo, i 0 
volume: of the book it is writ 
to do thy will, O Ge 
[Prac 


OG 


k See én, ver. 4. Levey 
1.8 4s & 5. &6.1-7%4] I 
1 Ps. 147. 11. Mal. 


to the apostle’s reason 
Christ’s sacrifice deri 
the appointment of G 
sonal Deity and excellence 
« altar that sanctified the gift;) 
the Lord so pleased, an inferior sacrifice mij 
have equally answered the purpose. But sui 
they forget, that God appointed the sacrifice; 
bulls and goats, as well as that of b n 
it was not possible for the former to take % 
sin, but the latter at once effected it, becaus 
its intrinsic value. ‘ Divine appointment % 
« acceptation must not the o 
« cause, that the oblation ; 
‘ was thus available for : 
‘ guilt of sin; for then no p : 
* why he might not haveac in th 
* of bulls and goats, and much’ more of ; 
¢ dinary man. But the great reason, why 
blood of bulls and goats could néver + 
« away sin,” is this, that they could never an 
the great ends of punishment, by 1 
consistent with the honour of the gover 
with the ends of government, to 
stitution of them in our stead. ~ 


_ 


Pigs. 
soe * 


« 


e 


when all those ends 


1. God by this dispensa 
best and most effectu 
from sin. If he, whi 
Son of ‘God, found it so dreadit 
the burden of the punis ent of 
hours; how must the sinner’si 
burden, when it is Yaid upon 
“ for ever?” ¢ Also, if on thi 
“ spared not his own Son,” * we ma 
‘ he will not spare his stubborn enem 
© by this method, ‘hath taken a: me 
way for the reformation of the sinr 


6 
s 
t 
ti 
‘7 
€ 
€ 
7 
‘ 
© so God, by it, may. 1e 
7 
«< 
¢ 
. 
t 
€ 
¢ 
6 
€ 
‘ 


€ by this dispensation hath’ 
€ the preservation of his h 

¢ the reverence and observatit 
« ing he hath by this exampl 
« that, though he be a God of 
« ing and mercy, he will by” 
© sinner, or suffer sin to go. 
« that none of these ends could be 
« ed by the substitution of a bullyor 
« to suffer in our stead, must be extreme 
* fest ; for-this would rather tempt men 
‘ ceive that God’s displeasure against si 
* not be'great, and that he was not much 


i 
7 ewe 
i. , 

ys we 

ve rae 


ualeme said, Sacrifice, and 


arnt-offerings, and offering 
idest not, neither hadst 
(which are offered by 


nm said he, ° Lo, I come, to do 
‘O God. P He taketh away the 
it he may establish the second 
the which will 4 we are sanctifi- 
ugh ¥ the offering of the body of 
Je rist once for all, _ 

oti And every priest standeth * daily 
mini: istering, and there ag times the 


it ; sel he had offered 
a nat for ever sat down 


nt hand of God ; 
Sst Sahin’ s: 97. & 11.31 & 12. 
8.7% ver. 5, 12. 14. 20, 11. Luke & 9, 10. 
a 26. 28, It See on, vers 4. 


7. 27. Ex. 29. 38,;u See on, 1. 3. & 8: 
i} 39. Num. 23. 24. & 1.& 9. 12. Acts ® 
‘ 19. S41 Cor. 29. 6. Ezra 3. 4.} 33,34. Rom. 8 34, 
» & 6. 1. 1 ! Dan, 8. 11. & 9-21. Col. 2. 1. 


se for any, satisfaction for the violations of 
his laws, when such slight matters were by 
‘him thought sufficient expiations for them? 


Y . 
~ 5—10. To prove his doctrine in the most 
janswerable manner, the apostle referred the 
‘Hebrews to a remarkable prophecy .of the 
regres which showed that his coming was 
fhe necessary consequence of the inefficacy of 
- the legal sacrifices, and of God’s purpose of sa- 
‘Wing sinners. (Votes, Ps. xl. 6—8.) The Mes- 
giah, speaking concerning his coming into the 
orld, remarked, that Jenovan had no delight 
sacrifices of the law ; (Votes, Ps.1.7—15. 
- 10—15,) but ' © that he had prepared a kody 
. r him? The words in the Psalm are, 
i te ears hast thou opened,” or “ bored.” 
(Bz, xxi. 5,6.) and it hath perplexed many to 
why the apostle, writing to the He- 
brews, should quote from the Septuagint, where 
that translation seems to deviate from the origin- 
‘al. But he probably supposed that. the words 
‘eonveyed the true meaning, though not the lite- 
‘Fal rendering of the passage: and that the pro- 
luction of the holy human nature of Christ was 
‘the preparation for his mediatorial obedience, 
which the Holy Spirit intended by the expression, 
‘mine ears hast thou opened.” When Jzuo- 
fam had no satisfaction in the legal sacrifices, 
not merely because the people rested in them in 
nal and self-righteous manner, but especial- 
ecause they did not sufficiently display the 
aour of his justice in pardoning sinners ; the 
al Son declared his readiness to come into 
eh in human nature, for that purpose : 
ing as it had been written of him in the 
the book, or in the opening of the rail 
cy, in which he had been promised as 
‘the woman. Now the apostle argu- 
5 that the opposition between the sa- 
hich Jenovan had no pleasure, and 


mf 


CHAPTER X. 


A. D. 65. 


13 From * henceforth expecting till 
his enemies be made his footstool. 

14 For by one offering ¥ he hath per- 
fected for ever them that are sanctified ; 

15. Whereof » the Holy Ghost also isa 
witness to us: for after that he had said 
before, 

16 This és > the covenant that I will 
make with them after those days, saiih 
the Lord, 1 will put my laws into their 
hearts, coal in their minds will 1 write 
them ; 

17 * And their sins and iniquities will 
1 remember no more. 

18 Now, © where remission of theds is, 
there is no more offering for sin, 


[Practical Observations.] 


x1. 13. Ps, 110. 1.) 32, & 26, 18. Rom.| 7.11. 17. 29. & 3. 
‘Dan 2. 44. Mat. 22.) 15. 16.1 Cor. 1. 2.] 6. 13.22. & 19. 10, 
440 Mark »120 36.| Eph, 5. 26. ar, 1L.jJb See on, 8 8—12. 
Luke 20, 43. Actsja 2.3. & 3.7, & 9.) Jer. 31. 33, S4s 
2.35. 1 Cor. 15. 25.! 8. 2 Sam. Sen 2.) Rom. 11. 27- 
y_ver. 1, & 7.19. 25. ! Neh.9. 30. John 15.|* Some copies have, 
& 9. 10. 14. 26, Acts 28. 25. 1} Then he said, And 
Z2.11.& 9. 13,14.} Pet. 1. 11, 12. 2] their, &e 

& 13. 12. Acts 20.1 Pet. 1.2i- Rev. 2.Je See on, ver.2. 14s 


which he would be fully satisfied, was an evi- 
dent intimation, that he intended to remove 
the former, in order to establish the latter in 
its full glory, and as the only ground of sinners 
being pardoned and saved. By this will of God, 
perfectly performed by Christ, in his obedience 
unto the death upon the cross, Christians were 
sanctified and consecrated to God, as accepted 
and spiritual worshippers ; throtgh the offering 
of his body. once for sin, with which his media- 
torial obedience had been completed.—‘ From 
‘ this memorable passage of the fortieth Psalm, 
‘we learn that the only expiation for sin, which 
* God ever appointed, is the sacrifice of his Son 
in the human nature; that all the sacrifices 
which he appointed to the Israelites, were no- 
thing but emblems of the sacrifice of Christ ; 
and that the sacrifice of Christ being offered, 
the emblems of it are now fitly laid aside ; that 
under the gospel dispensation, there might re- 
main to.mankind no sacrifice; having preten- 
sion to take away sin, but the sacrifice of Christ, 
expressly established by God. himself, as the 
* meritorious cause of ourpardon.’ (MMacknight.) 
V. 11—18. Every priest of Aaron’s order, 
stood, as a servant at his work, offering repeat - 
edly the same ineffectual sacrifices : some of the 
priests did this every day.; and the high priest 
did it every year, on the day of atonement. But 
this person, or this priest, even Christ, after the 
offering of one sacrifice, (because that was of in- 
finite value and eternal efficacy,) sat down as a 
royal Priest upon his throne at the right hand of 
God ; from that time waiting the fulfilment of 
the prophecy, or promise, which engaged that 
all his enemies should be put under his feet— 


Ce er Y 


For by his one-oblation, he had provided effectu- 


ally for the perfect justification unto eternal life, 


of all those who received his atonement, by. that 
faith that springs from regeneration, and is evi- 
denced by the sanctification of the Spirit unte obe- 
ence w of Ghrist to his whole will, in|dience; and who were thus set apart gad conse< 


4A. D. 65... 


19 4 Having therefore, brethren, 't bold- |: 
ness © to enter into the ‘holiest by the}heart, ™i 


blood of Jesus, 

20 By fa new and Sigh way, which 
he hath ¢ consecrated for us,. 6 through 
the yail, that is to say, b his flesh 5 

21 And saving ian High Priest over 
K the house of God; 


G4, 16. & 12, 28-1f John 10, 7,10. & 
Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4.| & 14. 6. 
6,7. Eph. 3.12. 2|} Gr, new made. 


| Eph. 2, 15.1 Tim. 
$. 16. 1 Pot, Se 18 
: John 4. 2% John 


fin. 1. 7.1 John $.;2 6.1% & 9. 3. Bx) 7. 

19—21. & 4.17. 26. 31, &é. & 36.11 See on, 2. 17. & 3. 

+ Or, liberty. | 35, &e. Leve 16. 24) & 4. 14,15. & 6.20, 
ai & 21,” 23. Mat. & 7-26. & 8.1. 


© 7.25, & 9 3, ¥, 8) 
12, $3—25. Rom. r 
2. Eph. 2.18, 
John 2 1, 2. 


- 51. Mark 15, $8, 
take 23. 45. 
4h John 6. 51—56, 


k 3.3—6. Mat. 16. 
18.1 Cor.'3, 9—17. 
2 Cots 6 16.17. 


crated to the service of God. To this the Holy 
Spirit had borne testimony in the scripture, which 
had been before quoted: (Nore, viii. 7—13 :) 
according to the covenant there spoken of, when 
the laws of God are written in the heart, every 
kind, and degree af sin will be for ever pardoned ; 

for Christ by his one-offering hath perfected for 
ever them that are sanctified ; and where such per- 
fect remission is vouchsafed, there needs no more 
sacrifice for sins. For though justified persons 
continually contract new guilt, and their best 
services want, forgiveness ; yet they never fall 
from a justified state: the sacrifice of Christ 
continually applied to, in the exercise of penitent 
faith, preserves their peace; and if the exercise 
of these races be intermitted through tempta- 
tion and sin; corrections, rebukes, and. terrors; 
bring. them back again to. the same, remedy: 
and thus their justification is, as it were, a per- 
manent act of- God; continued in their daily par- 
don and acceptance’ for Christ’s sake, through 
life even unte death, and'so in judgment and to 
eternity. 

¥. 18—22. The apostle having. closed the 
argumentative part ef his epistle, proceeded to 
apply his doctrine to practical purposes, As be: 
lievers bad liberty and access with. boldness, 
jnto the immediate presence of God, in the most 
holy place, and to the mrercy-seat; even beyond 
what was permitted to the high priest himself 
under the Jaw: it behooved them to make use of 
this privilege; for they were in no, danger of be- 
ing punished ag presumptuous, notwithstanding 
their sinfulness and the holiness of God; how. of- 
ten soever they came before him; provided they 
» humbly depended om the blood: of Jesus, by 
which this privilege had been procured for.sin- 
ners.. They might now have access. into the ho- 
liest, ‘€ by a new way.” .The original way of 
acceptance and communion with God, through 
the righteousness of works, had been finally shut 
up by the entrance of: sin;, (Wate, Gen. iii, 24 ;) 
and the typical sacrifices. could not open another 
way, 4s thé restrictions and: exclusions. before 
stated evidently showed: whilst even the pars 
tial admission of the high priest, being preceded 
with recent»sacrifices, and.blood newly shed; 
showed that the way.,unto the holiest was. not 
yet manifested, But the blood of Jesus is always, 
4S it were, newly sheds it never loses its, efficacy, 
and may at any time, and by any sinner, be 


HEBREWS. © 


science, and 


i ance of faith” was er their di 


4 


22 Letius 1 draw near» 
our hearts i 


pure water. — 


Eph. 2. 19-22. 1 
Tim, 3.15. : 
1 4. 16. & 7 1% 
| 73. 28. Is. 29. 1340 
Jer. 30.21. Jam.4s) 


& 
m 1 Kings 15- 3. 1 
Chrl2.33.8: 289.8 3. 10, 


14. 7. Nu 
19. 13,, 
15, He 


be 84. 116 & 94.15, 
& lil. 1s & ng 
2%. 10» Bde 58 66. 
80. 145. Prov, 23:|" 


presented in faith sie the m 7 
it never fails to plea ct ale 
a free and acceptable access to God. bis | 
is also diving: est, 
liveth to intercede b 
us, as the way itsell 
those that come in” it, it 
life. (Note, Johnexiy, 6. eyo 
way Christ hath prin oe 
apart ik this purpose, the 
in the holiest, upon ade eon Fi 
¢ vail, a is, prksousie nny 

his glory above the mercy 
holies, before the coming: of “Christ : 
glory was covered and conce 
that is, the harmony of 
pardoning’ mercy, in the di 
racter, was not clearly diccoytiogt 
But when the: human nature 
of God, was wounded and b 
the veil was rent from 
ty was removed, and. 
‘ viour? was openly re 
playing his glory si nis 
ercising most abun 
ners, in a manner most he 
purity. Having such a¥ 
Nigh Priest pr the tr 
proper that the brine sh 
tance, as if afraid to's 
most cordial reconciliat 
apostle therefore joined 
called on them to, accor 
near to the Lord, with fe 
pectations, and continual ayers ani 
givings ; with sincerity and it y 
as real penitents, and 
ing nothing but hypocrisy 
s& surance of faith,” most £ 


all those his came to ie 
ner. For, though they might 
themselves, whether they were 
not, and/so admit adoubt 
or personal acceptance ; 
‘* full assurance of hope’? 
a duty, any more than always at 
they must never allow. themsel 
the truth of the testimony of God, 
fulness to his promises 5 so that) * 


ey ona the profession of|much the more; as ye see the day ap- 
wavering ; t for he is preaching: ‘(Practical Observations. 
ed: 26 For © if we sin wilfully, -4 after that: 
a consider one another,} we have received the knowledge of the 
unto y love, and to good) truth, ¢ there noe no more sacrifice’ 
for sins, 

27 But fa certain fearful looking for 
of judgment and € fiery indignation, 
h which shall devour the adversaries. 


\b Mat. 24, 33, 34. a Liles 47, John} 4. 4. Ez. 36.5. && 
Mark 13, 29, 30 17. & , 15.) 38619. Joel 2. 30m 
eve S. 11] 5. 11.2 Thes. S. 9. 13, 14. & 2 1, Ee Rom. 13, 11—13. Seay 2 Thes. 2) Nah. 1. § 6. Zeph. 
x Rom. 11: 816. 16. & 20, %1 Jam 5.8.1 Pet.4.7.| 10. Jam. 4. 17. 1. 18. & 3, 8. Male 
1 Cor. 5.4; & 11-| e See on, 6. a—6.'e See on; vers 3—10\ 4. 1s Mat, 3.10. 124 
17, 18,20. & 14,23.| Ley. 4.2. 13. Num.|f 2. 3, & 12. 25. i] & 13642. 50, & 25. 
15. 28—31. Deut.| Sam 28.19, 20. Is.) 41. Mark 9. 43—49. 
1713. Pse 19. 12,| 33..14. Dan. 5. 6.] Luke 16.24, 2 Thess 
13. Dan, 5. 22, 23.|] Hos. 10. 8. Mat, 8! 1. 8. Jam: 5, 3, 
Mat. 12. 31, 32. 43; 29. Luke 21. 26. & Rev 20, 15. 
—45, John. 9, a1: 1} (23. 30; Rey. 6. 15.}h Dent. 32. 43) Ps, 
Tim. 1. 13,2 Bet.|,—17. 68-3,2, Nah. de 2a 
2, 20—22. 1 John|g 12. 26. Num. 16. 
5,16. 25. Ps, 21. 9, Jer. 


rsakine the assembling of 
zether, as the manner of some 
exhorting ove another : < and so 


+ .6.14,. &I Col. 3. 16. 1 Thes.] 2061 19-29. ‘Rets 1. 


+1, Qeth ifa, See an, Mw vere 24 
Prov. 29.7. Acts 11.) Thes. 1, 3. & 3.12.1 & 3. 13. Rom. 12. 
Lines “12. 15. ‘&} 13. 1 Tim. 6, 18.) 8. 1 Cor. 14°°3. 1 
Tits 2: 14. & 3- 8.)' Thes.4. 18,& 5.11, 
hn 3. 18, Marg. 

t. 18. 20. John 


1 Thes. 2-15, 16. © 


as in other. things, they would be. liable 
e short of it: In order to come in this 
, they must “ have their hearts sprinkled 
ym_-an evil conscience,” by a special reliance 
the atoning blood of Christ; to take away 
heir sense of guilt and fears of. wrath, and: to 
ve them solid peace: connected with the pu- 
fying _of their. consciences from error, ignor- 
hnce, partiality, and stupidity, or whatever 
Inight render them quiet in the allowance. of 
any kind or degree of sin; and the cleansing of 
eir hearts from all corrupt and carnal affec- 
ions. Their, « bodies also must: be washed 
* with pure water :” as the priests were washed 
with water before they were admitted to enter 
ppom, office, and continually washed them. 
elves in some measure before they officiated ;. 
ind as divers. washings were appointed to the 
ppers by the law: so the use of water in 
mM was to be a constant: memorial to Chris- 
at:their outward conduct should be pure 
.d holy. before men, as well as their-hearts and 
Paine tf cleansed in the sight.of God. Thus 
bea would approve themselves to be spiritual 

orshippers :.and, whilst they. derived comfort 
and grace from their reconciled. Father, they 
uld adorn the ‘doctrine, of God their Saviour 
i all things. 

‘WV. 23-25 The preci further Seatled: upon. 
: rews, to unite with him, in holding fast 
fession of their faith and hope in Christ ; 
t wavering: in it, faultering. about it; or 
ng from the persecutions to which it 
expose them: being assured, that God 
ouchsafe them the present supports, and 
re felicity, which he had promised; and 
ding on: his faithfulness for» them, » And 
they ought to consider one another’s 
dangers, and situations, and by: what 
they could be of service to each other : 
i they should endeavour, by their ex- 
chortations, to stimulate one another. 
forous and abundant exercise of 
e zealous practice of good. works. 


dinances, and to hear his word; as the manner 
‘of some Christians was, - who were induced, 

b such attendance on «public »worship.. On the 
‘contrary, they ought to exhort one another con- 
tinually to be bold, constant, and diligent, in 
their holy religion, in honouring God before his 
enemies, and in seeking their own and each 
other’s edification, and establishment in the faith. 
This they should the more resolutely perform 5 
as they might clearly see the signs of Jerusalem's 

approaching desolation, which the Lord Jesus: 
had meptioned in his predictions of that catastro- 
phe, and ‘which «was evidently approaching. 
(Notes, Mait. xxiv.) » This epistle was written 


would be a critical deliverance of Christians. 
from the persecutions of the Jews, So it wun! be 
peculiarly terrible to apostates. "| 

V. 26, 27. (Notes, &e. vi, 4—9.) The He- 
brews would be tempted to apostacy, not only, 


but by their“own undue attachment to the legal 


blocd of bulls, lambs, or goats, could take 
away sin, they might hope for safety in renounce: 


“after they had received the knowledge of the 
truth?” «The whole argument shows, that the 
apostle principally intended a wilful, deliberate, 

and pertinacious apostacy ; not the effect of i ig. 
moranece or sudden surprise, but against the 
convictions of their own consciences, and ma 
presumptuous and obstinate manner : though he 
expressed himself in such: language, as might 
also warn the readers against every kind of wik- 
ful'and presumptuous sin. ‘The persons spoken 
of, were such as had “received the knowledge of 
“* the truth,” and were so enlightened in respect 
of the evidences and doctrines of Christianity, ag 


it, even inthe time of the apostles. When this 
m fear of the reproaches and) had preceded, 4 wilful renunciation of Christian: 
their ‘enemies, to forsake the} ‘ity, to return to Judaism, either froma detérimin- 
selves together, on the eal ed purpose of escaping BOTHER RES! or a: Proud, 


~ 


TNE SR ES): ERE BODE Re eo eee 


- . CHAPTER XK. AD. 683 


8—10. Luke 19. We 


day, or at-other times, to worship God in his’ of 


through timidity or Iukewarmness, to ddélitie:? 


only a few years before that event, and as it’ 


by the virulence of their persecuting countrymen, 


\sacrifices.: So long as they supposed that the 


ing Christianity,'and so, escaping persecution ; a 
and thus they might be induced to “sin wilfully 


to make a credible and iutelligent profession of — 


sy ~5 


A D. 65. 


& without mercy, ! under two or three 
witnesses : 


i See. on, 2. 2. Num.)k Deut. 19- 13. Is.j] Deut, 17. 6, 7 & 
15.30, 31. 36. Deut-| 27. 11. Jer. 15. 14.) 19.15. Mat. 18. 16. 
13, 6—10, & 17. 12, Rom. 9.15. Jam, 2.4 John’ 8.17. 2 Cot. 

Py 23,2 Sam. 12. 9. 13.} 13. 13, le 


and carnal enmity to the humiliating and spiritual 
truth of the gospel, would ‘generally be fatal. 
In respect of such apostates, ‘* there re- 
** mained no more sacrifice for sin:” the legal 
sacrifices had lost all their validity and efficacy 
to avert even national judgments, since the death 
of Christ, which was the Substance of all these 
shadows: so that the Jewish nation was devoted 
to speedy destruction, for crucifying their Mes- 
siah and rejecting his Gospel; nor could their 
most exact and zealous attention to the legal ex 
piations procure the least respite from their ap- 
proaching miseries, or any alleviation of them: 
and the apostates wilfully chose their portion 
swith that accursed generation, “after having re 
“ ceived the knowledge of the truth”. Nor 
could it be expected,. that they would ever be 
«. renewed to repentance” of this atrocious and 
presumptuous wickedness: for they must have 
‘witnessed so many miracles, and even have 
exercised such. gifts of the Holy Spirit them- 
selves, that) it might be supposed they had 
committed the blasphemy against that divine 
Agent, by ascribing his operation to some satan- 
ical influence ; and that they would be given up 
to final impenitence and unbelief, and be wholly 
excluded from the benefit of Christ’s efficacious 
sacrifice. So that nothing would remain for 
them, either as individuals or.as‘a part of the 
Jewish nation, in respect of their) temporal or 
their eternal state ; but a certain, inevitable, and 
most terrible expectation of the judgment and 
vengeanée of God; and.of his indignation, like 
flaming fire, to consume them as his implacable 
enemies, and sacrifices to his offended justice; 
in the same manner, that the fire on the altar con- 
sumed the typical sacrifices. There seems in 
this passage to be a peculiar reference to the un- 
exampled miseries, which came soon after on 
the Jewish nation, and. to their desperate. rage 
and fury in the midst of them : and this horror of 
conscience, connected with desperation, and all 
its tremendous effects, (asin the case of Judas,) 
might be expected to be most common among 
apostates from Christianity, who had done vio- 
Jence to their own convictions, and sinned against 
their better knowledge with presumptuous enmi- 
ty ; when they:saw matters evidently coming to 
those extremities, whicli-Christ had predicted 
But this horror and despair were only a shadow 
of the unspeakable anguish, to which they would 
at length be reduced, when the insulted Saviour 
should proceed to execute vengeance upon them, 
from which they would see that it was impossi- 
ble to escape. Sometimes apostates have’ per- 
ceived their desperate condition before death, 
and in all the horrors and blasphemous rage of 
damned spirits, have served as beacons to warn 
others not to imitate their conduct... Proba 
bly there were few, or no instances, of such 
enlightened and deliberate apostates being restor- 


28 He thati despised Moses’ law died, 2 


ed : perhapsse 
given up to € 
science ; and it was 
matter in such strong tal 
others. Yet thisdid 
would fait of obtai 
would be excluded 
viour’s sacrifice, who*ht 
severingly sought it, into wh 
betrayed. The persons sp 
as adversaries, which cannot p 
to the case’ of any trembling, ¥ 
penitent. It was not probable, that such 
as were described, e pec 
stances of those ti 
by faith in the bl 
ger consisted in 
racy or desperation, _ 
written, ‘to warn those 

profession ; ‘not ‘to affrieht 
courage the pelitent. 
can have nothing todo \ 
called Christians in these » 
previously received the kno’ 
evidences, or doctrines, of € 
through the ignorance : 
ed men, were ied to. 
the scripwures, without an 
vations of these primitiv: 


CS 


things that expr 
ject, to harass. 1 
sions, that there: 
the sacrifice of Christ, 
the truth of Christiani 
that salvation more than; 
cases of this kind have fa 

cognizance; and in th 
fidelity, in which mal 
tion of free-thinkers by 
at all, there may be m 
kind: for when satan can no 
men in unbelieving presumption, 
todrive'them into unbeli 
he never fails to har 
whose destruction he ¢ t 
ate such conclusions, these 

enlarged on, and shown to | 
to’ the case under’ consid 
the gospel has been renounce 
knowledge; and with much 
than in the case before stat 
not be fatal, unless it be fina 
honour of God’s mercy,. 
of Christ, that none are €: 
ling to accept of them in the pre 


herewith He was sancti- 


¥ the Spirit of grace? 
“know him that hath said, 


‘saith the Lord, | And again, 


ng 


ae 
shall judge his people, | 


por 43 
9. 13,|r Ps. 143. 10. Zech.|t Deut. 33.86. Ps. 
§. John 10.) 12, 10. | 50. 4. & 96. 13, & 
1 Cords Dent. 3% 35- Ps. 98. 9. & 135. 14. 
94. 1. 1s, 59. 17. &| Ez. 18 30. & 34. 
i . 10. Mat.| 61. 2, & 63-4, Nah.| 17. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 
31,52. Luke 12, ek > Aro ye a4 se ase Xi pp 


(nn? 
10. Acts 7. 51. Ephst I. 2. Rom. 12, 19. 
0 Pea) Gi: 36% 


isa Ge 


‘Him that cometh unto Christ, he will in no 
we ast out,” whatever he hath before been 
: but when professed meee are 
smpted to apostaey, they may well: fear, lest 
30d sk Ee sss kd to give them up to final 
bduracy and a reprobate mind, ‘ The apostle 
| Tays it down as certain, that God will not par- 
| don sinners, without some sacrifice or satisfac- 
‘tion. For otherwise it would not follow, from 
“there remaining to apostates no other sacrifice 
for sin, that there must remain to them a 
dreadful expectation of judgment.’ ((Mack- 
ight.) (Marg. Ref) — 
"V. 28-81. ‘The sacrifices of the law were 
meipally appointed for sins of ignorance, in- 
irmity, or inadvertency ; but presumptuous 
ansgressors were excluded from that benefit. 
(Marg. Ref.)—He, therefore, who despised the 
law of Moses, and deliberately violated its 
jain commands, in contempt and defiance of 
authority and vengeance of God, was pun- 
able with death, and excluded from mercy, 
‘the fact had been legally proved; even 
ugh the crime were such, as might otherwise 
pardoned through a trespass-offering. 
But of how much severer vengeance would they 
judged to be deserving, who had renounced 
the gospel, in that wilful, contemptuous, and pre- 
sumptuous manner, which had been cescribed ! 
They had indeed, as it were, trampled upon the 
Son of God, with insolent defiance and disdain, 
by doing all in their power to-dishonour him, 
and to provoke him with the ‘most desperate in- 
ratitude and impiety : they had esteemed that 
ea blood, which purchased ‘all the bles. 
nes of the new covenant for sinners, and ratifi- 
t to all that believed, and by the shedding of 
hich Christ had been sanctified, or consecrated 
e the High Priest and Advocate of sinners in 
heavenly sanctuary, as‘if it had been an un- 
n thing, less holy than the blood of goats, or 
e as that of a malefactor! Some indeed 


gen admitted into the church, as set apart 
God, and consecrated to his service by pro- 
g faith in the blood of Christ, which he af 
ied.. This may refer to those blas: 
nst Jesus of Nazareth, which were 
red of such as renounced ‘the Gospel, 
T to avoid death or other sufferings ; and 


ve 


CHAPTER X. 
th ‘counted © the blood of 


, thing, 4 and hath done} 
former days, in which, * after ye were 


jelongeth unto me, 1 wiil 


3.16. 8 John & 


‘the word sanctified to the apostate who 


tates would commonly use, in erdei 


SRT SAI We ren eee a 


A. D. 68? 


31 Z#i¢ “a fearful thing * to fall into 
the hands of the living God. 


32 But y call to remembrance the 


illuminated, ® ye endured a great fight 
of afflictions ; een % 

$3 Partly, whilst ye were > made a 
gazing-stock, both © by reproaches and 


Rev. 2. 56 & 3.3, |b 11« 36, Ps. 71. 76 
z Sve on, 6 4. Acts} Nah, 3. 6, Zech. 3 
26. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 6) | 8. 1 Cor. 4, 9, 

4 12.4. Acts 8. I—-je 11. 26. & 13. 18s 
Mat. 10,28. Luke! 3. & 9.1, 2. Phil] Ps, 69, 9. & 74.22 

12. 5 1.29, 30. 2' Tim. 2} & 79 12. & 89: 

y Gal. 3.3, 4. Phil-] 3, &e. & 4.7, 86 Si. Is. 5le 7» 2 Core 
12. 10. 


U ver. 27. Is, 33. 14, 
Luke 21.11. 

%.12. 29, Ps. 50. 22. 
& 76,7. & 90. 11. 


to gain confidence with the party which they had. 
joined. They had moreover done despite to the 
Holy Spirit, the divine'and gracious Author of 
spiritual life, and all its consolations in the souls 
of sinners.» They had acted in direct opposition 
to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and to hig 
sirivings with them. In renouncing Christianity, 
they traduced, with most virulent reproaches, 
that religion, which was adorned by the holy 
fruits of the Spirit in the lives of its professors : 
and above all, by ascribing his miraculous pow- 
er to’ satanical agency, even contrary to their 
own knowledge ; they acted as if they were de- 
termined to provoke him in the most despiteful 
manner possible. So that the authority and 
mercy of the Father; the Person, love, and 
atoning blood of the Son; and the Person and 
operations of the Holy Spirit, were alike insult- 
ed and blasphemed by them, after having pro- 
fessed the’ Gospel, and having been’ baptized 
«into the name of the Father, and the Son, and 
“the Holy Ghost,” yea, most of them at least, 
after having received the Holy Spirit by the lay- 
ing on of the hands of the apostles! and what 
punishment could be too severe for such accu- 
mulated guilt?’ Nor should any man, when 
tempted’ to so atrocious a crime, flatter himself 
with hopes of impunity, from the immensity of 


vengeance belonged to him as his ‘peculiar pre- 
rogative ; and that he would judge his people,’ 
being determined to punish with most decided 
severity, the crimes of such as renounced his 
worship, or committed wickedness to the dis. 
grace of their profession. (Votes, Deut. xxxii. 
35—44.) And it would be found, and. might be 
known, to be a terrible thing, beyond all expres- 
sion or imagination, to fail into the hands ‘of the 
living, the eternal, and almighty God, as sacrie 
fices to his justice, and objects of his vengeance 
and abhorrence, without any oblation or Media- 
tor, to appease his indignation. -This was about 
'to be the case of the® Jewish nation; and it 
would peculiarly be the doom of wilful and ma- 
iignant apostates from Christianity —‘ The epi- 
‘ thet of ving, is given to God, in this passage, 
'* where’ bis vengeance is spoken of, to’ show, 
* that as he lives for ever he can punish for ever; 


aad, 


{ah 


‘ of his yengeance.”  (Macknight) i 


S8a¥ 4 — 


a 


Dera gb) Mes ORR a Ul 


a 


the divine’mercy; seeing God had declared that: 


* a consideration which adds to the terribleness _ 


pe aE Se eee Re A Re) ee re: re 


Y wh. 'D. 65. 


afflictions ; and partly, ¢ whilst ye became 


companions of them that were.so used, 


34 For ye had compassion of me © in 
my bonds, * and took joyfully the spoil- 
ing of your goods, knowing * in your- 

wselyes & that ye have in heaven a better 


“and an enduring substance. 


$5.) Cast not away therefore your con- 
‘fidence which hath * great reco ineae of 


Treiward, 


36 For * ye have need of patience ; 


k 6. 15. & 12-1. Ps 
37, 7 & 40. 1. Mat. 
10. 22, & 24.° 13. 
‘Luke 8. 15. & 21. 


@ Phil. 7. & 4, 
44. 2 Tim, 1. 8. 16 
—18. 

‘e Acts 21.33, & 28, 
20, Eph, 3. 1.& 4, 
% & 6. 20. 2 Tin. 
2. 9. 
¥ Mat. 5..11,12. Aets}): 4.24. 

5.41. Jam. 1.2. i 11. 26, Ps, 19, 11, 

*® Or, that ye have} Mat. 5.°12. & 10. 
in yourselves, or,| 42. Luke 14, 14. 1 
for yourselves, ° Cor. 15, 68. Gal. 6. 

& Mat. 6: 19, 20. &t 8—10. 


| 19, 21. Luke 10, 42. 
& 12. Be 2 Core 6 
1. Col. 1. 5. % 3. 
2—4. 1 Tim. 6; 19. 
2 Tim. 4. 8), 1 Pet. 
1. 4+ 1 John 3. 2. 


3,4. & 8.25, & 15, 
ly See on, Ss 6. 14, & 4, 5. 1Cor. 13.7) 
Gal. 6.9. Cob 1.11. 
1 Thes. 1.3. Jam. 


Rey. 13, 10. & 14, 
12. 


. ¥ 32—34. The apostle here proceeded to cau- 
To fortify 


tion the Hebrews by other topics. 
their minds against temptations to apostacy, or 
other wilful sins, they ought ' frequently to recol- 
lect the former days of their profession ; and to 
consider what they had ventured, suffered, “and 
renounced for Christ, and how they had been 
supported and comforted under their trials.— 
‘When they were first illuminated in the know- 
ledge of the Gospel, (Votes, 2 Cor. iv. 3—6;) 
and had been admitted into the Christian church ; 
they were speedily called, as soldiers to the 
combat, to contend with persecutions and afflic- 
tions. Someof them were made a public spec- 
tacle to their neighbours, by the malicious accu- 
gations brought against them, and the disgrace, 
derision, and punishment laid upon them: and 
others were the companions and witnesses of the 
cruelties inflicted on those who were so used ; 
and thus were called to unite sympathy with 
their afflicted brethren to alarms on their own 
‘account.. Atmong those whom the apostle espe- 
cially addressed, were several that had shown 
compassion to him some syears before, when 
he was bound at Jerusalem, and in his subse- 
qtent imprisonment: and when, on that or 
other accounts, their property was seized and 
confiscated, they bore it, not only patiently, but 
joyfully ; having abundant consolation from the 
assurance that they had in ‘heaven a better and 
more enduring inheritance which could not be 
tekea from them, but would be their substantial 
felicity for ever : for they possessed in themselves, 
independently of,all external things, the pledges 
and earnests of that expected blessing. 

VV. 35—39. None of those who had acted 
hitherto in an honourable and consistent manner, 
should at length cast away their confidence in 
Christ, or renounce the profession of his name, 
which “they had boldly made; and to which so 
gracious and abundant a recompense was pro- 
mised. Some indeed who once seemed’ to be 
zealous believers*had apostatized, and the rest 

would surely be tried greatly ; and they had 
need tohaye their minds armed with patient re- 


“ HEBREWS: 


19, Rom. 2 7, & 5. 


1.3) 4. & 5. 7—11, 


that, } afterliye have! 
God, ™\ 


88 Now 
P but. if any, ma 
shall have no p 


back * unto pe d ti 
believe to the savin 


1 13. 21, Mat. 7. 21.) Le 1%_€ 
& 12. 50. & 21. 31.1 p See on, ve 
John 7.17. Acts 13.) & 6. 4b. 
22. 36. Rom. 12. 2.) 8, Ez. 
Eph. 6.6. Cok 4, 24 Ze | 
12.1 John 2. 17. || Mat. 2 pee | 
m See on, 6- 22, 15.} 13.21. 2 Pet. 2. 18} 
17. & 9. 15. 1 Pet, 
1.9, q 
nfs, 26 20. & 60.) LI 
22. Hab. 2.3, Luke; 1. 
18. 8. Jam. 5, 7—9. 
2 Pet. 3,8,9. Rey.) 
22.20. 
o Hab. 2. 4 Rom.| 


a 
m3 
signation and avtiowdetlay 
done the will re God, 
Christ, and obeying, the 
ceive the. promised gift — 
respect of their final deli yerance 
well as to the coming: of Christ t 
on the Jewish nation, and 
Christian church’ from the 
they endured from that qua 
God by the prophet might - oy 
(Motes, Hab. ii. 1—4 :) and the just by. 
live, as had been predicted, neha’ 
lievers would be cat off and bit st 
man, who had made the most p 
of faith in erent: should : ba 
of trial, and finally apostatize ; L 
ed, by his apostle, acco BB n 
whole word, and. speaki aft 

men, that “ his Red: 


tirely abhor him. Many. 
thus evidenced the insine of 
by apostacy; and others beg: 
assembling of themselves toge 
to be reproved and warned :~ 
trusted that he bimself, and they 
mediately addressed, were not of t 
racter with those, who’ drew back 
but such as’had ‘* believed to’ 5 
* souls ;°? even such as were | 
faith, and would be kept th 
er of God unto salvation 


PRACTICAL OBSERY 
VATA 

So precious are the blessing 
us through the Gospel, that 1 


only be an indistinct shadow, 
as an exact image, of them 
nér, the most nervous ‘language, 
ly expressions, and the most ° rs affect 
fall immensely beneath their real 3 

The righteousness brought in, and the 
once offered, by Christ, are of eternal’ 


ae efficacy of faith, las- 
mple es of the most eminent saints, 


itl never be abolished ; they 
| “the comers thereunto per- 
; once purged by his 
seek no other sacrifice ; 
= hie conscience of guilt be ever 
nr me. euch expedients, as call sin to 
rr yet cannot possibly take it aie : 
to the propitiation, they 
sppling vice ad motives for obe- 
e, and inward SR ed notwithstanding 
Be tunes. it is from these 
hap thab God willbe pardon any trans- 
a kori a sacrifice, as can really 
_ And if those sacrifices 


; let none suppose, that 
= aatiot self-imposed penances, pray- 
tear ‘amendment, moral virtues, alms-Jeeds, 


6 for if right- 
'Seteaetecs 
} wy in vain.” 


me V. 5—18. 
acrmnie on Son saw the hopeloupes cous 
‘man, for whom no.sacrifices, or 
MDa pasar ther eas sre he, .ac- 
pe as it had been written of him in the vo. 
lume of the book from the beginning,» with infi- 
} ni “compassion to our deserved misery, came 
fe _nature, to accomplish the will of the Fa 
resp Eber our sins in his own. body on 
“* the tree. Thus, by one sacrifice for sins, he 
a us and gracious design ;. and 
eerste right hand of God, he hence- 
yects till all his enemies shall be put un- 
; feet. What then remains, but that we 


ae 


CHAPTER Xf. 


4. D. &% 


from “Abel to’the clase of the old -Testament-dis- 
pensation, 1—38. The superior ee of 
Christianity, 39, 40. _ 


newness of life. Thus we shall be enabled to 
* hold fast tee profession of our faith without 
“ wavering,” whatever temptations, or seducing 
examples we may meet with ; as knowing that 
he is faithful who-hath promised : and with com- 
posed and cheerful minds, we shall be enabled 
to consider the cases of our brethren, that we 
may. animate them to love and good works. — 
But if they were not to be excused, who, in the 
time of severe persecution, forsook the assem. 


‘bling of themselves together: how shall we an- 


swer it to God, if in these favoured days, we in- 
dolently absent ourselves from the assemblies of 
his saints, and neglect to honour him by attend- 
ance on his ordinances? Against such evils we 
should exhort others; and we ought ourselyes 
gladly to suffer the word of exhortation, as 
knowing that soon the day of death and of judg- 
ment approacheth. 
V. 26—39. 

By negligence, pride, or carnal self-love, or 
by gradually yielding to the fear of man, profes. 
sors.of the Gospel are left to “sin wilfully afier 
“ they have received the Knowledge of the 
“© truth -” and, though the fallen, the weak, and 
the trembling, should be encouraged ; yet we 
cannot too.awfully alarm the secure and pre 
sumptuous : as every deliberate sin, sgainst light 
and conscience; is a step towards the tremen- 
dous, precipice here described. Neither the 
mercy of God, the sacrifice of Christ, nor the 
love, of the Spirit, will profit that man, who 
“ tramples under foot the Son of God,” treats 
his atoning blood with imsolent contempt, and 
does. despite to the Spirit of grace. For such 
daring rebels and apostates, “there remains no 
“more sacrifice for sin; but a certain fearful 
* looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, 


| pe nea in this: sacrifice by. faith, and/|“ to consume” them as the enemies of the Lord. 


2 seal of it to our souls by « the sanctification 
© of the Spirit unto obedience »” Thus, by the 
aw being written in our hearts, we may know 
eg Abie dining Soop gage that God 
. 


at, V.19-25. 

ing. “access with' boldness into.the holi- 
st by the blood of Jesus ;” by “the new and 
fing way, which he hath consecrated for us,” 


is ‘away from him who beseeches us to be 


y, that we may “draw near with a true 
» let us watch and pray against unbe- 


knowing this to be the appointed and 
ce and salvation ; let us ap- 
to purge us from guilt, and seek for 


ccep 


“th ‘Sl our hearts being sprinkled from 


: pete of the veil oy his.crucifixion | ‘ 


To him belongeth vengeance ; aad his righteous 
recompenses of the committed by hype- 
erites and apostates, will be more terrible than 
the doom of Sodom, or even than that executed 
upon the devoted Jews. However men may now 
despise these warnings, they will at length know, 
that it-is “ a dreadful thing to fall into. the 
“hands of the living God,” and to hear him 
say, ‘It is a people, that hath no understanding ; 
“ therefore be who made them will have no 

* mercy on them.” Let then. every professed 
Christian “ give diligence to make his calling and 
‘¢ election sure 2” let us all remember our. con- 
victions, affections, and parposes, when we were 


aciled ; let us im the first place, beware of first enlightened ; and how we thought that we 


should be willing to endure or part with any 
thing, if we could but obtain peace with God and 


hat om may come “in the full assurance of |a good hope of salvation: and let us remember 


our consolations and supports under former trials, 
And if we have been called to “ endure a great 
* fieht of afflictions,” and have sufered re. 


ed grace to cleanse us from all our fil- | proaches and losses with fortitude and cbeerful- 


ness, from a persuasion that we had “in heaven 

* a better and a more enduring substance ;” let 

us not disgrace our former conduct, or “ cast 
3x : 


A. D 65. 
TOW: faith bis the * substance of 
things ¢ hoped for, 4 the evidence of 
things not seen. 
Sil. 17. Gr. 
© See on, 6. 12.18, 19. 
a “Yer. 7. 27, Rom. 8. 


4,25. 2 Cor. 4. 18. 
&s. 7.1 Pet 1, 


a ver, 13) & 10. 22. 
39. Acts 20, 21. 1 
Gor. 13.13. Gal 5 
6. Tit. 1.1. 1 Pet 
2. 7.'2 Pet. 1.1. 


b Ps, 27.13, & “| 
11. 

* Or, ground,  or,' 
confidence. 1. 3s &h 
3. t4 2Cor, 9, 4, 


© away our co: fidence which hath great recom- 
‘* pense of reward.” For we still have need of 
patience, whilst we wait the accomplishment of, 
God’s promises, in obedience to his will) But 
the time is short : he that cometh will soon come, 
and will not tarry beyond his appointed season ; 
and he will shortly. end our sorrows and con. 
flicts, by removing our souls to heaven: yea, he 
will speedily come te raise the dead, and perfect 
our salvation, .Let us then show that we are 
justified through faith, by. living and walking 
with. God in dependence upon his promises, and 
in obedience to his commands, because we. are 
satisfied with the security of his word. Thus 
we s'iall possess the assurance, that ‘ we are not 
* of them who draw back-to perdition, but of 
them that believe to the saving of the soul.” 


NOTES. 

CHAP. XI, V. 1, 2... The apostle havik 
referred to the prophet’s testimony, that ‘¢ the 
«just should live by faith,’ proceeded more 
fully to show the nature and efficacy of that 
principle’; and to prove, that it had always been 
the grand’ peculiarity. of Jenovan’s worship- 
pers, from the beginning of the world. This 
imduction of examples he prefaced by a defini- 
tion of faith; in which he did. not confine. his 
views to one single exercise of that fundamental 
grace, but took in all the variety. of its actings, 
in the whole of a believer’s experience and con- 
duct.’ Where the principle, from which faith 
springs, is implanted by the regenerating Spirit 
of God, it leads'a man to receive the truth con 
eerning justification by the merits of Jesus Christ, 
aceording to the measure of light afforded him ; 
but it will also embrace the whole word of God, 
and expect ils accomplishment as to all the ex 
tent, in which he hath spoken and promised. 
his divine faith is “the substance of things 
* hoped for:” crediting the testimony of God, 
resting on his promises, and expecting the 
accomplishment of them, it gives the object 
hoped for at some future period, a present sud- 
sistence in the soul, as if it were already possess 

d; forthe believer is satisfied with the security 
_ afforded, and acts under the persuasion that God 
will not fail.of his engagements. Thus he gives 
up present advantages, and endures pfesent 
hardships, in obedienc€ to God, and in waiting 
for his promise; even as men give ready money 
for an estate im reversion, or endure present la- 
bour in lope of future ease and indulgence. But 
faith has not only respect to the good things 
hoped for: it is also, the evidence of things 
* not seen?’ The things revealed to faith, buy 
invisible to sense and undiscoverable by reason 
may relate to the past, the present, or the fu’ 
ture ; to God, and to his works of creation, provi 


report. : 

3 Through 
the worlds w 
God; so that 
not made of thin 
e ver. 4—39. Is. 4 


f 1.2. Genel. 1, Res} th 
& 2. 1. Ps, 33. Ap Ae 


sence and his ne jud: 
spirits, and the eternal. 
misery : to the law and 
gospel and its privileges ; andi 
variety of particulars which eannot be. 
ed. But faith is the evidence; th 
viction, or demonstration, of them a] 
holes they. appear. false, gens 


saliafakion ‘about, 
plain testimony of ‘ 
strated, and which requ 
their argument. is; this 
“ it-must be: true.? 
strength of their faith, 
duct are influenced by this” 
with reference to things: 
were the objects of sight 
demonstration. The believ 
reasoning, to obtain satisfa 
evidence, that such or suc 
revealed ; and to determine the me 
words, in which the revelation is Sey 
when these previous questions | 
most rationally says, “ God ha 
“« this point: and though I eae 
“« wise, as multitudes still do ; yet 
“ledge and truth have deci asm 
** judices and: sehen” Bad i id 
“ the divine teaching,” so 
attempt to ingalelene he tn 
his objections, or to ) give f 
ments. He does not supp 
lation must be level to man 
coincide with his speculations 
lieves, and adores mysteries, but kn 


dence. prove a real. contradict 
ar certain knowledge, t be a.div 
so that mysteries abocheaaent i ay 
but absurdities contrary. to it. pay 
construction or imposture. 1 
faith will be illustrated by a F 
this chapter. The apostle: further observed, 
by faith all their pious babe alagry wr 
eminent persons in former tit obtain 
ood report, or an honourab 
word of God: by faith they: 
and the same was the principle of al 
obedience and eminent services, 
stant sufferings in the cause of 
V..3... The, heavens and 
things in them, as well as the regul. 
which they. are _ governed and direc 
indeed, be proved by argument to be 
trivance and work of God ; yet men’s 
never come to any satisfactory and pr: 
clusions i in this matter : so that, “ by faith, 


bel offered unto God a 
‘sacrifice than Cain, by 
tained witness that he was 
God testifying of his gifts ; 
being dead * yet speaketh 
1} Enoch was ™ translated that 
ot see death; = and was not 
sause God had translated him : 


— 11. 51. jm 2 Kings 2. 11. 
& 22.1. 24, | Ps. 69. 48. John 8. 
- 51, 52. 
ae Of et spoken in 2 Kings 2.16, 17 
} + Gen: 5. 22—24. dem 36. 26. Rey. 
9, 24.1 iid 37. J ‘21. 9—12. 
Peas Me ee me 


we believe, and under- 
»se, that the worlds were con- 
created, and arranged in their 
, by the omnipotent command of 
iat the things which we now behold 
i resplendent beauty, were made of those, 
ch do not appear.” They were produc 
rom the chaotic mass, which was with- 
Paik ‘fori and void ; by that powerful word, which 
first calied the chats ont of non-existence. This 
was éffected in the six days work of creation: 
and the satisfactory assurance, which believers 
derive from the scriptural account of the origina} 
of the world, being contrasted with the discor | 
dant ‘hypotheses, and endless disputations, of an- 
cient philosophers, and modern theorists, exhi- 
bits 2 striking illustration of the proposition, 
that * faith is the evidence,” or demonstration, 
it of things not seen.” (Votes, Gen i. ii.)—* This 
. world, which we see, was not made of any ap- 
© pearing or existing matter, but from nothing ; 
ontrary to the axiom of all the philosophers. 
© «From hothing, nothing is made” This indeed 
© never could enter into the mind of any philoso 
phers, not even of those who wrote that God 
* created the world. Therefore the whole of 
© this is of faith? (Beza) Nothing can possibly 
be more unphilosophical, or indeed absurd, than 
the notion of the eternal pre-existence of that 
chaos, from whic!: God created’ the world = yet, 
z eet ace wae Beza had firm grounds for assert- 
, that none of the philosophers had perceiv- 
this, or, without revelation, would have per: 
pa it. Most commentators consider this 
wetse as a decided proof that God created the 
world from nothing ; which no doubt is the doc- 
rit ine both of reason and revelation. (Vote, Gen. 


 Y. 4. The original word rendered more 
xcellent,” signifies also a greater, or more 
plete sacrifice. Cain brought the meat-of- 
ng alone: Abel brought that, and the first- 
s of his flock also. By faith embracing the 
y ise of : a Redeemer, who was to come, Abel, 
mer, penitently, humbly, uprightly, and 
tly, presented unto God the typical sa. 
vhich had been appointed, and he was ac 
‘but Cain, in self will, self wisdom, self. 
eee impenitence, unbelief, “ rebel. 


CHAPTER XI. 


for before his translation he had ° this tes- 
timony, P that he pleased God. 


Af. D. 65. 


6 But 4 without faith z¢ zs impossible 


to please Aim: for * he that cometh to 
| God * must believe that he is, and cat he 
is ta rewarder of them that ® diligently 
seek him. 


© ver. 3, 4. 

Pp Vers 6. Gen. 5.22.1 Rev. 21. 8. 

Rom. 8 8, 9. 

ores 4. 't John} 35. Job 21 14. Psu 1Chr. 2s 9. Ps. 
. 22. 


& 8.24. Gal. 5.6. tpt Mat. 5. 12 & 

6. 1,2. 5.16 & 10. 
ljr See on,7 25.& 10.) 41.42. Luke 0. 35. 
105, 3,4. & 119-10, 


73. 28 Is. §5. 3. 


q ae 12. 18,19. & 4, mi 2, 31. John 14.) Prove’. 1 Cant 
2. 
& 20.12. Ps. 72 |s Rom. 10. 14. Mat. «- 33. 


22.32. & 106. 24-/t ver. 26. Gen, 15. 
Is. 7.9. Mark 16-; 1. Ruth 2. 12, Ps. 
16. Jobn 3. 18, 19. 


Luke 12, 5- 2 Pet. 
1, 5010s & 3. 14. 


58. 1. 


6. Num. 14. U1. [ts 14. grees. AS, 
Proy. 4 


na 2 alta 


€ 


but not the atonement for bis sins. 
to say, with modern infidels and skeptics ; ‘In 


« what is my sacrifice inferior to Abel's? 
£ 


* cent lamb, to be burned upon the altar.’ 
God rejected his off-ring : and his rage and en- 


He seemed 


Way 
should he be so bigoted, as to think Ged will 
accept none, who do not come in his peculiar 
way? 1, deing sincere, shall be as favourably 
received with my sacrifice, as he with his - and 
indeed it seems more rational to present the 
first fruits of the earth, than to slay an inno- 
Yet 


mity against Abel, the accepted worshipper of 
God, produced the same horrid effects which 
similar principles have in every age been pro- 
ducing, in cruel persecutions and multiplied 
murders of believers, by proud formalists and 
hypocrites. But God himself attested, that Abel 
was righteous before bim, and that his oblations 


were accepted: 


so that, being murdered by 


Cain, he still speaketh to us ; declaring that sin- 
ners can come to God, only by penitent faith in 
the great Propitiation ; that faith is uniformly 
connected with righteousness and upright obe- 
dience ; that believers have their portion in 2 
better world, and not on earth; that they mast 


expect no favour from proud unbelievers and 
Pharisees ; and that their blood shed by perse- 


cutors calls from the ground to heaven for ven- 


geance. 


€ 
. 
. 
« 
© 


“€ of righteous Abel.” 


ann annannain 


(Notes, Gen.iv.1—14.) Abel © offer. 
ed a sin-offering, as well as a meat-offering.— 
Whereas Cain, having no sense of sin, thought 
himself obliged to offer nothing but a meat- 
offering. In this character of Abel, Paul hdd 
our Lord’s expression in his eye, “ the blood 
(Matt. xxiii. 55.) * As 
in after times God testified his acceptance of 
Particular sacrifices, by sending down fire 
upon them; we may suppose, that it was in 
that manner, that he testified Abel’s righteous- 
ness upon his offering. Flesh not being per- 


mitted to. men till afier the flood, Abel must . 


have thought it unlawful to kill any animal, 
unless God had ordered it to be killed as a sa- 
crifice.” (Macknight.) 

V. 5,6. (Note, Gea. v 22—24,) By faith, 


Enoch was so peculiarly favoured of God, that 
he was translated to heaven, without »s 

death, or experiencing its painful strose; his 
body having been changed and rendered incor- 
ruptible, that he- might immediately enter on 
his full felicity. So that he was not found on 


AD: 65. 


God of things not seen as yet, * moved 
with fear; * 8 prepared an ark to the saving 


14. Ex. 9. 18—21.|2 See on, ver. 1. 
Prov 22.3. & 27.)* Or, being wary. 
12. Ez. 3. 1719.) See on. 5.7- Gr- 
Mat. 3,7 & 24. 15ja Gen, 6. 18. 87. 
—25. 2 Pet. 3, 6-8.1 1,28 & 8.16, Ez. 


ay Ge 18-22, & 
Be . 5. Mat. 24. 38, 
39. Luke 17..26, 27) 
‘Noe. 2 Pet. 2.5. 
y Gen. 6.13. & 19. 


earth, by those who sought him, as the sons a6E 
the prophet sought Elijah; for the Lord had 
taken him to himself. (Marg. Ref) But, be- 
fore this took place, he had received some evi 

dent testimony, that God was pleased with him, 
and probably this was made Known to his con- 
temporaries. St. Paul here quotes the Scptua 

gint, where the words translated in our version, 
« he walked with God,” are twice rendered, 

« he pleased God.” The general meaning is 
no doubt the same, though the language is less 
emphatical ; and the apostle seems to have been 
unwilling to interrupt his argument, by noticing 
the variation. Enoch had walked with God for 
a long season, but this was the effect of that 
faith by which he pleased him: for it is, and 
always was, impossible, for fallen man to please 
God, except by faith; seeing every one who 
cometh to God to worship and serve him, ** must 
"© believe that he is ;” he must realize his invisi- 
ble being, presence, and perfections, which can 
only be done by faith, exercised on the Revelation 
which he hath given of himself; otherwise some 
imaginary deity, some ido}, will be substituted 
in his place. Moreover, he must believe “ that 
« God is the Rewarder of them that diligently 
*¢ seck him:” but as allmén deserve condem- 

nation for their sins, and even their best services 
need forgiveness; so no one can know, or on 
geod grounds conclude, that God will reward 
his services, or accept him in them; unless by 
receiving the testimony of revelation, either im- 
mediate, traditional, or written. This Enoch |; 
doubtless did; and so he believed in God, and 
came to him, by faith in his word and promise, 

according to his appointment, and thus was ac- 

cepted and graciously rewarded, But this dif 
fers widely from a mere assent to a: conjecture, 
ara conclusion of reason, concerning the exist- 
ence of a God, without any just notions of his 
character, will, or worship; and an attempt to 
please him in ways of man’s devising. This 
many suppose to be all the faith, which the apos- 
tle here means, though it accords to the religion 
of no one person mentioned in this chupter, ex- 
éept that of Cain; who doubtless ha7 this kind 
of faith, and came in this manner, but, “ with 

- him God was not well pleased.” 

V..7. (Notes,.Gen. vi—is,) The Lord, by 
immediate revelation, made known to Noah-his 
purpose of destroying the inhabitants ofthe whole 
earth by a flood of water, and warned. him to 
prepare for such an event. These “ things were 
* not seen as yet: nothing of that kind had. ever 
happened ; no token of such a deluge appeared ; 
unbelief might conclude it impossible, or ex- 
claim against it as inconsistent with the justice 
‘or goodness of God, But Noah had faith, and 


HEBREWS. | 
7 By faith = Noah, being ¥ warned ofyof his house 


y by 14020. 1 Pet.3.) Li ! 
3 je E 
b Nat. 12. 41, ae 2 


ed the worl pil 
¢ righteousness” 


that was in him a 

« seen :” he verily b 
would come; he exp 
would execute the se 


majesty of God, and was sete with: 
ing under his Be niet he Was aw 


ture. vengeance, as w 
common calamity ; 
ed to employ any. 
Lord should see hae 
when directed and comme 
he did not hesitate to obéy in 
and unreserved manner = 
expense of building so’ vast’ a vessel n 
been enormous; and though the 
must have exposed him toall kind ; 
oblequy imaginable; and he 
the unbelieving world would eride 
visionary, anda fanatic, for so singu 
But he obeved in faith; he ven’ 
quences, and exercised’ the needf 
he waited the Lord’s time, and pre. 
unsuccessfully, to the men of his g 
expected safety in the ark, thou, 
alone could secure him in such 
so tremendous a deluge f 
ed, and preserved his f 
mon destruction’ of mar 
earth; his example a 


justice of God in thus punist 
and incorrigible wickedness : and, by th 


ing she Messiah, and became 
« eousness of faith,” and of 
through him. This may 
act representation of the 
ievers, being warned by God 
wrath to come, are moved with 
in Christ, part with all for. hiss 
made. the instruments of salvati 
lies also, condemn the world, an 
of the righteousness of faith. (CM 
7—9.)—A Jewish writer in’ 

the ark, expostulating with those | 
ishing, because excluded, 
they had used various means of secu 
selves, in case the deluge should. ome 
they had declined his in 
ark : but he silences all their pleas 
saying, that they had refused to avai 
of God’s appointed way of preservation; — 
every other mvthod must be unavailing: ‘fF | 
“ shall ye ari if'ye’ aeqlest ie : 


“tion?” tad 


ve for an inheritance, 


acles with Isadc and Jacob. 


Gen. 


-| Rom. 1, 6.17, ‘9, & 25. 27. 
5. Jam 2 14—26.| 4 & 28 4. 13, 14. 
Pet. 1. 22. & 3. & 48. 5, 4. 
t & 12. 22. 38. & 13. 
.| 14 John 14. 2. Phil. 
& 2%. 3. & 35.) 3.20. Gr. Rev. 21. 
6. 2. 10—27. 


wW8 —10. (Notes; kc. Gen. sii—avil) Next 
r of time, to the two principal charac- 
of the old world, and the progenitors of 
mew world, and even superior to them 
a abmasia) Cis Abraham, the father of Israel, 
of ‘many nations, of the Messiah, and spiritually 


‘all believers. When he was first selected to 
ethe repository of the promises, he was call- 
led, and commanded, to leave his native country 
land ali its attachments ; and to go out into a 
place which ‘he was afterwards to receive for 
lan inheritance, that is, in his posterity: this 
jcommand was connected with several promises 
|to him and to his seed ; by faith he substantiated 
pe blessings hoped for, and was satisfied con- 
‘cerning the things not seen ; he therefore impli 
bees obeyed the call of God, and went forth, not 
feu aid whither he was’to travel. But hewas sa- 
tisfied that he was following the special guidance 
‘eblGod, under his immediate protection ; and he 
therefore disregarded the objections, persuasions, 
‘or contempt of those, to whom such a design 
‘Must have appeared, to the last degree, vi- 
sionary and irrational. By faith in the promise 
of Jenovan, he ccntinued likewise to sojourn as 
a stranger in that land, which was promised to his 
posterity, without having any inheritance:in it, 
or even building a house there; but passing 
‘bis days as atrayeller, dwelling in* tents, that 
were easily removed, shifting frequently from 
ne place to stoflier : yet within the land o 
Banaan; except as he was forced out of. it by 
amine. Thus he spent his life, even after the 
of Isaac, and afterwards of Jacob; who 
re the heirs with him of:the same promises, 


d it, for the glory of his own name, 
al residence of those whom he. de- 


cena CS Wieaist x 


CHAPTER XI. 


gham, when he was}hath foundations, l whose Builder and 
nto a place ¢ which he} Maker is God. - 


| Be 19. 46, 2 Cor 10.}i 6. 17. Gen. 26. 3.) 13.4 Se 14. 32. 2}0 Rom, 4. 19. 
Cor. 


| sands on the sea-shore. 


bid 


A. D. 65; 


11 Through faith also Sara herself 


went out, not knowing received strength to conceive seed, and 


was delivered of a child when she was. 


Eh e sojourned in the land of| past age,™ because she judged him faith- 
“strange country," dwell-| tul who had promised. 


12 Therefore sprang there even of one, 


with him of the same promise :/° and him as good as dead, so many Pas 
rok he looked for a ‘city which) the stars of the sky in multitude, and das 
§. & 26h Gen. 12. 8. & 13.| the sand’ which is by the sea-shore innu- 
5. Mat. 24, 25.) 3.18. & 18. 1, 2. 6. merable. 


Judg. 7. 12. 1 Sams 
18. 5. 2 Sam. 17, 11+ 
1 Kings 4 20. Ise 
10. 22. & 48. 19. 


~ 4. 2 Mes 15. 5. & 26. 
m rae 17. 17—i9- Ex. 32, 13 
& 18. 11-14. & 21. Deut 1. 10. & 28 
1,2. Luke 1.86. 1} 62. 1 Chr. 27. 23.1 Jer. 33. 22. Hos, 7. 
Pet. 3. 5, 6 Neh. 9. 23. 10. Hab. 19. Rom. 
n. 10.25. Rom. 4.20,)q Gen. 22.17. & 32] 4. 18. & 9.27. Revs 
21. i2. Josh. 11. 4.] 20. 8 


‘lighteth to bonour and bless: and what can 
those magnificent cities be, which proud worms 
have erected; compared with that, the Builder 
and Maker‘of which is the almighty and ever- 
lasting God? Abraham expected Canaan for 
his posterity, and a mansion in heaven for him- 
self. -If this was the faith of Abraham, Isaac, 
and Jacob, and this their expectation: can we 
suppose that such of their posterity, as “ obtain- 
“ ed a good report by faith,” did not believe 
ihe. same truths, and expect the same inherit- 
ance? Nay, can we reasonably doubt whether 
this were the popular creed and hope of Israel 
through successive generations, to the time 
of Christ? We cannot, unless we can suppose, 
that the Sinai-covenant, in which national advan- 
tages were secured to the people, on condition 
of national obedience, could operate, as the fa- 
bled waters of Lethe, to make them entirely for. 
get all preceding revelations made to their fore. — 
fathers, and transmitted to them, and all the obe. 
dient confidence, which their forefathers had 
placed in those revelations? In facet, there is 
not one age, in the history of Israel. from the 
origin of the nation, to the termination of the 
New Testament, of which we have any remain. 
ing records; but in those records, the belief of 
a future state of just retributions, a future judg- 
ment, and a state of supreme blessedness to the 
righteous, may not be clearly discerned, and 
pointed out. 

V. 11, 12: Sarah was at first. unbelieving, 
when a son was promised to her in her old age; 
but she afterwards was enabled to rely on the 
faithfulness and power of God to perform his 
word, though contrary to the ordinary course of 
nature : and, in consequence of this faith, she 
was supernaturally strengthened to conceive and 
bear a son. Thus, in answer to the expectation 
‘lof the faith, both of Abraham and Sarah, there 
- | sprang from one father, (who apparently was in 
this respect even as a dead person, from whom 
no offspring could have been expected,) such an’ 
immense multitude, that they were as the stars 
of heaven, or even absolutely innumerable as-the 
This principally refers. 
to the descendants of Abraham ‘by Isaac and 
Jacob: but those, descended from him by Ish- 


& D. 65. RepRE Ws, 


13 These all * died * in faith, * not hav- 
ing received the promises, * but having 
seen them afar off, * and were persuaded 
of them, and embraced them, and’* con- 
fessed that they were strangers and pile 
gtims on the exrth.- 

i4 For they that say such things, de- 
clare plainly that ¥ they seek a country. | Isaac shall thy 

15 And truly if they had been * mind-| 19 Accouni 
fal of that country from whence they came | raise him up, 
out, they might have had opportunity to/ whence also he 
have returned. [Prac 
_ 16 But now ® they desire a better ®@ By ™ faith 
country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore Esau concerning things.to come. 
» God is not ashamed ¢ to be called their 


F Gen. 25, 8+ & 274 8 56. & 12. 41.1 
2—4. & 48. 21. &] Pet. 1. 10—12. 
49. 18. 28. 33, &/a Rom, 4.21. & 8. 
50. 2a. 24. 1 John 3. 19.Gr. 

© Gr. according tolx Gen- 23. 4. & 47. 
Saith. 9. 1 Chr, 29° 15. 

8 ver. 39. Ps. 39. 12. & 119.! 

t.wer, 27, Gen. 49.//19. 1 Pet. 1517. & 
10.. Num. 24.,17.| 2.11. 

Job 19. 25. Jom! y vere 16. Rom. 8, 


10. Jer, 31.1. Mat. 

23—25. 2 Cor. 4.18. | 20. 2. $1, $2. Mark) 
& 5. 1-7, Phil. 1.23. oa 27. “Luke 2 
z Gen. 11. 31. & 12. 

10. & 24. 6-8, &} 
31, 18. & 32. 9—11, 

a See on, ver. 14. & 
12, 22. 

b 2.11. 


c¢ Gen. 17, 7, 8. Ex.| f de Gene 
3.6.18. Ts41.8—| 92 31 Job 1 i 


mael and the sons of Ketirah, render the fulfil. | eternal and invisible i 
Ment of the promises to him, in this respect, | prepared such ani 
still more surprising. (Votes, Gen. xvii. 15—| rious city, for them: ‘so 
21. xviii. 9—15. xxi. 1—7. xxv. 1—4.) did not disdain ‘to: ‘be c 
‘-V.13—16. ’ Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Ja-|.Friend, and their 
cob, persevered in’ faith, and the obedience of| the advantages: which t 
faith, even unto death, and departed, expecting} their believing depend 
the performance of God’s promises to them and | transient and little, to an 
their posterity. For they had not received the | seeing they were neither. 
promises or the things promised ; either the in-| felicity, nor for the glory f 
heritance of Canaan, or the coming of the’ pro-| cence. 2 
mised Seed, during their lives. They had en:} V. 17—19. (Notes, Ge 
dured fmany hardships and trials; without any} peculiarly to be noted, | ae 
such peculiar advantages, as ‘might answer the] stance, in which Abraham ~ 
singular favour, which the Lord declared that) far he would carry bis i , 
he bore to them. Bat they had “seen them/ the Lord, he had 
© afar off, and were, persuaded” that they would | powerful principle of faith 
be performed in due season; they embraced | determined purpose, he had o 
them by faith, as their portion and the imherit-|ed Isaac asa burnt-o} 
ance of their posterity; and they gave up pre.|selfhad, as it were, be 
sent advantages for the sake of them, ‘ confés-| that he might have thoug 
* sing that they were strangers and pilgrims|der the pertonkeane’ 
** upon earth.” (Votes, Gen. xiii. 4. xlvii. 9.)—| obeying this -hard and 
Now they who considered themselves, during} But he left this to God, ass 
their whole abode in this world, to be strangers | to restore his son to life, fromt 
in a foreign land, and travellers through it,plain-j he was about to reduce 
ly declared that they were going home to their} stance of a resurrection from the 
native country, the residence of their Father,} occurred. And in fact he did f 
and their most Jeloved friends, and the place of|as from the dead; seeing 
their permanent abode and enjoyment. Indeed} lain under the sentence 
if, weary of this wandering life, they had pur | most expressive figure, re 
- posed to return into Mesopotamia, they might/ion and resurrection of Christ, th 
have found an opportunity of doing it, and might | ten of the Father, thus del 
there have scttied among their relations ; but} ners, to bleed and: die, n a 
this would have been an act of unbelief and | God for us, by love whieh f ned 
disobedience, and a renunciation of the promis-|Some indeed explain the last 
es, Whereas, by sojourning in a strange land | supernatural conception 
unto death, they declared their supreme desire | figurative manner of 
and hope ofa better country, than could be | receiving him from the 
found on earth: even of that heavenly inherit- | terpretation is far pref 
. ance, which Canaan typified. As, therefore, they eri 20. Isaac, (as well as 
were willing | to renounce all* other prospects to | cob,) wes reprehensible in the 
fellow God in obedient faith, for the sake of an|the transaction” which is: betas 


CHAPTER Xi | 4. Dy 65. 


b, when he was ady-|come to years, refused to be called the 
he sons of Joseph;}|son of Pharaoh’s daughter ; 
leaning upon the top| 25 * Choosing rather to suffer afflic- 
tion with y the people of God, than to 
enjoy * the pleasures of sin for a sea- 
son ; 

26 Esteeming the reproach + of Christ 


yi << 
} Joseph, when he died. 
of the departing of the 
sel; and gave command- 


ming his bones. — b greater riches than the treasures in 
ly = faith Moses, when he was|Egypt: ¢ for he had respect unto the 
as hid three months of his parents,| recompense of the reward. 


se they saw he was a proper child; 
they were not afraid of ‘ the king’s 
mmandment. , — eas his 

“24 By faith Moses, when he was 


x 10. 32. Jub 36. 21. 
Ps. 84,10. Mat 5. 
1o—12. & 13. 21. 
Acts 7. 25, 26. & 
2. 23,24. Rom 5. 
3. & 8. 17, 18. 35— 


% Job 20. 5. & 21} 14. 
l1—13, Ps. 73. 18}¢ Or, for Christ. 
—20. Is. 21. 4. &ib Ps 37. 16. Jet. 9. 


Pet. 2. 10. pois a 


o ; 5, | Co 1 28. 2 Thes} 7. 4 és s 
ie. i | & & 10. Mat.| 1-3—6. 2 Tim. i,|a 10.33. & 13. 13.) 2. 2 10. 35+ 
u pan thee, Luke 12.4,| 8. &2.3—10-& % Ps. 69. 7. 204 Ruth2 12. Prove 
. Ps. 56.4. %l 5. : 11, 12. Jam. 1.21 & 89, 50, 51.) 11. 18. & 23. 18. 
8.6, Is. 8.1 33.f¢ Ex. 1.10. 22 1 Pet L 6,7. & 4.) Is 51. 7 Aets 5) Mat. 5, 12. & 6, 1. 
% 41. 10. 14. & 51.|u Ex. 2. 10,11. Acts) 12—16. 41. 2Cor. 12. 10.) & 10.41. Luke 14. 
| 7.12. Dan. 3. 16—} 7. 21—24- y 4.9. Ps.47- 9. 1 14 


ing which Jacob pronounced on all-bis sons, as’ 
well as that on Joseph, with Manasseh anil 
Ephraim. (Votes Gen. xiviii. xliz.) 

V. 22. Joseph, &c. (Notes. Gen. 1.) Joseph, 
though lord of all the land of Egypt, yet, believ- 
ing the word and promise of God, concerning 
the posterity of Abraham, expressed his confi- 
dent expectation that they would be performed 
in the removal of the Israelites to Canaan : and 
be ordered his bones to be carried along with 
them, both as an expression of his faith, and to 

show that he desired to have bis lot after death 
« with the people of God, and not with the Egyp- 
sut subse tians. ; 
* V. 23. The parents of Moses also acted from 
the same powerful principle, of faith in the word 
and promises ef God, When that eminent de- 
liverer and law-giver of Israel was born, they 
coneealed him three months, from those who 
were appointed by Pharach to destroy the male 
children : for they perceived something uncom. 
mon in his appearance, which was supposed to 
indicate his future eminence. (Vote, 4cts vii. 
im his future purpose concerning their posterity. | 20.) By faith they relied on the promised care 
and, in a firm beliefof his word, he blessed them; | and protection of God; andso they were not 
and, though weak and infirm, he expressed his | afraid of the king’s commandment, but preserved 
confidence in God, and his gratitude to him, by | the life of their son at the peril of their own : 
shipping him, leaning on the top of his stafi.| and they acted from the same kind of faith, when 
is the Septuagint render the words which, in} they trusted Moses to the care of Providence, in 
‘version, are translated the bed’s head, and the | an ark of bul-rushes ; which believing expecta- 
ation is immaterial. Learaed men have shown. | tion was answered in his preservation by Pha- 
esame word, by changing merely the vow-|raoh’s daughter, and his education in the court 

s, will bear either signification. ‘ We|of Egypt to be the deliverer of Israel. 
ere 2 lively example of that substance,}| V.24—26. In like manner, when Moses was 
we, 1.) which was before commemorat-| grown up, even tothe age of forty years, and 
As Jacob, dying a stranger in Egypt, | was become very eminent among the Egyptians: 
esthe kingdoms of the Canaanites to|he refused any Jonger to be called the son of 
sons, in no other manner than he} Pharach’s daughter, (though tradition reports 
ve done, had he reigned in peace ai} that he was considered as heir of that prosperous 
But how true and solid this “ faith, | kingdom :) but, believing the testimony and pro- 
stance of things hoped for,” was, ap | mises. of God concerning Israel, and especially 
this, that after. many years, the jthat respecting the Messiah; he would not take 
n being commitied to the lot, | his lot among the Egyptians, for the sake of tem. 
nothing seems more fortuitous, | poral advantages, however great. On the con- 
ned Jacob’s testament.’ (Be-|trary, seeing God’s peculiar people under the 
writer here includes the bless- most cruel bondage, and in the most abject con- 


“¥. 21. (Notes, Gen. xlvii. 23-31. xlviii.)— 
facob, when his death approached, pronounced a 
arophetical blessing on each of his twelve sons, 
oh which respected Ephraim and Manas- 


is here especially noted. God revealed to 


(A 


A, D..65. 


©). 27 By faith, ¢ he forsook Egypt, ¢ not 
fearing the qwrath of the. king.:. for he 
f endured, é as seeing him who is inyisi- 
big, é 

RB Through faith » he kept the paca 
over, and-ithe sprinkling of blood, lest 


a@ Ex. 10. 28, 29. &f 18. Mark 4. 17. & Tins6. 16: 1 Pet. 
11. 8. & 12.31, &e | 2% 13. 1,Core 13:7. 
& 13. 1721. Jan. 5. 11, 


hx 12. 514, 21 
e Ex. 2. 14.15. Fal vert, 13. & 12.2: 


305 1, 
19. 19..& 12. 24, 
Bx 1297. 1) 23. 
ybPets 15.2. . 5 


19, & 14. 19—13. Ps, 16. 8. Acts 2. 
£6.15. & 10:32:%& 124} 25. 2 Cor. 4 18.1 
3, Mat. 10622. & 24, ; 


dition, he openly avowed himself to be one of 
them : choosing rather to suffer the most distress. 

ing affiction with them, and to share the bless- 
ings promised to them ; than to eajoy all the tem- 
porary pleasures, which his high station could 
have procured him, in the ways of sin and un- 

godliness. H- likewise esteemed the repxoach 
cast on Israel, for their expectations of a glorious 
Redeémer to atise from among them, under 
whose special care they professed themselves to 
be, as well as the’ disgrace of their condition, to 
be more valuable than all the immense treasures 
and tevenues of Exypt; so that he renounced the 
latter, that he might partake of the former < for 
‘he had respect unto the recompense of re- 
& ward ;” even. the gracious and abundant com 

pensation, which Christ confers on all those who 
are renroached for bis sake. In consequence of) 


this believing choice and purpose, he renounced) others, truly believed; a 


all his prospects and indulgences in'Ezypt, and 
became a refugee, or a stranger, and a humble) 
laborious ane in Midian for forty years. 
‘ Esteeming the scoffs cast 


* ‘arise fiatd among them, in whom all-the na- 
* tions of the earth’should be blessed, “* greater 
*€ riches than’'the treasures of Egypt.” | (Mac- 
Rnight) | The recompense of reward,” ‘here 
‘mentioned, could not be temporal; for Moses 
¢ came not into the land’ of Canaan; nor could 
« he expect any greater blessing in that kind, 
« than he might have had in Egypt. | He there. 
« fore must have had respect to some spiritual 
¢ and heavenly recompense” (Whitby. ) 
s° V. 27. \ Moses evidently feared, when he for- 
sook Egypt the first time: but this relates «to 
his leaving that kingdom the’ second time, when 
he led forth the tribes of Israel. He was then 
strengthened in faith, to disregard the wrath and 
power of king Pharaoh: he denounced the death 
of the first-born, left the tyrant’s presence, as one 
who bade defiance to his: menaces, ‘and march- 
ed out of Egypt with gréat intrepidity ; though 
he was fully aware, tliat Pharach, with bis army, 
would pursue him : and when that actually took 
place, he boldly said to the affrighted Israelites, 
“¢ Pear not, stand sti!l, and see the salvation of the 
“Lorp "The Lorn shall fight for you, and ye 
«¢ shall hold your peace.” For he endured most 
constantly im delivering his messages, and in this 
emefgency, though he had ho visible protection 
against the vengeance of Pharaoh; because, (by 
‘faith, as the evidence of things not seen,) he’ 
saw the invisible God, as his almighty De. 
fender, and rested assured that he was with 


HEBREW: a 


‘from “that calamity, in ‘the 


‘of a sinner’s a 


for present deliverance 
‘was chiefly by the faith fo 
that the: Israelites - passed: 

‘Red sea; even, as Noab’s fai 


he th q 
touch t 
me By 


he assayin 
30 By 
down, after, 
seven days: ‘a 
kk By. 1413-3108 &| 106, 9 
15. 1—2 « 
10) Neh. @. lis Pe ee 
66.6. & 78, 13, &| & B19, De 
him, to take. care of a 
Ex. viii. xi. xii, 29249" 
V. 28. By the same effics 
ses foresaw the’ destruction “of # 
Egypt, and expected the exem 
prescribed a Se € 
ling of the blood: ie: pon tt 
other significant ceren 


they were- preserved, d 
their deliverance. bon 
hath been shown to is a 


and by faith in meth 
28.) 
Wisni29e 
tion, by the exhortations of Mose 
toa confidence in JEHOVAH'S Pp 


racl was the vi sil 
of the whole) 


tians represented thee 
people ; ; and, copying: 


ed ;.as alt the enemi 
death, which delivers 
This does not therefore 
that any of the persons, 
were destitute of justify 
inferred. from the: Bag 


Biri mv eee 
WSS B9i cnt | kee, J A 
many of the Israelites : 
God, that he would. deliver: 
hatids, obeyed his comma 
brethren to do the same, | 
ordinary means used fo) 
expected God to 
observed his directi 
city, and blowing the 
and in this manner the 7 
appointed: time, and 
easy victory. The 
them to embrace the pro: 
Messiah and-salvation by hin 


rs 


m that * believed not, 
eived the spies with 


® i Odservations.] 
at shall I more say? for 
© would fail me to tell of P Ge- 
id of 3 Barak, and of * Samson, 
ay of * David also, and 

» and of * the prophets - 
I Whe goles faith subdued king- 
01 ns * wrought righteousness, * ob- 
Bernas: b lon sad the mouths of} | 


34's Quenched the violence of fire, 


“Josh. 2. 1-22. Kj 1 Sam. 16. 1. 12.) 5. 4-25. & 8. 1— 
9-25. Mx & 17, Ke Acts 2| 14. Ps. 18. 32—34. 

. ; i Ls ae 144. 
: 2. 10. 


Jam.} 20—23. 2 Tim. 4. 
17. 1 Pet. 5. 3. 

ae 66. 12. Is. 43. 

2. Dan. 3. 19—23. 


Sie hed alwaye bobsisied the difference 
Teal ‘believers, and- mere professors, 
ho con with them in the same external 
I: s—*‘As the land of Canaan belong 
roe the Israelites, by a grant from God, the 
Possessor ef heaven and earth; it was proper 
that the first ong which resisted them, should 
be such a manner, as to demonstrate 
truth of their titie. Thus were all the Ca- 
made to know the supremacy and pow- 
the God of Israel, and how vain it was to 
Tesistaice.” (Macknight.) 


Luke Sam. 17. 33—36. 
Saaue 13. Dan 6. 


a Canaanites, and that he had promised mani 
blessings to Israel, was by faith induced to 


d to seek admission among his people. 
hazard of her life she entertained peace- 
nd as friends, the spies of Israel; and, 
that Jericho would be taken by the Is- 
she stipulated for her own life and that 
relations, as if that event had already 
place. _Thus she escaped the destruction 
tr unbelieving citizens, who persisted in 
enmity to God and to Israel. Doubtless 
eC promises concerning the Mes- 
ritual salvation, in the same obedient 
hen she was made acquainted with 
thus she was incorporated among 
sites, and became an ancestor of Christ. 


fates, &e. Judg. iv—xvi.) The 
nt persons, here mentioned 
has already been considered’ 


|. In like manner Rahab the harlot, hear- 
that God had denounced the destruction of 


. 


CHAPTER XL A. D. 6& 
harlot Rahab pe-|4 escaped 'the edge of the sword, ¢ out of 


weakness were made strong, waxed va- 
liant in fight, ‘turned to flight the armies 
of the aliens. 

35 € Women received their dead raised 
to life again: and others were * tortured, 
not accepting deliverance; * that they 
might obtain a better resurrection. 

36 And others had trial of crud 
« mockings ! and scourgings, yea, more> 
over, of ™ bonds and imprisonment: | 

37 They were = stoned, they were id 


2 Sam. 21. 16, 17.] 12.25. Luke 14. 14.! 105. 17,18. Jef. 20% : 
om 6. 156—18. John 5.{ 26- & 32.2.3. 6.8 
& 15—2le 


udg. 7. 19—-25.' 54. Phil. 3. 11 

& #—10. & 15.\k Jude. 16. 25. 2 

14—20. Cor, 12.) Kings 2. 23. 2 Chr. 
: 30. 10. & 36. 16. 


—55. Acts 4s 3. r 
5. 18 & 3. 3. & is 
1 aa 
& 21. 33. & 4. 27, 
2 Cor. 11 2%. 


-15{n 1 Kings 21. 10. & 
A «| —15. 2 Chr, 24. 2h 
27. 26. Mat. 21. 35.& 23. 
& - L 3 


h Acts 22, 24. 29. 


apostle to have spoken PERE 

each of them, and of ali that might haye beew 
adduced. They are not placed im the order of 
time in which they lived, but as they occurred to 
the apostle’s mind: and the whole company of 
the prophets are mentioned ina word. By fai 
crediting the testimony of God, and substantiate 
ing his promises, some of them, as Joshua and 
David, subdued the nations of Canaan and the 
neighbouring kingdoms, as the servarts of God 
in the cause of Israek (Notes, Josh vi—xi. 2 
Sam. v. 6—25. viii. x.) Others performed most. 
eminent obedience to his commandments, or ex- 
ecuted justice and reformed the nation; and 
they waited for, and obtained, most remarkable. 
accomplishments of the divine promises to them 


her connexion with the enemies of|and their people. Some had even, in the exer- 


cise of faith in God, been enabled to stop the 
mouths of lions; Samson and David slew each 
of them a lion; and Daniel the prophet spent. 
the night ina den of hungry lions. (WVotez, Dan. 
vi.). Others quenthed the violence of the fire. 
(Notes, pe iii.) Elijsh was repeatedly deli- 
vered from the persecuting rage of Ahab, Jeze- 
bel, and Ahaziah; Micaiab, from that of Ahab; 
and Elisha from the sword of the kings of Israel 
and Syria; and Jeremiah from that of Jehois- 
kim, and Zedekiah’s 3 princes. (Notes, &e 1 Kings 
xvii. xvii. xix. xxu. 2 Kings i—vi. Jer. xxvi. 
xxxvili- 8—13.) Hezekiah ard others were 
miraculously recovered from sickness; and He- 
zekiah’s kingdom was restored from the utmost 
debility to a very flourishing condition, in an- 
swer to his confidence in God. Many instances 
occur in the history ie pirie of those who waz- 
ed valiant in fight, and iurned to flight the ar. 
mies of the aliens: yet it has generally been sup. 


proper beonds for the ss eaemais peculiar referenes to the 


ALD. 65. HEBREWS. 


“asunder, were tempted, ° were slain with 
the sword: they wandered about P in 
shéep-skins and goat-skins ; 9 being des- 
titute, afflicted, tormented: 

38 (Of whom the world was not wor- 
thy :) they * wandered in deserts, and i” 


a 1 Sam, 22. 17—19'p 2 Kings 1. 8. Mat.| 2 Kings 23. 25-29. 
1 Kings 18. 4.18.&) 3.4: Reve 21.3. | Is. 57-1. 

(6 19.1..10.,14. Jer. 2.\q 12. 1—3. Zech. 13+}5 1 Sam. 22. 1, & 23. 
30, & 26, 23. Lam.| 9. Mat. 8. 20, 1° 15.19. 23. & 2. 
4. 13, 14 Matt.! Cor. 4.9-13. 2 Cér. 1—3. & 26. 1. 1 
23. 35—37. Lukef 11. 23-27. & 12.10e) Kings 17.3. & 18, 

. Wi. $1—S4. Acts 7.| Jam. 5. 10, 11- 4.13. %&19%9, Ps. 

$2, & 12. 2, 3. t_) Kings 14. 12, 13,- 742, title: 


fy: . é 


successes of Judas Maccabeus and his brethren, 

‘agaist the forces of Antiochus Epiphanes ; 

when from feeble beginnings; they arrived at 

_ great power, and defeated all that persecutor’s 

" devices, by faith in the promises and protection 
of the Lord. While we’make a decided differ- 
ence, between the word of God and all other wri- 
tines; there seems ‘no impropriety in supposing 
that the apostle had these events in his view, on 
this’ occasion as the historical facts respecting 
thé persecutions of Antiochus and the victories 
of the Maccabees, were well known among the 
Hebrews; and’really formed an illustrious ex- 
ample of the efficacy and nature of faith. 


V. 35—38. Through the same principle of| vid, Elijah, and many other: 


faith, as exercised by the prophets and the per- 
sons concerned, women had received their'dead 
children raised to life again, (Votes, 1 Kings 
xvii. 17—24. 2 Kings iv. 18—S7.) Others were 
tortured with all the horrid ingenuity, which 
their cruel persecutors could exercise ; and yet 
refused to accept of deliverance from their ago- 
nies, when offered them on condition that they 
would commit idolatry. They rather chose to 
expire in their torture, than to purchase life on 
‘such terms; because by faith they expected’ a 
better resurrection, even a resurrection to eter- 
nal life ; which was far better than being restor- 
ed again from the jaws of death, and living a 
"while longer in this world ; and better than the 
resurrections to temporal life before-mentioned. 
This is supposed to refer to the tortures and 
death of a woman and her seven sons, as ze- 
corded in the history of the Maccabees: (2 Muc. 
yii.)—This is a most decisive testimony of the 
sacred writer, that his countrymen expected a 


resurrection to eternal life, and that the word of| saved by the anticipated | 


God warranted that expectation. Others in dif. 
ferent ages, had been tried by cruel mockings, 
and every kind of indignity and derision 3) with 
ignominious and painful scourgings, and with lin- 
gering sufferings in bonds and imprisonment ; 
yet by faith they cleaved'to God and their duty, 
amidst all that could be inflicted on them. Thus 
Micaiah, Jeremiah, and many others, had been 
abused; moreover, several had been stoned. to 
death; and-some had even been erueily sawn 
asunder, as tradition reported that Isaiah had 
been. (Notes, 2 Kings xxi, 16, Js, i.1,) Others 
had been tempted. with the most complicated 
sufferings, and with conditional offers of deli- 
verance, to sin agamst God : some were slain at 
once with the sword ; whilst others were driven 
from their habitations, to wander as vagabonds, 
» covered with undressed skins instead of suit. 


the promise: 

40 God havir 
ter thing for’ 
should not be 


Or, f 
u 7s 
& 9% 3 


dens, and caves, instead of commo: 
being destituie: of friends, afflicted 
cated distresses, and most cruelly: 
they fell into the hands of their persec 
they still trusted in God, and obeyed h 
unremitting patience and constancy, in a 
ing belief of his promises of support, 

and eternal salvation, and an any i 
dence in them. Of these e é 
world, that used them ‘with | 
cruelty, was not» worthy; and, | th 
were soon removed; in merey to) 
judgment to their enemies, 


t See on, ver. 2. 13. 
Luke 10. 23, 24, 2 
Pet. 1.12 ; 


ture, may be alluded to: but do 
others occurred, during the perse: 
of the kings of Judah and Israel, of 
ticular accounts have not reached | 
some records or traditions conce 
might be extant among the 
apostle wrote. (Marg, Ref. 
V.39, 40, All these pe 
good report in the chure 
had been mentioned with h 
God, though the world a 
them: but faith was th 
they were distinguished fr 
respect of God’s accepta 
zealous obedience, or re’ 
deliverances. Yet they rec 
which their faith especially e 
not live to see the’ accomp) 
mise concerning the Messis 
* tions should be bless« 
promise made to Abra 


| For God, in his wise and 
had reserved some bett 
under the Christian dis 


except in and by Jesus 
those benefits, which were a 
revealed to his people : that 
by union with Christ, mig 
body, and not. in separa: 
members of it had bee 
through ali the ages 3 tion 
(Eph. i. 10.) Vecinta in -rpretatic 
given of this passage. 
promise was that of * 
the patriarchs desired, (13—16; 
they were not admitted, nor will 
till the whole. multitude of heirs 


Rite. 


—— a . Ss 


** 
CHAPTER XI. - A.D. 65. 


peculiar attention to the example of Christ; and 
from the loving i intent, and salutary effect of the 

Lord’s corrections, 1—13. ‘To peace and holi- 
ess; and jealous watehfulness over ourselves, and 


cerning the future, judgment and the. eternal 
world ; and even more than believing, that we 
are sipners exposed to condemnation, and deserv- 
ing of it, according to the tenour of his righteous 
law; we gladly receive the truth, concerning 
salvation by grace through the ‘atoning blood of 
the divine Saviour, and wait on him for pardon, 
and every blessing, as his gift through Jesus Christ. 
Thus we are enabled by faith to plead a far more 
excellent Sacrifice, and to present more _accept- 
able worship, than any Pharisee or infidel can of- 
fer unto God, according to the vain devices of his 
proud impenitent heart : we obtain the testimo- 
ny of God in his word, and by his Spirit, 
that our persons and services are accepted 
with him: and, however we may be persecuted 
ordriven out of the world, our felicity will be 
sure; and we shall.wish to declare to ‘all 
around us, and to leave it upon record for 
those that come after, that this isthe only way 
to heaven, and that we are exceedingly. thank- 
ful for having been taught to walk in it. We 
May not expect to escape the pangs of death; 
but we may hope:to»be with God, when.no ton- 
ger found on earth : as having pleased him, by 
coming in faith to his mercy-seat, desiring his 
fayour as our portion, and not ouly believing 
that He is, but that he is the gracious Rewarder, 


: even of sinners who diligently seek him; for 
af sete ~ ep jaca God are peculiar without this faith it is impossible to please God. 
both the m be mA dae inicbest in Christ If we possess this evidence of things not seen, 
eet T 1d the efficacious principle of we shall hear with great interest the warnings of 
ce: and in neither case, will any the oracles of God, concerning the future and 
“avail, but that faith which gives Lhe Soult’ eternal misery of the ungodly ; we shall rever- 
eran ‘appropriating hold of things hope j pence the denunciation which unbelievers deride, 
and ah internal demonstration of things odject to, or blaspheme ; we shall be moved 
"As men easily remove; and raise to 4 with fear to flee from the wrath to come; we 
fast Uidics, by ok ieee UF pranet en: a be encouraged in hope to make -Christ our 
ich ‘could not Sollee abe dine at all: Refuge, and to leave all things, as cumparative- 
xercised on the promise, truth, an ay worthless, to seek admission into this ark: 
er of God, would enable a feeble sinner, to thus we shall be safe, during the troubles of 
ove a mountain, if that were necessar % for life, the terrors of death, and the solemnities of 
ysafety and advantage. Without this ho man, judgment, and when “ the wicked shall be 
ce Adam's fall, has obtained a good report, or * turned eee hell, even all the people that for. 
any real and acceptable good works, accord- h get God -"” and we may, in the mean time, 
he standard of God's word: but the|#ope te be the instruments of saving our beloy. 
sof the church are tery ‘different from ed children and relatives also. But then we 
pred characters°of the ‘world: We: must be contented to bear the reproach of sin- 
nothing to good purpose, concerning the ener enthusiasm, or hypocrisy : we must be 
ons or works of God, or the eternal state, unfashionable :..and the world will’ condemn us, 
by this evidence of things not seen : men’s |i Our profession and behaviour condemn the 
gs produce amusing speculations ; but te ic big certainly, wah #3 we “ ‘become 
testimony of God, received by faith, |“ belts of the ‘Tighteousness which is by faith. 
isfaction to the soul. While we credit | We ™=2y by faith foresee the time, when our re- 
t of the creation, we learn to adore vilers will wish in vain that they were with us in 
the Creator, with humble, thank- fF despined erik; 
ring hearts; which philosophers, | 
nodern, have scarcely appeared to 
ch faith receives the testimony of 
ing his creating and providential 


ney, patience, and diligence ; 
iy of former believers, and with 


he end of the world. Others, 
atrariety of this” interpretation 

| current of scripture, which uni- 
plares, that the “ righteous entereth in- 
that “it is better to depart and to be 

h Christ ;” and that “*when absent from 
“body believers are present with the 
;” * blessed are the dead who die in the 


din this wafie sabi nae 
er Rauved by faith ina Redeemer who 
eae: but without those events, which 
ot testified as already past, their par- 
~ sane SR could not be ratified, or their 
ation ad. Thus the Old Testament 
“believers could not be perfected, except by com- 
' munion with the New Téstament church, in the 
“promised Saviour, and his righteousness, atone- 
oad pee oe ine - il. msicetis ee 


mes ) 
® PRACTICAL, OBSERVATIONS. 


1—7. 


ON 8—19. 


That is not justifying faith, which does not 
‘obey the ‘coinmand, as well as rely on the pro- 
mise of God": we too are called to leave many 
sand goodness ; yet his truths and of our worldly connexions, interests, and com- 
ting redemption, constitute its forts, to go in quest of a futuré inheritance ; snd 

i if heirs of ‘Abraham’ - ) faith, we shall « Py, _ 


tie 


J. D. 65. 
each other ; enforced by the easevof Esau, 144—17 : 


to an obedient reeeption of the gospel, and reve-|_ 
rential worship of God ; from the superior excel- 


and go forth, not knowing what things may befall |1 

her the Lord may lead us; we shall 
wait in the way, of duty for the performance of 
his promises; we shall not take up. our rest. in, 
the world, or be satisfied with its most splendid 
but we shall seek for a city |p 


us, Ory 


accommodations ; 
that bath foundations, 
Founder is the Lorn of hosts. 
faith will not be always alike vigorous and effica. 
cious ; and its waverings will show, that we are 
not saved for it, though dy it: yet, apon recol- 
fection, “ judging him faithful, that hath pro- 
* mised,” we shall be strengthened to expect 
the blessing, in defiance of apparent difficulties 
and supposed impossibilities, and thus shall be 
enabled for whatever. is connected with the ob 
taining of the promises. If indeed we professed 


whese Architect and 


to seek a portion in the world, the advantages of 


religion might appear dubious ; but we avow 
ourselves to be strangers in a foreign land, and 
upon our pilgrimage to our desired home, where 
our treasure and our bearts already are : we 
have not yet received the promises, but we see 
them afar off, embrace them, and wait in hope 
for their accomplishment: and we profess to- be 
satisfied with the life of a sojourner and a pil- 
grim, and to wait till after deata for our felicity. 
Vf, (ike apostates,) we were minded to return to 
the country whence we came out ; we might find 
an opportunity of doing it, perhaps with some 
secular advantage :~ but faith shows us, thatit is 
devoted to destruction, with all those who cliocse 
their inheritance in it. We therefore ‘desire a 
better country, that is, “* an heavenly ;” ‘and as 
God hath prepared everlasting mansioris for us, 
in the city of his special abode, in which’ he 
will make us most blessed for evermore: ‘so his 
glory in our salvatien, and our wisdom in ehoos- 
ing him for our Portion wil) be most manifest in 
the event, whatever present appearances may be, 
This faith endures to the end, we must live by 
it, and die in it; and then have its expectations 


answered, and far exceeded. . Whiist we live,- 


our faith must be repeatedly and sharply tried, 
that we may be distinguished from mere profes. 
sors of Christianity; but we may expect, that 
we shall be strengthened in proportion to the 
trial: nor can we reasonably doubt of the power 
of faith to produce the most unreserved obedi. 
.ence, when we remember, that by ‘this princi. 
ple Abraham, when tried, offered’ his- beloved 
Ysaac as a burnt-offering at God’s command, and 
trusted in bim to perform all those promises 
which his obedience seemed about for ever to 
disanaul. Let us then inquire how far our faith 
has produced a similar obedience, when we 
have been called to acts of inferior self-denigl, 
or to make inferior sacrifices to our duty. And 
whether we have given up what was called for, 
in an unreserved confidence that the Lord would 
make up all our losses, and even bless us byJi 
means of the most afflictive dispensations. © For, 
as “ He spared not his own) Son, but delivered 
% him up for us alj, how shall he not with him 


ens - : 
6 frecly give ys all things?” ‘And what shall |It viishe ) prepare him for facing hn 


ae 


€ 


HEBREWS: 


Indeed, our 


joints 


while we attend toey 
the Lord and not. fe 
us particulariy note: the 
Moses; and ask’ 
been influenced to a sit 
and. experience. Have | 
prefer the sanctified affliction of + 
God, to the enjoyment of hs Bless 
a season ? Do we d t an bx 
lege to be teproached for 
prefer foss in hist : 
evil world, shaving re 
promised to those who™ 
All believers are not « 
sacrifices, or to endure’ the 
eousness’ sake’; nor have all 
faith: yet without some’ 
ness, and instafices. of th i 


for a common efit 
Aaron’s fruitful rod, privet 


as ait as the love of the 
duve all ‘sufferings, and ve 
ces, in the way of duty, as 
* invisible.’ In ‘all thin 
pect the true paschal 
of his blood, for de 
tion of the wicked ; 
observe his ordinane 
souls, Then by” e 
command, threugh | eas of t 

of temptation or dar 
in which all unbelievers f 
ever. By faith we mus 
means, However unlikely, w 
in order’ to our obtaining th 
in him alone _to render th 


his word and show it. 
whatever former crim 
or in whatever situation t 


generation, in whisthen 
ed, whether in govern 
or'defending them, by ¢ 
quitous assailants; or i 
and boldly testifying against 
‘most mighty and implacableo 
by working righteousness and 
in a more obscure einen 
man_to such prompt obed 
diligence, and. war t 

all needful suc 


- 


CHAPTER XIr. 4. D. 65. 


'@'seeing we also are| the joy that was set before him, ™ endured 
ut with so great » aj the cross, ® desprsing the shame, ° and is 
@ Jet us lay aside] set Sed tao dae ea the throne 
d the sin which dothjof God. = 
; i 3 For P comendiersilads that endured 
such 4 ‘contradiction of sinners against 
himself, * lest ye be Weatied and faint in 
VAPRR a 
your mands: eh wE S-> 


> unto veaust a PRathor 
er of our faith 5 who ! for 


om 
- 
8 
g 
e 
w 
2 


& 53. 10—12. L Mat. 26. 67, 68. & 


¢ 24. 26. John 12. 24] 27. 27—31_ 8- eau 
& 8] 32. & 13. 3. 31,32.) —a4. Mark 9. 12.| 54. & 13. 15, 14, 
. 2-| & 17-1—4. Acts 2.) Luke 23 11. 35-39.} & 14 1. & 15.2. 
Pit 26} 25,26. 36. Phil. 2.) Acts §. 41..1 Pet{ & 16. 14.& 19. 39, 
1—3.} 8—11. 1 Pet it. 11] 2 23. & 4. I4}.40. rs ’ 
1. m 0. 5—12. Mat} —16. 7.126 8 13. 
Lake} -16, 21 & 30. 18,Jo See on, 1. 3. 1%] 49.52 59. &9, 40. ; 
17. 5s Rev. 1. 8 11-] 19 28. & 27. 31-50.) 110: 1. & 10 eras > 
eee Mark 14. 36 Jobnjp ver- 2, & 3. 1. 1| & 12.9, 10 & is. 
i: 2e} 12s 27 Eph. 2.) Sam. 12 24.2 Tim | 18—24. & 1822.0 
25. &] 10. Acts 5. 31. Gr.| 16.& 5. 2, Tit. 2.) 2 7,8. river 5. Deut 2 » 
1.3. &{& 7. i9 & 10. 14} 14.1 Pet. 2. 24. &iq Mat. 10, 24. 25.) S. Prov. 24. io- Is, 
8. 1) & 18% & 11. 19, & 12. 24.; 40. 30, 31. & 50.4, 
1 9. & $. 10. Cor. 17,8. Phil. 1. | m 10.938 & 21. 36) & 15.2. & 21. 154 1 Cor 15, 58.2 Cor, 
2 13. 10. Ps. 22 6—8. & 69.] 16. 23. 46. & 22.) 4.1L. 16. Gal. 6. & 
et Dh ver. 3. & 9.23. i T—9.& 5.9. Ps.| 19, 20. Is 49. 7. &| 15- Luke 2. 34. Gr.| 2 Thes. 3.13. 
2.| 8.17. & 31. 1 16, 9—11. Is. 49. 6.) 5066, 7. & 53. 3. 


and the power and efficacy of faith, as innume 
rable as the drops of water in a cloud. The 
persons before-mentioned, and multitudes be- 
sides, seemed to loek down from heaven, or 
even to come from thence, to compass. them 
about, and to bear their testimony in the cause ; 
as well as to be spectators of their conduct, in 
that arduous, perilous, and honourable race, in 
which they themselves had got so blessed a vic- 
tory. Professed Christians ought therefore, with 
one consent, to lay aside every weight, (as men 
laid aside their superfiuous garments, or most 
costly ornaments, when about to run in the Isth- 
Mian games, or to contend in the race on any 
occasion :) and not to burden themselves with 
worldly cares, interests, or indulgences; idola- 
trous attachments, or needless hurry of business, 
which might hinder their spiritual progress, and 
cause them to loiter, tomove heavily, or to lock 
back, and so endanger the loss of the race— 
They should also watch against, and seek a de- 
cided victory over natural depravity, which 
would still continually beset them, and take 
advantage, so to speak, of every favourable cir- 
cumstance, and especially of those sinful pro. 
pensities, which on any account had a peculiar 
po} vainst them. In particular, they ought ~ 
to use every means of conquering their unbehef; 
through which they were tempted to apostatize, 
from love of the world and fear of suffering.— 
This was the sin which most easily beset them, 
God hath provided for us, are so} in those times of persecution; many had been 
erior to theirs 5 so should our obedi-} cast down by it, many more were in danger, and 
. t | they all would doubtless be vigorously assaulted 
on that side. It behooved them, therefore, to 
get rid of every encumbrance, and to seek the 
increase, of their faith, and the crucifixion of 
‘their worldly lusts; that they might press for. 
ward with progressive earnestness and unweari. 
ed patience, in the persevering obedience of 
faith in Christ. This was “ the race set before 
Le them,” in wwhich they must either win the’ 
bealnad ge or have everlasting misery and 
: niny fo portion. 

ye mae apostle had indeed called the 


| we do not now expect to stop the 
or to quench the violence of 
yet are authorized to look “3 pro- 
Honable supports and consolations, if .calied 
| end our pilgrimage by the hand of violence. 
we are chiefly concerned in the spiritual 
¢: and in this “ by faith, we shail out of 
reakness be made strong, wax vailant in fight, 
| ae flight the armies of the aliens.” 
§ not hope to have our dead re- 
» life in this world; yet faith wiil 
tears ; and teach us to refuse 
m suffering by sin, whilst we hope 
jon which God hath pro- 
: ale. Trials of cruel mockings 
t, even in these favoured days; 
spto exempted. from scourgings, 
imprisonments. We seem not to 
2 cause to apprehend being stoned, 
uder, or slain by the sword =, yet we 
vewely be tempted, and we.cannot overcome 
tee except by that faith which support- 
| the martyrs, and made them more than con- 
ae the fear of torment and death. .If 
en we afe ready to'shrink or droop under our 
E ; let us think of those excellent men 
whe the world was not worthy; and re- 
ct haw destitute, afflicted, and tormented they 
>; and how they were driven out, and wan. 
outcasts in mountains and caves of the 
For as our advantages, with those better 


the increase of our faith, that we 
these illustrious examples, and be 
length made perfect in holiness 
S shine like the Sun in oe ae 


Ss to the faithfulness of God; 


‘ehildt 


~ 


“tators of their conflict. 


3 ver. 2. & 10. oy 
» 34. Mat. 24. 9. 


A. Debs. 


4 Ye have! not yet resisted unto blood;, 
cae against sin. 
(Practical Observations] 

5 ‘And tye have forgotten "the exhor- 
tation which speaketh unto you as unto 


chastening of the Lord, ¥-nor faint sia 
‘thou art rebuked of him: ; 


us 

Prov. 3. 1..& 4. 5.f/ 31. 18, st ces i. 

Mat. 16. 9,10. Luke}, 32. 

€or. 10. 13. 2 Tim, 24. 6. By 

4.6, 7. Rev. 2. 13.|0 ver. 7. Prov, 3. 11,} = 

& 6. 9-11. +& 12.) 12, ; 

“aq & 17. 6. & 18:'x Job 5. 17, 18, &) &'15. 12,13: Ps. 6 
34, 31s; Ps. - .94)} 1,222 Cor. 4, 9, 10. 

e Dent. 4.9, 10. Ps,| 12. & 218. 18. J 4 & 12. 9, 10. 

119. “16. 83. 109 


Hebrews: to REMIT ia conduct of those 
who had patiently run’the race ; and to’consider 
the perils, ‘difficulties, and enfferings, through 
which they had urged their course by faith, to seize 
the incorruptible prize’: and they ought to realize 
their presence as witnesses for Christ, and spec- 
But they must look off; 
not only from the vain-glory of the world, the 
number and power of their enemies, and their 
ewn weakness and sinfulness; but even from 
these inferior luminaries : that they might behold 
that glorious Sun, from which even: they receiv- 
ed alk the light that rendered them so resplend- 
ent. In order to their more full instruction and 
encouragement, they must: look steadily to Je- 
sus; not merely as One who had run his glori- 
ous race, and completed his work; by faiih in the 
promises and covenant-engagements of the Fa 
ther ; but as “ the Author and Finisher of faith” 
itself.. He alone had opened the way for men to 
retnrn to God’ and to enter heaven, by faith; 
when sin bad closed for ever that’ of person. 
al righteousness; from him, as the great Pro- 
phet of the churcti, the doctrine of faith had 
‘heen delivered, which none could ever be author- 
ized to change, add to, er deduct from: he 
atone, by his Spirit, produces faith in the hearts 


‘pf his people, which he maintains, increases, and 


perfects in its nature and fruits, till its work 
be finished. So that they must look to him for 
faith, as well as dy faith; and though he needed 
not that faith, by which a/sinner is justified; yet 
in finishing-his work on earth, he led bis people 
the way to complete victory over every enemy, 


by a patient obedient reliance on the word of} Jesus suffered. to save 


his heavenly Father. As he had in all things the 
pre-eminence; so he did notenter into his me- 
diatorial glory, without having the precedeney, 
in the measure of his sufferings, above all others 
that ever went to heaven, ‘“ For the joy set 
* before him,” of his own personal exaltation 
to the mediatorial throne; of the salvavion of 
many millions of lost sinners from destruction, 
of bringing them to endless happiness, and of 
eternally glorifying the whole Name and all the 
perfections of God; he, with the utmost forti- 
tude and constancy, endured all his other humili- 
ating sufferings, from his birth in the stable to his 
agony in the garden; and at length most will- 


ingly submitted to be suspened on the cross, |: 
aud there te expire in lingering pemres.” 4 And [i 


a 


ile a 


, My son, * despise not thou the} 4 


pnity and excellency o 


1—5. & 73. 14; 15.\a 
& 89 30-34, &} 
119,.71. 75, Prov. 3.4! 
32. & 13, 24. Is, 27. 


though this. method of 2 


ignominious, and by the. 
ed; and tho ar ' 

unheard of cire 
revilings, and d 
shame, as well as 
thy to be compared wii 
be had in view. .T 
his undertaking was f 
raiséd from the deat 


of their strength,en 


vation; and as a glorio ‘ 


effect of Perseverance a 
ferings, in cleaving unto 
unto death... For thi 

that they would do well to « 
arithmetical exactness: | 


diction of sinners a 


love: the intense 
ings; the meek an 
which he endured. 
him thus to suffer, ani 
quences of his hu 
weary and faint in 
injuries from their. 
considerations mould 5‘ 
rage them: whilst th 


eternal misery, and that sinne 
ture with themselves inf 
that he had much £ 
was not in theirs; that. 
own sake, and they only 
tion to him; and that! ss 
event, to all their conflicts and 
In short, by looking to him, ¢ 
miliating and anin 
their minds, to inv 
holy affections, and. { 
every carnal propensity. 
V.4—8, ‘The Hebrews 
the loss. of their propert; 


ait 


CHAPTER XIL A. D. 63: 


> bwe have had ¢ fathers|* but he for our profit, that we mete be 

1 f corrected wa, and]! partakers ‘of his holiness. 

reverence: ®shall wenot} It Nie i Sai at the eee 

‘be i jection unto * the} sent seemeth to us, but grievous: 
ts a BREE 2 nevertheless pint any it yieldeth the 

verily for a few .days)° peaceable fruit of righteousness unto 
_# afer their own pleasure ;} them which are P exercised thereby. 

k Se on, ver, 5,6. BASS: 2 Pet 1) 32. 17. Rom. 5. 3— 


ea. Prov. '~ 16. Zech. 
23. 7. a Gan ey I Ley. 11. 44, 5k 14. 17. 2Cor. 
ae 1.6 Jam. 4)° Or, 2s seemed E3 Par isk ise n Pa.e4. 52. 118 4. 17. Gal 5. 2. 
ge. 7, %. 10. 1 Pet. 5.6. | goed, oF, mec, to 18. Prov. 15. 10. &* 23. Jam, S. i7, 12. 
12. Lev.li Num. 16. 22. & 37.) them. 2 ee Pa 19-18. 5-14 1 Tim. 4. 7, 


CoL 1. 22 Tit. 2.[p Seeon, ver. 5,610.) 3. 2 Pet. 2. 14 Cr 
14% 1 Pet. 1. 151 Ps. 119. 165. Is 


Vv. 9—11. The persons addressed had had 
fathers according to the flesh, who corrected 
them in their younger years: and though the 
chastisement seemed grievous to them ; yet they 
did not leave them on that account, but rather 
, | learned to stand in awe of their authority, and te 
fear giving them further offence : and; when they 
were grown up, they became sensible, that such 
discipline had been productive of good to them. 
Was it not therefore much more proper for them 
to submit to the Pather of their spirits, the Crea- 
tor of their souls, and the Giver of spiritual life : 
(Marg. Ref.) when that subjection was essen- 
tially connected with their salvation, and nothing 
but death could be the consequence of their re- 
belling against him? For indeed the corrections 
of their earthly parents, during the few days of 
their childhood, had been inflicted “ after their 
“ own pleasure ;” and were often, in a great de- 
gree, the effect of their own passions, ratherthaa 
of a prudent design for the good of their chif- 
dren : but their heavenly Father corrected them, 
though with apparent severity, during the short 
time of their continusnce on earth: yet entirely 
with a wise and faithful regard to their profit; 
and in order to make them partakers of his holi- 
ness, by mortifying their pride and carnal lusts, 
and bringing them, through such discipline, an. 
der the influence of the Holy Spirit, to be can- 
formed to himself in their judgment, disposs- 
tions, and conduct. For by these means, he 
showed them the vanity of the world, the evil 
nature and effects of sin, the depravity of theit 
own hearts, and the preciousness of his salvation: 
and so trained them up to humility, spirituality, 
simplicity, tenderness, submission, love, reve. - 
rence, gratitude, compsssioa, and every holy a& 
fection. Now, they were not to suppose, that 
these salutary corrections ever appeared plea- 
sant, or Matter of joy, to the persons who were 
enduring them: on the contrary, they always 
seemed for the present grievous, and - caused 
much anguish ; nor could they otherwise answer 
their intention.. So that the-safferers often 
thought, that their trials did them harm, and 
would end<in their ruin :. vet afterwards, whea 
the tumult of their passions had subsided, and 
they were able to digest the lessons which they 
received uader them; they amply compensated 
Greate. at veaieg koe bok fruits 
21 of ri and bringing them into 2 dis- 

y to submit to God, and meekly 
Saiainn men; and renderiug™ 
them freitiat i im. af those good works, which- 


Zi. 38) 16. Ec. 32.7. Is- 
27. 16. ; 


af 
E 


unspeakably less than his fo : 
-'s0 that they ought to be ashamed of thcir 

if they grew weary, or fainted in the 
¢, because of their inferior trials. it would 


; they were thus taught to recognize 
ly correction of God in their trials ; 


r yet to faint, despond, turn aside, 

‘sia when suffering under them : 
e Lord correcteth all the objects of his 
love ; and sharply scourgeth every one, 
a he receives as his adopted child into his 
and distinguishes by his peculiar 


4 
. rews endured their afflictions as fatherly 
_Shntoomers a submissive spirit and with 
due constancy; it would evidently appear, that 
‘the Lord was dealing with them ss with chil- 
aren: for indeed, among men, it might be in- 
; >a, * Whatsonis he, whom his father on 
‘no occasion, chasteneth ” All need correction ; 
‘who are properly educated receive it; no 
wise and kind father wholly withholdsit; and 
9 children are entirely exempted from the pain 
fary discipline, except such as are indulg- 
SS Py So that, if the professed peo- 
‘God were not at all corrected, it might be 
that he did not own them as his chil- 
tt considered themi'as spurious members 
ble church, but not born of the Spirit, 
ed for the inheritance of his saints. The 
ay either be made to such children, as 


ams to be spurious though born of his 
¢ he suspects her of being unfaithful, 


A. D. 63. 


hang down, and the feeble knees; 


13 And? make * straight paths for your], 
feet, lestthat which is * lame be turned} 


out of the way; * but let it rather be 
healed. [Practical Observations} 

14 « Follow Peace with all mez, * and 
holiness, without which ¥ no man shall 
see the Lord: 

15 Looking diligently, lest * any man 


q ver. 3. 5. Job 4.3.) 7. & 17-14. Is. 11.) 18. 3 John 1L 

4. Is. 35. 3. Ez. 7.) 6—9. Mat. 5. 9.1y Gen 32,30, Job 19, 
17-& 21. 7. Dan.| Mark 9. 50. Rom | 26 & 33: 26. Mat. 
§. 6. Nah? 2-10. 2} 12.18, & 14. 19. 1] 6. 8. 4 Cor. 13. 12. 
Thes. 5, 14. Cor. 1, 10. Gal. 5 | Gal) 5.21.1 Jobn 3, 
¥ Proy. 4. 26, 27.| 22,23, Eph. 4.1—B,] 2, 3. Rev.21. 24— 
Is. 35. 3. 8-10. &] 1 “Thes, 5. 15. 1] 27. & 22. 3,4-11-15. 
& 40.3, 4 & 42 Tims, ll. 2 Tim.jz 2. 1.2. & 3. 12. & 
16. & 58.12. Jer. 18,} 2. 22, Jam. 3.°17,! 4.1, 11. & 6 11, & 
oe: sone 8 5. + 18. 1 Pet. 8. 11 10. 23—35, Deut. 


® Or, even. ix Sec in, vex» 10. Ps.] 4.9. Prov. 4. 23. 1 
or 46. 6. 6, Jer. 31. G4, 15: Is. 51. 1) Cor 9 24—27, & 
} Luke 1. 75. Rom.| 10, 12. 2 Cor. 6. 1. 


& 13. 5. 2 Pet. 3 
11. 14, 2 John 8. 
Jude 20, 21. 
la Luke 22) 32.1 
Cor. 18. 8. 


tGal6: 1, Jude 22,23} 6. 22, 2 Cor. 6. 17. 
u Gen, 13. 7—9. Ps,| & 7. 1. Phil. 3. 12. 
34. 14. & 38. 20, &) 1 Thes. 3. 13. & 4. 
320. 6.) & 135. °1.] 7. 1 Ret. 15.16. & 
Prov: 15. 1: & 16,] $3.13. 2 Pet. 3.11 


evinced them to be justified, and at peace, with 
God, and which tended to give them inward 
peace, joy, and confidence in him... Thusshaving 
been exercised, disciplined, or instructed, by 
sanctified afflictions; they. would afterwards 
possess the benefit of them: even though for 
the present they seemed to irritate their corrup- 
tions, and tended immediately to make a dis- 
covery of the evils of their hearts, for their sub- 
sequent humiliation. 

V. 12,13. ‘The considerations, above insisted 
on, should induce the Hebrews, both in respect] c 
ef. themselves and each other, to observe the 
counsel of the prophet, (Mote, Je. xxxv. 3 ;) by 
endeavouring to counteract every disposition to 
faint, despond, or throw up their profession of 
the Gospel, amidst their persecutions. . For they 
should consider them as fatherly corrections for 
their profit, submit to them as such, and seek to 
have them sanctified ; and direct and encourage 
each other to take the same course. Thus they, 
ought patiently and firmly to maintain their pro- 
fession, and go on in the path of holy. obedience ; 
and, by proper instructions, admonitions, and 
counsels, oppose. every false doctrine, an 
Move every stumbling-biock: that so, str ht 
paths might be made for their feet, though the 
road itself was rough and thorny; lest any of 
those, who were discouraged, or who, (like 
lame persons,) proceeded with difficulty and 
pain, should be turned out of the way, to seck 
an easier path by. concealing, or acting contrary 
to, their profession; (Vote, Je. lvii. 14.) “On the 
eontrary,.such persons should be healed, and 


“eonfirmed by suitable encouragements and cau- 


tions, whilst there remained any hope concern 
ing them.. 

V. 14, Whilst the persons addressed thus 
steadfastly adhered to the truth, and contended 
for it, they should also avoid all discord: and 
resentment, and pursue. peace with all men; even, 
though it seemed to flee from them. They 
eught, as far.as truth and duty ee ops 


HEBREWS. 
12. Wherefore, «lift up the hands which) ¢ fail/of the gy 


jing, » he was rej 


: ces nagtc 


of bittern 


morsel of ; SO! 
17 For ye know t 
when he would hav 


} place of repentance, tho 
it carefully with tears. e 


Py aks 


Tr, fall Om: Cape 2 DE . 2) Ger 
Pet. 2: 1, 2 Nc & 27. 

‘ eed 29.18. & 32.Je Lied. Mark 7. Qi. om 

38. Is. 5. 4—7. Jer. Acts iS, 20. 29. 1 

= 21. Matt. 7.1 Cor, 5. Sr 9—11) Sl. 


¢ Josh. Ge 18. & 7, 
25, 26. & 22. 17- 


d Ex. 32. 21, 1 Kin 
14, 16. Aets 20. | 

31, b Cor. Se Abin 
2533. Gal. 2) a 


and to bear or r'concdde 
pose ; and they pg pin : 
each other, and: with — heir Gentile b 
This would greatly aid their follow 
ness, and secking nearer confo: 
ritual law and perfect character 
hibitéd in the example of Christ 
even seek peace, soas to” 
and pursuit’ of holiness, or by 
for without holiness no ma 
could see the Lord. None cou 
nifested glory, and commune « 
fort, whilst in this worltiy4 
* cation of the Spirit unto a 
any one be capable ‘of the 
ter, or be admitted to it, ¥ 
ly, even as God is holy, 
humiliation, brokenness of 
fections towards the Lord 
the holiness of a redeeme 


these are wanting. © 

V. 15—17.. kt beho 
-| diligently, not only to 
to each other, both int 
and conduct : fest any ( 
an interest in the special 
God, or remain destitute of his 
and so be left to apostatize: an 


which seemed to be dead, peiparetr 
shoot forth its bitter: and. Ri r 
heretical doctrines ors 
the trouble aad diatiueboadia 
and the defiling and carrup' 
frequently had been done, 
—21,) (Marz. Ref) F 
among them should commit fc 
mistaken notion of Christian liberty ; or 
should be some profane person, who 
the peculiar blessings of the new coven 
barter them away for aici ad 


a 


ot come unto the 
. touched, and that 

r unto blackness, and 

pest, 

the und of a, trumpet, mand, 

fF rds; which voice ® they 


} to them any more: 

© they could not endure that 
Ss commanded, and P if so. much 
st touch the mountain, it shall be 
, or thrust through with a dart: 
And so terrible was the sight, that 
oses said, 1 exceedingly fear, and 


8, 19.20, Gal. 2. 19, 
& 3. 10. 

p Ex, 19.18, 

Ex. 19. 16. 19. Ps. 
119. 120, Is, 6. 3, 4s 
Dan. 10. 8 Ve 
Rey. 1. 1% 


1=17, 22, 
12. 33. & 


~22. 
“Ex, 20, 19. Deut, 
. 5. 24—27. & 18616. 
‘Thes,'o Deut, 33,2. Rom. 


iu, who for one meal of meat sold his birth- 
» (Notes, Gen, xxv. 29—34.) That exam- 
ought to be a warning to them, not to re- 
nce Christianity for the sake of worldly ease, 
erest, ot indulgence: for when Esau would 
rwatds-have inherited the blessing, he was, 
wh the Lord, and by his father 
. xxvii, 31—41.) so that he. 
or opportunity for repentance, 


4 ther truly. repented of all his sins, nor 
ht t 0 do it: but he was grieved and vexed 
; vented. by Jacob; he was sorry 

so foolish a bargain; he. co- 
al advantages which belonged 
it, especially the dominion over 
‘We had altered his mind.in that par- 
pie | he sought carefully, and with; tears, 
induce Isaac to alter his purpose, to retract 
is essing, and to bestow it on him; but he 
ught this-in vain, for it was then too aie; This 


ict? might induce him to retract the. blessing 
sonounced. on Jacob, and to confer it on him, 
niance which Esau sought 
Ww ould shortly come, 
they who refused blessings for the 
of temporal interests, would become fully 
of their madness.and folly; and would 
to reverse the fatal bargain: but that 
let alone for ever. his was another 
rning against apostacy : but it in no de. 
es to the case of such as do truly re. 
their sins; or who seek repentance 
ayer, ‘carefully, and with tears: for 
> did. Indeed i it chiefly. reEpenys 


th ‘tears. Thus the ti 


ludes the. total desperation pins tre-| 
or, of some apostates in this pre- 
te, &c. vi. 6—8. x. 26-—30.) 

e apostle here recurred to his: 
€ superior excellency of the} 
on would render it propor: | 
minal and Perileus to reject it; 


CHAPTER XIL 


“a 
h he sought it carefully with tears. The, 
, history of Esau shows, that he at that 


r, however, eventhe change of mind in Isaac, 


4 
A. D. 8G. 


22 But tye are come unto mount Sion, 
and unto ‘the city of * the living God, 
the. heavenly Jerusalem, and to ¥ an innu- 
merable company of angels, 

23 To * the general ea and 
church of ¥ the first-born, ? which are 
* written in heayen, and to 2 God the 
Judge of all, and to > the: spirits. of just 
men made perfect, 


r.Ps. 2.6. & 48, 2) Dan. 6. 26. Hos, 1. z Ex. 32.32. Pss 
& 132,13. 14. Is.| 10. Mat. 16. 16.) 69.28. Luke 10. 20- 
12. 6. & 14. 32. &I 
28-16. Be 51. 41.j 
16..& 59, 20. & 60, 
14. Joel 2.32. Rom. 


Cec Are 


fy 9. Rew. 7. 2. 8, & 20. 15. 

U Deut. 33. 2 Ps.|* Or, enrolled. - 
63. 17. Dam 7 10.|a 6+ 10—I2, ke 9-276 
Jude 14, Rey. 5- ni, Gene 18. Se 
50.5, 6. & 94. 2 
& 9%. 13. & 98: 9. 
Mat. 25. B1—41e 
Jobn 5.27. 2 Thes- 
1. 5-7. 1 Pet: 2s 23e 


11. 26. Gale 4. 26, 
Rev. 14. 1. 12, 

8 13, 14. Ps, 48. 2. &|x Ps. 89, 7. & lil. 
‘87. 3, Mat, 5. 35.1 1. Acts 20. 28. Eph. 
Phil. 3. 20 Mary.| 1. 22. & 5, 24—27. 
Rey. 3.12, & 21. 2.} Col, 1.24.1 Tim. 3. 
10, & 22. 19, 5, b pile 4. 
t 3.1%.& 9. 14. &ly Ex. 4. 22, & 13.2] 7. 1 Cor. 13. 12,2 
10, 31, Deut. 5. 26.) Deut. 21. 17. Ps 


Josh 3.10. 2 Ki 89,27. Jer, 31e.9.| 21-23. & SB 12,5. 
19.4. Ps, 42. 2. | Jam. 1. 18. Rev. 14. &e. Col 1. 12 
84.2. Jer. 10. 10.) 4. - } Rev. 7. 14—17. 


(Notes, i. 1-4 x. 28—31;) for’ his discourse 
seems equally suited for the warning of avowed 
unbelievers, and of those who were tempted to 


apostacy. He didnot speak ofthe state of indi-. 
viduals, as converted or unconverted ; but of the 


different method, in which God now spake to the 


‘nation, from that in» which he delivered the law 


to their fathers. This he showed by an allusion 


to the two mountains Sinai and Zion : for though. 


God at length spake to his people from. mount 
Zion) and the mercy-seat, through the atone 


ments and ministrations of the bigh priest; yet © 


this was only ia a typical and obscure manner; 
the wdy'into the holiest was not made manifest 
under that dispensation; but the law was de- 
livered from, and the national covenant was rati- 
fied at, mount Sinai: That dispensation was at 
length abolished, and another introduced: the 
Lord therefore had not called them to‘assemble, 
and hear. them speak to him from the material 
mountain, which was capable of being touched, 
(though their fathers had been forbidden to 
touch it;) from whence’ such tremendous dis- 
plays of the divine glory had been made; when 
the law was given, and the'terrors attending on: 
it, made the people eptreat, that Jenova 
woul 20 more speak to them in tbat way; as 
they’ 

‘ken (Noles, Ex. xix. xx.) Indeed, the severe 
restraints laid on:them, and the terrible things 


seen and heard by them, filled them with dismay; | 
and even made Moses exclaim, that « he ex-— 


“ ceedingly feared and quaked ;”. -notwithstand- 


ing his typical office of Mediator, his. Peculiar 
‘sanctity, and the long and intimate communion _ 


with God that he had maintained. (Vote, Ex! 
xix. 16—20.) The whole of this scene showed 
the impossibility of a sinaer’s coming before God 


the law, the highly ‘criminal presumption of at- 
tempting it, and. the need of a Mediator. and a. 
better covenant : and it was to the apostles’ pur- 
‘pose to call off the attention of the Hebrews, 
from that See ae to the Gospel; by every 


areomeny 


Rom. 9.26. 1 Thes.| Phil. 4.3. Rev. i3- 


Ee. 12.5 
Cor. 5. 8 Phils i 


wuld not endure the things which were spo- — 


| with acceptance, aceording to the works of © 


s 


AD. 65. , | HEBREWS) 
24 And to ¢ Jesus thes Mediator of the 


26 Whos 
ad new + covenant, and © to the blood of] but now hy 


sprinkling, that f speaketh better things 
than that of Abel. 

25 & See that ye » refuse not him that 
speaketh ; For i if they escaped not who 
refused him that spake’ on earth, much 
more shall not we escafie, if we *turn 
away from him that s/eaketh from heaven ; 


® signifieth the removin 
that * are shaken, as 
made, that those thi 
shaken may/remaim. | 

28 Wherefore, we receiving 


© 7.22. & 8. 6» 8 1] 1 Pet. 1. 2 h re 1. sre 8, ‘ 
Tim. 2.5. fl. 4. Gene 4. 10+} 33. & 13. 18. & 15. }, ¥ Res 
213.20. Is. 55» 3.) Mat. 23. 35. Lukel 326 Jer. 11. 10. Bz. dom which cannot — > moved, i 
Jer. 31. 31—33. 11. 51. 5 6. Zech, 7. 11.} 2. Chr. 7.19. Proy.| 16, Hag. 2.6, 1. 22) Ken. > ae 
g 8. 5. Ex. 16,29, 1! Mat. 17. 5. Acts 7. b fl 


1.32.2 Tim. 4. 4)n Ps. 102. 26,27, Bz. 
1 Ex. 19, 18, Ps.| 21. 27. Mat. 24. 35, 
114. 6, 7% Hab. 34 2 Pet. 3 Iley 


+ Or, testament. 9. ‘ 
15. Mat, 26, 28.) Kings 12.16. Is. 48.) 35. 
Mark 14. 24. Luke| 6, & 64. 9. Mat. 8./i See on, 2. 1—3. & 


22. 20. 4. 1 Thes. 5, 15, 1] 3.17. & 10. 28,99.) 10, Rev, 11. 15. & 21. 1. 
e 9. 21, & 10. 22.) Pet. 1. 22. Rey. 19.)k Num, 32015. Deut. m yer, 27. Is. 2. 19.] 1 ] 
& 11. 28. Ex. 24.8. 10, & 22 9. 30. 17. Joshi. 2216.) & 13, 13. Joel 3.'* Or, may be shat 1 


TS 
V. 22-25. The Hebrew converts to Christi- 
anity ought to consider themselves as summon- 
ed- by the preachers of -the Gospel to come to 
mount Zion, or as actually convened there, to 
hear the voice of God from the mercy-seat : they 
were professedly become inhabitants of the city 
of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, the 
place of the Lord’s special residence with his co- 
venfnt-people and accepted worshippers, of 
which Jerusalem had been but a feeble type: at 
least they were invited to enter, and become citi- 
zens of, that favoured city. This meant the 
Church of Christ on earth, with all its special pri- 
vileges, ordinances, and promises ; as connected 
with the holy residence of God in heaven, and 
continually replenishing it with new inhabitants. 
(Marg. Ref.) They were also called to hear 
the voice of God, in the presence of an innumer- 
able company of angels, who were all “ minis- 
** tering spirits to the heirs of salvation,” whose 
happiness they were invited to participate, and 
whose worship they were called upon to join and 
emulate. Moreover, they were come to Unite, 
(not with the congregation of Israel,) but with 
the assembly and Church of the first-born, those 
who were specially devoted to God ; his children 
and heirs of the heavenly inheritance, whose 
names were not only enrolled in the genealogies 
or registers of the Lord’s people on earth, but 
written in heaven as the elect of God, born’ of 
‘the Spirit, denizens of that heayenly city, and en- 
titled to all its invaluable immunities. They 
were also called, and many of them were in pro- 
féssion come, to hear the voice of that God, aga 
Saviour arid a Father, who was the impartial, 
amniscient, omnipotent, and righteous Judge of 
all men, and af all the world; and by whom all 
unbelievers would be condemned to everlasting 
punishment: yea, they were come to share the 
blessedness of “the spirits of just men made 
“« perfect ;” even of all the company of ancient 
believers, and of those who had died since the 
coming of Christ, and had thus been made per- 
fect in holiness and felicity. This is a most de- 
cisive proof, that the souls of believers enter into 
a state of perfect happiness when they die, as 
far as this can consist with being separated from 
their bodies. They were also convened, as it 
were, to hear the voice of God, speaking to them 
by Jesus the Mediator.of the new covenant; | 


which was founded on better promises 
fied by nobler blood, than that mediateg™ 
ses ; even by the epee of that blood, th 


the application of which, the conscience 
5 were. cleat 


heart, and the duties, 
and the heavenly things themse 
ed; of which all the sprinklings 
the law had been mere shadows. 
this blood more efficacious, than 
atid goats; but Jesus, by it, being 
spake far better things than righteo 
done, (Vote, xi. 4.) for, while the. 
called from the ground for vengean 
murderer; the blood of Christ, app 
not only took away the guilt of all 
however atrocious, but even that of 
crucifiers ; as multitudes of those, who ha 
immédiately concerned in that most h 
crime, could thankfully witness. Thei 
guilt, therefore, could not pre 
pardon, through this great ator 
Lord then invited and comp 
lieve in the name of his Son, a 
the before-mentioned most prec’ 
Let them therefore see to it, as 
favour and. feared his ven 
not refuse the gracious c : 
tion of him, who thus spake to th 
throne of grace, and by his beloved 


they, who refused to ob e voic 


be punished, who turned sae: with ¢ 

contempt from him, who now g] ) 
heaven, by the ambassadors: 
diator and High Priest in the sa 
for their guilt and condemmatio 

portioned to the grace and conde 
they refused and despised. ~“ 
coming to mount Zion, &e 
mean being irue believer: 


‘a 


pel proposed to them, or 
sion of it. They might ther 
away from God, whether they rej 
tation, or after a time became apo 
Christianity: but men cannot be s 
what was never proposed to them. 


. s “ Pi : fed 
ae ne ek 


whereby ? we may serve 


12, 1, 2} 2% 5 


1 effects, for ever. As, therefore, they who 


| D. 6s. CHAPTER XII. 


Ps. 19.14. Is. 56.) Phil. 4.18. 1 Pet.) 3, Ps. 2.13. & 89.jr 10.27. Ex. 34. 17. 
7 . Re - 20. a 
> 'Bph.1.6.& 5. 101g 4. 16. & 5, 7. &| Rom. 11.20.1 Pett 35. Deut. 4. 24. 


A. D. 65. 


29 For © owr God is a eonsuming 


q@ with reverence and| fire. 


9. 3. Ps. 56.3. & 97« 
3. Is. 66. 15. Dans 
7.9% 2. Thes 1. 8+ 


10. 19. 22. Ley. 10. 1.17. Rev. 15. 4. 


Prov. 28- 14|-Num. 11, 1. & be 


9 The voice of JeHovAn, from} ing God ; they unitedly testify to us his faithful- 
had been attended with tremen-| ness to his promises, and the preciousness of his 
akes and convulsions: but many| salvation; and they exhort us to lay aside every 
that transaction, in an express pre | weight, and to run with patience the rate set be- 


. time: this was to be only “once more,” and/‘ fore us,” unless we be crucified to the world, 
shen a constitution would be introduced of a hea-j and daily employed in mortifying the whole body 
ly nature, which could not be shaken or re-j of sins with allits affections and lusts; those es- 
fed, bui should continue to the end, and, in! pecially, to whichteducation, habit, or situatian, 


give most advantage. We should imagine our- 


had embraced the gospel, were admitted into,|selves surrounded with this cloud of witnesses, 
d made partakers of, a kingdom which could | as spectators of our conduct, animating us to run 
be removed; as others were invited to|the race without fainting, and prepared to con- 
secept of these benefits, according to the dis-| gratulate our success with adoring acclamations. 


pensation which was now openly introduced ;/ Yet the eye of our souls should be principally 


and as all grace was freely promised to every one 
sinion nit in the appointed way: it was pro- 

to fallof them ‘to have,” that is, to 
seek for, and so obtain “ grace;” that. they 
might serve God, not merely as his professing 


fixed upon * Jesus, the Author and Finisher of 


| our faith ;” from whose fulness they all re- 


ceived, by whose light they shone, and through 
whose strength they contended for and obtained 
the victory: and we should turn.our attention 


people, but acceptably, as true believers and | fom all other objects, to fixed contemplation on 
spiritual worshippers: and not only with joy,|his Hignominious cross, and his glorious throne — 
confidence, and gratitude; but with reverence ts of the variety of his sufferings, 
of his majesty and authority, and a godly fear of }from love fo sinners, and his animating example 
deceiving themselves, of falling under his wrath/ofmeekness and patience, cannot fail to exhils. 
or frown, or of dishonouring bis name ;, as hu@-|rate our drooping spirits with an assurance of 


bly conseious of their unworthiness, weakuess, 


and depravity, and recollecting, that’the Goed,} 


whose people they professed) to be, was acon 
ing fire fo destroy bypocrites, apostates, and 
en of every kind, however masked oF dis- 


of readers, and others of them for those of a 
erent character ; though he left each to make 
pplication.to himself: but he peculiarly aim- 
b¥ince his countrymen, that unbelievers 
were doomed to the most tremen- 


1; fi om which there cohld be no escape, 
pt by hel:eving in the Lord Jesus Christ, and 


ay GAPRA ICAL OUSERVATIONS@ 
4 While prophets, apostles, martyrs, 
cient bélieyerg, sing the praises of our 


o., 


his Compassion, and tender regard to our good. 


I then see, that a joy is set before us 
; &t the end of our sorrows, for the sake of 

ch we may cheerfully endure them ; we shall 
Pereeive that it isreasonable to disregard the 


ed. (Marg. Ref.) The apostle evillently|Feproach and contemptief men, as the divine Sa- 
meant some of his expressions for one descripsy 


bis Sake. Let us them” 
“ who endured the™@ 
© against himself, leshwe BeetWearied and faint 
© in our minds.” hee our little trials to 
his azonies, or even to"OmP deserts? What in- 
deed are they to the sufferings of many of our 
brethren, in diferent ages and places? We have 
nei yet resisted unto blood in our warfare against 
Sin, as many others have done: and we should 
ashamed of our murmurings and impatience, 
rhen we have so little cause of complaint. 


s- 


A. D. 65. 
CHAP. XIII. 


Exhortations to brotherly love, hospitality, and cem- 
passion; to chastity, contentment, and trust in 
God, 1—S,; to recollect the faith, examples, and 
happy end of deceased pastors, 4—7 ; remember- 
ing that Christ is unchangeable and eternal, 8; to 


Vv. 5—13. 
While we look to Jesus, to reconcile us to suf- 
fering, to set us against sin, and to eclipse the 
yain, splendour of this worthless world; we 
should also. learn to receive every affliction, 
which the malice or envy of men brings upon us, 
2s acorection sent by our wise and gracious 
Father, whoyspeaketh to us by his-word, inter 
preting bis providential dispensations, as to chil- 
dren; and calls on us neither to despise, nor to 
faint under, his chastisements. We should con. 
sider.them as. precious favours, needful bless. 
ings, pledges of love, and the only spwitual 
good, which hie hath promised to give us without 
our praying for it. He never fails to chasten his 
ebildren ; thoug'i be often permits hypocrites to 
remiuin unmolested, because he means to destroy 
them. He will neglect the education of none, 
wil he receives into his family; and he sets 
example how we should correct our chil- 
are not for our pleasure, but for their profit, 
not from passion, but in wise affection, Thus he 
** makes us partakers of his holiness,” that we 
may be meet to share his felicity. Let us then 
endeavoar to receive chastening from the Father 
of our spirits, as we expect our children to sub- 
mit to our corrections: these momentary sor- 
rows will be over in a few days: and though for 
the present they seem not to be joyous, but 
gricvous; yet we shall afterwards experience 
the benefit and comfort of them in the peaceable 
fruits of righteousness, which have been produc- 
ed and matured by our being exercised with 
them. Thus nauseous medicines yield the plea- 
Sant sensations of health, when the taste is'fergot- 
ten; and delicious poisons cause extreme agony, 
when the relish of them is gone for @ver. Bet 
us then comfort ourselves and each Other with 
these topics; that we may lift up the bands’ 
which hang down, and confirm the feeble knees: 
and let us carefully remove obstacles out of the 
way of pilgrims, and look well to the weak and 
tempted; lest they should be turned out of 
way, instead of being encouraged to'perse 


culty. : 
V. 14-17 
To avoid stumbliig-blocks and offences, we 
should follow peace all Men, and leave no 
proper means untried to Avid contention, which 
numbers delight to Kindle, and blow into a 
flame. As faras we cago, without sacrificing 
truth or duty, we shall find, that peace with 
men 6f all parties and deseriptions, will be fa- 
vourable to our pursuit of holiness; without 
which no man of any sect can enter heavea, or 
enjoy the favour of God, or be capable of de. 
lighting in him, and his presence, worship, and 
service. Let us then look diligently to ourselves, 
that we are not deceived by notions or forms, 


and “fail of the grace of God ;” and let us mee the inheritance of believers is 


HEBREWS. 


‘or do not, belong to the c urch of ¢ 
re | and tet it be noted, ‘that wii te 
in the course, amidst all its roughness and diffi. sus speaketh nothing but 


it, than that of Abel did on. his m 
Let all then see to it, that t 


till the consummation of alll things; the 


bistro 
sacrifice’ of” 
for him, 
subjection tc 
9—19. A pray 
ing salutations, 2 


watch over each o 


ness May spring up, 
milies, to disturb their 


souls of many. Those 
must be zealously opposed, ae ou 
ance to the flesh, from a perversion of 
cal principles; for a little of. 
suffice to leaven a whole: lump. 
of the gospel should remem! rp ofane 1 
for they will all be tempted, more or less, 
their birthright for worldly pleasure or’ 
tage. But the time is at hand, when they 
thus renounce, or refu of 
for carnal ind 
the blessing, 3 
be found for reve 
they should seek a y 
can any one, who Be Bm rejects the’ p< 
the love of this present w know to wha 
duracy and desperation he may be een up 
the righteous judgment ¢ of ee 
We have abundant cause for r joy 
that we are not left eee et 
of the broken covenant 6f works, or 
darkness of the legal dispensation. 
holy man must tremble, yea, despair, 
to be judged according to the law 
mount Sinai; and the vengeance of Go 
be far more tremendous, than ‘the fire’ an 
pest there witnessed. But w 
who speaks to us from the me 
us to partake of the privi 
zens, the happiness of an 
saints, through Jesus the 
covenant, and the sprink 
blood ; let us see to it, tha 
dence of our names Bry in 
those of true disciples, t merely 
‘with those Of professed pepe ; 
berithat our cause must’ 
Judge of all, who will determine 


vo an 


who truly believe ; it will call 
é on those who t, p 


him, who speaketh to them 
infinite tenderness and I 
fall from a grester height 
tremendous depth of condem 
rebels did: for hoy can they ¢ 

away from God in unbelief : 
he so graciously beseeches 


to him, and to accept of his ape | 
No other dispensation is now to 


We are called to receive can 


CHAPTER XIil. A. D. 65, 


srotherl as bound with them; and them ¢ which 
b a» forgetful to entertain| saffer adversity, as being ~~ selves alsa 
for thereby © some have en-|in the body. 

: 4! Marriage ie honourable in all, and 
the bed undefiled: ¢ but whoremongers 
and adulterers * God will yudge-. 


35. 45. Acts ;: 1s 


713. Mat. %5¢36, SS ts Tie 1. 6. 
41, Acts 16.29—34 


14, 154 23) Jets 38s) 12+ 15% D Core aa 
I 
& 2h 52. & 27. use 1. 2%, 2 KF Cor. 6.9. Gal. 5. 19. 
26. Ws. sO. 16 


at : 


vs ‘they eae. to remember the hardships extend 

tus cag beng seek for * guerre, thar |by such sufferers, as if they were confined with 

"God acceptably with rever-|i:hem; that they might be excited to adopt eve- 

fear ”” remembering that he is | ry method of alleviating their sorrows, or pro- 

be feared in the assembly of his | curing their release. In short, whatever adver- 

i that he is a consuming Fire, es-|sity any of their brethren were exposed to im 

ecisily to hypocrites, apostates, and despisers |their persons, connexions, of circumstances; 

f his salvation. they ought to sympathize with them, and en- 

ey . deavour to relieve them: recollecting that they 

NOTES. were still in the body, and liabte to similar af- 

flictions ; and that they would im that case ex- 

' CHAP. XI. V.1—3. The Hebrew converts,| pect the soothing lenient care of their brethren. 

‘the day of Pentecost, abounded in love to| All captives and afflicted persons might be in- 

h other, and in all the fruits of this holy af | cluded in the exhortation ; but the household of 

: but many things woald naturally occur | faith was specially intended. 

0 pas that entire harmony, and to stop the} V. 4. Marriage, &c. Many persons, parti. 

current % that liberality, which they at first |cularly they of the church of Rome, explain this 

showed. It was therefore peculiarly proper for |2s an exhortation; “ Let marriage be honoura- 

the apostle.to exhort them to “ let brother!y love | ble in all things,” ke. ; ; aad doubtless the apostle 

“ continue,” and to avoid every thing that inter- | meant, that it ought to be entered into, and be. 

with persevering attention to peace, |haved in, according to the holy commandments 

affection; as became |of God; that it might be honeurable to the per- 

children fe one family, and heirs of the same in-|sons themselves, and to their profession of the 

:and be probably meant to exeite them Gospel ; as well as that the state should be had 

love towards the Gentile converts, |in honour and considered as undefiled. The 

“against whom they were generally prejudiced.| particle But, however, introducing the second 

In particular, he exhorted them sot to forget to| clause, shows that his primary meaning was to 

entertain strangers; especially such as were jassert, that marriage in itself was honourable in 

_ driven, or travelled from home, for the sake of all things, and in all persons, and the bed unde- 

| the gospel; and who im general were destitute) filed as to its own nature, though noi meapable 

_ hospitality of their brethren, though not person-/conduct of fornicators and adulterers, whom 

_ ally known by them. To encourage this kind of |; HM certainly judge, and condemn for their 

| parapet. aeiyiage taeeee had en |Mjgittions of bis law. Some persons in the pri- 

r d angels anawures, as Abraliam and Lot.| mative times contended for the lawfulness of for- 

‘ote, Ren xvie.nis.) It hath been observed, seamed and most abominable sentiments and 
one of the three who came to Abraham was 

i <page and was doubtless the eternal 


sn in the character of those stran- | society, and the purity 

m they showed this kindness, their V. 5,6. The Hebrews were generally poor ; 
in no wise fail of a gracic many had sold their estates to relieve their bre- 

re! =| thren, after the day of pentecost, and the goods 


Fe ae Y ap sas i, ’ 


A. D. 65. 


5 Let your i conversation be without 
Covetousness ; k and be content with such 
fave : for he hath said; } 1 


things as ye 


will never leave thee,’ nor forsake thee. 


6 Sothat we may ™ boldly say, 2 The 
Lord zs my Helper, and © I will not fear 


what man shall do unto me. 


7 Remember them P which * have the 


i Tim. 6. 6—3. & 94,17. & 115. 9 
1 Gen. 28. 15. Deut.! —11. & 118. 7—9. 
31. 6s 8-Josh.1. 5.] & 124.8, & 146. 3. 


3 Ex, 20. 17. Josh. 
7.21. Ps. 10. 3. & 
119. 36. Jer 6. 13. 


Ez. 33. 31..Mark, 1 Sam. 12. 22, 1} Is. 41. 10; 14. Rom. 
7.22. Luke 8. 14.] Chr. 28. 20. Ps. 37.) 8, 31. 

& 12.15 -21. & 16.} 25. 28. Is. 41. 10.Jo Ps, 56. 4. 11, 12 
23, 14. Rom) 1. 29.1 17. & 118. 6. Dan. 3. 


1 Cor. 5. 11. & 6.Jm 4 16. & 10. 1% 
10. Eph. 5-3, 5.| Eph. 3, 12, 

Col. 3.5.1 Tim. 3.Ja Gen. 15. 1. 
Se & 6.9, 10.2 Pet.} 18. 4. Devitt. 33.] 24. 45. Luke 12. 42. 
2, 3. 14¢ Jude il. | 26.29. Ps. 18. 1, 
k Ex. 2.21. Mat. 6.) 2 & 27.°1—3. 9, 
25. 34. Luke 3. 14. & 83, 20, & 40. 17. 
Phil. 4. 11, 12. 1} & 54. 7 & 63. 7. 


16—18, Mat 
28. Luke 12. 4, 5 
Ex.|/p ver. 17. 24, Mat. 


5. 12, 13. 1 Tim 
3 5. 


of others had been plundered by their persecu- 
The apostle strenuously exerted hims«lf 

to procure them a liberal relief from the Gentile 
- churches: but he here exhorts them » to let their 

whole conduct, discourse, and manner of life, be 
nei- 
ther beiag anxious about getting money, to layup, 


tors. 


evidently at a distance from covetousness : 


or to expend in superfluities ; nor yet to be tena- 
cious of what they had, or averse to lay it out for 


valuable purposes. On the contrary, it was proper 
for them to-be content, well-satisfied, and pleas. 


ed with suth things as they had at present, 
though mean, scanty, or precarious ; assured 
that infinite wisdom and love chose their por 


tion for them ; and remembering the promise of 


God, that * he would not in any wise leave 
“¢ them ; ncr in any wise, on any account, in any 
* emergency, or at any time, would he forsake 
< them.” The emphasis of the original words, 
in which five negatives are used to increase the 
strength of the negation, according to the Greek 
idiom, can scarcely be retained in any translation. 

The words are quoted from the Lord’s address to 
Joshua, though nearly the same are used in seve 

ral parts of the scripture. (Marg. Ref.) They, 
however, show that every believer, in similar cir- 

eumstances, may rely upon the promises made 
specially to any person, as recorded in the Scrip- 
ture. The Hebrews, therefore, cleaving to, 
Lord and his service, in the depth of povert 
in the midst of their persecutors, might say 
confidence, * the Lorp is my helper,” according 
to the frequent language of the Psalmist: and 
they might be assured that he would protect, 
provide for, and comfort them, in all possible 
emergencies; and never forsake them, in life or 
death, but bring them safe to his heavenly rest 
and glory : and in this confidence, they need not 
fear, what men could do, in any way, to impover- 

ish, distress, or injure them. 

V. 7,8. To encourage the patience and per- 
severance of the Hebrews. even unto a violent 
death, if that were set before them, the apostle 
called’on them to remember such as had presided 
ever them, and spoken the word of God to them, 
but had been removed by. martyrdom, or in some 
other way; as James whom Herod belieaded, 
and several others. ‘They ought carefully~ to 


* 


HEBREWS.” 


10. 


Acts 14.23. 1 Thes. 


* Or, are the guides. 


rule over pny ‘who have’ sp 
you 4@ the word of God: ¥ 
follow, § onsid 


conversation 3 
8 —_ Cc 


and strange aati 
thing that the heart be 
q Luke 8, 11. Acts/t 1 Cor. 10.1 
4. 3L & 13) 46,Ju 1.12. Ps, 
Rom. 10. 17. 1) & 102. 27, 28. & 
Thes, 2, 13. Rev, 1] 103, 17. Is. 41.4. & 
9. & 6. 9. & 20. 461 44. 6. Mal. 3, 6.) 
r 6. 12. Cant. 1.8.) John 8. 56—58.) 90, 1 
1 Cor. 4. 16. & 11.) Jam. 1. 17. Rev. 1.) Jude 

y Acts | 


1. Phil. 3. 17. J] 4.8. 11, rhe 
Thes. 1. 6. 2 Thes. x Mate 24, Penna 


3.7, 9 Acts 20. 30, ane is 
8 Acts 7 55—60. 16. Ma, ee 2 Cor. ‘Tim, 2. 


recollect their instructions aid chariot, 4 
here to the doctrines which as" : 
and to copy their vigoeed 
obedience: considering espe 
sion of their course, and the ‘manne in 
they departed out of the 
the composure and ho ly 
met the stroke of death, wi 
stances of torture or ignominy it 
For if they would end their cony 
Christian course of obedience, int 
aud honourable manner ; they 
example, and adhere to thei 
structions. And though these 

had been removed; ay soni 
Head of the church, was “the same y 
“ to-day, and for ever ;”” equally 

erful, faithful, and all-sufficien 

God, he was possessed of al 

feom eterni he had cor 
those Re for the 
brough all preceding ages ; nor w: 
fect and powerful, when mani 
to “ purchase the church with 
He continued the same, nc 
nature to the mediatorial th 
shall come to judge the world, 
the same divine perfection and 
alleternity. The expression 
riphrasis of immutability, a. eae 
communicable to a mere creatur 
as immutable as his doctrine: 
holiness as his merey and 3 anc 
of pefsons will meet a Judge eS ee =) 
character, as he manifested when 
on earth as a Saviour. The | 
therefore, confide in him, to suppe 
fort them under their sufferin 
even as he had those, who | 
ished their course.—* That fl 
* here, not of their living, but 

* appear, partly from his exhor 
« ber them, the living guides 
‘ not of their memory, but sense; 
‘ the phrase, “ have spoken,” w 

‘ that they had now left of speaking 
‘ ly, from the exfacsc, ot close of their 
. 


sation onearth. (Whitby) 


with meats, which have not 
te that haye been occupied 


“2 an altar, wheres they 
to eat which » serve the 


t the e camp. 

Wherefore Jesus te d that he 
t sanctify the people with his own 
, © suffered without the gate. 

“13 Let us f go forth therefore unto 


} See on, 9. 9, 10./ce Ex. 29. 14, Ley. 4.] 15. 36. Josh. 7,24. 
Ley. 11. Deut. 14.) 5—7. 12. 16—21. &| Mark 15. 20—24, 
30.& 9. 9. 11. Pee pi 
16. Rom, 14+ 2.| & 16. 14-19. 27.) Acts 7.5 
Meier ake Num. 19.3. “ fll. 26. & 12 3. 

: 8. 8. 2. 16—|d 211. & 9. 13, 14:| Mat. 5. 11. & 10. 
4. 3—5.) 18, 19. & 10. 29.| 24,25. & 16. 24. 
“44. 15.| John 17. 19. & 19.) & 27, 32. 39—44, 
’ “5. 7, 8 &) 34. 1 Cor. 6- 11,| Luke 6.22. Acts 5. 
13. & 10. 17; Eph. 5.26. 1John| 41. 1 Cor. 4. 10— 


— 13, 2. Core 12. 10. 1 
| Na 3.7, 8. & 7 


—21. Acts 10, 14 17, 18. 


5. 6—8. 
e fier: 24, 23, Num.| Pet. 4.4. 14—16. 


V. 9—14. (Note, Eph iv. 14.) The apostle 
xhorted the Hebrews to trust in Christ and 
cleave to him, according to the instructions 
f their deceased teachers : and not to be car- 
ied about with divers and strange doctrines, asthe 
‘clouds are driven by the wind. Many innova- 
‘tions were started, by different descriptions of 
false teachers, which were all foreign to the sim- 
plicity of Christianity : but, Christians should es- 
pecially seek to have their hearts established in 
a single dependence on free grace, and in the ex 
perience of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, 
which would both comfort them, and render them 
steadfast against every delusion Whereas, if they 
‘paid any particular attention to distinctions of 
Meats ; or rested ih the legal sacrifices and 
‘peace.offerings, on part of which the offerer and 
his friends feasted before God, as at peace with 
him, they would not arrive at stability. They 
could not indeed expect spiritual profit from such 
observances; seeing that they, who had hereto- 
fore been occupied in them, and had looked no 
further, had derived no saving benefit from them. 
But true believers had, in the atonement of Christ, 
the substance of all that had been shadowed forth 
by the sacrifices of the law. The flesh of many 
oe had been divided between the altar and 
‘priests; who alone were to eat the most 
‘things. But such of the Hebrews, as con- 
jued to minister at the tabernacle or temple, 
nd neglected the Gospel, had not the privilege 
; f pai icipating with Christians in feasting upon 
their spiritual sacrifice : of this the Lord’s sup- 
per was the appointed memorial, and might per- 
e alluded to. An intimation of this might 
lied in the prohibition of the priest’s eat- 
part of the most solemn sin-offerings, 
ood of which was carried into the most 
se on the day of atonement, to expiate the 
nation ; for these were ordered to be 
without the camp. (Votes, &c. Lev. iv. 


xi) 


shee me 


ey ney 2 , 
* ssf ott pag at, + 
PGR ~~ | - 3 


CHAPTER XIll. 


Wherefore Jesus. also; that he might set (Marg, Ref.) 


A, D. 65. 


him without the camp; bearing his te- 
proach. 


city, but we seek one to come. 

15 By him therefore let us offer i the 
sacrifice of praise to God seatentel ly, 
i at is, * the fruit of our lips, * giving 
anks to his name. 

16 But ! to do good, and to ™ commu- 
nicate, forget not : for ™ with such sacri- 
fices God is well pleased. 


(Practical Observations.) 


ot 

g 4. 9. & 11.9, 10.) 21, 22.& 116. 17—|1 ver. 1,2. Ps. 37. 
13—16. & 12.22) 1] 13. & 113. 19. &| 3. Mat. 26. 35—40. 
Cor, 7. 29. 2 Cor.} 156.1, &e. & 145.1, Luke 6, 35, 36. 
4.17, 18. & 5.1—) Ke. Is. 12. 1, 2, Acts 9. 36. & 10. 
8 Phil. 3. 20. Gr.| Eph. 5.19, 26. Col.| 38. Gal. 6. 10. 1 
1©12 & 3. 16. 1] Thes. 5.15.2 These 
Pet. 4. 11. Rev. 4.! 3.13. 3 John. 11- 

8—11. & 5. 9—14 |m Luke 18.22. Rom. 
ig 9—12. & 19. 1] 22. 13. 2 Cor. 9. 132 


Col. 3. 1—3, 1 Pet. 
4.7. 2 Pet. 3.13, 14. 
h 7. 25. John 10. 9 
& 14. 6. Eph. 2. 18. 
ed 3.17. k Pet. 2. 


i Flee? 12. 2 Chr. 
7. 66& 29, 31, & 
33,16. Ezra 3, 11. 
Neh, 12. 40. 43. 
Ps, 30. 14. 23. & 
69.30, 31. & 107. 


Ga]. 6+ 6. Ephe 4. 
k Cori. 4. 3, 4. Hos. 


28. Phil. 4. 14. 2 
14.2.Rom. 6. 19 oe 6.18 Philem. 
& 12.1 


* Gr. confessing ton ne 10. Ps, a g. 
Ps. 18. 49. “tuke| 3.3. ie. 6. 7, 8 


Mat. 11. 25. Luke 
10. 21. Gre 


apart, and consecrate to God, his people as a 
spiritual priesthood, by shedding his own blood 
as thefr sin-offering, previously to his entrance 
with it for them into the heavenly sanctuary ; 
suffered death, not within the precincts of the 
temple, or even in the holy city, but without the 
gate, upon mount Calvary. Thus he was, as it 
were, cast out of the camp as accursed ; that he 


might appear to be the true Sin-ofering, of which 


all others were the types. As, therefore, it was 
proper for beJievers to renounce all dependence 
on legal sacrifices, and the service of the sanc- 
tuary, to follow Christ; so they ought willingly 
for his sake to bear the reproach cast upon them 
on that account; and submit to be excommuni- 
cated and vilified by the persecuting priests and 
scribes : going along with Christ out of the camp 
of Israel, and enduring every indignity for his 
sake and after his example. Nor should they 
shrink from any hardships in his cause; even if 


they were driven from their houses, possessions, 
and cities; to become exiles and wanderers ; or if . 


they were immured in prisons: for, being ‘stran- 
gers and pilgrims, they had on earth no continu- 
ing: city or quiet settlement ; but were seeking 
one to come, even heaven itself, from which they 
could not be excluded. (Marg. Stef.) 

V. 15,16. The rews needed no atonement 
but that of Christ; and therefore living on him 
by faith, they might disregard the legal obla- 
tions, and offer at a distance from the temple, 
more acceptable sacrifices than burnt- offerings, 
or peace-offerings: If, through the mediation of 
the great High Priest, they presented to God 
their continual and fervent praises and thanks- 
givings, adoring | his manifested perfections, cele- 
brating his wonderful works, and gratefully ae- 
knowledging bi abundant loving-kindness to- 
wards them. ‘his fruit of their lips would be 
more pleasing and honourable to him than the 
fruits of the land or the firstlings of their eattle, 
At the same time they ovght not 


14 For & here have we) no continuing” 


+ 


A. D. 65. 


is unprofitable for you. 

18 "Pray for us: for we trust * 
havea good conscience, ¥ in all th 
willing to live honestly. pi 


% 


19 But 1 beseech you the rather to do 
this, 2 that I) may be restored to you the 


sooner. 


20 Now ® the God of peace, that 


© See on, ver. 7.1! 33. 7-9. Acts 20. 
Sam. 8. 19, & 15.) 2426. 1 Cored. 2, 
19, 20. Proy. 5. 13./,2. 1 Pet. 5.2,3. 
Phil, 2. 12. 29.]/r Luke 16. 2. Hom. 
1 Thes. 5. 12. 2! 4/1272 Cor. 5.10, 
Thes. 3. 14. 1.Tim. 
5. 17. 

T Or. Guide. Raia Thess 2. 

Pp Gen. 16-9. 1. Cord 19,20. & 3, 9, 10. 
16.16. Eph. 5. 21.it Ex, 3% $1. Jer. 13. 
Jam.4. 7.1 Pet. 5} 17- Phil. 3. 18. 

u Rom 15. 30. Eph. 
6» 19, 20. Col. 4. 3. 


Thes. 3. 1. 


16. 2 Cor, 


1, lte 21, 

13. Phil 4 
2 Thes. 4 12.1 
Pet. 2. 12- 
z Rom. 1. 12, & 


5. 
q Ez. 3. 17-21. & 


ee SO ee ee 


to forget, or neglect, to do good to their indigent 


brethren, or otters in distress, by communica. 
ting to them according to their ability : for with 


such sacrifices, wha offered frum a priaciple of 
humble faith and love. God would be well-pleas- 


ed; as they weve a proper expression of their 
gratitude to him, very honourable to the gospel, 
and beneficial to mankind, and the fruits of his 
grace in their hearts. | (Wote, Philiv. 18.) 
V.17.. The apostle, as a debtor to all men, 
had written to the Hebrews, to establish them 


in the truth; and he had called on tiem to re- 


member and follow the faith of their deceased 
pastors : but he would also remind them, that 
they ought to obey those pious teachers and 
guides who now presided over them; and to 
submit to’ their instructions, admonitions, and 
reproofs, ‘as ruling them with spiritual authori- 
ty derived from the Lord Jesus. For ‘they were 
appointed to watch for their souls, and to guard 
and caution them against ail those ‘errors and 
sins which might endanger them. They per 
formed this important and difficult service, as 


men who must gite aa account for every part of 


their conduct, to ‘him who employed them; so 
that they could not delivertheir own souls with. 
out great’ vigilanee, diligefiee, faithfulness, and 
impartiality, which wow constrain them 
to displease men? ‘The'p ought therefore 
to obey the word of God as spoken, and submit 
to his authority as exercised, by them that 
they might be able to give up their account 
with joy, having bee: successful in their la- 
bours; and not with grief and anguish of heart, 
because of thé untractable’ conduct of those to 
whom they had been sent; which would not be 
for the profit of those, who. occasioned grief to 
theiv fuithfal pastors, but isfinitely injurious to 
them, ‘Phis must’ principally relate to the ac- 
count given before the Lord, as it were from day 
to day, with joy or grief, by ministers, of the 
receptiea given to their message ; for no miscon- 


ste 


HEBREWS, 


17 ° Obey them that + have the rule 
ever you, and P submit yourselves: for 
they 4 watch for your souls, as they that 
must * give account, that they may do it 
* with joy, and not ‘ with grief: for that 


‘* through Jesus | 


1 Thes. 5. 25. 2 
x Acts 23. le & 24, 
1.12 1 
Tim. 1. 5. 1 Pet.'3, 


> Phil. L. 4. & 2.16.\y Rom. 12.17. & 13. 
6. 

156 
32, $2 Vhilem.22 
la Roin. 15,33. & 16. 


quence of his last journey 
not known whether he ace 


‘“ The God of peace,” recon 


of his people ; and the Lover of peace an 


> brought again from 
Jesus, fhe great She 
Sheep, t 4 the blood of t 


lasting * co S 


21 f Make yc 
work 4 to dots 
that which is 


glory for ever and e er. ™ Am 
20. 1 Cor- 14. 33. 2} 14. 24. Lulke 22680.) 4.3.1 P 
Cor. 13. 14. Phile4sfe-2 Sem -26- fe -1 tude 
9. 1 Thes. 5613, 2} Chrai6. 27. S51 
Thes. 3. 16. | 3. & 61.8. 
—_ a 2a. er & (40. Ez.’ 
15. Ke 4. 10. Se 5. 7 “See! 
30. & 10.40, 41. & wry ; a 
13. 30. & 17, Sff 12 23) Deut 32. 
Rom. 1.4. & 4.24,) 4) Pac 138. 3. John, 
25, & 8.11. 1 Cor.) 17.23 Ephe3 dl 


6. 14 & 15. 15. 
Gal. 1. l 
20.° Cole 2. 12, 1 
Thes. 1. 10. 


© Psi 2301. & 80.1. 
Is, 40011, & 63, Lie 
Ez. $4. 23. & 37. 


1 Pet. 2-25, & 5i4s'h 
d See on, 9. 20. Ex, 


i 
17. 

& 10. 36 7 

24,8» Zech, Oy 11. ia a eet 


Mat 26. 28. Matk} Rom, 12.2.1 F 


duct of the people will eal a 
faitbful servant of Cbrist, * é final 


tribution; thou Mee salvatio 
them a crown of réjoicing : ‘The 
poses the faithfulness of mi 
exercise a scriptural aut 
ner : for no obedience 
due to the usurped do 
ards ot blind guides. : 
V. 18, 19°" It is’plain from y 
the persons immediately are , 
the first instance the epistl ie 
know from whom it came. 
them to pray for him: and 
as well as for their own P , 
he had been caluminated, o 
nation ; he trusted that he ha 
terider and duly informe 
ing and desirous in all” 
persons, to act ‘with ihtegri 
manner. He therefore enti 
his protection, comfort, 
cially, that the providence 
things in such a manner, as 
come among them the scone 
suaded many of them be Id 
and he purposed to come ! 
regained his liberty, eye fe 
withstanding all that he had suff 
oJ 


eae 


nion of unfail 


1 GAT SG 


ap 


pose, or not. 
V. 20, 21. After desiring i 
Hebrews in his behalf, the apos 
compendium of his most 
them. He addressed himself 
tittle hever used but in § 
ready to be at peace w I sinners t 
to him in the ‘appointed way ane A 


; 8S th 
spiritual peate in the hearts ied 


sseech y you, brethren, # suf- 
f exhortation; ° for 1 
a letter unto you in few 


. that our P brother 4 Ti- 
. Ge 1. & 10. 14} 1-3 bThes. 3. 2 
Beles: s9 . Pa i 
Sone a “1 Pet m2 
Tim 1. 


) the church and po ee who 
ad brough again from the dead the great Shep- 
r of the shee p,” from whiom all pastors de- 
ir authority. Jess, the great Proprietor 
¢, to whom they had been giv 
fi his life to atone for their sins, 
y sought them, and brought 
where he protected aad 
Ps. xxiii: Ic. it. 6. Ez. xxziv- 
ke SY. 1—6.) In order to show bin his ransom 
s eet and that he might perform his gra. 
eceeat pitas cteteect of his Shep: 
pd the Father had raised him from the dead, 
‘through the blood of the everlasting cove- 
Nant.” ‘For this may either refer to the re- 
neiled love of God to his people, through the 
jood of Christ ; or to his being brought again 
because his sacrifice was suf- 
a and accepted, and so he became the Shep- 
of the sheep; of to the blessings for which 
— pra: and which were bestowed 
ugh the of the everlasting cove- 
‘nant » all these things may be contained in the 
lords : and it is not obvious to determine which 
1 lly intended. The blood of Christ 
the of he new covenant, 
tal to the end of time, and everlast- 
tof the salvation conferred accord- 
entreated “ the God. of 


ten ey Nieglny to do. his will;” 
every disorder of their souls, and com. 
¢ them foreyery part of his “ holy 
; working in them” by his new-creat- 
“ that which was well pleasing in his 
Vg according to his law ahd image, 

his glory, and therefore atceptable with 
through Jesus Christ; to whom, even to 
> God of peace,” he ascribed eternal glory. 
. Ref.)}—The apostle prayed for them, un- 


s obedience would surely be attended with 
ivine consolations, eee an ae et Eee 


7 25. The apostle, 2s not Being i imme- 
placed over the Hebrews, or disposed to fi 


and encouragement, which he had 
n love to their souls: for he had 


rt to them, in few words, compar- 
ist importance and the great varie- 


CHAPTER XII. 


full persuasion, that sanctifying grace |p 


discussed in it. Timothy had, 
A confined in prison for preaching 


4. D. 6 


mothy is set at liberty; with whom, if 
he come shortly, * 1 will see you. 

24 * Salute-all them that have t the 
rule over you, and ® all the saints. « They 
of ¥ Italy salute you. 

25 7 Grace de with you all. Amen. 

r Row. 15.25. 28. 13. Phil. le 1- & Acts 18. 2. & 27. 35 
"Philem. 22. 22. Cob 
5 See on,Rom-16.1- oF 4 


t See on,ver.z.17. 
a 2Cor. 1.4. & 13 


the fospel, of which the Hebrews had heard 
but the writer informed them that he was a 

length set at liberty; and that he purposed to 
come with him to see them, if they wefe not de- 
layed. It appears hence that the apostle either 
was at liberty, or hada prospect of being speedily 
tiberated : and that the spurious postscript false- 
ly says that Timothy was the bearer of the epis- 
tie. After this, he concluded with salutations, 
especially to the pastors and rulers of their 


-| churches; and from all the Christians in Italyj- 


as well as those at Rome. 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
¥. 1—S 


Brotherly love tends, in such various ways, te 
the benefit of the church, the comfort of beliey- 
ers, and the honour of the Gospel ; that the ene- 
my of our souls endeavours by every meafis te 
interrupt its exercis¢é, and to work upon the re 
mains of our corrupt affections for that purpose; 
with a vast variety of most subtle ast 
against which we should be perpetually 
our guard. Hence itis that so little of this | loves 
is found in the church, though so much is fead 
concerning it in the Scriptures ; and that so ma: 
ny divisions and controversies prevail among 
those, who seem in 3 measure to have been. 
taught of God to love their brethren! We best 
consult our own interest, when we are mirdful 
to use hospitality, and to relieve or entertain our 
poor brethren, even though they be strangers te 
us: for thus we entertain Christ himself, whom 
all angels worship and obey: When we are ex- 
empted from imprisonment or other grievou# 
adversities, we should take care not to forget 
bow many are thus oppressed and bowed downs 
that we may sympathize with them in their sor< 
rows, and help or comfort them according to our 
ability ; being aware that we are liable to the 
same distresses, as long as we are in thé body. 
Defilement and dishonour spring from contrarie- 
ty to the law of God, which is perfectly suited te. 
promote our present and future welfare: mar! 
riage theteforé i is hondurable in all; nor can any 
defilement attach to it, except when the letter or 
spirit of God’s commandments is violated 


the humsn heart leads such numbers; and he 
every impenitent fornicator 
and adulterer at the day of judgment; whatever 
disguise or excuse he may here use t cloak hig 


they sor covesoumeens. Baring fy egrey 


=—_—_s- - ”~ 


— 


=a = 


- 


A.D. 6 


exhaustible treasures, they should be well satis- 
fied with mean accommodations here: and, as 
God hath promised « that be will never leave 
*¢ them, and in no case forsake them,” they 
have no cause to court the favour, or fear the 
frown,of men, or to dread the. want of things 
needful ;' but may courageously say, * the Lord 
is my Helper, I willnot fear what flesh can 
« do unto me.”—The instructions and.example 
of ministers, who have honourably and comforta- 
bly closed their testimony, should be peculiarly 
remembered by their survivors. . Death, as it 
were, gives the last sanction to their doctrine 
. and exhortations; and the happy event of their 
trials calls on others to follow their faith, and to 
consider the joyful end of their course ; ‘and mi- 
nisters should have respect to this during their 
lives. But Jesus:alone is an ever-living hve 
** the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.” 
Still he fills the hungry, encourages the trem. 
bling, and. welcomes penitents of every class; 
still he rejects proud Pharisees, abhors painted 
sepulchres, and teaches all whom he saves to 
. love Tighteousness and to hate) iniquity :and, 
having called them by ‘his grace; he. will love 
them unchangeably, and. for ever. Indeed all 
those, and those alone, will abide the day of his 
coming to judge the world, who would have 
. Met with bs from him, when he taught on 
earth. 
V. 9—16. 

We shouldbe careful not to be carried about 
with strange doctrines, but seek to have our 
hearts established by grace: for _ notions, and 
forms never profit those who are occupied in 
them, . Living by faith in Christ, and being con, 
secrated to God through his blood, let us willing- 
ly separate from this evil world, and bear the re- 
proach of proud formalists. We bave here no 
continuing city ; our pilgrimage will soon end; 
let us then seek an abiding mansion in the city 


THE GENERAL as 


JAMES. 


James, the son of Alpheus, the brother of Pie. ue the near relation 
* James the less,” probably being lower in stature, or younger, than 
been the writer of this epistle ; (Marg. Ref. 
Luke xxiv. 1S—24.), and they Who have doubted of this, have pe Eos 
their hesitation. It is recorded in’ ecclesiastical history, and. the ACS 
the fact, that he generally resided at Jerusalem, superintending the 
as city,-and in the neighbouring places, to the enc: of his life ; wcbiokt sn 
tyrdom, the circumstances of which are differently related. He seems 
epistle. but a short time before his death ; and it is supposed. by some, that th 
and awful waraings given in it to his countrymen, stirred up that. persecuting: hi 
nated his life: but mdeed it is peculiarly wonderful, that he should. Para ee pre 
many years, in so perilous a situation; and it can be accounted for only by” 
immediate protestion, The epistle ig styled general, or catholic, eaaie 


rally allowed to have- 


Lord’s 


: JAMES. 9 


ly for them.. Let the 


of our Gody an 
ty or adversi 
As a spirit 
in this evil w 
Jesus Christ, ¢ 
© even the fruit « 
“ name.” <a 
crifice of doing go 
will be an antic 


nd.a pre se 
a » Prepaiaae ma, 


m4! ‘a 
Ministers, abedilie . 
they are called “* to w 
* those who must give. account;”, 
will be their. condemnation, if they. 
selfish, or unfaithful ;and Chri 
and. submit, to, their fai 


in good part their loving, admonitions ; : 
may give up. itt ang oh joy, and no 
grief: for if s 

hearers will lose. 


pray for ministers 5 
ts honourably, ar na lab 
if the people were smore:-é 
pein Shen is St hink they 
some: ing. nem inate aoe 


live honestly ; they sh hould p: 


peace, =e br pip 
great Shepherd. of seri 
blood of the everlasting.coy t, le’ 
him for ourselves an 


Then every word of at od 
pensation of Providence, will. d ; 
communion of saints will be maint 
grace will be ibe 


14554 IR 
OF. De 


AAO 


ae soetiaat i 


i 


a 


CHAPTER I. 4. D. 64. 


“icular ¢hurch, but to the Jewish converts throughout their dispersions; im- 
reference also to the uncenverted part of the mation. This title, however, 
ecru, bat was prefixed to it, some ages after it was wriiten; and to. 
les, in several instances with manifest impropriety. It is probable, that the 
ms of the elders and Christians at Jerusalem, circulated copies of this epistle, 

oy who came to the sacred festivals, from the several cities and countries where 
4, and especially where tnere were Jewish converts to Christianity: and, 
4S exclusively addressed to-his countrymen, it seems for a long time to have been hittie 
nong the Gentile converts ; so’ that its authenticity was doubted for « considerable 

ile the second Epistle of Peter, the second and third of John, the Epsstieof Jude, 
ni Revelation, are omitted im the first Syriac translation of the New. Testament, which 
¢ was made in the beginning of the sceond ceutury, for the use of convertedJews, this Bpisile 
| “oF James liath found a place therein This is an argument of great weight: for certaimly the 
\* Jewish believers, to whom that epistle was addressed and delivered, were much better judg- 
ee ee meaty, than the converted Gentiles to whom it was not sent; and who perhaps 
* had no oppe ity of being acquainted with it, till long after it was ‘written’ (Macknight.) 
> Romanus four several times; and by Ignatius, in bis genuine epistle tO 

1 By Origen, in his thirteenth homily upon Genesis: Eusebius saith, It waS: 
ablicly read in mst, Christian churches: S:. Jerom, that in process of, 

= paaaarny. Esthius notes, That they, who before doubted of it, in the fourth: 
: ed the opinion of them who received it; and from thence no church, no eccie~’ 
Wellies ified ho-eves dochied of ie But, on the contrary, all the catalogues of 
s books of the holy scripture, published by general and provincial councils, Roman bishops, 
arse insta Se-cacer cdl vous elles gunna off uct (Wisthy-} * Tt ap- 


'« evidence of their care, as well as their capacity. Tae epistle before us, having passed through 
(# gSevere and acciirate scrutiny, appears to have been universally received; and accordingly 


| poset. “Ibis not, however, so replete with the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, as St. Paul's 
“ are in general; or indeed, as the other apostolical epistles : for it is supposed to bare 
“be iN Written with a special design of counteracting those false teachers, who in different ways 
; those destrines, and wrested them to their own destruction, and that of other men.— 
i the grand principles of Christianjty are throughout taken for granted, and it will be found, 

om attentive consideration, entirely coincident with even St. Paul’s doctrine, concerning grace 
; Sea piseieatson , ‘though at the first glance, it may appear discordant : and it abounds with ex. 
hortations te the patience of hope, and the obedience of faith and Icve; with which various 
» warnings, reproofs, and encouragements, are interspersed, according to the different charac- 
| Sera the, persons bAdreaecck is ie 


TA a 987 & 


i CHAP. | Ae Bos nccemiy of ils the tongue 36 The nature of 

Phe apostle addresses the twelve tribes whieh} true religion, 27 
> apa an Goa yaad tweak weenie AMES, ° a servant of God, and of 
f God in _ the Lord Jesus Christ, 


4 Rom: 2.°7. 


sider it as a \ matter of momen gledsg eve an ocea 


ve De os 


12 My brethren, # eeunt it all joy “asic him ask of God,: 
ye fal} into € divers temptations ; liberally, 2 and upb 
3 Kpowing this,» that the trying of shall be givenhim, ©. 
yous faith worketh 4 patience. 6 But 4 lett 
A, But let patience have hen perfect ibs ‘for © he that wavere 
work, that ye may be! perfect and entire,|a wave of the s riven with t 
# wanting nothing. , and tossed. | 
$ If ™ any of you lack wisdom, a ict “7 For? let not 
shall receive any t 
8 At double-mil 
in all _his ways.— 


‘12, Luke 6. 22, ll, 2 Thes. 1. 


& ver. 12. Mat. §.10 ae & we 4s Col) 5. 10. 1 John 4»'17, 
93. Acts 5. 41. es. 5, Heb. 10. 3silm ve ver, 5, Mate 19. 


Rom. & 17, 18. 35 & 12. 1. 2 Pet. 16.) 20, Mark 10. 21. 

=37. 2 Cor 12.9): 5,7—11. Job 1%|\ Luke 18,92 1 Pet. “{Practleal Observations) 
0, Phil, 1, 29. &J' 9. Ps. 37% &40,] 219, 2-3-6, Is, as. 6B hae. Late et 

2% 17, Col. 1.°24,! 3. Hab. 2. 3. Mat n Be. 31-36. 36. Ser. 29, 22... aa ay Sh 
Meb-10, 34,1 Pet.) 30. 22, Luke 8. 16.] 14.1 Kings3.7—| Dan. 2 ae " be als & 58. 3,4, 


4. 13-716. & 21. 10. Gali.6..9.)'9 Job! 28, 12-28. 

@ Heb. 11, &6—S9.J] 302. Prov. 4-18.) Proy, 3. 5—7- ao 

1Pet. 1. 6—8. 2 Pet} Mat. 6.48: John] 4—6. Jer. 1. 6,7 

2.9. Reve 210... | 1% 23+ 2 Cor.:2i°6., 2 Cor. 2. 16. 

b Rom: 5. S$, 4. & 8} Phil, 3.12—15., Gebie ver.17% & 3+, 1%. 

* 28. 2 Cor. 4. w S ot 4. 12. 2 Tim. 3. 17.| & §, 16. 1 Chr. 22 
Heb@13: 21. abet, 12. 2)Chr: 1. 10. Pro. 


ED EGER ELEN REIS TER Ma le 
of the Lord Jésus... Itappears from the Acts: of| sion of evidencing the sincerit 
the apostles, as well as from historical records, | their Jove to Gad, aailtalat 1 adi 
hat he:resided chiefly. at. Jerusalem; and: he is| their souls, though’ painfad Torti 
Said to have been the first bishop of that church ;| they might know,: ftom the word ol of 
hough this is spoken inaccurately; for he pos:/ their own experience, that " 
gessed far more than episcopal authority, how-| their faith, by) which its, rem 

er that may be defined. .He is supposed to strength were proved, had a ten 
sa suffered martyrdom. there not very long} event to work patience” in their’ 
after. Writing this epistle, though the date of it is| conduct; and te bring them into 
ancertain, ‘He addressed. himself to the twelve | pendent, ‘ oxagug thai of wind, ' cc 
tribes, which were considered as still existing; | meekness and, © codcraniatiaiwiaiie 
though scattered by various calamities, .and| in order toderive the full benefit fron 
from different. motives, into’ many distant nations| als, they must allow: patience to perfo 
of the earth; but he principally intended .the| fect work ; and submissively wait, i 
Christians among them: andhe simply: greeted!| the promises of God and obedience 
them, or wished them health and peace, Without} mandments, tillhe saw good to < 
using the ‘benedictions. which preface, most, of} without being induced by the numb 
the other epistles.‘ Scattered.. * That is,'to, all| or duration of their acy in 
the. believing Jews, of whatever . tribe, who| means of deliverance, or 
were dispersed over the earth ; to, whom. it.is) in well doingy or tor 
probable, James, temaining still at Jerusalem, 
sent this epistle, by those who were used to 
meet ‘at that city from all nations, at the festi- 
vals.’ (Beza,) Some of all,the other tribes 
still subsisted, as distinct fromthe Gentiles,and 
as generally incorporated with. the descendants 
of Judah ; and the nation, was dispersed jabroad. 
fn almost “all. parts of the known, world ; as. it is 
evident from the scriptures themselves, (Marg. 
Ref) as well as from, the testimony of; ancient 
writers. Greeting. James, who probably drew 
up the epistle of the council,at Jerusalem to the} 
Gentile cpnverts, uses the same. word. Marg.) 
Ref. 

gg Knowing the’ aMficted me perse- 
uted condition, in which his brethren. were, 
the apostle exhorted them to esteem it altogeth- ; 
er a cause of rejoicing, when. they, fell into. di-| tion. .. Indeed every triahis, 0 
vers, temptations. Conscious of their weakness, ‘temptation; ,and.every, t 
they were in general warned not to run into} our hearts, and. tends \to, 
temptations, | and taught to pray not to: be led grace.or corrupt nature 
ito temptation: yet if the Lord saw good, ‘that, ascendency, Mller 
nc rewire standing their'watchfulness they, should} The apostle, how 
fall into such trials, as might. expose them to} ferred. So ee 
temptation, and: give ‘them an opportunity of re- Lord, line a enn 
sisting and overcoming it; they, ought to cons} Berio: bare ugg a4 ae oe 


LNs ray By attempting to € 


. 


Mat.7. er i 
11. 913, John 

10. & 14, 13. asl ¢ s 
7./& 1613-24, 1) Stee 
John. .S. 22, 


ee ane 


neg 


* 


& ee @ 


operation, and: i 
cile, meek, comets 
of mind ; would so 
ferings of Christ,so. wean hem if 
and. so.reconcile them to death, t 
be rendered complete) and matur 
‘of the: Christian. characters /and,in ' 
meet and iba for wane 
situations; and: want 
performance of sone ae 
Rom..v..3—5+ Heb. xis | $13); 
Or, Trials.. Some) wit 
stress onthe disti 


trials; but, the, pecs word is 
in, the Lord’s -prayer,) V 


_ 


@HAPTER %. 7 AD. 60. 


11 For the sun is no sooner ? risen with. 
a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, 
‘and the flower thereof falleth, and the 
grace of the fashion of it perisheth : bso 
also shall the rich man oi away in his 
ways. wry 


et ‘oflow degree * re- 

ice * in that salted : . 

lo ) eae 2 rich, yin that he is made 
se as the flower of the grass 


is 9 
2.5. 1Sam, 2. 8. 9, 102.8 7. 9, 10. 


.9.| Ps. 113. we ee a5. & 66. & 103. 15. Is. 40.] Mark 4.6. 798. Isl 8.1.4. & 
9.48.0 k& 20.|°2,' Mat, 5. 3. Phil.] 6. Maty6. 30. |b 5.;1—7s Job’ 21.) 40. 7,8. Luke 12, 
3. 8. 1 Tim. 6 lj. Cor. 7. 31. Tre 24—30- “Ps. 37. 35, 16—21. & 16. 19— 


10. Phil. a Job 14. 2 
1Pet.2. 9. 15 90. 2, 35, 36. & 


Rom, 8. 17. ‘ee: 
pee 
—3. Rey. 2-9 6. Aiea 1. 


1. 24. 1 John 2. 17.{ 36. & 49. ol. & 25. 1Cor. 7.31. & 
a Is. 49.19. Jon. 4.| 73. 18—20. Ee: 5.) Pét. 1,4. & 5. 4. 
7, 8 Mat. 18. 6, #4 


means of deliyering himself but such as are 
acceptable to him; never entertaining a doubt, 
whether God’s ways-or his own are tobe ad- 
‘hered to for the obtaining of his ends ; making 
ho question of God’s power and will, to an- 
swer his requests; and therefore praying, and 
depending’ on him quiétly for an issue out of 
all: Whereas, doubting or wavering, keeps 
men-in “a~ perpetual tempest “and agitation of 
mind, always tossed’ from one dependence to 
another.’ "(Hammond.) “A © double-minded 
“© many’ * whosé*schemes are divided between 
‘ God ‘andthe world; and who cannot cheerfully 
*-and resolutely commit himself, in ‘confidence 
‘-of divine support, to be led whitherscever Pro- 
© videncé shall please)“ is-unsettled’ in ali ‘bis 
“ways.”* © He will perpétually be running inte 
* inconsistencies ‘of conduct: and those imper- 
* fect and undetermined impressions of religion, 
¢ which he feels, will serve rather to perplex and 
‘torment, than guide ‘and secure him” (Dod- 
dridge. | )=The ‘divided dependence, ‘at some 
times apparently on God, and at others evident- 
ly-on a man’s'own wisdom, resolution, or right- 
eousness, seems also implied; as well as the 
divided"aim and purpose. \ Such characters dif. 
fer widely from’ weak believers ; who constantly 
expect’and seek help from God, and‘do not al- 
tow any ‘doubts of his’ veracity and faithfulness ; 
‘though ‘they are’ harassed with fears, lest there 
be something in their case, or manner of asking, 
which ‘should’ exclude them from the benefit. 
Their language is, “ Lord, to whom shall I go? 
“Thou hast the words of eternal life! 

°V. 9=11F “In order to attain greater simplici- 
‘ty; “and stability ‘im the faith, “it was proper for 
believers to’ know in what they ought to rejoice. 
‘The ‘brother of low degree, the real Christian, 
\who-was poor and afflicted in his outward cir- 
‘cumstances, should not deem himself unhappy 
on’ that account : on the contrary, he ought to re- 
joice or glory, «to comfort “himself aed lift up 
“ his heart ;? (Beza;_) because he was exaited, 
in’ an honourable relation to “Christ, in being 
conforméd to him as tohis outward condition, 
and in ‘being ‘made ‘@ Son of “God and an heir of 
heaven. But the rich Christian ought not to re- 
joice ‘or glory in his riches, or at all trust in 
mn iret ‘for happiness: rather let him rejoice, in 
ono “ean _any dependence be “placed: on} that « he was made low” in the disposition of 

whiist th y are aiming to unite contrary {his heat aetna ‘Been convinced of bis guilt, 
id are unsettled in their’ principles ravity ery, and made humbly Site. 
faith in the word of God. (oie, |as a He Dace “pensioner on the mercy of God; 


bier trials in 2 proper-manuner, as well as 
ha vast variety of other matters, many of those 
whom the pace wrote would experience 

isco that they were very deficient ‘in 


s that they were not 
hing truth from errof, ‘or 
ig the lirie of conduct. which they 
igi pursue ;- they. should - immediately 
the case before God, and earnestly be 
Lect him to be their Teacher and Counsellor, |‘ 
e influences of his spirit enabling them to 
inderstand, remember, and apply: the -instruc- 
lons of his holy word ; and-to remove all pre- 
dices) and carnal passions which tended to 
wear on are ‘This any person might do with 
onf @; seeing the Lord was ever ready 
> liberally to all who, asked him, of what- 
i ‘they 'were; nor did he ever 


en ee ee rd 


onduct, or with any of their mistakes and want 
| teachableness. So that» assuredly .wisdom 
meus piven ws ‘every one who’ thus sought 
r it, im proportion to his wants, difficulties, 
duties. (Marg. Ref)» But- inorder to 
rin the blessing; they must take care to 
faith, nothing wavering: they must not 
themselves to. ‘question whether this were 
of Seeking: wisdom, or doubt of 

: i to his promises; but confi-( 
jently rely on him to direct them: in the’ right 
vay. cae yh ter in bis judgment in'these 
respects; atid:was-disposed to listen’ to carnal 
oe reggae to halt betwixt God and the} 
vorld, debe always fluctuating and variable ; 
Jeing tossed from one thing to another, by every 
shange of circumstances or every gale! of doc 
riney as the wave of the sea facies ‘about “bY 
he wind. Such wavering professors of the Gos- 
ely therefore, who were only religious by’starts, 
o abiding realizing belief of the truth, 
on the promises ‘of God, could 

ason to expect that they should 

ay i from him: as: they would 
| Shave ‘presented their prayers, under 
ssudden'pang of devotion; but they would 
to ‘other ‘counsels and” ‘projects. Indeed, 


“4 


1; a mind resolved, whatso-| way with the poorest of his brethren ; and to 
“Stick fast to God: ts use no consider himself a3 no wiser or better than they, 


lix. a. )— Lethim come to God with fi firm 0 ask for the blessings of salvation in the same | 


A, D6Q. 


temptation: for) 4 when he is tried, he 


shail receive ¢ the crown of life, which} 
the Lord shath promised to © them that} 
{ enticed. 


love him. 


13 Let s no:man say when he is tempt-] 


ed, f am tempted of God: for God:can- 


Heb. 11.17. 1 Pet. Deut 7. 9. “Nein 
1.6, 7. & 5.10. © | 1.5, Ps\'5. 13» Rony 
e Mat. 25, 34, Luke] 8.23. 1Core 2. 9, 
22. 28—30, Rom,| & 8.3. t Pet. 2. 8. 
1 John 4. 19. 
Seeon, ver. 2. 12. 
ns 3, 12, Is. 63. 
17, Hab. 3, 12, 13. 
Rom, 9. 19, 20. 


@ Sceon, ver: 2—4- 
& 5.11. Job 5. 17. 
Ps. 94.12. & 119 
67. 71. 75. Prov. 3. 
21, 12. Heb. 6. 15.1 2. 7—10. 1 Cor, 9. 
& 10.32. & 12, 5.} 25. 1 Tim..4. 8.) 1 
Rey. 3.19. Pet,.1. 7- & 4.13. 
a Deut. 8.2 & 13.1 & 5.4. Rev. 2 10. 
8. Prov. 17.3. Zee.| & 3, 21, 

43.9. Mal 3. 2, 3.'f2. 5. Ex. 20) 6. 


but merely intrusted with a larger stewardship, 
of. whi¢h an account must shortly. be »render- 
ed. Being thus made low would be a solid ground 
for exuliation ; seeing that few rich persons 
were thus humbled and made “ poor in spirit :” 
nor would the cause for this joy be abated, even 
if they were made low in their circumstances 
also, through the rapacity of their persecutors. 
For sit outward splendour and distinction must 
soon pass alway, as the gaudy flowers, that grow 
among the grass, are withered by the scorching 
sun, and lose all their beauty and transient glory, 
even sooner than the green blade doth; and be- 
tig withered, they perish, and are less valuable 
than the common herbage. Thus rich men 
flourish only to be cut down, they grow but to 
wither, and their transient distinctions issue in 
deeper misery and disgrace; if they proceed 
jn their ways of avarice, luxury, pride, selfishness, 
or ungodliness; and are not made low, by re- 
pentance, faith, self-denial, crucifixion to the 
world, and submission to the righteousness and 
authority of God. This is an obvious und appo- 
site interpretation; nor does there appear that 
difficulty in these'verses which many suppose.— 
"Po render the passage, (by inserting a word 
needlessly,) “* Let the rich be ashamed, in that 
¢*‘he is brought low ;” as some learned men do, 
would wholly destroy the energy and beauty of 
the contrast : and to explain it exclusively of the 
rich man, who was reduced to poverty for the 
sake of the Gospel; would imply, that no rich 
man, however humble, poor in spirit, liberal, and 
condescending to his poor brethren, could have 
any ground of rejoicing, or glorying in Christ, 
and in the hope of glory; unless he voluntarily 
relinquished, or were forcibly deprived of his 
estate ands possessions, and so reduced to entire 
poverty: a doctrine wejl suited to some orders 
of papists, but not at all to’ genuine Christianity. 
Tt is proper that some should be the Lord’s stew- 
ards and almoners, in outward. things; but, if 
they be made low, as humble, teachable, penitent, 
believers in Christ, and thankful to be thus em- 
ployed by him ; let teem rejoice in this bumilia- 
tion of heatt, under these circumstances, which 
generally increase pride and self-exaltstion.™ | 
¥. 12. ‘Whilst the world deemed those hap- 
py who enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity, though 
ji served to merease their pride, malice, avarice, 
gensuaiity, aad impiety; they were 
pris Wytlt 


“ 


\ JAMES, wm 
12 Blessed is ¢ the man that endureth} 


indeed to be} c 


oe, 


15 Then, iw 
it bringeth for’ 
is finished, bri 
: IRD 
i Or, evils. 1 

4. 1,2. Gen. 6 5} 1 
& 8) 21) Josh. ah 
21—24. 2Sam. 21} 
2,3. 1 Kings 21.2—li Gem. 3 6 
4. Job 31. 9. 271 5—8. Job 
Prov. 4, 23. Is. 44.) Ps. 714, 
20, Mat. § 28. &| 4. Mi 


congratulated as blesse 


tions, and_passed thro 
trying dispens 
and the perseve 
For after: the Chris 
and the reality of his 
ter his holy affections, 
and the temper of his mj 
be honoured, as a co’ 
tes; not with a@ wees 
with the crown of Ji 
mortality, which the, 
that love him, as Nn 


and oceasions of sin, nO 
say that he was tempted, 
the author of transgression. 
able event of the trial. (Wor 
1.) , The commandments 
pensations of God, make, 
and tend to discover what. 
them ; where gracio 
through the poy 

ble obedience. a 

of the trial ;. but 
disobedience mus! 

fore, that. is, sinful im th 
ascribed to God,- witha 


‘c 


in this sense, tempt aay man, hy putt 
his heart, suggesting it, (o,his the 
ceasitating his commission of it 
Author of the drose, thou 

tects and exposes it, 
te commit sin, when the. 
heart after worldly ease, 
sure, induce him to s 
satan.entices him : thus 


eee 7 =" 
CHAPTER 1. A.D, 60. 


6! Do not erty? m my beloved brethren.| © 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, 
fen good gift and every perfect!* let every man be swilt to hear, * slew.to 
hove, and cometh down) speak, * slow to wrath : 
Father of lights, with whom| 20 For ¥ the wrath. of man worketh 
fiableness, neither shadow of| not the righteousness of God. 

21 Wherefore, *lay apart all filthi- 
ness, and superfluity of naughtiness, » and 
receive. with meekness ¢ the engrafted 
word, 4 which is: able to save your 
souls. 


is own will begathe us * with 
f truth, that we should be *a 


-fruits of his creatures. 
(Practical Observations.j J 

il, 12. Luke 11, 13.) Rev, 21. 23. & 22. 
John 3. 27. Acts Se Be pe | ear 


e 1. 18. Rom. 
ce: * ee S7 36. & ie dee 
‘. & 2 5.1 12. Cor. 4.1 26, 27. Is. 46.10. 
aks a Th te: © is. 4-12) Mal. 3.6. Rom. 11. 
13, 1. Eph eee ee 11, 12. 
; ~ sl." 1 & 13. 8 

an “Gent 39 re 3-5. 1]q John 1.13. & 3, 
PB 


2 Ss. Am. 6. 1. 
Marg. Heb, 12, 23, 
Rev. 14, 4. 
t'Neh. 8. 2, 3. 12— 
14, 18.& 9. 3. Pro. 
8. 3235. Ec. 5. 1. 
Mark 2. 2. &. 12. 


14.29. & 15. 18. &} 2Cor. 7, 1- ae 
16. 32. & 170 14. &} de 

19. 11. 19. & 25. 28.jb Ps, 25. BA ‘Is. 29. 
Ee. 7. 8, 9. Mat. 5.) 19. & 61. 1. Zeph. 
22. Gal. 5.20, 21.] 2. Sy Mate 5: Be 
en 26. 31. Col! Acts 10.33. IeThess 
87. Like 15. 1, & 1, 5.8 213. 
19,48. Acts 2+ Ds Bok “We 18. Num.je John 6. 63. 68. 
& 10. 33: & 13,42] 20. 11, 12. 2 Tims Rom, 6. 17. Marg, 
—44. 48. & 17. ake 24, 35. & 11. 17. Heb. 4.2. 


x Neh, 9. 17. re 4.8, Ez. 36. 955 


& 5.11, 3—5. Rom. 4. 17. 
& 8. 29-31. & 9. 

Gene ‘1, 2 14,) 15-186 Eph. 2/4 
» Deut de 19. Pss} 5, Col. 1. 20, a1. 
1—8. & 84. 11.1 2 Thes, 2. 13, a1 

0 » 45.7. & 60. 19.) Pet. 1, 3: 

26. John 1. 9, & 8. 12./r ver. 21. 1 Cor. 4 

‘2Cor. 4. 6. Eph.| 15. 1 Pet. 1 23. 1 

1.18 1 John i. §.| John 3. 9 

s Lev. 23. 10. 


1 Thes. 2. 13. z Is. 2,20. & 30.22.!d Acts 13. 26. Rom.’ 

d ver. 26. & 3. 1, 2:| Ez. 18. 31,. Roms} 1.16. 1 Cor. 15, 22 
Proy. 10. 19. & 13.; 13. 12, 13. Eph. 4.; Eph. 1.13) 2 Tim. 
3..& 16. 2. & 17.| 22. Col. 3. 8. Heb.| 3. 15—17. Tite 2. 
27. & 1S 1%. Bl. &| 12.1. 1 Pet. 2. 1.) 11. Hel.2. 3. 1 Pete 
21.23. Ec. 5.2, 3.! 11. 1.9. 


Ce 
tures and in the whole universe ; as well as of 
all true knowledge, wisdom, holiness, and feli- 
city, in those rational agents that never sinned, 
and in redeemed sinners. But nothing of a con- 
trary nature comes down from him, “ with whom 
«“ js no variableness, neither shadow of turning” 
Fhe sun and moon, the two great natural Jights 
which he hath made, appear io us to have several 
changes and turnings, whence originate summer 
and winter§ day and night; but in fact those ap. 
pearances arise entirely from our situation res- 
pecting them. Thus God is immutably the 
Fountain of good, and of nothing else ; all good 
is to be ascribed to him, and sought from him ; ; 
but the evil which we do. or suffer, with all the 
changes which we experience, are from our. 
selves ; the consequences of our having turned 
away from God, and of a change i in our situation 
respecting him ; and must not in any degree bé 
ascribed to Him, who is urchangeably the same 
in his nature, and perfection, without the least 
variation ; and whese conduct proceeds upon thé 
same unalterable principles of } justice, truth, wis- 
dom, and goodness ; whatever effect it may pro 
duce on us, according to our character, behas 
viour, or state in his sight : and all sin, error, ig+ 
norance, and misery, must be ascribed to the mu- 
tability, frailty, and imperfection of created 
beings. It should also be remembered, that all 
the persons, to whom the apostle wrote, had 
been in themselves dead in sin, and children of 
wrath ; and that God, of his sovereign will and 
free mercy, had regenerated them by his Spirit, 
through the word of truth ; (Votes, John iii. 1—8. 
12. Eph. ii, 19... Zt. iii. 3—7;) in order that 
they might be consecrated to his service, as 2 


Ter. 


allarements © of softest objects ; the pur- 
se of indulgesce is admitted an@ cherish: 
jd: thus actual transgression is brought forth, 
0d when this is completed, it bringeth forth 
mms ‘aS its genuine offspring, and nothing but 
e mercy and grace of God, through Christ Je- 
us, can prevent the sinner’s final destruction. 
idered as the scriptural account 
Original of moral evil, the nataral history 
€onception, production, and progeny of 
e first sin, and of every sin; except as repent- 
nee, through God” semercy, “prevent the effects 
them. But perhaps the apostle referred to 
. “case of orem who under persecutions, 
hrough love of the world conceived the pur- 
a OF Kotinig Christianity ; which being 
leliberately done and persited in, ended in their 
eat and destruction. It is egregious 
et dauaatanity absurd, to take occasion 
word Fust, which i is often used 
age mean the agin word a, hi inclination, when 
mpetuous ‘and ungoverned, to limit the passage’ 
git to sensuality; as if the ‘impetuous and 
<verned desire of power, praise, wealth, or 
evenge, were not exiS¥asa, as much as the sen- 
sual inclinations. ‘The word indeed is often used 
i a good sense, (Luke xxii. 15. Phil: i. 23. Gr.) 
nd ey di means a ‘Yehement de what- 

ever be the object. 
¥V. 16—18. It behooved believers to be very 
sful not to mistake in this matter, lest they 
puld'be induced to listen to temptation, and 
ler from their duty, from an erroneous sup- 
n that their circumstances would ‘excuse 
+ or lest they should dishonour: and of: 
; by ascribing that misconduct to him, 
x ter the effect of their apostate 
Eve ing truly good, of whatever 
m Te considered ‘as a gift and bouaty 
wn from | God ; being beneficial in itself, 
fect in its kind, like its great Author, who 
er, the Source, and Fountain, of light, 

i, and spiritual ; the Author of what- | blessing upon it. 

ul, excellent, and goed, in atl crea. ve 19—72- As b&tievers swed all the differ- 


lent and valuable than the rest of them; and as 
an earnest of a vastly larger increase from the 
Gentile world, in that and future ages; even as 
the first- fruits, presented to the Lord, were the 


kind of first-fruits of his creatures, more excel» 


earnest ‘of the future harvest, and brought a 


| 
. 
| 


A. D690. F TAME, 


22 But ¢ be ye doers of the word, and 
“not. hearers only, fdeceiving your, own 
selves. _ 

23 For if any be & a hearer of the word, 
and not a doer, he is like unto a man be- 
holding his natural face ina glass: 

24 For he beholdeth himself, and 
goeth his way; and straightway forget. 


@ 4.17. Mat. 7.21—} 3 John 11. Rey: 22:] Pet:; 2.13. 4 John 
25, & 12. 50. & 28.) 7, eB. Rev. 12.9% 

20. Luke 6. 46—48./€ ver, 26- Is. 44. 20.|¢ See on, 2. 14—26 
& 11, #8. & 12. 47,| Obe 3. 1 Cor. 3, 18.) Jer, 44, 16, Ez, 33. 
48: John 13.: 17.4 & 6. 9. B15. :33) 31, 32 — 26, 
Rom. 2.13. Phil. ‘| Gal. 6. 3.7. 2 Tims) 27, Luke 6.49. 


£,9. Col. 3. 17, 3.13, Tit 3. 3. 2 
John 2.3. & 8 7 . 


ence, in their state and character, to the sove- 
veign grace of God, by means'of his word : so it 
behooved all of them ‘to be swift and ready to 
hear furtheradmonitions, instructions, and coun: 
sels, from the same source; in «a teachable and 
attentive manner; and to “ be slow to speak ;” 
not rash gr dogmatical in their judgments and 
decisions, not hasty to assume the office of teach- 
ers, hot allowing themselves to dispute of things 
beyond their depth, and not indulging a conceit- 
ed loquacious bumour; ‘as speaking for the sake 
of speaking, or in the hope of obtainig applause, 
without due seriousness, , modesty, recollection, 
and prudence. They should also be slow to 
“swrath ; not giving way to angry tempers, bitter- 
ness of spirit apainst. opposers, or proneness to 
acrimonious controversy, under-a mistaken no. 
tion_of great zeal for the truth: on the contrary, 
they should be slow and backward top entertain, 
or express, any kind or degree of resentment, 
even against their most cruel persecutors: assur- 
ed that the wrath of man was not a proper means 
of promoting. the interests of religion in the world, 
or leading men to embrace. the Gospel, and lead 
holy lives.. Por such proud contentions and vis- 
lent tempers tended to\prejudice. the. minds of 
men against the gospel ;.to disturb the. peace, 
and corrupt the purity of the church; to mul- 
tiply tmiquities, and. in every way, to hinder 
the knowledge and practice of the righteousness 
of God. . The apostle therefore exhorted them to 
Yay apart, and to cast off with abhorrence, as a 
filthy garment, all the. sinful practices of their 
past lives, which were abominable in the sight 
of God; and especially to avoid and repress the 
«© overfowings of malignity,” which many. in- 
dulged under a pretence of zeal; whereas they 
proceeded entirely. from the predominancy of 
pride, wrath, envy, and other~hateful passions.— 
Thus they ought to be prepared to receive the 
word of God, in a meek, docile,. humble, and 
peaceable frame of mind : for. it could profit 
them only, when it became an “ engrafted word,” 
or inplanted word, living and growing in the soul 
by faith and lov e, as the: principle of anew na- 
ture ; changing all their views, dispositions, and 
affections, into.conformity to its own holiness, and 
so producing suitable fruit in their lives: and 
being thus. received. and, engrafted, it would be 
able to effect. the cemplete salvation of. their 
souls, as theymeans by which the Spirit of God be- 
gan, carried on, and would perfect, hie new créa- 
tan of the-soul to holiness: 


-blessed in his 


therein, he | : ei Le 
but a doer of th 


h Judg. 8 
8.27 Luke 1.6 
& 7% 39. & WS. Rom 
1 Thes. 1. 5. 2 Pet, 3. 
3.11. >. Pet. 
i. Prow: 14,.15. 

8. 20. 2 Cor. Py 5. 
Heb. 12. 15. 

k 212, Ps, 19, 7— 
19. Be 119, 32. 45.) 
95—105, Rom. 7 


V. 22=25. In dite penny 
might produce these _ blessed ¢ 
souls of those who heard it; te 
of it, and not hearers-only. For 
only hearers, a at 
teachable they m ' 
of practising what t 
the word was’ not fied in 
that they were eee ie! most f 
themselves; whether custom, 
speculation, ora ‘vain. ‘contdence in 
without obedience, for ‘salvation, 
to attend. A man. of thi 
the gospel, and:did 
tance, faith in Christ, 
godly life; ‘was like 
sient look at his na‘ 
mirrour, without a ee. 
unbecoming in his attire or 
— therefore i 2a rely 

orget what manner. he was 
glimpse which he had. of himnse oulc 
abiding effect.on hims ‘Rhus the, x 
might have shortelived i? beens 
ness: but, not liking th 
heart, and character, it 
and. having ‘no effectual 
change ; he would soon Ie 
sient discoveries, in the ¢ 
pleasures of the world, and 
of himself, and destitate 
But whosoever looked ste; 
into the word: of God, Sein 
ing from it his.true s 
way of acceptance ary 
with . perseyérance in. this 
he, not being a forgetful, 
reduced to practice what 
to time, though it cost him 
self-denial, would be b 
doing ; fonthe oe x ‘in 
into the knowledge truth 
his obedience would. « he 
his faith ; his sanctification 
bly advance, as he bees 
and with himself; ané 
hereafter would suce 
-comfort... Some, by * tl 
suppose the moral. law to | be i 
tion to the ceremonial ;and it 
that title én itself, as | 

perfect saith miei fine 


ete cle. 


27 * Pure religion and undefiled before 
God and the Father, is this, * To visit the 
fatherless and widows in their affliction, 
and * to keep. himself unspotted from the 
world. 

t 3. 1% | Ps. 119. Hea he ar.4.4 20 John 17, 14 


man a sng you P seem to be 
a one ‘bridleth not his tongue, 


Mat. 5.8. Luke 1 12. 2. 

Gh i Rey Ae |. $96.| Gale 1.4 & 6.14, 

&6% 1 ohn 3.j Col 3.1—3. 1 John 

“ iob 29. 12, 13 - 1719. Os 2.1517. & 5.4, 5. 
+ 15—20. Ps, 68 18, 


Fegard to God and their duty, offend as frequent. 
ly, by silence, when they are bound to speak, as 
by speaking, when they should be silent > but 
sins ef omission are generally less regarded than 
sins of commission. How often do cowardice, in- 
dolence, and lukewarmness, make us silent; 
when holy courage, active zeal, and fervent love, 
would excite us to attempt a word in season, 
a God often most eminently blesses ! 

V. 27. Pure religion, the acceptable holy 
worship and service of God, free from corrupt 
mixtures, and undefiled by corrupt motives and 
carnal passirfis, as exercised in the sight of God, 
even the Father, with his approbation, by hia 
adopted children in Christ Jesus, essentially con- 
sisted in disinterested, humble, self-denying love 
to men for the Lord’s sake and from love to him 
and in taking pleasure, from such principles, in 
visiting orphans, widows, and other afflicted or 
destitute persons; to soothe their sorrows, re- 
lieve their wants, and afford them protection, 
counsel, and comfort, in their distresses: and in 
keeping at a distance from the sinful, pursuits, 
interests, pleasures, maxims, fashions, and pollu. 
tions, of this wicked: world : so that.a man might 
haveno stain upon his garments, no blemish on 
his character, no guilt upon his conscience om 
that account. . Without some measure of this 
holy love, and this mortification to the world, ne 
doctrines, forms, confidence, bigh affections, 
zeal, ‘or apparent devotion, can prove a man an 
accepted worshipper of God. Our true religion 
is exactly equal to the measure in which these- 
things have place in our hearts, experience, and 
conduct; amd these are therefore the criteria of 
pure and undefiled religion, by which we should. 
judge of it, in ourselves and in others, both as to 
the reality of it and the degree in which it is pos. 
sessed. But this holy love, and mortification to 
the world, can’only be produced by faith in a 
crucified Saviour, and the supply of his sanctify. 
ing Spirit; so that no appearance of these things 
can be depended on, except they spring from, 
and are’ connected with, a professed belief of the 
Gospel, and a reliance on the mercy of God in 
Christ Jesus for salvation. (Votes, 1 Cor. xiii.) 


: oe but then it cannot give 5, PO to. us 
ef rp ane © suppose the Gospel 


nd‘ encouraging him to walk 
he Spirit of adoption, according to 
sommandments of God. In the word 
Ritaetad uerute of obtaining and en- 
liberty; the true Christian looks as. into a 
3 that he may discover the remaining 


ctions ; 
kom defilement, beavtified with salvation, and 
transformed imto the holy i image of God continu- 
ally'more and more. (Mary. Ref.) 
~“V¥) 26. So mecessary was practice, in every 
cular, to the very existence of real Chris- 
; that if any man, among professed be- 
lievers, ‘aqmated to be a devout worshipper of 
\God, according to the doctrines and ordinances 
ofthe Gospel; and if his conduct in other res- 
pects were not reprehensible : yet, in’ case he 
habitually _ to bridle his tongue, and so 
ave a loose to Vain, polluting, ostentatious, or 
‘discéurse ; “especially, if he uttered 
bitter, malicious, slanderous, or reviling words, 
nan “unrestrained manner, under pretence of 
zzal against sith as differed from him ; and de- 
eeived his own heart by one vain excuse or an- 
éther, to think this was allowable, or consistent 
with the Christian temper: his religion was thus 
jved to Ge vain and worthless, his heart was 
not right in the sight Of God, whilst out of the 
abundance of it such evil things habitually pro- 
Ceeded ; ‘but fe was still “ in the gall of bitter- 
* ness, and the bond of iniquity”—This is the 
Sneral interpretation; and nothing’ more is at 
[supposed to have been intended by the apos- 
“Yet mend not dridle horses, merely to re- 
n them from mischief, or from going in a 
ig way; but likewise in order to rule and 
rect them in thie right way, that they may be 
~ ed not merely inoffensive.” ‘Surely, then, 
‘aining from evil discourse, and not per- 
erting the’ gift of speech, by which man is dis- 
lished from ail other creatures here below, 
the whic, whicii is intended by “ bridling 
tonpus !” Beyond doubt, the proper im- 
of that important talent is also meant : 
e ust be held in arid Kept from im. 
scourse, and directed to that conversa- 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
V. 1—8. : 

The servants of God and of the Lord Jesus 
Christ must consider themselves, as employed 
to do good to the chosen tribes of the true Israel, 
through all their dispersions ih this evil world. — 
prope Divers temptations we must meet with: and if 
tio “ahiehtena to the use of edifying,” and} we fall into them without our own fault, and 
is Suited to ™ minister grace unto the hearers.” | have only the distress of bearing them, without 
ft a a be found, that they, who have any | the — of yielding te them; we may deem it 

Wi 4B 


ae ; = 


‘CHAPTER f. | &. D. be: 


ae 


‘A. D. 60, 


Cautions ageinat partial see to the ue. and fore, sb 
against contempt of the poor, as contrary to the without worl 
law oflove, 1—9. The transgression of one com-}' = This is illus 
tmandment violates the whole law, 10—12, No] and Rahab, 21 


as all belowis “y 
the poor believer 
alted to an interest in Chr 
of glory in heaven, thoug 
hardships by the way 
equal cause for rejoicii 
them before his mercy. 
despise and hate them on 
though they should be strippec 
sions for the cause of Christ, For 
of this world passeth away, vandal 
cence and show of happiness 
eth, Tike the Gomes eee 
ble are those rich men, who fade 
pride’ of —— serity 
they, who patiently end 
resist temptation; fe 

© tion shall they 
“ God?” and havi 


® great cause of joy to be thus proved and pari. 
fied in the furnace, and made meet for future. 
honoiir and felicity. For these painful, but short, 
trials; tend to reduce the gracious heart into a 
more submissive temper, and a more cordial ac- 
quiescence in the will of God; and when pa~ 
tiencé, ift its various exercises, is allowed. to 
have its perfect work, it melioratés all the dis- 
positions and affections of the soul; produces a 
peculiar simplicity, humility, and tenderness ; 
corrects the harshness and roughness natural to 
us, and matures the fruits of righteousness to the 
greatest advantage. So that in this'severe'scho 
‘the Christian: makes his greatest proficiency ; 
and becomes perfect and entire, in every part of 
his temper and conduct, according to the mea- 
sure of attainment which may be’arrived at in 
this world; and is defective in nothing requisite 
for the due performance of the services required 
ofhim. Butin respect of this, and every other 
‘part of our conduct, we shall feel that we lack 
wisdom, in proportion as we become acquainted 
with ourselves: nor shall we, if we reverence 
the Scriptures, seek it in the schools of philoso- 
phy, or trom the counsels of the wise men of this 
‘world; but we shall ask the’ precious boon of 
God, and obtain the substance, while others are 
deceived with an empty shadow. As. the Lord 
* giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not,” 
and hath engaged that wisdom shall be given to 
them that ask him for it; so every man, who 
feels his want of heavenly wisdom, may apply to 
him for this inestimable benefit without fear of 
being refused. Did we fully avail ourselves of 
this privilege, how greatly should we be enrich- 
ed with divine knowledge ! and how prudently n 
should we conduct all our concerus, and avoid |less than blasp 
every share and device of our enemies! | But [righteous provid 
pride, prejudice, and a carnal mind, co-operat. |God. Such imfe 
ing with unbelief, not only preclude multitudes {itl understood, sh 
entirely from these treasures, but in some degree | whilst we remember 
prevent all of us from drawing from them so copi- | gift cometh down from t i 
ously as we otherwise might do. If men be divided | of Light, the inexhau 
in their judgment, between a dependence on the |holiness, and felicity. 
promises of God in the use of.appointed means, |deed, the Lord hath, a 
‘and other methods of seeking wisdom); if they jate purpose, and “the 
do not really believe that the Lord will be-as | begotten us with the wo of 
good as his word ; or if they question whether |therefore give him all the p 
heavenly ‘things are decidedly preferable to |change, and consecrate all 
earthly; no wonder, that they are like the waves |service, that we may be “a 
of the'sea, which are driven with the wind and |** his creatures.” ° " 
tossed: andif they receive nothing of God, they Vv. peg 
have none to blame but themselves. Whilst we} It behooves us all to be eg 
see so many of these double-minded men on eve- |** to speak, and slow toy 
ry side, who are unstable in all their ways; we |parently religious zeal pre 
are reminded to pray forthe increase. of faith, |duct; for, “ the wrath of 
that we may waver no more, but trust in the |‘ righteousness of God ;” 
Lord, and cleave to him alone. bane of éver'y society in ‘whi 
eV. 9—18. ' | Let as then lay apart all filthi 
If there -were any substantial authitiebtien in |flowings of maliciousness ; th 
earthly things, there might be some speciousness | with humble teachableness, an 


~“ 


in attempting to serve God and Mammon; but 


hath promised 
not’ hypocrites, 
to renounce thi 
lievers, who t 
come in some 
ment fo say, or 
God; “for he can 
neither tempteth 
should dare thus foo! 
being the Author of sin, 
pretence, he may’ su 
rebuke’for his pres 
pravity of the i 
hearken to sats 


a, sesllasire: not ® the faith of 
ir jord esus Christ, > the Lord 
, © with respect of persons. 

ea come i your * assem- 


Ba 
Col. 1. 4. 
1.1% Tite L 
Pet. 1.1. Rev. 


4. 1—10. 1 
ar, Fok 2 


© ver. 3.9. & 3. 17, 
Lev. 19, 15. Deut. 


1. 17, & 16, 09, 2 
Chr. 19. 7.. Prev. 
24, 23. & 28." 
Mat. 22. 16. R 
2. 11. 1 Tim. 5.23. 
Jude 16. 
he holy scriptures ; which, ‘being engrafted 
the heart, are effectual tp the salvation of our 
souls. But, while we are swift to hear the word 
; take care to be doers of it, and not 
lest we deceive our own. souls: 
found in most congregations, who 
ely, any body but themselves. The 
is a faithful mirrour, to show us 
formity and pollution of our souls; and a 
pnitor, to teach us how we may” remove them, 
; d adorn ourselves with the beauties of holiness. 
PPY. would it be for mankind, were they in 
eneral as Reaaous, in seeking this. inward, 
if and spiritual ade 


Gr. nagegue. 

ora ao & 3 
2. Luke 15, 22 
Gens 27.15. Mat. 


8,9. 
Is. 64. 6. Zech. 3, 


i 


rowevery and .no- 
earers unchanged; 
go away, from the 
ie orget. i manner of persons they 
vhoso Idoketh into the perfect. law 
ia and meditates continually on the 
( God, not as a forgetful hearer, but 
nt believer, shall be blessed in, his 
this way he shall find. out whatever 
rt and conduct needs repentance, for- 
8, and the “ sanctification of the Spirit un- 
‘thus Christ will become more 
soul; and by, his grace he will 
gro re “ meet for the inheritance of the 
mts in light, ” and have more abundant anti- 
ations of | their holy felicity. But. words must 
attended to, as well as actions : at whatever 


» worship, and outward conduct, of any 
yet, if he bridle not his tongue, he deceiv- 
. his own heart, and all his’ ‘religion is vain, 
wonder that disputatious, contentious, and 
Ikers about forms and doctrines, disrelish 
: s epistle ; wihien the unbridled licence of their 
ol ues Exposes them to an unqualified charge 

otal hypocrisy in the very opening of it... But 
fhile we depend on God’s mercy in Christ Jesus 
: things pertaining to salvation; let us re- 
the essential nature of pure and. unde- 


in their affiiction,” and seek grace 
) preserve us unspotted from the 


ith, which. worketb by love,” purifieth 


acy subdueth carnal dst; and abouts 


dments. 


“ 


CHAPTER IL, 


thoughts ? 


ri ‘See ony, ver. 6. Is. 


arances there may be of true religion, in the 


ion before God, even our Father; let us 
to him by * visiting the fatherless 


r nothing “ availeth in. Christ Jesus, 


J. D. 0 


3 And & ye have respect to him that 
weareth the gay, clothing, and say unto 
him, Sit thou here + in a good place ; 
and say } to the poor, Stand thou there, 
or sit here under my footstool : 

4 Are ye not then # partial in your- 
selves, and are become k judges of evil 


ah 


g Jude 16. 


65. 5. Luke 7. 4a— K4.11, Job 21. 27. 
ir _? well, or, s6em- 


46-2 Cor. 8.9. Ps. 58, 1. &. 82. 2. 
i See on, ver. 1, Job}, & 109. 31.” Mat. 7. 
34. 19. Mal. 2. 9. | 1—5. juin 7.24, 


NOTES. 
CHAP, I. V. I—4. - While the persons 


‘whom the apostle addressed held the doctrine 


of Christ, and professed faithin him as “the 
“ Lord of glory,” most glorious in himself, and 
the’Source of all. that was honourable in men; 
they ought to take care not to’ show respect of 
persons; giving honour to some and despising 
others, on account of their external circumstan- 
ces and appearances, without estimating the real 
excellency-of their characters, or the contrary : 
for this would be very inconsistent with profess- 
ing themselves the disciples of the lowly Jesus. 
For instance, if any person, adorned with rings 
omhis: fingers, and costly garments, as one of 


-| high rank in: the community, should come into 


their assembly, when they were met for the wor- 
ship of God, as the. Jews did in their syna- 
gogues ; and another should at the, same time - 
enter, inmeanand wornsout clothes, as a) poor 
man: and they. should pay great attention to 
him in gay clothing, accommodating him with 
some chief place in» the syaagogue ; and con- 
temptuously order the poor man to stand in some 
incqnvenient place, or to, sit on the ground at 
their feet, without further inquiry into their 
characters and conduct: would not this prove 
that they were partial in forming an opinion in 
themselves concerning others, and were become 
judges, who. were misled by vain reasonings — 
and imaginations, by unjust thoughts and core- 
rupt affections? For their conduct would show, 
that they deemed wealth and: splendour, how. 
ever acquired, to be honourable; and’ poverty, — 
however incurred or supported, to be disgrace. . 
ful: forgetting that the Lord of glory was. pleas- 
ed to be poor for the sake of sinners, to enrich 
them with eternal felicity.. Some! expositors, 
supposing that the passage thus interpreted, 
could scarcely consist with rendering honour to 
cial superiors, as required in other: scriptures, 
have endeavoured to explain it of partiality in 
deciding causes, in favour of the rich and against 
the poor; because some courts of justice used 
to be held in the Jewish synagogues, But had 
the apostle intended to point out so gross an ini- | 
quity, he would doubtless have spoken of it with 
far more decided severity. If such partiality 
were used in their determinations of those mat- 
ters, that came before the churches, it would 
certainly be condemned by what he said: yet 
the language dogs not seem to relate to judicial 
proceedings of any kind ; but.to an improper res. 
pect shown towards some, and contempt express. 


A. D. 6%. 


5 1 Hearken, my beloved brechncns 
m Hath not God chosen the poor of this 
world ® rich in faith, and © heirs of } the ur 
kingdom P which he ‘hath promised to} 9 But >if: 
het that love him ? {ye commit $i 
,6 But 4 ye have despised the poor. the law as tre 
®, Do not rich men oppress you, § and 10 For @. 
draw you before the judgment-seats?__ | whole law, 2 
7 Donot they * blaspheme that 4 wor- he i 
thy name * by the which ye are called? 2 
[Practical Observations.] ; 


3 Jude. 9.7. 1 Kings} & ef. @: 4—4- Mie.6 11, 
22. 28. Job 22.10.Jo Mat. 5. 3. & 25.) 12. Hab. 3. 14. Zee. 
24. Luke, 12, 32:} 7,10... 

Rom, 8. 17- a's] 5. 6. 1 Kings 21, 


&s Now if thou con 
if thou kill, thou 
gressor of the law. S 


Be 34. 10: & ST 14. 
Prov. 7. 24, & 8. 
3°. Mark 7. 14. 


2.12. 2 Thes. 1.5 | 11—13. Acts 4. 1— 


Acta 7! 2. ys fs Bima Sa i Read fo 5.37, 412 So + speak’ 
m 1, 9. Is 14, te bee 2 et 1 11, le - * 
29. 19, ‘Zeph. 3.10 ft Orethae 0 & 16. 10,207 | that png Tm = 


Zeeh. “iL. 7 ip Son, 112, 
20. & 9. 57, 


; Luke 22. 64, 65. 
Be 16.05: est omaha @ ates Is.) Acts 26. 11. Tim. 
7. 48. 1 Cor, 1« 26—}, 53. 3.. John 8. 49.f 1-13. Rey.13 al 
28. 2Cor. 8.9. | 1 Cor. 11. 22. u Cant. 1. 3. Is- 7. 
@ Prov. 8 1721.Jt 5.4. Job 20. 19.) 14. & 9.6,7. > Jer: 
Luke 12..21,.4.Cor-| Ps, 10. 2/8; 10, 14+} 23. 6. Mat, 1. 23, 

3. 21—23. 2 Cora4 | & 12. 5, Prov. 22+, Acts 4-12. Phil. 2.9 
15. & 6. 10. | 16. Ec, 5, 8. Is. 8.| 11. Rev. 19.13. 15, 


R518, 8 3.8. I Timi}! 14; 15. Am. 2-6, 7.) Is..65. 15Aets 11. 
6. 18. Heb, 11, 26a) & 4. 1-& 5. 11; &} 26. Eph, 3-15, 
ag 2.9, & 3 18 


ea towards others, mérely on account of ‘their 
external appearance. No doubt this is*very ree 
prehensible, ‘and the effect of a carnal judgment, 

how common ‘scever it may ‘be: nor does civil 
respect to superiors, or to/'those in authority, 

render such différente of conduct ‘towards the 
rich and the poor in réligious concerns, at all 
necessary: especially ‘when the rich have ‘no 

thiig but their wealth and splendour to recom. 
mend them ; and the poor are persons of pious 
character and good behaviour. As places of 
worship cannot be builded aid maintained, with- 
out much expense; it may be’ proper that they, 
who contribute towards defraying it, should ‘be 
accommodated accordingly ? buf were all pro- 
fessed Christians more spirittally-minded i such 
matters, less disparity would be» made, and the} 
poor would be*treated with more atteation and 
regard, than they commonly are in sorshipping 
congregations. And we may ‘conclude ‘that if 
the apostle could witness what takes place ge-| 
nerally in our days, ii this matter, and give his 
opinion of it: he would repeat the censure, tliat 
we were become partial in ourselves, and judg- 
es influenced by evil thoughts, ‘corrupt reason- 
ings, and erroneous’ caleulations, 

V. 5+7. The apostie’calléd “the attention of 
his’ brethren to the "subject, by inquiring, wfie. 
ther they did not know that “ God bad chosen 
* the poor of this world.” Were not his peo- 
ple generally of that rank in life, with only a few 
exceptions? If the Lord had’ therefore chiefly 
blessed the gospel for the conversion of the poor, 
it must be evident, that he had appointed that 
_ lowly state for his chosen people, as the safest, 

» most comfortable, and advantageous for them ; 
as ‘most conducive 'to their progressive sanctifica- 
tion, most favourable to their inward peace, and 
most suited to. show forth the power and blessed 
effects of his grace bestowed ep them, For he 


done them go: 
“rich in faith,” 
|searchable riches 
promises of the scrif 
them to be heirs of thi 
engaged to bestow on all th 
by“his grace to love him 
which comprised auch’ - 
authority, greatness, ri 
no earthly ki 

12.) It was pant el 
culiarly honoured 3 
dition ; whereas: 
poor, and slighted 
tice! (ores, Prov. 
they not also know th 
oppressors perse 
fore: their iniquitous tr 
for their religion? An 
them blaspheme the name¢ 
they were'called pba coy 
sidered as worthy of all honour 
Could ‘they then’ imagine that the 
Christ and his church, and persons ¢ 
characters, ought to be ‘treated wit 
spect, on account of their wealth al 
poor breturen and neighbours: rere 1 
This implies, that the apostle pri L 
to the case of such rich peraay 
came to their assemblies, to wi 
was paid, whilst the poor \ 
as the latter were far more | 
word preached than’ the former tn 
not séem tohave meant, 

stated attendants on their assemblies, : 
persons, ought to have no degree of su 
gard shown them; provided bs poor 
despised and undervalued. “y 


es — .) 


_*& he shall shave judgment 
hath pnem ee no mer- 


ws ids Observations] 
uedorth it profit, my brethren. 
ug! “a say he hath. daith, and 


Rom. 2 $5. 1 Cor. 
deco. ti. Ea. US ee 
1 11 Mic.7. 18- Eph. 
fla ‘ 1.6,7 & 2..4=7. 
a: a Sona Soe 
85. - lovirt . 
5.) Toke" ne Pabst 


8-13 The apostle ren 
t they would do wcll they ear ia te and 
ensive scriptural Ler 

in the 


excellency and permanent au- 

¢ it. was the law of Christ 
: their conduct towards 

ey all men. (Marg. Ref. and notes 
8 f vast importance 
t of the second 
to in the New Testa- 


leir poor brethren. For 
in all other. things to the 
fended | in one single particular, 
suilty of all: that is, they broke the 
ander its condemnation as certainly, 
so deeply, by transgressing one pre- 
‘auc broken them all; even asa 
liable to the sentence of death by the law 
land, who offends in one capital matter, 

eh he be clear in all-others. The chain 
of many tinks is broken, when any 
broken. According to the covenant 
ts, a single violation of any one command 
S a‘nan. under condemnation, from which 
ience past, present, or future, can deliver 
d according to the covenant of grace, 
ved, known, and habitual transgression 
*t of the moral law, as given to us from 
s of a Mediator, proves a professed 
in to. be impenitent, a hypocrite, an unre- 
ed enemy, anda rebel against God; and 
is obedience in other respects is not the 
tb of a sincere regard to the authority and 
lory te God: for if it were, the same principle 
induce him to a constant endeatour and 
se of obeying every commandment. The 
which prohibited adultery, forbad mur- 
po the same-was the case with 
other: requirement of the law; therefore 
of any one of them constituted. the 
pm ‘aotransgressor, and implied rebellion 
against the Law-giver. Some would perhaps 
object, thatthey “ were not under the law but 
* Saudet Grace” and therefore they ag be 


a 


ae |e 


CHAPTER I. 


A, D. 68. 


have eS works 2° can faith save him? 
15 if P a brother or sister be naked, 
and destitute of daily food, - 
16 And 4 one of you say unto them, 
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and fill- 


Cor..13. 2. & Job 22. 7—9: Pros 
22, Gal. 5.613. i}p ver- 5. Job 31-16) 3.27, 23. Mat. 14. 


18. 21. & 15. 9 “ler aaah 9. 39. Heb. 1). 37. 
Thes. 1.3, 1 Tim.) —21 58, 7. 10.) 15, 16. & 15. 32. & 
“2 Ez 18 See . 42-45. Rom 


1.5 Tit l. 16. & 
3.8. Heb. 11. 7,3. | 35—40. L. 9. 2Cor. 8-4. 
17. 2Pet. 1.5. i}. 7 Luke 3.41. Acts} 1 John 3. 16—16. 


John 5. 4, Se 


in a state of acceptance, though the law condemn- 
ed their conduct in various particulars: but 
though this in a certain sense was indeed the 
case with true believers ; yet it behooved them in 
every respect to speak and act as persons, who 
wefe to be judged according to “ the perfect 
law of liberty” (Vote, i. 25.) For the whole 
tenour éf revelation and the Gospelitself, by which 
Mien were set at liberty from condemnation and 
every yoke of bondage, would condemn all those 
who did not repent, and forsake every sin, and 
obey the commandments of God in sincerity 
and simplicity, from faith and love to the Lord 
Jesus. So that if they habitually allowed them. 


.} selves in the practice of any known sin, the 


Gospel would adjudge them to be unbelievers : 
they especially, who showed no mercy te their 
neighbours, inferiors, and dependants,. would. 
certainly have judgment without merey, and be 
punished with the utmost rigour of the law.— 
As no man could be a true believer, whose heart 
was not humbled and sofiened into a compas- 
sionate, forgiving, kind, and loving disposition; 
(Notes, &c. Matt. v.7. vi. 14, 15. xviii. 21-35.) 
The exercise of mercy indeed might be ascer- 
tained by its “ rejoicing against judgment,” ané 
by any one’s taking pleasure in abating from the 
demands of rigorous justice, and showing kind- 
ness to those who had no legal claim to favour. 
Thus deemed it his glory and joy, to pars 
don.and bless those who might justly have been 
condemned at his tribunal; and his grace taught 
those who were partakers of his mercy, to copy 
it in their conduct towards their afflicted and 
offending brethren: and all, who were not 
taught to show mercy to others, must expect 

to be dealt with according to the severity of jus« 
tice in respect of their eternal state. What then 
roust be the doom of the cruel oppressors and 

iniquitous tyrants of the human species? Some 

explain the expression “ mercy rejoiceth against 

* judgment,” to denote the cheerful expecta- 

tion of a. future judgment, with which the’ ex- 
ercise of mercy to others inspires the true Chris- 

tian’s heart: but though this'may be implied, 

yet it seems not to be the proper meaning of the 

passage or construction of the words; for to 
© glory against,” or “ta rejoice against,” dees 

not properly denote, to rejoice and glory in ex: 

pectation of an event; butito rejoice and glory 

in obtaining the ascendency or victory over # 

cumpetitor ; as mercy is ficuratively represented | 
to do, over the severity of God’s judgment, when 

they are justified and saved who deserve ts be 

condemned, 


y 


' good works springing from it, isdead and worth- 


“fruits, and is evinced to be.genuine by its effect), 


_pothing towards the supply of their urgent ne- 


_ alone, and,separated from. repentance, love to 


“gether, stamp, might say. to him, * Thou hast! this important trath, but without 1 


A, D. 6. aA 
ed; notwithstanding ye give them not. 
those things which are needful to the, bo- |) ' 
dy 5." what doh it profit? 
17 Even £so faith, if it hath not works, 
is dead, being * alone. 
18 Yea,.a man may say, t Thou hast ; 
faith, and I have works: shew, me thy 
faith + without thy. works, and. <A will, |: 
shew. thee myM@aith by my works. 3 oe | 10. & 44.6.8, & 45; 
® See on, me ver-14,|* Gr. by iself -. | t Some eppies read, G, 21, 22: & 46. a 


believe, and 
20, But wil 


* 
i-} 
o 
“ 
os 
» 
a 
a8 


' Zech. 14. 9. Mark} 4. 
g ver. 14. 19, 20. 26 t ver. 14. 92, Romy by thy works. 
3 Cor. 13. 3. 13. 1) 14-23, 1 Cor 13.2.Ju ver. 22—25.% '9.| 12 29. Johnia7, 34 


Rom. 3. 30.1 Cor 
3.1 Ti 
eet tee bY ah 8.4.6. reg 3. 20. 


Gal. 5.6, Heb. 11,| 13.Mat.7. 17. Rom. 
"18. 1. 2.Cop. 5. 27. 


5. 31» ae 


6 faith, and Ihave 
<< thy faith withoutithy 
ble method can be fo dc 
‘the mean time, *I ¥v 


ou 


V. 14-—18., dt is ‘plain that the apostie hoes 
argued against those, who substituted a notional] 
belief of the gospel, for the whole of evangelical |’ 
religion ; and who were ready to answer exhor: 
tations and reproofs; (as many now do,) by say-| 
ing, ‘ We aré not to be justified by olr works,| * 
* but by faith ; we believe, and’ have all things in|‘ 
© Christ” «He therefore inquired of them what | 
it profited.a man, * though se eqid that he had 
* foithy and had no'works,” of true piety and:ho- 
liness, to which he could appeal as the fruits 
and) evidence of it: “Could faith save fim?” 
No doubt true faith, interesting men in Christ’s 
righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves 
their souls; but then it also produces holy 


en their hearts and lives: whereas a speculative 
assent to any doctrine; or a historical belief of 
any facts, essentially differs from -this saving 
faxh.. .The -worthlessness of such a dead faith 
is here. shown by an apposite illustration’: If any 
poor Christians were destitute of properclothing 
or food for the.day, and so in immediate distress, 
and in danger of perishing; and a. professed 
Christian, who was able to relieve them, should 
avow much brotherly love, and express a cor- 
dial wish and desire that they might be furnish- 
ed with raiment and support by solfie kind 
friend ; but at the same time should give them. 


really do believe’ 
*© zealous of soul 
tives and for evange 
good works are evidently w 
fident profession of the most: 
only prove aman to bea rel 
crite, who has received a 3} 
to his understandiap (as) 
been so convinced — 
it into his heart, om ly, 
tial principle of his con ict, tow: 
man. * A wicked opin 1 » Sa 
* even in the apostles’ da} 
‘ Paul’s arguments, ~ 
‘ Jude, aimed in their e€ 
© this end ; to-vindieate the 
* the faise consequences ! 
* show that faith without wor 
‘ But indeed. Paul does’ ‘not ea 
* large; ,but only of that liv 
‘ evangelical faith, which he say 

“ love”? © As for that faith, void of 
« which these men thought sufficient: ! 
« tion, he declareth positively 
© ter calls it wreeting, (2 Pet. iii. 
* Paul was in truth of the sam 
© other apostles, and held 
‘ ble to be attained by any 


cessities: would.any man be so destitute of com- 
mon sense, as, to suppose these unmeaning ex- 
pressions constituted that most excellent grace 
of ** brotherly love,” which Christ and his apos- 
tles so greatly insisted on.and extolled? Or would 
a poor starving person be persuaded to account 
it any better, than a cruel. mockery of his ‘mise- 
vy ?_, What then would such a. love profit either 
the possessor. or-his poor brother? .Thus faith 
is most excellent and advantageous when genu- 
ine and. efficacious, yet that faith which basino 


fess; and as it is inactive and unfruitful, so it 
can by no, means justify the possessor; being 


God and man, and every other holy affection.) It 
would therefore be most absurd to suppose that }* the attestation of a holy life? 7 Augusta 
the Lord would, approve sucha faith, when no|. V. 19,20. To show the vanity of pee 
poor Christian would »alue Jove of exactly the|as did not influence the heart and cond 
‘same kind... So'that a Christian who was more | apostle mentioned the fundamental a 
attentive ‘to the. work of faith and labour of} religion, the existence of one God as 
« love,” than to the disputatious profession of} Object ‘of all worship and service. 

certain doctrines, being questioned by. one of an-} professed Christian before escribed 


‘not’ © Abraham our father 
y works, © when he had offer- 
n upon the altar? 

25 st thou how $ faith wrought 
, and by works was & faith 


. Phe scripture was. fulfilled, 
i Abraham believed God, 
i unto Lec for right- 


tob a Sa and cast into the fire ; or 
corpse; to be buried out of sight, that its 
mm might not annoy the living :—It is 
as some have done, that devils are 
a pepcnreion: of mercy, and therefore 
haye no for appropriating the reve- 
m and promise of salvaiion to themselves. 
apostle is not speaking of the different 
mstances of fallen angels and fallen men; 
the difference between dead, inactive, in- 
ent faith, and that “faith which worketh by 
y 2 and his proves beyond all 
that a faith, which is of no better kind 
that of the devils, cannot possibly profit the 
however he may be circumstanced - 

reason, because it is not that faith 
ib the promises are made. 

er The apostle next proved his as- 
vied examples. Was not Abraham the fa- 
of the Teratites, and spiritually of believers, 
a by sprkey when at God’s command he 
2 to offer his beloved Isaac for a 
ering? ? (Notes, &e.. Gen. xmi. Hed. xi: 
.) Did not his works evidence the reality 
7 efficacy of his faith, and prove. him. ac- 
efore God? The attentive reader must 
a powerful manner bis faith in the pro- 
d operated to produce good works, in 
to his. commands, in. the most-trying 
universally, and without reserve: 

ry. Works was his faith made perfect ;” 

S inits, perfect state when grown to 
loaded on every branch with abup- 


{ t we 


CHAPTER IT: 
‘eousness+ and he was called § the friend’ 
of God. 


dance of valuable fruit. 
was fulfilled, which declared that “ Abraham 
“€ believed God, and it was imputed to him for 
2} righteousness ;” 
was admitted to such a state of peace and inti- 
mate communion with God, that he was honour- 

-|ed with the privileges and. appellation ef “ his 
« friend.” (Mare. Ref.) Abraham’s justification 
by faith took place many years before he was'com= 
manded to sacrifice Isaac: but his obedience im 
that respect proved him to be 2 sound charac- 
ter, and justified him as a true believer, and ade- 


47D. 62. 


24 Ye 'see then how that by works a 


man is justified, and not by faith only. 


25 Likewise also, = was not Rahab the 


harlot = justified by works, ° when she 
had received the messengers, and had 
sent them out another way ? 


26 For Pas the body without the + spi- 


Tit is dead, 4 so faith without works is 
dead also. 


k Ex. 33,11. 2 Chr.{n ver. 18—22. 


j Ec. 12.7.Is. 2. 3. 
20. 7. Job 16. 21. 


14.31. I 
1 ver. 15—13. 21, 22/p Job 34. 14,15. Psiq'See on, yer. 14. 
m Josh. Z. 1. Mat. 1.) 104.29, & 146. 4:| 17. 20. 


Thus the scripture 


in consequence of which ke 


voted servant of God. So that it was evident, 
there was a good and important sense, in which 


-|** aman was justified by works and not by faith 


« only ;? 2s his works must beappesled to for 
the justification of his professed feith before men = 
and as they will be adduced before the tribunal 
of God to distinguish true believers from hype- 
crites; nor will faith justify any man ‘before 
God, who is not thus justified before the world 
by his works also. Not that this will be a se- 
cond justification by works, in the sense for 
which* Many contend ; as the merits of Christ 
depended on by living faith, can alone justify a 
sinner before God from first to’ last; but the 
good works of the true believer, from the time 
when he received Christ, to that of his death, 
how long or how short soever that space may be, 
will suffice. to distinguish his living faith from 
the dead faith of mere professors, to ;ustify bim 
againstevery charge of hypocrisy ; and to prove 
him entitled “to the gift of God, even eternal 
“ lifethrough Jesus Christ.” In like manner, 
even Rahab, who had been ayharlot, was justi- 
fied by works, when her faith wrought by tove 
to the people of the Lord, and she entertained 
the-:messengers and dismissed them in peace, at 
the hazard of her life, (Votes, Josh. ii. Hed. xi. 
31:) for this conduct praved her faith to be liw 
ing and influential; it showed that she did in- 
deed believe with her heart; and not merely by 
an inefficacious assent of the understanding. Fer, 
as the human body, when destitute ef the spirit 
or'soul, is a mere dead corpse without motion or 
activity, however exactly formed in every part, 

and. thus, differs essentially from a living man; 
even so faith without works is a dead carcass, 
net only-worthiess, but polluting and offensive. — 
It is: unnecessary to use further’ arguments to 


< 


- # is still more. criminal to treat the poor wits 


CHAP. TIT. ‘cot haa’ 

a path shank an assuming and saat boii * tongue, 
Ir tick The fatal effects of an unbridled tongue, ly and f 
aerate 
worship of 
poor meet tug 
according. to 
teast according to 
be desived, th 
the evil, here 

war ae! 
constantly re 

the poor of” 
heirs of tite kinge 
* to those who lo iP 
hence learn to 
and the cree : 
estness's, to be co 

rejoice i in their s 

ful in ‘the : 


rove the consistency of James’ doctrine witb 
of the apostle Paul, St Paul evidently 
that faith alone interested a sinner int 
cs of God, through the merits of Christ,’ for 
justification: but the faith, of which he spake, 
‘wrought by love constraining to obedience, and 
was connected with a new creation unto holingss 
‘St. James meant, that no faith, ‘which was not 
"productive of good works, could justify aman 
before God; that’ a speculative assent, or an in. 
dolent reliance, separate from repentance, dili. 
gence in the use of appointed means, and holy 
obedience, was dead and* unprofitable; and that 
eonsequently, there’ was a sound sense, in whic) 
a man might be said to be justified by his works, 
and in perfect eonsistency with “ his faith “being 
** imputed to him for righteousness ;” as in’ the 
ease of Abraham. But St.. Paul opposed ‘those, 
who objected to the doctrine of justification by 
faith, and St. James wrote against such as per-|s' 
verted’ it. Both views of the subject are useful]; 
‘to the humble, upright, and attentive; but the 
Lord sees good, that the self-wise, the proud, 
the heedless, and the licentious, should have 
somewhat to cavil at and stumble over. Indeed 
the same interpretation, which is necessary to 
vender one part of these verses consistent with 
another; at the same time renders them con- 
sistent with the Coctrine of St. Paul, concerning 
justification by faith. (23 J—*h isa different 
* thing to.say that the faith which is without]: 
* works is dead, from sa; ying, that faith is dead 
© without works; as if faith derived its life and 
* power from. works ; which is not less absurd,}: 
* than if we should say that the body is dead | 
€ without sense and motion, as if sense and mo- 
* tion were the cause of life 5 when we: should 
* say, that the body which is without Li and 
€ motion, is dead: for tne cause is understood 
* from the necessary effects ; and works are the 
* evidences and effects of living faith, and No} 
* the cause of it? \(Beza.) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
oN 1—7, * 

"Phe Lord Jesus is the trae Fountain. of ho- 
aour; and. they. are the. most honourable, who 
best serve him and most resemble him,, whatever 
their external rank,or appearance may be. Bat 
how difficult is it for us to divest ourselves of 
earnal reasonings and corrupt, prejudices,, in 
such matters! and to give decent respect to su- 
periors, without.a partial regard to the affluence 
and splendour, which too uften, are. the appen. 
dages, or heralds, of vice and folly... But if. this 
does not become the disciple of the lowly Jesus ; 


their rich ne 


}prove ¢ 
of the 

their s 4 
the wealt 

er of chat 
liever, wil 
comforted, an 


sons, we commit 
gressors, even the 

ross violation o 
Tene be sincere 


same authority is afl 
is broken. In, vain do. 
under the law, whilst 
known sin: the very 
over to the righteat 
the curses of the jaw 
with a tremendous 1 
having ‘sinned ‘ On, 
But the hard-hearted, 
oppressive . professc 
greatest cause to trer 
judgment, without m 
‘© mercy;’? the mear 
whipped and worked Linas 
ed as happy,.compared wit 
tyrant: and. this will uti 
* the earth shall Fe. 
“« more c ae St 


eontempt, because of their mean garments ani} 
indigent cil pate: se9 5 when-perhaps, they. are 
adorned. Be ned grace, angels delight} | 
in ministering se them, : and Christ. rejoices over, and’ th 

them to. do them good... We. should watch and} off 
pray against so corrupt.a judgment and such 
ayil thoughts, in all cases ; but especially in the 


san es no 
heartless ‘aoaent to truth, er 


eh” lilies ba i 


CHAPTER UL - A. D. 60. 


_2 For ¢in many things we offend all. 
d]f any man offend not in word, the same 
is ¢ a perfect man, and able also ‘ to bri- 
die the whole body. 


& 5.17 1 John. 1. 
8—10. 


Cor. &. 10s Heb. 13. 

1% ¥ ¥ i 

* Or, judgment. 

‘Mat. 7. 1, 2. & 23. 

14. 1 Cor. Lis 29— 
r 


2, Gr. 


e See on, 1. 4: Col, 
1. 28. & 4. 12. Hebe 
13.21. 1 Pet. 5.10. 

£ 1,Cor. 9. 27. 


}. 8 
, Acts 13.| 17, 18. & 33.7—9. 
R 0, 21, 1, Luke 12. 47, 48. & 
f Eph. 4. | 16. 2. Acts 20. 26, 
i, 2. 7. 2| 27.1 Cor. 4,2—S, 2 


ce 1 Kings 8. 46, 2) 
' Chr. 6. 36. Prov. 
20. 9. Ee. 7- 206 1s.Jd ver. 5. 6.—See on, 
64. 6 Rom. 3. 19! 1. 26+.Ps. 34, 13.1 
& 7. 21. Gal. 3.22.1 Pet, 3. 10. 


# 


severely scrutinized by men, than that of others : 
so they would be more sharply rebuked and 
chastened by God for their offences, in order to 
the display of his glory, and the prevention of 
scandals in the. church : so that every attempt, 
to force themselves into eminent and conspicu- 
/ous stations, would ensure alarger measure of 
painful and mortifying trials. (Vote, 1 Cor. xi. 
381—34.) Nor'could any man expect to behave 
80, a3 to escape correction or condemnation; for 
in many things all offended, without excepting 
the apostles themselves ; all frequently tripped 
or stumbled in their walk, though they did not« 
utterly fall; and the more men were advanced 
and distinguished, the greater would be their 
dangets, the more noticed their transgressions, 
and the more needful their rebukes and chastise. 
ments. Especially it would be found extremely 
difficult for them, to speak so much, and so of- 
ten, as the public and private duties of the ministry 
required : without often uttering unadvised words 
dishonourable to God, injurious to men, or the re- 
sult of pride, anger, or some selfish passion. So 
that idle and evil words must be-multiplied, im 
consequence of men’simproperly entering in-« 
to the pastoral office : nor,could any‘wholly escape 
this guilt; though such as were duly called to 
the service might expect proportionable grace 
and mercy. (Wotes, Is. vi. 5—8. Matt. xii. 34 
—37.) If indeed any man were able to bridle 
his tongue, so as not at all to offend in his words ; 
he must be a perfect man, able also to govern, 
restrain, and use all the appetites, senses, and 
members of his body “ as instruments of right- 
“ eousness,” in subserviency to the glory of God: 
and in obedience to his will; seeing he was found 
able to govern the most unruly of them all. (i. 26.) 
No man actually attained to this absolute perfec- 
(ion; for in many things all offended: but the 
degree of a man’s wisdom and grace might be 
ascertained by the measure, in which he was 
enabled to govern his tongue : ‘so that, if nothing 
in principle or practice proved the contrary ; he, 
who most avoided ali improper words, and spake 
most to the glory of God and the’ edification of 
men, must be deemed the most eminent Cliris- 
tian: whereas, falseheod, boastings, revilings, 
and corrupt conversation, brought a man’s cha- 
racter into suspicion or disrepute, whatever cise 
seemed to be good in it. The Jews at that time, 
even when grossly ignorant and vicious, were ex- 
ceedingly prone'to consider themselves, as called 
and qualified to be the religious teachers of man 
kind ; (om. ii. 17—21:) and probably, the apos- 
tle saw, that many of the Jewish converts to 
Christianity were influenced by the remains of 
the same disposition, to aspire prematurely, from 
questionable motives; or without proper qualifi+ 
4 ¢ 2 


ptuous reliance on his merey, than their 
w expressions of love to their poor destitute 
hbours Let no man deceive himself: faith, 
g alone, and not productive of good works, 
no better than the faith of devils, and will leave 
the possessor in their company to all eternity. 
Would we be with Abraham “the friends of 
“ God ;” we must both believe his promise, 
‘trust his mercy, and obey his commandment : or 
else publicans and harlots will enter heaven be- 
fore us: and a believing Rahab shall be justified 
her works, and distinguished from all epen 
unbelievers, and those whose faith was dead, be- 
fore the assembled world ; when many disputers 


d, hete ten- 
2s teachers : some ought 
lone ol sht to domineer, as- 
the Church, or indulge a cen- 
ious arrogant temper. ‘When the apostle 
forbids many to be such, he seems to allow that 
© come may ; and consequently I think “teachers” 
‘© ought to be explained in an innocent sense,’ 
‘(Deddridge.) - An arrogant, self-preferring, dic- 
fatorial temper, whether it led men, without a 
roper call or suitable qualifications, to aspire to 
he office of teachers; or whether it induced 
them to assume pre-eminence in other ways, was 
“the genetal object of the apostle’s reprehension : 
‘though the former, as the effect of such a tem- 
per, seems to have been principally intended — 
Many converts to Christianity would be desirous 
of the distinction of teachers; with a view to 
the credit and pre-eminence of that office, or 
from a mistaken idea that they could not glorify 
God, and do good to man, in other stations : 

i fectiaps they were not aware of the weight 
ad difficulty of the work, and the solemn: ac- 
it which must be given of it, But they 
ht to know, and seriously consider, . that 

ers must stand a greater or more strict 
ment t %h other men; and that false, un- 

1, ambitious, and selfish teachers, would be 
ject to a greater and nore awful condemna- 
than other sinners. Thisis also in a degree 


icable to the case of censorioas, assuming, 
Sav persons in any station. (WVotes;, 


fatt. vii. 1—6. Luke vi. 37, 38.) Indeed, even 
true believers, though preserved from final con- 
demnation, if employed as téachers, must expect’ 
"to be called to a more strict account than their 
brethren: and as their conduct would be more 
“WOL. Vi. 


A teh, 


4. BD. 6Q. 


3 Behold,’ s we put bits in the horses’ 
mouths, that they may obey us; and we 
turn about their whole body. 


4 Behold also the ships, which though | ~ 
they be so great, and " are driven of fierce } # 


winds, yet are they turned about with a 
very small helm, whithersoever the go- 
yernor listeth. 

5. Even so the tongue is a little mem- 
ber, and i boasteth great things. Behold, 
how great a * matter alittle fire kindleth ! 

6 And the tongue zea fire, 'a world 
of iniquity : so is the tongue among our 
members, that it defileth the whole body, 
and setteth on fire the t course of nature; 
and ™ it is set on fire of hell. 

_ 7 For every $ kind of beasts, and of 


@ 1. 26. z Kings 19.) Sam, 19. 43. & 20.) —36.& 15. 18, 19. 
28. Ps. 32.9. & 3% 

1. Is 37. 295 & 13. 17, Ps. 64. 5. 
h Ps. 107, 25—27.| & 140.38. Proy- 15, 
Jon: 1 4. Mat. 8.) 4. & 16. 27. & 26, 
24. Acts.27. 14. &e.} 20, 21. Is. 30. 27. 

i Ex, 5) 2. & 15. 9.}1 2. 7- Gen. 3. 4—6, 
‘2 Kings 19 22—] Lev. 24. 11. Num} Th 2. 10—12. 
24. Job 21. 14, 15} 25. 2. & Sl. 16.], Tit 1. 11. 2 Pet. 2, 
& 22.17. Ps. 10. 3, Deut. 13. 6. Jude.) 1,2. & 3. 3. 3 John 
We 12) 2—4 & 17.| 16. 15-20. 1 Sam} 10. Jude 2—19. 15 
10. & 52. 1,2. & 73.) 22. 9—17. 9 Samy —18. Rev. 2.14, 
8, 9 Proy. 12- 18.) 13. 26-29. & 15. 2) 15. & 13. 1-5. 14, 
“® 13.21. Jer 9. 3] —6. & 16, 20—23.) & 18. 23.& 19.20. 
—8. & 18.18. Bz & 17.1, 2.)1 Kings|ft Gr. wheel. Ez. 1, 
28. 2. %& 29. 3.Dan.| 21. 5—15, Prov. 1.} 15, 16. 

3, 15. & 4. SO. 2] 10—14. & 6. 19 &m Luke 16, 24. Acts 
Pet. 2. 18. Jade 16.] 7. 5.21. & 8, 21—} 5.3, 2 Core 11. 14 
Mev. 13. 5, 6, 23. Ee, 7. 5,6.. 17.) —16. 2 Thes, 2, 9. 
* Or, wood. Jer. 20. 10. & 28,1 Rey. 12. 9. 
Kk Judy. 12, 4-6. 2 16. Mat. 12, 24. 32)¢ Gr. nature. 


& 14. 55—57, Acts 
6. 13. 


cations and weight of character; to the office of 
teachers or ministers ; which he counted. it need- 
ful thus to repress. The word, rendered. condem- 
nation, means judgment, inmany places at least.— 
(Mate. vii- 2. Acts xxiv. 25. Rom, v. 16. 1 Cor. xi. 
29. 32. Gr.) 

¥.3—6 Toshow the importance of the sub- 
ject, the apostle observed, that the estimate must 
not be made according to appearance, but by the 
effect. The horse, though a powerful and spi 
rited animal, might be directed: by the. bit in his 
mouth according to the will ofthe rider, and his 
whole body followed that guidance; whereas if 
that were omitted, great danger and mischief 
would ensue: and the ships, though of vast bulk, 
and driven by violent winds on the impetuous 


ocean, might be directed by’ a very small helm |) 
-according to the motion of the pilot’s hand. |'creatures, however monstrous, Travel 
Even so the tongue, though a little member, jor venomous, has been and. is sib 


of JAMES, HBS & 


_ the sea, * 


1.2 Chr. 10,13—i6.| Mark 7. 20 —22. 


of § man 


the Father ; ~ 5 
‘men, which are © 
‘tude of God. 

10 Out 4 of the 
eth blessing and cur 
* these things ought 

1i Doth a fountain 
same || place sweet water 2 
12 Can y the fig-tree, my bre 
_bear olive-berries? either a vine, 
_* so can no-fountain both yield salt 


and fresh. » tei 


man. BS 
o See on, ver.6. Ps. 
55. 2). & $7. 4. &b 
59.7, & 64. 
p Deut. 32. 33. \ 
58,4. & 140. 3, Bes} Qi. 
10. 11. Rom. 3. 13. ‘ 
Rev, 12. 9. i ; 
q Ps. 16. 9. & 30; 
12. & 35. 28. & 52.) 
14. & 57.8 & 62, 
4, & 71. 24, &} 9 
108. 1, Acts 2. 26.lu 
body, and inflames or p 
rupt passions, by which mer 
commit the several vices, of wh 
members are the instruments, 


on fire the whole. circle of nature, 


generation, and produces t ) 
prolific mischiefs all over th 
deed set on fire of bell; as\the 
the various lusts of man’s. 
exciting men to vent their abo > 
by their tongues; disseminates fr 
other all over the, earth atheism, 
vesies, blasphemics, impiety, lics, 
Jations, lewdness, and discords 
kinds and degrees of atrocious ¢ 
‘crimes. proceed. (Mang. Ref) 
¥. 712. Byery kinds or 


hoasted and gloried of being able to do great|reason, courage, and persevering: 
things: when properly bridlled and directed it |/human species; by which means t 
could produce the most blessed effects ; but if| which otherwise would have bee 
neglected, the most fatal consequences,muist fol-|'them, are in great measure pear Ao : but 
low... For let any man consider how vastia quan-|rean could ever find ont a way to subdue 
tity of fuel a small match, or even a spark of fire, | tongue ;, op to hinder wicked fr 
would suffice to kindle, and what tremendous|ing the principles, polluting th ee 
conflagrations might follow : and hence learn the |and. inflaming the aaeouae bers, 
importaace of the tongue; which is in fact, a| mischievous discourse. No one, howev 
fire to destroy ali before it, anda world of iniqui-|'powerful, or excellent; has, ever been 
ty; comprehending: in the abuse of it, all the|laws, punishments, arguments or any ¢ 
avickedness of the universe, in -miniature, or |ithod, to stop-the progress of this.evil; wl 
’ rather in embrio, Tis situation and office among |/fects far more.tremendous. desolations, ir 
the members is such, that it defileth the whole |'munities, churches, and, families; ca ! 


‘ 
wn 


ah 


w tof ¢ 


) meekness of wisdom 
e have bitter envying and 


25.) Nunwi2.3. Ps. 25,9 
& 45. & 4, 149.4.13. 
i 4 & 29.198 


Se} 1. Eph. 4 2 Col] 3. 3.& 13. 4 2 Cor. 
3.12. ¥ Tim. 6.11) 12. 20. Gal, 5- 15 


‘2. 1 Pet. 3. 4.) & 2.3.1 Tim. 6. 
Ae A 4. Tit. 3.3. 1 Pet. 
201, 2 


12. Heb. 13. 5. 
2.12, & 3-1 


“ever. 17. & 1. 21. 


men miserable, here and hereafter, 


IDs eed 
f ver. 16, & 4.1—5. 
Gen. 30, 1, 2. & 


ore 


“word, rendered tamed, properly mezns subdued. 
Tecould scarcely be said that all kinds of sea- 
monsters, crocodiles, and serpents, tad been 
ed, or rendered tractable, by men: but they 


Se erok the malignant effects of the unbridled 
tongues of ungodly men: for the tongue is an 
‘unruly evil, full of deadly poison ; the chicf in- 
“strament by which the desperate wickedoess 
_of _men’s hearts is propagated, to. poison the 


principles, and inflame the corruptions, of mul- 
itudes scan he, i tongue in- 
deed, true Christians blessed and praised God, 
iecording to the honourable use for which it had 
been created; and many did this outwardly, 
who were destitute of true piety: yet with this 
e member some of them slandered, reviled, 
ematized, and imprecated vengeance on, 
men, from the malignity and pride of their 
hearts ; though men were first created after the 
age of God, still retained his natural image, 
"and were capable of being renewed to a con- 
“formity to his holiness! Se that out of the same 
mouth the language of love, gratitude, and ado- 
ration of God; and that of enmity and rancour 
“against men proceeded! Scme might pretend 
Pa they thus vented their indignation against 
posers of the Gospel from. zeal for the truth, 
‘and against error: but these things ought not by 
y means to be so; and every Christian who 
sd in such a manner, belied his profession, 
yielded to the suggestions of satan and to 
ywN Corrupt passions. Indeed, it was an ab- 
ity, which could not be paralleled : for no 
tain from the same opening sent forth water, 
mes sweet, at others bitter, sometimes 
and at others salt; and every plant pro- 
uniformly its natural fruit, and no other. 
jous, pure, loving, candid, sincere, humble, 
ying language, was the genuine produce 
‘ified heart ; and none, who understood 
, would expect to hear curses, lies, 
ngs and revilings from a believer’s mouth ; 
ethan they would look for figs upon a 
olive-berries on a fig-tree. (Marz. Ref.) 
9.) «Perhaps the apostle in this, 
t the unconverted Jews who often curs- 


CHAPTER IIE 


(3 Whd *£6"a Wisé man and © endued | 
h knowledge among you? ¢ fet him: 
j & good conversation his: mn 
| above, * but zs earthly, * sensual,! devilish. 


37. 4% Job 5. 2 
‘Prov. 14. 30 & 27- 
4. Is: 1& 13. Hab. 
Y - Matt. 27. 18- 

lets 5.17. & 7.9. 


jh 2 Kings 10. 16. 


2 Tim. 2 eal 21. 26. Phil. 1. 15. 


more to men mi he 
than oe creatures in. 
the world combined together can do. The 


ve all been brought under subjection in one: 
or another; whereas no efforis could ever’ 


4. D. 66. 


strife in your hearts; & glory not, 4 and 
lie not against the truth. b sacha 
15. This i wisdom descendeth not froth 


io For ™ whete envy ing and strife zs, 
2 there és ¢ confusion and © every evil 
work. Ai 


g Rom. 2. 17, &e) 8 Rome 1. 22. 1{ 15:1 John 3.3—10- 
1 Cor. 4. 7, 8. & 5:| Cor. 1. 19, 20. 27.) Rev. 9. 11. & 12 
2. 6. Gal, 6. 13. & 2.6, 7. & 3, 1S} 9, 10. 

2 Cor. 1. 1%, Jude}m See on, ‘er. 14. 
19. \ {n Gen, 11, %. Marg. 

: * Or, natural. 1 Cor! Acts 19. 23. 1 Cor. 

Liver. 17.& 1. 5) 2.14 Me cS aoe 
17, Jobn. 3. 27, 1 Gens 3. 1—5, John, 

& 2 Sam. 13. 3. &! 8. da. Acts 13. 10. 
15.31. & 16. 23.) 2 Cor. 11-3. 13 
Jer. 4, 22. Luke 16. r 


31. John 16. 2. 
Acts 26. 9. 


t Gr. _ Ramet, or, 
unquietness. 
o 1 John. 3, 12. 


¢d the Christians bitterly in their synagogues. 
(Macknight.) ge 

V. 13—16. The apostle had rather digress- 
ed from his subject; but he was showing the 


‘consequences of an assuming temper, and aa 
tmproper desire to be teachers. If, therefore, 


any of those into whose hands this epistle might 
come, were, or desired to be thought, persons of 
superior wisdom and capacity, and endued with 
much knowledge of the gospel; iet them not 
think themselves buried in a private or obscure 
Station, or indulge a proud, aspiring, and discon. 
tented spirit; but let them show forth, by the 


general tenour of a good conyersation in the 
several relations and employments of life, their 


works of piety, equity, purity and mercy, “in 


meckness of wisdom ; exercising that prudence 


which is characterised bya meek and quiet spirit, 


and inseparably connected with it, and with a rea- 
diness to forgive and to be at peace with all men. 
(Notes, 2 Tim. ii. 24—26.) But if any of them 
indulged bitter envyings, or proud, fierce, and 
malevolent zeal, for their party or sentiments, in 
their hearts ; and so rivalled others for pre-emi- 
nence, reputation, or authority, as to censure, 
revile, and caluminate them in,a vehement and 
malignant manner; and to take pleasure in con- 
tending and quarrelling with such as differed 
from them: let them not absurdly glory in these 
tempers and behaviour, as if they arose from ex- 
traordinary zeal, boldness, or faithfulness ; nei- 
‘ther let them defame the truth by pretending 
that such were the necessary effects of embrace 
ing, professing, and earnestly defending it ;/or 
that those were lukewarm who did not dis- 
pute for it in this violent manner: 
dom, though it would bave numbers of iajudi- 
cious admirers, even among apparently religious 


For this wis- 


people, did not descend from above, (i. 5 3) but 
was “earthly,” as it sought earthly distinctions 
and advantages, and was of an earthly origin; it 
was also “ natural,” the result of such prin- 
ciples as unregenerate men are actuated by ; and 
it was ¢deyilish;” being at first derived from the 
devil, and constituting the image of his pride, 
ambition, policy, sagacity, envy, malignity, and 
falsehood. Tie word rendered. sensual, is elf3- 
where translated natural -.and ¥ apprehend it 
should be so rendered in this place; for it seams 
rather to relate to man’s natural depravity in 
general, than to his sensuality in particular, to 


4. D.60. 


_ 17 But Pthe wisdom thatis from above 
1s 4 first pure, then * peaceable, * gentle, 
and easy to be entreated, * full of. mercy 
Power. 15) & 1. 5.) Cor. 2. 6,7. & 12: 8, 
17/Gen, 41.$8,39.\q 4. 8. Mal.3 3. 
Ex. 36. 2:1 Kings.| Mat. 5. 8. Phil, 
3.9. 12, 28,1 Chr| 4. 38. Titel. 15, 2 
22. 12. Job 23. 12.) John 3. 3. 

23. 28. Proy. 2. 6.|r1Chr.22-9. Marg. 
Zs.11. 2,3: Dan. 1,| Is. 2.4. & 9.6, 7. 
I. Lnike 21, 15. 1] & 11.2=9. &’3z. 
which,ambitious disputants are icoeeugiaeee less 
addicted than to malignant passions. (/Vofe, 1 
Cor. ii.14—-16,) The apostle added, that where 
envy and strife are found, there is of coarse con- 
fusion and every evil work: for, those passions, 
when given loose to by one man, are excited in 
others: till, churches, communities, and fami- 
fies are) thrown into confusion, and all species 
of crimes are perpetrated ; whilst men are blind~ 
ed and hurried on by their violent resentments 
and prejudices. 

V. 17, 18. Gn the contrary, “the wisdom 
s¢ which is from above,” even that wisdom, 
which God gives to his people in answer to their 
humble and believing prayers, “is first pure,” 


15-17. Rom. 12, 18. 
s Is. 40. 11. 1 Cor. 
18. 4—7, 2 Cor. 10. 
1 Gal. 5. 22, 23. 
Eph. 5.9. 1 Thes, 
27,2 aN 2. 24. 
Tit. 3. 

it Join io 4. Acts 9- 


in respect of its objects, motives, and tendency 3) ous station must be 
it relates to the holy and purifying truths and pre-| ful and _ mortifying: . events {a 


cepts of scripturs, and tends to holiness of heart, 

janguare, and conduct, As far as it can consist 
with this, and with steadily avowing the truths, 
and obeying the commandments, of God our 
Saviour, this wisdom is peaceable ; the possessor 
of it is disposed to give up every thing for peace, 
except truth and duty; and these he will firmly 
adhere to, but in a peaceable and loving manner. 

It is also gentle ; and influences men to be slow 
to anger,candid, calm, forbearing, and cour. 
teous. Moreover, it is easy to be entreated, and 
persuaded to what is reasonable or forgiving ; 
and to listen to the words of truth and equity, 
though spoken by an inferior, a child, or an ene- 

my; and it is full of mercy, compassion, tender 

NESS, and all good fruits. (Vote, Gal. y.'22, 23.) 
{t is likewise “ without partiality,” in judging of 
persons or actions ; free from bigotry for one 
party or against ioe’. ; and from contendin 

for one part of religion, to the neglect and dis 

paragement of others; or producing that par. 

tiality to the rich, and that prejudice against the 
poor, which the apostle had before reproved. 

(Notes, ii. 1—6.) Finally, itis free from hypocri- 
sy ; lerding a man to a greater regard to the 
acceptance of God, than to the good opinion of 
men. (Wotes, &c. 1 Cor. xiii.)—Heavenly wis- 
dom, according to St. James” description of it, is 
nearly allied to that love, for which St. Paul con- 
tended : and we,may observe of both, that they 
are described as they are in themselves ; and 
that every man ma; ascertain the reality, or the 
degree, of his attainments in them, by the effects 
of them on his temper and conduct. For, what- 
ever bigots and zealots may imagine, “ the fruit 
&. of righteousness,” or that good seed whence 
this blessed frait grows here on earth, “is sown 
6 jn peace 3” men of peaceable loving tempers 
preaching the gospel, adorning it'in their lives, 
and watering it with their prayers, sow the seed, 
which God blesseth to the conversion of.sinners 


Carey 
1 ‘ he i 


‘JAMES. . 


and good fruits, ¥ without { 


and without * pocrisy. 
18 And y a uit of. righteo 
is sown in ‘peat 
peace. ty 
36. & 11.24. R 
11.24. Rom, : . 


15. 14. 2 Cor. 9210, 
Phil, 2. 11. Cole. jx Is. K 
John 


20. 
u 2, 4, Mal. 2.9.1 


world, It is sown in p 
noise and disturbance ; an 
** make peace,” who are b 
peace-makers, in the church and 
(Note, Matt. v. 9.) 


Tete ays wes 


, 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Mey. 
V.1—12 
Did men duly weigh the importance and ii 
culty of the sacred try, the account whi 
must be given of it, and the’ 2 
tions to which it exposes the 
less forward, than they so 
ing to that distinction, — 


een ae 


intrude into them, will recei 
demnation on that accoun 
of God, the good of mank 
call in providence, did pent gat 
‘ wise and humble man, p : el 
nowledge, and knowledge of thal nature 
and the state of the world and thee 
choose obscurity and , to b 
way of temptation, to shun poe 
honouring the gospel, and to ay 
much as this present state will admit oF it. For 
in many things we offend all : and though a welle 
informed Christian. will readily es a Het 
that his rule of duty is perfect, he will also 
know that in facé no man on, yang «meng to it 
But nothing is more arduo! the “4 
government of the tongue: and though the 
nister, who is satished that ‘Christ hath sent 
to preach the Gospel, will trust in his abunc 
mercy and all-sufficient grace ; yel ae the 
perceive, that no outward | 
work can. counterbalance. the a 
of contracting guilt, to which, tha’ 


ve Bho 
him. Facts abundantly pro 
fessed Christians succeed in free otgs se 
and appetites, than in duly vane Si 
tongues: and whilst. we cy enn 
and astonishment the horrible effects. produ 
by this unruly evil, “ this world of i iniquity, thi 
« deadly poison, this fire that sets the v whol 
« course of nature” in a flame, in every p 
the earth, and hath done so through Ul the a 
of time ; and while we reco pa ee dim 
gratitude and joy, that the Lord makes 
this very member, when he has filled the h 
with holy affections, to spread the word of t 
and righteousness throughout the earth ; es 
particularly inquire, what use we make of 1 
tongues. It behooves us to bridle them, th 
they may obey the dictates of our enlightene 


tnderstandings and holy affegtions, as the well 


D. CHAPTER IV. A. D. 66. 
° ee | cH” tv. toe hence, even of your ¢ lusts that war 
cot, from the lusts of the! in yo ur members ? 

earl Bien pete po ate fatal ef- 2 Wye 4 fust, and have not: ye kill, and 
dex in disappointment, 1, 2; because} qasire to have, anc cannot obtain =. ye 


fa gifts from God; or 
Ik oa The friendship of 5 i, fight and War, yet ye have p« because 


ty avainst Gol, 4 The spit that | ye ask not. 
ee oad pride ; bat God so 3 Ye ‘ ask,and receive not, because ye 


and shows favour to'the hamble, 5, 6. \ask aniss, that sye may consume i+ upon 
ations to repeutance, and submissiow to your { lusts. 


=10. Cautions again detraction and 
: 2 be 8-7- 1Tim.6- iE 1—5. Prey. 1. 28. Be 15. a. & 4 


usness, an against carnal 8 security ; with | ag de 5. : 

. ancertain' ra 3. 1) 19. Be 4-8 Hab} 13. 37. Is, 1.15, 

ns to consider the ty of hte, Pet. 1: 14-8e2. 11.) 2 5 B Pim. 6, Jer. Ws  & I 
12. Mie. 


& 4. 2,3.2 Per, 2 


“ 18. & 3 3. 1 Johnie t 8 Ie 7. 3) 7, ee oe 
a 20 15—17, Jude 16: Mat. 7.7, 2 Lake “po. FB. 
p MaoM a cet come wars and| ~\s. Lie ok _Jonm 4 ohm 5-35 Be & 


f Or, pleasures 10. & ft 
e¢ Rom., 7. 4. 2alf 1. 6, 7- “job 27. a: ¢ Toke 1s 13, 30. 
| Gal. & 17. Col. 1». Bas 18. 41. | Fs 16.1, bab © 

5. 66. 13, 19. Proy. tag Or. Pleasures. 


* fightings among you? > come they 
— 7 
being PEECGT Harel SS. te 
Y does the rider; or as the ship is 
Sp tbe: helm in the hand of the pilot : that 
e pride, passion, lust, or levity, nor yet any 
im, may lead us to speak corrupt or un- 
sed words, or any thing contrary to the glo-| 
by of God and the edification of men. As no 
imaiy is ablé to subdue aiid tame the tongue, no, 
ot his own tongue. | without the help of divine 


grace ; we are reminded to beg of God to do it 
: for “the things, which arc impossible 


ly’ Bupposed to have, ar this place, addressed the 
unconverted Jews; to whose conduct his lan- 
guage is peculiarly applicable, according to the 
oistory of those times. Indeed, we can scarce- 
ly conceive, that persons, continuing members 
of the Christian Church at so early a period, 
were guilty of the enormities here mentioned ; 
though the passage is applicable enough to no- 
mira! Christians in subsequent ages. But the 
apostle seems to have cautioned his Christian 
brethren againstenvy, strife, and ambition, which. 
gained ground within the Church, by the exam- 
ple of their nation ; and the still more tremendous 
eflects which speang from the same cause among 
them. He, however, employed such language, 
as would be a direct and pointed address to those 
Jews that might happen to read his epistie = 
when he inquired * whence wars and fightings” 
among them originated. Seeing the nation was 
divided against itself, and was split into parties, 
which destroyed each other by most furious con- 
‘tests; while thelr continua) insurrections were 
drawing down destruction on them from the Ro- 
man power. Did not these calamities arise from 
their lusts, or their pleasures ? that is, fron’ those 
lcorrupt passions wiic!» they sought their plea- 
sure in gratifying? These lusts warred an their 
members - either the members of the corrupt na- 
ture, the Old Adam, in which one lust warred 
against another, as all could not be gratified, 
and each strove for the mastery ; or their carnal 
passions, working within, and overcoming the 
feeble resistance of reason and conscience, made 
use of the members of the body as weapons or 
instruments of unrighteousness, for perpetrat- 
ing their criminal purposes. They fusted af& 
‘ter, and eagerly craved, worldly prosperity 
and the several things connected with it ; but 
they did not possess them: and, in consequence 
of this disappointment, they were ready to mur- 
der, or actually did murder, such persons as 
stood im their way ; yet they could not after all 
obtain the 35 which they so inordinate- 
ly coveted = this, therefore, rendered them still 
more violent ; and intestine discords and pulific 
insurrections Were excited ; but instead of pros- 
rr ded them, they were only the more impa- 
! and distressed ; because they snughe 
not the desired benefit from God by prayer — 


his grace, let us take heed to bless, and 
arse Aot= let us aim at a consistency of conver. 
tion and evinduet, and see to it that our love to 
Mc proves the sincerity of our professed love 
e God; and that our conduct, out of the place 
worship, corresponds with our language and 
fess 10m: | in it’ Por -many things are, even 
that ought not so to be. 

- V. 15—18. 

of secking the reputation of wisdom 
howledge, by ostentatiously aspiring after 
minence ; let us be careful to “show out of 
conversation our works with meekness 
yi gto 7” avoiding all bitter envy ings and 
Facet in our hearts, as well ag in our words and 
{actions ; not glorying in such things as are in- 


eee 


sible Charch : and it thrives here, Being in 
oper soil and climate ; for it descendeth not 
, but is earthly, natural, and devilish, 
2 sation and every evil work. May 
d then bestow upon us the wisdom, whien 
above ; may the purity. Peace, gentleness, 
and mercy, manifested in aii our ac- 
d@ the fruits of righteousness abound- 
im-our lives, evince that God hath replenish- 
With this most excellent gift! May we 
artiality, respect of persons, narrow 
and a half religion, as well as hypo- 
our. words and works, be employ- 
takers, to sow that go 
- of righteousness on ws 


“= Ed Si Re ly i oe © 

! 
ay Aa f i ve ; te i. : 
te D. 60. JAME 


4 Ye *® adulterers and adulteresses, 
know ye not that ithe friendship’ of the 
world is * enmity with God ? ! whosoever 
therefore will be a friend: of the world, 


® isthe enemy of God. 


6 Do ye think that * the scripture saith 
\n vain, ° The spirit that dwelleth in us 


Tusteth § to envy? 


“6 But he giveth more grace : 2 where. 


1 Gal. 1.10. 

m Ps. 21. 8. Luke 
19. 27, John 15, 33. 
24. Rom 5. 10, 

John 7. 42. & 10. 


h Ps. 50.18. & 73. 27. 
Is 57.3. Jer. 9. 3. 
Hos. 3. 1. Matt. 12. 
39. & 16. 4. 
iJohn 7.7. & 15 


Joha 2. 15, 16. 9 17. Gal. 3. 8. 
& Gen. 3. 15. Rom o Gen. akitg & 
8. 7. 


29. Tit. 3. 3. 


§ Or, enviously, 


This seems to refer to the eager desires of the 
Jewish nation after temporal prosperity, and ‘li- 
berty from the Roman yoke, and to the violent 
and impious measures, which they adopted in 
order to obtain them: for these things only in- 
creased their miseries, and were hastening’ their 
destruction, because they trusted not in God.— 
Somme of them, however, it might be supposed, 
kept up the form of religion, and prayed for 
liberty from their oppressors, and for tempora! 


prosperity ; but they did not receive what thev 
asked for, because they asked amiss; their very 
preyers were dictated by carnal aifeeti tions, they 
were presented in a formal manner, and by those 
who continued to reject their Messiah, vainly 
expecting a temporal deliverer, ‘whom the: 


would gladly have welcomed. So that they on- 


ly asked for worldly advantages and possessions, 
and in order that they might spend and waste 
them in gratifying their passions. 

Vv. 4—6. The Jews were still the professed 
worshippers of God, and the nation had been es- 
poused to him by special covenant: idolatry, 
thercfore, and other direct violations of the na- 
tional covenant, were spiritual adultery; and the 


rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah was the | 


gTossest instance of that crime, that could be com- 
Mitte’. They moreover idolized worldly inter- 
ests and pleasures, in the most excessive man- 
wer; as if these had been'their portion, and re- 
ligion no further valuable than as it subserved that 
primary object. It is also probable, that many 
nominal Christians had renounced; concealed, or 
belied their profession, from regard to the world, 
to such adegree as to merit the severerebuke con- 
tained in this address. Both descriptions might 
justiy be called “ adultercrs and -adulteresses,” 
in respect of their unfaithfalness to that God, 
whose professed worshippers they were ;. though, 
perhaps not guilty of adultery in th~ common ac- 
ceptation of the word. And did not. they, 10 
whom the oracles of God were committed, 
Enow “ that the friendship of the world was en- 
« mity with God?’ ‘Tis was so evidently the 
éase, that if any man resolved to live upon 
fisendly terms with the world, he must be the} p 
enemy of God. Phe world, or mankind in gene- 
ral, being under the influence of satan, and con- 
Sequently governed by unholy maxims, the re- 
sult of acarnal judgment and disposilions ; the 


” 


5. & 8.21. & 26 
14. BOI & 37. 
“Th. Nuni- 11.29. Ps, 
37. 1. & 106. 16. 
Ee. 4, 4. Es. 11. 13. 
39.23, & 17, 14 1-95. & 19, 37. Rom] Acts 7. 9. Rom. 1, 


s Resist the. 
you. 


|} p Ex. 10.3, 4. & 15. 
9, 10. & 18.11 
Sam. 2. 3. Job 46.) é 
10—i2, Ps. 138. 6. 18. 
Prov. 3. 34. & 6.1 4. Is. 
16, 17. & 29. 23.r_ 

Is. 2.11, 12 17, 


2@—23. Mat. 23,12,; 13° 
Lue 1 52. & 14.| 40,3 
‘* ae 18. 14. 1 Pet.| 6. Ps. 32. 
66. 3. & 68. 30 : 


a2 chi. $2. 26. & 


many, who will, at any. rate be € upo 
with the world : 
on the ordinances, « : 
God; or be zealous» for the 
Gospel of Christ, in 
which every . belies 
ship of the world 
with, the determined _ 
man. can miata bf 
against. him to ple 
friendship. therefore. 
that a man is carnal 
God, unregenerates Ui 
ed; whatever hist 
fessions, have:been: 
Oascy till satan, the god n 
is dethroned, and mank Pi 

true Christians. The sérvani 
friends to the world, or to, 


sirous in cyery way-of doing | 


yond what any other p stip 


not possess. the fries 
measure, without actin 
their profession. Did 
inconsistent professors 0 
that the scripture, : 
or meaning, in all Ab of 
which describe the 
nality, pride, and «ane 
and declare that the sp 
“ dwelleth in. us, lusteth 1 
Since it was evident | 
the Old Testament; that u 
of fallen man, as instiga 
covets worldly things, as tot 
possess them, and thus prompt 
tention, hatred, fraud, in 
them to envy, or to h 
Cain envied, hated, a 
Abel. . Must not then 
to God, his) truths, 
Could they, hope to re 
so wicked a world wit! 1 
they i themselves 
und ps 


paces pei a 
«js in us lusteth to e 
the general tenour of | 
read the last clause as 7% seb 


worldly mindedness? Or doth the 
t dielleth in us lust to envy?” That 


m that, whilst he fighteth against the 
‘the self-sufficient, the ambitious, the 
ful and obstinate, the self-willed, the im- 
itent, and unbelieving; he showeth favour 
‘and communicateth grace, to the humble. and 
f Ww achat supplicants for spiritual blessings 

Mercy-seat. (Marg. Ref.) 

.7—10. From the preceding reproofs and 
the apostle took occasion to exhort 
he unconverted Jews, or nominal Christians, who 

should read his epistle, to submit themselves to 

God. For he would certainly fight against the 

d, as his peculiar enemies and competitors, 

Ge they were either brought to submit to him, 
ir destroyed: and, as he was waiting to be gra- 

cious to the humble supplicant; let them be 

juaded to submit to his teaching and au- 
to own the justice of his judgments 
ings, to plead guilty and cast them- 

5 his mercy, to resign themselves to 

and to obey him as his willing subjects. 

der to this, it “behooved them to resist the 
¢ and to reject his suggestions; whether 

ate or by his agents, which tended to 
their carnal passions, or to prejudice 
his holy salvation and service: for 
ed the tempter resolutely, in depend- 
grace of God; and opposed to his 
is the plaim truths, promises, instruc- 
precepts of scripture; he would be 

‘them by the power of the Lord, and 

enemy. Let them al- 

God, as in Christ Jesus, and up- 


. by believing prayer, seeking re- 


. 
{ 
f 


ee Ae Ren a 


CHAPTER IV. 


to God, and he will 
u. ¥ Cleanse your hands, 
dt pen your hearts, ¥ ye 


: a serypture speaketh in vain 


» the rit, which dwelletb in all 
ns Nae We ae nature which he createth, 
produce such fruit? But the meaning is nearly 
+ same. The apostle would further remind 
th that God giveth his people more grace, 
‘eave them slaves to'such vile passions ; 

f ae eo begun to sanctify their hearts, he 
them more and more of the transforming 
of his Holy Spirit, to deliver them 
from every evil temper, and to take 
in all their affections and dispo- 


4. D. 6Q. 


10 & Humble yourselves in the sight 
of the Lord, and)¢ he shall lift you up. 

11 § 4 Speak not evil one of another, 
brethren.. He that speaketh evil of Aig 
:}/ brother, .¢ and geth his brother, 
* spedketh evil of the law, and judgeth 
the law ; but if thou judge the law, thou 
art not £ a doer of the law, but a judge. 

12 There is one ® Lawgiver, who is 


‘|? able to save and to destroy :.* who art 


thou that judgest another? 


b See on, ver.6,7. | 3- 3. Tite & 3. Ij % 12- 

el ~ 2-9. Ps.27| Pet. 2. tL hh Es. 33. 22,23. 

6- & 23.9. & 30. 1-/e Mat 7. 1,2. Luke|s Mav 10. 28. Lake 
& 113. 7. & 147. 6.| 6, 37. Rom. 2.1. & ES Heb. 7.25. 
Job 22. 29. Id, 3, 4 (O—12./& 1 Sam 25.10 Job 
ad Se on, Ps. 140.| 1 Cox. 4 5, 38. 2. Rom. 2, 1. & 
Wt. Eph 4. 31. 1/f Rom. 7. 7, 12,15. | 9 20.8 140 4e 13> 
Tim. 3. 11, 2 Tim.jg 1.22, 23. 25. Rom. 


to them, to support, sanctify, comfort, and bless 
them. Butat the sametime, they, who were 
ling angodly anc wickedly, or practising any 
kind of'sin, mast cleanse their hands from it, by 
repenting of it, forsaking it with abhorrence, 
and renouncing all the carnal Pleasure or profit 
connected with it. (Note, Js. i 10—20. Marg. 
Ref.) Also the doubje-minded or hypocritical 
professors, (Note, i- 8) the men, who cleaved 
to the world and its friendship and interests, 
neglecting God and his. will, must purify their 
|hearts, im dependence on the mercy and grace 
of the Gospel, from every pollution, that they 
might be prepared, in the fear and love of God, 
and by all holy affections, fora life of humble 
nd devoted obedience. Instead therefore of 
proceeding i in athoughtless course of sin, or a 
formal and unfruitful profession of Christianity ; 
“ let them be afflicted, and mourn, and weep,” 
% account of the dishonour which their sins 
had done to God, the mischief which they sad 
occasioned to men, and the danger to which 
their own souls were exposed ; and. because of 
the rebellious ingratitude; contempt, and enmi- 
ty, of which they had been guilty, especially ia 
their opposition to Christ and his salyation.— 
Their c2rnal mirth and laughter, as well as their 
scornful derision. of divine things, ought without 
delay to be turned into mourning and godly sor 
row; and their worldly joy into heaviness, de- 
pression of spirits, self-abasement, brokenness of 
heart, and serious concern for their souls. For 
if they humbled themselves inwardly, and in 
the sight of God, by unfeigned repentance, sub 
mission to his righteousness, and acceptance of 
his salvation; he would certainly lift them up 
from their dejection, heal their wounded spirits, 
comfort. them with his reconciled love, exalt 
them to most valuable privileges, and enrich 
them with everlasting glory and felicity ; as well 
as exempt them from the miseries, which were 
about to come on their-nation. 

V. 11, 12.. The apostle next warned his bre- 
thren, or these. who professed and appeared to 
be Christians, to avoid detraction, slander, and 
uncharitable judgments cn each other’s motives, 


actions, characters, or state. As these things 


were expressly forbidden in the divine law; 


4 and he would draw migh | (Notez, Be. xx.16.Ler- xix. 15--18;)the man, whe 


yy 


ee > 2) ” a 


a. D. 60. 
18 ' Go’ to now} ye that Say, ™ To-day, 


or to-morrow, we will go into such a city,| Lord w 
and contiue there a year, » and buy, and) that. ; 


sell, and yet gain: : 


14 ‘Whereas ye know not what shali| ings: all s 


yeh 
Se on the morrow. For what %” your 


life ? * It is even ° a vapour, that ap-|do good, and. de 


peareth for a little time, and then vanish- 
eth away. op 8) 


15. 1. Gen. 11. 3, 4.yn Is. 24. 2 & 56. 11.414. 1, 2. Ps. 39. Fe 
%eEc. 2: 1. Ise 5.5.) Ezj712.1Cor. 7.30.) & 89, 47. & 90.95 
m Prov. 27. 1. Is.|* Or, For it is. —7. & 102. 3. Is 
$6. 12. Luke 20 1. 10. Job 7 6,) 38. 12.1 Pet. 1, 24. 
17—20. 7B 9025, 26. eZ. Jahn ds) ur. 


seen enews een Eee ee 
thus reviled; slandered, or decided against bis 
brethren, did in fact judge and condemn. the 
law itself, as if it were wujust, unnecessary, or 
unfit to be obeyed)’ Lhis conduct, therefore, 
was indeed no less ® presumption, than for a mai 
to quit his station asthe subject of God, wh» 
should be a ‘doer'of'the’ law; and to usurp the 
place of a law-giver and judge, whose office’ it 
was’to determine what ought to be commarded, 
to prescribe to men their conduct, to call them 
to’account for it, and to pass sentence upon the 
guilty. But there was one Law-giver, who was 
fully authorized and qualified to enact laws for 
his church and for the universe, to enforce them, 
and to vindicate their obligadon and honour; 
being able to destroy the obstinate transgressor, 
and to detect the masked hypocrite, as well as 
to save the humble penitent: atd to him all an- 
thority and judgment belonged. Who then 'was 
the poor worm, the vile sinner, that, forgetful of 
his own deserts; dared’ to usurp the throne of 
judgment, 'as if he were the competitor of Christ ; 
and to decide on the actions’and denounce sen- 
tence against the persons of his brethren, in a 
dictatorial: manner; and according to his own 
rules, as if that were his province and. duty ? 
(Notes, Matt. vii. 1, 2. Rom. xiv. 1-13:)—Ne- 
thing can more completely demonstrate any pro- 
position, than this passage demonstrates, that 
the moral law is the believer’s rule of duty ; and 
that every word or action, which dishonours the 
law, is rebellion, if not blasphemy, against our 
one Law-giver and Judge: at the same time 
that itexposes in a most striking manner, the 
wickedness of that presumptuous, rash, and ceri- 
sorious way, in which zealots and bigots con- 
demn and anathematize those, who in any res- 
pect differ from them; to the immense scandal 
of the Gospel and. disturbance of the church : 
and this conduct in fact is often connected with: 
antinomian tenets, and is perfectly congeniai to 
them. The coincidence of St. James’ exhorti- 
tion, with that of the apostle of the Gentiles, in 
the fourteenth chapter of his Epistle io the Ra- 
mans, is well worthy our special notice: for it 
is generally supposed, that James here refers to 


the same subject, namely, the difference ef|thanin the Gentiles: for 


Opinion! and conduct between the Jewish and 
Gentile converts, concerning meats and days, 
and the other ceremonies of the law. 

VY. 13—17. The apostle here proceeds to re- 
prove and expose the self-sufficiency, worldly 
spirit, and unbelieving irreligious language, which 


~TAMES!® 


15 For that‘ ye 0 
¢. reel 


16 But n 


17 Therefore 
Pid 


sin. 


Pp 2Sam. 15 25, 261g 
Proy. 19. 21. Lam. Pro 
3. 37. Aels 18 21} i. Es 
Rom. 1,10, & 15.) Cor, 4. 7, 
35, 1 Cor. 4, 1%. &} Rey 18, 
16. 7. Heb. 6.3. Ao Fe 


were manifested, by many, 
The expression, “ Go to now,’ Col 
uere implied strong disapprobation, an 
to any one'to consider the absurdity or 
of his conduct. "The persons reproved 
ger in pursuing’ wovldly — 
with the sagacious plans Whi 
for obtaining them, 
success : but they 
ness'and uncertainty of life, 
pendence on God in every thin 
would say,** We shall set out to-day 
‘ row, and go to su city, wh ) 
‘to reside for a year, and by car 
* such a thade, We expect to en! 
Whereas, they could’not know u 
place respecting them even on’ the 
for a single day. | (Wotes, &c. Pro. xxv 
xii. 13~21.) For indeed what 
to be compared unto, but a v: 
meteor, which, gliding through 


night, may perhaps ee , 


ment, but then vanishe 


“ed in their boastings,” >on 
of their schemes, and their pi 
dent expectation of success; t 
minded that “all such rejoicing 
result of a proud, carn: unbelii 
iy disposition ; a self-idolatry, 
izing of the world, and a forg 
of death, and of a future judg 

temper and conduct was 


God and the instructions 0} 
could not but know, that th ight t 
ually-minded, and “to acknowledge Go 
ail their ways :” if therefore they knevy 

and other things, what the good and per! 
of G6d was, and yet did not obey it; th 


CHAPTER V: A. D. 60; 
_ CHAP. V. | 43. Instructions eonceming the elders. visiting: 
Res: nae - the sick, 14, 15; and concerning Christians con« 


ARS panged onthe rich ‘and wicked]  fessing their sins fo each other, with prayer for 
8,16. Christians are exhorted to patience] one another; and a declaration of te efficacy of 
mn ekues er their trials, in hope of a spee- 

al at 


fervent prayer, 17,18. An encouragement to ats 
_ tempt the conversion of sinners, aud the: recovery 
___of their offending brethren, 19, 20. fix 

lime, to disregard the friendship or enmity of the 
world, to refuse conformity to its vain. fashions, 
to separate from the intimate society of ungodly © 
men, and.to profess the truths and obey the pre 
cepts of Christ ;\ without inquiring how far we 
may do it without incurring reproach, contempt, 
opprobrious natnes, or other kinds and degrees 
of persecution. The. envious, ambitious, and 
aspiring spirit of ungodly men, is totally contra- 
-ty'to the Christian temper, and the influences of 
the Holy Spirit: and “if any man have ‘not the’ 
‘ Spirit of Christ, he is none of his’ The Lord 
‘giveth grace to his people; though he often dea 
nies them wealth .and. honour : and he will give: 
‘more grace to those who long to have all sim 
mortifiec, and, their hearts, completely sanctifi=- 
edi /but he resisteth the proud as his rivals and. 
personal, enemies, while he, communicates the - 
blessings of bis special favour and grace, exe 
clusively, to the poor in spirit and the broken in 
heart. mo best ‘ 


emphatically sinful, and expose 
rebukes or final condemnation:.— 
é universally applicable; and every 

ight most carefully to consider it in res- 
Of sins of omission, which the conscience 
j not so readily remonstrate against, as it 
8 against those of commission (Votes, 
ji. 47,48. John xiii. 17.) 


‘¢ ; ; ) § Bee | 


ers, massacres, persecus 
and bloody contests, that ever 
earth, or harassed the Church, 
it from the lusts of man’s. apostate na- 
, and the perverse pleasure which he. takes in 
ng the commandments of Gad.» The car- 
ffections of the heart having cast off the rule 
‘reason and wisdom, anarchy aad civil war 
e a in the soul; while one, member 
Nature wars against the rest, and ta D0) 
prevail and are gratified ; and while|’ Vv. y—1y. 
f the body. are the instruments of 


| Sf any'of our fallen race desire to be happy 
ious purposes, and obey the dictates| here and hereafter, let them submit, themselves 
ant of the hour. This being,.in one. way|to, God, and seek his grace and favour; let 
another, the case with the unnumbered mil-| them resist the devil and reject his temptations, » 
is of the hu ecies, (except the remnant| and he shall flee from them : and let them draw 
3¢ who are born ugain,) we need not won.|near to God) upon his mercy-seat, and he will 
e confusion, crimes, and miseries, which} draw neat to save and help them. . But repenta 
very abounded in all parts of the| ance must be shown “ -by. works meet for re« 
“© pentance;”?. the sinner, who comes to God, 
must cleanse his hands from the allowed prac-. 
tice of every transgression, however secret, 
gainful, or pleasant.to corrupt nature; and. the 
double-minded must.cleanse his heart from hy- 
pocrisy, partiality, and worldly lusts; earnestly 
calling upon God to enable him for these things, 
which would otherwise be. entirely. impracticas 
ble. All sin must, be wept over or lamented ; 
either here in godly sorrow, or hereafter in wails 
ing and gnashing of teeth: men may defer this ins 
separable consequence of wickedness, but they 
cannot escape, it. Well. may we then call on 
the gay triflers around us, to ‘ be afflicted, and. 
“© mourn, and weep ;” as well.as on the haugh. 
ty and presumptuous, “ to humble themselves. 
“ under the mighty hand of Gody that he may 
“exalt them in.due time :” foy this is the only 
road to everlasting honour and. felicity } nor will 
the Lord refuse to comfort one godly mourner 
for sin, or to exalt one who abases himself be- 
fore him. But while ministers, and Christians, 
in their several places, protest against ungodlie 
eae Ys ee ae a fect giet ae 
pride, unbelief, and all inigni« 
refully avoid calamniatingy 
and judging others: of deciding either, 
ate or conduct, except when their duis 
or ta others, renders it unsyoidablé, 
ae WS .2 4 2 Ain peer 
ate too many professed Christiangy. 
( mn openly to quit the place of the Lord’y 
an to all men; and at the 9 rvants and doers of bis eammandmente, to af 


4n™ 


3a sfaction eannat be found in ungodliness,, 
vhat ethod the carnal mind may select.in 

ler it. fn respect of spiritual. bles- 
ay be said of many, “Ye have not, 
not, or because ye ask amiss ;” 
_ sincerity will surely receive: 
humble believing prayer is the best means 
REC ae MTR Eset Us) ag 7% 
obtaining all desir € success in temporal 
ngs. But if men ask worldly prosperity and 

hey may gratify their justs, and 
e the bounty. of God in violating, his com. 
hdments ; their i as will either be reject= 
, or they will receive the things for which 

prayed, as a scourge, or a curse. Alas! how 
nominal Christians might be addressed in 
ostle’s words, as ‘ adulterers, and adulter- 

oth literally and spiritually! And 
y be disgusted and enraged, 
to accost them in such lan- 
ly and scripturally applied ! 
terms the offensive truth be 
are bound to declare, mos¢ perepicu- 


é the friendship of the world is en- 
inst God ; and that whosoever w 


Wty ae eg ee 


™) y w UE SPDR ge a a PO 


~ 5 aks ie’ 
. 


i D, 60. A. | SAMES, 


1.0 to now, Piye rich men, ° weep “and who have te 
‘G Bi howl for your miseries that shall is of you 


some ypor you. 
24 Your riches ate corrupted, and |: 
¢ your: garments are moth-eaten. - 
"3 Your gold and silver is ¢ cankered 5 
nd the rust of them shall be sa witness 
against you, » and shall eat your flesh as 
it were fire. + Ye have heaped treast 
together for * the last days. i 
4 Behold, } the hire of the ue: 


a Ste on, 4. 13. 4. 9; Is. 13-6. &} Josh. 24. 27. Job 
bi. 1: & 2. 6} 22. 12,13) Jer.4. $:) 26. 8, 
Deut. 2. 12-14 &] Ez. 30. 2, Joel 1. 5.)h Je age 3 Mic. 3. 
32. 15. Neh. 9. 25,} 21. 13, Am. 6. 6, 7:1 $. 2 1T 16. 
25. Job 20. 1529.) Zech, 11. 2,3. Luket | 20s, 1s ‘& 21. 8, 
Ps. 17. 14. & 49= 7] 6.25. & 23. 28,29. i Dent. 32. 33, 34. 
—20.8 73. 3—9i 18]/d Mar... 6.19, 20.) Job 14, 16, 17. 
25. Proy. 11: 4+) Luke 12 $3. 1 I Pet. Rom; 2.5. 
28. He, $5.15, 141} led. k Sce. on, Gen. 49. 
Jer. 19, 23, Mice 6: Rae Job 13. a8. Ie Ise 2« 2, Mics 4, 1. 
72. Mat. 19.23; 2u5;/Ps, 39.9 11. Is.y Acts 2. 17.2 Pet. 
Luke.6; 24. & 22,| 50.9. & 51.8, Hos.| 3.3. | - 
16—*1, & 16, 19—! 5,12. © 1 Ley. 19.13. Deut. 
25. 1 Tim, 6. Agike f 2)'Tim. 2. 17. 24.14, 15, Job 24. 
Rev. 6. 15=17. 1g Gen. 31a 48. 52, 10, U1: & 31 39, 39 
Se 


just; * and he dot 


Is. 5.7. Jer 22.134 11.9. Is. 
Hab. 2.11. Mal. 3. & 4728, 
5, Am, 6, 4— 
ry eo Ex.} 16. 19. 25. . 

28, 24 3.9.) AR 
& 22) 2394, sob] sade 12, Hey 


34.28) Ps.9. 12. & 


the event of their c i 
continued upbehenane 

therefore, called o en 
his words, and 


up fur judges, and to prescribe to their fellow- 
servants, or decide on their eternal state. Such 
mén speak evil of the divine law and defame it; 
while they vent their own passions, under the 
colour of zeal for the truths of the Gospel. But 
let us.leave them, and all others, to their own 
Master, remembering that: ** there is one Law. 
« giver, who is able to save and to destroy ;?. 
and let us be careful to judge. ourselves, that we 
may not be condemned by him.—Let us also/ 
watch against the worldly spirit and conduct so 
common among professors of the Gospel, who 
scheme, ptrpose, and speak, as, if they were to 
live here for ever ; as if this were their rest and 
portion, and. as if God were not.in all, their 
thoughts. Let us remember, that our life is but 
*¢ a vapour, that continueth a little while, and 
“ then passeth away,” just when and as the 
Lord pleaseth ; that the world is full.of vexation 
and disappointment ; and that we have, nothing 
to do on earth, but to secure the salvation of our 
gouls, to glorify God, and to serve our genera- 
tion: «Then we shall “cordially say, “ If the Lord 
«s will, we shall live, and do this or that ;” and 
keep ata distance from the self-conceited. and 
foolish boastings of ungedly men. Let us learn 
also to reduce all our Knowledge to practice ;| guilty consciences wo 
remembering, that in all tbings, to him. that| crimes by which they 
knoweth to do good.and doeth it not, to him it} use which they had m 
is sin, heimous and aggravated sin, that they would be 
' their metals were 
NOTES. burn their. flesh hke fi 
“CHAP. V. Vv. 1—6. . The apostle here evi- wickedness and great 
dently meant a direct address to the unbelieving treasures for the las’ 
Jews, among whom were, in general, the. rich j tion, when God was sbot 
and great men.of the nation. He wrote but.a vengeance upon them fo 
short time before the destruction, of: Jerusaiem, } lic iniquities ; and when 
and those desoiations, which Christ, had predict. profit them, than in the 
ed and his, disciples expected : and as the more] day of judgment; whie 
~ prosperous of his, counte ymen rejected the gas | upwrath against the day 
aa from regard to their worldly interests, and} hold, the hire of their poor’! 
were become most atrociously wicked ; he fove-| reaped their harvest, an a ile: 
saw the speedy termination of all their enjoy wealth, had). been. faa 
ments, and the most grievous temporal cala. | jt cried for ven 
ities abauit to overwhelm them; #s well as| (Mang. Bef) 


geance ; (Notes, Is, 
19, .20.). ‘Their cor 
which they had ay, 
rupted; or they wo 
them, than if they we 
costly garments, which 
wardrobes, were consumir 
was such a curse upon th 
soon be of no. 

silver, . ‘which’ ‘should, 
circulation, were laid 
as with rust, and_ 
money would bear. wit 
‘ousness : whilst, in co 
up, their enemies wo 
der; the ‘anguish, of 
would be a torment 


Og a | 


4 CHAPTER V. a “AD. 6: 


herefore, brethren, hold, ¢ a ‘the Jud : “standeth before, the 

old, | door.» ; : 
veth for the precious Hf SO: Take, any. Gaicttivin,. the prophets ' 

pand hath a pares e who have spo! the name of the 

| Lord, t for 3 an eXan ple of suffering afilic- 

tion, and ‘of. pap 


30 patient, # 12 ish your i] Behold, § wegeount them. happy 
i for the coming of ‘the ‘Lord| which’ endure. 4 Ye have heard of the: 
| patience of Job, i and’ have seen the end 
of the Lord; that * the Lord i is very piti- 
ful, and of tender mercy. 


(Practical. Observations. J 


jd Gen. 4. 7. Mat [gp See on, 1. 12. Ps. Neh. | 9 17. 81. Ps. 
24+ 33. 1 Cor. ¥0,| 94, 12. Mat, 10. 22,] 25.6, 7. & bl. le & 
11s* Heb. 9. 6. 14. & 78. 38, & 861 6, 156 
els..39. 8: gem 23.1 10.39. & 103; 8.13. & 116. 
Zech. biLev. 19- 18 Bs. | 22. & 26. 16. Acts'h Job 1, 21,29, & 2, 5. & 119. 182, 
59. 15. Mark °6,| 3 21: Heb. 13.°7. «| 10% 13, 15, 16+ &| 136.1, ke & 145, 
19. Marg. 2Cor. 9,| £ 2 Chr. 36. 16, Jer.) 23. 10. 8.16. 5h By 7. RS, 
7Ziveta 9. | 2 80, Mat.) 5. 11,]i Job 49. to—17, He 63.7. 9% Lam. de 
Or, Groan nat éne| 12) & 21. 34—39\) 37. 37. Ke. 7, 8. 22, Dan. 9. 9, 18, 
agéinst ; or, gricve & 23.24—37, Luke, Pet. 1. 6.7. 13. 3) 19) Joel 2. 13./ ‘Sout 
not anes 11. Gale} 123. & 13. 84.1 Pet. 2. 9. 4. 2. Mie. 7° 18). 
14a 260 Acts 7.52.1 'Thes.Jk Ex. 34.6. Num.| Luke 1. 50 & 6. 
Mat Se 14, 15. & (2) kag 15. Heb. 1] ay 18% 1 Chri2i.} 36. Rom. "24, Eph, 
82-38. 1 18. 2 Che. 30. 9] 16.6, & 24. 


rs 4 HS 
ery aeltiat their cruel ty-| tions of the weather, and continually renewing: 
rd by “the Lordof Sabaoth,”|his labour, as Occasion requires; till the Lord, 
out to send the Roman] on whom the increase entirely depends, is pleas~ 
igments on them for}ed to send the former and the latter rain 5 
d indeed lived for atime (Marg. Ref) and at length the crop tipens, 
y, and ad rioted in sen’ | and his toil and waiting are amply compensated 
@iich pasture ; ‘and the pride! bythe harvest. ‘Thus ‘ought they to wait, with 
‘hearts had ‘been’ nourished patient hope and persevering diligence, not yield= 
indulgence, as in a day of} ing to weariness or desponding fears ; but stav 
ifices were offered and | blishing their hearts by fuith in the promises of 
‘orrather, as the ox is God, against all temptations to draw back or to 
ter, and even enjoys | turn aside: for the time of their waiting would, 
{ixuriant p: ture secu ely to! ‘that very time.| not be long; as in every sense the coming of the 
eir other times. the Jews had| Lord approached, and a most glorivus and pre- 
ily co a ed and crucified, ‘with the }cious harvest would soon amply repay all tiieiy 
iy were of the whole nation, that) losses, hardships, and sufferings. They ought 
who had cr'me among them, even | not, therefore, to grudge one another the transi- 
righieons ; they still perpetuated | ent advantages which they possessed ; or to give 
, by persecuting, his meek | way to envy,” discontent, repinings, or resent- 
‘mies owers: hitherto he had not re-| ment; lest the coming of the Lord should be to. 
Si em. and they had no pretence for them their condemnation instead of their redemption. 
outrage ‘ous enmity * and eruelty ts vim and bis: dis.| For they must carefully observe, that the Judge, 
But he was about to come wie execute} even then as it were, stood before the door, and 
terrible vengean ice. upon ‘them. OS wag abotit toenter. Very soon would he dedide 
‘7-11, After t preceding afl ‘warn betwee’ his true people, and mere professors of 
anc har reproof of ; thy Jews, who Christionity, as well as execute vengeance on 
principal opposer of the gospel, and | their enemies : and they ought to prepare for ~ 
exposed to the approaching judgments | his coming, and leave him to plead their cause, 
4 the apostle addressed himself to his without attempting to avenge themselves ; oj" 
icte and persecuted fellow: Christians 5 groaning under : ‘injuries and distresses, or mur= 
ho d to bear their sufferings with | muring for want of such transient benefits, as all 
and ‘constant | perseverance, till ‘the | temporal possessions must be. ‘Instead therefore 
he Lord. ‘He primarily meatt the | of copying the fierce passions of their unbeliev-_ 
coming of the Lord Jesus, to'de-| ing countrymen, who,were ready to ‘Tage under 
fet them from the persecution of the Jewish| their calamities like a wild bull in a net; they 
fo execute vengeance upon that de-| ought to study and imitate the example’ of the 
yet he might intend to lead their} ancient prophets, by ‘whom the Word had. sent | 
i te to the hour of death, and the | his sone ‘to thei nation, and who had been 
hrist to judgment. (Notes, Matt. and even put to death, for their © 
i ey might observe, that the hus-|f yet they had persevered with calm” 
t e has tilled his ‘ground, and, sanhAende in God, and submission to”his will, 
wi th t labour and expense, | and with a meek | and compassionate fortitude. 
est paiediately but waits among their « enemics. They ought also to re- 
meonths, baal that the apostles of ‘Christ and other 


ae 9. Phil. 4, es 
34 1 Pet. 4 7. 


7 " ey 


JA 

above all things, my brethren, | — 

not; neither by heaven, neither). 
by the earth, neither by any other oath: 
» but let your yea, be yea; and your’ niay;) wi 
may; ° lest ye fall into condemnation. ~ 
13 IsP any among you afflicted? let 
him pray. 1s 1 any Mherry?* let him sing 
psalms. : PS ae 
V1 Pet. 4.3.3 nl 34. 7. Luke 22% 44. & |. 


2. p 2 Chr, $3. 12, 13)) 23. 42. Acts 16. 24.) 
m See on, Mat. 5.\ Job 33.26, Ps. 18.) 25.2 Com 12) %7—| 
83—37. & 23. WH) 6.& $0.15. & My 10. Hed. 5.7, 
92. 15: & 116.35. &lq Judge 16. 23+25. 
% See on, 2 Cor. 1.f 118-5. & 142. 1—~| Van. 5.4. ~ 
1720. 8. Lam, 3° 55, 56)\r 1 Chr. 16. 5: Ps. 
©3- 1,2 1 Core 11.) Hos 6+ 1oJoms.2, 21.95. 2, & 105. 2 


& 7010.8 14.3.8 

19 1-6. : 
S Acts 14,23. & 15, 
~ 4 Tit. 5. 


sual indulgence, 
by sinful means 
by their sorro 
piously, ‘and e: 
from God co 
use of their 
when any ¢ 
in spirit ; they ou; 
voice of pt and th: 


faithful ministers of the New Testament, and 
all experienced Christians, counted those happy, 
who patiently endured affliction and persecution ; 
not such as were exempted from suffering, or 
turned aside to avoid it. (Wore, i- 12.) They had 
often heard of the patience of Job, under the 
‘most complicated and aggravated distresses that 
could be imagined ; and how he steadfastly ad- 
hered to God, and determined to hope in him in 
his utmost extremity, notwithstanding the ex~ 
cessive confusion into which his temptations had 
thrown his mind: and they perceived, that the 
end of his afflictions, and the temporal and spiril- 
ual advantages which he derived from them, suf- 
ficiently. demonstrated that the Lord wag most 
éenderly compassionate and propense to mercy, 
even when he most heavily afflicted, or sharply 
tried, his believing servants. This had nat ap+ 
peared, during Job’s calamities, but it was mani- 
fest in the event of them: and they also would y 
find the same in the event of their trials; pro-) that they might pray the 
vided they endured them patiently, and persever-| recovery, anointing 
ed in faith and obedience. (Votes Heb. xii. 5—12.)| the Lord Jesus, : 
V.12, Above all things, the apostle called 
on those whom he addressed, to beware, lest 
their trials and provocations should lead them 
. to swear, in a passionate, rash, or profane man- 
ner; in their own justification, and to escape per- 
gecution, or by any customary oath, according 
to the general custom of the Jews, but in di- 
rect opposition to the express command of} not now expected ; 
Cbrist.. On the contrary, in their ordinary con-; anointing with oil cann 
versation, and at all times, when a solemn appeal | It need scarcely 
to God as an act of religious worship was not| uaction, used by t 
proper, they ought simply to affirm or,deny, and/fers from the 
to establish their assertion or engagement, by a| James; for it is ne 
serious, repetition of it when necessary. “At! person is supp 
the same time, their veracity and punctu-|} and no hope is e 
ality ought to: be so approved, that every one| that a spiritual bi 
might be ready to credit, and confide in’ them| such a ceremon 
without hesitation, or requiring the security of| an opiate, to quiet rid 
an oath: otherwise they would fall under con-| both of the dying and “of the 1 
demnation, for swearing falsely, without necessi-| be supposed, that these murae 
fy, or without due reverence of God, or of an|be performed at all times 
‘oath, ‘The Jews are recorded to have been ré-| have been some im 
‘markably guilty of common swearing at this} person, who wroug 
~ dime; which might induce the apostle to enter! exercise of faith 
“this solemn protest againstit, (Motes, Mait. v.| be 
83—37. xxiii. 16—22.) Ae 


ike. 


other Christian 
poses, instead 
carual rejoicin, 
luting, or pro 
used by ungod 
she merry.” 2 aa 
_ Y. 14,15, Sick p 
the elders of the chu 


that faith by which 
prayer, offered in” 
would be the mean 
sins committed bj 
was sent, woul 

vi 13. xvi 17, 1 


V. 13- Whilst worldly men, under their af-| 
Bictions, either yielded to bitter complaints anc | sick, by minis 


desponding munaiurs, or sought relief in sen-|larly spoken of 


» 


> 
MI) 2 


i. 3 CHAPTER V. A.D. 60: 


ae ‘t Conf ess yeur faults one to another, 
ind ‘prajeaidbersnother, > that ye, may 
effectual fervent pray- 


_17,¢ Elias was a man.¢ subject to like 
passions as we are, £ and he prayed * ear- 
nestly, that it might not rain: © and it 
us man, availeth much, | rained not on the earth by the Space of 

99, 33. & 17 145. 18. Prov. 15.| three years and six months. 
Be 32. 10-18) Sogh Jers. tS) 8: And. whe prayed again, and the hea- 
|ven gave rain, an¢ "the - earth brought 

apes her fruit. ; 

19 Brethren, if any, of you do Kk err 


el ae 17%. i. 
» Efija 


jah 
A ‘fActs 10. 26814. 15. 
Le: eg 11.2. Rey. 


Ih Luke 4, 25. 1, 1 Tim. 6. Jo. 
i i Kings 18. 42—45.} 21. 2 Tim- 2. 18, 
Jer. 14.22. Acts14.17.) 2 Pet. Se » Jude 


* On. in ie Brees Prov: 19. 27. Is.3. 
kK Ps 119. 21 | ty 


AE Sin 


en | expected. _ When | eect" this charitable 
vit prudence, tenderness, 

av e very useful, especial- 
to the ose around them: but 
n : visiting, praying with, and 
d’s supper to, sick and dying per- 

eet particular and appropriate instruc 
and ‘exhortation, as it is too commonly 
aged, i is doubtless of extremely bad tenden- 
and is a relict of popish superstition and for- 
y : for it not only gives a false quiet to ma- 
» who have then first begun to think 
and their, souls; but it encourages 
rs to rocrastinate, under a deluding ima- 
on, that a confession, a prayer, 2 ministe- 
a solution, and the sacrament, will ‘set alt 
at last; without any previous’ diligence in 
duties of a godly life. _ If, however, nothing 
bi ta miraculous cure was sought, there could 
be no suficient reason, why . thé elders of the 
hurc > father han others, who were endued 
mir jus gifts, should be sent for. The 
is used ; and, where it could be 
obtained, the presence oe more than one minister 

r would be desirable : but it cannot be supposed, 
S was indispensably necessary. That any 
culty should be found, about the persons in 
ed by apr elders of the church,” would 


prone ‘to vice, “thai other orders: inthe society,) 
is put in possession of the secrets’ of families, 
nay, of councils and princes, of which they have 
made abundant use, to their own aggrandize= 
ment, and enslaving the laity, and for many 
other mischievous purposes. Thus also,: they 
have discovered the weak and vulnerable side of 
almost every individual ; which hath opened the 
way to their attempting and committing crimes 
of every kind. But the confession of sins spoken 
of by the apostle, is no more that of a layman to 
a priest, than that of 2 priest toa layman: it is 
reciprocal between Christians one among an- 
other ; and voluntary, that it may be regulated 
according to prudence and propriety, for the 
benefit of mutual exhortations and prayers. To . 
encourage his brethren to this beneficial prac« 
tice, the apostle showed them the value and effi- 
cacy of prayer. When a righteous person, a 
true believer, justified in Christ, and, by his 
grace, walking before God in holy obedience, 
presented an effectual fervent prayer; (one that 
Was wrought in his heart by the energy of the 
Holy Spirit, exciting holy affections and believ- 
ing expectations, and so leading him to he fer- 
vent and earnest in pleading the promises ‘of 
God at bis mercy-seat, in behalf of himself or 
others :) it ‘‘ availed much,” in obtaining the 
blessings thus sought, being the means through 
which God was pleased to work his own gra- 
cious purposes, as really as any other which he 
employs for that end. Elias, or Elijah, for in- 
stance, was a man of the same sinful nature with 
others, and he was no more exempt from human 
passions and infirmities, when he executed his 
ministry, than the apostle and his brethren were : 
yet he prayed, (under ‘he influence of the pro- 
‘phetical Spirit, out of zeal for the glory of God, 
and to preyent the total apostacy and idolatry of 
Israel ;) that it might not rain on the land; and 
in answer to his prayer, there was no rain for 
three years and a half: and at length the calami- 
ty was terminated i in atiswer to his prayers fer 
rain, after he had slain” the’ priests of Baal.— 
(Notes, 1 Kings xvii. ‘Xviii-) This example seems 
rather to favour the opinion of those. who sup- 
pose the : apostle to refer to “ the prayer of faith,” 
{as it respected ‘miraculous interpositions : ‘bat 
the efficacy of that prayer, which is, in all ages, 
presented under the teaching and influences Of 
‘the Holy Spirit, is, te Ne the Scripture, so 
fully deciared. that the exclusive ves ae 
is incdmissible. 


Jat < 


Bee on the subject, except the 
(Marg. Ref) 
we pig Past apostle next exhorted Chris- 
to confess their faults to one another : this 
mean, either mutual acknowledgment of the 
its into which they had fallen, in their con 
towards one another, which would tend 
: peace and brotherly love if it were 
or, a communication reciprocally of 
experiences, and a confession of those 
which burdened their | consciences ; which, 
nm prudently managed, would make way for 
counsel, encourage, and exhort one an- 
be 3 direction to their prayers for 
and thus tend to’ their inward 
the healing of their souls, as well as 
oval of the chastisements which they 


nded upon it, of the laity. being. re 
on €Ss all. their secret sins to the 
r to their being pardoned and 


© less ambitrous, interested, and 


. ‘ ra 
A. D. 60. re JAMES. 
from the tr s Vand one convert ‘him 4 | way, 
20 Let f now, m that he which con+ 


“verteth 1 me sinner from the error. of his 


84, 4) Luke 22.32. Galy 13) Jude 22, 23. 
16. Mae 18. 15.1 6. 1. Heb. 12. 12, etna do 


yy ‘19, 20-. Among other works of ae which 
believers ought to attempt by faith and prayer ; 
ag. ae of such nominal Christians, as had 
dangerous heresies, or fallen. into sin, 
Was peculiarly to be attended to ; especially as 
many evils of this. kind had taken place among 
them. If any, one therefore had). turned. aside 
from the truth, and had got into some destruc- 
tive path; and one of his brethren had been in- 
strumental to his conversion,.,so that he was. at 
Jength become a true Christian; he should.con- 
sider himself, as under far greater obligations to 
the person who:thus restored him, than if he had 
wrought a miracle to J heal his sickness, and. pre- 
serve. his life. And the man, who had been em: 
ployed in this good work, ought to. deem it a far 
more desirable service, than if he had ‘been. ena- : 
bled to work miracles forthe recovery of the » PRACTICAL 
sick, Seeing he had been employed by the Lord, “G3 ve 
in,saying an immortal soul from eternal destruc-| , The rich, luxuric ne 
tion, and of bringing a perishing transgressor to| now, scornfully refuse 40 
‘Christ; that his atoning, blood might cover the] will soon be/forced 0 
multitude of his. sins, never more to appear in| miseries which iare comin 
judgment against him, or to prevent his admis-| idolized treasures will 
sion into eternal happiness. Neither this, nor} except as they will rise 
any other good work, could cover the multitude| them, and tormen 
of the man’s sins who performed it, by inducing ‘their condemnation. “The. 
God to. pardon, him for the sake ofit:..for.the| stewards will then be 
most successful minister needs self-denying dili- | cruel injustice ahd oppre: 
nce, lest, ‘ after having preached to others, he) treat their dependants and 
« himself should: be a.cast-away ;” and the whole} tdil and ingenuity they are et 
plan of the Gospe},runs counter to such an idea:| they leave to-penury and: di 
« Surely it cannot be the apostle’s intention to | most Meter ye goniaes 
* tell us, that the turning of a sinner from the er: | ** Lord of hosts.” ” » Wha 
¢ ror of his way, will conceal, from the eye of i 
¢ God’s justice, a multituie of sins committed by 
« the person who does this charitable action, if he 
¢ continueth in them: “Sich’a person needs him. 
¢ self to be turned “from the error of his way,” 
¢ in order that his owa soul may be saved from 
® death” (Macknight.) In no sense, or way, 
can it be said, that our good works, of whatever 
kind, “ cover the multitude of our sins ;” or any 
of our sias, without either implying, that. they 
purchase for us an indulgence or. dispensation, to 
continue in sin3 or, that they are efficacious in 
atoning for sin, either alone, or along with the 
blood of Christ. The words are quoted from the 
Proverbs ; the context there evidently excludes 
this interpretation, and the:use, afterwards made 
of them by S{. Peter, by no means favours it — 
(Notes, Prov. x. 12.) 1 Pet-iv. 8.) He shall 
© save a soul from eternal death ; and. shall be. 
¢ the means that the many. sins! of that convert 
¢ shall, through his true repentance, be forgiven 
¢ and notimputed to him.” (Bp. Hail.) The 
zealand ee thus: pad might indeed be’ ti ne 
an evidence of grace, and conduce*to a man’s} repine, des > ord) 8) 
enjoying the comfort)of the pardoning love of} pare to meet our Judg who stan ‘at 
Christ, notwithstanding bis manifold defects ; yet | door,” that we may not be ‘condemned 
this falls vastly short of the energy of the apos-} coming: for alt our eternal interests are 
tle’s words, and seems not at all to-have been in {if we have oe them in his hand; 


ner that repenteth 
want any indu f 
them in scent aan 

they have any ae 
need any of their-own ¥ vol 


of the Saviour’s Em oe 
Meant to show vleriresusit 
more important usefulness, 

sick by miracle could bes! 
prompt them mast | 


powers, and they 
neglecta much 


Take as the fat mele 
have only heape ish 
it behind them; or red 
* day,” as za: elu iin 
hell; being in eines 
when impartially given, wil 
‘yants of Christ to their con 
tion; and hence gar ! 
been excited to condemn and m™ 
ous and unresisting diseif 
the Lord of glory himself. 


precious fruit of the eart 
which he ‘now’ sows. in 

tears, will spring up ands 
of eternal joy. Let u 
in well-doing, having our he 
grace, and realizing: | 


4 will soon be done with 
“follow prophets and 
yed Christ, in patiently 
cee bearing injuries = 
y,are and will be happy, 
-wibulations, even unto the 
ft will clear up the darkness of 


ee 


| that of Job ; nay, far more illustri- 

ee that “the? ‘oan 

seed r mercy,” and that ‘are happy, who 
a -. ai risa Be! Pe “aa 3 


Vs 2 
: y important to the interests of 
in pall who profess the gospel, 
eof God, _ a 

swearing and the profane lan- 
‘abounds in the world, and from 
which is intimately connected 
; that their yea, may be yea, and their nay, 
Indeed, such as these things, have 
reason to conclude that they shall escape 
ha rc esr qarweeeira the Judge appeareth. The 
| f prayer should always accompany that of 
} s, when we are afflicted; and 
our, be expressed in the language of 
wal evap Alin ‘We should receive 
in and sickness as the chastisement of the 
d, seek relief from him, whatever in- 
or means we employ for that purpose. 
els and prayers ¢ of the ministers and 


% 
the nai 


the pardon of our sins, eid the healing z 
souls, than the removal of our bodily suf- 
3. Christians May profitably confer to- 
ning pees egies sins, and tempt- 


CHAPTER v: 


| ee ations, 


| them; as 


PETER. 


d. D. 58; 


‘that they may May encourage, warn, counsel, 
» and properly pray for each other: and 
they should never ‘be backward to confess those 
offences that they have committed against their 
brethren, or to ‘ : 
against them. A € ought ‘greatly to desire, 
and highly to value, the prayers of our fellow- 
Christians, and to abound in supplications for 
«the effectual fervent prayer of = 
“righteous man availeth much” | Nor ought we 
to be discouraged from this duty by the cee 
sciousness of our weakness, 


‘sinful passions ; as they, who of old ieaetre 


such signal answers to their prayers, were mer 
of like passions with us: and we have as good 
reason to expect that God will answer our hum- 
ble believing requests, for such things as he bath 
promised, and as are really for our good and fox 
his glory; as Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Hezekiah, 
or Daniel had, or any other person who wrestled 
with him and prevailed. In the use of all proper 
means, every oné of us should seek the spiritual 
good of our children, relatives, friends, enemies, 
and all around us ; and the conversion of si 

as well as the recovery of such as have wanders 
ed from the way of trath and holiness - consider- 
ing, that if im one instance only, during the 
course of our whole lives, and after ten thousand 
disappointments, we are made successful instru- 
ments in saving a soul from death, and covering 
2 multitude of sins, the event is of so vast impor- 
tance, as abundantly to repay all our toil, anxié- 
ty, and disappointment ; being far greater thah 
the preservation of the lives of multitudes, or 
ptomoting the temporal prosperity of whole na- 
tions. (Wote, Luke xv. 8—10.) Let us then, in 
our. several stations, keep these things i in mind, 
and spare no pains in so charitable a service ; and 
the event will prove that “eur labomr was not in 
‘“ vain inthe Lord.” 


% » had repeated opportunities of considering the character” and apostleship of Peter, aa 


is epistle and that which follows, as far as are made Known by the holy scriptures— | 
sh additional information concerning him, however, has been conveyed down by tradition, 
, ecclesiastical history : but a large proportion of this is absolutely incompatible with the 
apostles, and many things in St. Paul’s epistles; much more is dubious; and the 
$ of the church and bishop of Rome, as grounded on these records and traditions, are 
Land extravagant, as to deserve little notice, ar to require any further refutation. 
certain that Peter ever was at. Rome though itis highly probable that he went » 
the close of his life; and that. he was there put todeath by crucifixion, at, or © 
ne, when Paul as a Roman citizen, was 
¢, probably some time before, to the Christians in the different provinces of 
Many indeed have endeavoured to prove that as: 
the Jewish converts only 5: bat. Peter was distin 


ie 


Suring Nero’s persecution —" 


apostle of the circumcision, 
nguisked, not onty as the chief 


AoD.65: 


ed the Jewis 
the Gent » as well as the Jewish converts ; pa perh 
case e of the latter. Indeed, the contrary opinion is found a 
which are capable of another, and far more natural interpre 

» in other places cannot at all consist with it. Tt also seems'e 

» churches, which had been founded by St. Paul, to pommel 
' those, who pretended that. his doctrine differed ‘from that 
a ‘the epistle by Silvanus, St. Paul’s faithful and constant coadjuto 
Bahylon, in the remains or vicinity of ites 38 city, itis probable 
planted, perhaps consisting principally of the descendants of 
regions after the Babylonish captivity. For no satisfactory treason 
ing, as many ‘have.done,, in ancient and modern times, that Babylo 

of this Kind suited the nature: of St. John’s Revelation; but was wholly unsui 
the letter. We here find the same great doctrines, with which St. Pat 
applied to the same practical purposes. And. it. is peculiarly rem r 
gentleness, and humble love, with which itis written; which indeed forms 
to the domineering: pride and severity, that characterize the pretended suc 
writer- Various opinions have’been entertained of the time. when 
but as no’ certainty seems attainable, it is dated according Tt 

\ ject, in. 8 3 Rerey ets he is oy. no means confident. 


eae 
wo CHAP. I. ' eo 


. = toy? the. Str 
“The apostle addresses the strangers in Pontus, &e. | th nroughout 4 da’ Por 
with salutations and thanksgivings to God for his : 
abundant merey, and the inestimable blessings 
bestowed on them, 1—5, He shows the nature |. ’ 
and benefit of their trials, and'the joy by which 
they were counterbalanced, 6,7. Through faith, | 
they loved’ and rejoiced in an unseen Saviour, 
and recéived his salvation, 8, 9.. The. ancient 
prophets had most diligently inquired into this 
salvation ; angels desired to look into it; and the 
Moly Spirit confirmed and prospered. the preach-. 
ing of it, 10—12. This should animate Chris- 
tians to a holy and circumspect conduct; as the 
worshippers of a holy. God, 13—17 : and as re- 
deemed by the precious bloo:l of Christ, through aetan 
whom they believed and hoped in God, 18—€1. | py 44, Esth, 3.8 M 
Exhortations to pure and fervent love of one ¥ — It. 32. Jam 
another, being brethren by regeneration, through ! ae : 
the word of God, which, as an incorruptible seed, |e Acts 16. 6. & a y 


fication of the Sp z 
a sprinkling of { 


a Sée on, Mat. 4.18.) & | 
& 10.2. John 1, 41,! Cor. 
42. & 21, 15—I17, he 

b 2 Tl. Acts 2. 6— Rev. 

/ 11. Eph. 2. 12, 19) 
Heb, 11.13. | 
¢ Lev. 26. 33. Deut. 
4. 27. & 28. 64, KI 


i Abs 2.9. & 18. 
‘endureth for ever, in the endeared ‘relation, ‘thus ; gt Gal. 1. 2 
‘fornied, 2225. Acts 2: By 

‘ g Acts & 9% 


16. 6. & 19 104 


archs, or of the Jews, 
type or emblem D 
more natural to-und nh 
gonetal who were pilg 


ERE NOTES: F 
CHAP: I: V..1, 2. The) churches bens ad- 
dressed were situated in Asia Minor, (as distin- 
guishedsfrom the’ continent of Asia;) and Asia, 
(as mentioned’ separately,) was the proconsular 
district; of which Ephesus. was the capital city: 


so that they were chiefly the churches which 
had been planted by St. Paul, and. the evangel- 
asts that accompanied or helped him. As’ the 
apostle called the persons. to whom he wrote, 
“ strangers ;” some have laboured to prove, that 
they Were proselytes of the gate, who had em- 


braced the gospel’; as Cornelius and his friends. 


are supposed to Have been before: their conver- 
sion. Others 'confine it to the Jewish converts, 
who, living at a distance from the promised land, 
among the Gentiles: wene \thus called.) But as 
Christian’ are “strangers and pilgrims upon 
@ earths? andas the! Sopanening cof the. patri- 


‘These the apostle, : 


Eph.i, 112. 2 The 
purpose and special lov: 


generation, and carried | 
tification of their fe Ae 
progressive renewal of thar uls 
image of God, thus Prcpenins Hep fa 
ical obetiene +, and this was 


“ lights i in the ae. 


chosen in Christ, ¢ 
“ledge of God; re 


been rendered effectual, 
of the».Spirit unto obedi 


as Se 


Sa CHAPTER I. WALD. 63. 


e the God and Father efjand * undefiled, and that * fadeth. not 
st, ¥ which according} away, » reserved in heaven } for you, 
“mercy * hath begotten} 5 Who are® kept by the power of God 
liyely hope, " by the re-|4 through faith © unto salvation, * ready te 
Jesus Christ from the dead,| be revealed € in the last time: 
‘imheritance ¥ incorruptible, | Practical Observations] 


® Gr. nuch 18, 19.1 John 3.3. 4° : 
13.5 ver. 23. & 2 2ju 3. 21. Is. 26. 19./ z Rev. 21.97. 

8. &| John i. 13. & 3. 3} Rom, 4- 25. & 5./a 5.4. Is, 40. 7, 8, 
Cor —8. Jam. 1. 18. I! 100% 8.11. 2 Cor. |) Ez. 47. 12. Jam. 1. 


adit; 
1,2. Prov. 2. 8. Is. 17.2 Tim. 3. 15. 
54. 17. Jer. $2.40,1 Heb. 6. 12.5 

John 4. 14.%& §.25.\e Is. a= AT. Be x 
& 10. 28-30. & i7,} 6. 1 Thes. 1.36 2 


John 2.29. & 3.9.) 16.20. Eph. 2. 6.) 11. : & 17, : 

& 4.7. & 5, 1-4.) 1 Thes. 4. 14. b Ps. 31, 19. Col. 1.) 11, 12. 15 Rom. 8.) Thes. 2. 23, 14. 
Ag’ S,9, Matt: 25.34.) 5.& 3.14.2 Tim] 31—39. Phil. 1. 6.) Heb: 9, 28. 
4, 5. & 8.) Acts 20.32. & 26.| 4. 3. Jude 1. 24> ‘f yer. 13. Tim. 6. 

12. 1% & 154 18.Gal. 3.18. Eph.) f Or. for us. _ jd Rom 11. 20. 2] 14,15. Tite 2 13. 
Cor 13. 13.] 1-1}. 14. 18. Col.|e¢ 1Sam. 2.9. Ps.| Cor. 1. 24.-Gal 2.) i John 3. 2 

1. 23. 27. 1) 1-12. Heb. 9. 16. | 37. 23, 24. 27..&/ 20. Eph, 2.8. & 3.[g Jab 19. 25, John 

1. 3. Tits 2-4y.1 Cor. 9. 25. &j 103.17, 18. & 125. Ago ae 
. 6. Se 6! 15. 52—54. a4 ; 


of ‘the blood of Jesus,” or the} by calling on his fellow-Christians to join with 
Pof the virtue of his atone-/ him, in blessing God for his distinguishing mer- 
aol eatie ences, *by divine faith, for! cy and grace ; under the character of ‘* the God 
of their guilt, and the rendering of} and Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Of his 
: et ns and services accepted with God -/‘ abundant mercy,” or the greatness of bis com- 
’as the blood of the legal sacrifices, was applied | passionate love to the guilty, the polluted, and 
by sprinkling it around the altar, and before the }the wretched, even such as were “ dead in sin 

ercy-seat; or, as the blood of the sacrifices|“ and children of wrath, he had regenerated 
sled on the people, when the covenant | “ them,” (WVotee, John iii. 1—8. Eph. ii. 1—10.) 


To these persons the apostle wished and | by his divine power, their repentance, faith, and 
“that grace and peace might be mul- obedience, had originated.4 Thus, as the children 
,” according to the salutation generally | of God, they had been taught to entertain “2 
St. Paul. (Note, Rom. i. 7-) ‘wage lively,” or living “hope”” They were no 
ey Were taught, at the opening of the epistle, |longer left to be influenced principally by any 
c ascribe their salvation to the electing love of | of the hopes, which worldly men indulge of ob- 
the Father, the redemption of the Son, and the/ taining satisfaction in temporal things ; or to the 
netification of the Holy Spirit; and so to give | presumptuous and inefficacious- hope of mercy 
‘te one God in three persons, into whose} and salvation, by which formalists and hypo- 

y had been baptized.—£lect, &c.|crites are deceived: but they were made parta~ 
tho in their outward profession, and | kers of a well-grounded hope of salvation, which 
due judgment of charity, are justly re-) was an active living principle in their souls of 
for the elect of God, according to the| patient and cheerful obedience. This regene- 
decree and good purpose of God the| ration, and the hope resulting from it; were con- 
(Bp. Hall.) —Sprinkling, &c. ‘Men jsequences arising from “the resurrection of 
i € Not easily convinced of the deep stain of| Christ.” His vicarious sacrifice haying been 
»* sin, and that no other laver ean fetch it out,} accepted, he had been raised from the dead, to 
« but the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.) prove that he was the Son of God, and that he 
* Some that have moral resolutions of amend-| had done his work on earth, and in order to 
* ment, dislike at least’ gross sins, and purpose | the ‘performance of his mediatory office in hea- 
“to avoid them; and it is to them cleanness} ven: that, by communicating.through his inter- 
“enough to reform in’ these things: but they| cession, the Holy Spirit, to give efficacy to the 
~ © consider not what becomes of the guiltiness | preaching of the gospel, sinners might be raised 
© that they have contracted already; or -how|from the death of sin; by ‘a continuation, as 
at shall be purged, Be not deceived in|it were, of that power -which restored to life 
‘it is not a transient sigh, or 2 light word, | the dead body of Christ, (Votes, Eph. i. 19, 20.) 
wish of, God forgive ine ; no, nor the high-|'Thus they -had obtained a title to an inherit- 
t current of repentance, nor that whicliis the | ance, which was of ,a very different nature from 
fest evidence of repentance, amendment: it|those which worldly men sought for, as well as 
* is none of these, that purifies in the sight of|a warranted hope of it, and a meetness for it. 
Ny and expiates wrath. They are all imper- |For earthly inheritances ate-corrupiible in them- 


for themselves ; much less be of value | in respect of the means by which they are obtain- 
unterpoise the former guilt of sin, The ed, the use which is generally made of them, and 
tears of the purest repentance, unless they | the persons who possess them ; and fading, as to 

d with this bloed, are impure; all|the very trivia! comfort, honour, or distinction 
igs without this, are but the wash-} which they confer. But the inheritance to which 
ekamoor, it is labour in vain.?] the regenerate were entitled, and for which they 


i? 


LS a ee 


d with Israel, at mount Sinai. (Marg.| and from this gracious change wrought in them _ 


and stained themselves, cannot stend and | selves, and in respect of their possessors ; defied, 


es 


AD, 63. 


6 Wherein" ye greatly rejoice, though 
now i for a season, (« if need be,) ! ye are 
in heaviness through ™ manifold tempta- 
tions: . nar 

7 That™ the trial of your faith, being 
mauch more ° precious than of gold P that 
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, 


h vers 8. & 4.13. 1] 75. Lame 3, 32,33.f 63. 10—12.) Prov. 

sam. 3 1. Ps. 9.) Heb, 12,10. | 17. 3. Is. 48, 10. 
jp & 35. 19. & 95: 

1. Is. 12. 2, 3. & 


1 Job 9. 27,28. Ps.| Jer. 9.7. Zech. 13. 
69. 20. & 119.) 9. Mal.'3. 3. Rom. 
61. 3. 10. Matt. 5.} 28. Is. 61.3. Matt.) 5.3, 4. Jam. 1. 3,4. 
32. Luke 1. 47. & 
2 14. & 10. 20." 


Jl. 28. ke 26. 37.| Rey. 2, 10: & 3. 10. 
Rom. 9. 2. Phil. 2.\, 2. 4, 7. Prov. 3. 
John 16, 22. Rom.]'26, Heb. 12. 11) 13--15.'& 8.19. & 
5. 2. 11. & 12. 12.2 Jam, 4. 9. 16/16. 2 Pet. 1.1.4. 
Cor. 6, 10,. & 12.9,/m Ps. 34." 19. John|p Ec. 5. 14. Jer.48. 
30. Gal. &. 22. Phil} 16. 33, Acts 14.) 36. Luke 12. 20,21. 
3.3. & 4. 4. 2 Thes.| 22. 2 Cor. 4, 9—| 33, Acts 8. 20- Jam. 
1. 6s Jam. 1, 2. 9,{°13.2 Col 4. 7—11.| 5. 2, 3: 2 Pet. .3e 
10. & 11. 23—27, Heb.} 10-12. Rev. 18. 


34.07, & 6. 10, 2}. 11.85—-38+ Jam. 1.) 16, 17- 
Cor, 4s 17. 2. sess q.4- 12. 1 Cor 3. 
kK yer. 7. Ps. 119.{n Job 23. 10, Ps.| 13. Rey, 3- 18. 


CAM tee ib Melt RRR Ce Ns 
character of all those who partake of them; and 
unfading, as to its Satisfaction, glory, and splen- 
dour, which will be unatloyed, unsullied, per- 
manent, uninterrupted, always increasing, and 
eternal. This inheritance was “ reserved in hea- 
,$ yen,” out of the reach of all enemies and 
changes, in the place of perfect holiness and fe- 
icity, “for them,” even for all the elect, or the 
regenerate, who ‘* were kept,” as in a strongly 
fortified and garrisoned castle, by “ the power of 
«* God,” engaged by covenant to fulfil his irre- 
vocable promises, and the purposes of his ever- 
Jasting love. So that having entered through 
Christ the Door, into this strong tower, by faith ; 
- and still exercising faith on the promises of God, 
and on his perfections as engaged to perform 
them; and this faith being preserved from fail- 
ing, through the continual intercession of Christ, 
- and grace bestowed by him, they were sure- of 
being preserved in all dangers, and protected 
against all enemies, internal and external, unto 
complete salvation. This was in all respects 
prepared and ready for them, though the appoint- 
ed season of it was not yet arrived: so that it 
still remained, as it were, veiled; but it would 
be revealed, manifested, and publicly conferred 
on them, at the last time, even at Christ’s coming 
to raise the dead, to judge the world, and to de- 
stroy all ungodly men —/4 Lively hope. * Living 
© in death itself. The world dares say no more 
* for its device, than dum spiro, spero: (while I 
¢ breathe, I hope;) but the children of God can 
* add, dum expiro spero: (when I expire, I hope.) 
¢ Jt is a fearful thing when a man and his hopes 
* expire together.” (4rdp. Leighton.) 
WV. 6, 7. Inthe earnests and hopes of eter- 
nal salvation, true Christians greatly rejoiced, 
or, at least, were required to do’so, This was 
the genuine effect of their faith, in proportion to 
its strength ; though at the present, for a tran- 
sient season, they might be, and often were, ‘in 
* heaviness,” and even dejected, through a variety 


of afflictions and trials in their outward cireum- 
‘stances, through the remaining sinfulness of 


their hearts, and the harassing assaults of sa- 
tan. (Notes, James, i. 1—3.12—15.) These 
troubles and conflicts interrupted their rejoic- 


I. PETER.» 


¥ might be 
and glory 
Christ: ° — 


speakable, and 2 
even the salvation, 


r 1 Sam. 2, 30. Mat,’ 
19, 28, & 25. 21. 
23. John 5. 44. & 
12. 26. Rom. 2 7. 
10. 29, 1 Cor, 40,5. ‘ 
2 Thes. 1. 7—12.) 15—17% 1 Cor, 16.).12..4 
Jude 24. 

s See on, ver 5. 
t John 20. 29, 2) 246 1 John 4. 19. 


wise father would needlessly | 
child, or a physician wi 
medicines, without ¢ 
friend. The intent 
‘make a proper trial 
be proved to be ge 
believe in Christ, and 
proper that the sinceri! 


distinguished from hy 
fected by persecutions, : 
tions, as gold is distinguishe 


und unto prais 
at the appearing « 


Such PTR RARE, 


9 @ Receiving t 


[Practical Observations.) 


a2 7. € 


Pa 


&.5.9, 16, 

37. Be. 25. 35— 
Johm 9. 424.8 14.) 4 
15. 21. 24. & 21. 


22.2 Cor. 5. 14, 15.) 
Gal. 5. 6. Eph. 6, 


Cor. 4. 18, & 5. 7.|x See on, yer. 
Heb., 11.1. 27+ 1) Hab. 8.17, 18. Acts} 11. 
John 4.20. 1 


7 iy UES SEES OF 


ings, by short intervals ; u 

ful, in order to their best gx 

of God: otherwise be would no 1 

pointed such trials to them, tha 
P 


i no 


e 


of thet 


f. hat they 
poe ne : 


(as well as purified,) by being cast 
nace. But the faith of Christian 
ly more precious than gold, which is « 
ing nature, and can only purchase 
things; whereas faith interested the 
unchangeable promises of God, and en 
eternal felicitys It was therefor 
this faith should be tried in 
tion, by which the dead faith 
generally consumed : as they 
ed Christ to escape the cross, and sec 
ly advantages: but the living faith of 
rate was thus manifested to be g 
steadfastly cleaving to Christ an 
price; their faith indeed being ini 
purified by the trial. They would also hay 
comfort of it, and God the glory, at pr 
and it would be “ found to praise, an 
“and glory,” in the présence of th 
tion, when Christ shall appear 
world ; when no degree of applause, 
of glory, could excite pride, as they. 
whilst sin remained in their hearts. 
ful event all true believers looked fo: 
serious, preparation. 9.) \2 ay), see 
V. 8,9. The Christians, to whom St. Pel 
wrote, had in general, never seen Christ durin 
his humiliation, and they were not at presen 
admitted to see him in his glory: yet the : Tow 
his Person, his divine perfections, his hv 
excellencies, and his mediatorial suitabl 


. 63. 


10 Of.» , whieh salvation the prophets 
have in cand searched diligently, 
yof 4 the grace shite sieeeg 


Spirit of Christ which was in 
signify, when it testified before- 
¢the sufferings of Christ, ead & the 
y that should follow. 


13.17. Lukeje 3. 19. Rom. 8. 9.Je Gen. 3. 15. & 49. 
. & 2. 25—| Gal. 4. 6, 2 Pet.1.| 10. Ps. 22- 22—31. 
‘Acts 3. 2] 21. Rev 19.10. | & 69. 30-36. & 
24, & 7. 52.8 10.|f Ps. 22. 1—2]- &| 110. 1—6. Is. 9. 6, 
ke 13. 27—29. 7. & 49. 6. &53. 11, 
 & 28. 23. Fates 2. 34, 35. 
‘Ver. 11. Prov. 2. 4. ae & ae 4S, 14. 
Zech. 2. 8-1). & 
14.9. John, 12. 41. 
Acts 26. 22, 23. 


69. 1—21. & 88. Is 
52.18, 14. & 53-1 
—10. Dan. 9. 24=| 
26. 13, ° 7. 
‘See on, Luke’ 24. 
| 26,27. 44. 


rs — 11 18.40. 
they celioebely ; desirous of his vats and 
salvation ; they were thankful for his unspeakable 
Toye, and the benefits conferred on them ; they 


glory: ; and this led them to cleave to him 

bey him ; to love his people, ordinances, 

s, and commandments ; and to. give up 

hatever intervened between him and_ their 

‘souls, or, was his rival in their affections. This 
love of an unseen Saviour sprang from faith in 

im > they believed the testimony of God by his 

3 ‘concerning him and his glorious excel- 

ciés ; and concerning what he had done and 

uffered for sinners; and his power, grace, and 
ath. In this faith they bad intrusted, their 

is into his hands, “and depended on him. to 
leanse and save them. From this faith “ work- 

‘ing by love,” they derived a joy that was in 

its nature so excellent, holy, substantial, and sa- 

actory, that it could not be expressed by 
ords; as it was “full of glory,” or glorified - 

_ ofthe same nature and effects with the glory and 
a ity of heaven: and they shared this joy, in 
to the degree of their living faith and 

ove; whilst they inwardly delighted 

in the salyation which was wrought by him; and 
in their enrapturing discoveries of the glory of 

God, harmoniously uniting with the everlasting 
felicity of all believers in Christ; and whilst they 

- possessed the earnests of this felicity, in the 

graces and consolations of the Holy S pirit, and ia 
communion with the Father and his beloved Son. 
zy Thi is faith, love, and joy, in respect of an unseen 

Say iour, ¢ constituted the peculiar experience, and 

_ forme the distinguishing character, .of real 

Ch issas who thus were assured that they 

Id receive that salvation of their souls, which 

“wal ihe end proposed by them when they believ- 

ed: : and they were continually receiving that 

Ay vation, in the earnests, comforts, and sanc- 

ition of it, amidst their trials, and propor- 

‘to the degree of their faith and Esse: _— 


the preaching of the ine had been 
by y the. prophets from. the beginning : 

if Writings were peculiarly worthy, of 
tten! ive consideration of Christians. . These 


of God had themselyes, most 


CHAPTER I. 


A. Di 63. 


12 Unto whom » it was revealed, i that 
not unto themselyes, but unto us, they 
did minister the things which are now 
{reported unto you by them * that have 


ching what, or what’ tatiner of| preached the gospel unto you ! with the 


Hly: Ghost ™ sent down from: heaven ; 
2 which things the angels desire to look 
into. “igh 


i Mark 16.15. Ze] 6. an 

9. 6, Acts 8.25. &lm Proy. 1. 23. Is: 
16. 10. Rom. 1. 15.| 11. 2-6 &.32. 15. & 
Matt. 11. 25. 27.| & 10, 15. & 15.19. 44, 3-5, Joel,2. 236 
& 16. 17. ake 2 1 Thes. 2. 9. Heb.| Zech» 12, 10. John 
26. Rom. 1, 17, 18.| 4.2. 15. 26. Acts 2 17, 
1 Cor. 2. 10. Gal. 1 John i5. 26. & 16.; 18. 

1. 12. 16. 7—13. Acts 2. 4.jn Ex. 25. 20, Dans 
i Dan. 9. 24.& 12.) 33.& 4.8. 31. &| 8.13. Luke 15, 18- 
9,13. Heb. 11.13.) 10, 44, 45. 2 Cor.| Eph. S. 10. Rev. 5s 
39. 40. ‘} 6.6.1 Thes. 1. 5,] 11—13. 


h is. 53. 1. Dan. 2, 
19, 22, 28, 29. 47, 
& 10. 1. Am. 3. 7. 


ing of their own predictions ; not being able ful- 
ly to understand what that grace was which was 
intended for those who should live after the 
coming of the Messiah. They therefore search- 
ed, as miners do for the precious metals, that 
they might discover when, and in what manner 
of time, those things would occur, which the Spi- 

rit of Christ, who dwelt in them, did not intend® 
by the predictions which he suggested to them - 
for they did not Know. the full import of their 
own words, while they testified so long before, 
that the Messiah would pass through a variety 
of complicated sufferings, even unto death ; and 
that he would afterwards be glorified, i in his per- 
sonal exaltation, and in the extent, peace, and du 
ration of his mediatorial kingdom, the happiness 
of his subjects, and the destruction of his ene- 
mies. (Votes, &c: Ps. xxii. xix. Js: liii. Dan. ix.24 
—27.) The Holy Spirit is here spoken of, as 2 
distinct Person; and as the Spirit of Christ, not 
only in that he spake of him, butas sent forth by 
him long before his incarnation. The same or- 
in |der was evidentiy observed both in the express 
prophecies of Christ, and in all the typical per- 
sons, eyents, and institutions that related to him ; 
his sufferings were uniformly represented as in- 
troducing. his glory, and the glories of his king- 
dom. The prophets had been immediately in- 
structed, that they should not live to witness the 
accomplishment of their own predictions; and 
that neither they nor their contemporaries would 
derive the principal benefit of their ministry, or 
enjoy the privileges announced by them ; but that 
they were labouring for the ‘benefit of future 
generations : whilst they declared those great 
events, which had at length taken place, and had 
been reported. to the Jews and Gentiles by the 
apostles of Christ, who had preached the Gospel to” 
them ; whose ministry was attested by the mira- 
culous operations of the Holy Spirit, and rendered 
successful by his efficacious influences ; and who 
was sent down from heaven to bear tqstimony 
to the performance of these prophecies, which he 
had. of old inspired. Indeed, these mysteries of 
redemption contained such displays of the wis 

dom, power, truth, justice, holiness, and mercy 
of God ; that the angels desired, with great ear- 
nestness and persevering attention, to bow down 
to look into them, and to join in adoration of the 


gently, inyestigated the mean-| divine Redeemer ; like the cherubim who were 


souls, * in“obeying the truth ¥ through 
the Spirit, 7 unto unfeigned love of the|f 
brethren, ®\sce that ye love one another 


with >a pure heart fervently : 


23 Being © born again, 4 not of) cor- 


Piptible seed, © but of incorruptible, * by 


«= 3.1, & 4.17. Acts} 9,10. 2 Cor,. 6.6. 
6.7. Rom. 1, 5. &| Eph. 4-3. 1 Thes. 
2.8. Gal. 3.1. & 5.| 4-9. Heb, 6. 20. & 
7. Heb. 5+ 9 &} 18.1. Jam, 2. 15, 

| Ue 8 | 16, 3Pet. 1. 7. 1 


12. & 5. 2. 
« Seeon, ver 3. 


y Rom. 3. 13. Gal} John 3. 11. 14—19.| 54. 
5. 5+ 2 Time 1, 14. 
Heb. 9. 14. 

Z 2.17. & 3. 8 & 4. 


fiver. 25. Jer. 23. 


21. & 5.1, 2 
28,20. Mat 24. 35. 


a Phil. i. 9. 4 Thes- 
8. John 13. 34, 35,] 3. 12.2 Thess 1. 3} John 6. 68. Heb. 4. 
& 15, 17. Rom. 12.1 Rev. 24+ 12. Jam. 1. 18, 

re 

V. 22, 23. The souls of ‘those, whom the 
apostle addressed, like those of all other men, 
had been polluted with ungodliness, pride, ma- 
lice, selfishness, and worldly lusts: but they 


had. * purified them” from the prevailing influ- 


ence of these pollutions, as well as from the guilt 
of their actual sins, in the method which God 
had appointed for that purpose. They had been 
shown by the word of truth their need of this 
purification, and taught i what way it might be 
effected : and “in obeying the truth,” by repent- 


‘ance, faith in Christ, and the use of the means of 


grace ; they were thus cleansed from their filthi- 
ness and idols, and the several faculties of their 
souls were purified and sanctified to serve God 
in righteousness and true holiness. This purifi- 
cation had been effected, * through the Spirit,” 
who first quickened, convinced, and humbled 
them, and so led them to repent, believe, and 
obey ; and afterwards’ they had sought further 
degrees of holiness, in dependence on his gra- 
eious and powerful influences, and in compliance 
with them : so that they indeed were active in this 
matter, but He had given them both the will and 
the power. One peculiar effect and evidence of 
this purity of heart consisted in “ unfeigned love 
« of the brethren.” They had thus been led to 
love the image of Christ in his people, and to es- 
teem them highly, though once they would have 
despised and hated them: they had learned to 
love their company, to sympathize in their sor- 
rows, to rejoice in their comforts, to do them 
good, and to live at peace withthem, This they 
did unfeignedly, by choice and in uprightness, 
and they evinced it by giving up their own inter. 
est or indulgence for their benefit. Their love of 
each other was in this respect far different from 
that hollow show of friendship and affection, 
which prevails in the world; and which is chief- 
ly expressed by insineere) professions and un- 
meaning compliments. (Votes, Rom. xii. 9. 1 
John iii. 18.) As they had then attained to a mea- 
sure of this disinterested love; let them see to it, 
as of the greatest importance, that they loved 
one another more and more: in the use of the 
same means, and in dependence on the same 
Spirit, let them seek more entire purity from 
every selfish, envious or malevolent affection ; 
that no anger, bitterness, prejudice, or carnal 
passions might warp, debase, or interrupt their 
mutual love; and that ' it might grow more 
fervent and intense, and be manifested in 
more self-denying endeavotrs to promote each 


b 1 Tim. 1.5. & 4. 


d Mal. 2. 3. Rom. 
1. 23. 1 Cor 15, 53, 


23, & 4-7. 12. 20,61 John 3.9 & 5,13. 


* Or, For that. | 510 12) 
g2Kings 19. 26) 11. & 4. 
Ps. 3762, & 90. 5.) 2.17. 


& 103, 15. & 129. 


& 92.7, & 102. 4, 
6+ Is..40. 6, 70 2 | 


vig Thust si 
they merely dis 
natural posterity of Abs 
corruptible seed; bui 
means of an incorruptible: n 
of God implanted in their a 
Spirit. This, being immutable a1 
in itself, lived, and would ° 
effects produced by it on t 
to the promises of God ; being 
life, and powerfully operating a ta 
the judgment, dispositions, an 
sou}. So that all, who were 
ever before separated and 
thenceforth brethren by an 
nal relation; which will flourish, 
relations shall be dievoliel aon 
ty. For “all flesh,” all that is | 
fallen nature, is as grass; “ an 
‘* man,” whatever any of the 
boasted of, or rejoiced in, was butas tl 
flower of the grass: whether it were 


es 
: io 


noble birth, genius, wisdom, 
plishments, wealth, magnificen 
actions ; or even the glorvin 
ing the children of Abraha 
must soon wither and be eut 
the grave and in hell. 
abideth for ever: its trutl 
threatenings will be accomplished to 
and its effect in the souls of the rege: 
be eternal also: and, as this word had 
the Gospel preached to th 
bless God for their privil 
ereasing experience of its é: 3 to: 
distinction above all others; and “ to Ic 
another with # pure heart fervently,” 
respect to their Jewish, or Gentile, extrac 
any external distinctions, of whatever kin 
‘ is grossly contrary to the truth of th 
* to imagine that they who are th 
* can be unborn again.” (.2rbp. Lei: 


iz 


* 


oh GRAR: TI. 


s passions; that yat they may desire the sincere 
es the word, of which ‘they had tasted, and 


1—3. The preciousness of Christ, 
-stone ; to believers as one with 
* » and thus made a’holy temple and 
Ld sthood, according to the seriptures ; 
svers stumble and perish, A—8. The 


PRACTICAL , OBSERYAION®. 
1—5. 

we, if true Sewanee are “strangers on 
ee should expect contempt and unkind- 
‘from the men of this world, and ‘continually 
e for our removal. to our eternal home : 
ye should remember, that we are scattered 
countries, cities, and families, as 

: d and. his truth, to those among 
“Allthe podecmed were “ elected 
to the Seen tp of God the 


oben Staainee blood of Christ, unites with 
y hatred of | all sin, and a disposition to obey 
2 commandments of God, and to delight i in 


| everlasting love, and that grace and peace 
ultiplied unto us, till they be perfected 


ading,” which springs from regeneration, 
arably connected with faith in a crucified 


and practise holiness; it is peculiar 
the real Christian; and it totally differs from 
: prtesnce of formalists, Pharisees, 


net 
ai 


Beat 
ae will be openly revealed when the 
of God shall be finished. 
Vv. 6—9. 
he lively” and assured hope of an inherit- 
‘in heaven, gives substantial joy to the soul, 
ust be had recourse to in all our troubles 
D0 rt and animation : yet we cannot but be 
in heaviness, when we are called to 
with manifold temptations, to conflict 
d enemies, to walk in darkness with- 
e comfort, or to endure afflictions in 
d, or circumstances. Even they, who 
t-fruits of the Spirit, do on such oc- 
as “‘groan, being burdened :” and though 
does not willingly afflict or grieve 
.of men ;” yet his wise love often |u 
trials for bis people, ‘beeause he 
be necessary, in order to humble 
to show them what is in their 


e, or his glory in any way 
be > in heaviness for a short 


CHAPTER II. 


i iat 1 sre exhorted to lay aside selfish and an- ° 


A. D.63. 


sacred eharacterjand invaluable privileges of be- 
lievers, as called out of darkness into light, to 
show forth the praises of God, 9,10. The apos- . 
tle beseeches them to abstain from fleshly lusts, 
and by their) good conversation to glorify God 
among the Gentiles, 11,12. He enforces. obedi- 
ence to magistrates, 1317, and that of servants 
to their masters ; exhorting them to suffer patient- 
ly for well-doing ‘after the cone of Christ, and 
from love to him, 18—25. 


distressing circu mstances connected with them, 
will be sharper, more numerous, or of longer 
continuance, than it is needful they should be, in 
order to try their precious faith, that it may “be 
found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at 
‘* the coming of the Lord Jesus.” In the intervals 
of their temptations and conflicts, when they are 
as| composed enough to make observations on their 
experiences, they can find that they really do 
believe in and love an unseen Savi6ur ; and show 
that fajth and love by cleaving to him, and aim- 


ing to obey him, in the midst of their troubles : 


and this causes them to rejoice in his all-suffi- 
ciency and grace, in his glory and blessedness, 
and in admiring his infinite loveliness and loving 
kindness, with a joy which is unspeakable, and 
which forms a sweet antepast of the heayenly 
felicity ; tuning their hearts to the songs of the 
redeemed, and preparing them for their holy 
employments. Thus by the way they receive in 


icity ‘of heaven. ‘* The lively hope of} part, “the end of their faith, even the salvation 
gheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and |< of their souls.” 


Vv. 10—16. 
While we discourse freely on evangelical and 


Saviour ; it ascribes all salvation to the | experimental subjects, numbers, either ignorant- 
‘thercy of God, and excites the posses- |ly or maliciously, charge us with holding novel 


doctrines, and introducing a new religion: but 
in fact these principles were first published, as 
soon as sin entered into the world; though they 


, and enthusiasts of every descrip-jhave passed, so to speak, through several en- 
ve t ‘thus hope for an undefiled felicity, larged editions. 
lly prepare for it, we may well re-|cient prophets inquired and searched with great 
it is “ reserved for us in heaven,” and | diligence, that they might know something of 
ept asin a castle by the power of] the grace preparing for later ages; and for four 
faith unto salvation, which is made/thousand years “ the sufferings of Christ and 


Concerning these things the an- 


“ the glory that should follow,” formed the great 
subject of revelation, in multiplied types, pro- 
mises, and predictions. At length the desire of 
nations appeared, finished his sufferings, and en- 
tered into his glory : then apostles bore testimo- 
ny to the same important truths, and the Holy 
Spirit was sent down from heaven to authenti- 
cate their testimony; whilst angels desired to 
look down into these things, as eclipsing all for- 
mer displays of the harmonious perfections of 
their God! And shall not we then search dili- 
gently those scriptures, which contain the joyful 
and interesting doctrines of salvation? Or shall 
we neglect the means of appropriating’ to our- 
selves its everlasting benefits? Far be this from 
us! Rather let us throw aside all carnal encum- 
brances, and use every method of bringing our 
minds into a proper frame for attending to this 
grand concern, and of doing the work of our 
-|great master with alacrity and industry. Let us 
study to be sober, in the midst of a giddy, sen- 
‘sual, and. intoxicated world ; let us hold fast the 
beginning of our confidence steadfast unte the 


Mi Ds 63. 1, PETER. 


e HEREFORE, » laying aside all 
“© malice, and all ¢ guile, and © hy- 
" pocrisies, and ‘envies, and £ all evil-speak- 
Messy i 5 
2 1 18-25. d ver. 22. & 3 10,)f 1 Sam. 18. 8,9 Ps.. 
B Is. 2. 20. & 30.) Ps. 82, 2- & 34. 13.| 87. 1. & 73.3. Pro, 
| 2% Ez. 18-31, 32.) John 1. 47. 1 Thess) 3. $1. & 14.30, & 
Rom. 13. 12. Eph.} 2.3. Rev. 14. 5.. } 24.1. 19. Rom, 1. 
4. 22—25, Col. 3.'¢ Job 36. 13. Mat.! 99. & 13, 13. 1'Cor. 
5—. Heb. 12. 1.] 7. 5. & 15. 7% 23.| 3-2, 3. 2,Cor. 12. 
Jam. 1.21. 28. & 24, 51. Mark} 20. Gal. 5. 21—26. 
e@ ver. 16. 1 Cor. 5.) 12. 15. Lake 6. 42.) Jam. 3. 14, 16. & 
&. & 14. 20. Eph.j & 11. 44, & 12, 1,] 47. 
4.31. Tit. 3.3—5. 2. Jam. 3.17. _£ 4+ 4. Eph. 4, 31, 


1L. Tit. 2. 3. J; 
4.11. 


h 1.23. Mat, 18. 3 , Jobli Ps. 9. 10. 8 
Mark 10. 13. «] 17. mt . 5 & 
6. 4. 1 Cor, & 1| Hos. 6. 3 Zech. 9.2.17, 
& 14. 20, 7 Mah hel 6. 5,6. “ 


they will inevitably perish ; that there is a 
and duty for them to attend on in this 
that they can do nothing in it, except by 
* ing the truth ;” that they cannot obey th 
but by the Holy Spirit, whom God h 
ed to give to those that ask him 
feigned love of true Christian 
and standard of evangelical pi 
we haye attained to this ini 
the good work is bem 
that we love one an 
vently: thus it will be more 1 
that we are “ born again of incorruptibl 
“ by the word of God, which liveth and 
“ for ever.” As this needful” 10 
change is wrought by the sacred w 
life, it is of far greater “impot 
search the scriptures daily; to use 
to become acquainted with them; 
others, in our families” 
quainted with them, than 
manner in’ which they are” 
this end. All other distine 
in the difference between’ 
the unregenerate ; all other gl 
and terminate in everlasting shame 
all other unions will be dissolved, 
But they, who are one in Christ Jest 
beautified with his salvation, will be 
perfect love, glory, and felicity 
this word of the Gospel, which 
eternal life, is preached to. us 
it, that it dwells in our hearts, 
holy fruit in our lives; and then 
“ be ashamed or confounded, 


“© end.” sgt ath be 


- ) NOTES. i. 
CHAP. If. V. 1—3. From the 
in the preceding chapter, the apostle t 
sion to exhort his brethren to “lay as 
cast-off garment, which they had 
all kinds of malice, guile, hypocris 
in their profession, or flattery and com 
conversation, with all enyyings and 
that, with the simplicity of new-born 
might desire and relish | f 
trines and precepts of God’s word, 
born babe craves the nutrimental mil 
breast, and wants no other sustenance, 
they might grow by this wholesome 
their souls, in knowledge, faith, hop 
every holy affection; and not always 
dren, or become dwarfs, who are si 
comfortable, comely, or useful. 


‘end; and show ourselves the ‘obedient chil- 
« dren” of God, by avoiding conformity to the 
world, and. by taking care not to “fashion our- 
s¢ selves according to.the foriner lusts in our ig- 
** norance ;” but especially watching and pray- 
ing against those sins, te which we were then 
most prone or accustomed; and thus let us aim 
to become holy in all manner of conversation, 
even as God who hath called us is holy :” for he 
ganctifies all whom he saves, and “ without ho- 
« jiness no man can see the Lord.” 
: V. 17—21. 

‘The God whom we worship’is no respecter of 
persons, but doth now, and will at last, “judge 
« according to every man’s work,” He will de- 
tect many bypocrites, whom his servants never 
suspected, and some who hever suspected them- 
selves: and he will condemn many, as workers 
of iniquity, who called Him their Father, and 
Jesus their Lord and Master. Knowing these 
things, and aware of the deceitfulness of our 
hearts, the subtlety of our enemies, and the 
manifold delusions which are propagated on 
every side; we should pass tse time of our so- 
journing in this perilous world in humble, watch- 
ful, and jealous fear; which will best secure us 
sgainst fatal deceptions, and preserve us from 
dishonouring God, and exposing ourselves to his 
fatherly corrections. It behooves us also fre- 
quently to remember, that all the riches of the 
world could never have saved one soul from 
eternal destruction. Why then should we covet 
such perishing treasures? But how vast are 
our obligations to the Lord Jesus, the spotless 
Lamb of God, whose precious blood: was freely 
shed to ransom our souls, and to obtain eternal 
galvation for us! May we by him believe in-God, 
-who raised him from the dead and gave him glo- 
ry, that our faith and hope might rest on the in- 
finite perfection and love of God, for all things 
pertaining to our salvation. In this view, how 
absurd does the conduct of all those appear, 
who cleave to “the vain conversation delivered 
« to them by tradition from their fathers,” and 
avow a determination never to change the reli- 
gion, which they have inherited from them! If 
this principle had been adhered to, Christ must 

have died in vain: for Jews and Gentiles must 
have agreed in rejecting the Gospel, to cleave to 
the traditions, superstitions, or idolatry of their 
elders and ancestors. 
V. 22—25. 

It is highly important. that men should seri- 
ously/consider, and be deeply convinced, that 
their souls must be purified from pollution, or 


‘coming, as unto ™ a liv- 


owed indeed of men, 
God, and « precious, 

‘as lively stones, * are built 
al house, t an holy priesthood, 
D a eae sacrifices, * accept- 
dd by Jesus Christ 

21, 42. aga Or, Be ye 


11. Luke 20. 17, 18, ver. 9- oe 6. & 
-} 66. Rev. 1. 6. 


18. 's. 50 a 33 a 
~ 7 Bee Ze 19.) 141, 2- Hos. 14. 

“a Pet. Lh im *| Ma. wate John 4. 

s 1 Cor. & 6.) 22—24. Rom. 12. 

ome 6. 1. Phil. 2. 37. & 4. 

Eph. 2. 20—22.| 18. Heb. 15S. 15, 16. 


Rey. 3./x 4. 11. Phil. 1- 11. 
& 4. 18. Col. 3. 17. 


ag “and even from those that 
nm converted ; “if so be,” or since, 
+ ed that the Lord was gracious.” 
He here applied to Christ, as the con- 
es, what the Psalmist had spoken of 
. (Note, Ps. xxxiv. 8.) The Lord 
and kind, whether men believe it 
: many have imefficacious notions of his 
= , without any experience or taste of it, and 
“potions commonly embolden them in re- 
101 : Lame rate persons believe that he 
s; they apply to him in that behalf, 
pethon taste and relish his grace, and have 
: of their future felicity, even,“ the wit- 
1ess in themselves” of his mercy and truth, 
C se. (1.) ‘ The apostles sometimes name 
-and sometimes others of 
= bay are all inseparable as one gar- 
ner _all-comprehended under that one 
|, “the old man,’ ‘ which the apostle 
6 exhorts to put off. (Eph. iv. 22.)—“ The 
Sie both the incorruptible seed, and 
incorruptible food Of that new life of grace, 
must therefore be an incorruptible life. 
it seem a poor despicable business, 
sive frail ‘sinful man, like yourselves, speak a 
w words in your hearing: yet, look upon it 
the means, wherein God communicates hap- 
ess to them that believe, and works that be- 
ing unto happiness ! consider this, which is 
fue notion, and then what can be so pre- 
is” (Arbp. Leighton.)—The word sincere 
with what diligent care, the true doc- 
id principles of the sacred word, should 
guished from all corrupted and muti- 
stems } even as a parent would yguard:his 
ved child, from: infectious or poisoned nutri- 
, though it assumed the name, form, and 


4—6. The apostle having been educated 
5 and writing to Jewish converts as well as 
r tainied the typical language of the Old 
‘eoncerning a temple, a priesthood, 
ps. The temple had been the centre 
worship: there he displayed his 
he mercy-seat, and dwelt among his 

@ he received their worship, and 
ed his benefits : there alone God-met 
lessed them, and penitent believing 
ned God to glorify him; for erc- 


CHAPTER II. 


A. D. 63, 


6 Wherefore also ¥ it is contained in 
the scripture, 2 Behold, I lay in “Sion a 
chief Corner-stone; * elect, precious ; and 
he that-believeth on him » shall not be 
confounded. 

7 Unto © you therefore which believe 
he is * precious: but unto them 4 which 
be disobedient, © the Stone’ which the 


y Dan. 10.21. Mark} Luke 23. 35. ae Is. 25. 5. Luke 2 
12. 10. John 7. 38.) 1. 4. 32. 

Aew is 16. nigess b Ps. 40. 24. Is. 414d yer. 8. Acts 26. 
3. 16. 2 Pete2v20.) 11. & 45. 16) 17. &P 19. Row 10-21. & 
& 5. 16. 50. 7. & 54. 4- 15. 31. Merg. Tit. 
z ver 4. Is. 28. 16.!e 1.8. ec LO Heb. 4.01. & 
Zech.30,4. Rem.! 15. Hag. 2.7. Mat. - Marg. 


0. 52,38. Eph 3/19. 44 a6, John dite Pa 18. 93, 331 - 
We 42. & 6. 68, 69.| Mat. 21. 42. Mark 
a Ps, 89219. Is. 42.) Phil. 3. 7—10. 12, 10, 11. Luke: 20. 
1, Mat. 12. 18.j° Or, an foncurs m 


17. Acts 4. 11, 


Ty accepted service had reference to the wor 
ship at the temple: Thus Christ and believers, 
as one with him; form 2 spiritual temple, in which 
God dwells with them and biesses them; and 
sinners come to God and glorify him. In allus 
sion te this type, Christ is called * a liyi 
Stone,” (as elsewhere “living Bread.”) This 
metaphor showed his power, stability, and per. 
manent sufficiency, in his Person and media¢ 
tion, to sustain the whole weight of the glory 
of God, and the salvation of his people, which 
Was to be builded upon him: and the epithet 
“ living,” whilst it showed that the expression 
was figurative, pointed out the quickening ¢ff- 
cacy of his grace on the souls of those who had 
been dead in sin; and intimated that he ever 
liveth to make intercession for his people, and to 
maintain theircause. This Stone was disallow- 
ed of men, both Jews and Gentiles, so long ag 
they continued unregenerate ; because men are 
naturally ignorant, self-wise, self-righteous, care 
nal, and at enmity with God ; so that they cans 
not receive his humbling holy doctrines and 
salvation: but it was chosen of God, to be the 
Support, Cement, and Ornament of the whole spi- 
ritual building ; and was most precious in itself, 
and perfectly fitted for that purpose, (Vore, az. 
kvi,.18-) All, therefore, who were born agsin; 
and thus.enlightened, humbled, made in a mea- 
sure spiritual, and taught to seek reconciliation 
unto God; came to Christ, to build their hopes 
and souls on Him whom men despised ; that they 
might be made a part,of this holy and living 
Temple ; continually applying to Christ, and to 
the Father through him, for his. salvation and 
the sanctifying influences. of the Holy Spirit — 
Thus they, “ as livize stones,” by life derived 
from Christ; became meet to be built up as a 
part of this spiritual house, consecrated to God, 
and his holy habitation. (.Nofes, 2 Cor. vi. 16. 
Eph. ii. 20—22.)—But,; to show more fully the 
import of this figurative language, it was proper 
that the subject should be illustrated by another 
metaphor; for, by thus coming to Christ, they 
were washed, anointed, arrayed, and consecrate 
ed; as a “ holy priesthood,” to draw near and 
minister Unto.God at his tempie: they did not 
indeed presume to offer atoning sacrifices; bus 
they were consecrated:to offer spiritual sacrifices, 
even prayers, supplications, praises, thanksgiv. : 


4aF 


. ell 


A.D. 63. ‘f. PETER, » 


builders disallowed, the same is made 
¢ the Head of the corner, 

8 And & a Stone of stumbling, and a 
Rock of offence, even to them*which 
stumble at the word,» being disobedient; 
i whereunto also they were appointed. 

[Practical Observations.) 

9 But ye are * a chosen generation; !a 

royal priesthood,™ an holy nation," a + pe- 


you out of 
light : e 

10 Which re 
people, but’are: 
which had ‘hot ¥ 
have obtained me 


2. John 17. By: 1 
Cor, 3. 17% 2 Lim. 
1.9 

pn Deut. 4. 20. & cA 
6.% 14 2. & 26. 


0 4.11. Is. 43521, &) 14. Cole te 18, Fane | BF 
60. 1—3. Mat. 5.| Thes. 5. 5. 4-8. 
16. Eph, 1.6. & 3.q Hos. 1.9, 10. 
21 Phil. 2. 15,16. } 9s 25, 26. ; 

t Ox, virtues. © Hos. 2 23, my 

p Is.9. 2. & 60-1 re 6,7. 90s 15 
2, Mat. 4.16. Lukel 7 25, 1 Tim. 

1. 79... Acts 26. Se Heb. 4. 16, 


—e 4.7, Cyl. 2(k 1.2 Deut. 10. 15, 

Ps, 22. 30, & 33, 12, 
g ‘ts 8. 14, & 57 141] Bo 73s 1541s 418. 
Luke 2. 34. — & 44. 1. 


9.32, 33. 1 Cor. i.|l Ex. 19. 6, Is. Al. 
23. 2 Cor. 2.16. 6, & 66. 2l. cane 18,19. Tit. 2. 14. 
h See. on, ver, 7« 1. 6. & 5. 10. &IlF Or, purchased peo- 
i Ex. 9. 16. Rom, od 2006: ple. Acts 20, 28 
22, 1 Thes. 5-9 aim Ps, 106.5. Is.26} Eph.1.14. ~ 


Rom. 9. 24¢ Eph.js Rom. 12,1. 2 Cot 


Pet. 2. 3. Jude 4 5. 8—1l. Phil. 3, 


ings, good works, and liberal‘contributions to, 

_ the poor, especially their indigent brethren, ‘and 
even their very bodies, as devoted to the service 
of God. (Notes, Ztcm. xi. 1. Phil. iv. 18. Hebd. 
xii. 15, 16.) “These sacrifices, though defective 
and defiled, and offered by sinners, would yet be 
ie ola to God, because honourable to bim, 
when presented through Jesus Christ, and by 
faith in his atoning sacrifice and his intercession 
as their High Priest within the heavenly sanctua- 
ry. This accorded to a remarkable prophecy, 
the explanation of which has already been given. 
(Note, Is. xxviii. 16— Rom. ix. 33.) 

V. 7, 8. Unto those who believed, Christ was 
precious as the Foundation of all their hopes, 
their chief Glory, and most valuable Treasure; 
for they saw such excellency in him, experienced 
stich comfort from him, and so-entirely depended 
on him’ for salvation, that they were prepared 
to renounce every thing, even life itself, rather 
than come short of an interest in him. But, on 
the other hand, they who continued disobedient, 
(amgng whom were the Jewish rulers, scribes, 
and priests, the supposed builders of the temple,) 
constituted an awful accomplishment of another 
scripture; (Votes, Ps- cxviti. 19—24. AZatt. xxi. 
40—44.) Notwithstanding their proud and ob. 
stinate rejection of Christ and opposition*to him, 
he was made the Head and Chief Corner-stone : 
and they could only stumble and be broken on 
jim, as.a Rock of offence; who was to believers a 
Refuge and a Rock, of salvation. This was the 

effect of their unbelieving prejudices against 
the word of the Gospel, and their rebellious dis- 
Mhedionce to the commands oftheir promised 
Messiah ; to which’ they hdd been appointed in 
the righteous judgment /of God, who. purposed 
toleave them te their pride and enmity, and to 
giorify himself in their destruction, 25 it was evi- 
dent by the prophecies fulfilled in that event.— 
(Notes, Is. viii 12—15. Rom. xi.) and formed toa peculiar r 

"V. 9,10, A chosen generation,” referring (Note, Tit, ti. 14)" 
to the covenant with Abraham and his posterity ; | were appointed to show f 
«2 royal priesthood,” referring to the covenants | Lord by their spiritual woritip, fete pro 
with Aaron, as to the priesthood, and with David, | of his truth, their holy conversation, an 
as to the kingdom; an and “a,holy nation, a pecu- plary conduct. ‘To this the apos hp 
“ liar people,” referring to the national cove- {his brethren: the Lord had called 1 

nant with Israel, at the giving of the law. To/|them out of the total darkness of I 
‘explain all this, as some do, with great labour |try; and the rest from the comparati 


are, pein: in 
*¢ eration,”? &e. 
fusion of the typi 
Old Testament, wil 
them in the true petty 
true pelioveRy as 


system of interpreta 
work; and which 
the objections of opponents, 
more and more assured is 
would not notice these inte 
a fear lest it should be thougt 
duly considered what men ‘€ 
had said against that exposition 
edly adheres to. Israel, as 2 
generation, was cast off from 
people of God; but Soe 
seed of Abraham, and as 

quence of their electi 
“holy generation,” | 
A small company of 
whole nation, 
not of the same tribe to * 


offices were united, and” 
became both kings and p 
dignified and made honourab 
cise a spiritual dominion over | 

which others are enslaved, 
ries over satan, the*world, 2 
ed heirs of the kingdom 
constituted “a holy nation, i 
the government of Christ, 

laws, sanctified by his 
image, and safe under. 
were “a peculiar people, 
blood of Christ, redeemed fre 
uan. bondage, favoured with p 


» ft. D. 63. 


strangers and _ 
flesbly lusts, which = war against the soul ; 


. ® among the Gentiles ; b that, * 


] I behold, ¢ 
of visitation. 


ioe it be to the king, as supreme ; 


u 4, 2 Luke 21. 24) S$. 11. 
- Acts 15, 20. ae 12. 


lange 8. 13,& 1 
14. 2Cor. 7. 1.) & 13. 7. Phil. 4.8.) 14. 25. 
1. 5. 16. 19—21." 1 
‘Tim. 2.2. Heb. 13. 44. Acts 15. 14. 


7, & 


21. Jer. 


16. Mat. 5. i. &] 25. Rom. 13. 1 
-1-12.| 10. 25. Luke 6-22 
Acts 24, 5, 6.13, & 


10. 


of the Mos 
ty, into the 


Mosaic scuatiais and Jewish formali. 


et 


—rpellges 


»_ to which they once were strangers.— 


ves 
journeying 
renly inheritance, (Notes, &c.i. 1. Hed. xi. 


er any unlawful, inexpedient, or inordi- 
‘ima pleasures, much less to indulge in 
t to keep at a distance from sensuality, 
and restrain all their appetites, and 
hem to subjection ; as well as to avoid all 
carnal desires after things forbidden, or 
earthly object.. For such lusts -warred 

men’s souls, to the destruction of im- 
des: nay, they warred against the 
wistians ; and by their strivings against 
or the regenerate part, and their tem- 
ence in their affections and‘conduct, 
and weakened them. Covetous- 
and other aspiring and malig- 
uch militate against the sal- 
and oppose the believer’s 


CHAPTER It. 


ilgrims, ¥ abstain from 


12 Having ¥ your conversation 2 honest 
whereas 
speak against you as eyil-doers, 
€ » by gour good works, which 
glorify ona in © the 


_ 13 ¢ Submit yourselves. to every ordi- 
“ance of man for the Lord’s sake: whe- 


_ 14 Or unto governors, as unto them 


17. ala as 4.11, Ps. 50. 23. 
13. 13. 2 Cor. 8.21.] Rom. 15.9. 1 Cor. 


Thes. 4. 12. lle Luke 1. 68, & 19. 
f Proy. 17. 11. & 24, 


Eph. 5. 21. 1 Tin, 
2.1,2 Tit. 3.1.2 
Pet. 2. 10, Jude 9, 


the clear light of the Gospel, to behold 
marvellous displays thus given of the divine 
glory, and to partake of his astonishing love to 
sinners. ‘This he had done, in order that they 
ight be his witnesses and worshippers, to ren- 
him the glory due to his name ; and to de- 
ony his virtues, or energies, even the efficacy of 
ad fertuerly-bee holy tempers and actions.— 
1 a people of no name or 

but they were now become the peo- 
of G and had obtained that mercy for the 
on of their sins, and the salvation of their 


yhecy, thus applied, being elsewhere re- 
the calling of the Gentiles, shows that 
converts were not exclusively ad- 


Stet Ref. 

© apostle exhorted his dearly be- 

Christians, who were so highly ho- 
peculiarly favoured, to consider 

“as strangers and pilgrims,” who 

through a distant land to their 


a and to abstain from “ fleshly,” or car- 
ts,” and not allow themselves to han- 


JA. D. 68. 


that are seht by him £ for the punish- 
ment of eyil-doers, and for the praise of 
them that do well. 

15 For § so is the will of Ged, that 
' with well-doing ye may put to silence 
k the ignorance of ! foolish men: 

16 As ™ free,™ and not * using your 
liberty for © a cloak of maliciousness, 
P but as the servants of God. 

17 ¢ Honour all men. 4 Love the 
brotherhood. * Fear God. * Honour the 
king. his 

(Practical Observations.] 

m John 8. 32—36.} 30. Rom. 12.10. & 
Rom. 6. 18. 22.21 13.7 Phil 2.3, 1 
Cor. 7. 22, Gal. 5.| Tim. 6. 1. 

1. 13, Jam. 1. 25.1q See on, 1. 22. Heb. 

2.12. 2Pét. 2} 13,1. Zee. 1k. 14. 
19. t See on, Gen. 20. 
in Jude 4. 11. & 22, 12. & 42, 
* Gr. having. 18. Ps. 11. 10, 
Pet. 2. 12. Jude10.Jo Mat. 23. 14, John; Pro. 1. 7. & 23. 
1 Deut, 32, 6. Job2.) 15. 22. 1 Thes. 2. 5.| 17. & 24. 21. Ee, 
10. Ps.5,5. Prove! (2 ba 6-6. Col. 3.) 8) 2. 2 Cor. 7 1. 
9. 6. Jer. 4, 22. Eph. 5. 21. 
Mat. 7. 26. & 25, 2. t Or, Esteem. §.5.{s 1 Sam. 15. 306 I 


Rom. 1. 21, Gal. 3., Es. 20. 12. Lev.! Chr. 29, 20. 
1. Tit. 3. 3. } 19. sz, 1 Sam. 25,| 


ay 72 13. 34 


i See on, yer. 12, 
Job 5. 16. Ps. 107. 


42. 
& 1Tim. 1.13. 2 


growth in grace, as sensual propensities can do ; 
“ they war against thesoul ;” and are numbered 
by the apostle Paul, among “ the works of the 
“ flesh,” (Wotes, Gal. v. 16—21;) it cannot 
therefore be proper to explain the words of St. 
Peter restrictively of the animal appetites, as 
warring against the rational powers of the soul. 
The whole natural man is depraved: and in the 
regenerate, the conflict is not between the body 
and the soul; but between the new_and the old 
nature, cailed “ the flesh and the spirit:” and 
the warring against the soul relates to the de- 
structive tendency of fleshly lusts, the indul- 
gence of which, in any way, is hostile to the soul, 
and wars against its salvation, or its peace, Rani: 
ws and vigour. 

12. It was incumbent on Christians to 
‘atic an honourable and becoming conversa- 
tion, in all respects, among their Gentile neigh- 
bours: that whereas, through their carnal enmi- 
ty and ignorant prejudices, tiey were led to ine 
vent and propagate slanders concerning them, 
as if they were evil-doers, or maicfactors guilty 
of crimes injurious to society, because they 
would not join in the established idolatry among 
them; they might silence their calumnies, and 
sofien their prejudices, by, their evident and 
abundant good works. Thus their example, in 
the presence of their enemies, would concur with 
the preaching of the Gospel, in promating the 
conversion.of the Gentiles; and ‘in the day of 
« their visitation,” when the Lord should please 
to call them also by his gtace, to giorify his 
name, the hoiy lives of his people would be own- 
ed as the means of that happy change. (JWotes, 
Matt. v. 13—16. Acts KN. 14 )—Day ofr visitation. 
Cees Gen. xxi. 1, 2. Luke xix. 41—44, Marg: 
Ref.) 

he 13-17. (Notes, Rom. xii. 1—8. Tit, iii. 
mS ‘The words rendered, ‘ every ordinance of 


man,” may signify every human constitution — 


God, has appointed vargas as his ordinance, 


Py Ta as 


hep dite Oe eee 


A. BD: 63. 


18 Servants, t Ze subject to your mas- 
ters with all fear; not only to" the good 
and gentle; * but also to the froward, 

19 For ¥ this zs ¢ thank-worthy, if a 
man * for conscience towards God endure 
grief, * suffering wrongfully, 

20 For > what glory zs zt, if, when 
ye be © buffeted for your faults, ye}: 
shall take it patiently? but if, ¢ when 

e da well, and suffer for ity ye. take 
fh t patiently, e this is § acceptable with 
God. * 

21 For even hereunto were yetalled : 
& because Christ also suffered || for us,’ 
% leaving us an example, that ye should 
follow his steps 3 


t Eph,.6.5=7, Clit 

te erties 1 ae | 
6. 1—3, Tit. 2 9.) 4. 12. 
10. f Job'21. 27 Ps. 35. 


24, Mark 8. 34, $5. 
Luke 9. 23—2§ & 
14. 26, 27. Jolin 16. 
33. Acts 9. lh 1 
Thes. 3.3. 2 ‘fim. 


12. Rua 15.216 
13. 5, 2 finl 


or. 10. 1. Gal.} 19 & 38, 19. & 69. 
¥. Fig Tit. 3, 2.) 4. & 119. 86. 
ads BS: 17. i 3.14, & 4.14—16 
% Ps, 101. 4. Prov.}. Mat, 5. 47. 
3: 32. & 8. 13. &le Mat. 26. 67. Mark 


3 42. 

@ ver. 24. & 3. 18. 
& 4. I. Lake 24, 
26. Acts 17. 3. Heb. 


10,32 & 21.20. “| 14.65. 1 Cor. 4.11. 2. 10. 

%, ae 20, Luke 6./d See on, vers 19. {| Some read, fon YOU» 
e Rom. 12. 1 1. 20, 

j Or, thank. Aets| Eph. 5. 10+ Drath Ps.85. 13. John 

11, 23, 1 Cor, a 4. 18s 13. 15. Rom, &- 29. 

10. eget 1, 120& § Or, thank, See on,| 1 Cor.\ie 1, Eek. 

8.1. “ver. 19. 6.2 Phil. 2.5. 1 

7 gs an 7, pon f Mat, 10.38. &46.' John 2. 6. 


for the peace and good order of society; but 
the peculiar form of it is left to human prudence, 
yinder the direction of Providence. So. that 
Christians are required to submit to that govern- 
ment, which is established in the countries where 
they reside, without attempting any alteration, 
except in a pexceable and legal.manner, accord- 
to their rank in the. community, The apos- 
’ tle’drrote when Nero was the Roman emperor; 
pat he was led to use the more general name of 
ng, as his epistle was intended for the use of 
all future.a ae This savage tyrant, who was at 
ength put to death as the enemy of mankind, 
bu not till he had slain multitudes of Christians 
y his persecuting cruelty, and among the rest 
the apostles Peter and Paul, {as it is generally 
supposed ;) was the “ cupreme,”? whom Chris- 
fians must submit to and bonour! And ‘the go- 
vernors of provinces, deputed by him and the 
oman senate, together with. other subordinate 
magistrates, ‘Tust also be obeyed, The intention 
of ciyil gyrerument was ‘to punish .evil-doers,” 
and to protect and honour those who did well; 
and, in general, the administration even at. that 
time would be productive of much good ; though 
in many things the end of government was 
doubtices counteracted ; for which the rulers 
would be accountable to.God. But in respect 
of Christians, if was his will that by their good 
behaviour, m. all godliness and honesty, as peace- 
able ‘subjects, potwithsianding the oppressions 
which they suffered, they might put. to,silence 
the ignorant slenders of foolish and wicked men, 
who reviled them KS. sedilious persons and ene- 
roies to the state, because they would worship 


God, and would not join in, "idalanry, They 


: 


I. PETER.) > 


‘self to him that © jue , 


22 Who * 
k guile found’ i 
23 Who, © 
ed not again’; 
m threatened not 


* 24 WhoPhisown 
own body ton 4 the 


‘dead to sins, should * 7 ve 


25 For * ye were” 
astray ; but are ‘now're 
Shepherd and * Bishop 0 
i Ig. 53. 9, Mat. 27.)0 Gen 18. 25. Ps 
4) 19.23, 24. Luke}! 1. & 96) 13. 
23.41, 47. John 8}. 17. Si.” 


46... 2 Cor. 5. 21. 
Heb. 4. 15) & « 


26, 27+ &-O 284) 

John 2. 1 & 3. 5 

k John 1.47. Rev. a 
14.5. he 
I Ps. 38. 1214. Ts 


53.7. Mat. 27.39—] 29. 
44. Mark 14, 60,)7 Or, 


61, & 15, 29—32.|q, i basen sa 


Luke 22. 64,65. & 
23. 9, 34-30. John, 39. & 134.29 i 
19,9—11, Acts 8} 3. 13. p 
32—35. Heb. 12.3. a. 2 6. 2. 
m Acts 4.29. & 9p %1 . 

1. Eph. 6.9 |) 2 i ir 

n 4. 19, Ps, 10- 14.| Gr. 
& 31. 5. & G7. 5.) Heb. 
Luke 23. 46. Actsis Mate & 
7 59. 2 Tim. 1. 12.) 1. 7 
: oF his cause. 350 


ought indeed to consider 
from the ceremonial law, Fe 
from satan’s yoke, and from b 
in respect of God’s ‘worship : 
no means use their liberty to” 
‘to cover over any sinister and ¢¢! selfish "d 
to find a pretence fo> gratify 
those who had injured 
to act as the servants of Go 
ence to his cdmsrdannghelaaiae 
most perfect liberty that co 
them therefore, in obed 
per respect and honour 
their rank and authority 
ple the customary tokens: 
things lawful: let them at oe 
their especial love for the bro! 
fellow-Christians ; and, w 
shipped, and reverenced 
them honour the king, . 2 
their other daty. (Wore, Matt. 
It is almost»impossible, that 
worse supreme Governor, 
vast Roman empire, wh u 
divine inspiration. The co 
of the closing verse, has been 
admired by competent judges. 
V. 18—25. (Notes, Eph. 
25. 1 Fim. vied, 26 Fit. 
horted setvants to ebedienc en 
language, than. his reopen 
done. These. were generally sla 
of them: to! ee “masters 


AD. 63. CHAPTER Ill. A. D. 63. 


*eeCHAP. II. under persecutions; to profess and defend the 
Exhortations to wives and husbands, concerning} truth, with meekuess; aud to maintain a good © 
their respective duties, 1—7 ; andto all Christians} eonscience = enforced by the nature of their eall- 
to live , amity, to forgive injuries, to be constan' ing, their privileges, and the example of Christ, 

A 


2 


Mex: : Trin 2 
d more from their violent passions. Yet| ing their misery whem they deserved, and were 
le directed them to be subject to their exposed to, the wrath of God,.he voluatarily 
with all fear; with a due respect to! bore the guilt and punishment of their sins as 
plactd over them by Providence, and/ imputed to him, and expiated them by his death 
offending or dishonouring God-—| on the accursed tree ; in order that through his 
should be observed, not-only to/ race, and the encouragements ‘of his‘Gospe!, 
ind and humane, and who| they might become dead to, and separate from, 
Teasonable terms, and be| sin, and live unto righteousness, as the obedient 
; but also to the fro-| servants of God. Thus, through the ignomini- 
ward and morose, who would be angry wishout) ous stripes, which he, (holy and gloriovs as he 
Race wiilingly endured for them, and by the 


it would be gree, or the effect and evidence of| scars of those wounds which he received for . 


20" ie etRbelty and will of God, they pa-| left on their bodies, from the cruel scourgings in- 
fiently and meekly endured such treatment as} flicted on them, in which they were conformed 
was grievous to be borne, when not having been}to their divine Lord: and the consideration of 
alty they were unjustly punished. Indeed} his scourgings and livid scars, was suited in the 
what glory or honourable distinction could it be,| most affecting manner, to reconcile the poor 
Christians to be patient, when they | slaves, while suffering under the cruel usage of 

were beaten or scourged for their faults, seeing| their masters, to their hard lot, when their Re- 
many of the Gentile slaves submitted quietly in| deemer, the Holy Jesus, the Lord of glory, had 
this case! Bat if they behaved well, and were|thus suffered for their salvation. These things 
beaten by their proud and passionate /Acathen| indeed related to all Christians, though especial- 
masters ; and yet bore it without peevish com- ly addressed to slaves ; for they had without ex- 
plaints or purposes of revenge, still persevering! ception been as sheep going astray, and must 
in meek endeavours to do their duty : this indeed | have fallen a prey to the roaring lion that sought 
would be acceptable with God, and be rewarded | to devour their sou!s: but they had been sought 
by him as adistioguishing effeo: of his grace. For) out by, and brought back to, the good Shepherd, 
Christians were called thus to do good to all’ who laid down his life for the shéep; and thus 
_ men, and to endure ill usage from them ; and still| they were safely lodged in his fold under his 
to proceed with alacrity in doing well, amidst\ care; and become partakers of his love, who, as 
; and injuries, without being| the Bishop, or Overseer, of their souls, watched 
; d out by any kind or degree of evil done! over them, and was become their omniscient, om- 
| : because Christ, when he suffered in| nipotent, and most holy Protector. ' (Notes, &e. 
‘stead, left them#in this and in all other} Js. iii, P2vexix. 176. Luke xv. 1—6.) Some expo- 
respects, an example, that they should follow his/ sitors call the things, which the apostle here 


ee same Object, to which they| speaks concerning Christ, a digression from his 
ked for pardon and righteousness, they might| subject, and the effect of the fulness of his heart : 
learn how to actin the most trying circumstan-| but I apprehend, that the Holy Spirit led him 
ces. He indeed had done no kind of sin, and| thus to write, that ministers might learn from his 


perfect wisdom, love, and holiness, were displsy-)example, to inculcate practical matters from — 


ed in all his works; nor was there any guile in| evangelical principles. 
with which he met, were the base returns PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
the Vv. 


The apostles with one consent declare the ne- 
cessity of “laying aside all malice, guile, hypo- 
‘* crisies, envies, and slanders,” in order to re- 
ceive with meekness the instructions of Christ. 
We need not then wonder, that there are so ma- 
ny unfruitful hearers of the word, and that others 
are so little edified, when we observe how much 
these apostolical injunctions are neglected. But 
let those, who are as new-born infants in the fa- 
mily of God, and who have “tasted that the 
“ Lord is gracious,” avoid all those who would 
‘mislead them into controversies, which are com- 


iled, as if guilty of the most atrocious 
es, he did not retort the reproachful lan- 
guage, though most justly deserved by his ene- 

i6S : and even when he suffered all kinds of in- 
es and tortures, till they terminated in 
th on the cross, he did not so much as 


On the contrary, he prayed for$them, 
ther, forgive them, for they know not 
‘do;” and thus he “ committed him- 
m who judged righteously,” and left 
iy his character, plead his cause, and 

smies. This example Christians 


s 


a? 


9 


To yp eee ee. 
Ny 
- 


A, D. 68, 


family saved in the ark; an emblem of the des- 


increased.. They ought also to attend primarily 


to the more simple and easy parts of divine truth, 
Which is the proper milk for young converts: 
that so, growing by it to maturity of judgment, 
experience, and grace, they may at length be 
able to digest the more difficult doctrmes; which 
are suitable food for those who are of full age, 
and which wiil never be given to new-born 
babes, by those who. know how rightly to divide 
the word of truth. But let no man est in un- 
experienced notions: for even babes in Christ 
taste that he is gracious; and their experience 
of his love. and merey draws them to seek to 
him in all cheir further distresses, fears, wants, 
and temptations, and to rest on him as the Foun- 
dation of all their hopes. Thus they are co- 
ming daily to hita, and are builded on him, as 
living stones to be a spiritual house ; and con- 
secrated by him as a holy priesthood, to offer 
up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through 
dhim: for true religion consists of doctrine, expe- 
rience, and practice; and: he who separates 
these, destroys the whole. Asthe Lord hath laid 
this Chief Corner-stone, elect, precious, to be the }n 
Foundation of his living temple; they, who are 
taught to come: to him, and rest their hopes on 
him, will surely be safe and happy : for the whole 
scripture declares, that ‘ he who believeth on 
** him shall never be ashamed’? » But whilst 
ere Emmanuel and his salvation are glorious fh 
@ eyes mig precious to the hearts of all the re- 
genera vho deem it their chief honour to be- 
tong to hic a and serve hin; men in general, con- 
tinuing proud, carnal, and alienated from Gad, 
can see no comeliness or glory in them. Though 
he is made “the Head-Stone of the corner ;” 
yet modern builders in general make no account 
of him, but carry on their work, either in open op- 
position to him, or in manifest neglect of him. 
Thus they stumble at the word being disebedient, 


and will perish more dreadfully tixan if he had ne- 


ver:come to be the Savieur of sinners : “ whereun- 
to also they were appointed.” But let us inquire, 
whether we have the obedient faith of those to 
whom “ Christ is precious:” for many profess his 
truths, who stumble at his precepts; and so in 
another way he becomes to them “ a Rock of of- 
* fence,” and an occasion of deeper condemnation. 
’ V. 9—17. 

Happy are they, of whom it may truly be said, 
** Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, 
«* an holy nation, a peculiar people 1”. If we as- 
pire at these distinctions, let us be followers of 
God as dear children; let us abound in our spi- 
ritual sacrifices, and be careful to act up to the 
dignity and sanctity of our royal and priestly cha- 
racter, in all the ¢ancerns of life : let us obey the 
holy laws of Christour King, and seek his ho- 
nour in connexion with the peace and prosperity 
of our fellow-subjects: and let us be careful to 
appear as. “a peculiar people, zealous of good 


» © works,” whose. great business it is, “to show j de 
* forth the peaises of Go@ wha tie called us out 


I BEEER, 


8-18. The case of those to wlibua Christ, by 
his Spirit i in Noah, had preached, who yeh pe- 
rished in the deluge ; ; and that of Noah and his 


** of darkness into! 
shall best evince, 
us, and shall make 
them. Most of us 
not a people deyoted to 
sought or obtained mercy 
then are our obligatiofis i 
us bis people, and show 
comes us therefore, ass 
abstain from all kinds of a 
tinually war against the souls 
believer, in any instance or degree indul 
without. being wounded, weakened, ¢ >! 
injured, But. we should not only consider < ‘ 
own comfort and adve es: 
Gospel, and the | rsic 
likewise demand our atte 
study to have our conversat 
ourable, amidst. our enemies. a 
that, whereas they revile us 
evident. good works may 
and be the means, af th 
them also to believe ia him 
name : for if we, who-had not. 
have at length obtained mercy 5 
they who still remain. ign pemetiem 
be made partakers: of the sai 
With this. intent). and. from. sie 
cal motives, we should submit to 
nance of man for the Lord’s 
king, and all. placed in | 
praying for them. that they ma 
and grace tobe faithfukto their ir 
and for the preservation of our 
constitution, and endeavouring 
“ the land,” he oe 
“ the ignorance of, foolish, 
that liberty which the - te 
through the Holy Spirit; b 
we. are the servants of 
gree use our liberty to elo 
ambitious designs. By thus h 
loving our brethren, fearing God, 
the king; -we shall best: ador 
most experience its: comfort. 
V. 1825.0 
The view given-by the apostle, of 
viour of many masters to th 
slaves, may serve to convince us, 
tible slavery is with the:love of | 
and animate us, to | Ligphesos.: 
against so grievous an 0 
creatures : yet Christianity, ar 
raileled excellencies, ‘oaghonedl 
nourably, and live com: mio 
cumstances of deg 
if ielawce, when. thus: UP 


adat 


respect them; dsehaaanae : 

servants, who, professing the. Gospe 

— and oma » Who.¢ 
rapr sina ia ee 


pees: CHAPTER II. | A. Ds 633 


Aq eTaRpaipyivives, be in subjec- hair; and. of wearing of gold, or of pute 

_A tion to your own husbands ; that, if] ting-on of apparel ; 

y> obey not the word, ° they: also may,| 4 But det c¢-be 4 the hidden man of the 

— word, be 4 won by the con-|heart, in thatJ which is not corruptible, 
ation o even the ornament of ka meek and! qui- 

et spirit, ™ which is in the nie of Ged 

of great price. § 


ersa L the wives ; ; 
12 W mg a € behold your chaste con- 
ersati coupled f with fear: 

hose § adorning, let it not be 


vd 3 a y J : < 
at outward adorning of plaiting the 


& 6, 6. & 7%. 29, 
2 Cor. 4, 16. Soh 
Ay 22—24- Col. 3.3 


le Cor..10, on Gal. 
5. 23. Eph. 4. 2 
Col, 3. 12. pore 


Ex. 3. 22. & 32, 2. 
& 33, 4.& 35, 22. 
& $3. 8.2 Kings 9. 


O. Heb. 5: 9. a i, 8.| Be 3. 20. + Tink. 4, 30. Bst. 5. 1. Ps, 45.5 9,10. 2.25. Tits 3. 2, 
1 Cor. 11, 31¢ 1 Cor. 7+ 16. Col.| 12 2 Pet. 3,11. 9. Is. $.18—24. &Ij 1. 93. Jam. 1. 21. vee ig. = 
tie hs 5.) 4. 5 ; 52. 1. & 61. 10, Jer.!k ver. 15. Ps. 25. 9.) —i7e, ; 


‘fver 5,6. 15. are ‘ 
Bu 5. 35..856, 6: Co 2,32. & 4. 30, Ez.! & 147, 6 Is. 11. 44m Pa, 13%. 2 Ter 
16. 7—13. & 28. 40.1 & 99, 2. ke 57.15, 51. fi ak 

i Ps. 45.13. S051. 6.} & 61,1. Matt 5.5.2 Phes. 3. 1 ' 
Matt. 23. 26. Luke} & 11. 96 et 5. | Tim.2. 2 

11.40. Rom. 2. 29. ea 


%. 22. & 4 17.) 519,90 B12 
Rom, 6. 37, feller 16>, & ist Gen. 24,22. 47 53, 


ear a reproof, when aaey are most evidently 
hipable ! Indeed, this would be no evidence of 
race or acceptable obedience, though it would 
+ better than answering again: but when;,in 
y situation, we do well, and then-suffer re 
luke or ill usage, patiently, from conscience. to- 
fatds God, we manifest the reality of our grace, | 
pees bounteots recompense, and have the 
onour of resembling our blessed Lord : and ser-! 
ants to unconverted masters, who without cause 
buse and’ revile them, should rejoice in show- 
g whose followers they are, Indeed, we can- 
ot go through with our duty as Christians in 
ny station, if we do not persevere in endeavour- 
ig to “ overcome evil with good,” copying the 
conduct of him who suffered for us, and left 
+ us an example that: we should follow his 
' steps” Our sufferings. and reproaches can 
either be so unmerited, or so great, as his were; 
who, * when he was reviled, reviled not again ; 

i " suffered without threatening, and “ com- 
+ mitted himself to him that judgeth righteous- 
' Wy ‘As therefore “he, his own self, bore 
* our sins in his own body on the tree, that we 

being: dead to sin might live unto righteous-' 

ness,” and that by his stripes our souls might 
se healed; and as we all were as sheep going 
istray, till divine grace brought us back to “ the 
* Shepherd and Bishop of our souls:” let us 
Me ak copy his example when we are reviled, 
; Hated, as well as to rely on his merits, and 
ttanee under his gracious. protection and 

idance. ro - 


with an especial aim at the conversion of theit . 
husbands; which was not so much tobe ex 
pected from a disputatious attempt to teach them — 
the gospel, as from the silent, persuasive elo- 
quence of a becoming deportment. Thus they 
might hope to win upon those who did not obey 
the word, buttreated it with contempt and neg: 
lect; as the constant, obliging, amiable conduct, 
and prudent discourse of their wives would tend 
to soften their prejudices, and conciliate their 
affections; and so induce them to pay more at~ 
tention to the preached gospel. For it would 
have a considerable tendency to their conviction, 
habitually to witness the excellent effects of 
Christianity, in the chaste, modest, and faithful 
conduct of their wives, as united with respectful 
fear of disobliging or grieving them, and reve- 
rential regard to the authority and commands of 
God. In this endeavour to promote the gospel, 
*|they must not deem outward things, such as 
plaiting the hair, wearing golden rings and brace« 
lets, or putting on elegant or becoming gar-) 
ments, to be ‘their adorning,” in any debree = 
but they must value and seek for an inward beau- 
ty, residing in the heart as a hidden man, visible 
in its essence only unto God, and consisting of a 
renewal and sanctification of the whole soul into 
the divine image, through the incorruptible seed 
of the word made effectual by the power of the 
‘Holy: Spirit: for this alone would continue for | 
ever, without decay, or being tarnished. This’ 
inward beauty and ornament of a sanctified heart 
would especially be manifested by ‘ a meek and’ 
« quiet spivit,” which was in the sight of God 
very valuable ; and he would certainly honour it, 
though men might undervalue it: indeed, it - 
would be their best ornament in the sight of 
their husbands, and do far more to fix their 
affections ‘and excite their esteem, than the 
studied decorations of becoming or fasbion- 
able apparel, “attended ie a froward and conten- 
tious temper. (Notes, 1 Pim ii. 9; 10) Out. 
| ward ‘ornaments, according to every ‘one’s ranlc 
Jin life, are not absolutely prohibited by suck: 
,|seriptures, as it’ has been generally observed; 
but the frivolous affectation and vanity, whicl, 
constitute the love of finery: the time, attention, 
and expense, wasted by those who are attached 
'to such decorations ; and the pro} ortionable neg 
eet of the inward -adorning ’ which ‘uniformly 


es) en NOTES, va 
AP. IV. 12-4) (Notes, Ephi v. a 
The apostle next gave directions concern- 
he duties of wives and husbands, asia mat- 
great importance to the credit and suc: 
fthe gospel. In general, wives were com- 
| to be subject to their own husbands : 

they who were married to Gentiles, or 


ey this eitianaaiane' in idl thing's 

es, G eon. div 16. 1 Cor. vile 10—16,| 
is must be attended to, in a con-| 
, not only in order to Me fort 
nd to * adorn the gospel,” 'b 


A. DGS. 


5 For after this manner, in the old time, 
® the holy, women also,'®. who trusted:in 
God, P adorned. themselves, being in sub- 
jection unto their own husbands: 

6. Even 4 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, 
galling him lord: whose * daughters »ye 
are, as long as ye do well, * and are not 
afraid with any amazement. 


Prov. 41. 10. 30) 1 Tim2!15. & 6.53) vers 14, 15. Gen 


| Buke 8.2, 3. Acts 1.) Heb. 11,11. 18.915+ Is, 5% 11, 
44. & 9 36.1 Lim.|p ver- 2—4, Dan. 3. 16—18. 
3.10. & 5.10. Vit. -q Gen. 18. 12, Matt. 26. 69—75, 


* Gr, children, Rom. 
9. 7—9, Gal, 4. 22 
—26. 


2.3, 10. Acts 4. 813.19. 
o 1 Sam. 2. 1. Jer. 


49. 11. Luke 2. 37. 


v 


ee —— — 


connects with it, sufficiently prove, tbat the 
more. moderate ard indifferent about such em- 
bellishments, Christians are, from proper princi. 
ples, and without, preciseness and censorjous- 
hess, the more respectable and amiable they 
must appear in the eyes of all competent judges, 
‘ The works of charity, performed to the dis- 
* tressed, with the money necessary for purchas- 
* ing ornaments of gold and costly attire, will 
* render women much more beautiful in the eyes 
* of God and man, than, if they were, decked 
4 with all the vain ornaments, in. which the light- 
“er part of ithe sex delight.” (Macknight.) 

V. 5,6... The inward ornaments, which the 
apostle recommended, had been, of repute in the 
church from the most’ remote antiquity ; for thus 
holy. women of old time, who trusted in the pre- 
mises of God, and were. interested in his salva-' 
tion, had adorned’ themselves ;. not counting | 
either their personal beauty, or their costly gar-' 
ments, their adorning ; but in the mmeekness of 
wisdom they willingly abeyed, God, by being in 
subjection to their own husbands. Thus Sarah, 
the honoured mother of the nation of Israel, had) 
ebeyed Abraham: and in token of her. respect 
for his person, and the authority which God had 
vested in him, she was used to call him lord, 
It is remarkable, that.in the instance where..this 
is recorded, Sarah expressed such unbelief res- 


pecting the promise of God, that she was sharp-) they would be thought sup 
ly rebuked for it; yet that is here passedover, and | wisdom, they ought to” st 
the only good. word which she spoke on this oc-| offence at trifles, and by ¢' 
gasion, is mentioned to her commendation. This | humours and inclinations to” o 
shows how readily the Lord pardons. the sins,| and for their welfare. ‘These 
and how graciously he accepts the poor services, attended to, from the consideratio 
of the upright... Many, of the Christian women, | were fellow-heirs of the free favour 
whom Peter addressed, were descended from|God, which is eternal iife; and” 
Abraham and Sarah; and the,others would be} companions in their ‘pil 
accounted as her daughters, heirs of her faith,|do all that‘they possibly 
" and imitators of her example, so long as they be-| sel, and assist each other b 
haved well in their relative duties, and as pro-| should more attentively 
fessed disciples ; and were not so afraid’ of the | greements and domestic’ 
anger of their husbands, or others, as to deny| might occur to indispose 
Ghrist, or act contrary to his commandments, | cret, with each other, and i 
through unbelief and consternation of spirit: for} being essential to the Chris 
this would be rather an imitation of Sarah, when |a matter of so great imp 
through ‘surprise she denied that she laughed 5|in their whole conduct).ou 
than of her faith ‘and holiness, or her becoming | with reference to it. \Perha 
- lintimated, that in case a Chris 


subjection to her husband. 


“Ip PETERS 


8 4 Finally, mide 


airy Pos 


3s Gen. 2. 23, 24.) 1 Th 
Prov. 5, 1819. u 
Mal. 2 14—16, 


rity being conferred on them. © 
behave towards them, as became 
the knowledge of God and of true relig 
understood theiends for which marriage was 
pointed, and the manner in which pious pers 
gught to behave im that ‘holy ‘and 
would keep them from ey ing ‘ 
unkind, unfaithful, or “nju 
ral comfort, or spiritual ij 
wives were of the oF 
the most endeared an 
blended all theit interests” 
husbands ; ‘so the considera’ 
ority in this relation, an 
ness of their sex, whieh ré 
ble of so great hardship anc 
endure ; together with theit 
as connected with child-bearin 
their husbands to treat thet 
respect and tender regard 
them to tyrannize over them. 
fore to show a peculiar estes 
them, to take much satisfac 
ny, to honour them before 
gers, to support their j 
make a becoming’ pYovi 
lay no, unreasonable inj 
to show a great concern ii 
to their health, comfort, and 


“ 


COM 


th 6th Bs x 
tec’ 5 
pein? ©; 
eht 
¥ . 
; 4 


i 


i 


y oat 66 
by th 


V. 7. On the other band, the apostle exhort-|'verted wife, he ought to'study by 


ed husbands professing the gospel, to dwelt with to conciliate her mind ; that 
their wives, in a rational and intelligent manner,| thing to interrupt the social 
Which might eviace the propriety of the autho-| mily, but might be induced amic 


‘WeD: 63. CHAPTER Il. A. D. 68: 


‘having compassion’ one of another;| 14 But and tif ye suffer for righteous- 

‘love as brethren, dc * pitiful, » de cour-}ness’ sake, happy ere ye: "and be not afraid 
teougmt ay of their terror, neither be troubled; 

i agg evil for evil, or vite 15 But * sanctify the Lord God in 

. : but contrariwise, bless-}your hearts: ¥ and be ready always to 

g that ye are thereunto] g7ve an answer to every man that asketh 

called Rests should inherit a blessing. }you # a reason of ® the hope that is in 

40 For fhe that will ¢ love life, and] you, > with meekness' and * fear : 

‘see days, let him ‘ refrain his} 16 Having ¢ a good conscience ; that, 
gt e from evil, and his: roe that they |¢ whereas they speak evil of you, as of 
. ea no guile: evil-doers, they. may be ashamed that 

© falsely accuse your * good conversation 
in Christ. 

17 For it is better, & if the will of God 
be so, that ye» suffer for well-doing than . 
for evil-doing. 

18 For ' Christ also hath once suffered 
for sins, * the just for the unjust, ! that 
he might bring us to God, ™ being put 
{to death in the flesh, » but. quickened by 


the Spirit : "i 
4 [Practical Observations.) 


rood ; let him ® ier ash es ensue it. 
bia tf For © the eyes of the Lord are over 
ithe righte d P his ears are often unto 
pi ie ee but the face of the Lord 
ée + against them that do evil. 

Ay iasAud. © who zs he that will harm 
you ye be * followers of that which is 
ys ry K . 


y Zee ty: .. Matt 17, Luke 10. 26. & ae 19. 21.'Gal. 6. 
33. Luke 10, 33.) 18.18. 0.. 1. Tim, 6. 18. 


ijt See Ps. 34. 12! Heb, 13. 16, Jam- i 
Sor. Fe Rant See ” 4.17. 3 John 11. 15. 9,1 Cor. 14. 1.] 26. 12—16. Dan. 3.] Heb. 9. 14. & 13. 
2.13) hE SLIT Deut: 32,47. Jobjn. Ps. | 120. 6.. 7. | Eph. 5.1. \1/Thes.| 16-18. Am.% 14-| 81. 
Li i gaa? 2. 4 Prov. 3,2. 18.) Matt. 5,9, buked 5. 15. 1 Tim. 5+) 17. Mat, 10. 18—{d Sce on, 2, 12, Tt 
s & 4. 22, & 8 85.) 79. Rom. 5. I. &} 10. 3 John 11. 20. Luke 21. 14, 15.1 2 8. 
pa Pen 1.7" “Matt. 19. 17. Mark.| 8. 6. & ak, "1B. & {t 2. 19;90. & 4, 13) Acts 4. 812. & 5.\e Mates. Ub 


—1l6e Jer. B. 15. 
Mat. 5. 1012. & 
10 1822. 39. & 
16, 25. & 19% 29 
Mark 8. 35. & 10. 


29-31. & 21. 39, 
40. & 22. 1,2, Ke. 
Col. 4: 6. 

£1 Sam. 12. 7. Is, 
t a8. & 41. 21, 


€ See on, ver. 1s Qe 

g 4.19, Mat. 26. 39. 
4%. Acts 21. 14, 

h See on, ver. 14. 

i 2, 21—24, Ts, 53. & 


3. 14. 18, 19.] 8¢ 36.John 12. 14. 17. 19. Gal. 5. 
1 yon. 18. Provabh Job 7. %, 8.& 9.) 22. Col. 3. 15, Heb, 
"a = 18. rl 25..& 33.266 Ps.} 12-14. Jam; 3,17, 18. 


27» 13. & Ad, 19. a o Deut. 11. 12. 2 
hie 16.9. Ps. il. 


. 4. 31, 32.) Matt. 13, 16, i rov. 15, 3,} 29. Luke 6. 22, 23+] Acts 24. 25. —6. Rom. 5. 6—9- 
eet sina 444i See on; Jam. 1. 26. « 4.10, cts 9.16. 2 Corla See on, 12 3, 44 & 8. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 
8, ae 3. 12. & 3, 1—10 p 2Chr. 7. 15. Ps.].7'3.10. Phil. 1. 29.! Col, 1. 5. 23. 27,! 22. Gale 1, 4. & So 
Prov./k 2. 1. 22. John 1] 65.2, Prov. 15. 8.| Sam. 1. 12. Tit. 1.2. Heb, 3. 6.) 13. Tit 2. 16. Heb. 
Matt. 5.39. 47. Rev. 14 5. 29. John 9.31. Jam.{U Is. 82 12, 13..&) & 6, 11. 18, 19- 9 26.28. t 
; uke 6, 27-2911 Job 1. 1. & 2 3.) 5, 16. 41. 10-—14,. Jer. 1.]b See on, yers 2. do 2) Zeeh, 9, 9.: Mat. 
“Rom. 12. 14.17, 19] & 28. 28. Ps. 34, sk Ley, 17.10. & 20.| 8 Ez. 3, 9 Mat.) Tim. 2. 25,26. 27.19, 24. Acts 3. 
21.1. 14. & 87.27, Prov.} 3.6. & 26. 17, Ps.| 10. 28. 31. Luke}* Or, reverence. 14. & 22,14, Jame 
‘1 Phes. 5.15. | 3. 7% & 16. 6. 17. 36. 16. Jer. 2i. 10, | 12. 4,5» John id l.je ver. 21. & 219) 6.6.1 John 1.9% | 
21. x §. 10.| Is. 1. 16, 17. Matt.| Ez. 15.7, 27 Acts 18.9, 10. | Acts 24, 16. Rom.|I Eph. 2. 16—i8. 
2." 8.) 6. 13. John 17. 15.) Grgupon. x Num. 20. 12. se 9.1.2 Core 1. ier m 4.1. Dan. 9. 24% 


27,1413. 5, 165 8) 
29. 23. 
y Ps. 119. 46. Jer.|> 


& 4.°2 1 Tim. 1. 2 Cor. 13, 4. Col. 1s 
5. 19. 2 Tim. 1. 3.| 22. 
n Rom. 8. 11. 


m. Ps, 125. 4. Mat.|r Prov. 16, 7% Rom, 
13. 3, 
s Ps. 38. 20. Prov. 


e Ma 45. Marke 14. 7. 
ss Ma ‘10.! Luke 6.9. 35. Rom. 


f Ve. (Notes, ii. 23. Rom. xix 10—20. 1 
xiii. Eph.iv. 1-3. Phil. ii. 14.) These 
exhortations. entirely coincide with those, which 
have been considered in St. Paul’s epistles... As 
conclusion and substance, of all his admoni- 
poe the apostle exhorted them to be of one 
ind and judgment, as far as: possible, in the 
concerns of religion: to sympathize with 
other i in their personal trials, and sorrows; 
; a brotherly affection to all their fellow- 
hristians ; to compassionate the miseries, and 
ve the wants, of their unbelieving neigh- 
to be friendly, obliging, affable, access 
. condescending to inferiors, in their 
e conduct ; endeavouring to conciliate the 
ions of all men, by every kind of civility 
sion, as far as could consist with their 
luties };.and by no means retaliating inju. 
ps OF retorting revilings, but on the contrary, 
| praying for, their contumelious 
cious.ehemies, and speaking kindly to’ 
iduing ‘this, they might be encouraged 
Ke d by the consideration, that God 
vealled them, from being his. ene- 
‘to the awful curse of his law, 


by the grace of his Gospel, to inherit a blessing 
in time and to eternity; and therefore, they ought 
to copy his love; who had “overcome evil with 
* good” in his dealings with them } and) to pity | 
the misery and blindness, rather than resent the 
injuries, of their enemies, who could not possibly 
deprive them of their felicity. (Marg. Ref)— 
‘This accorded to the advice given to” young per- 
‘sons by the Psalmist : (Votes, Ps. xxxiv. 11 
16.) For if any man desired to prolong his days, 
and liye comfortably on‘ earth, or to possess’ the 
hope’ of eternal life in heaven’; he must learn to 
bridle» his tongue, from all witked;: abusive, or 
deceitful words, (Votes, James 1. iti. 26;) to for- 
sake and depart far from all evil actions; to do 
allthe good he could; to seek peace with all men, 
and pursue it though it fled from him. For the 
omniscient and omnipresent God watched over, 
the righteous, and would take care of them} 
(Note, 2 Chr. xvi. 9. Fs. ciii-'17.;) and he was 
ever ready to hear and answer their prayers; 
but he set himself, as a frowning Judge, ‘and an 
hatacee see vovererinsgh Pay all impeniteyt sin~ 
ners, * 


r Pe sot by 


a) 


A. Dy 6% 


19 By ° which also he went and 
ed unto the spirits P in prison; 


20 Which 4 sometime were disobedi- 
ent, when once ¥ the long-suffering of 


0 1,11. & 4. 6.Neh.[q Gen. 6.3.5. 13. |) 4.5. & 9.22. 2 Pet, 
“49. 80. Rev. 19.10. |r Is. 30. 18. Rom. 2} 3. 15. 
p. Rev. 20. 7. 


V. 13—18. The apostle, with great anima- 
#ion, next inquired, who.could. or would harm 
them, if they copied the example of him, who is 
essential and perfect goodness ; and were imita- 
tors of every one, who did good to others, as fol- 
lowers of Christ. In, this, case moné could do 
them real harm; and this imoffensive, upright, 
and benevolent conduct, would generally in time 
But if 
this:should not be the case ; (as satan, would at- 
tempt.to’ instigate the natural enmity of men’s 
hearts against the Gospel, and by connecting it 
with the ambition, jealousy, resentment, political 
interest, or bigotry of rulers; to persecute the 
Church ;) and they sheuld be called to. “suffer 
« for righteausness’..sake,” they ought to. deem 
this a peculiar honour and happiness. (Vote, 
Mait. vy. 10—12.).. Nor ought they to be dismay- 
éd at the rage, menaces, decrees, and power of 
their persecutors, which were ‘ their terror.;” 


disarm the enmity of their neighbours. 


but which could only kill, the body at most, and 


could, not so much as touch that.without the per-| 


mission of God : and, therefore, they should not 
be so troubled about these matters, as by confu 
sion of mind to,be unfit for.their duty, or in dap. 
ger of listening to temptations and denyiig, 
Christ ; as the apostle himself had done on a for: 
mer occasion. To avoid this, they ought to sanc 
tify the Lord God in their hearts, maintaining ho- 
nourable thoughts of his perfections ; fearing 
nothing so. much as his displeasure;and trust: 
ing their souls, lives, liberty, possessions, repnta- 
tions, and families in his hands, as in a Sanctuary 
and a strong Tower, (Vote, Js. viii, 13—15.), In- 
stead therefore of renouncing or concealing their 
religion, they were exhorted to be at all times 
ready and prepared to plead..the cause of truth, 
and to show, its excellency and authority, to 
«every man who asked a reason of the hope 
¢-that was in them ;” whether he were a magis- 
trate, or a private person, and) whatever motives 
induced him to the inquiry. . They hoped ia God 
through Christ for eternal life: and in this confi- 
dence they renounced) present advantages, and 
exposed themselves to most grievous sufferings : 


what therefore was the ground and reason of| Christ himself ; and sometimes 


their hope? . This question, they should be pre- 
pared to answer, by showing: the evidences and 
design, of Christianity ; the need men have of for- 
giveness and sanctification; the, nature of re- 
demption by the blood of Christ, and of the new- 
creation of the’ Spirit unto obedience; and the 
promises, security,.and seal of the new covenant. 
Thus they might evince from the authenticated 
word of God, and their own experience of its ef- 


’ fects, that they hoped for happiness on -reason- 


able grounds, and acted wisely in renouncing, 
venturing, and suffering all things for the sake 
of it. But cogent arguments alone would not 


preach-}| 


| falsely accused of men as an 


s Mat. 24. 87—390 
Luke 17. 26—30, | 
t Gen. 6. 14 

Heb 11. 7. 


A 7 ite Le 
suffice in this testimony: 
with meekness, or mo 
and love ; and with fear, or a. 
and heavenly things, an a ca 
their own spirits: Iest their 
saul disgrace the cause of th trut ke 
they must also “ have a good conscience,’ 
ed from the discouragement of guilt by the] 


of Christ, that they might be satisfied 
event; .and as an ni 


enlightened monitor 
them in all holy cor ee ee 
tors, who ened em a male : 
be ashamed o thu: falsely 
lently opposing men, 
as the disciples of ( 
lent. And, though natu 
to repine or rage at an 
in fact, if God ee RF 
far more desirable, 
profitable, to ** su 
“ evil-doing ; as he 
long to ‘their persec 
would be wholly their own, 
he conformed to Ch N 


ed by them with all possibl 
but in fact he, being perf 
wage a ars © for sin, inst 
* eous ;” for, having no sin o 
suffering for sin, fre 
the sins of others. This he 
rid and unspeakab 
rgbels, enemies, and conde 
Oi as redone neil 
friends and children; that th 
for ever in his favour, ani d he 
salvation, and by their wo) 
For, being thus put fo deat 
pect.of his human natu 2.0 
phemy; he was speedily qu 
from the dead by the pow 
and thus declared to be | 
had avowed that he was, 
Christ, (and indeed many off 
times ascribed to God absol 


oH ly 


This is very easy and natural if. 
sons are one God; but ry 
on_any other principle? (J 
V- 19, 20, It need not 
that so many refused to 


—-. 
7 . CHAPTER IL ; aD. ey 


threes aber gra Wher éuiiioy even] wards God,) ¢ by the resurrection of Jesus 
7 ) also now save us, (not)Christ: s«), 
of the filth of the flesh,| 22 Who ¢is gone into heaven, and ¢ is 


put b the answer of a vod conscience to-|on the Tight hand “of God; ‘ angels, and 
fiw : Le Ane and Ne fheaa being made sube 


ier. Title 8: 37. Rom|¢ Seon, 1. 3. 
9,10. 2Cor, 1-|d Mark 16, 19. Aets 
Ez. 36. 25, 6. is. 1'Tia . 12. 


ae 
¢ oad 
She 


24. 1. Heb. 1.13. 13. & 
co Ps. 110. 1. Mat. es es & 10. 2 & 
"22 44. Mark “12. 
36. Luke 20. fle Rom. 8. 38 1 Cor. 
Rom, 8. 34. Cole 3. 15. 24, Eph. 1. 21. 


1.11. & 2 34—36. 
& 3. 21. Heb. 6, 
20. & 8.1. & 9- 


rm on of hell, (that is, the adults among them,)} by his power and through his intercessiow, the 
n the apostle wrote ; : being confined there} blessings which he had purchased by the’ sheds 
ine judgment. of tot great day. For they ding of his blood.“ (Notes, &c. Eph. i. 20-23. 
“sometime been « ent” and unbeliev-| iv. 8—12. Phil. ii. 911.) 

Gi, during the hundred and twen- 

a7 5g 


tere, after the Fen PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
efore it was sent. At that Vv. 1-7. 
Piopiied 4 jn preparing the ark,| The truths, precepts, and grace of the Gospel 
ith by his works, and calling on|teath, and form real Christians to, @ a becoming 
“and seek mercy from God. But} and beneficial behaviour in all the relations of 
mously and obstinately rejected his|life; by a happy union of piety, purity, meek- 
and thes they were destroyed by the| ness, fidelity, and holy love. Every person ought 
hilst only eight persons had their lives|/to use propet means for the conversion of such 
rved in the ark, being | delivered from the} as obey not the word, especially among their re- 
aters = an ‘carried above them: so that the/lations, and to aim habitually at gaining others 
Hoods, : ars ‘others, concurred in their! to Christ, by every partof their conduct: but an 
lelive op 3 other i interpretations have obliging conscientious performance of their res- 
assage ; but none, this" ex- pective duties, by inferiors, will’ go furthest with 
egree satisfactory. superiors, and win most upon them. For when 
like figure, or the Gntitype of they See that religion teaches their wives, chil- 
nily’s preservation i in the ark| dren, and servants, to beiave better towards them 
rs , at that time saved Christians,|than formerly; it interests their feelings, and 
Christ and bis Church are the| shows them that there is an‘excellency in what 
oe at wihia. are safe ; al! without will| produces such happy effects: and it is greatly 
ae re of divine vengeance into} to be wished, that there were more, who thus 
‘ark men enter by true! preached in every station, employment, and re- 
ows and Gentiles professed,} lation of life. In like manner, the inward and 
“baptism they eutered the Christian] incorruptible adorning of wisdom and 
|: and thus the baptismal water formed shining forth “ in a meek and quiet spirit, which 
were the sign of their safety. Yet it was/ “isin the sight of God of great price,” constitutes 
ae yee washing ‘away the filth of the flesh,”| the most durable beauty and amiableness, and 
or the mere outward ordinance of baptism, which| will ensure esteem and affection, when all out- 
could effec this; but it was “the answer of a| ward ornaments, (the memorial of our sins and 
« good conscience t towards God,” when a msn,|sbame,) with all that beauty which they ars 
by the regeneration | of the Spirit, was able to| vainly meant to embellish, will not secure any” 
repentance, faith, and purposes of a new} one from contempt and aversion, whose conduct 
- uprightly, and asin the presence of God ;} in life is disgraceful: and they will soon. leave 
cee answer such questions as were put to per | the poor body to the confinement and corruption 
on those occasions. When Jews and Gens of the tomb; and the soul, which is without ho- 
professed Christianity, they were thus re-| liiess, to be for ever loathsome and abborred of 
nto the Church, even as Gentiles had} God: Let then all, who would be the followers 
the Jewish Church by circumcision ;) and daughters of the holy women, who of old 
zument, concerning the baptism of in.| trusted in God, copy their fashion, ‘seek their or- 
oe Christian parents, is not at ‘all af-) naments, attend ‘to relative duties, do good, fear 
y The apostle spake of ‘baptism, as nothing but sin, and beware of every thing that 
ut hy ordinance of Christianity : but he| might betray them into it: and let husbands, 
care ‘to rerhind | men, that the inward grace| professing the Gospel, act towards their wives 
1, even regeneration, from which all| with that prudent and tender regard, which be. 
tions and actions spring, alone could) comes ‘those, who know the word of God ; which 
sm into the true Church, the Ark of} may ensure them respect from all around them, 
| and tend to render them comfortable under their 
various infirmities. Thus they F be be enabled. 
into the kingdom of the Son of God.) to live together, * as fellow-heifs of the grace of 
n of believers was the effect of the! « life," and nothing will hinder their united \ 
hrist, whic ich evidenced the ac~ ryers for a@ blessing upon each other, their fa- 
aes, all who are connected with them. 
os Wig sets 8—18, - aq 


; aware sign could effect this blessed 


r 


A Dies) . a 


 ACHAP. IV. 


Exhortations to cease from sin, for which Christ had 
suffered }/and to live holy lives, though reproach- 
ed forit; in expectation of a future judgment, 1 
—6; to sobriety, watchfulness, and prayer ;_be- 
Cause the end of all things is at hand, 7; and to 
love, hospitality, and a due improvement of ta- 

‘Tents, as the stewards of God, and in order to 

» glorify hira, 8—11, Encquragements te patience, 

*-and confidence in God, amidst) persecutions ; 

with cautions and imstruetions, 12—19. 


ORASMUCEH then as 2 Christ hath 


a See on, 3.18. 


As peace and love ‘are necessary to domestic 
comfort, so are they to the prosperity of the 
church. Christians should therefore study and 
pray. to be ** all of one mind, to have compas- 
*« sion one of another, to love as brethren, to be 
*€ pitiful and courteous : and instead of render 
* ing evil for evil, or railing for railing,” they 
should’ bléss ‘their enemies, after bis exam. 
ple, who hath called them from their state of 
enmity to inherit a blessing. But ‘how aston- 
« ishing and lamentable is it, that when the way 
“to happiness is so plainly delineated, so few 
© should find it! What man is there, who does 
“* not desire life, and to live many days,’ that he 
* may see good? Yet how few tongues are kept 
* from evil! How few lips from speaking guile! 
* How few decline frém evil, and do good! How 
* few seek peace and pursue it! On the contra. 
* ry, how much low cunning and artifice; and 
«what discords and contentions, reign among 
* mankind! And how detestable and miserable 
* do ‘hese perverse and ungovernable passions 
«render us! (Doddridge.) But happy are the 
remnant of the righteous! The eyes of the Lord 
watch over them, his ears are open and attentive 
to their prayers, and he delights in doing them 
“good, whilst he sets his face against the workers 
_of iniquity. Who then can harm those that are 
followers of God as dear children, and walk in 
his most holy ways? Their sufferings for right- 
eousness’ sake will prove an addition to their fe- 
licity : so that, fearing God, making him their 
Sanctuary, and abiding safe ‘and comfortable un. 
der his protection ; they need not be afraid of 
the terror of the wicked, nor be troubled by 
reason of their rage and malice. They should 
therefore always be réady to give a reason of 
their hope, to inquirers of every description: 
for it is founded on the most irrefragable argu. 
ments ; and indeed the true Christian alone can 
feasonably hope to obtain eternal happiness, or 
“escape eternal misery. Yet in pleading the 
cause of truth, in public or in private, we should 
he prepared not only with conclusive arguments, 
‘but with meekness and fear; that a humble, be: 
nevolent, peaceable conduct towards men, may 
evidently unite with a reverential awe of the ma- 
jesty of God: for wrath, pride, bitterness, and 
atreverence, will prejudice men’s minds against 
the truth, whatever ability is shown in defend. 
ing it. Nor can this service be successfully per. 
formed, ‘except by those, who “exercise them- 
“6 selves to have @ conscience void of offence 


3. 
e Rom.6. 2. 7. 11. 


b Rom. 13. 12—14)) Eph. 4, 
Phil 2 5. Heb. A . 5.) 
Gal. 2. 20, & 5. 24.1 


Col. 3. Pe 2.3. ail 
Is. 1, 16. Biz, 16.\g 2015, L 

ogi Heb. 4. 10. | Mat. 7.2 

e 2+ 1 Roms 7. 4. 


“‘ towards God and man ;” 
so well opposed to the enm 
heart against the truth, as tt 
Babe 3 which tend to make tl 
who falsely. their good ¢ 
Christ. if this 0 y ver, can 

beuter to suffer for w 


ing; whatever our 


* Just for the unjust, 
“ G od.” % My 


1 th ag 
Whilst we recollect, the 
sufferings of the divine 
whether we are rei 
worshippers, an 4 
and conduct of our fides! 
rection was attested by 
divine power effected, it: 
day receive bim as their § 
for refuge from the wrath to 
we wonder at this, if we cons! 
majority were disobedie: 
same Spirit in believin 
old world, while the 
the long-suffering of | 
served from the food 
us tremble ‘to learn, | 
were cast into prison, ne 
as utterly unable to pi 
Let us then enter the Ark, wh 
vided as the only security” 
of impending vengeance, 
guilty. world : let us be 
outward forms’; as if 
us, which’ only waaere: y 
flesh, or uny thing, “ but ni 
* conscience nik I Whi 
ourselves the disciples of Christ, . 
of his grace, let us seek the 
regenerating and sanotifying” 
behalf of our children and fr 
us trust in Ais merits, po 
who died for our sins, and 
tification ; and “ who is 
‘is on the right hand 
* palities, and powers, 
“him? > | 


‘CHAP. IV. ‘VW. 1, 2. 


human nature, and in the likeness of sin 


For tote ps of our life may 
iffice to have wrought the will of 
he tiles elite we walked in * ‘lasci- 


fetings, = and abominable 


‘5. Tit.3. 3. 'y Eph. 5. 18. 

n jk Murk 7 22,2Cor.jm, Gal, 5.21... 

i2, 2). Gal. 5. 19.1n 1 Kings 21. 26. 2 
.; Eph 4. 19. Jude 4.) Chr. 15. 8. Is. 65 
oll Sam. 13. 28. 4. Jer. 16.18, Rey. 
Prov. 23%. 29=324 1. a 5. 

Is. 5. 11. & 28 7 


Pent 


aad suffered with such constancy and- wie 
for the sins of le; (iu. 18;) his disci- 
ble es ever cl on ee with the 
@ mind : that a. resigned, self-denying, meek, 
of spirit, résulting from cone 
d Tove. to him, hatred of sin, 
ws ‘of eter nal things, might fer- 
- minds . against despondency, terror, 
veariness 5 and prepare them to resist temp- 
» the flesh, and the devil, with resolution 
4 vigour, even unto death, and as resvlved to 
suffer for the sake of Christ, if called to it: 
whereas without this internal armour, they would 
sere t fain mnt iaaeh, atime of trial. As therefore 
had “ suffered i in the flesh,” when cruci- 
eir. sins, but had risen from the 
to die no. ‘more, and had thus done with sia 
erie, to hith: so Christians, having “suf- 
e flesh,” in conformity to Christ, by the 
mortific of their carnal nature, through his 
grace ntives derived from his cross ; had 
eased from | the : practice of sin, expected no sa- 
faction from any forbidden indulgence, and 
re ally employed in resisting the in- 
An their hearts, and endeavouring 
3 breaking forth in their lives.— 
ii. 24. Rom. vi. Gal ij. 20.v. 24.) The 
‘end. oF intention of this renewed judgment and 
‘conduct, and of the grace by which the change 
had been. wrought, was, that the Christian 
+ should : no longer live the remnant of. his time, 


men,” or in order to gratify any of those in- 
inate desires of worldly things by which men 
Do ncaeniy actuated ; but that he should 
eforth live to the will of God, seeking his 
and glory, and doing his commandments. 
word flesh is here used in, different sen- 
it means,1st: the holy human naiure of Christ; 


t and death; and 3dly: the mortal body, in 
ythe soul tabernacle during its continu- 
this world. . 
- S8—5.. When the ends for which men were 
mt into the world, were duly considered by 
tians; it would appear that the time past 
es might suffice to have ‘ wrought the 
e Gentiles ;” or to have wasted it in 
a i those sins, and pursuing those ob- 
jects, to which the ignorant heathens were ad- 
Some of those whom the apostle ad- 
ad been Gentiles, and the rest had act- 
Ling ‘manners of the nations, ra- 


Rae the peculiar people of 


CHAPTER Iv. 


lexcess of wine, ™ re-} 


» and maintain the conflict against the 


‘in the flesh,” or in the body, ‘ to the lusts of 


+ the depraved nature of. man, the body. of 


A. D. 635. 


4 Wherein they think it strange that 
ye run not with them to the same ° ex- 
cess of riot, P speaking evil of you: 

5 Who 4*shall give account to him. 
¥ that is ready to judge: the i apie and the 


dead. 


o Mat, 23. 25. Luke’ 
15. 13. Rom. 13 
13. 2 Pet. 2. 18. 

p See on, 2-12. & 3., Jude i4, 15: 

16. Acts 13. 45. &|r Ps. 50.6, Ec. 12. 
18. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 12,) 14. Ez, 18,30. Mat. 
Jude 10. 25. 31,&c. John 5. 


Mat 12. 36. Luke} 10. 42. & 17. 31.- 
16. 2. Rom. 14. 12.) Rom. 14, 10—12, 1 


q Mal. iY eel Be Actes. 
ee 15. 51, 52. 2 


et 1. Jam. 5 


God : for they had habitually allowed themselves 
in various lascivious imaginations, dalliances, or 
secret practices, or in more gross. lewdness = 
or they had been guilty of drunkenness and ex- 
cess ; and had frequented those riotous, luxuri- 
ous, and dissipated revellings and banquetings, 
whére intemperance was practised; and many 
of them had joined in those idolatries which 
were most detestable in themselves, and by the 
shameful and enormous licentiousness connected. 
with them, The Jews, at that time, were eX- 
ceedingly exact and scrupulous in avoiding all 
approaches to gross idolatry ; it is not therefore 
at all probable, that the apostle meant this of 
converts from among them. Some had lived in 
one, some in another, and several of them in ma~ 
ny, of these enormities: thus a great part of 
their lives bad been mispent ; and this reflection 
ought to render them the more diligent in sery~ 
ing God for the residue of their days. But their 
unconverted neighbours, especially the Gentiles, 
finding them separated from, and set against, 


their old pursuits; and that they would no- 


longer join with them in their revels and “ pro« 
“ fusion of riot,” were estranged from them, 
and looked on them as a precise unaccountable 
set of people : as therefore the conduct of Chris- 
tians was a silent reproof of their excesses; 
they spake evil of them, (or “ blasphemed their 
“ religion,’ Gr.;) and charged them with various 
crimes of which they were not guilty. But 
whilst they thus unjustly judged and condemned 
Christians ; they must speedily render an account 
of themselves to him, who was ready to judge 
both the living and the dead ;” being even then 
possessed of all power and authority for that 
purpose. (Marg. Ref) The apostle ‘uses the 


first person, thus joining himself with his Chris- 
tian brethren; probably, as a less offensive man-- 


ner of stating the subject ; and as conscious, 
that, though free frem many of the gross crimes, 
here mentioned, he had. yet spent too many 
years of his past life, according to the course 
“ of the world,” and “the lusts of men,” and 
not “ according to the will of God.” Some in- 
deed venture to change the text, without au- 
thority , and to read, * may suffice you -” but the 
same principle “might lead us to explain the 
words, as addressed exclusively to the Gentile 


converts ; because the Jews had never liver! in | 


“ abominable idolatries.” Think it strange 
(4.) ‘The Greeks used the word ZeviZecSat, 


‘to. express that wonder, with which a stranger ~ 


<1 struck, who beholds any i. uncommon or 
‘new. (Macknight.) 


hee 


Ae D. 68. 
6 For, for this cause was ‘the gospel 
Weeachag ‘also. * to them that are: dead, 
‘that they might be j udged according"to’ 
men in/the flesh, but live according: to 
God in the Spirit. 
7 But * the end of all things is at hand : 
= A & 5.25, Eph. 


5. Tit. 3. 3—7. 
alee 7 2. Jer. 5. 


#8! °10. Jolin 5. 25, 24 
Phil. 4. 5. Heb. 10. 


[a 2. & 15, 
t yer. 1. 2, Rom-8 


Gall 1 Cor 11.) 31. Ez. 7. 23.5, Pet’ 3. OH! 
31, 3 Matt, 24. 13, 14. John 2.18. 
u Hom. 8. 2% Gal Boat 13. 12, 1 Cor. A 


V. 6. The Gospel had before this. been 
preached to those, who were since dead, (eithe: 
being martyrs for the truth, or dying in the 
course of providence,) for this very reason ; viz 
“ that they might be judged “according to men 
« in the flesh,” and by the proud and carnal 
judgment of wicked men be condemned as evil- 
doers, and some of them even suffer death at 
their hands: but that at the same time, being 
quickened to a divine life by the Holy Spirit, thev 
might live to God as his devoted servants, and his 
Witnesses among their persecutors ; and so be 
prepared for living with him for ever in. heaven. 
Thus their transient afflictions, disgrace, and 
sufferings, soon terminated in perfect felicity: in 
the mean’ time, they glorified God in life and 
déath, and were supported and’ comforted. by 
him ; and the Gospel had been the means of pre: 
paring them for these things, as it still continued 
to prepare others to glorify God, serve their ge- 
neration, and then after some fleeting sorrows, 
to be admitted to everlasting uninterrupted joy. 
and unalloyed felicity. This seems the meaning 
of the verse, which is generally thought very 
obscure. Some explain it of those, who were 
dead in sin, to whom the Gospel was preached : 
that being quickened and converted, their old 
nature might be judged, condemned, and cruci- 
fied, that so they might no longer live to the 
Tusts of men in the flesh, but to the glory of God 
by the Spirit—Several other interpretations are 
given; but that above stated seems the most 
satisfactory ; and it best connects the.verse, with 
the words which immediately precede.  ** The 
« dead,” there means such as had already died ; 
“ the quick,” or living, those who were then 
alive on earth : both of these Christ will judge. 
(Marg. Ref) The Gospel was preached, in or- 
der to the salvation of the-hearers: they who 
embraced it were condemned according to men, 
or by man’s judgment, but they were accepted 
by God. The same had ‘been the case with 
those, to whom the Gospel had been preached, 
who were since dead, even those from the begin- 

_ ning who had been favoured with the word of 
God. The believers had been persecuted and 
condemned by men: but ¢* they lived according 
* to God in the Spirit,” or by the Spirit; while 
their persecutors, if impenitent, would be judg- 
ed ahd condemned by the Lord. 

V."7. Christians must expect tribulations in 
the world, but they would soon be over; for 
the “ end of all things was at hand,” and’ death 
was about to close their coutse of trials, or ser- 
vices ; nay, judgment wuld not be se long de- 


Z 3.7. Matt, 24. 42.) 
} N25, 13. & 26. 88 


‘the approaching destruc 


-and in doing this 


words, which ate very obvi 


y be: , 
prayer. 
8 And® 
aor amon, 
* shall cover 
y See on, 1.13. & 5.) 4 


1 Thes. 5. 6—8. 
Tit. 2. 12, 


iors 


—4al, Mark. 1%. 33 
37. & 14, 3%, '38,| 
Luke 21. 36. & 22. 


b 6 : 
tt iy: 

leyed, as that the infege v 
the estimation of faith, be a 
eternity. It was therefore inet 
be sober, considerate, tempers 
animal indulgence, and moderat 
worldly ‘pursuits. ‘They Pe 
lant, and to guard against 

of their spiritual fe 
watchful, that nothi 
er, or lead them to neg! 
in that duty and’ means 
safety and prosperity of ” 
depended. (Votes, Jam.’ 
tors explain “the end o 


the. whole constitution of of 
church and ‘state: bat 
were far distant from | 
so immediate 

the speedy approach of dea ar 
which the words T Tost natur 


Vv. 8. 
Jam.v. 90.) The 
the exhortation to cha 


that * love covereth 
« of sins’? As 
eth the mnultitide OF E 
his sight ; so they ou, 
love over the brat et hat 
brethren would fall, in thei 
them: and thus bide “them f 
forbearing and forg 
nad forgiven them. — 
14°) Thus the eae of 
eidentta of th 

which otherwise must a , 
were so many things’ 
covered, excused, ai : 
mistakes ‘anid faults, as every : il 
to be borne with in himse a tan Wed 
to excite perpetual divisions and discc 
them. To ‘suppose that | rity 
cover; or make pear nt 

man’s sins who exerc ‘ 
forgive them, is subversive of 
for “ if righteousnes: 
© Christ died in vain : 


their true meaning, 1 encou ae 
bers to negléct Christ ‘and Sue Ape 
in their sins, from @ vain hope of bei di 
ed for the sake of'a’proud Benevolen ee OF 
selfish alms-deeds: that a particu et 


CHAPTER IV. A. Dy 68. 


ty oné to another| 13° But * rejoice, inasmuch as ¥ ye 

ng. / | are partakers of Christ’s sufferings ; that, 
ry man hath receivill ‘the « when his glory shall be revealed, ® ye 
& minister the same one to| may be gladvalso with exceeding joy. 

14 lf > ye be © reproached for the name 
of Christ, 4 happy ere ye’; © for the Spi- 
If® any man speak, let han speak} rit of glory and of Ged resteth upon you: 
¢ oracles of God; ™ if any man|‘ on their part he is evil spoken of, &. but 
er, fet him do it as of » the ability) on your part he is glorified. - 
hich God giveth; © that God in ali}. 15 But let none of you suffer as.a 
bin gs may be glorified P through Jesus|'murderer, or as a thief, or as an eyil-do- 
Shrist : 4 to whom be praise Fand domi-j er,‘ or as a busy-body in other men’ s 
jon for ever and ever. Amen. matters. 
an) (Practical Observations.) 16 Yet if any man suffr © asa ‘Chris- 
et oe i hi aah * think it not strange tian, ' let hin: not be ashamed ;_™ but let 
reign trial which is. to| him glorify God on this behall. wie 


- 2 Thes. 4; 10~ 


4 4 20. Matt. Selle 
2 Tim 2% > 


x1.6. Matt. 5. 12. 
Luxe 6 22, 23. 
Acts 5,41 & 16 
25. Rom. 5. 3- 2 
Cor. 4. 17. & 12. 9 


‘ 19,20, & 3. 14: 
16. 

ce ver 4,5. Ps. 69, 
9. & 89, Slels. 51.7. 


ned Ue to. you : 
re 16, 1=8. 1 Cor. 4: & 


Mat.. 5, 11. Lukeli 1. Thes. 4. 11. 2 


“5 10. 2 Cor-6. is Eph.'q 5 5. at Rom. 16+): 10. Jam. 1.2.3. | 6. 22- John 7. 47—] Thes. 3:11. 1 Tim. 
| 2 9. 7. Phil.|-3. 4&4. 11. - | 27. Eph, 3, 2. 1) -y 5. 1. 10. Romi 8) 52. & 8. 48. & 9.) 5,158 
gags St gy Reh Tim. 1.17. & 6. 16.) "17 8 for be fale 28. 34. k.ver 19. & 3. 17, 
+ Jar ph. 4.29, Col! Jude 25. Rev. 1.) 4. 10, Phil. 3. 10. 1 Kings 10. 8.) 18 Acts 11. 20. Re 
* Ma’ oe 1g ta en im Poet 1. 19.] 5, 6 ; ow 2. 24, 2 Tiaiy Ps. 32. = 2. & 146., 26, 28. Eph. 3. 19— 
Luke 19. 13, Rom.| 26. & 3.1—6. Ir Ps. 1456 13. Dan. . 12, Rev, 1.9% | ie Jam; 1. 12, & $4) 15 
2..6—8. 1 Cor. 4! ‘Rete 38. Rom. 3. 4. 3. 340% 7% 14. Z 1. 5,6. 13. Matt 1 Ts. 50. ky & 54. 4. 
7. eae 2 Heb. 5, 12, .. } Matt.6.13. Revs 5s} 16. 27. & 25. 31. Ve ‘VI. °25, 26.| Phil. 1. teary 
: m See on, ver. 10. Q-l. Mark 8. 38. Luke] 2 Kings, 2 15, Is} 1. 12. Heb. 12. 2 
25. He Rng s m1 Chr. "29 11—16,|s ver 4-Is. 28-21. } 17. 30. 2 Thes. 1] 11.2 3. 
aikabatss sr 6—8. ijt See on, 1.7, Dan.} 7—10. Rev. 1. 7. |f Acts 13. 45. & 18.|m Es, 24. 15, Acts 
25. 27. 2 Cory ont 11.35. 1 Cor. 3.15. | a 1-8. Is. 25. 9. & 35.| 6. 2 Pets 2. 2 _§. 41. Rom. 5. = 
1.2 Tim. 1. 18. 2 6.1 Cor. 6. 20./n 5.9. 1 Cor. 10,13.} 10. &.51. 11. Matt.Je 2. 12. & 3,_ 16.) 5. Phil. 1. 29 Jam. 
6-10. - ©} & 10.31. 2 Cor. 9.).1 Thes. 3. 3=4. 2} 25,21, 23. 34. “Matt. $: 16-Gal. 1) 1. 2—4. 


12 4% & 13, Eph. 3, 20, 21. Tim. 3. 12. 


~ F re FE et Lg ee me 
DIRT E against it, ‘seems absolutely ne-}to him. of .God for that. purpose; and Jet him 
cessary. ‘ He commends mutual love, because} communicate to the relief of others, not as if he 
4 as it were, ‘buries innumerable trespasses, | gave them any thing which was. properly his 
d so is @ favourer and preserver of peace.— | own, but as imparting a portion.of what God had 
‘they, who love one another, easily forgive | for this end, committed to his stewardship : that 
ac other’s offences? (Beza) so God. might be glorified, by. their conscien= 
Vv. 9-11, < (Notes, Rom. xii. 6—13. Heb, xiii |tious, cheerful, and becoming. performance of 
a general, Christians were exhorted to show /their several duties, and improvement of their 
r love, ve, by hospitality to strangers, without} talents, from faith, and in a disposition to give 
Pd inwardly repining at the expense | the glory to him of all they had and did ; and to 

put them: and more. particularly, | ascribe to him, through, Jesus Christ, all the ho- 

Feed an any man. had received of the|nour of his perfections and wonderful works for 
Lord’s free ‘bounty, whether. natural abilities,|evermore.. ‘Yo restrict this merely to spiritual 
arning, influence, wealth, or spiritual endow-| gifts, because the original word generally is 
m tS, he was required to employ and improve |used, when these are spoken, (though there is 
t for the advantage of his brethren; that so they |no reason to suppose, that it means them exclu 
night all reciprocally be useful to, and derive |sively,) may be considered as one of the various 
efi from, one another, both in their temporal | ways, by . which learned -commentatons cogee: 


; ful, wise, and active stewards of those | the scripture was Sapte not for our instruction, 
fold tee which God, of his abundant | but for that of others; and. that we need con- 


their own ake each other’s advantage. (Notes, precisely what a vast majority of professed Chris- 
uke xvi. 1—12. 1 Cor.iv.1,2.) This especial- | tians wish to believe —Hospitality. (9.) ‘The pris 
igh not exclusively, concerned ministers, |‘ mitive Christians were hospitable to all stran= 
OSE employed in managing the affairs of |‘ gers, but chiefly to those who were of the same 
ch. If any one, therefore, spake, either € faith and communion. Believers scarce ever 
c | ‘teacher, er in private conversation ;}* went without letters of recommendation, which 
purse in consistency with the ora-|‘ testified. the purity of their faith. This was 
i, which infallibly declare his, truth |‘ sufficient to procure them reception in. all those 
‘mankind : and if any man acted as.a}‘ places, where the name of Jesus Christ was 
any other way ministered to. the‘ known. ( Cruden.) 

comfort of believers, or of the poor ; V. 12—16.. The apostle here again exhort- 
o the best of his siti given ed his brethren to patience, fortitude, and cheers 


AD &. va? PETERS 


17 For the time és come that ® judg-} 
ment must begin at the’ house of God :}si 
* and if zt first begin at us, P what shall} ~ 
the-end ce of them that 4 obey ‘not the/: 
gospel of God ? 

18 “And rif the righteous scarcely be 


ut 
6 


h Ts. 10. 12. Jer. 25. 
29. & 4% 12. Ez 
9. 6, Mal. 3. 5. Mat. 
“3.9, 10. Luke 12. 


Heb. 2, 2,3. & 124] 24, 2224. antici 
24, 25.) 13. 20—22. Acts 14. 
q 2-3. Gal. 3, L. &| 92, & 27, %4 31, 
5. 7. 2 Thes. I “if —44. 1 Cor. 10, 
Heb, 5..9- & 11. 8. xohy 4s & 20.) 
c 5.8. Ez. 18. 24) 38, 3 

Zech. 13. 9. Mat, \ 


5,6. & 3.7. Jude 15. 
Gen. 18.13.) Sams 
is, 18, Luke 15, ley. 

om. 5. 8. 
u See on, ver. 12 “Bais ~ 
16. & 3. 27. Acts} cpa ah 22 RR 


48. 
© Luke 23. 31 
B Mat. 11. 20-24. 
"Luke 10, 12—14. 


fulness, under their sufferings for the sake of 
Christ... He had before spoken of these, as. in- 
tended to prove their faith and purify their souis, 
even as the furnace tries and refines the gold. misconduct, and yet anc 
(Note, i. 7-). They ought,not, therefore, to be} for their re eet i 
surprised, or made desponding, or alarmed, by | putations, a 
the fiery ‘trial which God, had appointed to try | consistently with th 
them,and which’ they must needs pass through ;] ought by no. bare ns to | be ‘ash 
as'if some strange thing had happened to them, | proach or Jeno re 
which was ‘not experienced by others of the] ment, th 
Lord’s "people. ‘On. the contrary, they ought 
rather to rejoice, at being conformed to Christ, 
by suffering from the same description of men, 
and for the same cause, in which he suffered;| . ei 
for their trials should be considered as pledges | Christians would be 
of love, and introductory to the participation of} Christ’s sake : _ for 
his glory; when that should be revealed at his} when he would 
toming, and they admitted to partake of it with sharply trying his pre 
exceeding joy. (Notes, Rom. vit, 17,.18.,2 Cor, oni 
iv: 8-18, 2 Tim. ii. 10-13.) If they were re- (rials must prove. and. pu if 
proached, because they bore the name, profess-| purge out hypocrites from a 
ed the truth, and obeyed the commands of{ judgments were execu ay 
Christ ; they were happy and favoured persons :| and other open ener 
(iii. 14) as this evinced that the Holy Spirit, who | of those who did not of 
is glorious in his eternal Deity, and the Author secutions, by which the Ch 
of all that is truly glorious or excellent in men, | introductory to. the: 
even of the divine image, the beginning of hea. | the tremendous ruin « 
venly glory rested upon them. (Marg. Ref )| ry to the day of judg: 
Thus the glory of God was seen in their conduct | godly men. (No 
and dispositions, and ‘this excited the enmity of | 9—13. John xv 
the carnally-minded: so that, on the part of} were saved with de 
their revilers and persecutors, the Holy Spirit | their interest in 
and bis operations, as well as Christ and the Fa-|selfdenying obedie 
ther who sent him, were evil-spoken of and blas-| conflicts and sufferings. 
phemed ; but on. their part,the Lord was glori-| them ; and if accord ag 
fied, as they patiently suffered for his sake the apprehensions, they v 
effects of that enmity, ‘which ‘their holy pre: }and got to heaven. 
fession and conduct had excited. The case, how-} escapes, as a shi 
ever, would be evidently different, ifthey expos-} gains the shore on. a& F 
ed themselves to sufferings by their crimes; for | impenitent sinner, g 
this would be most dishonourable to God, and} opposer, of Christa 
injurious’ ‘to themselves. It behooved them, | judgment ?. What refuge 
therefore, to be careful, that none of them were} could he expect: to find» 
brought before the magistrates, cast into prison, }to. escape the everlas 
or condemned, for committing murder, or theft, | which he was threaten ¢ 
As therefore:the jee 
vial, bode -eith 


These were common | 
public punishment vp 
fessors of Christianity a Me 


or any other violation of wholesome laws ; nay, 
that they did not incur reproach by intermed- 
dling in the affairs of other men, whether thisy | 
were of a private or public nature; or by pas’ 
sing their judgment and censtres, or intruding 
into the management’ of those concerns which 
did not belong to them: as if they had beén ap- 
pointed, or were authorized and qualified t» 
eversee and give orders to those employed. 


of their lives, | and hgh 
his ratinighty ve 


CHAPTER V. gas Ga, 


‘younger to submit to the elder; and all of them 

.to be clothed with humility, caste all their care 
on God, 5—7 , and tobe sober and vigilant; and 
“steadfastly by faith to resist the devil, and bear 
tribulation, 8, 9 He concludes by prayers, saluta- 
tions, and benedictions, 10—14.. 7 


t apostle exhorts e eldersto feed the flock of 
Got. ea _ cheerfully, disinterestedly, and 


is 
Tae 


a one OY 


) be examples to it; expecting 
epherd, at his appearance, an 
of glory, i—4: He requires the 


"7 


a eee 


regarded them as “his redeemed ‘ser- 


lating to redemption: but, when we separate 
ew-ereated unto holiness and interested |from them, and refuse to “run with them io the 
sings of his covenant, and in. his|* same excess of riot,” they think it strange, 
to perform it tothem.. Taking care,/ and revile us; as by our conduct we condemn 
e, to persevere in well-doing, and to suf-/them. This we must not’ mind; but, having 
‘with meekness, patience, and constancy ;|shown them our reasons as far as we have oppor- 
jout turning aside from their duty, either/tunity, we must leave them ‘to him, who is 
ough fear, resentment, or Worldly motives, let |“ ready to judge the quick and the dead ;” to 
em trust themselves to his faithful care; who,|whom, if they continue impenitent, chey will 
eing the Creator of the world, could not want |have a dreadful account to give at the last day. 
hower to support, comfort, deliver, and eter-} Vast numbers, who are now dead, have suffered 
ally save them; and who would certainly |the same revilings before us: the gospel called 
\wer-rule every thing to their final advantege.— {them to separate from the wickedness of their 
‘he. apostle ‘cannot intend deliverance from | former companions in sin, and to bear testimony 
Roman invasion, in which so few of these | against it; they were therefore “ judged accor- 
hristians were concerned, nor merely de-|* ding to men inthe flesh,” and by their carnal 
rance from any of their persecutors : ‘be-| rules, to deserve reproach and persecution; but 
they lived according to God in the Spirit ; and 


he takes it for granted, that the right- 
us would be saved, theugh with difficulty ;|when they were removed out of the world, they 
were found meet to be partakers of the heavenly 


whereas multitudes fell by persecution, even 
of these Christians in Bythinia, as appears by |inheritance. Ours is indeed a favoured day in this 
jo 6 letter. It is necessary therefore to un-|respect : yet if the Spirit of life dwell in us, the 
stand it, more generally, of the difficulty |world will judge us deserving of scorn and re- 
with which good men get to heaven, through |preach, whilst God will graciously account us 
this dangerous and ensnaring world.’ (Dod-| worthy of that glorious kingdom for which we 
; ‘ suffer. But asthe end of all things is at hand; 


dridge,) AiSpecb mr dakota 9: 

F, as all our worldly pursuits, possessions, distinc- 

_. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. tions, and enjoyments; all our temporal trials, 
eae 6 | Vo—11. * sorrows and conflicts ; our season of probation 
The Christian soldier, in preparing for the bat-|and preparation; and our term of usefulness 
“must peculiarly remember to arm himself} will speedily be over; so it behaoves.us ‘to be 
the same mind which was in Christ, the Cap-|*‘ sober, and to watch unto prayer.” The more 
; Betasiyition ; that love, zeal, spirituality, | ungodly men hate and 'revile believers, the great> 
of sin, contempt of the world, fortitude, |@r care should they use to have fervent love . 
ce, meekness, and hope, may concur injamong themselves; that, by mutual candour, 
etermining him to venture and suffer all things, | long-suffering, and forgiveness, the multitude of 
or the glory of God, the good of men, and | offences may be covered, and so nothing may in- 
the joy set before him.” Thus, being cruci-jterrupt their peace and harmony. This blessed. 
ied with Christ, by the virtue of his sufferings | grace of love dethrones our natural selfishness ; 
or us in the flesh; and deeming himself dead in-| and, in connexion with faith in the promises of 
leed unto sin, but alive unto God; he wili be|God, it induces us to “use hospitality one to 
nabled to resist temptation, to “ cease from |‘ another without grudging ;” and to consider 
‘ sin, and no longer to live the rest of his time 


: every gift, possession, or situation, as a talent 
‘in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the | committed to our stewardship, according to the 


"will of God.” Indeed we may ali say, (though | manifold grace of God, to be used for the bene _ 
ie far more emphatically than others,) thatjfit of the church and the community. It also 
time past of our lives should suffice .us, | dictates our words, whether in public or in pri- 
ave wrought the will” of those who| vate, that they may be true, pure, kind, and in- 
‘not God: and we cannot but regret, if}structive, ‘according to the oracles of God ;” 
ght to our right- mind, that so large a pro-/ and it will dispose every one in his proper calling 
on of our precious time has been wasted to|to minister, or communicate to othets, “as of 
ose ; whether we have escaped the gross-| the ability which God giveth, that God in all © 
ons of the world, or have walked in its | “* things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” 
ess, lusts, excess, and riot; or in Vv. 12— 
evellings and banquetings, where God is 
€ regarded, than amidst the abominable 
the Gentiles. Very few’.of us in- 
avoided the luxuries and dissipated 
bangnetings, which professed Chris- 
erally make, and that often under pre- 
commemorating some of the events re- 
1. OS Hig oe vue. SECIS EE Aa 4H 


When we consider the upright, harmless, be- 
nevolent, and useful conduct of true Christians, 
we are apt to think it strange, that they must 
pass through such fiery trials, from the enmity 
of wicked men, and that God should permit: 
them to be so injured and afflicted. We must 


6 


* 


oat 
4 
3 

C 0. 

% 


Pee eee | ee 4 lk ee le Oe ae mn ee 


A, D. 6. _ E PETER) | 
HE a elders:-which are among you.I| for filthy lucre, but ;* ofa 
exhort, ® who am also an elder,°and| » 3 Neither} Bt 
' a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and|™ heritage, 
also 4 a partaker of the glory that ae flock. an 
be nk seg - 4 And whe © th 


glory that fadeth 


B- 11.° Mal 1.20.9. 24 
Acts 20. 83,34. 2) John 9 
f Is. 63. 11. Jer, 13.} Cor. 12. 14, 15. 1)/* Or, 
17. 20: Ez. 34. 31.) Tim. 3.3.. Tit, 1. m 2.9. D 
8. 17,18. *2 Cor: 5.) Zee. 11, 1% Luke} 7. 
Gr. & 21.181 Tim.) 1. 8 Phil. 1. 19.4. 12.32. 1 Cor. 9- 7. 
5.1. 19. Tit. 1.5. | 21—23. Col. 3..3, 4.1" Or, as much as in 
b 2 Jobo 1. Sophia Has oe 8 1 Iebn) you Ps, 78 71, 
j 3.2% Rev. 1.9 . Acts 20. 26, 27. 
le Cant. 1. 8. Ise 40, Heb 12. 15. Gre 


ie you, & taking the oversight thereof 
h not by constraint, but willingly 5 i_not 


d vere 46 & 1.3—5 


a@ Acts 12. 30. & 14, 
Ps, 73. 24,25. Rom. 


23. & 15.4. 6 22, 
23. & Q0. 17. 28. 


1,15. Tite 14. &ln 1 ¢ 
3.1 Phi 


ale 
© 1. 12. Luke 24 1 Ez, sigihay se 1 Thes: 1. 5, 


48. John 15. 26 wed li. Ez, 34, 2,3. 23.j4 Is. 6.8. 1 Cor. 9. 26. & 23. 8—10.} Thes. 3, 9 

Acts 1.3 22 Mic. 5. 4. & 7. 14.) 16, 17- Mark. 10. 42—45] 4, 12. Tit. 2.7. 
32, & 3. 15. obs John 21. 15—17.Ji Is, 56.11. Jer-6.| Luke 22. 24—27. 1fo yer: 2. & 2, 25)) 
30-32. & 10, 39-41. Acts 20.28. © $13. & 8. 10. Mic.) Cor. 3, 5. 9\ 2 Cor, 


Ps. 23, 1. Pee: 11, ; 


ihe aR ART / ORME AMRIT MENT Lak AS) TAS Se RN ae a a RS 
not, however, indulge such thoughts, but pre- 
pare for tribulation; as the excellent of the earth 
have always been thus treated, and God hath 
purified all bis gold in this furnace. We ought 
therefore to rejoice in being made ‘ partakers 
$¢ of the sufferings of Christ, that when his glory 
*s ghall be revealed, we may be ‘lad also with 
exceeding” and eternal joy.” We may in- 
deed deem ourselves happy, when wicked men 
discern *‘ the seal of God in our forehead,” and 
reproach us for the name of Christ; because 
the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon 
6° us ;” and.so they revile us, because we bear 
his image, belong to him, and glorify him.—But} 
we cannot be too careful, not to give the enemies | 
of the Gospel any just ‘cause to revile or hate 
us: and though it is not common for, professors 
of evangelical truth. to suffer as murderers, 
thieves, or, malefactors; yet they often bring 
odium upon themselves by a conceited officious- 
ness, and by intermeddling with such matters as 
do not at all belong to them, especially in poli 
tical matters, as well as by various other evident 
and palpable faults: and then many of them 
charge the reproach cast on them, to the perse-| teresting events, and of 
euting malice of their enemies! This we should] ascension, and subsequent: 
watch against; and carefully distinguish be-|he was fully assuréd, that, as set 
tween those things, which we suffer for the sake | justified believer, ‘and'as sealed by the 
of Christ.and of righteousness, and those that] ing work of the’ Holy Spirit, he was call 
we bring on ourselves by our imprudence and | herit :: and would neni an 
misconduct. In the former case we suffer as|* ry, which shall be revealed,” and 
Christians, and should glorify God in that be:| stowed on all true Christians, 
half; in the latter we should be silent, or hum-|sus shall come to judge. aes 
bly confess our sin and folly as. the cause of our| fore was employed in te ens 
sorrows. In-vain do men expect to escape the] salvation, through the s' 

trial of their professed faith: judgment will be-{| er, whose steps he a 
gin at the house of God ; bis people will be] tiently bearing afflictions for 
yore severely chastised for their sins than other| and as he was supported by the je 
men are; and hypocrites) will incur the deepest | tion of future felicity to ‘disregard pe 
condempation: They who would be saved, must | whilst from love to Christ, he fed iy 
strive, wrestle, labour, watch, pray, deny them-|lambs'; (JVotes, John xxi. 1819 ;) 
selves, and take up their cross ‘daily: and foetal all those, who were apf 
though all true believers will surely be saved, it}same work, to apply 
will be with difficulty, and through many perils, | the performance of it, with the self-de 
conflicts, and tribulations, (Acts xxvii. 22. 31, |derness and patient care, | with which. t 
44.) What then will be the end of those, who | herd feeds and tends his fuck, - (Wotey 
obey not the Gospel of God? and where will the | 28.) They ought to consider the co: 
infidel, thé profligate, the licentious, the oppres-| over which they presided, and : 
spr, the persecutor, and the enemy of all good-|they laboured, as a part of the put 


ness, appear, when Christ shall ebiene 0 | 
the world? | I such ‘sufferin -are inflicte 

the beloved children of Gods what. will te dl 
doom of his implacable foes?) And if: such d 

gence and watchfulness ‘only just: to en 
sure ‘the believer's salvation ; what | se 
event of the slothful and heedless conduct 
professed Christians in’ aie ? Let us then 
to it, that we obey the Gospel, by a penit 
working by loves. gis “called ‘to 


CHAP. VV. V. 1—4, The 
general, the rulers and teachers of the € 
(Marg Ref.) and S« Peter, 
of his apostolical office, addvestied sb 
of the company, and as acquainted with 4 
ture and difficulties of the service | 
them.) He had also been @ spectator of 
ferings of Christ, in the garden and th 
and was appointed to bear wit 


) 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit your- 
Selves unto the elder ; yea,’ all of you be 
Subject one to@nother, and * be clothed 
with humility: for " God resisteth the 
d giveth grace to the humble. 
6 * Humble yourselves therefore under 
r Lev. 19. 32. a] 132. 9.16. Is. 61 29. 2 Kings 22. 19. 


10. Rom. 13. 14.) 2 Chr.12 6, 7. 22. 
& S80. 11. & 32.26. 


23-5. - Job 22. 29. : 
3, 4. 2Chr.6.\c Ex. 10, 3. Ley.| Is. 221. Jer. 13. 
99. 14. Ps.| 26. 41. 1 Kings 21.] 18. & 44.10. Dan. 


pa —— ————a 
beloved flock of God ; and therefore it would 
Become them, to take the oversight of them, not 
merely because a necessity was laid upon them, 
‘and they could not safely do otherwise ; but wil- 
lingly, from zeal to the glory of God and love 
| to the i ; and as men that were 
ready to encounter difficulties, face dangers, 

nd endure losses, reproaches, and persecutions, 
in so good a work. And when the counsel of 
aired persons, or other pious ministers, con- 
‘eurring with the wants and desires of the peo- 
ple, called on any person to engage in the pas- 
toral office, he ought not to beso reluctant to 
it, as some were found to be; partly from mo- 


| ous, laborious, and perilous work. Yet, at 
fhe same time, some improper persons of inferior 
stations might be induced to undertake it, from 
“the expectation and desire of a better main 

“tenance .than they could otherwise obtain ; and 
as had been ordained, might be tempted 
) 


their wages, than from better moti to 
_ modify their instructions in subserviency to their 
own interests: but such things must scrupulous- 


CHAPTER V. 


A. D. 43. 


y the mighty hand of God, that he map 
exalt you * in due time : 
7)» Casting all your care upon him; 
© for he careth for you. 
, [Practical Observations.] 
Ss. 22, Mic. 6. 8.) & 21. 16. Mat. 23.) 22. & 56. 5, 4. Mar. 
ior RAPS Luke 2. 52 je 


> 12. xs 
y Ex. 3. 9. & S2!a Deu. 3 35.\Rom.) Heb. 13. 5, 6. 
11. Ps. 89. 13. af 5. 5 i Tim -<f Ps. S4. 15, & 142% 


4,5. Mat. 6. 26~- 


10s & 86.) 16, 17.] & $0. 6. Ps. 27.1 


Luke 12. S0— 
40. 4. EZ. 17.24] 14. & 37. 5. %& 55.) John 10, 13. 


elucidate by their own piety, purity, hamility, 
self-denial, end universal conscientiousness, the 
instructions which they gsve to the people. This 
would not indeed tend to their worldly affluence 
or dignity ; but it would ensure to them a most 
abundant faturerecompense. For when the Chief 
Shepherd, from whom their pastoral charge was 
derived, on whom they depended for all their 
sufficiency, to whom the fiock belonged, and to 
whom tliey must finally give account, shall ap- 
pear as the Judge of the world ; then they, and 
all such faithful ministers, will receive a crown of. 
unfading glory, infinitely better and more honour- 
able than all the authority, reputation, wealth, 
and pleasure of the world could possibly be. 
(Note, Heb. xiii- 20, 21)—The words rendered 
“ taking the oversight,” literally signify perform 
ing the episcopal office, and they must be aliowed 
to be a decisive evidence, that no express distince 


tien was established between bishops and pres-_ 


byters, when the apostle wrote this epistle. 
(Notes, Acts xx 28.1 Tim. v. 21—25. Tit.i. 5—9. 

V.5—7. Theword “younger” seems not to 
relate to any particular station in the Church ; 
put in general denotes juniors, whether in the 
pastoral office or not, who were exhorted tosub- 
mit themselves, and show a proper deference to 
their seniors. ‘Yea, all Christians were directed, 
to be subject to one’ another, according to their 
different relations in life: thus the people were 
required to obey their pastors, children their pa- 
Treats, subjects their rulers, and servants their 
masters, according to the precepts of God’s 
word. And as pride, in juniors and inferiors, 


enter into that office, and perform its duties, “ of | militates against due subordination, even as im 


“ready mind,” delighting in the work, and de- 
sirous of glorifying God, and of being his instru- 
ments in doing good to the souls of men; con- 
‘sidering their own temporal interests as a mat- 


‘Means of their ministry; as if they had dominion 
‘over the faith or consciences of those, who be- 


sed to God, as “ the lot of his inheritance ;” 
when they were appointed to show them. his 
i and will, and to engage their obedience to 


superiors it prompts to'tyranny ; so they all were 
admonished to be clothed with humility, as their 
chief ornament: that whatever abilities, endow= 
ments, or spiritual gifts they possessed, their 

and humility might be conspicuous to 
all beholders, above every other distinction. 
Thus, they would without exception, be willing- 
ly subject to their seniors and superiors. - This 
ought above all things to be sought for; seeing 
that Ged contended by his omnipotence against 
all proud persons, showing favour to none but 
those who were deeply sensible- of their unwor- 
thiness ; and conferring this special grace on all 
who were humbly desirous of it. It therefore 
behooved them to humble themselves, as guilty, 


, Not to themselves. Instead, therefore, ofjpolluted, and wretched sinners, under the pow- 


* authority over their brethren, or en-jerful hand of God, which was sufficient to crush 


t 


* to convert their office into a lucra-}the stoutest of his enemies, and to uphold the 
ought to behave in such a man-/jfeeblest of his friends; that so, submitting to bis 


ner; as to be * examples to the fleck,” and tojrighteousngss, they might be reconciled to him 


eke i = 


i 


A.D.63: 


€ your adversary ° tthe devil, € as a roar- 


ing lion, * walketh about, seeking whom] ed awhile, © | 


he mayidevour: = «- 
9 Whom * resist ! stend faa in the faith, 


knowing that ™ the same afflictions are. 


accomplished in your nreiaces that are 
in the world. 


d 1.13. & 4. 7. Mat. 
12. 48—s0. Luke 
12. 45, 46. & 21- 84.te Judg, 14. 5. Ps, 
36. Rom. 13. 11-13.) 104. 21. Proy. 19. 
1 Thes, 5.6. & 112. & 20.2, ¥8.5. 
Tim. 2. 9. 15. & 3.) 29,°30. & 42.13, 
2.11. Tit. 1.8. &) Jer. 2. 15. &. 51. 
2.2.4.6, 12. 38. Ez. 15. 7. Hos, 
e Esth. 7.6. Job1.} Yt./10. Joel 3. 5 


6, 16. 1 Tim. 6. 12. 
2 Tim, 4.7 Heb. 
1i, 33. 

m 1.6. & 2.21.& 
3.14, & 4.13, Jehn 
16. 33, Aets 14. 22. 
2 Cor. 10. 13. 1 
Thes. 2.15,16.& 3.3. 
2Tim. 3. 12s Rev-1. 
9. & 6.11. & 7. 14. 
h Ex. 34 6,7. Ps. 
86.5. 15. Mic. 7. 


20.2, 10. 


6; Ps. 109, 6. Marge Am, (1. 2 & 3. 4. 
Zech. 11,3. 2"Tim 
1. Luke 22. 31. a7) 

fF Mat. 4. 1-;1L)8jh Job1. 7. & 2. 2. 
13. 39. & 25. 41.]i Eg. 22. 25. 
John 8, 44, Eph. mf 24. Hoss 13. 8 


Is. 50.8. Zeeh, 


21. & 15 5.13.2 
27.&. 6-11, Jam-tk Luke. 4: 
+e 1Jobn 3. 8—} Eph. 4 27. & 6,} 13.20. 

1113. Jam. 4. 7.'0 1,15. Rom: 8. 28 


by faith ‘in Christ, and in due time exalted to 
the glory, honour, and immortality, prepared for 
his saints, after. the trials here allotted them. 
(Note, James i iv. 6—10.) In the mean while in- 
“deed, they would meet with various trials and 
difficulties, and be assaulted by many solici- 
tous cares, about their temporal or spiritual 
concerns, and those of the Church ;. but, being 
attentive to their present duties, they were e 


couraged and required to‘cast all their anxieties |) 


upon the Lord, by faith and prayer; assured 


that he would manage every thing for their ad~ 


vantage, according to bis unerring wisdom and 


unfailing truth; seeing he cared for them, he 


pitied and loved all those who thus trusted in 
him. (Votes, Matt.vi. 24—34. Phil. iv. 6, 7.) 
V. 8,9. The apostle here again renewed his} w 
exhortation. to sobriety and vigilance, (Vote, iv. 
7.) that, being free from the intoxication of sen- 
sual pleasures, or worldly interests, the Chris- 
tians whom he addressed might not be lulled 
asleep, or found off their guard’ in the great 
concerns of eternity. (Luke xxi. 34—36.) To 
excite them to this watchfulness, they must be 
reminded, that the devil, the prince of the dark. 
ness of this world, and of the apostate angels, 
the accuser of the brethren, and the adversary 
of believers, who always seized on every oppor- 
tunity of bringing some charge against them, or 
of obtaining leave to sift and harass them, was 
walking about, like a roaring lion, full of rage 
and fierceness, seeking whom he could find 
asleep, or unarmed, that he might at once de- 
vour him. (Notes, Job 1. 6—12. Zeph: iii. 5. 
Tnuke xxii. Si—34. Rev. xii. 10.) - The terrible 
persecutions, that were instigated by this ene- 
“my of God and man, ‘as working in the chil- 
* dren of disobedience,” seem to be peculiarly in- 
tended, ‘Thus outward terrors and inward sug- 
gestions, drove numbers into apostacy, or atem- 
porary denial of Christ; xnd many were finally 
ruined, from fear of man and love of life, and 
others narrowly escaped this downfall, being 
found careless and secare. © They ought: there- 


Cee ideabon Sis. 0) Sada) 


wg PETER, i 


& Be @ sober, be vigilant; because|| 


‘[unto you, fas I 
10 But ® the God of all: grace, ° who briéfly, a exhoi Hi 
lo, Rev. 12 9. “| Luke 22. 32. Eph. | this is ¢ the tru 


Dan,| 18, 19. Rom. 5. 20, 4, ds 6, 7 2 Cor, i 
3—12.]. Core 13. Ile Heb |r i3Cor. 13s added 


5.| to endure all sufferings, 3 


t bai Sas a 


v ¥ 


ye stand. 


—30. & 9 11. digutcahai's “eThes} 
5 Cone 9,1 Thes.| 2. bag fy! ’ 


. 1B.) 9 
Tim he 9 2 Pet, Col. 
1. 3. 
P_2 Cor. 4, 1% 


15. 1 John & 25; [i The QF 


ii 


Thes. 2.17. Heb. 
13. 21. Jude 24. 


fast in the pear de n 
lieving the truths of the go 
depending on the powerand | 
pel and drive away the hated 
cite them thus 
and strive against sin, the 
nment, scornin , stripes, 
snow assuredly, ep their brethren 
ther parts of the world, fully and o 
dared afflictions of the same 
cause, and from the same sort of p 
repeated exhortations to watch 
especial motive assigned for it, c 
culiar weight, as coming from t t ap 
ore self-confidence, 
Iness, when satan 
his hren as. wheat, wai 
Lord with solemn oaths an 
V. 10, 11.. The 
brethren might be exempt 
and honourable trials + Bu 
“ God of all grace,”»being pl 
and the inexhaustible and o 
kind and measure of grace ; 
and. Spirit, had called a the 
sure earnests, of ame ana 
city through Jesus” Christ, 
« suffered awhile,” for the t 
their faith, he would make 
complete in every Chtistian 
them in the peace and 
strengthen them to resist all 


ties, by invigorating 
that he would settle thiew a 
as a compact building 
that no storms,, assault 
enemy might ove ee 
dound to his praisey as 
and sovereign : 


Ba 5. The church, that is * at Babylon,jof charity. ; Peace é¢ with you all that 
ted together 


you, saluteth you ;} are * in Christ Jesus. Amen. 


16, 1 Cor. 16. & 16.33. & See on, Rom. #4. 
2 Cor. 135 13. ~ See on, cia Cor, 1. 30. 2 Com 


ad so,doth & Marcus, my son. 
4 “Greet ye “one another + with a kiss 


8 a hes apr Rom. 16. 


he same ersor , who generally attended St- 
f who was frequently called® Silag. St. 
f and concluded from ali he saw 
heard, that he was “a faithful brother,” -2. 
ue _ eprig and a zealous minister of Christ, 
» among whom he had commonly 
Seored He had therefore taken the opportu- 
lity of writing by bim a brief epistle, exhorting 
jaem to be steadfast, and to act consistently with 
Christian : be testified to the 
which they bad received, to satisfy them, 
t the doctrines of grace, which they bad em- 
ed, and in thefaith and experience of which 
‘stood accepted with God, were indeed the 
ruths of Christ; and that the power of them 
‘pon their hearts, and the fruits of them in their 
lives, evinced them to be partakers of the grace 
God, and fully established in his favour— 
bis seems to determine, that St. Peter wrote to 
narm in the faith the Churches, which had 
been planted by St. Paul and bis companions, 
all the insinuations of those, who pretend- 
pat preached a conduct different from the 
ther apostles : 


and indeed the attentive reader 


. 5. 17 
i 1.2. John 14. 37. 


heritage, “ not by constramt, but willingly ; not 
“ for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind,” and 
without assuming any dominion over their faith. 
This is not, indeed, the road to high 
in the outward Church; but “when the chief 
“ Shepherd shall appear,” such pastors “ shall 
“* receive of him a crown of glory that will never 
“fade away.” And what, compared with this, 
are all those riches, eminent stations, or lordly 
dignities, which so many nominal pastors eagerly 
pursue } Or where will the avaricious, the slothfal, 
the sensual, or the tyrannical men, who have 
borne the name of ministers, appear, when the 
great Judge shall come, and call them to give am 
account of their stewardship ? ? The sentence to be 
then. denounced against themy and executed om 
them, is already recorded: may they read it, and 
tremble, and flee from the wrath to come !{ Votes, 
Matt. xxiv.48—51.) But every station and age 
bas its peculiar duties: subordination is the plan 
of God; the younger should submit themselves 
unto the elder; and all, in their several relations, 
should be subject to those placed over them. 
will be the case, as far as men “ are cloth- 
ed with humility ;” and God never shows fa- 
your to a proud man, except when he briags him 
down into,the dust of self-abasement; (Vote, 
Dan. iv. 37.) nor will any humble soul comeshort 
of his grace or of eternal life. Let us then 
‘¢ humble ourselves under the mighty hand of 
6 God,” for he is. able to save and to destroy = 
then “ he will exalt us in due time,” as much as 
“| is good for us in his Church on earth, and among 
« his saints in glory everlasting.” When we be- 
come humbly subject to our reconciled God, and 
simply dependent on bim; we are allowed and 
commanded to cast all our.care on bim, and as- 
sured * that he careth for us,” as a Father for 
his own children: and this will bring far sweeter 
peace and greater comfort into the soul, than 
could arise from the most complete gratification 
of pride and ambition. Thus also we shall be 
safe ; for humility will induce us to be sober and 
vigilant ; diligently attending to our duty. lang 
is our part, and thus we miay un 
cheerfully leave the events to the Lord to tras 
they belong. 


When we consider the indefatigable malice, 
power, and subtlety of our adversary the devil, 
who goeth about secking whom he may de- 
“ your,” and recollect what numbers he con- 
tisually destroys; we cannot but perceive our 
need of vigilance, and confidence in God. Did 
aroaring lion at any time traverse our streets, de- 
vouring the careless and inattentive ; we should 
proceed with vast caution and circumspection, 
abliged to go dut in such perilous circumsian- 
ces: yet a far more formidable enemy continual 


There is no sufficient ground to sup- 
pose, that by fas Babylon, the apostle mystically 
| apr Rome; for no reason can be assigned, why 
he should the name of that city, when 
A wrote this epistle. Yet if any choose to avail 
ives of this only scriptural proof, tha Fe Pe- 
r resided at this great anti-christi 
paar Protestants are not concerned to con- 
It is, however, well ascertained, that 
Fees went t Rome, and there suffered martyr- 
dom. It is not certain, whether Marcus is, or is 
eit same with John Mark, mentioned fre- 
x atly by St.Paul and in the Acts of the apos- 
(Preface to the Gospel according to St. 
Mark.) 


ce PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
3 V.1—7. 
They,. who. ‘most. know the nature, difficulties, 
res, and temptations of the pastoral office, are 
2 d to exhort their brethren, and will 
eal with the most genuine authority on such 
:3. An. experimental acquaintance with the 
erings of Christ, gives the best grousided con- 
tnce of being “ partakers of the glory which 
all be revealed ;” and they who would coun- 
i: greatest effect, must net unnecessa- 
he language of superiority or authority 


‘Ae Ds 67. es  HOPETER, 


fy watches. his, opportunity of destroying our] hath «« 
souls, no a can we have any safety, except we |“ ‘Christ 
watch and are sober. Thus we may hope to be t ng 
kept from falling into temptation : but if we must | the apostles an 
encounter this dreadful foe, we should resist | things, and tes 
him steadfast in'the faith, and then the Lord will | God : tl 
constrain him to fiee from.us. In whatever form | primitive Christis 
he assaults us, or by whatever agents; we may | ly devised fables! 
know assuredly, that our brethren experience | were elected, toget hy ue 
the same conflicts, temptations, and. iba [in glory; that we are. indeed indeed / faith 
We should, therefore, pray for them also, that! with all the family ne wel J 
after they have suffered awhile, the God of all) live in love with them, and to 
grace would perfect, stablish, strengthen, and | which belongs to all that ig eats Jes 
settle them. This he will do for aa whom he|to them exclusively. d : 


PETER. 


a 2 eae 


Ti rise x 

The writer of this epistle calls himself “ Simon Peter,” (Acts xv, 14. Gr) “en an 

Christ. ; he alludes to circumstances and fac! h agree to none bu Pat 
John xxi. 19;) he calls it his second epis ind he speaks of his “ beloved brothe 

(ii. 1. 15.) It must, therefore, either be th k of the apostle Peter, or 
ated him : but ‘ it isa thing of the worst example, for, any man to forge oes 
* pretend tobe the person he is not.’ (Le Clerc.) It may be added; ¢ especial: 
© name of an apostle, and to Ppersonate him in order to sanction.a man’s private. op! 

‘ high an authority’ Yet the epistle is remarkable for the energy with which the 
culcates holiness ; and the solemn, yet affectionate, manner, in which he t 
lnsions of those who neglect it. It bas indeed been urged, that the style 
that of St Peter’s first epistle: but this is by no means true, except 
second chapter, which indeed seems to have been taken, ina measure: 
ing which described in very strong language, the false prophets of that, 
was then extant, and well known, but is now lost. St. Jude seems 
things from it : for part of his epistle remarkably coincides with the se 
other respects, the internal characters of authenticity are very strong. + 
this respect, were entertained in the primitive Church ; which Jerome 
dissimilarity of style. But it is probable, that it was written only as short time hie to 

tle’s martyrdom ; and, not having been so publicly avowed by him, andclearly kn 
during his life-time, the scrupulous caution of the Church hesitated about rae 
sacred canon; till internal evidence fully. convinced the most competent judges, 
titled to that high distinction. It is generally supposed to: have been written, at le 
four years after the former epistle ; and it is evidently in the first instance intended f 
persons, though not expressly addressed to them. . It appears, that the apost 
especially intended to put Christians upon their guard against the fals ex ' 
‘the Gospel; and the profane scotfers, who started objections to the truith, of it: | sr 
. With the most important instructions on a variety of subjects. if ae Ent ae 


—{—? & eas 


v3 CHAP. I. 


The apostle salutes his brethren, 1, 2. He bho 
the blessings to which God had called them; cl ; 


: ap roaching m 
in poses ae 
‘member these t 


earnestly exhorts them to diligence in eyery good 
work, in order to make their éalling and election| — testitmony, ¢ 
sure 5 intermixing suitable warnings and encour- ! shack! 

agements, 3$—11. He states, oe aware of his 


16—18 ;, referring them to the more sit 
- \ oe, % af 


oY PURER OE ro 
IMON Peter, > a servant and ¢ an 


of Jesus —hrist, to them 


tu ro ugh the righteousness + of 
ur Saviour Jesus,Christ: 

and peace be multiplied unto 
ough & the knowletige of God 
id of J Jesus our Lord; * 

‘8 According as "his ‘divine power hath 


_ Simeon. 4.11, 1. Pet. 5. 12. Spake 1. 47. 

5 ae anon ee Tit. 2. 

; 4.18. & 10.) 9. Rom 1. 72. 2] (Num. a 24—26. 

. Lake 22, 31—34- Cor. 4.28. Ebb} Dan. 4. t. & 6, 25. 

feat Dag td = Tim. 1, 5 
i721 ina 1 Pet 


ee be = 6. Rom 


See_on, Rom. 1, 7- 
A ichons 1. &. Reve}. 


12 “yh 48. Is. 53. 11. 


lee on, Rom- le 1-] 1.17- 3. sis a3 10. 22, = 
Luke 11. 49. J “1 Cor. 1. 30. 
0. . 95 1,|.5- 21. Phil. 3. 9 

Gr. of our 


¥ 


NOYES. © — 
proper to style himseif an apostle, as well as a 
t, of Christ; because he meant in this 
pistle to oppose certain false teachers, who did, 
eat mischief in the church. He addressed 
himself to “ them who had obtained like pre- 
* cious faith” with him and his brethren. The 
¢ and effects of true faith were precious, 
ic d it interested the possessor in the most v 
blessings ; it was therefore equally preci 
aa private Christian asin ah apostle. Thus 
acitly distinguished “the faith of God’s elect,” 
vom that dead and worthless faith by which ma 
vy were deluced ; (Votes, James ii. 14—26:)— 
is faith, which as the original intimates, they 
ye pale po special favour aud allotment of 
rested ion the righteousness ¢ “ of our God 
our Saviour Jesus Christ,” as the words 
e literally rendered. Thus they were 
zht to believe and trust in the obedience unto 

of the Lord Jesus, as their incarnate God 
Saviour, for their justification, and for ail 
blessings connected with it, and resulting 
it. This is the most obvious meaning of 
rds; but if aay contend that the expres. 
nm “ Our God” refers to. the Father ; they 
i also remember that the meritorious obe- 

ce of the incarnate Son is often called “ the 
righ ess of God:” nor can we form any 
, in what sense a Christian’s faith could be 

9 be either in, or through, the righteousness 
wtice of God, considered as a divine attri- 
when it rests‘mainly on his mercy and 
and only views his justice as satisfied, and, 
were, consenting to the sinner’s salvation, 
the meritorious work of Christ. Our 
on “ through the righteousness,” though 
not to be the exact sense of the pasage, 
avery important meaning : as the 
ch we receive Christ for palvation, i is 
he the righteousness,” which 


; medistion oi behalf of all such 


CHAPTER I. Ny 
interpretation and source of it,| civen unto us ial things that siiatbe un- 
to life and godliness; & through the know- 


ledge of him that hath ! called us { to glo- 


d.™ yirtue > 
a med like precious faith <aive 


i Ps. 84. 11. Rom 


k See on, ver. 2. 
1] Rom. 8. 28—30- 


| CHAP. I. V. 1,2. Perhaps Peter diemeat 


apostle prayed, that “ Grace and! 


We 


i Al Die. 


4 Whereby ® are given unto us ex- 


ceeding great and: precious promises ; 
that by these ° ye might be partakers of 
the divine nature, P haying escaped the 
corruption that is in the world through 
lust. 


(Practical Obcernaijons | ; 


16, Heb. 8, 6—12. 


“2 Cor. 12, 9. Eph. 
& 9 15.1 John2. 


1. 19-21. Col. 1, 
16. Heb. 1. 3. 


Ma & 2.9, 21 & 3, 
9. & 5. 10e 25. 

t Or, by. 6 Jobn 1.12, 13. 2 

m ver 4. Ruths. Ges. SAGs gh 
11. Prov. 12. 4. &} 23, 24 Cal- 3. 10. . 

a 10. 29. Phil.) Heb. 12. 10, 1 John 
je Se 3,2 


Tim. 1. 9.1 Pet | 


BS 32. 1 Cor.3. 21 


Boe ee ae beeen a Rh. Sa 3 


Rom. 9. 42 
18 & 7.1. Gal. 3. 


p 2 18—20. Gal. 6. 
8. Jam. 4. 1—3. 
Pet. 4. 2, 3.1 Joba . 
2. 15, 16+ 


2 Thes 2. 14 


hes man oe be multiplied to them, through 
*« the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord =” 
(Notes, John xvii. 3. 2 Cor. iv. 3—6:) for, in pro- 


portion to the degree of our believing, spiritual, 


and experimental knowledge of the perfections 


of God, in the harmonr and glory of them, as dis- 
played in the Person, ‘character, and salvation of 
Jesus our Lord, all our gracious affections will 
be exercised ; and our 


peace, hope, and con- 
lation will abound, as that knowledge abounds 
us. ~ 

V..3, 4. It might be expected that this pro- 


gressive work of illumination, sanctification, and 
consolation, would be carried on in believers, 


according to what had already been conferred on 
them by the divine power of the Lord Jesus.— 
In consequence of ' his’ exaltation and media- 
torial authority, he had given to’his people * all 
*“ things pertaining to life and godliness ;” 
whatever was requisite for their spiritual and 
eternal life and final felicity, and for their acting 
suitably to their relations and obligations to God, 
during their passage through this evil world 
to heaven. Instructions, motives, encourage 
ments; means, principles, and assistances ; toge~ 
ther with pardon, peace, and grace, had been 
given them through the regeneration of the Holy” 
Spirit ; and all the fulness of Christ, and the engage- 
ments of the everlasting covenant, had been set 
before them in the word of the Gospel: so that, 
notwithstanding their inward and outward impe- ” 
diments and conficts, they might still be enabled 
to serve God acceptably in this world, and ob- 
‘tain everlasting life in the world to:come. All 
these: things had been freely bestowed on them, 
through the knowledge of God, who had called 
them by his glorious grace and mercy, and the 
powerful virtue, or energy, of bis quickening Spi- 
rit: or he-had called them to partake of his eter- 
nal glory, and to a constant and ccurageous pro- 
fession of the Gospel, and obedience to Christ, 
amidst all the trials and sufferings of their pre- 
sent state. For the words glory and virtue, may 
either refemto God who calied them, or to what 
they were called to : the former seems the more 
literal construction ; but the unusual use of the 


4 
a it -_— — 


2D. 6. a a 


§ Anda ‘beside this, ® giving all aud 
gence, add to yolir faith, * virtue ; ‘and to 
Virtue, * knowledge ; 

6 And to knowledge, a temperance ; ; 


Po 16, %. & Fail Se 17, 18. & §. 17. 
1. & 11, 6, & 12.) Phil. 1 9. Col. 1.9. 

siheereh & Be 14. 1. Pet, $, 7- 

Ps. 119. 4. Prov. 4.[5 on,m ver 3. 12 ws aa 25. 1 Cor. 


35.) Is. 55.2, Zech.[t vor. 2. & 3 181] 9. 25. Gal. 5. 35) 
‘6 15, John 6. 27-! Cor. 14, 20. Eph. 14 Tit. “Le. & 22. 


word rendered virtue, in applying it to God, hath 
induced many to adopt the latter interpretation. 
Yet the same word is used, in this application of 
‘it, by this apostle in another place. (1 Pet. ii. 
9. Gr.)—By this knowledge. of God in Christ 
through the Gospel, and by their efficacious call. 
ing, exceedingly great and precious promises 
had been given them. The promises of Scrip- 
ture relate to things most needful to sinners, 
suitable to their case, answerable to all their 
wants, and abundantly sufficient to. render them 
most blessed for evermore; whereas, without 
them’ théy must have been for ever miserable : 
the promises are therefore exceedingly great, 
and precious beyond expression. These are set 
before men by ‘the Gospel, who are invited to 
come and partake of the promised blessings : but 
they are giver to believers alone, who may con- 
sider them as so many valuable securities, or 
good bills, payable when their circumstances 
and. best interests render it necessary: for, being 
united to Christ, and partakers of him, all the 
promises belong to them through him and by 
his covenant. (2 Cor. i.20.) ‘They were more- 
over bestowed on them ‘te the end, that they 
« might be partakers of the divine nature,” in- 
stead of that depraved and diabolical nature, 
which they had, as apostate sinners; that by 
their union. with Christ, and the indwelling and 
new-creating power of the Holy Spirit, the divine 
image might be renewed upon their souls; that 
so anew nature might be formed within them, 


and a new direction given to their understand-' 


ings, wills, and affections ; conformable to the 
holy nature.of God, and capable of loving and 
delighting i in him, and finding happiness in his 
service. When this change of heart and nature 
was begun in regeneration, it influenced those 
who. experienced it, to separate ‘+ and escape, 
* from the pollution that. was in. the world 
“ through lust ;” orfrom all those outward vices 
and enormities, into which men are drawa by 
their excessive and idolatrous cravings after the 
pleasures, possessions, or distinctions of the 
world. Such evil practices have always filled 
the earth, and they are pollution and filthiness, in 
the judgment of God. -. When sianers profess to 
repent, and to embrace the, Gospel, they out- 
wardly relinquish these iniquities, (ii. 20;) and 
all regenerate persons actually and finally es- 
eape them, that is, the allowed or habitual prac- 
tice of any of them. 

V.5—7. The apostle here called on-bis Chris- 
tian brethren, not to rest in their apparent con- 
version, or the reformation connected ‘with it: 

ut, in dependence on the promises offthe Gos- 
pel, and in pursuance of the end for which they 
‘were given, to ‘cleanse themselves from all” re- 


n: vere 


maining “ filthiness: of fles er 
“ing holiness in the fear o > (Nate, 
vii. 1.) Besides that change which had © 
place, they ought. to give,. or. use, all € 
in the use of every appointed means, 
earnest desire of increasing holiness 
« to add to their faith, ne ‘that they m 
with fortitude and manly constancy | profess f 
belief in Christ and. obey his will, in the z= 
of persecutors 5 8 
mind, notwithstat 
gers to. which 
furthermore diligent 
© knowledge ;” that, b; : 
ance with the whole” teak 
they might be enabled to” 
and courage, with judgment : 
knowing how to beth in all ci 
to all men, like ‘well-informed intelli 
who could not justly be charged with 
rash, foolish, ee Bs Merion Saar 
ce, in the Church, or the cot bie 
i. 9-11.) ‘To! «iowle 
** temperance,” or an’ exact 
all the animal appetites, in sube 
will of God, and the benefit of 3 
other's ; as well as great moderation ape v 
ly things, and indifference about them. © 
“ temperance” they must unite * patience, o 
cheerful submission to the will 6 
flictions, meekness amidst in 
perseverance in well-doing 
vere trials, and & quiet 
to interpose. for hee I 
ance. To this, * godlinesi 
as consisting of all those hi 
positions, which constitute | 
per and truly devoted servan 
ordinances and command 
© brotherly kindness,” or an 
love of Christians as brethren in the 
1 Pet. i. 225) and to all the'rest th 
“ charity,” or benevolent 
love to all men, according” 
of God, ‘and in imitation 0 
sinful children om men. These 
and the effects of them u 
be diligently and ae tt, ', 
different voices in harmony form ach rus ; | 
so, the exercise of each other mi 
regulate, and bound’ th )f: the 
vent their exceeding or e! 
Christian character wo 
tioned and beautiful ; \ 
graces were remar kabl 
would appear to hi arash 
with those natural dispositions, th 
sembled them : - the character would 


CHABTER I. HE Sap. Sah 


y kindness, acharity. do these 2 shivetheehale e never fall:- 

ngs be bin you, cand| .11 For so Pan entrance shall. be ‘minis-. 3 
e€ you that ye -shail| tered unto you 9 abundantly - into the. ~- 
yn nor ¢ unfruitful fin the |‘ everlasting kingdom ¢ of * our Lord_ aad ree 

Sf Lord Jesus Christ.. -| Saviour Jesus Christ. _ 4 

hat € lacketh these things is [Practical OSservations.] 

md cannot see afar off, and-hath 12 Wherefore t 1 will not be neetigedes. 
n ‘that he was purged from his|to put you always in remembrance of: 


ee ote t these. things, “though ye know them, © 
ae the rather, brethren,|* and be established .in the present truth. 
diligence 'to make your call- 


13 Yea, I think it meet, ¥ as: long as © 
and ™ election sure; for = if ye|I am in this tabernacle, * to stir you up. 
Cor. 5 age 


® by putting you in remembrance ; 
iver. 4. & 2.18—| 14 Knowing that » shortly I niust put 


a 
& 25. 26, Rom- 12-| 11.1 Pet. 3.21. | 9 Ps. 37.24. & 62.) Heb. 6. 17. Q 1 Pet. & 10 
Il. Heb. 6, 12, 1'k See on, ver. 5. 2.6. Kil. 6. &jr B. 9.7, Dans 7.) 12.6 
Fim. 5. 13. I 3 Tum. 2, 19.Heb.| 721. 31. Mic: 7.8.) 12. 27. Hev. 5. 9 y ver. 14. 2 Cor. = 
: Matt. 13, 22. John} 6. 11. 19. 1 John 3.| Acts 20. 24, 25. 1]s Sve on, ver. 1. i—4, 8. Heb. 13. 
19—21. Pets & 5: Hey. 3.lt ver. 13. 15. Be gor open ae 
m Rom. 8.28—3i1,1} 19,11. Kt 1. Rom. 15. 14,15.) TVim.1. _ 
k| Thes. 1. 3, 4. 2) p Matt. 25. Sa. 2] 1 Tim. 4.6. 2 Tima See on, vex 125) UR- 
21. Luke 18; Thes 2. 13, le 1 Cor. 5. 1. 2 Tim. 4.} 1. 6. Heb. 10. 32./b Deut. 4- 21; 22. 
Pet. 1. 2. | 8 Rey. 3, 21 Jude3. 17 - ° |. & Sie 14. Josh. 33. 
n Ps. 15. 5.1s. 56. 2) q Ps. $6. 8. Cant. 5.ju iJohn2.21. Judes.| 14.1 Kings 2 2,3 
1. 3.jh John 9. 40, 4192) Matt. 7. 24, 25.) 94. Is. 35. 2. Johnis 3. 17. Acts 16. 5.) Acts 20.25. 2 Time 
mn 15. ‘% & 2) Cor. 4-3;4.1 5 Luke 6, 47—49. 10.10. Eph» 3. 20. Col. 2. 7. ‘Heb. 13.) 4. 6. 


m ind -disproportioned ; whilst one man and cultivating every holy affection; the evi- 
vould tee bold without knowledge, or love; 3} dene of their “calling,” or regeneration, might 
poe and kind without firmness or for-| become more complete, clear, and indisputable 


‘the same would appear in yarious|to themselves, as well a3 to others. And by 
‘this, their election would also be ascertained ; 
v. & 9. ‘These things ought to be peculiarly and they might assuredly infer, that God had 
tended to, as the usefulness and comfort of}from the beginning chosen them to salvation, 
eee depended greatly upon them : for ‘would preserve them to his eternal glory : 

2 dy a vamp and. dispositions were rooted Notez, &c. Rom: viii. 29, 50. Eph. i. 1—12. 
‘hearts and abounded in their lives, they|2 Thes. ii. 13:1 Pez. i. 2.) For if they diligently 
ould effectually prevent them from being slozi- practised those. things which had been mention= 
wl or unfruitful, in. their knowledge of Christ ;}ed, they should never fall; it would thus be- 
< would excite them to continual activity| manifest that they were true believers, who 
his service, and to that behaviour in all rela-/ would be preserved from total and final aposta-~ 
duties, and in the improvement of their ta-|cy, into whith many professed Christians were 
sc would be. very useful to mankind.|drawn: and, in proportion to their diligence, 
d, the professed Christian, |they would be Kept* from the snares of satan, 
these gracious dispositions, }and from falling into such sins, as would be = 
= er Fs Bt a defective in them, was to be} scandal to the gospel, and very, distressing to 
-onsidered as spiritually blind : for his most ex-|themselyes. Thus they would be preserved in 
ct notions only showed, that he had feard that}a comfortable and honourable walk with God, 
uch things were ; but his conduct proved that/ and from all those declensions and failures into 
¢ had never seen their real nature, use, glory, | which others were betrayed : and when they left - 
nd excellency. At least he must be very short-/the world, an entrance would be afforded them 
and incapable of perceiving any thing of| “ into the everlasting kingdom of Christ ;” every 
ine tendency of the gospel: nay, he had| thing would be so arranged as to conduce to 
n the very meaning of his own profession, | their felicity ; they would be favoured at the ap- 
he. ‘embraced Christianity, and was bap. 
d in the name of the Lord Jesus; as that 
L ordinance represented the purging 


proach of death with satisfactory assurance that 
they were going to heaven: they would enter 
that blessed estate, as a ship comes into harbour, 
richly laden from a prosperous voyage, with 2 - 
fair gale, and a full tide; carrying it above ali 
impediments, and terntinating all its dangers: 
and they, who were left behind, would have no 
doubt of their being gone to be with Christ, in 
his glorious and eternal kingdom. Whereas in- - 
consistent professors of the gospel, would proba- 
bly, have darkness and doubt for their companions 
in the hour of death; others would be disposed - 
to hesitate in respect of the event ; and in many 
ways they must suffer loss, even though they 
were saved as by oe (Note, 1 Cor. iti- 1015.) 


, and resurrection of Christ, (Mores, 
‘Pet. iii. 21.) that being dead unto sin, 
to newness of ike he act thence- 


af apostle exhorted his es * the 
oy gen to make their calling 
:” that by earnestly and vigo- 
= + ghee of grace, applying} 
eas of all their va- 


- 


4g 


oe 
a a Ses, 


ASD mT > 
off this my-tabernacle, © even’ as out Lord 
Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 

- 15 Moreover, 4.1 will endeavour that 
ye may. be able, aher my decease, to have 
¢ these things always in remembrance. 

16.For * -we have not followed cun- 
ningly devised fables, when we made 


known unto you & the power and 5 com-)- 


ing of our Lord Jesus Christ, but * were 
eye-witnesses of his majesty. 
17 For he received from * God the Fa- 


e John 21. 18. 19.) 14. 2 Thes. 2. 9.1 Jude 14. Rey. 1. 7. 
4 Deut. 31. 1929.) 1 Tim. 2.4, & 4. 7-11 Matt 17. 1—4, 


Josh. 24. 24—290 1] Tit, 1. 14, Mark 9. 2. Luke 
Chr. 29. 1-20. Ps.{¢ Matt. 28. _ 18,| 9. 28—32. John 1. 
71.18 2 Tim. 2.2.) Mark 9. 2: John} 44. 1 John1. 1—3, 


& 4, 14. 

k Matt. 11. 25—27. 
& 28. 19. Luke 20. 
22. John 3 35% 
5. 21-23 26. 36. 
37% & 6.27. 37.39, 


Heb, 11, 4. 17.2, Rome 1. 4.1 
“ set on, ver. 4—7, soy - 4 Phil. 3k 


£3.3, 4,1 Cor. 1 47. h Mab 3.2. &4. 5. 
23.2 Cor. 2. 17. & Matt, 16. 28. & 24- 
12. 16, 17. Eph. 4. $.27. 1 Cor. 1. 7 


Ys 194.752 


would not be negligerit in his duty; but would 
embrace every opportunity of putting them in 
remembrance of these important matters + even 
though they knew them, and were established 
especially in that truth which he then inculeat-) 
ed; namely, the necessity of holiness, in order 
to an abundant entrance ito the eternal kingdom 
of Christ. This was the case with many of them, 
who would be glad to have their memories reé- 
freshed, and their holy affections invigorated, by 
his animated exhortations: but others might be 
in a declining or; wavering frame of mind ; es- 
pecially as many teachers propagated opinions 
of a contrary tendency. ‘The apostle, howeyer, 
deemed it right, anda debt. owing to his breth- 
ren, whilst he sojourned in the frai! body, as in a 
tabernacle, to stir them up to increaSing and per- 
severing diligence in every good work ; by put- 
ting them in remembrance of those truths, which 
they had before learned, but were too apt to for- 
get. Yo this he was excited by the assurance 
that his death approached ; when his body would 
be-taken down like a tent, or laid aside as a gar/ 
Ment by one who was going to rest: not indeed 
by a natural dissolution, but by a viclent death, 
as his beloved Lord had showed him long before. 
(Note, John xxi. 18, 19.)\—The composure with 
which Peter, on this oceasion, spoke of the very 
painful death that awaited him, as if it had been 
no more than putting off his garment or removing 
his tent, may very properly be contrasted with 
his terror, and denial of his Lord, when he had 
been left to himself in order to his humiliation. 
Until the time of bis death should¥arrive, his 


chief concern and endeavour would be to use| heard from the bright cloud, 


every. means, that every individual might after 
his decease, have-thése practical instructions in 
remembrance : forthough he wrote'to the church- 
es in Asia, yet he evidently intended his exhorta- 
tions for the benefit of Christians in other ages 
and nations. The insufliciency of ora? tradition 
is clearly shown, by the apostle’s earnestness to 
nn his admonitions in writins. 

—18. The apostle was rcady to lay down 
his ite in attestation ofthe Gé¥pel, and earnest 


+, =r, 


11. PETER. ; 


Sseing things were as had been | to establish others 
stated, the apoude assured his brethren that he| conscious and confid 


; carnal men, or to procur 


Ama ik 


ther, -ho 
came such 
lent glory, ™ 
whom I ang wi 
18 And ° 
heaven we he 


& 10. 15. 36. & 13:)n Ts. ait 

1—3. & 14. 6. 8, 4, bother 
11. & 17. 21. & 20 fo Mats 17. 6 4 
17. Rom. 15. 6. 2ip Gen: 28. "16," \ 
Cor. 1,3. 8 11s $14) Ex. 31s Bi Josh’ S:]5. 
2 John. 3.Jude 1, | 15, Is. 11, 9 
1 Matt. 17. 5. ties 7. Zech. 8, 3. 
9. 7% Luke 9, 34,}q Ps. 19.9. Is. 9, 20.) 
35. Jolin 12. 28, 28. ae 41. 21—23, 26. 
m Mat. 3.17, Mar : 
le Al. Luke 3. 227 i 


nisters of Christ, had ne 
ingenious fables, devised for 
soothing: men’s passions, and g 
praved — inclinations; and: thus 
persons that propagated them, ene 
rity, or reputation. This had been the nat 
intention, and effect of many of the Pag 
tions, and the: inventions of Jewish ra 


taught by the PRON S th 
and authority, to which) Che ad 


jade the world, to perfie 
disciples, and'to execute ye 
mies. ‘These doctrines w 


those that taught: them :. 
tainly offend such as were not? 
to repentance, faith, and holiness 
authenticated in the most s 
Fer Peter, with James ; 
witnesses of their Lord's. eat 
the seascn appointed ar a 
essential dignity, and his eran e 
vial. exaltation, were 

of his conntenance, and in the 
Moses and Elias to surrender 

to him, at his transfiguration. ut 
he received the most, distin 
glory from: God the Father: 


vine Presence in his transee 
saying, “ This is my beloyed.Son, in 
“* weil pleased ;” and tl 


from. heaven, ‘when he. 
Jesus to. the mount of guration 
was properly called. hot.’ ae this sig 
play of the divine majesty upon its. ¢. ve , 
Matt. pe mae ‘ it’ 


1g this first, * that no pro- 
ripture is of any private 


6, Tu 3. 3. Rom. 6. 6.) 9. Jam.1. 3. 
). Rev. Mee: 


“The recollection of the hbbatize- 
ion .of 0 ie gave great confidence to the 
Hostile ; and his testimony concerning it might 
- ap * confirmation of the faith of other 
 risti yet they had also ‘a more sure word 
of aay »» “The appearance and voice on 
© mount were transient, and only three per- 


Bite 


.Len 


the prophecies ofscripture were. These, from 
| foretold and described one extraor- 
eammyiind gave intimations of his birth, 
c: racles, doctrines, sufferings, death, 
surrectionpand exaltation; together with the 
tablish prosperity, and duration, 
F his kir y and his final coming to judg- 
ant: whe ed with their schiecliebehian 
Jesus, they constituted a permanent and gene- 
, that he was the Messiah, the Som of 
vand the’ Saviour of the world; and more 
vcmentally: ‘corroborated the doctrine of 
ostles ‘concerning his exaltation and second 
ing, than any thing which Peter had seen on 
he mount: and the more this word of prophecy 
ihould be considered, the fuller conviction would 
: omgacan et To: this, therefore, all who 
epistle, would do well to give peculiar 
on? for it was to be considered as a light 
it not only in respect of the 
2, the Gentiles, and the com- 
: santivw dar ilid oF the Mosaic economy; but 
s the earth was at all times a dark place, ex- 
ept where the word of God had diffused light io 
t, by leading men to Christ, the Light of the 
world. Christians ought therefore to attend to 
€ prophecies of scripture, ‘for their direction 
ee concerning the truth of the 
jan religion ; till the Holy Spirit shouid 
to their souls the glory and excellency 
1e Gospel, and, by his sanetifying and com- 
‘influences, give them the dawning gf 
ave | in their hearts; and, till the knowledge 
and the experience of his pawer, truth, 
» had formed within them an ‘assurance 
cipation of the light, holiness and felici- 
Saints in the presence of their glorified 
even as the morning-star preceded and 
in n the rising sun and the perfect day— 
Prov. iv. 18, Hos. vi. 3. 1 John v. 10)— 
d ‘demonstration of the truth of Chris- 
‘vender the external evidences less 
$s they could no longer doubt of it, 
aw the glory, and tasted the com- 


S) and manifested it in their con- 


CHAPTER I. 


‘experienced the truth and power of proph 


A Dever. 


21 For the prophecy came not * in old: 
time by the will of man; but y holy men™- 
of God ® spake es they were moved ® ay 
the Holy Ghost. 

* Or, at any time 14. 2 Chr. 8 14. t Pet.1. 11 Rev. 19. 


y Deut. 33. Josh.[z Num. 16 28, 10, 
14, 6. 1 Kings 13.1.) Samy 23. 2. Mie. 3.la. Mark 12. 36. Acts. 


& 17. 18. 24. 2] 7% Luke 2. 70. 2}: 1 16. & 28. 25 
Kings 4. 7. 9.22. &| Tim. 3. .15—17. 1} Heb. 3.7. & 9.3 
6. 10, 15, 1 Chr. 23. & 20. Is. 


duct. But, in taking meer to this ght, ino 
must first know, as a matter of the ~reatest im- 
portance, that ‘* no prophecy of Scripture was of 
‘“‘ any private interpretation.” This clause has 
béen variously explained ; some render ,it, oF 
* any private impulse,’ as if it related rather to 
the giving than the interpreting of prophecy: but 


witnessed the oo pape scene; one of|the word cainot properly be so rendered, as itim- — 
} been martyred. (Acts xii. | plies the loosing of a knot: 
“assurance therefore it might | der the next verse-a mere repetition of the same 

to the individuals concerned ; it was not so| thought, and in the form of a reason assigned for 
ail suited to satify the minds of men in general, | what went before. 


and it would also ren- 


Many have opposed the text 
‘to the right of private judgment, in order to- 
support a supposed authority inherent some where * 
in the Church and its ministers, and to make 
themselves the ultimate object of faith, by fixing 
the sense of the scriptures for the people: yet, 
at last, this is as much private interpretation as 
any other can be; for every Church puts its 
own meaning upon the word of God, and 
that often contrary to the truth. Some have 
referred the words to the general application 
of scriptural promises by believers to their own 
case: as being a common property of the 
Church, and not the appropriate exclusive right 
of the individuals to whom they were at firstgiven. 
But the apostle was not discoursing of promises, 
as his argument related entirely to predictions ; 
and 5 seems to me to point out the true mean- 
ing. The lively imaginations of men often lead 
them to suppose events to be accompiisbments of 
scriptural prophecies, which in fact have no rela- 
tion to them : and this way of misapplying them, as 
fancy, inclination, or passion dictates, has always 
tended to render them:suspected, or disregarded. 
Instead then of employing a lively imagination, to 
discover some agreement between our own private 
concerns or those of our party, and the predictions 
of scripture ; and so, pretending to foretell future 
events from them, we should remember and be as- 
sured, that every prophecy has its preciseand de- 
terminate meaning, which no human ingenuity can 
alter. We should therefore exercise our judgment, 
with proper helps, and in dependence on divine 
teaching, to discover, as far as we can, the real 
meaning of the predictions, and the accomplish- 
ment of them in the public ‘concerns of Christ 
and his Church, and*in those ef the world as 
connected with the Church ; and to rest satisfied 
with understanding such as have evidently been 
fulfilled ; without toe curiously prying into those 
which appear to be hitherto unaccomplished. © 
Thus the perversion of prophecy would be pre- 
vented, and the objections against the argument 


brought from it, in proof of the divine inspira~ 


tion of the scriptures, would be answe: The 
ecies,-which have been already evi 
dently fulfilled, fh the poe. and salvation of 


eh a ob 
A DEY 
; ‘CHAP. II. 


The apostle Michels the coming of certain false 
teachers ; showing in general their corrupt prin-}. 


ciples and selfishness, and the fatal effects of their 
influence, i—3. He adduces the severity of God 
im panishing apostate angels, the inhabitants of the 
old world, and those of Sodom ; with his kindness 


Christ, and in the grarid concerns of the Church 
and of the world, form a most ynanswerable 
demonstration of the truth of Christianity; and 
the accumulating evidence, arising from the ful- 
filment of fu~.er prophecies from age to age, 
must at last rouse the attention of the most 
heedless, and silence the cavils of the mogt 
skeptical. . But the misapplication of prophecy, 
as if it were of private interpretation, and as if 
every man were at liberty to put his own fanciful 
meaning upon it, only seryes to furnish objec- 
tions, gives the whole an air of uncertainty, and 
so- perplexes the subject. , For the prophecy 
came not in ancient times, at the instance and 
according to the inclinations of men, nor can it 

whe properly thus interpreted ; but the events, to 
which it related, were fixed in the eternal coun- 
sels of God, to be accomplished in their appoint- 
ed season ; “holy men of God, who served him, 
and were specially favoured "by him, spake as 
they were moved by the Holy Spirit; and they 
were so far from modelling their predictions ac- 
cording to their inclinations, that they frequently 
sould not discover the meaning of their own 
words, (Vo, 1 Pet. i. 10-12.) The apostle 
doubtless intended the prophecies of the Old 
Testament ; but his arguments are equally, con- 
elusive respecting those of the New Testament 
also. ' 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 
Vv. 1—4. 


We should carefully examine, whether our 
faith be of alike precious nature and efficacy, 
with that of the primitive servants of Jesus 
Christ: for if wehaye obtained this inestimable 
henefit, we are certainly interested in the 
righteousness of our God and Saviour ;” and 
grace and peacewill be multiplied unto us, in 
proportion to “ our knowledge of God and of Je- 
sus “ our Lord,’ till they are perfected in the feli- 
city of heaven.’ We can expect nothing. too 
great and valuable from him, whose divine pow- 
er hath already given us all things pertaining. to 
life and godliness; through the knowledge of 
him, who hath called us by his new-creating 
Spirit, in order ta bring’ us to his everlasting glo- 
sy. ‘Exceedingly great and precious: promises,” 
are contained in his holy: word; sothat if’ we 
have that precious faith, which embraces and re- 
lies. on the promises, and which renders Christ 
precious to the soul, we possess all that is'essen- 
tially yaluable,,and ‘need not desire those trifles, 
which carnal men idolize as if they. comprised 
the substance of all happiness. But let us’ re: 
member, that these promises were given ‘to us 
ja order toour being “partakers of 2 divine na- 


“ tunes” and this wil induce us to inquire, | 
nelle really flee from the pollutions which 


are in the world, through, “‘ therlust of the flesh, 


* the lust of the eye, 
and whether wehbe E2 
“© of our minds.” 


fying and transforming LT 
to make us indeed partakers 
the image of God. in right 
and truth. 


It is incumbent on us to give all di 
add to our faith virtue, knowledge, “temp 
patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, nd 
rity ; care may appear that we ar 
Christ, and with 
xvii. 20—23.) . W 
heart, and abound in thi 
a consistent, active, and | 
degree of zeal’ and dili 
which other men are str 
cellency of those doc 
rantly suppose to lead to 
light that is in numbers who p 
is darkness; and, whilst they 
more clear-sighted than p! 

achers, their own deficiency 

d works of true religion, 
blind, or at least very dim-si 
see nothing but a few things belot 
own natrow system, without | 
larged nature and beneficent. tendenc 
gospel; who have forgotten that 
signifies ‘a death unto’sin, 
* righteousness ;” 2 
very profession, are’ bound ‘ 
$ and corrupt affectio ‘ 
« all virtue and godline 
fore so many “are pure 
‘are not washed’ from their 
xxx. 12;) and as every one of Ch 
bears most decided testimony. 
worthless form of knowledge, 
solitary faith; ¢¢ weo 
“ gence to make our calling and 
Many indeed presume. 
cause they believe, im their way, 
election ; though they have no evic 
hath called them witha holy calling 
would not be deceived, we must di 
sure to our souls, by the indis 
the Spirit, that we are : 
and we may thence safely infer 
tion and our final preservatic ae 
that if we hold certain’ sh 
fall; but, “if we dot helio oes 
so fAlL ?% and in the practice of every "4 
we should wait for and expect, an abune 
trance into; the everlasting Sngenenas of 
and Facey Jesug Christe: Vy 
seen We, LQANB. «9: hae IO 
It behooves all ministers, isa cample 


nat | 


ligently, and at all times, to put their 
rs in remembrance of the things above- 

ned, in connexion’ with evangelical truth : 
therwise they cannot “take them to record, 
‘that they have declared unto them all the 
ansel of God,” however exactly they have 
ched the doctrines of grace. This is not 
aly necessary with such as are ignorant, or 
aver, in these matters; but even among those 
‘ho know them, and are, as to their judgment, 
stablished in them): for allowed truths often lie 

ant in the mind, except as they are render- 
active by anim exhortations; and a car- 


so that it soon loses sight of spiritual in- 
. These practical subjects, however; 


ace are preached : so that ministers will often 
tempted to omit them for to hurry them over in 
general and superficial manner ; which tends to 
ceive souls, and to diffuse a false and loose 
. Weare therefore bound, in justice to 
n, as well as in duty to God, as long as we are 
in these tabernacles, to stir up our people, by 
ing them in remembrance of the various 
works by which they must glorify God and 
the gospel; and to. consult what is profit- 
‘rather than what is pleasant to them. For 
shall shortly put off these our tabernacles : 
and nothing can tend so much to produce com- 
posure in the prospect, or in the pangs, of death, 
d in expectation of our great account; as con- 
ciousness that we have not sought to please 
1, or ‘to obtain wealth, reputation, ease, or 
t to ourselves; but that we have faith- 
(fully and simply served the Lord Jesus Christ, 
jand sought his glory and the salvation of souls, 
jas the great aim of all our labours. Indeed the 
eedy approach of death should excite us, not 

mly to prepare to meet it with comfort ; but to 
suse every proper means, that all around us may 
‘the substance of our instructions in remem- 
brance after our decease. Wecannot indeed ex- 
ect such extensive and permanent success to 
our feeble and defective endeavours, as attended 
le writings of inspired men of God : yet, when 
Weare conscious that our testimony tends to lead 
men to the scriptures, to Christ, and to holiness, 
may hope’ that abiding good will spring from 

1: whilst many of the admired productions 
genious infidels, heretics, and ungodly men, 
e to corrupt the principles, to deprave 
is, and to murder the souls of numbers, 
to age, to the accumulating guilt ‘and’ 
tion of those who left so fatal a be- 


‘made. about bigotry and uncharitableness ; it 
st certain, that they only who preach sal- 


ip rd 


mind renders the memory treacherous in this | 


y.. For, whatever clamours be} 


Thes: 2. 3-12. 1) 1. Rev. 2.9, & 13. 
30,1 Cor. 11.19. 2} Tim, 4,. 1—3- 2) 14. 

Cor. 11. 15—17.\ Vim. 3.1—9% & 4,)¢ yer.3. Gal, 2 4. 
Gal. 4, 17. Eph. 44 3. Tit. 1.111 John{d ver.3. Gal, 5. 20, 


21.8. Acts 20. | 
14. Col, 2.2.18 24 218,19. 26. & 4,! Tit. 3. 10. 


make known his power and coming to judge the 
world, are free from the charge of following cun- 
ningly devised fables ; and therefore they ought to 
be the most earnest in their Jabours, without re- 
garding what the consequence may be respecting 
their temporal interests. For even those things, 
of which the apostles, or some of them, were 
eye-witnesses, concerning the majesty and glory 
of Christ ; and what they heard from the excel- 
lent glory, “ This is my beloved Son, in whom I 
“am well pleased ;”’ are full of conviction, in- 
struction, and encouragement tos, at this day, 
to direct and animate us in the work of the Lord. 
V. 19—21. 
We have not seen or heard such things, as. 
apostles did: but we have a more sure word of 


generally prove most acceptable to the} prophecy, which will satisfy the diligent investi- 
ty,in congregations where the doctrines of | gator, even more than any, transient miracle 


could do; as it lies open to every man’s exami-~ 
nation, and continually becomes more conclusive, 
by the further accomplishment of its predictions: 
To this grand evidence of the truth of Christiani- 
ty and its great doctrines, every serious inquirer 
will do well to take heed; especially in this . 
skeptical age, when so many engines are at work, 
to draw the attention. of the unstable from the 
Gospel, as if it were a cunningly devised fable. 
In this way then, let such persons wait, and tak- 
ing heed to this light that shineth in a dark place, 
they will gradually be directed to Christ; and 
their experience of his power, truth, and love, 
will be the day-dawn, and “ the day-star arising 
‘* in their hearts,” and a sure earnest and fore- 
taste of everlasting happiness. :But, in searching 
the scriptures, and especially in considering the 
prophecies and their accomplishment, we should 
beware of self-confidence, and ungovernable fan- 
cy, and the influence of selfish passions. We 
have indeed a right to judge for ourselves, and 
to. call no man master on earth; but it is requi- 
site we should exercise our judgment with so- 
briety, modesty, and docility: nor is it generally 
safe to indulge a fondness for novelty, or to de- 
viate from the approved judgment of eminent 
servants of God in other ages of the Church, 
without evident need. Above all, we should ex- 
amine these subjects with earnest prayer for the 
teaching of the same Spirit, by whom holy men 
of God spake their prophecies ; that we may be 
enabled to discover what was his meaning in 
them, as far as that is good for us. Under his 
guidance, we shall be kept from interpreting 
scripture according to our private fancy, humour, 
or inclination: we shall discover the relation of 
all the prophecies to Christ and his Charch; and 
that so many of them have already been fulfilled, 
that we are fully authorized to expect the ac- 
complishment. of all the rest; till his second 
coming to judge the world, to pefect Mis peo- 


through Jesus Christ, and who| ple’s salvation, and to shut up the wicked in 


A.D. 67. 


sies, even *denying the Lord that fbought 
them, ¢ and bring upon themselves swift 
destruction. » 

2 And* many shall follow their * per- 
nicious, ways ; ' by reason of whom the 
k way of truth shail be | evil spoken, of. 


Phil. 3. 19. 2 1355 Db Me SSe 

h Mate 24. 10-13.) 8, Jer, 6-16, Maa 
245 Mark 13. 22. 1] 7.14. & 22. 16. 
Sade 4. Rev. 2. 13.) Johm 2.°.18, 19.) Mark 12. 14. John 
& 3.8: ! Rev. 12, 9. & 13.) 14. 6. Acts 18. 10.) 
£ Deut. 32. 6. Acts} S. U4. ; & 16.17. & 18, 26, 
20, 28. 1 Cor. 6.30.)* Or, lascivious, as} Be 19, 9: & Bde la. 
& 7. 23. Gal. 8. 13.| some copies read. | ver. 12. Acts 14. 

’ ph. 1. 7. 1 Pet. ti Rom, 2, 24. 1 Lim)) 2,1 Pet. 2.12, Jude 
18. Rev. 5; 9. 5. 14. Pit. 2. 6. Be | 10. ide 

g ver.8- Mak . Sk ver. 1% 21, Pal 


e Mat. 10.53. Enke 
42. 9. Acts 3- 13, 
14. 2 Tim, 2. 12, t3- 


bell, shall falfil the last of these predictions, to 
the glory of his truth, power, love, wisdom, and 
sighteousness, and the joy and admiration of all 
- his redeemed people, 


: NOTES, 

CHAP. H. V.1—3._ As the false prophets op- 
posed the holy men of God, under the old dis- 
pensation ; and, by flattering and deceitful words, 
obtained a pernicious ascendency over the minds 
of the people and the rulers of Israel; so.there 
would pe false teachers in the Christian Church, 
who would by similar methods draw off profess- 
ed Christians from the holy doctrines of the apos- 
tles, and other faithful preachers. The deceiv- 
ers would not.at once openly and directly oppose 
the leading truths of Christianity : but they would 
work with unsuspected subtlety ; and by degrees, 
under specious pretences, clandestinely intro- 
duce such false doctrines, as tended to subvert 


the very desiga of the Gospel: so these would 
make gricvous divisions in the Church, and end 
in the eternal destruction of those who were de- 


ceived by them. Fon they would deny the Lord 


that “ bought them :” men, professing to believe 
that the Lord Jesus redeemed the Church with: 
his own blood, and considering. themselves, as 
bought, with that inestimable price, instead of 
glorifying him by devoted obedience, would cast 
off his yoke, renounce:his authority, and refuse 
It ig not reqii- 
site to understand the apostle, as declaring that 
the Lord Jesus had died, with an express éten- 
tion of redeeming these very persons: it sufficed 
for his argument, that they denied Aim as their 
Lord, in whom they professed to hope as a Re- 
deemer, ,ss all avowed Antinomians do. Thus 
Christ. sometimes addressed the Pharisees accor- 
ding to their own mistaken notions, and argued 
(Notes, 
Luke xv. 7--S1.) . Fhe. inconsistency and base- 
ness of the conduct of these false teachers was 
evident from their own profession; and it was 
not the manner of the sacred writers to express 
themselves with that systematic exactness, which 
many now affect. (Notes, Rom. xiv, 15-20. 1 
Cur. vili. 11:), Is appears, to me-at, least, very 
unnataral to explain the words ‘the Lord, that 
* bought them,” iof Israel’s redemption from 
Egypt, whicli would scarcely have been thought 
is connexion, had. not controversy led 
mea to exercise their utmost ingenuity, to evade 


to have him to reign over them. 


with them from theirowa, principles. 


of ia 


- by Jer, 6. 13. & 8: 


of a long ti 
damnation 
4 For if. ¢ 


m ver. 14,15. Is, 56 | 


10. Fiz. 13. 19, Mic.| 2 
3.11. Mal. 1. 10, 
Rom, 16, 18, 2 Cor}. 3 
12. 17, 18.1 Timi) 13) 
3.3.8. Tit. 1.711 
1Pct. 5. 2 Jude 
LL i 

n i. 16> Ps. 18, 44. 
& 66-3. & $t. 15, 


p ver. 


a0 138 19s, 
30.13, 14. & 60 
Hab. 2. 2) 


8.1 Thes, 5. 
ae | a 


the arguments, and. answer the 
their opponents. ‘Thus, exact sy 


eventually be saved by f 
som was of infinite s 
it in scripture is 
addressed Riven ans . 
when it is intimated that they are not 
it. (i, 9.) Piya r ay den 
fusing to obey him as s 
pretended to trustin 
teaching others such ¢ 
bringing on themselves swii 
would come on them unai 
But, in the mean, time, many 
pernicious ways, or destruc 
poisonous principles, and « 
amples; by reason, of: whon 
would be blasphemed -by an 
would conclude that Christians in 
such licentious doctrines, 
indulged themselves i 
ly some of them w 
enough to avow/ity In 
and false pretences to 
to evangelical doctri 
to men’s passions. and’, 
der to gratify their own 
would carry on a base merch 
of the people, consigning them 
order to enrich themselves, 1 
thus prospered by their d 
hoped for impunity in th 
ment intended for them 
predicted, the place of tor 
prepared, the jadgment by” 
condemned did not linger, 
God, which would certa: 
eternal destruction, did by 
Indeed, the Lord bore with t 
fering, till: his own holy »purpost 
fected, and their measa 
and they inferred, that 
lingered, and the thre 
ed; but the event would soon awfully: 
‘them. (iis 4.) Learned men have’ mai 
discordant opinions, een the h 
whom the apostle especially intended : b 
bably he used general language,’ 


CHAP j T ER ¥ ii. aD 6t. 
E them down to hell an ensample “ite these that after should 


delivered ust Lot, « vexed 
yed unto judgment; je Ss » °v 

| mot the old world, bins with tha lly Contebestzon of the wicked: 
2 & (For * that rightecus man dwelling 
shtecusness, * bringing in| among them, © in ‘seeing and hearing, 
‘ihe world of the ungodly ;| vexed Ais righteous soul from day to day 
rni cities of Sodom with their unlawful deeds :) 

° 9 The Lord ® knowet how to deliver 
ithe godly out of temptations, *and to re- 
serve the unjust ' unto the day of judg- 
‘ment to be punished ; 

a Ez. 16. 49—56. (Practical Oscervacions3 
Wi. 8. Am. 4.) d Gen. 19. 16—32.) Jam. 5 16. i Ps.4.3. & 121, 
2-9. Luke | 2% 2€or. 10. 19. fe Ps. 12% 136, 139. = e 6. 2 Tim. 5. 
7.{ e Gem, 13. 13. & 19. 1st Ez G & 2 
1} 7,8 Ps 120. 5. Jer., Mal. 3. 15—17. eee Tob 383 
9) 1—6, & 23. o ph HID. Ps T4.) Prov. 16. 4 


f Prow 25. 266 & 23-) 17. 19 1Can ra.fe 3-7. Rom. 2% 5. 2 
1 Tim &t % +e Cor 5 Wy, 1h. 


a w9—3i- Jude 
Wum- 26. 10, 


oy 


t suit various kinds of| ing, Noah had been a Freacher of righteousness 
‘| to that corrupt generation “mong whom he Eved, 

which must have exposed him to manifold trials 
and ‘temptations ; 2s nome, that we know of, 
were brought to repentance, faith in the pro- 
mised Savicur, and obedicnce to God by his long 
continued Iabonrs. So that, 2t length, ‘the Lord 
exetuted the vengeance denounced, and spared 
none of all the millioas who then lived on earth : 

:| but by bringing in the deluge he destroyed them 
=| all; “and Noah enly reumined alive, and they 
“ that were with him in the ark.” (aces, kc. 
| Gem. vi. vit. vill. Hed. xi. 7- 1 Pet mm 19, 

| 20.) Ia like manner, the Lord, after having 
long borne with the extreme wickedness of So- 
dom, till their measure of sin was filled Up; at 
length, when they did not at all expect it, sent 
~| fire from heaven to burn their cities and all the 
inbabitents of them; that the tremendous over- 
throw, to which they were condemned, might 


Their doom} Usgodliness and wickedness. (Votes, Gen. arte 
tle Lord for} ¥et at the same time the Lord delivered, 
chains,| 10% most: gracious and wonderful manner, 
: ig Lot,” from the destruction pl - 
| Se eke oie which re-| feigubours: for thoagh he bad been very fauley 
[pute and relaxation they employ in opposing to| im many Tespects, and was corrected 5 
the uttermost his purposes of love to mankind,) yety being a true believer and a justified servant 
attempting their 


their destruction. But this| of God, he was taken tare of, and brought out of 
be -over-ruled for the fuller- display | Sodom before it was destroyed. He had indeed, 
glory, the accomplishment of his eter- 
els. and the more. conspicuous exer- 


ed place, and had very pertinaciously adhered 


d, till their impiety and enmity —— eee : So- 
tly evinced : and when bis wise and ho’. Gomites, and their clamorous Ss opposi~ 
‘ accomplished, | <A nereramentbpe err OT ‘What he 


saw and heard of their unlawfel and hateful 
is righteous mind daily vexation 


aaa 

| scene to his crite sconduct, him 
and-during| to be a pious man ;, and therefore, ats was 
of Lis loagsuffes-| stripped of his canna =) carrection for 


from carnal motives, goze to reside in that wick- ~ 
|to the foolish ehoice which he had made ; (Watez, 5 


> <a f. : 


ALD, 67. 


the flesh min the lust of RAVER 
© and despise * government. P Presump-} 
tuous are they, 1 self-willed; they are 
not afraid * to speak evil of dignities : “ic 
11 Whereas s angels, which are greater] ¢hey are and 
in power and might, bring not railing| selves with th 
accusation ¢ against them ‘before the) they feast wit 
Lord. 14 Having 4 
12\ But these, t as tintivtall brute beasts, 
made to be taken and destroyed, speak 
evil of the things that they understand] have exercised wil 


f cursed children: 
Ps. 2, 15. & 12.) Jude 8. Practical Observationss] 4a 


4. Jer. 2, 31. Lukels Pse 103. 20? & 104:| wwers 19. Be 1. 4.) 27. 

19, 14, Rom.13.1—] 4, Dan. 6. 22. 2] Pyoy, 14,32. John Scene 

5. 1 Pet. 2. 13,14.) Thes. 1. 7. Jude 9}; §, 91, Gal, 6.8 b 2 Sam 
aa . ea ke t pone a ,against | x gs. 3.11. Rom, 2.| Job 3 

3.5. 1 Ss. 4. 7. on, um. 15.} themselves. 8,9, Phi ed C 

Nigb ates: P . Phil. i> SPS Prov. 25 


30. t Ps. 49. 10, & 92. Tim: 4. 14. 
@ Num. 16. 12-15. i Gen. 49. 6. Tit. 


m Rom. 81. 4, 5. 
22, i3. 2 Cor. 10, 3- 
nm Rom. 1. 24—27. 
2 Cor. 6. 9. Eph. 
4. 19. & 565. ' Cok: 


6.& 94.8. Jer 4.4 9, 2, 3. Revs 18 
Deut. 17, 12, 13. &} 1.7. 


22, & 5.4. | leh y Rain 18) 13) © 
2t. 20, 21. 1 Sam-ir Ex, 22. 28. Ec. 10.| 8. 21. Ez, 21. 31. Theg. Ss 7,81 Pet} 
10,27, 2 Sam. 201) 6, 7.20. Acts 23, 5 


Jude 10. yt 
2. 1 Kings 12.16: Zz Cant. Ae 7 ee ‘5.4d v 


bis sin, and his family was either destroyed or 
greatly corupted and disgraced, by means of it ; 
the Lord mercifully snatched him, as a brand/ of others. Pe e 
out of the burning, and saved him from so peril. | kingly affice, and 
ous and ensnating a situation. These examples, | Lord and Master, 
therefore, sufficiently showed, that the Lord | they contemptuously 
knew how, inthe be:.etime and manner, to de-} thority of the apostles, d 
Jiver the godly out of temptation, to rescue them | lers of the Church: but { 
from the most formidable dangers, in the critical | treated civil government. 
Taoment ; to distinguish the most feeble and de-| were determined, like 
fective of them from their ungodly neighbours;}to cast off every yoke, 
and to arrange all his dispensations in the best}own masters! | For they 
manner for their salvation. This he bath engag-| self-confident, destitute o 
ed todo; and his wisdom must be trusted to se-| God, aspiring to pre-en 
lect the best time and manner of performing his| themselves authori 
faithful promises, which cannot fail, whatever 
appearances may be. But he also knows how 
** to reserve the unrighteous to the day of 
** judgment to be punished:” whilst he bears 
with them and permits them to prosper in. vice ;} bent upon. mae 
they are bound, as it were, in the chains of their | They were, therefor + 
sins, and shut up in tha dungeon of his immuta-| nities, in a slanderous : 
ble justice, till the day of his wrath; then will| honouring the pe 
he bring them forth to judgment, and execute on|in exalted stations, a 
-them the most terrible ‘punishment, because of | God, and as his mini 
his long patience with them, and their perverse they calumniated 
abuse of it. The word rendered ‘“ cast them | ol consequences : 
“* down to hell,” (4,) is not used in any other] der the pretence of 
part of the New Testament, or the .Greek trans- tianity to scandal, in 
lation of the Old: yet the meaning of it must] accusations and per 
not be soucht from the fables. of heathen poets,| (Vote, 1 Pet. ii. 13. 
but from the general tenout of the sacred Scrip-| were far greater and 
tures. 
V. 10, li. The preceding observations were 
applicable to all wicked men, but especially to 
hypocritical professors and false teachers of 
Christianity ; yet they were, and would be, pe- 
culiarly verified im the licentious seducers, of }any virulent or bitter 
whom the apostle discoursed, and in that of their | but stated facts as the 
abandoned followets... These persons habitually ; 
«< walked after the flesh,” and inddlged their 
sensual appetites “in the lust of uncleanness ;” 
_asif they had proposed to themselves the inha- 
bitants of Sodom for an example: and while they 


dD. or. CHAPTER I. — 2. 
48 Which “have @ forsaken the’ right voice, forbade ™ the madness of ‘the pro- 
gone astray, following the}phet. 9 9" hs ior 
fe son of Bosor, i who] |!7 These » are wells without water, 
of unrighteousness; |° clouds that’are carried with a tempest ; - 
febuked for his iniquity :}to whom the mist of P darkness is resery- 
SS; jed for ever, ese F 


ei a 
P Lene Meh CR eR BEN hors : ye 
m Ee. 7, 25. & 9.3,Jn Jol6, 14-17. JersIpvers4, Mat. 8.12, 
| Hos, 9, 7, Luke 6. 14, 3. Hos 6.4, & 22,18. & 25. 30. 
Ii. Acts 26.11. 24,} Jude 12,18... | Jude 6, 13... 

25. o Eph, 4. 14, Nea dhe ia 


4 ea 


yds Se Mien, Geib ye a. 


Fatt SE LAGRRS PR ee At mF ‘ y RACE? RS BRE RR hank 
continued habits of vice; through which, they. 
_ | were perfectiy enslaved to their lusts, and indeed 
judicially given up toa reprobate mind. But, 
notwithstanding all their wickedness, they plead. 
ed so speciously and confidently for their cors 
rupt principles, and so extenuated or apologized 
for their crimes, tliat they beguiled very many 
professed Christians, who were not established 
int knowledge, faith, grace, and experience.— 
‘Thus they supported the’ expense of their sene 
sualities, by fluttering and quieting men’s con 
' sciences in the indulgence of their passions : as 
‘to the community. ‘Satan had caught them | their hearts were exercised with covetous prac. 

baits, and taken them captive at his will; | tices ; and they constantly employed themselves 
“were in the way to eternal destruction :|in devisirg artful methods of obtaining money 
ing impatient ‘of counsel or control, ‘théy| from their deluded followers, till inured to such 
d veliement revilings against the persons, ; base pursuits, they felt no remorse about thems 
ues on rhe , and measures of their rulers, which showed them to’ be * the children of a 
; "y Were incompetent to understand, or|‘* curse,” and exposed to'the wrath of God for 
fever sufficiently examined ; and in so do-| their multiplied abominations. . 


) oppose them, and are ready to 
“them: and as wild beasts seem made 
he taken and destroyed, to prevent the 
which they would otherwise make of the 
/species : so, these seducers, would cer. 
expose themselves to destruction; nay, 
Ould be proscribed as nuisances, and ene. 


4 but that of God ‘also; and thus ‘would | apostle, had evidently forsaken the right way of 
Kah by their own corrupt ‘practices.— | holy obedience from evangelical principles, and 
- notwithstanding their vain conceit of imagin-|were gore astray ; not merely from an errone~ 
ey “receive the! ous judgment, but from the sensuality, ‘ambition, 
4 hake ei | and avarice of their hearts: so that they fol 
re Was n¢ t sought in obeying God, but in |lowed the example of Balaam, the son of Beor, 
6Us feastings and intemperance, in which | (or Bosor,) who so “loved the wages of unright. 
 eousness,” that he endeavoured,in disobedi= 
ence to the injunction of Jenovau, to go unto 
Balak, and curse the people whom God had 
blessed. But he was rebuked for his iniquity, 
not by the immediate voice of God, nor by one 
of bis prophets ; but by the ass on which he 
rade, which, though naturaliy dumb, was yet’ 
miraculously enabled to speak; that by so des: 
pised a creature God might, in the most morti.| 
fying manner, forbid the prophet who was very 
proud of his visions and revelations, to proceed 
in his infatuated course of rebellion. (Wotes, 


Shame or remorse. They were there- 
ts and blemishes, that deformed and 
| those Christian societies which did not 
; whilst they wantonly sported them-’ 
‘Ives, and indulged a kind of insulting triumph, | 
hy a “own deceivings; as if they were the 
lief avourites of heaven, and persons uncom- 
jonly illuminated in the grace and liberty of the 
ospel : when in fact they were not believers at 
, and were thus boasting and exulting on the 
of destruction. So that, while they par-jin I 
ok with ‘Christians, of the Lord’s supper, or|Mum. xxii. xxiv. Xxxi. 8—16.) _ 

i ite religious feasts in which the rich| V. 17. “The teachers whom the apostle ex- 
oor @ together in a loving manner ; their | posed, were like wells, fram which ‘men expect- 
du t was so shameful, that they reflected }ed to draw water, but which’ could only disap- 
dal on the whole company, with which they |point thei expectations: (Marg. Ref) they 
ed. For, besides their riot, laxury, and |were as clouds which gave hopes of fructifying 
‘their eyes were full of adultery,” or |rains ; but, instead of yielding any advantage to 
dulteress,” as if their infamous para- |others, they were themselves carried about with 
ever been out of their sight ; so con-|tempestuous ‘winds. Thus’ these teachers were 
their imaginations employed about, driven about with’ their own passions, and by 
es fix on, their habitual wicked Jevery wind of doctrine, from one false opinion to” 
* could not cease from another ; for indeed they were given up by God 
to final obduracy, 4s the mist, the dimness, and 
dismay of darkness, or of wickedness, despair, 


ich would have been an extenuation 
but from the violence of their un- 


igs they Rot only incurred’ thé Gispledsute of} V. 15, 16. The persons described by the - 


me 


AyD. 67. TL PETER, 

18 For when they speak great swell-|] ¢ 
ing words of vanity, they allure through }| 
the lusts of the flesh, ¢hrough much 
x wantonness, those’* that were * clean 
escaped from them who live in error. 

19 While t they promise them liberty, 
t they themselves are the servants of 
corruption : for of whom a man is * over- 
come, of the same. is he. brought in bon-|) 
dage. 

20 For if, y after they have = ‘estaped: 
the pollutions of the world, 4 through the 
q Ps, 52: 1~3. &| Acts 2. 40. Es er. 20, Is, 28. 


22 But ie aed 
cording to the true. 
is turned to his own 
sow that was washed 
the mire. 


73. 8,9. Dan. 4130s)" Or, for a little, or,) Jere 23, 9 2 Fim. 
& 11-36, Acts 8.9, ayia as some] 2- 26. 


2 Thes, 2. 4.’ Jude} re: y Mat. 12. 43—45. ms 

13.15, 16. Revi i3:lt Gale 5.92. 13-9 1) Lobe 11. 24—26, 5 es 24.20. gees 63h hae 
6- 11. Pet. 2, 16, ¢. Habs fy 4—8. & 10.| 32.29. Phil. 

x Rom. 13. 13. Jam. ¥ Jobn 8. 34. -}. 26, 27, ¢ Luke 12. 47, et 

5. 5. Seta fem as fe ver 1.8. 4 Sohn’ 9. 410% 15, 

siver. 20, & 1. 4. Tit 3 3. ; Jae iM 


V..18, 19.. These men were not only very | 
wicked themseh es, but the causeof sin and ruin 
to others. Whilst they spake swelling and 
pompous words, which had no meaning, except 
as they showed the vain-glory and ostentation of | dered at, that tea 
their hearts : .yet they allured, by their confident | many proselytes ; ‘ork 
boasting and specious pretensions, such profess-| according to the true p 
ed.Christians.as were glad to suppose that the | Prov. xxvi. 11.) and t 
lusts of the flesh, and much wantonness or lasci-| port: the one. spits whic 
viousness, . could. consist with the salvation of the 
Gospel: and so they drew off those who had. 
‘actually; as to their outward conduct, escaped emblem which the who le ; 
from among those, who: lived in error; but who |gest; and are steed i 
abstained from. their former indulgences only }o ose, who, after con 
from fear, while their unrenewed hearts still han- |ance, and reformation, re : 
kered after them. But whilst they paid court |ness, because their feet 
to the carnal minds of hypocrites, by promising |if the power of God sh 
them. liberty from every yoke; as if the service 
of God had not been the most perfect freedom ; i 
they themselves were the “ s/aves of corruption,” 
or of the most corrupt and yile affections : as it 
was a general rule, that 2 man must become the 
bond-servant of him by whom he was vanquish- 
ed and taken captive, They were evidently 
vanquished, taken captive, and enslaved by the 
devil and their own lusts ; and it.was impossi- 
ble that they could lead their followers to any 
better condition. 

V. 20-22. . If’ professed. Pavitinns, having 
escaped the outward pollutions of the world, by 
the knowledge of Christ,-as far as convictions 
and a notional faith could reach, (1. 4.), were 
again, by the artful seductions of false teachers, 
entangled in those polluting practices, as consist- 
ent with the service of Christ, and so overcome 
as habitually to indulge in their corrupt. incli- 
nations ; their latter end, after they had learned. 
thus to abuse the gospel, would be far worse than 
the beginning, when they sinned. in ignorance; 
as they must have done violence to far clearer 
light and fuller conviction. It would therefore 
have been better for such wretched heretics,, hy- 
pocrites, or apostates, if they had never known 
the way of righteousness, and the truths} pro- 
mises, and precepts. of "Christianity ; ; than, after | 
all their instructions, convictions, and profession, | ¢ 
to turn, in avowed disobedience, from the holy} 


would leave. them n 


(Notes, Matt. 
vi. 4—10. x. 7 
this yet ane a) 


from some anhient book 1 


of this every reader 


disciples. after them, for th 
cre’s sake ; and, alas! 
“« their ears from 
“ fables,” who liberally v 
helping them to. d 
hath come to pass, both i 
tian church, | that ane 


CHAPTER Il. @ D. We 


couragements to @iligence and holiness, 8—14. 
He shows that St. Paul had taught them the same 
‘doctrine ; commends his epistles ; and shows how 
‘ignorant aud unstable men peryerted some parts 
ef them, as they did- ‘the other scriptures, to their 
own destruction, 15, 16 ; and coneludes with warn- 
ing them against seducers, and exhorting them to 
_ grow in a ae in ‘the soenaiga ga of enw 
C1718 


m6 estenay.t m0. 


wh ehh: fel alse 


Laxetheds of the: peceaiichl : 
d predicts that scoffers would 
tation of that event, lanA: ; 


har dee 


dd the’ awful manner, cireumstances, 
mnces of it; with exhortations and en- 


eis 


nt mercy ; and have Petes iglepatate 
deniption and the commandments of ihe 
rd Jesus, and to expect pardon through his 
sod, whilst they yielded no obedienceto his laws! 
Au s they deceive themselves and others, and 
hie themselves swift destruction. These 
Ou ts, while they seem to some 
: of free grace in all its purity, 
da able heresies,” which, finally 
» follow such pernicious ways; and 
pee, of truth to be evil spoken’ of 
©, Who see the bad tendency and effects 
delusions, and charge them on all who 
h and profess the doctrines of salvation by} 
s alone. The sober teachers of practical and 
xperimental Christianity need not be surprised, 
find heir hearers drawn from them by these 
d lax preachers ; for even in the pri- 
mes, before miracles ceased, their deli- 
son found many purchasers; and their 
ise of souls by feigned words brought in 
¢ gains; whilst love of the truth and of the 
eer were the pretence, but covetousness was 
he eéncealed principle, of their conduct. In vain 
6 ment of this character hope to escape with im- 
nity: the judgment 80 long since foretold, 
asahaeton enaced, will speedily ar- 
ugh unbelief may suppose that the jus- 
 lingereth and slumbereth, because 
endures vith much long-suffering the ves- 


we would avoid the most heart-rending anguish, 
and the most ‘painful cortections-’ But, if, we 
indeed fear, trust, love, atid’ endeavour to obey 
the Lord ; we should recollect in all our con- 
flicts and trials, that “he knoweth how to deliv- 
“ er the godly out of temptation ;” that he hath 
ten thousand ways of rescuing us, of which we 
never thought ; and that his wisdom and power . 
will.surely effect the purposes of bis love, and 
the engagements of his truth: whilst wicked 
men often escape suffering here, because they 
afe reserved to the day of judgment to be pun~ 
ished with the devil and his angels. 
ee V. 10—14. 

‘While we take encouragement from the ten- 
der mercies of our God, let us also stand in awe 
of his holiness and justice. None have more 
cause to tremble, than they, who are embolden- 
ed to gratify their sinful lusts by presuming on 
his grace and mercy: nor can any thing more 
fully illustrate the desperate wickedness of the 
haman heart, than the abominations, in which _ 
men have wallowed, whilst professing to be reli- 
gious, and while contending for the holy doc~ 
trines of the Gospel! Many, both in ancient 
and modern times, have deemed themselves at 
liberty to walk after the flesh in the lust of un- 
cleanness, and have despised government of alt 
kinds ; as if licentiousness and anarchy were the 
only desirable freedom ; presumption and selfs 
will equivalent to holy confidence and boldness 
in the Lord; and calumnies or revilings against 
the powers that be, the proper way of “render+ 
«ing to Cesar the things that are Cesar’s, and 
to God the things that are God’s *” Such liber- 
ty of conscience, and licence of speech and con- 
duct, holy angels, who are greater in power and 
might, never desired. If we were more like 
them, we should be more cautious in speaking 
‘and acting; and more scrupulous notto bring & 
vailing accusation against our governors, though 
we could not approve of either their character or 
‘their measures. But there have been in every 
age, professors of the Gospel, who have acted 
“like natural brute beasts made to be taken and 
© destroyed,” who have deemed themselves au- 
thorized to “speak evil of those things which 
© they did not understand?” And: if they ven- 
ture to speak evil of the divine law, and deem 
‘themselves freed from all obligation to obey it; 
’-| can we wonder’ that they would cast off every 
Pelt more in rescuing ‘Lot, and \voke, discard ail subordination, level all distine- 
jim as a righteous man, notwith-| tions; and disdain subjection to every human au- 
: blemishes « of his character. Yet} ‘thority, which must be defective and liable to 
in Sadom, and his escape with the Slate? But let Christians stand at a distance 
‘thitig except his life from that de- from such contests : for, alas ! many professors of 
Treat Warn us to Keep separate, as} the Gospel, tunning into such excesses, bring 

ible, from ungodly connexions, if] their charaeters into suspicion, and open tie 


tmunifold goatinéss, if it do not 
entance, and engage them to obe- 
{a ‘More secure them from condem- 
han the creating kindness of God to an- 
induced fim to spare such of them, as sin- 
n heaven itself: but “as he'cast them down. 
to hell, to be reserved in chains of darkness to 
* the day of judgment” to be punished ; so will 
ein duie season execute the vengeance that is 
ritten, on all impenitent sinners. The destruc- 
ion of the antediluvian world and its millions of 
phabitants, and that of Sodom and Gomorrah, 
don record to confute the vain notions of 

o imagine that God is so lenient, that 
, ‘not take vengeance on his rebellious 
atures, But his mercy dves indeed shine 
conspicuously i in preserving Noah and his| 
ily ; and in delivering him from the flood,and 
at | Pate generation, to whom he ‘was 


A.D) 69.) - 


“HIS * second epistle, beloved; I now 
write: unto you; in both» which » b Ty 
stir up. your © pure minds by 4 way of re- 
membrance : 
2 That © ye may be mindful of the 
words which were spokenbefore by the 
holy , prophets, f and of the command-}! 
ment of us the ici of the. Lord and 
Saviour : 
@ 2 Cor, 13. 2.) Pet. 


~ 1,2. 
bi. 13—15. 2 Tim. 


1.6. 
€ Ps. 24. 4, & 73.1, 


Mat..5. 8. 1 Tims 
5. 22. 1 Pet, 1.22, 
ad Herz. 

é 1, 19~21. Luke 1. 
70. & 24. 27, 44 


Acts. 3. 18, 24-26, 
& 10. 43. & 28.23. 
1 Pet. ‘as 10—12. 
Revs 19. 10... 

C yer: 15. & 2. 21. 


mouths of those who. speak « evil of us, as of evil | 
doers ; nay, many utterly, perish. in their own 
corruption. Especial tee us fear a licentious 
profession < doubtless: 
“ward of ori ousness, who count it plea. 
be? sure to ‘Tio int e "day time.” These are in- 
deed “the spots and blemishes” of the Church, 
who «¢ sport themselves in their own deceivings ;” 
who join with Christians in sacred ordinances, 
and with the world in their licentious and dissi 
pated revels ; and who attempt to reconcile these 
8 by petyerting the doctrines of the Gospel, 
and roasting of their liberty and privileges. But]. 
eould jt have been conceived, if scripture and 
facts had not evinced it, that teachers and'profes- 
sors of the holy doctrine of Christ, could pre- 
serve their confidence, credil, and influence, 
whilst “ their eyes are full of adultery, and, while 
“they cannot cease from sin?” that unstable 
souls could be beguiled by such men; and that 
success should attend the coveteus practices in 
. which their hearts are exercised? Or that they 
should be considered as dlessed, who are indeed 
the children of the curse, and senteghy Hen Wed 
as such in the word of God ? 
. V. 15—22. 

Heresies in every age have grown out of the 
ambition, avarice, and licentiousness of teachers ; 
and men have forsaken the right way, and gone 
astray after Balaam’s example and from bis prin- 
ciple ; because they loved the wages’ of unright. 
eousness : but they will be rebuked for their ini- 
quity, : and_ punished for their nadness, with as 
‘much contempt and severity as he was. Being 
& wells without water, and clouds carried abou” 
as the wind of favour or lucre changes, it is too 
plain that to them * the mist of darkness is re- 
« served for ever.” They, who would escape these 
deceivers, should consider, that they abound in 
high swelling words of vain boasting and osten- 
tation ; and speak of themselves, as if wisdom. 
and knowledge belonged exclusively to them; 
at the same time that they give great indulgence. 
to the lusts of, the flesh : thus they allure, with 
the “hops of sensual gratification, and impunity 
in it, such> stony-ground hearers, as under con- 
victions and transient affections, had escaped for 
a time from | those that live in error, Persons of 
this description, not valuing the liberty of obey- 
ing the commandmen of God, are disposed to 


listen to those who promise them liberty of anoth-|} 


er sort, and assure them that their practical in- |) 
aisuctors had held ‘then i in bondage =. and thus 


2y « will receive the re-|li 


+ & 
14. & 29 
ane 


“Eph. 2, 20. 1 John 
»4. 6. Jude 17, 

g.1 Tin. 4.1, 2 2 
Tim. 3. 1, &e. 1 
he 2 13. Jude} J 


Antinomisn tenets me a 
of returning to the world and in, a 


“ gain ae 
under the dominio 
Bee is Worse with 


science entirely asl é 
ly than any opiate 
therefore, that it 
such men if they had ¢ 
gospel, than thus to. 
er eames and the 
with them. Yet, at 
who thus verify the tt 
the dog to his own 
© thatis washed to he 
But this shall neve 
Christ new ¢ 
a divine nature. ‘ 
* Create in me @ ean 
a right spirit wi! 
thata “holy com 
well as exceeding’ 
* mises ;” let us bey 
cepts, as much as 
Christianity ; and let 
an corruptors, and. phar 
gospel, as being alik 
and Saviour Jesus C 


CHAP. Wi. V. i 
appesrs, hy the openi 
been primarily. siiroael 

las the former, though th 

at the beginning of it. 
apostle, i in both of them, 
them in truths which th 
stimulate and animate t 
upright minds to pra 
to their rememb 


oe Se ee 7 ™ 
CHAPTER II. .  Jepitease 


which are-now, by the same word are 
kept.in stoge, reserved unto fire, aagainst 
the day of judgment * and perdition of 
ungodiy men,» ) ig oe iene 

8. But; beloved, * be not ignorant of this 
one thing, that one day is with the Lord 
as a thousand years, and-a thousand years 
as one day. ee Riag Res 

[Practical Observations.} ' 

& 11, 22. 24 ae 9. Rev. 1¥ 


“willingly are igno- 
e word of Godsthe 
f old, and the earth) *) 
vahe’ water, and in the 
it 


®the world that then was, 
lowed with water, perished « 
the heavens and the earth, 
. s 33,6. & 136. ipa! ‘ 9, 15. Job | 102. 26. Is. 5106 
ae tone : Matt 24. 35. & 25. 
412° Thes 1 6 
Rey. 20.11, & 21:3. 
q 2. 9. Mate 10. 15. 


io. 26| 6. Heb. 163... }12. 5. Mate. 24. 
: 28. hes a Gr consisting.) 38,.39- ‘Luke 17. 
See we ee NO Col) 2h ee eT. 

1.6.9. Psdo 2. 5. Gem 7. yer. 10, 12. Ps. 


36. Mark 6, 1h. 1) 8.11. 
Johy 4.17. ~~ Rom. 11. 25, i 
: Rom. 2. 5. Phil. §.| Cor. 101 & 12.1 
28.2 Thes. 2.3. 1{t Ps. 90.4 


* 


s which the holy 
p, concerning the sal- 
rist; and of the com- 
d been given them by him, 
ostles of their Lord and Saviour, 
r his coming to judgment, with pa- 
tion and diligence in theie several 
Of this they needed to be admonished ; 
ought o know in the first place, and as a 
of chief importance, that wider tbe Chris- 
dispensation, and after some time had etxps- 
‘there would certainly come among them a 
et of scornful men, endeavouring to subvert 
faith, by deriding their expectation of the 
of Christ to judgment, and treating the 
druths of the Gospel with infidel contempt 
/\nd profane ridicule ; whilst they indulged without 
straint the several carnal inclinations of their 

wo evil hearts. These persons would insolent- 
, demand, what was become of the promise 
hich the Lord had left. them, that he would ap- 
year a second ime among them, to complete 
salvation aud desttoy their enemies? Had 
not manitestly failed? And would they suffer 
emselves to be any longer imposed dn, or con. 
) adliiere to his self-denying persecuted re- 
igion? Forit could noi be denied, that since the 
‘athers, (the primitive teachers and professors of 
shristianity, or the ancient patriarchs aud pro- 
hets, to whdm it Was first revealed,) had fallen 
jeep, all things had continued in respect of 
returning seasons, and all other outward dis- 
sations, as they bad been used to do from the 
deginning of the world; without any material 
‘answerable’ to-(he © extraordinary 
which had been spoken on that subject. 
§—7. The scorners, of whom thé apostle: 
(some of whom seem to: bave been even 
endeavouring to corrupt the Church,) were 


pose ; the dry ground being, at the command of 


God, seyarated from the waters, which retired to 
the channels prepared for them. Thus the earth, 
with its productions and inhabitants, as distin- 
guished from the seas, “ stood up out of and. 
“© above the water,” but it was surrounded by 
the water, which was needful to moisten, 
purify, and render it fruitful Yet, when the 
wickedness of men had provoked the Lord to 
execute Vengeance on them, this very arrange- 
ment, in itself so condificive to the welfare of 
mankind, became the means of their destruc- 
tion ; for all the parts of the globe being deeply. 
covered with waters, by the omnipotence of God, 
the world that then was, perished ; all the inha- 
bitants of the dry land, and ali the works of men, 
were enurely destroyed; nothing remained, * but 
“Noah and they that were with him in the ark 3” 
the external form of the earth wasno doubt ex- 
tremely altered, anda new race of inhabitants _ 
were raised up to people it. At the same time, 
the Lord promised and covenanted never. more 
to destroy the earth by an universal deluge: yet 
intimations had been given of a total dissolution, 
which was to terminate the present state of 
things; (Votes, Ps. cii. 26. Js. ti. 6.) and it had, 
under the New Testament dispensation, been’ 
more expressly revealed, that this was to be efe 
fected by fire. It might therefore be said, that the 
visible heavens, and the earth with all the Jower 
creation, were condemned to be destroyed by 
fire; and by the word of God, which could not be 
broken, were treasured up as fuel for the general 
conflagration. This wduld certainly take place - 
about the same time With the great day of judge 
ment, which would prove “the day of perdition 
“to ungodly men,” who would then be * pun> 
“ ished with everlasting destruction.” (Vote, 2 
Thess-i. 8—10.) The event was therefore cer- 
tain; and the same power was engaged to effect 
it, which had created the world, destroyed it 
with the deluge, restored it to. its present form, 
and still continued to uphold. it in that state. 
V.8.. Whatever scoffers were willingly igno-. 
rant of, or perversely cavilled at, as if delays 
were failures, or respites impunity, Christians” 
must not be ignorant.of that one thing, which 
tended to clear up all the rest ; namely, that the” 
divisions of tiffle among men bear'no proportion 
was. done; who commanded, and |‘o eternity, with which ail the counsels and pur= a 
and, thatthe earth, especially, {poses of God are immediately connected. One 
/ of ‘the chaos, which had been |day, therefore, and a thousand years, are with 
ght into existence for that pur-|him the same thing : for as every event comes te 


. 


ignorant of the scripture) account of 
on, and of the deslings of God with 
. former ages: “for they perversely with- 
their attention from, such subjects, be- 
ey tended to coniute their self-conceited | 
igate infidelity, and to confirm the doc- 
future judgment. Otherwise, they 
known from the books of Moses, 
ens and the earth were originally | 
fe omnipotent word of God; who 


A. D. 67» , 2a pen A 4 


9 The Lord'®iis ‘not’ slack eoncerning | shall bi 
his promise, as some men count slack-|sons ought} 
ness ; * but is long-suffering’ to us-ward,}tion and * 
¥ not willing that any should perish, *but} 12 !' Loo 
that all ‘should come to repentance. ™ the comi 

‘YO But * the day of the Lord will come |" the heavens be 
bas a thief in the night; © in the which} solved, and the’ 
the heavens shall pass away with a greatifervent heat?” . 
noise, and 4 the elements shalle melt} 13 Neverthele 
with fervent heat, f the earth also. and'the | promise. look for 
- works that are therein, shall be buyned up. jearth, wherein’ dwelie 
11 Seeing then that & all these things 


u Is. 30.18. &  46.)z. Rom 2.461 Time! Ps, 102. 26. Is: 51+ 
13 Hab. 2. 3. Luke] 2. 4. Rey. 2. 21. 6. Matte 24. 35-/ Is. 14, S1. & 24 


\ AB, ree 


18.7. 8. a Es.'2. 12, Joeb 1,] Mark 13.31. Heb.) 19. & 34. 4. 
x ver. 15. Ex. Ady fe 15- & 2s 1. Shay J. 2l. 12, Reve 20) ih Matt. 8) 27, 4 
Ps 86. 15. Is. 


14. Mal. 4. 5. i 12 °& 21.1. Eipe Bret Jam, |+ 
48. & 46, 13. naw Cor. 5. 5.2 Cor. 1,}d ver. 12 “A Cor, 


9, 22.1 Tim. lL. 6. Re ae Ase Be: 46.60 & 9765. Ni Ps 37. 14. & 50.) 1 


1 Pet 3. 20. b Matt. 24. Am. 9. 5. 13. Nahe! 23, 2 Cor 1, 
y Ez ~ 230 32. & rake’ 12. 39 Le 1.5. ae Lae Ne 
33.11 Thes.*5. 2, Rev.'3.|f See on, ver. 7. 1 ‘Yim (4.— , 
| 3. & 16. 15. ig ver. 12, Ps. 75, 3° Heb. 13. 5. Jen Bedih 


pass at the time ohio he hath appointed for it, _ | condi of sinners, 
so the intervention of a thousand years is no ‘to the wérd of sal 
more than one day, iffrespect of those things, fering of God, ‘the pr 
which he will most assuredly accomplish in their | general invitati 
season. repent, and the pr 
_>V- 9. It must then by no means be supposed, | out who come to Christ, 
that the Lord was slack, or dilatory, concerning ;that the Lord is not 
the performance of his promise ; as some men, | salvation,) should per that 
‘(both profane unbelievers and impatient believ- | | descriptions should sire hd “a 
ers,) might understand the word: but, in fact, |that they who repent; h 
the delay of judgment was the effect of his'/and’shall be accepted 
long-suffering towards the Church and the hu-|God,°* known unto whom: 
man race. (Note, Matt. xxiv- 48—51.) He pa-|“ before the foundation of th 
tiently endured the provocations of the wicked, |cording to it, the estab 
and even the scornful defiance of infidels ; hee his willingness to repe! 
cause he would not be influenced by their crimes | acknowledges'that if he 
to terminate the present state of things, till all ave pet 

his chosen people were brought to repentance 
and prepared. for the kingdom; as he was not’ 
willing that any of them should perish. Nay, as 
he delighted not in the death of a sinner, ‘but; 
rather that.he should repent and live, so his; 
long: ‘suffering gave sinners space for repentance: 
and as ali things were ready, and all were invited, 
yea, commanded, to repent; so, in this sense, 
God had shown himself unwilling that any should 
perish, and willing that all should come to re- 
pentance; though many would pervert his long- 
suffering to their deeper condemnation. | Men’s 
impenitence arises from their unwillingness to. 
return to God, not from his unwillingness to re- 
ceive them : and. therefore, he is doubtless wil- 
ling. that all who are so disposed should come to 
repentance and be saved... Many, that were 
Christians at the time when the apostle wrote, 
owed their salvation to the long-suffering of God, 
who thus gave them time, as wellas grace, for 
repentance ; and even some of those, who were 
then objecting tothe delay of Christ’s coming,’ 
as if it invalidated the truth of the gospel, might 
- at length. be .convertec, and Know that God 
s* was not willing that they should perish, but |tains, yea,’ the contents « 
« that they should come to repentance.” These |centres as well as all the v 


are two distinct, but consistent views, which may fever admired, orem 3}: 
be taken of the subject ; the one accords to) the: surface of it, shall ee 


and enmity to’ 
sinners do. © 
V. 10—18, TF 
made, whilst the 1 
counsels of his wisdom a 
the implacable’ enmity 

manifest to the whol 
terrible day would 
when ‘not expected, 
consternation, and i 

that were found ‘unpre 
xxiv. 42-44, 1 Thess 
ant catastrophe; the h 
them,» (as far, at least, 
earth and its inhabit: 
rush into confusion’a 
mendous noise, of 7 4 
and all other convuls 
inadequate to give the le 
all the elements, 
mosphere, and all the ly 
it, are composed, shall - 
and not only one va 
but the earth, writhiialb's 


bo 4 Ue a? Ll - = dl " »* 
CHAPTER Ul. A.D, 67, 


Joved, 4 seeing that|the wisdom given unto.him hath written 
. things, * be diligent that| unto you ;, " 
of him* in peace, with-| 16 As also vin all hia epistles, z isk 
eless : _. jing in them of. these things; in which 
unt that the long-suffer-| are some things # hard.to be understoods 
salvation ; even as" our! which they that are unlearned and > un- 
er Paul also, = according to’ stable © wrest, as they do also 4 the other 


J & 5. 23. Ezra 7.25. Prov. | scriptures; e unto their own destruction. 


t See ver. 9.12 0, 7. Ee. 2 
mn} Papeath 32% — Dan: 2. 20, 21. ~hsjaleg hpy 11 Pat Gen. 49. 4 7 fader 4. Marge 


2 Tin. 3. 5-7 Jer. 23.36. Matt 
4.46. Lukeli Acts 15.25. Pitosa Cor. "13,.% 15 24. 1 Thes. 4| Jam. 1.8." 15.8, 6.& 22, 29. 4 
42, 45- pata sys es ig, 8.Jam. 5&5. e Ex. 23.2. 6. Deut.|e 2.2. Phil. 3. 19.2 
5 58. Phil.| 51. 35.1 ‘Kings 3.] 3. 17s ;al Kings 10. i 16- 19. Ps. 56. 5.| Pet. 2. 8. Jude 4. 
& 4. 29) | Heb. 5.11. 4 


| 
and be” reduiced to as confused a chaos, a8 evinced themselves interested ie the perfect 
ich it wa at first created. As, there- righteousness of Christ, by the diligent obedi- 

; which were then the ob- ence of faith and love; they would certainly be 
and the coveted, admired, then pres sented faultless before God, and as per- 
of men, would certaiuly be fect in regard to. sanctification, as * justifications 
erish as to their RpRaseney mode They ought also “to account the long: suffering 


D. 1 Thes: 3. 13.) 12+ 28. 


r ries who had no treasure. secur-| “ and election sure; mere remenates of Chris« 
4 in beaven, nor any interest in him as a Sa= tianity had space afforded them to seek a real ex- 
our, who would then come as the Judge of the. perience of the work of divine grace ; and the 
would be most miserable. Ought not: goodness of God was suited and intended to lead 
therefore to be continually ‘looking’ sinners to repentance. All, therefore, who read 
Preparing to weicome, that solemn sea-' the epistle, ought to “ account the long- suffering 
y the day of God ;” hastening to|“ of the Lord to be salvation ;” as they owed it 
airy to meet him with comfort, and | to that alone, that they were not then in the place 

1 the solemn catastrophe whieh of despair and final misery, instead of the land 
aster their felicity? . Though it was in| of hope, of prayer, and forgiveness; or in the 
elf so tetrible to think of, «the heavens be-|way of peace and salvation. This, the apostle 
‘ing: on fire*and dissolved, and the elements! observed, that his beloved brother Paul also had 
melting v with heat ;” yet the Gospel suggest- 
i ‘buch | consolations, and inspired such hopes, 
yat believers had no reason for terror or wuea- 
2883 for though all other inheritances and 

r 1s' then be terminated; yet they, 
to the sure word of God’s promise, 

or and expected ‘‘new heavens and a new 
earth,” ? another : and far more glorious and 
‘state of things, and an abiding habitation, 

, persons alone could find ad- 
ission, and in which all the inhabitants would 
perfected, in. purity, obedience and love of 
other ; so that no sin could enter, to defile 
uiet them to all eternity. In some-scrip- 
**new heavens and a new earth,” seem 
ively to describe the most prosperous and 
eae of the Church on earth; (Votes, 


the wisdom which God had bestowed on him. 
The. affectionate and highly respectful language 
here used» by St. Peter, concerning the apostle’ 
of the Gentiles, who was supposed to differ from 
him in some points of doctrine, and who had 
openly rebuked his dissimulation at Antioch, is 
peculiarly worthy. of observation. The fourth 
and fifth verses of the Epistle to the Romans, 
are generally supposed to be intended; but 


said to be written to these whom St Peter ad 
dressed. They, therefore, who suppsse that he’ 


out some passages in the Epistle to the Hebrews, 
to which they think he alluded : (ix. 27, 28. x. 
36, 37.) but that epistle was directly addressed 
to the Churches in Judea, and not to the Jewish 
converts in Asia. The apostolical epistles ine 
are| deed, were written to some particular Churches, 
or description of Christians; yet they were in- 
tended for general instruction: and as Peter had 
read the epistles'of Paul, so they to whom he 
wrote had probably done the same, even ‘in res- 
pect of those that) were addressed to other 
churches, The false teachers, whom Peter op- 

posed; seemed to have grounded their damnable 
e Livches on a misinterpretation of some passages: 

ight be found of Christ at his in St. Paui’s epistles, whicli might appear to ma- 
ith God, their own ro pit ‘ny contraty to Peter’s exhortations: so thatthe 
p (eyghe tenour of St. Paul’s epistles to some of 


the righteous after the ay of: judgment; 
he dissolution of this present world, are 
n y intended : but what is meant in vari: 


. 14-16... “From. the preceding erful 
apostle took occasion toexhort his beloy- 
n, Who professed to believe and took 


written to them to the sameveffect, according to — 


it’ is not obvious, in what sense these could be» 


wrote tothe Jewish converts exclusively, point’ 


the. Asiatic Churches, or of that to the Her. 


¥ 


4. D267. ee 


17 Ye ‘therefore, ‘beloved, fsecing yel” 
_ Know. these things before, § beware lest'ye] k 
also, h being led away with the error of the} ¢ 
wicked, fall! from your own steadfastness. | for ever, 
1 1% Prove). Ty Col. 2% 8 2 Timah 1. t0y 11. &2 2018] k Ps: 93, 12, Hos} al 
P 24 24, 25.) 4, 15, Smee 722. BLE, 5. 4 p 
B2 its Sohn{h 2. 18—20. Matt.! Cor. ph. Col 2. tpn brat Asst 
‘16.4. 24. 24. Mark 13./'5.Heb. 3. 14,1 Pet} 1. 3, 1 Pet. aH 
og Matt. 7.15. & 10 
a 


22. Rompi6..18. 2) 565% . oo 1138. 8 & 2. 2 
9. 12, Phil. 3. 2.! Cor. 11, 3. 13-15, y ‘| John 17. 3. 2 Co 


d. 
2 


~ brews, ratherthan detached expressions, seems t 
“have been meant: for certainly, when properly 
understood, they are as exhortatory and practical 
as St. Peter’s, Indeed the apostle observed, 
that this was the case in all his epistles, (as those 
‘to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Clrurches in 
“Macedonia, and to Timothy and Titus ;) for in 
them all he spoke of the coming of Christ and 
the preparation ie de for it, with warnings 
and admonitions tc 


‘were’ for the most 
this vice,” (wre: 
most commonly #4 
understanding, will 
they can explain. Whe 
teachable receive the d 
tion, according to t 
unconstrained me 
cate to bo 
quently ai 
He should have ad 
V. 17, 18." 
dressed, had bee 
warned concerning 
be upon their fdard’a 
deceivers, and to 
so many had 
simplicity of 
Jesus, through th: 
ed men, especially 
whom he had befo : 
from that, steadfast adh 
the gospel, that constan 
that uniform course of 
which they Had bitherto 
constituted a’ steadfastn: 
and distinguishing 
stable professors. — 
this ‘would nev: 
use every means v 
in ordet to have 
ed in their heal 
growing to mot 
ductivé of good 
}and that they ana 
a~ believing, spiritu 
forming knowledge’ 
Lord‘and Saviour. ~ 
tation, the apostle ‘ed 
ty to Christ as to a t 
siring that it might, or 
given to him, both at’ 
‘Amen. ‘This’ word, at 
* tence, is an earnest ass 
‘ clusion of a sentence, 
‘ wish that it may be so” (2 


ee 


3 to different descriptions of per- 
sons, Yet in these. epistles, connected with 
plainer subjects, were some things hard to be 
understood ; namely, such as related to the di- 
vine decrees, and the deep dispensaiions of his 
goverament ; ‘and the sovereignty of his grace in 


ving some, and leaving others to be hardened ; 
for of these doubtless Peter principally spake. 
Such things would not be properly under-' 
‘stood, except by those, who had céme to some 
‘maturity in knowledge, grace, and experience, 
and who received them in humble and simpie | 
faith and love. « The unlearned and unstable,” 
therefore, even such as were wntanght in the 
school of Christ, or unteachable through pride, 
prejudice, and carnal passions, and unestablish- 
ed in faith and’ by sanctifying grace, wrested 
or perverted them, by a forced and unnatura) 
interpretation, inconsistent with the context and 
the apostle’s general doctrine ; and adduced them 
in support of their proud, corrupt, and licentions 
principles and conduct: and thus na perversion 


+ 


ed their own destruction. But this perversion 
of St. Paul’s writings, (which Peter’ evident- 
ly speaks of asa part of the sacred Sripttres,) 
must not be charged on the epistles them- 
selves; but on those who thus perverted them 
contrary to their real «meaning and tenden- 
ay: for they did the samé also with the other 
Scripttites, both the books of the Old'Testament, 
and as many of the New Testament as were then 
extant, and allowed to be of divine authority: 
for proud, carnal, ambitious, covetous, or licen- 
tious men could wrest some things in any of them 
to a seeming agreement with their pernicious doc- 
trines, and so pervert them to their own destruc- 
tion ; in the same manner, as they made a fatal 
use of the mysterious subjects which St. Paul 
discoursed on. It was therefore proper to warn 
and instruct men to read them with humility 
and a teachable spirit; and not to perplex 
themselves with hard things, till they: were es- 
tablished in such as were more plain, But 
this was no reason why either St. Paul’s epistles 
or the other scriptures should be laid aside, or 
put out of sight: for men left to themselves abuse 
every good gift of God, and the corruption of 
the best things becomes the worst.—‘ The per- 
* sons, to whom Peter’s epistles’ were written, | 


PRACTICAL OBSERYV, 

Ve ees 

‘The purest minds of men 61 
ting up by’ way of remer 
bitual attention to the doe’ 
livered by the holy prop an 
may be kept steadfast in faith, 


and diligent in obedience. The only wis 

our Siviger; ‘by predicting ‘the pes 2 ; 

temptuous objections of infidels ; 

men, in'ancient and modern times, 
dp 


« 


a 


A. D. 67. CHAPTER Ill. A. D. ei 
ee : ae 

pare, that ren theif perverse opposition to the; below! Itis our great business fo Prepare for 
iy ripture ¢ hould furnish an additional proof of} this great catastrophe, by daily expecting, and 
ts divine i ion. No wonder, that they, | hasting to, the coming of the day of God; that 


: own lusts, endeavour to'de- 
pectation of a future judgment, and 
na iBageniction of all those, who “ will 
hrist to reign over them:” or, that 
h gt every thing which can help to buoy 
up their hopes of “ escaping the damnation of 
hell > Most of their cavils and sneers expose 
heir ignorance of the Scriptures and of the pow- 
i God: yet their very ignorance is the con- 
ace of their ungodliness, and wilful opposi- 
on Ls fared parts of divine truth, which con- 
their darling iniquities. But none, who 
Ge) believe the Scriptures, can be ignorant, 
ane ornnipote nt Creator of the heavens and. 
earthy who op sicls, preserves, changes, or 
isiovs is ows Peak, as he sees good, has his 
whole plan fore him ; that he alone is com- 
P fen termine about timeg and seasons ; 
with: him “ one day is as a thousand 
rs, and a thousand years as one day.” 
; V. 9-13. 
| jin reality, makes no delays: how- 
sve sations may appear to our unbe- 
é and scanty knowledge; he is not slack con- 
ernin he aaah (according to men’s notions 
ct he is slow to anger, he waiteth 
f ee - gracious, he delighteth not in the death of 
sinner, and he is willing that any perishing 
| should come to. repentance, and seek his 
tion. But his counsel shall stand, and he 
ret ill fi do all his pleasure : ‘ the heavens ‘and earth, 
© which h now are, are reserved unto fire, against 
Ke the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly 
* men :” that “ Breat. day of the Lord shall: 
re Ema asa thief i in the night ;” as surely as the 
ae and equally unexpected by unbe- 
at will then be the surprise, terror, 
of proud scoffers, infidels, and all 
node and worldly men, * when the heavens 
shall pass away with a great noise, and the 
< elements shall melt with fervent heat; the 
“© earth also and all the works that are therein 
«¢ shall be burnt up!” Here imagination itself 
is baffled ; description would be vain; and we 
can only apply the inconceivable subject to prac- 
tical purposes. As ali these things shall be dis- 
lved, “ what manner of persons ought we to 
rf: ® be, i in all holy conversation and godliness ?” 
Surely Christians should not lay up their trea- 
aures.on earth, or set their affections on bi 


pe 
ie 


We may possess a , triumphant hope of lifting up 
our heads with joy, when the heavens and the 
earth shall form one immense conflagration; 
and when no refuge will remain to the wicked 
from the intolerable wrath of their offended 
Judge, and that everlasting fire to which he will 
doom them: and to * look and prepare for the 
“< new heavens and the new earth,” which God 
hath promised : remembering that righteousness 
dwelleth there, without alloy or interruption. 
V. 14—18:. 

In the firm belief of the great and eternal 
realities, set before us in this chapter, let us 
“ give diligence to be found of Christ at his 
“ comming, in peace without spot and blameless.” 
Let sinners account the long-suffering of our 
Lord to be salvation ; seeking him while he may 
be found, and calling on him while heis near 5 
that they may have the privilege of blessing him 
to eternity, for sparing them when others were 
cut off in their sins. We should also ayail our- 
selves of the apostle’s caution, whilst we read 
the epistles of St. Paul, and other difficult parts 
of the holy Scriptures. Most evident it is, that 
untaught, unteachable, self-sufficient, unstable, 
and unconverted men, wrest many things of this 
kind to their own destruction. Yet they have a 
most important use, in the system of divine truth ; 
and if men will pervert them, they do it at their 
peril. But let us seek to have our minds pre-. 
pared for the reception of such things as are hard. 
to be understood, by properly digesting and re- 
ducing to practice those parts, which are most 
simple and intelligible : and let us take care not 
to give strong meat to babes who cannot digest 


it; as it only “ belongs to those, that are of full. 


“ age, and who by reason of use have their 
“ senses exercised to discern good and evil.”— 
Thus taking things in their proper order, and 
proceeding with humility, caution, prayer, and 
practice; we shall be prepared to derive benefit 
from the deepest and most mysterious truths, and 


to perceive their consistency with the rest of di- 


vine revelation. Let all then, who know and 
read these things, beware, lest,. being led awa 
by the error of the wicked, they fall from their 
own steadfastness : and May we all grow con- 
tinually in grace and the knowledge of our Lord 
and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and ascribe glory te 
him for ever. Amen. 


Cd 


7 


This epistle has been received, as’ written ‘yy the apostle John, bye 
ages ; and the similarity of sentiment and expression, between it 
firmation that he was the writer, though his name is not prefixed to it. 
in the second chapter ; * Because ye have known him, that és, from the 

tal learned moderns have concluded, ‘eee, w 
and to the Jewish converts exclu lusive 
general opinion, that it was written much later than that eve 

The texts, on which the former opinion is grot 


« the last time ;?’ seve 
destruction of Jexu 


- Revelation. 
even admit of, that interpretation which these 


and there‘is not the least intimation of any distinction between Jewish and 
It appears, to me at least, the more probable opinion, 
‘the close of the apostle’s life, after the death of all the other apostles 
- a circular letter, or a general address, to all the Christian Chu 
” from the only surviving apostle. The authoritative, yet 2 
a ‘ter addresses his dear children, favours this conclusion: (Vote; ii 
" anti-christs, whom he evidently ‘intended to oppose, came forward m 
Itis génetally allowed, that they 
' Christ ; they who explained away his proper humanity, and the ( 
deatb, as an atoning: sacrifice ; and they, who taught their followers, that 
ace, were not required to obey the commandments of God ; were the 
ti-christs. These were branched out into a variety of valid til, vol called 
such as Ebionites, Cerinthians, Docetee, or hah oe Gnosticks, 


--whole epistle. | 


- time, than at an earlier period. 


by 


most attiestty enforces on believers love to each oe 
This, I suppose, has given 
“his being himself of a most loving disposition ; even more so than the ot! 
however, called him and James his brother, Boanerzes, (ote, Marke i 


almost every motive imaginable. « 


ful, plain, and even sharp manner, in which he 


ly itustrates the reason, for which that name was given... He also” 


evidences ; by which Christians might be disti 
while this ‘epistle differs exceedingly in style 


perfectly ibe ane with them in doctrine and een instruction.)«'y 


CHAP. 'T. 

The apostle declares, what he had.seen and heard 
- of Christ, the Word of life, that others might 
' have fellowship with him, and ‘share ‘his joy, 1— 
4. He shows that they, ‘who have communion 
with God, and are cleansed from sin by the blood 
of Christ; walk in the light of holiness, 5—7 ; and 
that the faithfulness and righteousness of God are 
engaged) for the pardon and cleansing of those 
who confess: their sins; but that all. who deny 

themselves to be sinners are deceived, 810, 


HAT? which was: from the begin- 


ning, b which we have heard, which |” 


Jobn I. 14. Acts L. \ 
3.Be: 4. 205 - 


& 8, 58, Rev. 1.8. 
11,17, 18. &2. 8. 
ba i. Luke. 1. 2s 


a 2. 13. Prov. 8) 22 
—3ie Is, 41. 4, Mit. 
5,% Jolin 2b 1, 2. 


afi 


1, 16—135" 


¢ 


y deed 


ie this 


learned men pu 


. 
ECT 


The apostle, how 


speaks of hypoeties and 


ished from self: ers | 
and manner, from: ce 


we have seen ‘wi 
have looked upon, ©; 
hanidied, of @ the 
* 2'(For © the Life mz 
we have seen it, ag 3 
shew unto you ? that. einer ot 
was with the Fathe id Ww 
unto us ye 


205 

a5. % John 1. 14}, 18, 2 

ea 5. 26. Rew fhe Tit. 

13. 4 

e5. 14. 20. Jobn 1.) ba toh free «Pha 
4. & 11. 25, 26. &} 38. 
hast ay eee ie f, ae 


ff. D. 90. 
3 That* y which we have seen and heard, 


declare u, that ™ ye also. may 
wat and truly ® our 


a es ver. 7. & 2 23, 
=| Jobn 14. 


os 6.2. 9. 30. 2€or. 
3. % 1 Pet 5 1.) 18. 14 Phil. 2. 7. 
Gr. & $. 10. Heb. 3. 14. 


“CHAP. ae (Notes, John i. 1-18) 
apostle began this epistle, in the same ab- 
apt mannet 20 he did tus gospel, and without 
r address: and he ante 9 8 

i hase ed 
Bin en % That which 


fist ; even as whenit is said, “ that he and the 
he are one,” One Deity, « in the neuter 
je ” in the masculine ; 
: Sesey,) or when the angel said, “ That 
Thing eebebeih heomnen of tien! (late 


which the apostle wrote to his 
OR es pelorgant ttn to mean the 
Person of Christ, (and it does not appear what 
| port be meant,) “ from the beginning” 
scems to signify from eternity = for if the creation 
mee were coeval, “that which was from 

fe yr ARO before God created the heavens 

adie earth” must have been from eternity. 


: same expression, in.some places may 

i first opening of the dispensation of 

2G 7 Soe) yet this does not appear so 

cel wl context The more obvious 

ra ag dep eel that essential Good, which was 

with God, and was God, by 

bs rom the ping with Go 2 wos Godby 

to dwell on earth among men ; and the apostle 

he. peeten had heard him deliver his doc- 

trine and publish. his salvation; they had seen 

= with their eyes, whilst they “beheld ‘Tis 

eh , 28 of the only begotten of the Father, 

of grace and teath” They had not only 

viewed him with a transient glance, but had ac- 

companied him, and contemplated him, both in 

pariah the wisdom and holiness of his cha- 

, the power of his miracles, and his abun- 

love and mercy, during some years, till they 

y him c for sinners, and afterwards 

sen from the dead ; and their hands had han- 

sd him, whilst he condescended to give them 

5 full proof of his resurrection, that they might 

vitness it to others. (Votes; John xx. 20. 25. 27.3 
Phis divine Person, “the Word of Life,” 

Word of God,” become incarnate, that he 

light be “the life of men,” the apostle declared 

ikind; and he wrote to assure his Chris- 


which some i in those days denied, and that of his 


divine nature, which his resurrection fully 
monstrated.- (fom.i.4.) For * the Life,” the 


CHAPTER f. 


«the | they 


7 
4. D. 99. 


fellowship is with the Father, and ° with 
his Son Jesus Christ. 
- 4 And these write we unto you, 
P that your joy may be full. - 
(Practical Observations.] 


> 


o 5.10,1% Col ‘| 17,18. John 15. 11. 


24. Eph. 3.49. Phil. 
& 16. 24. 2 Cor. | 


13. 1 Thes. 1. 10. 1. 25,26. Pe. 


p Is. 61. 20. Hab. 3 


Source and Author of life, natural, spiritual, and 
eternal, who possessed life in himself necessa- 
tily and cnchangeably, and who might there- 
fore be called “ the Life ;” life being essential 
to him,.and derived from him to all creatures ; 
even he had been manifested in the flesh, to be 
the life of fallen men. (Marg. Ref.) And when 
the Son of God, the essential Life of all crea- 
tures, was thus manifested, the apostles were 
peculiarly favoured, in being chosen to be his 
attendants, and to see him, during his ministry, 
at his death, after his resurrection, and at his as- 
cension ; that they might bear witness to others 
of these things, and show them that eternal 
Life, which. had always  subsisted with the 
Father a3 one with him, and -yet distinct from 
him. One in the. undivided essence of the God- 
head, but possessing distinct personality, as the 
only Begotten of the Father, by an eternal and 
incomprehensible generation ; and who, in the 
fulness of time, was manifested as the Author 
and Giver of eternal life to sinners, through the 
redemption of his blood, and by the communica- 
tion of his new-creating Spirit. They did not 
therefore proceed on report or insufficient 
proof, when they went to the nations, and en- 
countered all hardships, dangers, and persecu- 
tions, in preaching the Gospel to them. But 
they declared the things concerning the person, 
doctrine, and salvation of Christ, which they had 
seen and heard, and had the most abundant op- 
portunity of learning from his own lips; and of 
which they had been assured by his miracles, re- 
surrection, and ascension. 

V..3, 4. The apostle likewise declared these 
things, not from selfish or carnal motives, but 
from the purest benevolence and love: in order 
that they to whom he wrote might have fellow- 
ship with them, and share all their immuni 
ties, hopes, comforts, and everlasting advan- 

: and whatever an ungodly and carnal 
world might imagine concerning the condition 
of such poor, despised, and persecuted men, 
whom they treated as the “offscouring of all 
* things,” yet truly their * fellowship was with 
“ the Father,” and with his Son Jesus Christ. 
They shared the special love and favour of 
God the Father: all his) perfections ensured 
their happiness; they were made partakers of 
his holiness, and even of a divine nature; and 
had the assured hope and blessed earnests 
of enjoying him, as their all-sufficient and eter- 
nal Portion. Moreover, they had a free access to 
hima, as their Father; and a sacred union hay- 


ian brethren of the reality of his human nature, } img been formed between him and their souls, 


aa Jesus Christ, and by the power of the 


de-| Holy Spirit, a most honourable’and happy com- 


munion aad imtercoucse w2s continually carried 
% 


A. D. 90. 
‘5 This then is 4 the ital aL awheae we 
have heard. 0) ‘him, and declare unto you,} 
¥ that God is Light, and in him is no dark- 
ness atall. 
6 ® If we say that we have t fellowship] 


q Se 11, 2 Cor. 11] 35, 36. 2 Tim. 6.) Jam. 2. 14. 16. 18. 
23, 16, Jam: 1.17, Rey.} Rev. 3. 17,18. 

r Ps, 27. 1. & 36. oie 23. & 2d. sv t See on, ver. 3. Ps: 

R $4: 11. Is. 60. 19s ver. 8. 10, & 2. 4.) 5. 4—G. & 94, 20, 

John 1. 4.9. & | & 4,20. Mat. 7. 22, B.Com 6. 14—16. 

12 &9. 5. & 12. 3 emi | 


on between the Glorious God snd them: while 
they poured out their inmost souls before him, 
made him their Hope and ontory €, aimed to 
do his will and manifest his brated his 
praises, were his devoted wors! sete ‘and sought 


their felicity in his favou and acceptance ; and, 
while he graciously ] heard their supplications, ac- 
cepted their persons ai services, communicated 


to them his holy consolations, showed. them his 
will, supplied them with wisdom and strength 
suited to their wants, “and took on him the.care 
of all their concerns. This their fellowship with 
the Father, arose from their “ fellowship with 
«his Son Jesus Christ.” By faith they were 
interested in him and his salvation; so that “ He 
« was made of God to them Wisdom, Righteous- 
«* ness, Sanctification, and Redemption :” and, 
by a continued regard ‘to his Person, media. 
tion, and grace, and an habitual reliance on 
him as the Life and salvation of their souls, 
they had access to God as a Father. Thus, 
through the incarnate Son, and his sacrifice, and 
intercession, and the communion maintained with 
him by faith, they had communion, with the 
Father also, notwithstanding their sinfulness. 
This was no enthusiastic imagination, or hypo- 
critical pretence, as many were disposed to re- 
present it; nor was it an unsatisfactory or incfii- 
cacious transaction, as others might suppose, who 
did not deny its reality ; but they had the happy 
experience of it in their souls, and evidenced the 
excellency of it in their lives; and shared with 
their brethren, in this sacred communica, such 
comforts and substantial satisfaction, as made 
them ample amends for all their losses, suffer- 
ings, and hardships. Being therefore assured, 
that this_alone was sufficient to make men hap- 
py; and knowing the inexhaustible fulness of 
Christ and his precious salvation: they desired 
exceedingly, that their fellow-sinners would 
come and share their felicity; and leaving the 
lying vanities of the world, or the empty forms 
and superstitions of false, religion, should seek 
with them this * fellowship with the Father and 
« with his Son Jesus Christ.” This desire, 
glowing with intense ardour in the hearts of the 


apostles, and united with zeal for the honour of partakers of his’salyatia: 


their Lord, animated therm to all their self. deny- 
ing labours, and reconciled them to all suffer- 
ings, im promoting the Gospel, The same prin- 
ciple induced the apostle John to write this epis 
tle to the Cuurches, that, rejecting the heretical 
doctrines of false teachers, having fellowship with 
thrist, and those who adhered to the’ apostles 
doctrine ; and avoiding whatever could Anterrupt 
their communion with God ; their holy j joy might 
be connpicte, and they fhight live in actual pos 


for they did not practise what was s 
faithful, and according to the truths~ 
word. But if the professed disciples of 


is ih the light, 


820 
5. Pfov. 2. 13. ie 
18, 19. John 3, 19,)z. 
20: & 11. 10. & 134) 1s 
35. 46. 
x ver. 10. &. 4, 20, 
Johm 8. 44, 45.. 1 


u 2% 9-11. Ps, 


session of those invaluat 
they were called by the Gos 
nion of the Holy sins is ni 
tioned in this most interesti 
the communion of belie 
the Son, and their lo 
other, are effec aa 
munication 3 
who is the ii 
life, hope, léve, | 
the pene oe of u ion 
tical body, and 
and all the others 
cated from the Fat 
incarnation and me d 
seal and pledge an 
blessings i in time and ¢ 
Spirit i is, therefor a! Br 
Tunion with the: Fat 
‘not necessary, that: cor 
be separately mentione 
V. S—7. ‘In’ order’ 
tain that fulness of j ad 
spoke ; and that they mig 
against all delusive appeai 
tences (9 communion Wi 
for ae state tO - im 
tion, which th heare 
ing the ped me 
stance of this is, 
perfect intellect, 
ing Spirit, éssential 
love, and felicity >" s0 | 
“ness at all ;?? no 
or defect in felicity : 
could be derived from 
17.) As this'is the ae 
and precepts which came fi 
the same kind: true re’ 
guished from counterfei 
especially his spit itua’ 
had communion with h 
their conformity to im. If 
professing Christianity, 4 
experience, that they ha 
according to the gospel, and 


time, “ they walked in’ 
pita by satan, pie 
ae to live in the hab 

o have “fellowship 

‘ of darkness :” Herpes epake 
and were either deceiving, or self-deei 
pocrites, whose conduct belied. their 


0.90: CHAPTER I, A. D.90. 


‘¢ and the blood of Jesus {ful ands just to forgive us ovr sins, * and 
cleanseth us from all sin, to. cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | 
fp teat we have no sin, © we} 10 if? i ‘we say ‘that. we ore not wees 


Por RIN 


Neh, 1.6. & 9. 2,| 1 'Tim.1.15. Heb.| 23. Eph. 3. 26. 
&e. Job 33. 27, 28.}/10. 23. & 1. | Vit 2. 14: 

Ps, 32, 6. & 51. 2—|i Is.45..21, Zech. 9.1 See on, vere 8, Ps, 
5. Prov. 28.: 13.) 9. Rom: 3. 264 130.3. 

Dan. 9. 4—20. Mat.| Heb. 6. 10. Rey. fae 5. 10. Job 24025, 


‘9. & 14. 4. & 15.) 6.3, 2 Pim. 3. 13") 
14. & 25.4. Ps.143,] Jam. 1, 22. 26. 2 
.] 2. Prov. 20.°9. bir prod oe pis te 
7. 20. Is. 58. 6. \ . 6.5. 
64. 6. jee 2, 22, 23.) 2 John 2.3 John 3. 7 Mog 1. 5.) 15. 3. 
* Leve: 26., 40—42, cts is 
Seta ae 5 Mine & 47. 2}h Laren 7.9. Lam, 
EE 


= “Chre 6. 37% 384 3. 932 1Com1.94 Ez. 36. 25, & 37. 
8. Chr. 6. 36. Job o ‘years. 18. Gal’ a ° 


k yer. 7, Ps. 19. 12. we Col. 3. 16. 2 
& 59.2, oar 33. 2 — 2 


5 be 0. & $. 5, 
u ngs 8.46. 2 


“18 


gt i “ips Light,” Ae to cleanse them, not only from the guilt, but 


wi in the ligh ‘hi 
teed i f as e ame those who knew} gradually, and at length perfectly, from all the 


qs 2 holy. truth cig will ; and imitating | pollution of their unrighteousness. (Ez. xxxvi, 
E = rity, righteou isness, goodness, and truth,|25—27. 2 Cor. vii. 1.) But if any of them cons 
their behaviour among men; they might deem|tinued to deny that they had sinned, and so, 
iis a sufficient evidence, that they were parta- needed not to confess guilt, or seek forgiveness’ 
sve of Christ, and interested in the love of the| and cleansing from sin, they, in fact, “ treated 
uth: through him: they were warranted to| the words of God as a lie,” and his declara- 
aclude, that their fellowship with God, and| tion of man’s sinfulness as a libel on human na- 
he intercourse maintained between him and their| ture; nay, they virtually denied the truth of the 
buls, was the very Same.in nature and efficacy whole Gospel, which every where speaks of men 
ith that of which the apostle spake ; they were] as lost sinners ; so that the word of God was not 
lamitted to the communion of the saints, and| in them, by faith, or by the teaching of the Holy 
ntitled. ‘to all their privileges and blessings, Spirit. In this latter verse the apostle opposed 
nd ought to be the objects of their special love| such persons as totally denied their sinfulness, 
nd complacency : and they might also be fully’ their need of mercy, or their desert of wrath ; 
Iss ured, . that the atoning blood: of the Son of | by whatever method they deceived themselves 
bate ‘had taken away the guilt of all their former} into a confidence that they had never sinned, or 
ns, and did remove that of all their daily de | that they had, in some way, made amends for 
ts, defilements, and transgressions ; nay, that | their offences, and were not justly deserving of 
e Holy: Spirit, as given through the merit of his} punishment. But in the former verse, he seems 
tonement, was cleansing away, and would at|to have shown the gross error of those who 
ength perfectly destroy, all the sinfulness of| imagined, that through the Gospel they were se 
heir f ure. (Marg. Ref.) * perfectly sanctified, as to have no spot or blem- 
oe hile. the apostle str renuously in-| ish of sin in them: the present tense, ‘* have no 
on the necessity of an habitual hdly walk, | “ sin,” being used in the eighth verse, and the 
the effect and evidence of the knowledge| past, “have not sinned,” in the tenth. (Vores, 
Go in Christ Jesus, and of communion. with} &c. Ps. xxxii. li. Prov, xxviii. 13.) 
im ; be guarded, with equal care, against the _ PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
ppssite error-of self-righteous pride. If any | ~ Vy. 14, 
rofessed Christians, while they seemed to walk| Our most lively eaines is due to the Lord 
nthe light, should be soelated with a conceit of for that fully authenticated revelation which he 
heir own attainments, as to. say, “ that they had| hath given us concerning “the Word of life,” 
sin,” but were perfectly pure, and as holy| by those who heard and saw him, and who had 
vw and life as the law of God required, | the testimony of their senses to the reality of 
hey ‘Were certainly. deceived in a most awful| his incarnation and his resurrection. But what 
ler ; May, the truth was not in. them, as a| words can express the praises of his love to sin=- 
‘inciple of life and illumination ; or they never | ners, in causing “the Life to be munifested,” 
iid have fallen into a mistake which implied} even “the eternal Life, that was with the Fa- 
ae gross ignorance of God, of his spirit-|“ ther,” in order that we, condemned rebels, 
fal law, and of their own hearts. On the other| who were dead in sin, might live by him! This 4p- 
and, such as confessed their sins with unresery-| pears (he more admirable, when we consider the 
d, ‘ingenuous, and sincere humiliation before deep abasement, and the agonizing sufferings to 
; (for that alone can be here ‘intended ;)| which this manifestation exposed the incarnate 
Ming their guilt and-desert of wrath; not at-| Word and Son of God; hay, how his very bu- 
ig -fo.extenuate or deny their offences, } miliation hath given occasion to the children of 


m the pardon of them; would certainly | ane to speek of him whom all angels worship, 
Bi faithful to his promises, and just to hisjas if he were altogether such a one as them-~ 
oveliant-engagements to Christ, their Surety, selyés. Faithful and zealous ministers, though 
né to ber through him ; yea, his very justice, | they have not seen and beard the Lord of glory 
sfied by the atonement of his Son,)| with their outward senses, may yet declare to 

a ince him to forgive all their sins, how{men what they have known and experienced af 
bers cot aggravated soeyer they had’ been 5) his metcy, truth, and power; and as he became 


4 


ae i ; 
Reda sy J a IN) Lia a 1 


spiel ele | | » 


Pek 2. 4 ee 


x 


casting themselves wholly on the mercy of| men to rob him of his glory, to deny his Deity, - 


A, Dy 90. 


5 sige Bi AAA ss Eh ose age 

The apostle exhorts believers not to sin, ‘and points 
‘out Christ, as the advocate with the Father, and 
the tion for the sins of the world, 1, 2 
' He dhakraitint the knowledge of Christ, and union | * 
with him, must:be evidenced by obeying'and imi)| © 
‘tating him, and by love of the brethren; that 
, thus the love of God is perfected ; and that those 
/ are deceived, blind, and hypocritical, who live. in 
hatred and malice, 3—11.°.He warns believers 
ofevery age and attainment against the Jove of 
the world ; showing the vanity of all thatis in 
the world, compared with the eternal happiness 
ef these who do the will of God, 12—17. He 
cautions them against many antichrists, who fatal- 
ly seduce gome professed Christiana, 18, 195 de- 
elares that the unction of the. 1 Spirit was:the 
effectual preservative. oe a them, QE, A2Fis 


& ne eer 
‘2 And * he is 


points out to them ‘the doctrine of Christ ; 
and exhorts them to» ‘ad ere to his truth, and 
abide in hina, in expectation of his coming ; and to 


incarnate, that ‘simmers might have fellowship 
with him, and in the love of the Father through 
him, for their everlasting felicity; so they are 
willing “to labour add suffer, that their fellow- 
sinners maybe brought to bave fellowship with 
thei in their’ most precious blessings. However 
thén -miay despise and revite them, and cast out 
their names as: evil, or deem thém madnien, 
bigots, enthusiasts, or hypocrites: yet, verily, 
they possess'the greatest honour, pleasure, pric 1 iS, § 
vilege, and advantage tins inable, 4 in communion |“ a liar, and does. 
withthe Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ ; pbitually, walk inthe li 
and in their liberty of ‘access*with boldness at} it 
all times into'the presence of the eternal God; 
while all the perfections and persons in the}p: 
Godhead ‘are engaged, by covenant, to make} wi 
them most blessed for evermore. These bene- 
fits are not like the scanty possessions of the 
world, which are congenial to the selfishness of 
our fallen nature, and inspire the jealousy of}c 
every competitor; because the more share them, 
the less each person. can appropriate. —But the hg 
joy and felicity of communion with God corres- | encouragement, 
ponds with the enlarged philanthropy of the ré- | any of those, . wh 
generate soul, and tends to increase it; because | that they have no} 
the good enjoyed is infinife and all-sufficient ; so | be pardoned, or to 
that any multitude may partake of it, without | deceive themselvs 
jts being at all diminished; nay, the felicity | and his word is) 
seems enhanced to each possessor, by its being |truth of his declz 
communicated to increasing numbers. This} government; sis 
« fellowship with the Father, and his Son, Jesus fice of a broken and 
 Christ”* is * the secrét of the Lorn,” which |or properly understs 
is peculiar to those that feat him; and ungodly | his, Gospel. of oti 
men must, therefore, tredt it as the delusion of a|learn to plead quite 
heated imagination. No’ doubt there are both | willing to know the “an 
enthusiasts and hypocrites, who are deceived, or genuously confess . 
mean to deceive others: yet that is not worth | gravations ; relying. 
counterfeiting, either by satan or wicked ‘men, |trath through the rig 
which itself “is of no value or reality. There |full and free forgive 
are then those) who are warranted to say, that{him, and wait on him, 0 
*¢ truly, their fellowship is with the Father, and righteousness, till no He 
* with bis Son, Jesus Christ ;” and they. all de-} us, even in the ji 
sire to. bring others to partake of the same|merciful bbls 
blessedness: indeed, it isthe design of all the 
instructions in the word of God, to lead us to} 
possess these rts that so ‘ our joy may 
‘he full?* 4 


men tor ny ae 
who reas God 


is no darkn 1 
city is a 


so. our happiness 
sanctification, | 


ity is in ee 
and. an a 


CHAP, IL. ¥. 1 2. It is probal 
was the only surviving apostle, when t 


—— ' ‘\ 


_ 


Di 90. ” CHAPTER Il #. D. 90... 


3 And Ydo know that! we] 5 But 4 whoso keepeth his word, * in 
him,” or" we pee his command- him verily ig the’ loye of God perfected : : 
HET Fe ge oy 
» ° I know lain and 


‘ hereby know we that we are in him. 
_ 6. He * that ‘saith * he abideth in him, 


he walked. ar 5 yt ie 
ae & See on, were 4% 


truck is not in him. © 


10. & a 20. Jam: 
2. 14—16. 
— ise" Tit. 


- 14, | Ps. 119.6. 32, Jobo 
: Pa a ee aoe 


's. 105. 45. 
3. & 119, 2, 4. 146.)8 ver, 97, 28. Be Blu ver: 29. & 3%. 6 
Prov. 8. 32. & 28] 24.& 4, 13-15, 16. John: 15- 4—6. 


& 5. John 6.jx 1.7, arte 85. 13. 


Revs 12.17. & 14)| 8.1.2Cor-5. 1221) 13. She baew ts 1. 
| col 2.9, 19. Lge ame 1Pet 3. 


“ have an Advocate with the Father ;” one, ve 
hath andertaken, and is fully qualified and au- 
thorized, to plead in the presence of God : 
Father in behalf of every one, who applies for 
pardon, salvation, and all things pertaining to 
them, in his name, and in dependence on his me- 
ritorious intercession. This gracious Advocate 
‘never refuses his patronage to any sinner, who 
i and he never pleads in vain. For heis 
“ esas 3? ‘the Saviour, Emmanuel, the incar- 
nate Son of God ; and “Christ,” the Messiah, 
the anointed One, chosen, appointed, commis- 
-sioned, and consecrated, to his office, as a High 
Priest for ever, after the order of Melehisedee- 
He alone is “ the righteous One,’ who received 
his human nature pure from all spot of sin, and, 
as our Surety, perfectly obeyed the whole lw 
of God, and. so fulfilled a righteousness more 
valuable in itself, and more honourable to the 
Father, than that of all mere creatures could. 
have been. Moreover, “He was the Propitiation ~ 
for their sins” for, through the atonement 
of his sacrifice on the cross, and his subsequent 
intercession, he rendered a boly and righteous 
God propitious and favourable to sinners; so.that 
he waiteth to be gracious upon ‘the true 

seat, or propitiatory, of which that above the a 
of the covenant was merely a type and shadow. 
(Note, Rom. iii- 25, 26.) Nor was the benefit of 
this propitiation to be confined to the Jewish na- 
.tion ; on the contrary, sinners all over the whole 
earth were admitted to share in it: so that all 
men, in every land, and through successive ge= 
nerations, were to be invited. to come. to God, 
through this all-sufficient Atonement, 2nd by 
this new and living Way ; and all who accepted 
of this invitation, were as much interested in 
Christ, and all his bleasings, as if be had bee 
come incarnate, and died upon the cross for them 
alone. (Note, "Zohn. 1. 29.). So that there was 
most abundant encouragement, to every one, in 
the whole world, who beard the gospel, to re- 
pent, and seek salvation by faith in the blood of 
Christ : but none to any man to continue impeni- 
tent and unbelieving. 

V. 3—6.. True Christians might be “ over. 
‘ taken in a fault,” or even. fall into a grievous 
sin; and their infirmities and deficiencies in their 
daily walk would. be many: yet an habitual and 
unteserved obedience to the commandments of 
; abundant encouragement so to do.— God, was to be considered as the proper evidence 
nee first conviction of guilt, to the | of a savin g knowledge of Christ, and of God the 
Chris warfare by death, the gene- Father in Shim, (Notes, John xvu. 3. 2 Cor, iv. 
‘applicable ; that, “if suy man so, ¥e13—6, Pri. iii. S—10. 2 Per. i. 2.3. 8) The 


pist and his old A joan 
Pt ape zeae Jove to Christians, 
. given him a kind of arental authority 
: isis ages oe fir as it adher- 
an of Christ. it was there- 


is” spiritu: tal, whose welfare he had 
satly at heart + and as most of them were young 
yea , compared with this beloved and yene- 
ble disciple, who ‘probably was the oldest 

istian on earth at that time ; none ever could 


‘such pt the endearing lan- 
sch poopy, se call his point int arg 
Lay Bed dear, “ children,” as he did : 
- 335) fetine di diminutive is commonly 

d by peek of endearment, and to express 
e affection. He was desirous of counsel- 
, warning, and encouraging’ them, “ as a 

father does pic he a 9 Thes. ii. Poe 3) 
the things, which e written to them in 
“former sr, and what he was about 
add,  intetided especially to preserve 
mr ; sin: as every part of the 


ach ten to hate, dread, and flee from 
’ ears love ‘of God and bo- 


‘and assistance to “ re. 
sent, and do seats meet for repentance.” 
<f any man had sinned,” he should remem- 

, that, “they had an Advocate ' with the Fa- 
: te speculators might here 

y to charge the apostle with incon- 

ys the ater prt ofthe verse had coa- 
dicted the former: but ‘the state of a Chris- 
an im this world is such, that encouragements 
er having sinned, are as necessary | as warnings 
inst sin : for, through the remaining power of 
n his heart, the manifold snares oft the world, | 

id the power of satan, he cannot always stand 
pright. ' The valiant soldier willbe most furi- 
asly ta aad des enemy, and may sometimes 
2 foile ; and despondency is as inimical to 


s, diligence, and holy obedience, as 

I security itself. No man; on scriptural 
i conclude himself to be any better 
ocrit : ha habitually commits sin, be- 


A. De 90. ST JOHN. 


7 Brethren, ¥ F write nonewcommand-|' 9 He 
ment unto you, # but an old command-j¢ and k 
ment which ye had from the beginning :} ev 
the old commandment is the word which} © 10 He tha 
ye have heard from the beginning. {in the light, an 

_. § Again,, anew commandment I write} of stumbling 
unto you, > which thing is true in him}* 11 But & hi 
and in you; because © the darkness is past,}in darkness; ! an 
4 and the true light now shineth. ~~ {and knoweth not 


& 1s 22. Acts 17. 30, & 26. 
b 3, 14—16. & 4.11.) 18. Rom. 13. 72. 
John 15. 12—15.2) 2 Corn 4, d—6. 
Deut 6. 5."Matt, 5.) Cor. 8. 9. Eph. 5) Eph. 5. 8 1 Thes. 
43. & 22. 37—40.! 1, 2.2 Pet. 121. &l 5, 5—8- 

Mark 12. 29—34.] 4..1-—-3e. .... « |d Ps. 2% 1. & 36. 
Rom. 13. 8—i0.j¢ Cant. 2. 12, 12.) 9.& 84. 11. Mal. 4. 
Gal. 5.13, 14. Jam.| Is. 9. 2. & 60.1—3.] 2. John 1.4, 5. 9. 
2, 812. Matt 4. 16. Tukel & 8, 12. & 1235. 
& 4; 21. John 13. 34.’ 1. 79. John. 12, 46." 2 Tim. 1. 10. 


y 3. 11. Acts 17. 19, 
2 John 5 


e See on, ver. 4. 
£ 1,6. John 9 41. 
Rom. 2, 18-21. 


 .m Lev. 19. 18. 34. 


13.21, 


on 


knowledge of God or of Christ evidently signi- 
fies a believing, spiritual, and experimental ac- 
_ quaintance with him, and a cordial acceptance 
of his salvation. Professed Christians would de- 
sire to know or be assured, that their faith and 
‘experience were genuine, and distinguishable 
from those of all hypocrites : and, as the apostle 
and his brethren ‘knew that they thus knew 
& Christ,” not by their exact notions, high affec- 
tions, or even miraculous powers ; but by a dis- 
position of heart, habittially, unreservedly, and 
willingly to Keep his commandments; so an 
other man might know his profession to be sin- 
éere, and his knowledge of Christ spiritual and 
saving, by the same evidence. (Marg. Ref) 
But he, who professed to be acquainted ‘with 
Christ, and to believe in bim, whilst he did not 
keep his commandments in his habitual conduct, 
was a liar and a hypocrite, in whom there was 
no sincerity, and in whose beart the truth had} 
no place. On the other hand, whoever he was, |i 
that remembered and observed the counsels, and 
obeyed the precepts of Christ, in him verily, or 
veally, the love of God was perfected ; the love 
of God to him as a chosen and redeemed sinner, 
had attained its end in his sanctification ; and his 
love of God had produced its fruit, and was in 
a mature and perfect state, as the grafted tree 
is, when loaded with its intended and valued in- 
crease. (Voie, James ii. 22.) By this, apostles 
and primitive Christians knew that they were in 
Christ through faith and the communion of his 
Spirit; and thus alive to God through him: 
(Note, John xv. 1—8.) and indeed if any man 
professed to abide in Christ, he ought so to walk 
as Christ had walked, in an habitual course of 
righteousness, holiness, truth, and love; or else 
he could not-expect to be believed by those who 
knew the transforming efficacy of the saving 
knowledge of Christ. It is evident, that the 
ebedience here spoken of is the humble, sincere, 
unreserved, and loving obedience of a believer 
in Christ; which is not perfect, but attended with 
“continual repentance, and application to bis 
atoning blood for pardon and acceptance; as 
well as with a constant dependence on the Holy 
Spirit for grace, to enable him in any measure to 
perform it. Yet, even this observance of the ho- 
ly commandments of Christ, in imitation of his 


which none but ti 
quate conception; and 
render the earth in no’ si 
itself. ie Awe 
V. 7—11. In) 

and imitate their 
their love to bim 
the apostle wrote 
but that which they | 
ginning, and which from 
peatedly enforced by C 
fact, it had been’ Haig ¢ 
ginning of the world ; 
more than was contain 
quired Israel * to love | 
“ hearts,” and * their 
selves ;” and to ‘* be ho! 


especially in * loving one’ 
“ed them.” The comt 
enforced by his mediator 
exercise of which he had & 
It was also “trae im ther 
tion was new-and differed \ 
the Gentiles around — 
of the people of Ge 


pensation : and as they 


travellers, brethren, and 
city. So that the fov 
other, as such, though vil 
the love: of their nei he 
somewhat like that of t 
other, was new in Pe 


2. Prov. 


ake the darker dis- 


lee Gospel, as partaking of the special grace 


ans, or his neighbours,) was evidently in dark- 


ho really. partook of it... He, 


, seledenying love ; ee gem 
the light of the Gospel, and 


eos 


/ uths, which. Ihe had professed: and there was 


oieuererss ‘which satan could succeed 
A ca to scandalous sins; or which 
A prove an occasion of his throwing 


“Gmbling bocksinthe way of others; to their de- 


against his brother, or any .man 
: and as men walking in 


they stumble ;. 50 such a person would 
- coceed in an ignorant, uncertain, and-unholy 
@hner, not aware of the dangers that beset his 
ath, nor sensible that it led to destruction; as 
of error and sin had blinded - his 
at at length he would fall into some de- 
esy; or scandalous crime, aad not 
“ai himself but cause others to fall like- 


ein years, or newly converted ; and 
them from those who were further 
ife of faith and grace. - He par- 
sed his exhortations to those|i 
: on had tasted that the Lord 
(Note, 1 Pet. ii: 2, 3:) because 
3s certainly forgiven them, for 


¢g ee unto you, ® young men, 
us He have overcome ¥ the wicked 
ver. 14. Ps. ae 


| nsati ; is dew. He therefore who pro- 
Wp or i Sata in the marvellous pa 


verey. of God, (Nore, 1 Pet. ii- 9, 10.) and yet 
Ih ook engl (either any of his fellow-Chris- 


| -ss even to that time: for though the true light 
sone around him; he was. blinded by his pride 


ved his brother, and habitually. showed himself 
sposed. to goodness, mercy, and forgiveness ; 


vas. mfluenced the inward: efficacy of the 
. thing imi the general prevailing disposition of 


».Whereas, he who hated, or bore ha- 


whither they are going, nor 


~~ 


a CHAPTER II. A. D.90. 
yl2t a you, ° litfle children;{one. I write unto you, 2 little ae 
_ecause P your sis are forgiven Ae ica because * ye have known the Father. 
| is nee aa 14 L have written unto you, » fathers, 


because ye have known him that is from 
the beginning. I have written unto 
you, young men, © because ye are 
strong, and 4. the word of God abideth 
in you, and ye have overcome the wick- 
ed one. 


“a= 21-2 Cor. 4. Ps, 119. 11. Ioh2 


Zz See of, ver. t. 
iz, Db See on, ver.13 


8. 54, 55. & 16. 3 


the sake of Christ, and through faith in his name, 


Tim. 2. 1, 


+} as those of their more established and experienc- 


ed brethren were; though their weakness of 
faith, and want of distinct and exact knowledge, 
might prevent them from possessing the abiding 
comfort of it: and the counsel, which he was 
about to give them, would preserve them from 
many snares and sorrcws, enable them to obtain 
the assurance of their acceptance, and direct 
them in making. s suitable return for so invalua- 
ble a benefit. He wrote also~to the fathers ; 
having the same counsel and admonitions to give 
to those Christians, who were “ old disciples,” 


-| matured in knowledge, and experience, and who 


the true Rearinies of Christ, always 
sorgrmed the heart npropotion to its degree, 


ought to be the guides and examples to their 
Juniors, ‘as well as to “ shine as lights in the 
“world.” These had long Enown him who 
was from the beginning; and their long ac- 
quaintance with Christ, and with the eternal Pa- 
ther in him; with all their discoveries of his 
glory, and experience of his love, truth, and pow- 
er, should engage them to simple dependence, 
lively gratitude, fervent love, devoted obedience, 
and steady confidence in God, and Zeal for his 
honour and that of the Gospel. Moreover, he 
wrote to the same effect to the young men, who 
had for some time professed the Gospel, and had 
passed through the state of childhood, but were 
not arrived at that maturity in grace, to which 
the fathers had attained. These he addressed 
and exhorted, from the consideration that * they 
« had overcome the wicked one :” they had suc- 
cessfully encountered the first trials and tempta- 
tions, which attended their separation from sin 
and renunciation of the world; and had over- 
come the assaults of satan, by giving up their se- 
cular interests, breaking off their bad habits and 
connexions, and entering in at the strait gate of 
true conversion: As they had therefore thus far 
conquered “ the wicked one ;” who had tried all 
methods in vain, to _Kcep_ them from embracing 
the Gospel; and giving thems:lves. up to the ser- 
vice of Christ; they ought to go forth in his 
*| strength, aspiring after further victories ; and 
endeavouring to spend the ' vigour of their Spi- 
rits, or the prime of their years, in the services 
to which they were called, for the honour of 
Christ and the benefit of the Church; end not 
n seeking worldly advantages. Bui, in order to 
give his exhortation the greater emphasis, the 
apostle again addressed the different descrip- 


tions of Garitians. and admonished the little 


4M 


° ae Dd, 90 


man love the world, & the love of the Fa- 
ther is novin him. | Arhieder meta aoa 

16 For all that zs in the world, 5 the lust 
of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, 


3-2 Pet. 2,18. 
dude 16-18) 

i Gen. 3.6» an 3 
2. Josh. “7. 21. Job 


h Num. 11. 4. 34. 
Ps, 78. 18, 30. Prov. 
6. 25. Matt, 5.28. 
Rom. 13. 14. 1 Cor 


o4. & & 5, 4,5, 19, 
John 15.19. Rom. 
12, 2, Gal. 3. 10, 
Eph. 2, 2, Col. 3. 
1,21 Lim. 6. 10,! 10.6. Gal. 5. 17.24] 31. 1. Ps. 119: 36, 

f Matt. 6. 24. Luke] Ephs 2. 3, Vit. 2.) 37. Ee. 5. 10, 11. 
16; 13. Jam. 4. 4.) 12.& 3.3. t Pet, 1.) Matt. 4. -8. Luke 

@ 3.17, 14. & 2. 11s Be 4s 2] 4) 5. ti 


children, (for though the werd 1s changed, . the 
meaning seems to be the same,) (Marg. Ref.) as 
those, who had known the Father, and had al- 
ready experienced his parental compassion and 
Jove for them, for which they were called to 
make the due returns of filial confidence, sub- 
mission, gratitude, and obedience. The address 
to the Fathers exactly coincides with that, which 
went before: to the young men he added, that 
they “ were strong” in faith, hope, love, and all 
holy affections ; they were in the prime of their 
fitness for active service, to which the mature 
experience of old age might be less adapted ; 
and as the word of God, which they had. receiv- 
ed when they were converted, abode .m them, 
which appeared by their victory over the tempta- 


tions of satan; soit ought to be manifested in| 


its effects, by their increasing fruitfulness in all 
good works. i 
V. 15—17: . The general counsel and exhor- 
{ation which the apostle meant to enforce on all 
the persons above described, was this—‘+ not to 
« love the. world, or the things that were in the 
« world”? The world, as God created it, is 
very good, and a proper object of a measure of 
love; but as sin hath marred it, our affections 
ought to be wholly alienated from it. The men 
of the world, as distinguished from believers, 
are enemies of God, and subjects of satan: we 
~ are therefore required to renounce their friend- 
ship, to avoid intimate society with them, and to 
abhor their, ungodly. principles and. practices ; 
while we pity their miseries, love their persons, 
and try todo. them good. The things of the 
world may be desired, possessed, and valued, 
for those uses and purposes which were intend- 
ed by God when he created them, and in subor- 
dination to his favour, authority, and glory ; but 
for those purposes to which sin hath abused 
them, and sinners idolize them, we must not de. 
sire, seek, nor value them, in any measure) or 
manner: and if any man thus love the world, 
the love of the Father is: not in him: his-idol 
has never been dethroned, his heart remains, un- 
changed, he is not. reconciled to God through 
Jesus Christ, and hath no true filial loye of him 
in his heart. (Notes, Luke. xiv. 25—S3.), For 
«t all that is in the world,” as thus idolized and 
abused by men who seek their happiness from it, 
and not from God, may be summed up under 
three heads: Ist. Such things as sre suited to 
‘excite and gratify “the lust of the flesh,” or 
the irregular, inordinate, and polluting hanker. 
ings and cravings of the carnal heart, and the 


’ 


I. JOHNS: ) s 
» 15 & Love not the. world, neither. the], 
things ¢hat ene, in the world. .* If any! 


'k Esth. 1, 3—7. Dan. 


‘short, all that 


‘indulgence: 


the lust th 
will of God °¢ 
Y b {2 


4. 30. Rey. nl 
—I17- ; 7 
I Jam. 3. 15, 


Is. 40..6—8 Matt.| 1. 9 
24. 35,1 Cor. 7 Si.) 


animal appetites, after 
tions; as if man’s happi 


embellishments, 
which the eyé i 
and inordinate de 
treasures of gold 

houses, lands, gard 
furniture and ¢ 


fies the beholk 
is not directly 


titles and digni 
that reputation a 
summit of earth 
prize in the poor, 
which the pride and 
nature can aspire; ; 

of that mental concup 
nial to, the old ten 

* gods.” For a poor, x 
advanced to such 
to possess such. 
tempted to. fo 
his Creator an 
with vassals, 
emblazoned. wi 
cumbered with m 

on earth that he can | hold 
to disregard Him that 
‘test :” this is the p 
life; and all pre emin 
others, partakes of the 
power, splendour, or reno 
the immediate souree 
(to which every earthly 
tempted to put in com 
vour, and glory of G 
«not of the Father 
created things, did n 
man,.as God made them 


bestowed. for these purp 
are his children, and ir fluc 
sire, seek, or use them in 
‘* they are of the world, 
« wicked one :” these » 


things, and this, “them, ar 
man’s apostacy and subjection to 
are thus made the baits by which. m 
duced into sing and kept in rebellion, 


— 


Le lla Uhl al 
AD. 90. 


1e°P Little children, 4 It is the last 
ime: and as * ye have heard that * anti- 

rist “SI ; even now are there 
twhereby we know that 


ey " went out from ts, but they 
.} Mark 13, 6.21, 22.]s ver. 22. & 4,3. 2 


| 


Acts 20, 29, 30. 2) John7 _ 

Thes. 2. 3-12. ‘1't See on, q. 

Tim. 4. 1-3. 2] Deut 13, 13. Ps. 
Tim, 3, 1-6. & +9. Mat. 13. 20, 
Sgt ee ak 


“3 Be Jude 
a 


weer 
24. 5.11. 
hea 


the incentives to all the passions 
suit the taste, and form” upreme good 
worldly men, and are thei tion ; and 


or the sake of them the w! t 
rith Violence, fraud, crimes, and misery. But 


‘It is evident, that the apostle 
the lawful, moderate, subordi- 
rT possession, or desire of God’s 
d creatures, for the ends to which he hath 

ated them ; but of the unlawfal, inordinate, 
y, and idolatrous hankering after them, and 
aluation of them, to which all men are addict- 

so long as they remain in an unregenerate 


ea 
i 


lany vain efforts have been made, by li- 
} Gistinctions, and exceptions, to evade 
force of this passage; and many have writ- 
ten 0} ane nt meant to prove how far we 
pitt sar 
world 


it, in the apostle’s evident mean- 
no more allowed to love the world at 
‘ate to worship Dagon; for we can- 
‘God and Mammon; or love the Lord; 


the fi 


it, and things suitable to his rank in life, 
“use them with thankfulness, temperance, 
humility ; but he cannot love or desire them, 
ratify his sensuality, pride, avarice, or ambi- 
seek his happiness in them, without be- 
ido Every regenerate man js de- 
from the dominion and allowed indul- 
the love of the world, and strives and 
ays against the remains “of it, as it works in 
‘or breaks forth into his life : he de- 
ove God supremely, and seek all his 
from him alone ; and to love all other 
for his sake, and as his bounty ; 
in submission to his precepts 
In proportion as men get this 
orld, the reality of their grace 
d they are prepared for labouring 

ause of Christ: but unless 
heart, a man has no root in 


CHAPTER II. 


“Mark 4. 5, 6, 


y be carnally minded, and lovers of 


™’* 


& 


A.D. 90. 
were not of'us; * for if they had been of 
us, they would zo dowd: have continued 
with us; but they went our, that ¥ they 
might be made manifest that they were 
notall of us, © 5 a 


16,17. Luke 8. 13. 19, 1 Pet. J. 2-5, 


Jobn 15. 2. Acts 15. 
24. & 20.30. 2 Pet. 
2. 20, 21. ude 19- 


Yer. 32, (88-0. 
Mat, 24, 24. Mark} Jude 1. 

13. 22. Jolin 4. ldly Rom. 9. 6. & 11 
& 6. 37~39.. & 10.) 5,6 1Cor. 11. 19. 3 


Job 17. 9., Ps. 37.] 28—30. 2 ee Tims 3.9. Heb. 10. 
eke 39. : 


28. & 125, 4, | 2 
_ 


.| himself, and he will either fall away in time of 


temptation, or remain a mere unfruitful profes- 


| sor of Christianity, (JVotes, v. 4, 5. Mari. xiii. 


18—23.) 4 
~V.18, 19. The love of the world, as unsub- 
dued in professed Christians, gave satan his 


greatest advantage, not only in tempting them to. 


open apostacy, butvalso in seducing them by de- 
structive heresies ; through which they were en+ 
fabled to reconcile a quiet conscience with a car= 
nal mind; and’ the indulgence of their favourite 
passion, ander the mask of a religious profes= 
sion, So that the’ transition was natural, from 
warning Christians against the love of the world, 
to putting them upon their guard against false 
teachers. “The apostle, therefore, showed his 
beloved children, especially such of them as 


‘were young and inexperienced, that it was the 


last time, or the last dispensation which God ine 
tended to” introduce on earth, under which he 
would establish the kingdom of his Son on the 
ruins: ofthe usurped dominion of satan; and 
this Kingdom of Christ should. continue till al} 
enemies were put under his feet. But they had. 
atl heard, both from the predictions of ancient 
prophets, and from those of Christ and his wposs 
tles, that under this’ dispensation Anticlirist 
should arise ; for satan would not only oppose 
the gospel by exciting persecutions, but aiso by 
corruptions of the faith; and especially by one 


‘great enemy to the Person, truth, authority, and 
glory of Cirist, he would obtain inimense power 


and iyduence in the visible Church; (Wotes, 2 
Thess-iie 1—12.) and’as St. Paul had declared 
that this mystery of iniquity did already work, so 
Jolin observed that “there were many anti- 
“christs,” or oppasers of the pure gospel of 
the Lerd Jesus, whose character, principles, in. 
tentions, aid machinations were of the same 
stamp as those of the great antichrist would be, 
and who were evidently his fore-runners. ’ By 
this they might know that it was the iast time - 
and that while God was ‘specially exerting Se 
power, by means of faithful ministers, to honour 
his Son, the devil and his servants were Pecu- 
liarly active in endeavouring to defeat the design. 
(Notes, 1 Tim. iv. 1—3. 2 Tim. iii. 1—9. ir, 3, 4.) - 
These antichrists did not arise fiom among such 
as had before been avowed unbelievers ; byt 
they were professed’ Christians, who separated 
from the Church, and became leaders of hepetj. 
cal sects, contrary to the doctrine of the apos” 


‘tes, ‘and ‘derogatory to the honour of Chnjst, 


But, though. they went out from the disciples 
having been admitted to outward fellowship with 


them; yet they had never been of them, as ro. 


A. D. 80. 


20 But % ye have an unction from , the 
Holy One, > and ye ‘know all things. © 


21 I bave not written unto you, *© be-} 
cause ye know not the truth, but because}i 


ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth, 
22 4 Who is a liar, but ¢ he that deni- 
eth that Jesusis the Christ? ‘he ds’ anti- 
christ,that denieth the Father and the-Son. 
23. Whosoever & denieth the Son, the 


same hath not the Father: [ue he that 

Z ver. 27. & 4:13.) Acts 3, 14, Rey. 3. 
Ps.23. 5. & A$. 7. 

& 92.10. Is, 61. 1. 

Linke 4. 18. Acts 
79. 38. 2 Cor. 1. 21, 
£2. Heb. 1. 9. 

a Ps 9610. & 71 
“92, Is. 43,3, Mark 15. 2 Pet, 1. 12. 
1. 24. Duke 4, Sania vere 4, & | L ie 


4, 20. John» 8. 44 
7.& 4.8. Rev.3: 9. 

b Prov. 28. §. Jabnje ver, 23: & 4. 3. 
14. 26. wei iy 12,8,3°2,John 
Heb: 8. 11. ude 4. 

e Prov. lh 5. & the fee on ver. 18. 

‘) 


8, & Rom, 15. 148 re 22, & 4. 15. 
- » 11.27. Luke 
10. 22. Johu §. 23. 


generated persons, and. living members of the 
body of Christ: far if this bad been the case, 
they would “surely have continued with them ;” 
as the Lord would not have given them over to 
a strong delusion, but would ‘have put his fear 
‘¢ into their hearts, that they should not depart 


‘* from him,” according to the engagement of 


his everlasting covenant to ‘all true believers. 
Bat, as they had not received the truth in love, 
they had been left to’the pride and lusts of their 
hearts, and to. the artifices of satan, to be de- 
ceived into fatal heresies, and to separate from 
the Churches of Christ; that it might evidently 


appear, that all they who professed the gospel’ 


were not true disciples. Thus the Chitirch was 
purified, and true Christians were eta and 
rendered more watchful and humble, whilst the 
distinction between them and hypocrites was 
more strongly marked, (Voie, John xv.2—6. 1 


Cor. xi. 18, 19.) Some explain’ “the last time,” | 
to mean the last age of the Jewish Church? but’ 


probably that had’ been subverted’ some years, 
when St. John wrote this epistle ; and the mat. 
ginal references may show on what grounds an- 
other interpretation is adopted. It seems very 


unreasonable to interpret antichrist, in the sin-’ 


gular, to mean the same; as the “many anti- 
« christs” afterwards mentioned ; and then to con- 
fine the whole either to the Jewish opposers, or 
-Judaizing corrupters of Christianity, as some 
to; or te the Gnostics, as divided into different 
secis, as others do.’ Antichrist signifies one that 
opposes Christ, whether he oppose the doctrine 
of his deity, or his humanity 3 or whether he set 
himself against him in respect of his priestly of- 
fice, by substituting other methods of atoning for 
sr, and finding acceptance with God ; his kingly: 

office, by claiming authority'to enact low in his 
-Church, contrary to his laws, or so dispense with 
his commandments; or his prophetical office, 
by claiming authority to add to, alter, or take 
away, from the revelation which he hag given in 
his hily word. They oppose the Werson of 
© Christ, or his doctrine, or both together? (Be 
=a.) In this view, there were, at an early pe- 
riod of the Church, many antichrists; and. the 
heads ef any sect ‘of heretics, might be in a ‘sub- 
ordinate sense so called: but the direct opposers 
of Christianity could not ‘be meant in this place: 


LJOHNA NO 


virtually denied “his Person as 


If that which 
‘ginning: shall r 

shal} continue 7 
125 -And? 


& 8.19, & 10, 30.1i y 
& 14. 9, 10. & 15.) Jo 
23, oi 2 Joba 9-11. he 


John 3..Revs3.3.11,) 20. 


The term is us 
second epistle 5 | 
not even in the 
‘“* from us,” ‘that’ s 
‘ apostles in Judea. ’] 
“ not of us” this | “7 


pear, that they 
it said, that they b 
‘in. the Church. » 
tianity, and hae 
with true Christians; 
tacy proved that, 
the first been hy 
aks Vv. 20—25. “The: 
Pag for: their 


an unetion fic 
ointed by thes 
the Holy | One c 
consecrate them t 
the Father. 
they knew all thin 
ciples of Cbitisti 
mental manner; 
ly deluded them.’ 
therefore written to the 
the truth ; for if he. 
that description, it) 
for him to have dise 
ously : but he had writ 
did know'the truth, 

or could consist wi 
proposition was not ‘ 
ticular application of it” 
seducers; whose false. 
ceed from the she aie vi sae 
For “ who was a liar,” : 
that Jesus was the 
siarchs denied 


Ate - 


have I written. unto 
pu ™ ‘concerning em that seduce you. » 


Gis seam which ye have 
tim abideth in you, ° and ye 


pny 

mointing teacheth you of all 
md is truth, and is/no liey and 
t hath taught dy 8 a4 fe shall 


| 3s rov. 12. 26.in See on, ver. 20, & a tie 11. Eph. 4. 
iz, 13. 10. Mark| 3.24. John 4. 14] 21.1 Thes. 2. 13. 
A : ga In2o. 2 John 1Lim 2 7. 2 Pets 
C 4 Le 13— 24 ‘ steal scar ae jag Fy 
I . Hy yen » gerjsg 
FS io ‘oe =m, r mane & 15. 4-7, 
A 2.60. 


John 14. 
reas ra 


2. Heh, 


‘of man; or his offices, 
et, Priest, pad, King, of his 
that God was manifested 
. to ransom the Church with his own. 

hat in, virtue of his one oblation he| 
5 ea, in the \ eesag of God as our great: 
i 20- 


s. authority ; ; they virtually deni- 
» the Christ ; as they. who had the. 
et a 
ye. ~ Sucha teacher was, therefore, in fact, an 
q tichrist, who denied both the Father, and the 
jon; seeing the Father can only be known, /ap- 
proached, worshipped,, and glorified, by sinners, 
piegeery his incarnate Son; and they who 

not tk ac agg not the Father that 
“ ii lat. xi. 25—27. John v- 23.) 
deni OF the Son is, therefore, a denial of} 
wegemiuarere seach the sup- 


ir Pan. ‘imagination, and) not the 
ust,| holy, ‘merciful, and faithful God and 
> of our Li Jesus. Christ. He, there- 
who denies th 1e Son, has not the Father as 
s God, bis Friend, and his. Portion; but he, 
% ‘true faith acknowledges the Son, hath the 
Pather.also. This last clause is. printedsin Tta- 
because it is wanting: in. most copies of 
Greek Testament: yet itis found in seve- 


tics, look on it as genuine. As these 
Were 80, the apostle exhorted his beloved 
let that, abide i in them, and sink deep 

eit hearts, which tHley had heard from the 
ipniog of their profession of the gospel, con- 
the Person and. salvation of Christ ; for 
ctrine which they had at the first heard 
apostles and evangelists, remained in 
tically and efficaciously; they also 
ue in,union and fellowship with the 


ember, for their encouragement. 
nh 


all true: believers, engaged. to. 


CHAPTER I. 


yman teach you: P. but) — 


vine or his. Sacre Pee, his atone- 


Holy Spirit would readily -per-| 


tles and evangelists, for new improvements. 


from. the truth to believe a lie; 
apostle only sought to ‘establish. themein the 
‘truth, which had been “ preached t to them, with 


anuscripts ; ; so that Beza and several other: 


\the Father through him: and they’ 


against the artifices of false 
the promise whieh God. had irre-) 


fe. and felicity, and all things per- 


* 
A. De 9B). 


28 And nowy "little children, abide in, 
-him ; that, § when he shall appear, we may’ 
*) have confidence, and not be ashamed be- 
fore him “at his coming. — - 

29 1f ye know that * he is righteous, 
+ ye.know, ¥ that every one that doeth 
righteousness 2 is born eicin 


x See on, ver, 1. : ax Mal. 3)'9: Beds be + 18. 

33. 2 Mark 8 38-1 1Cor. 1. 7. & 15. Poh x. 
Col. 3. 44.1 Tim.) 23.. 1 Thes. 3.18.Jy 3. 7. 10. Acts 1Q. 
& 5. 23. 2 Pet, 3) 35. Tit, 2. 12—14. 
4.12. Z Se 9. BA, 7. & 5. 

X vere 1, & 3. 5,| 1. Jobn 1. 13.& 3. 
‘Zech. 9 9.-Acts,3.1.3—5. Jame. 1, 18. 
14. & 22. 14.2 Cor| 1Pet. & 3. 23, 2 
5.21. Heb, 1, 8,9.) Ret. 1. 4e 

| .& 7 2.26, 1 Pet. ~ 


taining to it. Vo lie, &c. (21.) * Lie, here 
© means a. doctrine contrary to that taught by 


6.14. 2 Tim 4. 2. 
8. Lit, 2. 13. Heb 
9. 28. 1 Pet. -1, 7. 
& 54, Rey. 1. 7. 
t 3.21.& 4.17. a 


25. 9. & » 45.17. 
Rom. 9.33, . 


© the vapostles ; which being the érue doctrine, 


* its contrary, must, be false, ora lie” (.Mac- 
knight.) 4 
| ¥..26—29.... These admonitions the apostle 


wrote to his, beloyed Christians, concerning those 
false. teachers, who attempted to seduce them, 
and had prevailed with, many, whe had once 
belonged to. their. company. He meant to. cau- 
tion and fortify them against the specious in= 
sinuations of deceivers: but in respect of real 
believers, the anointing, which they had receiv-. 
ed. of Christ, abode in them,,as an incorruptible 
principle of life, and light, and spiritual discern- 
ment: so that they needed not that any man - 
should tegch them; except as that same anoint- 
ing taught them, and by.‘ stirring up their pure . 
** minds in the way of vemembrance 7? for by 
this teaching of God himself they) were instruct- 
ed in all things essential to salvation, and could 
not.be fatally deluded. Now this teaching was 
sjaltogether truth, and no lie; they could not, 


1| therefore, have any occasion to change the doc- 


trine, which they had thus received from apos- 
Oa 
the contrary, they who wanted, to. induce them 
to this change, evidently aimed to seduce them. 
whereas the 


“ the Holy Ghost. sent down from. heaven :” 
and. indeed, they who bad. thus been taught 
would abide in Aim, or in it: in Christ, or in the. ° 
truth of his gospel. He. therefore needed only 


to.exhort. them, with all parental. affection, to 


abide in Jim, or in Christ: for the apostle’s 
mipd, being full of warm affections towards his 
beloved Lord, spoke frequently of him by a pro- 
noun without an antecedent, and so without nam- 
ing him, Let, them then adhere steadfastly to 
the truth of the, gospel; live in a constant de- 


| pendence on Christ by faith for every. thing; at- 


tend diligently on his ordinances, and yield a 
oying simple obedience to his commandments : 
and thus, they might be. assured, that when he. 
should appear. to, judge the world ; they would. 
not be ashamed, as all hypocrites and apostates 
would be ; but would have confidence, before 
‘him, as his approved servants, at this his second 
coming; and amidst all the solemn and import- 


4. D960. 


OE AP. it. . 
The apostle. bréaks ont in admiration. of the love: ; 

God, in making believers his.children, and giving 
them present privileges, with the hope of an in-| 
conetivable felicity ; and shows them that this} 
hope’ is always connected with a disposition’ te 
follow: after holiness, 1---5., He shows how the} * 
children of God, and the children ofthe devil may| | - 
‘be known, 4--10.. He exhorts his readers to. love} 
one another, contr: asting this love with the exam} 


ant events of that decisive season. ‘In this, the 
apostle joined himself; intimating, that he took 
the same method of preparing for the ¢oming of 
his Lord and Judge, which he recommended to 
them; and that their abiding in Christ would 
then increase Ais confidence and joy. As they 
therefore could not but Know, that he their Lord 
and Saviour was righteous; so they- might be 
assured, that alf ical habitually practised 1 right 
eousness, as what théy loved and delighted in, 
were born of hita By the regencration of his 
Spirit, and so were the children of God and the 
heirs of heaven. So-that sbiding in Christ, and 
bringing forth much fruit by working righteous- 
ness, was the proper method of preparing to 
meet him in judgment with confidente and joy. 
The expression, “ bor of him,” which is most 
obviously interpreted of Christ, concerning whom 
the apostle was spenking’; and thus becoming 
the sons of God, (iii 1.) clearly shows what John 

believed concerning his Lord. (Aire. Ref) 
The quaker's, and some others, have inferred,’ 
from the language of the twenty-seventh verse, 
thet 2 stated ministry is not necessai in the 
church; as true believers, being anointed by the 
Spirit, need not such teaching : © but it may be | walk, even 
« of moment to observe, that the Christian minis- judge ‘will believe His 
¢ try was in the highest repute in the church, | and condact ‘hab 
« when the pif ts of the Spirit were poured down |. 
¢ upon it in the .grestest “abundance” (Dod-|. 
dridge.) 

rR ACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
/ V.1—th , 
The gospel, when well understood and duly 

received, sets the heart against all sin, and ef 
fectually prevents the allowed practice of it: at 
the sam a time, that it gives the most blessed re- 
lief to the ‘wounded consciences of those who 
have sinned; by the hope of pardoa, through 
our “ Advocaté with the Father, Jesus Christ 
* the righteous,” and his all-sufficient propitia- 
tion. Thus the divine original of the scriptures 
is evinced, by the complete suitableness of the 
remedy, propnsell in them, to the actual state of}, 
men in this evil world: whilst all other schemes 
are founded on false principles; and therefore are | deemed erat an 
totally inapplicablé to the case, and cannot e!-| obligations, * becaus: 

setually bring peace to the conscience, and lead} the true Tight no 
the heart to abhor all iniguity—While we seék |member, that -hatre 
for grace to make a holy use of the intercession | bouts, and the prevalence of any 
and atonement of our heavenly Advocate, and | sion, is proportionably a proof 
encourage our fellow-Christians to do the same ; darkness. Thedep if 
we should remember, that « He is the propitia-| per critetion and’ 
& tion, not for onr sins only, but for those of the | well as the best | 
s¢ whole world »” and therefore, if any sinner in| most active Pp 
any part of the earth be willing to accept of this i 
salvation, he will surely be made partaker of it :| light, and’ will be best kept 
and we should desire and endeavour, by every’ fromoccasioning the falls of oth 


hese of upright, 
proper means ih ou 
of bringing others 
cious a benefit. B 
against every sentiment 
the abundant provis 
forgiveness of our rae 
to disobedience’ 


bitual Foley" him 
tothe unguard: 
have argue 
not the proper proun 
of our justification 5 
to look to the 
ing true believers? 
directly. contradict 
they are most | 
then, keepeth: thes 
“Jy is the love’ of 
apostles knew that ti 
the’ same means > 
would not deceive ¢ ives : he, 
# saith he abideth in Ch i , 


or declarationé, but 
tiad heard thor @ be 
persons affect ‘te'thed 

others do the peéctilia 
salvation.—Christia 
love of God, andr 
fluous and unnteces 
new motives, and 
tions to abound in th 
rections concerning the 


a 


—————e ™~ - 
. . * 
. - . 


CHAPTER Iif. A.D, 90. 
aid Father hath) bestewed upon us, » that 
. wi. 
m7 oi 7H9.% 8, 1,2.) §. 8. & ¥92, Eph. 


r of love the} we should be called the sons of God! 
ab 16, Rom.| 3 18, 19 


b Jer. 8. 19s Hos mya 14—17.21.) 65 18. Gal. 3. 26° 
; Me eam iyi! #9120) 96, 2 Cor.} 22. & 4. 5, 6» 


sh, and malicious. tempers 
t of his knowledge, walketh 
1 is in the road to destruction ; 
ot at all aware whither heis going, 
fieiidns"* and the prince of dark. 
blinded his as These things 
_ closest atte ‘Most seri- 


‘the honour ind ‘cause of ‘Christ. Many thus go 
out from the society of Christians, but they ne- 
ver were true believers; for if they had belong- 
ed'to that blessed company, they would no’doubt 
have continued with them + nay, in fact, damn- 
able heresies as much prove the faith of moTinal 
ry goretand, as furious persecutions do. The unc- 
tion from the Holy One alone. can teach that, 
Plena ledge, which will surely preserve, a man 
from ali delusions: and when we are thus esta- 
blished in the great truths of the Gospel; we shall - 
know that no lie is of the truth ; and shall there. 
fore disregard the cloquence, learning, i ingenui- 
ty, and confidence, of those who contradict the 
ees and he satisfied with opposing the express 

estimony of the truth itself to their well varnish. 
ed and ably defended falsehoods. We shall in 
this manuer most clearly perceive, that every man 
isan antichrist, who denieth the Person or any 
of the offices of Christ; and that ia denying the 
Son, he denieth the Father also, and hath no part 
in his favour, whilst he rejects his great salva- 
tion, Candour and liberality of sentiment are 
good words ; bigotry, fanaticism, and a contract- 
‘ed mind, sound very harsh : but let us not aspire 
to the reputation of liberality, or desire to escape 
revroach, more than the apostles did. Whilst we 
judge favourably of all, who trust in Christ as a 
divine Sayiour, and obey his word ; let us. pity 
and pray for those deluded men, who deny the 
Deity and atonement of Christ, and the work of 
his new-creating Spirit ; protest against their an- 
ti-christian doctrine, and refuse all needless in. 
tercourse with them. Let s4ut abide in all, who 
have professed the Gospel, or would be deemed 
Christians, which was taught the primitive disci- 
the end of their days, and enter|pies ; that they may continue in the Son and in 

obtain any comfortable sa-|the Father, and that the pre of eternal life 
it ternal state will, be. «| may, belong to them.. 


sins are hy pe thei. 
: and though there are dif 
of growth, strength, knowledge, 
=i sons and daughters of 

ms aA, ; and though some of them 
more victories over the. wicked 
te fit for active service, or to give 
an -others are; yet. they are all 
their heavenly Father. They. all 
: k ge of him and love to him ;, 
a abiding in them, he will 
young ones of his family to the. 
“and train them up to a measure 
our and maturity, to which ‘others 
ned, _ But all, who would share 
ust be careful not to love the 
Gia juakGne, vanities : this idol- 
ydued in the hearts of ma- 
ors of f the Gospel, hath occasioned, 
cy or total De oniiocis: nay, 
ofit, numbers are kept 
assurance ; their spiritual life 
. feeble ; they are mere babes 


world, as apostate, and so. V. 26—29. . 
evil, i is diametrically op The subjects, above treated on, are peculiarly 
ituality, temper; u-| needful at this day, concerning those who seduce 


1S Christian teligion : :}the professed Gisciples of the Saviour, and would, 
D persuade them, that it is efno consequence what 
they believe concerning his Person or doctrine. 
This fashionable species of infidelity directly 
contradicts the whole word of God, and in fact 
does its utmost to antiquate the Bible aS an. uses 
less book, in this age of wisdom. and illumina- 
tion. We should ache to teach no man any 
thing, except what the Holy Spirit hath taught 
us in bis word, to which our appeal must be 
made; and the same Spirit teaches all those, 
who partake. of his ‘sacred, anointing, the grand 
truths of the sacred word, though they be left to 
differ in less essential matters. May we then 
receive from Christ more and more of his anoint. 
ing, to abide in us, afd to Jluminate our mind in 
the trath. unmixed with error; that we may 
bide in it, even as they did, who of cld adhered 
the doctrine. of ihe holy apostles :. and let all, 

profess the trath, and appear to have comé 
jto. Chiist, abide in hi mj without listening to the 


and strengthen the propensities of our 
which it is our great business and 
jue and crucify. . The. pursuit, 
r enjoyment of them, only tend to 


be possessed no more ; whilst the 
that doeth the will. of God shall 
rer, Yet are these yanities. so alluring 
mains of corruption in our hearts, that 
constant watching and prayer, We cannot 
: obtain victory over, the world, and 
‘is the god and prince.of it! . 

an a Vv. 18—25, te 

\ have } ms delivered from that ori 
nit al idolatry, the love of the 
he tt gs inthe world, will be les 
ived by the seductions of 
iP Fisk! age. Aaa 


a ee ee. eh EN: OA 


A Di 00. aa 8 6H 


therefore ¢ the world knoweth us not, | 
because it knew him not. ty eressed 
2 Beloved, 4 now are we the sons of transer ' 
God; and¢ it doth not yet appear what| 5 And y: ki 
we shall be : ‘but we know that, § when 
. he shall appear, & we shall be like him ; 
b pe we shall see him as he is, , 
_ 3 ‘And i every man that hath this hope} 
in him, © purifieth himself, ! even as By 
is pure: 


is ho sin, 
6 Whosoe 


him, peas, 
'§. 48; Luke 6,'3 
Heb. 7. 26, 5 
m ver. 3, 9. 1 Kings 

8.47. rhe Were 13. ie 
2 Cor. 12.21. Jam.) 1 Tim. & 
5. 15+ 6." 
b Num. 35. 31, 
Sam, 15. 24.2 Chr, 
2A. 20, Ise-5Se Bay 9 
Dan. 9 11, Rom 
3. 20. & 4. 15. Jain 


a 


Pets 


12: $ Gan 3. we. & 
ee 6—8. 
m, 5. 4, 5. Col. 
& Ps. 17.25. Bona a . 2 "Thes. 9 16, 
"g. 29. 1:Corv 15. 49. "Tit 3.7. Heb. 6 
Phils. 2. 2 Ket} 18, 19. 
' k Acts 15. 9, 2 Cor, 
i Joui9: setae Ts Heb. “ie 14. 
it, Mat. 5 n} 2 Pet. 1.4. & 3.34, 
17 24. 1€or. 13.11 2. 6.& 4. 17+ Mat. 


suggestions of any. ‘modern iliuminaters of man- 
kind ; that when our Judge shall appear, we may 
all, with prophets and apostles, «* have confidence 
* and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” | j 
Yet let “us be equally careful not to hold the} 
truth in unrighteousness; but remember that} : 
they only are born of God, who bear his holy i im- 
age, and walk before him in his most righteous 
Ways. 


f 2. 23. Mal, 3. 2, 
Png 3. 4. Heb. si 
2 


@ John 15, 18, 19. & 
16°35 & 17. 25, 


Col. 3. 3. 

@ See on, b, ver. 1. & 
§. 1. Is. 56, 5. 

e Ps, 31..19...Rom. 
3.18. 1 Cor. 2. 9, 
Sr 13, 12. 2 Cur. 4. 
37. 


NOTES. . 

* CHAP. WL V.1—S, (Note, John i. 10—13.) enue affectigu 
The apostle, having declared that they who did} ed for the cénsumim 
righteousness were born of God, here broke out} citating enjoyme 
into a joyful and admiring view, of the love of} Christ, of which w 
the Eternal Father, in having bestowed on them|idea. But, wherev 
the unspeakable honour and felicity of being} God had produced th 
called “his children” What manner of love/ heart, it would ¢ 
was this! or by what words could it be de“) and follow after ho 
scribed! Whether dis majesty, purity, and jus- this final happine 
tice, or their guilt, vileness, and misery, were | for he who 
considered; whether the blessing conferred on 
them, or the method in which it was bestowed, 
were contemplated, the love of the Father in it} 
must be adored, as passing knowledge and com- | ; Sar 
prehension. Indeed the world of ungodly men, | that his labour in fol 
among whem the children of God lived, com-|not be in Bar would 
monly in poverty, affliction, and contempt, would } 
not acknowledge their claim, approve their cha-| his attainments; ‘so 
racter, or desire their privileges: but this was|but he would use ba 
the effect of their ignorance of God, and con-|for the performance of 
temptuous alienation from his holy excellency $ affections and po , 
#0 that, when the only begotten Son of the Fa-| sinful passions di 
ther appeared on earth, they knew him not, butyperfected, and all hie 
rejected, despised, and’ crucified him. . But,|conformable to those 
whatever the world thought of ttiem, true be-|this can never be ~ 
levers, even in their afflicted condition on earth, |life, the true Chris 
were the children of God, regenerate, adopted | himself as Christ is 
into his family, the special objects of his -love,|death: then the so 
and the heirs of his kingdom: and, whatever | presence, and perfec 
their trials. were, their Almighty Father would complete conforinit 
surely protect, provide for, comfort, and bless |Lord, in body and si 
them. It did not indeed. then appear, what, or| the” general” 
how glorious, they would at length be ; nor could | ¢ does not say, “has 
even the beloved aposile frame an adequate con- id 
ception of heaven, and its, ineffable felicities, 
which would be eanobling and rapturous beyond 
all his thougiis. Yet, they knew in general, 


- 


Lite children, * let no man deceive 


Z i th righteousness is 


that doe 


as he is righteous. 
nmitteth sin is of the 


¥ this purpose the Son 
ane that he might de- 
of the devil. 


CHAPTER IIL. 


~*~ 
A. D. $0; 


9 Whosoever is * botn of God, doth 
not commit sin; 4 for his seed remaineth 
in him: ¢ and he cannot. sin, because he 
is born of Gog. ; 

10 In this f the children of God are 
manifest, € and the children of the de- 
vil : * whosoever doeth not righteousness 
iis not of God, © neither he that loyeth 


_|not his brother.» 


. 24. asec 2 4 
oar ; 
& 72. 1—7-|b ver. 5. Gen. 3. 15. (Pn Observations} 
& % 2.) Is. 27. 1. Mark 1. © 2.29, & 4. 7.& 5. easy 5. 17. Titjh See on, ver.-7, 8. 
. 16, | 24. Luke 10. 18.] 1.4. 18. John 1. 46.& & 19. 
10. 19.) John 12.32: & 16.} -13- k's, *s. Luke 6. 35, dere, 47. Acts 
$8. 12. Rom. 16. 20. a > i Pet} Rom. * 16, 17. ee Fe tee 
8. 44. E Col. 2, 15. Heb. 2. Eph. 5. i ore 4,15, & 2. 
} 14. Rev. 20.. 2, 3. o Matt 7. 18. Mais a "38. John 9, ~ e. 8, 22. 
eae’ poKOs -25u Rom. 
@y who. ai not follow after holi-| of the devil’s party, family, and disposition; as 
possess the genuine hope of the | he was the first" sinner, and had practised rebel- 


ostle further remarked, that 
ed, or practised sin, transgressed 
sot ‘the law, or violated and directly opposed 
lae authority and requirements of the moral 
‘ the ceremonial cannot here be intend- 
a). Thus it was taken for granted, that the 
law of God was the rule of conduct to all 

s true servants ; and that none of them wilful- 
“and habitually did any thing contrary to it 
Sp aoe ggg Paes of the law, or a law 
conduct. Whatever in any degree exceeds, 
3 short of, or deviates from the law, and in 
ht, word, or deed, is not perfectly coinci- 
it, is sin, 2 violation of the law, and 
according to the covenant of 
an habitual commission of sin tends 
o the asukackion, of the law and its authority, 
i can never be allowed of by any disciple of 
brist. For they know that he was manifested 
I ana Batre, to take away the sins of his 
by atoning for their guilt, and by renew- 
m to his own holy image. © Moreover, 
Fe aks to sin, and the perfection of his 
oliness, at. active obedience, both magnified 
ppt of EBs, lew, constituted him a proper 
yy to be for sin, and was intend- 
r gaa a to his people. Whosoever, 
abides in Christ, as one with him, 
‘as _Maintaining communion with him, doth 
rose sin in his allowed and general conduct : and 


r sinneth, wilfully and habitually, has 
seen the glory of Christ by faith, or had 
nental saving knowledge of him; for 
iad, be would be transformed, in a mea- 


“i tO. ‘The ielics therefore, warned 

ed children, as others before had done; 
_1 Cor. vi. 9. Gal. vi- 7. Eph. v. 6. Janes i. 
Pet. 1.9 ;) not to let any man deceive them 
plausible pretences, into an opinion that they 
gat live in habitual sin and yet be true Chris- 

_¥or he who practised righteousness, as 
ss and delight, was a righteous man ; 
Mmity to Christ, (being righteous as 
us,) was the proper evidence of 
by faith, in His obedience and pro- 
_ On the other hand, he who corned 


lion and iniquity from the beginning, and had no 
pleasure in any thing else. But it must be imposi- 
ble to imitate and adhere to the devil, and at 
the same time to be a disciple of Christ ; seeing 
the Son of God was manifested, for the single and 
express purpose of destroying, abolishing, or un- 
doing the works of the devil, in behalf of all bis 
people... He came to deliver them from that con- 
demnation and slavery, into which the influence 
and temptation of satan had reduced them and 
all mankind ; and to restore them to the favour, 
image, and service of God. This was done, by 
atoning for their sins and pardoning them, and 
by a new creation of their souls to holiness: but 
whilst men lived habitually in pride, infidelity, 
impiety, injustice, fraud, cruelty, malice, intem- 
perance, of licentiousness, or in the negtect of a 
sober, righteous, and godly life ; it could not be 
supposed, that the works of the devil had been 
destroyed, or his fortifications in their hearts 
cast down by the power of Christ. Consequent- 
ly the end of his incarnation and humiliation had 
not been answered én respeci of them ; ‘and there- 
fore they could not be warranted to account 
themselyes his disciples. For all that belonged 
to Christ were born of Ged; (Wotes, John iii. 1 
—8;) and no one who was regenerate, lived in 
the commission of any allowed sin: because the 
incorruptible seed of God, being made to grow 
and live in his heart by the Holy Spirity (Nore, 
1 Pet. i. 23—25.) remained in him, and render- 
ed it impossible that he could sin with allow- 
ance, continuance, and satisfaction: even as = 
fish cannot live out of water, because it is out of 
its element, and can only languish and die un- 
less it be again putinto it. This must be al} 
that the apostle’s general words can mean: be- 
cause, if strictly taken, they would not only 
prove that some men are perfect, but that all re- 
generate persons are mcapable of sinning any 
more for ever ; an inference, which no man, who 
either reads the Bible, or the history of mankind, 

will ever admit. General declarations of this kind 
must always be ‘explained according to the argu- 
ment of the sacred writer: otherwise, an anti- 
nomian may prove, that God justifies those who 
are in every sense ungodly, and who never do 
good works of any Kind, or for any purpose, as 


his anes and delight, was evidently a as Bin live: (Rom. iv. 4,4:) andamar, . 


ALD. 90. ER 
t1 For | this:fs the # message that ye aelt 
heard from the beginniig, = that we}: 
should love one another. ty 

12.Not 2 as Cain, who was of that Wie e 
wicked one, aiid slew his brother. p'And|the bre 
wherefore slew he him? Because his brother, abideth in: 
own works were evil, 4and his brother’: a! Whoso 
righteous. rer 5.8. John 


1 1. 5. & 2. 7,8. Fg 1, 4 Jude ‘7-23. John 10, $2] 47 7. 
® Or, commandment, 9-25. & ike} ¢ | 
ech on, ver. 8. &}. 3: : 
mi. ver, 23. & 4.7) 2 . 14. Matt. 13. 
2t. John 13. 34,35. 
. Ga 2. Ej i. aan 18 14, 15. ren 
2.1 Then 4.9 9. s hedh gee fae Ada 
‘ Pets 1, 22. & 3,8, toi neh an 
4. 8, Pro 7 bat 
D oe 4.4—15. 25, 


1 Fim. 1. 5..Grs EE op 
Gal ph. 5 


n’s being the “child of the devil. 
especially the Children of God, and the Callas 
of th the devil, were manifestly distinguished from 
Oné aiother ; aiid he, who did not practise right-| ; 
éousness, was not of God: whatever bis creed, |. 
profession, gifts, or pretended experience 
might be; nay, this was to bé carried to aoj de ad fi 
preat a strictness; that he who did not love his| the name of theit 
brother, but showed a selfish, envious, and ma- them to love one 
lignant spirit in his general conduct, was not to| evidence 
be accounted a child of God, but of the devil.| wh 
“© He that committeth sin is of the devil.” (8. beh 
© Te is not he, who committeth one or more sins 
¢ of infirmity ; for so did Christ’s disciples. while 
5 they were with him; nor he, who committeth | belo 
< one great sin, through ‘the power of a strong | devi 
+ temptation, of which he bitterly repents, and 
« from which he returns to his obedience ; for 
4 thus did David and St. Peter, who yet were 
€ not then the children of the devil: but they] i 
¢ who comply with the lusts of satan, and will] h: 
‘ dothem. ‘The other interpretations of these} 3 
* words, including the preceding verses, seem) 
© either vain an@ impertinent, or false and dan- 
* gerous.”. ( Whitby) Some have explained’ 
Uiem, to signify, that who is born of God, 
ausht not to sin; some have atgued, that when a 
Christian sins, he ceases to be the child of . 
God; and others have maintained, that they| belonged to ‘the ch 
*# who are born, of God; sin, not ;” because} whom had despised, 
their sins will never be imputed to them. He} for the same reason: 
‘that is born’of God proposeth to himself aj iit to Wonder, that’ 
© life as free from sin as possible, nor does he. 
© ever of his own accord employ himself in sin ;| the 
t if at any time, contrary to the purpose of his | 
* mind, he has offended, he does not persist in 
* the same; but, ‘acknowledging his fault, he} 
« speedily returns to his. former plan of life, as 
* soon, and as much as he can.’ (Garaker,)—|t 
As “doing righteousness,” means, not a single ‘ C 
action, but habitual obedience to God; “com-} th: 
© mitting sin,” (it is the same verb in the | origin- |i 
a1.) cannot properly signify merely a she act 


‘vaged to that. 
cause his‘ 


oa yy iy ERS 
CHAPTER Il. A. D. 98, ® bi : 


4 be 
Ts. 5 


| 18084. & 18. ” 


7.10. Luke’ 30 11Je Prov. 12 1¢f 
2 Cor. #,% (4. 15.) Marg 28,9. - 

& 9. 5—9. 1 Tim|f4, 20. & 6.1. 
6.17. Heb, 13, 16. 


8. John 3.16. &] 
e wis. 7 13) 
| Acts 20, 28. Roms) 

tt, 20 a epi 5. 2495, pa 


&2,) Rom, 16. 4, Phil. 2, 

| AZ 306 

- }d Deut. 15 7—U. 
Prov. 19.1% Is; 58. 


IA FES LH 

ed love of men, for 

a good. evidence of 
hat he 


they all were dispos- 
» and mye those, who 


malice, which 


re € 


ee th N i 


perpetrate that crime, could be a regene- 
e , or apartaker of the Spirit of Christ. 

doub David, when in one dreadful instance 
uilty of murder, had eternal life abiding 
1or is there any.single sin, into which it 

ble for a regenerate man to fall: but} 
was showing, that no true believer] 


9 Tatas e 


x 


“ill ae 


fo ee 


18 « My Vitdlelebildien;: h let us not led ce 
in word, neither in tongue 5 but in deed] 
and in truth. i 

19 And # hereby we know that we 
of the truth, « and shall. * assure oul 
hearts before him. _ 

20 For! if our heart condemn us, ano 
™ God is greater than our: ety and} — 
knoweth all things. >} mandments * dwe 

21 Beloved, oif our heart: ‘concteaiat us|him: and heteby 4 
not, then have we confidence toward God: |abideth in us, b 

22 And whatsoever we Rs we re-| given us, | 


g& See on, 21...) 0. 22 
h Ez. 33. 31. Matt» Gr. 


“4 2, 21, ¥, : 
per. +e 139 50.15. Be 66. 1 
25, 41—45. Rom.| Rom.” ragh ae "st 17. 10..& 23. isos, 19. 
12. 921 Corgis. a—} 36. 2 Tim. 2 12 24 John 2.24, 25+ 9, Be’ 28 
1. Gal. 5. 13. &, 6, 


Reriat 3 & 21. 17. Heb..4. i 
+ - Jéb 6 Toba 8! 1. Rev. 2 23. ' 
1 che er ayy ih vActs) & 83/0 2,28. & 4, 17. Ps. 
2 14, 15. 1] 7, 3-5. 1 Cor, 4» 


22, it “24, 25.) 4. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1} 
i See on, ver. 14.8) Tim. 2. 8 Heb. 4.' 
oh 8, John 18¢37-. +m: Job 33. ie 16. & 10. 22. 

ver 21. Is. $2 17. John 10. 29, 30.|p 5.14. Ps. 10. 17. 
“ae ib. 6F 10, is vk ‘Heb. 6, 13. & 34. 4. utd &} 1 


sorrows of save ‘their lives. This might also |} 
be deemed constructive murder s as such a man 
efused to preserve life, when it was in his pow- 
er, and his bounden duty to do it: and if the 
Lord had acted thus. towards sinners, and ene- 

“mies, we must all:have perished. As no higher ji 
expression of love is mentioned, than a willing-|i 
ness to lay down our lives for our brethren; it is 
manifest that the apostle did not maintain the 
extravagant notion, that true grace will make us 
willing to be eternally miserable, for the glory 
of God and the good of the universe.» 

V. 18—24.. (Note; James iin13—17.) Fron 
the preceding considerations, the apastle earnesi- 
ly admonished his dear children to. love one an- ay when ft 
other, and their poor brethren and neighbours, known sino a 
* not in word, neither in tongue,” or. merely. in |arraigned at thi 
profession, and with kind and obliging language ; 
** but in deed and in truth,” showing the sinceri 
ty and strength of their affection for them, by | the atoning blo 
their actions, and in self-denying liberal com-|renewal of their peac 
munication to the supply. of their wants. If they | confidence : and. if, 
did this from faith! in Christ, and love to him, |declensions, their 
they would “ thereby know, that they were of |through: painful sens’ 
« the truth;” these fruits of the Spirit) would | will surely be emp 
show that they held the truth in love, and expe- |ofpreventing the 
rienced the power of it in tieir hearts: and so jof Christians do not 
they would be able “ to assure their hearts be-{ed or -unrepented, 
** fore God,” in humble confidence of his:accept- |have they confidence 
vance; and enlarged expectations of having all | Spiri 
their wants supplied, from ‘the riches of his libe- 
rality... But they could not ‘have this warranted 
assurance of his love, if they allowed themselves 
in known. sin, or the neglect of known duty: for 
if their own hearts and consciences’ condemned 

- them of secret wickedness, or of selfish—lisre- 
gard to the distresses of their brethren; they. 
could not but know, “ that God was greater than }i 
*¢ their hearts, and knew all things ;.and the con- |m 

. sideration of bis acquaintance with all their sinsy 
his holy hatred of them, his impartial justice and 
almighty power,,must fill: them with fears’ of, 
his vengeance, and: prevent their confidence | and that, for, Christ? sa 

_ in him. For if they could not. but decide: ple, they should love one 


is weakened ; | 


High Priest; and 
grace, they may as! 
conciled Father, 
(if good. for them. ) al 
dences the reality of 


directions for distinguishing 
m, that of error, 1—6, He 


and self-denying 0 ania ey al ed to praise and serve him in @& 
had given them command dm. } finite excellency, and: 

who uprightly - obeys the tions? But Jet none. 
i others connected js sates hope in God, if 


rt, that Opriat dwelt in yas il ytibee pare it is aateehy ‘pati Holy riety 

. ere ng his | « purifieth himself,” in dependence. on the grace, 

d displaying r 1 im ; |and 4 contemplation of the glory ‘of Christ, un~ 
Be Kors that al union sub-|to increasing’ confurmity to his perfect purity. 
: t This distinguishes the living hope of God’s chil« 

ld | dren, from the presumption of all kinds of hypo- 
jerites. ‘The Redeemer did not magnify. the law 

| and make it honourable, that. his: disciples might 
|violate and. Gespise it; but that they might be 
'| delivered from its righteous condemnation, and. 
taught to ‘obey and delight i in its most holy and. 
t that they were the children of reasonable. precepts. As in him was no sin; 80 
r >») {mone that abide in him allow themselves in’ any 
oy transgressign ’ ‘of the divine law: for he who 

7 committeth sin. hath, not seen or.known Christ, 
ana is a deluded if he think that he’ Segp' 
iat i Mu F—10. 

ae the val concern of eternal happiness of 
miasty; how careful should we be not to deceive 
-oursélves ! and the argument of the apostle in 
‘these verses, points a way, in which many, it is 
to: be feared, are selfdeceived : for; however we 
interpret his expressions, they must prove, be 


ee the pacts + 
souls, and then “ witnessing: 


M PRACTICAL Sane RONG: 
} . bee ~WV.1—5.. * we 
We can, never ‘niftciently.’ jeabeniet the rove] 
which the Father hath bestowed upon us, or re- 
it our own felicity, if indeed we are num- 
@ the children of God... Who and. 
Were we, or what had we done; that the 
Lord ‘should condescend thus to’ notice 
and distinguish us' What manher of love 
was this, that he should so redeem, regenerate, 
adopt, and bless such worthless worms, such 
guilty, polluted rebels ! doubtless 'it was vast 
‘bey d-conception, — and incapable. of being il- 
any comparison. May we then be 
wer' jim as his dear children; and thus 
w our sense of his unspeakable mercy, and 
tess that obedient, grateful, and humble 
ind, which becomes those so highly favoured 
ished. Should the world disown us, 
| deride our pretensions, of being”  the:sons 
* and ‘daughters | ‘of the Lord Almighty,” or | 
even treat us. with the-utmost contempt, enmity, 
and cruelty ; may recollect that the world 
«© by wisdom Ehew not God ;” and that even his | 
professed worshippers knew not “the Bright-| 
4 ness of his glory, the express Image of his. 


righteous before God, as justified believers, who 
are taught and disposed by the renewal of the 
Holy Spirit, to practise universal righteousness 
in the general tenour of their conduct : and that 
a man’s conformity to the example of Christ, is 
the only adequate evidence of his being interest- 
ed in his redemption.’ It should also be observed 
that all, whoare not as regenerate persons the chil. 
dven of God, are the cbildren of the devil ; and as 
they copy the example “ of him who sinneth from 
\« the beginning,” they no doubt will be heirs of 
dis mheritance, if they die unchanged. For the 
Son of God was manifested on purpose to destroy 
the works of the devil: so that they, in whose 
hearts the works of the devil are not destroyed, 
inany degree; but who still continue, proud, 
“ Person ;” but crucified him * whom all angels |selfish, sensual, malicious, envious, and alienate 
‘ ' worship ! 1” But as they could not exclude the ed. fromthe life of piety, purity, and righteous- 
First-born from his inheritance, so neither will-/ness,'cannot have received the special benefit of 
‘they be able to prevent the eternal felicity of |his incarnation. —“ Whosoever’ is born of God 
those whom he graciously owns as his brethren. |“ doth not commit sin :” nay, he cannot do it; for 
ven in our lowest estate, and under our heavi- |his new nature, the divine seed that remaineth 
€st trials, ** we are the children of God,” if we |in him,’effectually hinders him: even unallowed 
‘indeed believe ‘in Jesus Christ; and we shall (deficiencies, or such transgressions as he may be 
akperience such consolations, and’ possess such | sometimes: betrayed. into, give him the most 

es; as will support-us under our. transient | poignant. ‘distress.’ It is indeed impossible, that 
73; byt none on earth can conceive; in an/he can live in known sin, or take any pleasure in 
manner, the nature of “that exceed-|such a course ;, because it is impossible to de- 
pandveternal weight of glory,” into which }stroy the principle of divine life and sensibility 
speedily enter... It doth not indeed yet }of conscience, which hath been communicated by 
t we shall be; but enough is known jthe regenerating Spirit; or to turn again the 

rsa confit for — more ‘ean |heart of fleshinto an unfeeling stone. |“ In this 


t ; {the children’ of God are) manifested, and the 
sprte pean 


ampere of the devil 2? and “ whosoever doeth 
{ not righteousness is not of God.” May all 


’ 


A. D.90. 


yond jall reasonable doubt, that they only. ‘are. 


¢ 


Ag 


_ guished by hambie, harmless, and self-denying 


_ Thay know,’ that we have’ passed from ‘our natu- 


A, D.96. 


_ exhorts them. o leve one ie by. &h ex 
"ple of God in. ring | s i for sinners 


professors of tiie Gospel Ta = these truths to heart, | t 
and examine themselves them = sand let all} 
ministers be: sure, as they: itimiteveste kobe say t 
‘the Lord Jesus at the day of judgment, to insist } Clini 
fully on these topics, and make them» plain to| ac 
their hearers : for numbers are most certainly de-| 
ceived by vain words; ‘* sin on that grace may 
« abound;” make the lamented fact of a believ- 
er’s liableness to be overcome by temptation, a} 
Hiiation of their habitual wickedness; and | portion of thee ab 
Bose for heaven, whilst living i in the seciety nay,| can tt bethoug 
perhaps the open, commission of those things, {in them? ‘Hoy 
#¢ for which the wrath of ‘God cometh upon the ri 
& children of disobedience.” 
ve My, 


In scene and charscter, as well 
a8 in inquiring after our duty, it behooves us to 
advert especially to the message, delivered to 
Christians from the beginning, * to love one an- 
«¢ other.” For the children of God are ‘distin- 


love; as those of the devil are by proud, selfish, 
and mischievous hatred : the former love ali men, | leaving cheap 
and desire the happiness of those whose crimes| children of the 
they detest, and whose society they sian; though| varnish of their § 
the household of faith attracts their special affec-| tion as grace 
tion, and are the objects of their cordial estima-| the fruits of it ab 
tion, and complacency: but the children of the |“ 

wicked one, whilst they live in malice and en- |' 
$t-vy, hateful and hating one another,” above'all, 
despise, revile, envy, detest, and persecute those, | would in peat e mo 
who bear the image, profess the truth, worship | ceptance, and enjoy end 
the name, love the cause, and seek the ‘glory, of lif wr were more dili 
Christ. For they are “like Cain, who was of 
‘© (hat wicked one and slew his brother; be- 
* cause his own works were evil, and his bro- 
*ther’s righteous.” Whilst we remember, that} in 
the same nature belongs to, and the same spirit 
«6 works in, all the children of disobedience,” 
as prompted Cain to murder Abel, and the Jews 
to crucify the holy Jesus; we cannot marvel ifj our own measur 

the world hate ug; nor ought we to be discon-| whilst the ee ‘of G 
eerted by any imsults or injuries with which we 
mheet: and if indeed we love the brethren, we 


ral state of enmity and spiritual death, and are! duty’; then, like child 
brought into the company of those, who are alive | having done aright, 
to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. But if| parents” approbatio’ 
this radical grace be wholly wanting ; the most} God; and whatsoever 

plausible professor of the Gospel abideth in becatise we show that r 
death : yea, he is 2 murderer in his heart, hej * keeping bis com 
bears the image of satan, and hath not eternal} “things, which are 
life abiding in him. Nor is it enough for us to} Thus a gratuitous ‘s 

avoid express malice and revenge: our love of | ence of love, are in 
our brethren, of our neighbours, and even of our | substance of the co 
esiemies, must be positive and active, like that of] faith in his Son Jesu 
our God and Saviour, who laid down his life for} other for his sake. 7 
those whom ‘te loved when enemies, in order | terly insufficient for ou 
that he might make them his friends and bre- 
thren. (John xv. 12—15.) If then, it may in 
some €ases be: our duty to lay down our lives for | in 
our brethren; ‘surely ve are bound continually to 
labour, expend, and deny ourselves in various 
ways, to alleviate ‘thei sorrows, and promote 


4. D. 99, 
not every s i be Every y spirie, that confesseth that Jesus 
paparits ‘whether they be: hrist i ee come in the flesh, is of God: 
° many false prophets| 3 A And f every. spirit that BEE cach ath not 
| that Jesus Shrist i is come in the flesh, 
d; jis not 0 ‘God pet ‘and this is that spirit of 
antichrist, renin heard that it 
| should come ; and even now areata is if 
1]in the world. {<*> p64 
“las 16 Jobn 16.13) 1°Vims3..16) ° ") BThes! "7, 8. & 
| Poot 


18.1 Cor. 12: 3. LWW» 
e. ver. 3, John 1. 14. g See on, 2 18, 


ye 8 


ting up new lights, against the atithenticated ; and. ° 
complete light of divine revelation. ‘The apos- 
tle, therefore, exhorted his brethren, i in, deter. 
teining who spake by the Spirit of God, and who 
hi did not, to observe, that ‘ eyery spirit, which 
s confessed Jesus Christ as having come in the 
1* flesh, was of God,” (JWVote, ii. 18-22. Matz. x. 
accurately to distinguish be- 32.) This must, be understood of an intelligent 

ose who “ spake as they were | confession of the doctrine, delivered by the apos- 

: aie ‘Holy Ghost.” The apostle, there- ses concerning the Lord Jesus, his Person, and 
shorted his brethren not to believe every} his offices. The reality of his human nature was 


or every man who professed to speak. by no doubt peculiarly adverted to by the expres- _ 


natura impulse, and to be under the] sion,, “ come in the flesh :” but, who could have 

nce of the Spirit of God : but to make trial | doubted of his haying been really a Man, if it had 
| tensions, whether they who made | deen generally understood and believed that he 
were of God ornot. This was absolutely | was merely a Man? And if the apostle had not 
many false prophets were|knowp that,as the Son of God, he could have 


the world, who were instigated | come otherwise than in the flesh; he would 


oy satan, to, propagate destruc-| scarcely have noticed, his “ coming in the flesh,” 
° in opposition to the doctrine and] as an essential part of this confession: for whe 
of Christ. (Wore, Matt. xxiy. 24.) In| would have said that John Baptist, or John the 
this direction, the apostle did not make apostle,, came in the flesh, when they were em~- 
pes fe the miracles wrought by the true| ployed in preaching the Gospel, as they must 
oh Note, Deut. xiii. 1—S. 2 Thes. ii. 9] have come. in human nature, seeing they had ne 
deemed it more decisive, to de- other nature? But the coming of Christ in hu- 
matter by the agreement or disagree-|man nature, when God “ the Word became 
their doctrine to that, which the apostles|‘ flesh, and tabernacled among men,” was in- 
‘with the Holy Ghost sent down deed essential to the apostle’s’ doctrine concern. 
2 for this was confirmed by the|ing his redemption. So that they, who did not 
of the C Old Testament ; by all the mira-| confess him as “come in the flesh ;” or. adyanc- 
t, and all the prophecies fulfilled in| ed any tenets contrary to his being the Christ, 
isresurrection, and the accomplishment | the Son of the living God, or any of those offices, 
ents and predictions; and by all the| which as God manifested in the flesh he. was 
miracles performed by the first preachers and | anointed to perform ; were not of God, whatever 
prefessors of ianity, during a number of pretences they advanced to inspiration, or ap- 
ears : and nothing done by those false prophets, | pearances they exhibited of miraculous powers. 
ho opposed their doctrine, could pretend toequal | For the spirit, that suggested such heresies, was 
multiplied demonstration, This shows, that| that of antichrist; and they who spake by i ity, were ~ 
‘who are well acquainted with the| men of the same infidel, ambitious, and i impious 
may, in humble dependence on di- disposition, as the principal antichrist would be, 
i know for themselves, who preaches | of whose coming they had heard; and who in~ 
» the doctrine of the ee and | fact was already in the world, in the various 
false prophets, that were raised up to oppose the 
DB true doctrine of Christ, of whom. the grand an-- 
eS to the jee inspiration, or new re- tichrist would prove the genuine SUCCESSCr.-~ 
itions, areto be regarded as any thing but These very heretics, » whora the apostle here 
l delusions, when they are brought to| showed to be the fore.runners of the principal 
or oppose, the fundamental doctrines antichrist, might be proved. to be the very same 
by the apostles : that even apparent, persons, whose sentiments the Socinians, and 
id be totally insufficient to authen- hers, adopt and patronize as primitive Chris- 
a doctrine ; and consequently | that} and it is net very improbable that the 
“reasoning | and human authority | most fatal | preva alence of antichrist, which is yet 

ely disregarded ; which concludes. supposed. to be future, will be in the garb of in- 
[ystics, Enthusiasts, Papists,| fidelity, or open opposition to the. Deity and 
q ; who may. mutually des-'jeatonement.of Christ; that. is, “ denying that Je. 
e each other, ‘but all agree in set-i** sus Christ, the Son pf God, is come in the 


a ik i 2 


x 


T 


4 D. on ye . at 


“4 Ye h are of God, little children, a 
i have overcome’them ; because * greater] Spi 
is he thatuisyin you, than: | he : 
the worldet*\)on) = Ol Gane sas 
pe aba of the world dalblnkte 
they of the morte - and the world that loyeth 
theme). < } eth’ God. 8 
6° We are of God: P he dint inoweehel 8 He that 
God heareth us; he, that is not mei God ; fo 
B ver. 6..16. S 3. 9,} Cor. 6: 16. Ephi 3, ie <9) |} 93, Sohn 
+ 1008 5. 19, 20, a. 7 mis. 
A 2. 13. & be 4,5, 15.14, Gri hn 12:1 5. fies 
“6. /LO=13.) 31. & 14; 30K ee 21: 
Rev. 12. 11. 11} 1Cor, 2,12. 2) 22.28)” 
Be vere 130°16:°& 3!) Oorees 4.» Bphv 2: 
24. John 10.2: Like Ge AQ ed sp 
30. & 14.17—23. &lm Ps 17.14. Luke) 


27. 23) Rom. 8. ~ 16. 3. John 3, 
Ady 1 Cor. 6. 19> 2) 7% 6,7. &8, 


15. ava 


i, 


s ‘flesh, *'to be 
‘6 the world ;”” not i in't 
V. 4-6. (Note, 
Jolin so affectio 
his: ‘children, beating his image and adhering to] ad embraced 
th and will; and'they bad overcome these | dency and effects of U 


ena ui 
) The perieabdlae whom | the dabrehie 


tessed, were “ of God,” | disposition and 


false prophets, who were of the wicked one:| neither they beak 3 
‘they b had been enabled to withstand their as-|same is the - 
_ saults , and to reject With decision their perni- day 5, nor can pa 


; ‘cious doctrines. ‘This had been done, through | ¢ Spirits, whether @ 
the teaching and assistance of the Spirit of Christ, | (Vote, Matt. xvi. 18 
who dwelt in them; and who was more power-|* tles be all dead, " 
ful to uphold and preserve them, than the evil] * vinely inspired w 
spirit, that dwelt anid wrought in these’ deceivers, |* declares ‘that the 
and i in the whole world of unbelievers, was to 


Stupendous miracles algo, as well as the boly| © and of their aectninee 
lives, of true Christians and faithful ministers, 
had in many places given them decided adyan- | 
‘tages over the false teachers, and driven them | that they wot 
away with disgrace. “These indeed were of thé] fection toward 
world, though they professed to be Christians : ritual, and self= 
they belonged to satan’s kingdom; they were of| effect and. ev 
2 worldly disposition, and aspired at secular dis- | that every x) 
tinctians and advantages. They therefore Spake special affection, 
‘of the world, agreeably to its wisdom, maxims,| them good, be 
and taste; so as not to offend, but to gratify | tion to Christ, | 
carnal men who loved the world, and to ensure hada saving ae 
their friendship by flattering them, and giving|as he, who did not thu 
them encouragement while indulging their|in his people, was no 
worldly lusts: and on this account the world | destitute of ay transf ormin 
heard them with approbation ; they made rapid| For % GOD} VE,” o: 
progress, had numerous followers, and drew off and och scitoneee it is, 
many unestablished professors of Christianity | ture to be kind, to ec 
‘from their faithful teachers. But the apostle felicity ; and to pr vide 
might say with ¢onfidence of himself and his creatures, ‘in all cas 
brethren, “we are of God:” and those who] sist with his infinite 
knew the holy and glorjous character of Ged, holines ss ; for love m 
and had ru experimental acquaintance with him, ly with these attri 
through regeneration, adhered to their doctrine ath’ is filled wi h 
and. instructions : whereas, they who were not} and. ‘doubtless th 
born of God, and did not truly belong to him,|the same : holy 

would ie hear them, but attended to. the more ei and ae 


vor: "for they eae were influenced by the Spirit fb thet it is 
of truth, adhered to the doctrine of. the apos-| of intelli nt 


he ewe of its holy, just, and 
uirements - would bave been per- 
le >P. ‘all perfectl; y obeyed it. Unless 
om seen it proper, that omnipo-~ 
abe exerted to prevent free agents 
eression ; which undeniable facts de- 
te that it did not ; this law must be guard- 
by sanctions ; and they who break it must be 


CHAPTER | IV. 


ifested the love of 
use that ¢ God sent 
» Son into the me 


4. D. $0. 
his Son: ¢o be the Propitiation for our sins. 
11 Beloved, *if God so loved us, we 
ought also to love one another. 
12 No man hath © seen God at any 
time. If we! love one ‘another, God. 
dwelleth in us, ™ and his love is perfect- 


.jed in us. 


15. 12,18. 2 Cor.8 
8, 9. Eph. 4. 81, 32. 


So that, if wise and holy love, ir its most perfect 
exercise towards universal being, through eter~ 
nity, had required or even admitted of it; no 
pain would have been suffered by any creature, 
much less would “any have been left to be final- 
ly miserable. But to argue from hence, that. 
none will be finally miserable, in direct opposi-~ 
tion to his testimony, who is TRUTH, as well as 
LOVE, is the height of impiety and presump- 
tion. What do we know, concerning the pur. 


kposed to a punishment proportioned to the of-|poses of love to unnumbered millions _ througtt 
ince. Thus love to creatures at large, dictated | eternal ages, which may be answered, in the in- 
h the law and its sanctions. When angels/ finitely wise counsels of God, by leaving compa- 


lnned, 2 God of love, in- kindness to his obedi-|ratively a small number of rebels, to the merited 


only i in sparing sinners, and giving them such 
rich ‘profusion of temporal benefits, whilst the 
imtence denounced against them. was in. part 
ed; but in so ordering it, that even their 
sorrows, and [temporal death, were expres- 

ve of ‘wise compassion, and tended greatly 
the multiplication of crimes, and the 
ease of condemnation. Espccially, the pro- 
son the Gospel, for the forgiveness of sin 
whe salyation of sinners, in consistency. with 
ory of the law and justice of God ; whilst 
t sufferings «are made subservient to the 
nal and eternal felicity of believers, doth unde- 
ably manifest, that “God is Love.” So im- 
ense were the obstacles to be surmounted, and 
: astonishing the method, by which mercy is 
snourably exercised to rebels deserving of eter- 
ul misery, that, even if the entrance of sin had 
en ages or impunity and recovery to ho- 
é uld have been ensured to all transgres- 
TS, any such expedient; the love of 
ape not so clearly have appeared to be 
finite and incomprehensible. Something we 
in now see of its immensity; and though im. 
le mystery and obscurity rest on many 
pecting it ; yet it will surely at length 
splendent, as the noon-~day sun, that 

ot love presided, when, in the in- 

tof God, the entrance of sin was 

ae infinite justice, holiness, 


44 connected with the election, 
ho are thus prepared before unto glory. 


vor, VI 


7 


res, turned those from heaven to hell,| punishment of their crimes? 
have converted heaven into hell if|the same principles argue, that prisons and exe- 
continued there, except some other act cutions could not have any place in the domin- 
potence had prevented it When man’s|ions of an eminently benevolent prince: when, 
sy took Place, the love of God was shown, |in reality, wise and equitable benevolence to 


Men might cn 


numbers, would dictate severity to a few atroz 

cious criminals, who would otherwise make many . 
wretched. Indeed we might as reasonably are © 
gue, that since “God is Love,” there can be 
no such thing as misery in the creation; for ome 
nipotence could certainly exclude it : but if infi- 
nite wisdom, justice, holiness, and truth, require, 
that Love himself should cause his creatures to 
endure anguish; (and here facts preclude the 
vain hypothesis, which speculation might other- 
wiSe have adopted) no created understanding 
can determine, in what degree, to what duration, 
or in how many instances, the wise, righteous, 
and holy purposes of LOVE, may require the 
suffering of his rebellious subjects. So that all 
arguments and calculations of this kind, prove 
nothing, but the vain self-wisdom of foolish man, 
who deems himself competent to determine what 
God ought to do and what he will do; and,in ~ 
this presumption, opposes his arguments to the 
explicit testimony of God himself: and profess- 
es to honour his love, whilst he treats hie truth 
as a lie, and supposes his awful threatenings to 
be terrifying delusions, *to frighten the ignoraat 
part of mankind into good behaviour, and to be 
despised by the more discerning! But it is 
enough for our purpose, that God hath so showr 
himself to be Love in his dealings with us, that, 
after all our crimes, we cannot come short of 
eternal happiness, except through our unbelief 


in}and impenitent rebellion; whilst strict justice 


would have consigned us to hopeless and final 
Misery, as soon as ever we transgressed our 


Tn this. the love of God towards 


d sanctification of the vessels of | Creator’s law. - 


V. 9—12. 
46 


@ 


= 


by his omnipotent word have created countless 


. glorious displays? We must at length be con- 
_ strained to own, that it is to be found in the Per- 


' been seen elsewhere, fromthe beginning of the 


‘ADOC, ¥ 
13 Hereby n know we that we dwell in, 


him, and hein us'5 because he hath given 


Us of his Spirit. ’ 


14 And © we have seen and do testify, i 
that P the Father sent the Son to ée.4 the}. 


Saviour of the world. se 
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus 

is the son of God, * Ged dwelleth in him, 

and he in God. fe eas 


John S. 11, 32. & 
& 39 & 15, 26, 
27. Acts 18 5. 
1 Pet. 5:12... 

p See on, ver, 10. 
John 3. 34 & 5) 
36, 37.°%& 10. 36, 

Iq 2 1, 2, John 1,29. 


&3 16, 1% & 4. 
42. R12 a7. 
r Ver.2.& 5.1, 5- Mat. 
10,32, Luke 12. 8. 
Rom. 10. 9. Phil. 
rae 2 John 7. 
is Seeon, ver. 12. 
Pi 


N ver 15, 16. See on, 
$: 24. John 14. 20 
26. Rom. 8.9— 
17. 1 Cor.2. 12. & 
8. 16, 17%. & 6. 19, 
Gal. 5, 22-25. 
Eph. 2. 20-22. 

0.1, 1-3. & 5. 9. 


lis, lost sinners, hath been especially manifest- 
ed; ‘* because he sent his only begotten Son in- 
® (9 the world, that we might live through him.” 
(Note, John iii. 16—21.) Hence it appears, that 
Christ is called the only begotten Son of God, 
previous to his incarnation, or coming into the 
world: and that the love of God, in giving 
his own Son*to assume our nature, in order to 
his expiatory sufferings, was more stupendous, 
than even in giving him as incarnate to the death 
upon the cross for us. When God designed so 
vast a blessing as life eternal for fallen sinners, 
in his infinite campassion.and mercy; his most 
perfect justice and holiness rendered it impossi- 
ble for him to do it, (for he cannot deny himself,) 
except an all-sufficient atonement could be made 
for their sins: and when ne other method, or 
none so proper for this. end, was perceived by 
his infinite wisdom, as the sending of his own 
Son to be our Surety, and the atoning Sacrifice 
for our sins ; he spared him not, but sent him in- 
to the world, that we might live through him.— 
None of our words or thoughts, can do justice 


to.such free, rich, astonishing love of a Holy |: 


God fowards sinners; to whom he owed no- 
thihg; who could not profit, or hazm him; 
whom he might justly have crushed in a mo- 
ment; who were shown to have been deserving 
of his tremendous vengeance, in the very method 
by which they were saved; and when he could 


worlds, replenished with far more exalted he- 
ings, if he had seen good. Search we then the 
whole universe for love, in its most enlarged and 


son and the cross of Christ. Herein is (bat love, 
the splendour of which eclipses all that hath 


world ; and which will be the special subject of 
admiring and adoring. praise to all eternity.— 
Doth love subsist between God and, sinners? 
Herein was the origin of it: not, that we loved 


God; for we were enemies to his holy character,. 


law, sovereignty, worship, and providence; but 
that he, most freely, and with most condescend- 
ing compassion, forgiveness, and liberality, loved 
us, and sent his Son to be the propitiatory sacri- 
fice for.cur sing. (Note, ii. 1—S.) In this great 


event, all holy beings will for ever see, that}; 


« GOD is LOVE:” and the more redeemed sin- 


of judgment: bei 


we in this world, 


t Sce on, vers 9,10.jx See 
& 3.1.16. Ps. 18.) 2, 5. 
1—3, & 81. 19. Sly 2 2B. 
36.7—9. Is. 64. 4} Jam. 2. 
1 Cor. 2. 9. z 

u See on, ver. 8. 12, 


13. : 
* Gr. love with use 


ners understand of 
will they have of tha 

ly be comprehe 

this view of th 

about the subject 
thing concerning its” 
then God hath so tov 
tion, and bringing u 
also to love one another, 
ple, and in grateful ob 
and to express this lo 
ble, kind, liberal, and 
wards each other. F 
in respect of his divin 


(save, that he, who ha 


the Father also:) we. 
wé love him, by loving’ 
and by doing geod to the 


el 


Spirit had so chan red their 
them partakers of a divine natu 
ed the children of God with a 
pied his example ia r 
Under this influence and € 
and others who had see Ch 
perimentally ‘acquainted ; 
did testify to their fellow-sinn 
that ** the Father had sent 
“ Saviour of the world,” and 
grace, and eternal life, on | 
place, who applied for the 
blood, by living faith in his 1 
therefore, should hear an 


some, whom the apost : 


‘ny, and confess Jesus to be 


knowledging the love of | 
cious dispensation, cordi 
design of it, and venturin 
ly men, in professing the f 
obeying the divin 


8 There® iat no fear in hides, but per- 
eth out fear: because © fear’ 


ants 


cami * i 


15. Gal. 5. 2% 
2° Eph. 2.38—~5. | Tit. 
= 28. See on, vets 10.) 2. 3-5. 

fait vs. 73. Luke 7. 47. Jobnit See on, 2.4. & 3, 
15,16 Bl $.16- 2 Cor, Sel4l 17%. 


75, 119, 120. Jam. 2019.7 
oF See on, ver. 12. 


terpreted according to the context: for unless 
4 a confession of Christ where sincere, intelli- 
pnt, long influential, the man could not be a 
ker of holy loye; and therefore the apostle 

b al eis siaeanicley, what | he before asserted, 
=! ta, mere | De ateasion with the lips, 

and igrace i in the heart. (8) But 
stians had known, ‘understood, and ex- 
ed, as well as believed, the love, whicly 
had shown towards them in the redemption 
Son ; and it had had a transforming effect 
jon them, by bringing them to resemble God, in 
e nature and fruits of their love; and so by an 


bitual exercise of this holy affection towards 


lod, each: other, : and. all men ; and to live in the 
ost endearéd and intimate union with him.— 
hus their love to the Lord was made perfect, 
> produced its genuine and valuable effects, in 
riove to one another: and they cultivated 
oly disposition, and acted from it, in order 
they might have boldness in the day of 
1dgment, (Notes, Matt. xxv. 31—46:) because 
3 _ Christ was, so were ‘they . in this world: 
him, they were influenced by holy love to 
o good | to others in a. self-denying manner ; and 
ping: treated with contempt, reproach, and en: 
ee thap, meekly and patiently endured it, and 
wis severed in doing good against evil as be had 
Or, as God is, so. were they ; they bore his 
ange, which the world hated, &c. 
V. 18. In the love of God, through Jesus 
heist, as made perfect ia Tete to Christians 
nd to all men. for the Lord’s sake, there i is 00 
-ar or terror : the obedience and good works per- 
med from. this principle, are not like the ser- 
ile diligence of one, who reluctantly labours 
dread of a hated master’s indignation; but 
‘ate of a datiful child, who performs services 
a riaret father, which conduce tothe bene- 
of his: brethren, and are on every. account 
ssi re voluntarily | performed. Reve- 
the majesty of God, and fear of disho- 


perfect € exercises of holy love ; but terrify- 
fp rehensions of vengeance have no place in 
| cease in proportion as love prevails, and 
confidence and gratitude. So that per- 
V of God, (and of ‘man for his” ‘suke,) 
od ice such full satisfaction of acceptance, 
ight in his service, and such experience 
ations, ag to cast out all servile fear: 
torment and. distress to. the mind, 
’ th papi it of adoption proportionably 
iever. (Note, Rom. vill. 15—17.) 


and. re turns, of these terrors, there- 
efience of established belier Cs 


. 


Lp Divo. a CHAPTER Iv. 


oie him, are. intimately, connected with the 


A. D,.90, 


hateth his brother, he is’a liar: for he 
that loveth not his brother whom he hath 


|seen, how can he love God ¢ whom he 


Jhath not seen? — _ 

21 And h a 002 have we 
from him, That he whodoveth God, loye 
his brother also. « - A, a 
99. Dark 12, oe 
ver, 11. & 3. 11} $3. Luke 10. 27.) Gal. 5 6. 14, 1 


14. 18. 23. Lev, 19.) John 13, 34, 35. :&| Thes, 4.9. 1 Pet. 
18. Mat. 22. 37—| 15. 12. Rom. 12. 9,1 3. 8. a 4. 8, 


£ See, on, Aig 12. 10. & 13. 9, 10. 


show that they are not perfect in love ; ; though 
they have great use, in this state of conflict 
and imperfection, in all respects ; yet the hae 
bitual prevalence of them in many persons, im- 
plies that. they are not, duly brought under. the 
influence of the~Spirit of adoption, but serve’ 
God, more from. slavish fear, than from filial 
love. In heaven this’ love will be perfect, and 
uneasy fear will be for ever excluded ; and in 
this world, the more we obey God from love, and. 
the less we need, and experience that “ fear, 
“ which hath torment,” the more of heaven do 
we enjoy. But this does not imply that any 
Christians are made perfect in love on earth ab- 


'solutely, to the full demand of the divine law; 
or that slavish fears prove a man to have no love 


or grace: or that exemption from fear of eyery 
kind is the privilege of believers. It is equally 
true, “ that blessed is he that feareth alway,” as 
that * perfect love casteth out fear =” for differ. 


ent kinds of fear are meant. (Votes, Rom. xi. 20. 


1 Pet.i 17.) 
. V. 19. They who serve God from filial affec- 
tion, not slavish fear, “love him, because he 
“© first loved them :”” not that their love is merely 
gratitude for his previous benefits, which, ab- 
stracted from other exercises of love, would: be 
a very selfish affection: nor could any man in 
that case love God at all on good grounds, with- 
out some immediate revelation to assure him 
that. he was thé object of his special love, even 
whilst he had no grace, and was wholly impeni- 
tent and sinful. But the evident meaning is, 


that if the Lord had not loved them before they 


loved him, even when they were dead in ‘sin, 
they must for ever have continued enemies to 
him. His love suggested the plan, and provided 
the means of redemption; he revealed to sinners 
his glorious perfections and abundant merey, in 
the Person and work of his Son; he sent his 
word, to declare to sinners this great salvation, 
and to invite them to partake of it; he regene- 


rated them by his Spirit, and so brought them,’ 


by repentance and faith in Christ, into a state of 
acceptance and reconciliation ; and thus taught 
and enabled them to love his excellency, to va- 


lue his favour, te be thankful for his inestimable © 


benefits, and. zealous for his glory. As, there- 
fore, his love to them was the original source of 
their love to him: so from the latter they may 
infer the former, and take the comfort of the 
happy: ‘change which hath been wrought in sees 
whilst they give him the glory of it. 

“V. 20,21. The love of God in Christ,’ pro. 
duced in the heart of Christians by the Spirit of 
‘adoption, is to be considered as the grand proof 


a 


AuD. 90: 


CHAP. V. 
The apostle shows the connexion between faith in 


Christ, regeneration, love to God and his. chil-} » 


dren, obedience to his commandments, and victo- 
ry over the world, i—5. 


of their conversion.: yet, that also must be tried | 
by its effects, in their temper and conduct te- 
_ ‘wards their brethren. For if a man prefess to 

love God, and yet hate his brother, and either 
indulges habitual resentment against any one, or 
shows a spiteful or selfish disposition, or con- 
_ tsmpt.and enmity of God’s:image in his children, 

he is.no doubt a liar, pal tiay a is for if a 
man do not love the, holy image of God in his 


behaviour is. sensibly endearing and advantage- 
ous to him; or refuses to show kindness to his 
brother in distress, when he knows this to be the 
commanded expression of love to God; how 
can he be supposed to loye God, whom he 
hath not seen? whose perfection he can only 
contemplate ata distance; who is not visibly 
present to excite him to suitable returns of affec- 
tion: and who cannot want or be profited by any 
of his services? .So that the pretence of loving 
God, when the love of the brethren is neglected, is 
no more than acloak of selfishness, or an excuse 
for malignant passions... And indeed this is his 
express command, that our love to God should 
be shown by the love of our brethren: but how 
can he be supposed to. love God, who habitually 
violates his command, and acts contraty to his 
most endearing example? (arg. Ref.) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1— 

We live in an age in which few comparatively 
pretend to immediate revelations: yet we haye 
at least as much cause to try men’s doctrines and 
religion by the word of God, as they had. in the 
primitive times. For “ many false teachers are 
s¢ gone forth into the world,” who agree in 
scarcely any thing, but in denying “that the 
sé Son of God is come in the flesh, to be the pro- 
sé pitiation for our sins, and the. anointed High 
« Priest, Prophet, and King of his Church.” 
«If indeed no teachers are of God, who do 
not confess the doctrine of the apostles, con- 
cerning the Person and salvation of Christ, “God 
¢* manifested in the flesh ;” and if all others are 
actuated by the lying spirit of antichrist, we may. 
truly say that anticbrist did not much more pre- 
wail in the darkest days of popery, than in these 
times of infidelity, skepticism, socinianism, ari- 
anism, mysticism, and antinomianism; whilst 
the scriptural doctrine concerning the Person, 
or some of the offices, of Christ, seems to be 
wholly excluded from the religion of most of his 


professed disciples. But there is a remnant, | 


who ate of God, and who have overcome the 
assaults of all these deceivers, and will be final- 
ly victorious over them ; because they are taught 
and kept by the Spirit of Christ, who is greater 
than the-evil spirit, which still worketh in the 


He states the manifold} 
testimanies, by which the doctrine of Christ is}! 
proved ; and declares the inseparable union be-} 
tween faith and eternal life; and the contrary,} 


children of disobedie nc 
wisdom, principles, spiri 
to the judgment and disp 
will be heard, applauded, 
ly men, as far as their cons 
venient to have some kind of 
an opiate : and as the way.to 
and frequented, no wonder 
majority on their sid 

_ hrother, whom he Hath seen, and whose good | hithert 


tion for the sins of us F 


self-denial, to promote th 


} whom no man het 
show our love an 


ence between 
and true believ 


hy all ag: 


tively few. We mu 
the apostle did, th 


who. ‘* knoweth. 
we can prove that 


may be confident that he 
and that his friends and ch 
and the characters. o a 
to, and those who re, 
ers, may go. far in. de 
humbling, holy truths 


the dictates of the cite error : { 
incapable of digg OO honour to 
of God’s servants, in any 
by forsaking, deriding, : 
their actions show to all, 
emphatical language, t 

like. pias 
Yv, 


Again and again we 
“ one another, becaus 
portion as this abounds in | 
lates our behaviour, we Meal 


are from hell, and the’ 
prepared for the devil an 
our “ GOD is LOVE” ai 
of this endearing attribute b 
obligations as we are brou; 
large, liberal, and ferven' 
to be, and even that of ou 
ing that God hath m a if 

us, in sending his own. 


we might live through 
we to be, in using all: 


souls of those, who are 1 
And how should we lay ai 
good to our fellow-Chris' 


8 Pity e ae 


® believeth that Je- 
) pists » is born of Gon 


ye know hae we love the 


ae 

BY es. 4. & 2.29, &y Pet 1. 8. 23. 

16.) 3. 9. & 4.7. ld 3. 2224. & 4.21. 
© 2,10. & 3.14.17.) sabes 13s 34, 35. .& 
87 & 4. 20. Jano, de 18H Ba” Ria 


zs with our brethren and neigh 

ill pee that he ‘dwelleth and ruleth in our 

; and his e wi perfected in us. 
‘doctrine, which 

ankind, yam confess 


vill appear that we have under- 
ture and glory, as well as believed 

lation, of 
d that, as “ God is love,” so we dwell in love, 
din God, and he in us. 
grow unto perfection; and our confidence 


fore the mercy-seat will be an anticipation of 


be ti NP ar 


re conscious, iat as he our Lord and Saviour 
8, 80 are we in thie evil world. Be 


nee and tormenting fears : 
or ‘the more we | feel of the loving temper of 
ildren towards our Father, and of affection to 
n for his sake; the less we sball fear 
ig treated as enemies, ha the fuller will be 
ce of the special love of God to us. 

( 2 be occasion for’ our being left, 
ful restraint and impulse of terror ; if 


ity; 80 that all our disquiet- 
and a pprehensions, arise from our 
g made perfect in love. Let us then 
rit! hout on that ” we may tore -en- 
love him, 


al and earnest of 
; and, i in return for his mercy, 


t brethren also, and to all men for 
i ter his example; and thus show, | 
igh our yee is imperfect, yet that we 

entially differ from all those, who profess to | 
whom they have not seen, and yet] hate | 
en whom they have seen- 9 


NOTES. ° 


bg Every man, who’ sud be-|a 
S 2 the promised Messiah, and 
1 ou d, and obeyed hinrin that cha- 
d 0 the predictions of the: Old 
he testimony, of the apostles | 


CHAPTER, V. 


the love which God hath to us: 


Tn this way our love 


in the day of judgment; whilst we 


_V. 18-21, Sats om 


rate to his commandments, let ‘us 


A, D.90, 


children of God, when we love God, and 
keep his commandments. a 

3 For ¢ this is. the love of God, that 
we keep his. commandments: ‘ and his 


{commandments are not grievous. 
Sirsa) eS 


5.10. & 7 9e& 10-} John 6, 17. Mic. 6. 8, Mat. 
12,13. Dan. 9. 4./f Pa.19. 7—11. &} 11. 23—30. -Rom- 
John 14. 15. 21—| 119. 47, 48. 103,) 7. 12. 22. p Heb. 8. 


otf a 
e Ex. 20. 6. ‘Deuty Mat. 12, 50, 2 143,174. Paw 8. 
24. Be 16. (10. 14,)°104. 12%, 128. “dé 


concerning him, was doubtless born of God: as 
this faith must be the effect’ of divine life; and 
could not be separated from repentance, love, 
and other graces, or those good fruits which 
spring from them: and all who credibly profess~ 
ed this faith were entitled to that love which 
Christians owed to their brethren, whatever dif. 


-| ferences there might be in their previous charac- : 


ter, abilities, rank, or situation. For every one, 
who loved God, the Father of all the regenerate, 
must also love every one of his children: even 
as men commonly loye and show kindness to the 
offspring of their dear friends, and liberal bene- 
factors. But, as every gracious affection might 
be counterfeited, it Was necessary to observe, that 
this genuine love of the children of God might 
be distinguished from all natural benevolence, or 
party attachments, by its inseparable connexion 
with the love of God, and 4 cheerful upright 
obedience to all his commandments: for the 
same Spirit, who had brought the sinner’s heart’ 
to love the image of God in his children, must al- 
so have taught them to love his holy character, 
precepts, and service. (JVote, James ii. 10.) 


brethren to be spiritual, and evidential of their 
having “passed from” ‘death to life? by a dis- 
Position to love and obey God in all other re- 
spects: whereas that man could not truly love 
the children of God, who habitually committed 
known sin or neglected known duty. ‘So that 
these two parts of the Christian’s character must 
reciprocally prove each other to be genuine. Tra 


fact, the nature, tendency, effect, and, as it were, ~ 
the essence, of love to God, consists in its dispos- 
Ving the heart to *anresedvelt and cheerful obe- 


||dience: and, as his commandments are holy, 
s|just, and good, the rule of liberty and felicity ; 
‘so they, who are born of God and love him, do 
not deem them grievous, but delight in obe- 
dience; and only groan and’ lament that they 

‘cannot serve him more perfectly.” Andeed, the 
natural love of worldly objects, which is found 
‘in every human heart; and the féar of those.in- 
“conveniencies and sufferings, | , which the displea- 
sure of ungodly | men threatens and occasions, in 
some measure, (at all times,) to the faithful ser 


_ ‘|vants of God; render obedience in the present 
{state of things | ‘arduous, and connected with 


pee denial, and various losses, perils, har rdships, 

4d stresses ; from which, in other cireum- 
ie ae it ‘would be wholly exempted. But 
true | *biratians: are possessed of a principle of di- 


-vine life, which carries them ‘above all these, ob.’ 
stacles and impediments, 


oer 


Christians might therefore Know their love of the © 


~ SD Soars 


Tae ey e. FS eeeee et 


ALD. 902° ul JOHNS) 

4 For & whatsoever is born of God| 5 ' 
h overcometh the world: and this’ is the}i 
victory that evercometh the: world, even} Son of God? 
our faith.” 17. & 4. 4. Joh 


16. 33. Rom. 8. 36| 
& Sce\on, er. 1. Be 3.9. hvers 5e8& % 28} 37, icon. 15.574, 


worldly affections 
than io others; 
sons, their evidenc 
weskened. And thi 
that we may challenge th 
duce one instance ofa x 
in the Son of God, who h 
overcome the love and | fear 
things in the world, as not 
way or other, to act cont 


y. 4, 5. That which is. born of God, that 
new and heavenly nature which is communicat- 
‘ed in regeneration, tends so powerfully to God 
and holiness, and includes in its essence such a 
spiritual judgment, and such heavenly affec- 
tions ; that all, in whom it is found, are by it 
made victorious over the world; and overcome 
‘both their natural love for its honours, riches, 
pleasures, decorations, and friendship; and their 
natural fear of the frown, rage, and contempt of 
woridly.men. . Thus they are prepared for loss- 
es, self-denial, and enduring affliction in the 
cause of God; and taught to diregard the max- 
ims, fashions, customs, and opinions of ungodly 
men, however eminent, numerous, or powerful. 
This new creature, as born of God, hath the as- 
cendency in the heart of the youngest and fee- 
blest true Christian; and therefore, they all as- 
pire after and attain unto this victory : for though 
the conflict of grace with corrupt nature and 
the allurements and terrors of the world, is of- 
ten very sharp; and the regenerate man may be 
baffled, cast down, and apparently slain in the 
battle : yet the divine life within him, being: in- 
vigorated by the Holy Spirit, will again excite 
him to. arise and renew the.combat, with re- 
doubled fortitude and’ resolution.’ So. that at 
length the. victory will be his decidedly;. and 
he will Aabitually profess the truth, and do the 
will of God, as far‘as he knows them, whatever 
loss, suffering, disgrace, or hardship may ensue ; 
even if he should be exposed to death, in its most 
terrifying form, by his adherence to his duty. 
Ya acquiring this honourable victory, faith is 
principally concerned :.a realizing belief of the 
testimony. of God concerning invisible and eter- 
nal things, operating by fear of bis wrath, and 
hope of felicity in his favour; a believing. reli- 
ance on Christ for redemption, and all the bless: 
ings that flow from it, working by love and gra- 
titude ; with an abiding sense of God’s presence 
at all times, to witness every action, and to sup- 
port, help, and comfort those who trust in him 3 
give such a determination to the trae Christian’s 
conduct; that he cannot habitually do, what he 
t&nows to be contrary to the will of God, what- 
ever emolument, credit, or favour, he may ac- 
quite by so doing : nor can he habitually neglect 
what God commands, to whatever loss, reproach, 
or suffering it may expose him. Through tem-| affection and gratitude, 
porary. weakness of faith, he may be drawn into! they cleave to their ‘reli 
sins and negligences: but he will soon find such|they are deemed,) at 
fear, shame, sorrow, remorse, and self abhor-| often amidst so many s 
ren¢e, in his heart and conscience ; that he can. | ways they testify of the w 
not but return into the way of obedience, and re-|evil and its wisdom folly 
ject the wages of transgression, whatever may| from no quarter from worldl 
be the consequence: nor can this ever be al-| pect to be hated or despised 
tered; unless it were possible, that the shield| sake: even as he was, who 
of faith should Ainally torn from him. (Vote,| the world, as their | { 
Luke =xii. 31—3¢ This is universally the case | be proper here, t 
With true believers ; though, the temporary sus-| proportion to his knowle eal 
pension of faith, and a consequent prevalence of singular bid where truth and daty re 


>» 


reputation, ease, seer 4 
or social and r, 
in order to, a 
of singularity, or moi 
ings. All men, but b 


customs, opinions, or 
who is there, that ds 
ing to the conviction 
ing warped by the 

that of his own par 
only, can do this, whe 
** Son of God,” and. ft 


eek to his Lord’s exam 
for worldly objects, an an 
of the miserable con ° 
men, gives him this victory. | 
14.) He habitually ins a d 

dictates of his own conse 
mandments.of hi 
may follow ; and 
cidental deviatiot 
pents of it, and 
Hence it is, that th 
persons, except true belie 
forms or notions be: 
some respects, comp 
court the friendship 
Christians are so unplia 
follow. their Lord peas 
ment of truth and duty ; 
9pinions, counsels, atte 
or enmity of the 
or the learned ; 
‘ed aside, by pers; 


Chri ist ; not ne water 
ala blood. And. it is 
yeareth witness, because 


7.11. : n ee ead 
; . ; ae 26.1 Tim. 


net 3. 25, Eph. Je 

nh. 5. 25—| Col. 1. 14, Heb. 9.) 
re 7 4 yrs 29,& tebe fa0/21. John 
12, 24. & 1S. 8. 13, 14 


duty : but in all anes 
t, and where his own will 


t; in order to show, that his per- 
cong ‘his rule is the effect of 


. facie eclaianist Jesus, the Son” of 


wnointed Saviour ‘who came by water and blood. 
As he entered on his ministry on earth when he 
by John, and closed it by shedding 
on the cross: so, after his death, w wa- 


| he: poet and the purifying of our souls 
by his grace, after his example, and according 
‘commandments: CN Note, John xix. 32—37. ») 
came” to save Sinners, “ not by water 
not ‘merely by teaching them the way of 
and enabling th them to walk in it; “ but 
rand blood,” by atoning for their guilt, 
aking way for their sanctification, 
eof their persons, and works 
ve: and to this the Holy Spirit 
both in the miracles wrought by 
‘ht this Soatrine, and the holy 


could not be Suen to, or Heieeea see ocak 
: '@ the Spirit is Truth,” even essential Truth it- 
self, which cannot ‘pee deceive or be deceiy- 


oie most ‘giteeisibatele manner : 
rs ‘Three, who, from heaven, the holy 


peculiar! displayed, bad borne witness to 
‘The Father,” who repeatedly, in an audible 
rom heaven, had declared Jesus to be his 
on, in whom he was well pleased ;” 
e witness to the same truth, -as well 
eptance of his sacrifice, by raising him 
|;the Word, who was himself God, 
rom. the beginning with God ;” who 
that “ He and the’ Father were 


CHAPTER Vv. 


r hee. "3. 17. & 17. 


od, the’ ‘apostle. observed, that this was the 


on, in | hich the divine presence and glo- 


who had seen him, had seen 
that « he would shed his 


‘Ae D. 90; 


cord in heaven, 4 the = Father; *the Word, 
and t the Holy Ghost: 
ABE (GN. i Ay koHd NA, 


«and these shee: 


8 And 5 there are three that bear wit- 


ness in earth, y the Spirit, z and the water, 


and the blood: and these three agree in 
done. ~~ CPraeticat Observations.) 
q P4. 88. 6. Heb. Isq 14. 54. & 10. 7498, lu Deut. 6. 4. Matt. 


48. 16, 17. & 61. 16) & 2228s ‘ $8.19. John. Ca 30. 
Mat. 3. 16. & 28+|s See on, 1. 4s Johns Se x See on, ver. 
19. 1 Cor. 12. 4—6-} 1. 1.82—34 oR, 5 6 
: os 13. 14. Revs! See. on,” vers. oat 26. 26—28. & 
ec 3. 16. John 1.) 28. 19, Bore 8, 166 

31. 32, Acts 2 33.) Heb, 6 
5. John 5.26. & 8.| & 5.32. Heb. 2084. aie sess0: Acts 


, Patblth S oRee tsb sis Cel aiee a se AR ABO eet ih. 

‘blood a ransom for many :” whilst his miracles, 

and the fulfilment of ancient prophecies in him; 
the accomplishment of his own predictions in | 


‘his resurrection; and various other events, show= 
ed his testimony to be divine, and the voice of 
'God come from heaven in humafi nature, to 
-|attest these truths to man; “ and the pets § 
«« Ghost,” who descended from heaven; ' as 

‘dove, ‘and rested on Christ at his’ baptism ; is 


had borne witness to him, by the mouth ‘of all . 


his prophets from the beginning of the world ; 
and who came forth from the Father and the 
Son, to attest his resurrection and exaltation to 
the mediatorial throne, by the gift of tongues, and 


as|other miraculous powers communicated to the 
is|apostles on the day of Pentecost. And these 


three divine witnesses, though personally dis- 
tinct, were yet One, in the unity of the God- 


head, in a most mysterious and incomprehensible 


manner. There were also “ three i tie 
* ness on earth,” perpetuating, as the 
testimony of the Father, the Word, and the Holy 
Spirit, whose especial abode is in heaven, and 
whose testimony was immediately from thence : 
even ‘the Spirit,” in the miraculous powers 
communicated to the disciples, by the laying om 
of the apostle’s hands ; the sanctifying’ efficacy 
of their doctrine ; the holy conduct and consola- 


tions of Christians, and the prophecies delivered 


to the New Testament Church, which would be 


fulfilled from age to age: “the Water,” or the 


e | initiatory ordinance of baptism, ‘by water, ‘* into 
“ the name of the Father, of the Son, and of 
« the Holy Spirit,” as the perpetual emblem of 
the polluted sinner’s ‘sanctification by faith and 


grace from the Lord Jesus: “and the blood,” or 


the Lord’s supper, which ‘was appointed as 2 


|memorial and attestation of the Sacrifice of the 


death of Christ, till his second coming: and per- 
manently testifies, that pardon and salvation can’ 
only be obtained by faith in the atoning blood of 
him whose name is Emmanuel, whois “ God 


manifest in the flesh,” and who will strrély come 


to be our Judge. As the accomplishment of 


|the prophecies contained in the New Testament 
more than counterbalances the ceasing of mita- 
culous gifts : so these divine attestations to the 
doctrine of Christ’s person, and the two great 


constituent parts of ffis salvation, continue to this 


present day, and shall to the end of the world : 

land we at present have abundant testimony to 
those truths, which our Father'in heaven, the in- 
Jearnate’ Word, and the Holy Spirit, immediately 


A. D!90, - 


. 


tified of his Son, 


lo He > that believeth on the Son of. 


a ver, 10. John 3.) & 10. 38 Acts} 31. Heb. 3 4 & 6. 
82. 33. & §.31—36.) 5 $2.  &f 1%} 18. 
$9. & 8. 17~1% Pisce on,t John $. 


eR EnEEERReninnnenEieennel 


testified to the primitive Christians. . It is well 


known, that many volumes have been written, 
eoncerning part of the seventh verse and the be- 
ginning of the eighth, in order to prove or to dis- 
prove its authenticity, It is certainly wanting in 
many of the ancient versions and manuscripts : 
but whether the Trinitarians interpolated it, or 
the Arians and other Unitarians omitted it, is to 
this day a matter of controversy, and not likely 
to be determined. Upon such questions men 
will in general decide according to their pre- 
conceived opinions; yet it is very wrong to 
deviate from truth in support of system. It 
is, however, perhaps, somewhat more likely 
that the Arians, or Anti-Trinitarians, should 
silently omit in their copies, a testimony that was 
so decisive against them, or that it should be 
left out by the mistake of some ancient transcri- 
ber, than that the Trinitarians should directly 
forgé and insert it. The Trinitarian in fact 
would be deprived only of one argument, with 
which he might attempt the conviction of his op- 
ponent, if this text were wholly rejected as spu- 
vious ; for his doctrine is abundantly supported 
by other scriptures : but if this testimony were 
admitted as the unerring word of God; all the 
wmgenuity and diligence of their opponents, 
would scarcely suffice to explain it away, or to 
avoid the inference that must naturally be drawn 
from it, except by rejecting the apostle’s testi- 
mony. It has indeed by so:mé, even Trinitarians, 
been maintained, that the words rendered, 
© these three are One,” only mean, that their 
testimony is one: but the writer is not speaking 
of testimony, but of persons : else, why is the 
word translated three, masculine? Or why is 
the expression so remarkably varied in the next 
verse? “* These three, the Father, the Son, and 
“S the Holy Spirit are One,’ Sssoy, zumen. It 
may also be doubtful, whether the passage con- 
nects with so much propriety, if the contested 
words be omitted, as it otherwise does : for if we 
yead, with the copies in which they are wanting, 
* The Spirit beareth wituess, because the Spirit 
© is truth: for thepe are three that bear record, 
* the Spirit, and the water, and the blood,” &e. 
there seems to be a remarkable repetition, and a 
want of the apostle’s usual energy in. the pas: 
sage: and it dogs not appear evident for what 
reason, “the water and the blood,” of the two 
great ordinances of-the New ‘Testament, as out- 
ward signs of Sanctification and justification, by 
the grace and atoning blood of the Son of God, 
and as agreeing in One with the testimony of the 
Spirit, should be mentioned; and yet nothing 
should be hinted, concerning the testimony of 
the Father from heaven to Christ, as bis beloy- 
ed Son, or that of Christ himself, as confirmed 


a. JOHN: 
9 If 2 we receive the witness of men, 


the witness of God is greater: for this}: 
is the witness of God, which he ‘hath tes-| a 


¢ Ps. 25, 14. Prov. 17, 
3. 32 Rom. 8. 16,{d 1-1 

Gal. 4. 6. Col. $. 3.) 

| 2 Pet. 1.19. Reve 2] 


by his miracles and re 
ment of his promise in pouring 
on his assembled disciples. As! 
in our copies, there is 
concurrence of divine testi’ 
and doctrine of Christ, pointed out 
compendious and energetic manner. 
however, be expected, that 
as this, a question, which has long emp 
attention of the & st learned men 
dom, should be settled ; and af 
above reasons. in fa’ 
the passage, I am 
are sufficient to counterbalan: 


those who think otherwise. _ 
anxious on the culjeche ae: 


evidence in abun 
firm our faith in one 
co-equal Persons, * the Fs 
* Holy Ghost,” into whi 
baptized. : y 
V. 9, 10. The testimony 
credible men was, by the la 
to prove any matter of fact ; and 
man affairs, even when the lives o 
whole nations lie at stake, are con 
termined by ‘ receiving the te 
and though it is known, that all 
to be deceived or mistaken, 
ceive; yet he’ that should re! 
human testimony, and 
kind of demonstration in. 
life, must soon, not only 
but refuse his most nei 
the witness of men must: = 
surd is it to reject that of God? ' 
greater, or more indisputably 
as be knoweth all things, ¢ 
imposed on, can have no 
to deceive his creatures, © 
cannot lie. (6. Ps. xix. 7. 
Gad is therefore the highest kind 
tion: and we need only inquire 
dence, that he bath spoken ; and 
ing of his words, which the bon 
diligent inquirer will not be left 
take'in; and then we obtain tl 
ty that can be conceived, in thi 
est importance. Thus faith © 
information, contained, in the’ 
and in’ a most compendious = 
man wise unto salvation: But the pr 
which God hath pron Aledo a 
word is that which relates to s Son, 
way of salvation through him. He € 
who credits the witness of God, will 
© on the Son of God,” and rely on hit 
blessings, which he came into the wo 


ernal life ; 
, iS. ox! » 


16.35.& 4 14) 1. 16. Tit’ te 


6 do, 47. 68.) Jude 21. 


“which he hath received 
“his own character and 
‘deceitfulness and wickedness 
of the wretched state of the 
; all of which he. now. per- 


‘once he saw nothing ofit ; the 
ch he is enabled by faith to obtain 
the. world, his own bad. habits and propen- 
nd the temptations of satan: the evident 
whi iny of his prayers receive, and 
is of. Me faithfulness of God. to 
3 pr ind of his providential regard to 
im: and, mane ‘all, i love ee coe shed 
d in his heart by the Spirit” of adaption ; 
eee a ~ and consolation connested with 
; the pleasure he finds in communion with God, 
mtiy a ice to. bis will; his delight in the 
aly Dem a eke aay 7 as ° 
‘spiritual persons, and the support which 
‘ives when afflicted : these and similar 
eric nees, forma ‘witness in himself,” to 
allother men must be strangers ; for “the 
pitit, Df Fon A Witnesses with his spirit, that 
he 1s, the child of God,” and gives him sweet 
rnests and foretastes of his ternal inheritance, 
Sia matter out of all doubt with him; 
-xcept in hours of peculiar darkness, conflict, 
Mptation, or humiliating correction;) and he 
yo more be argued out of his belicf of the 
ading truths of the Gospel, respecting the Per- 
mand salvation of Christ, by any ingenuity, or 
phistry of infidels or heretics, than he could be, 
vinced, by logic, that the sun was a dark, cold 
hen he saw its light, and felt its genial 
+. This testimony proves, ,both that 
e, Scripture isthe word of God, that he 
tly. understands the most. essential. parts 
it, and. that he is a partaker of the blessing 
us announced to. him,  (WVoles, John xi. 40, 2 
i. 19.) On the other hand, he that believ- 
Tel God,in respect: of his tgstimony to his 
) never receive * the witness in. bimself;”” 
mst expect his heavy displeasure; secing 
seth God a liar,” or treats his word as 
thy of credit or confidence, » This 
every one, “ who believes not the 
hich God, hath. given of his Son,” 
null the ways above enumerated. 
gall revelation centres in this fun- 
it is in vain for a man to pre-: 
ves. the testimony. of God in, 


_ CHAPTER Y. 

the record, that § God 

t and & this 
ih yet Pet nt dikes sich lars: > * 
25. 46. a 21, & 6, 23. 1 Tim 


wf) 3, 4 Rev. 22.2 


dexactly with the declarations of 


. .12¢He-bthat hath the Son, hath life ; 
iiand he that»hath pot the Son of God, 


it 


5, 21.26. 8 11. 25.fh 2 i John. 1.) John9. i) 
26. & 14.6. Col. 3. roa ae Coriti Mark 16. 16. Johtt 
1, 306 Heb: 3. 4,2) 3. 36, Gal. 2. 20, 


Pee. 3) 2 


io. 


other things, whilst he rejects it in this: His 
opivion» may -indeedaccord..with, the .doctrine 
of scripture, in) .matters less. affronting to 
human pride,,.more, level. with the human. un? 
derstanding, or tore reconcileable to the love, 
friendship,, and pursuits. of the wofld. Thug 


| man assents to scriptural truths, because he 
ist, and the change: 
ity dispositions, and 


thinks they may be otherwise proyed; at least 
there is no other evidence to be opposed to the 
testimony, of God, and nothing to be lost by 
assenting to it: but if his own réasonings, of 
those of some proud philosophy, lead him toa 
conclusion, contrary to the word of God; he will 
tean to his own understanding, or bélieve in 4 
philosopher, and treat the testimony of God ag 
alice Nay, men, professing to believe the Scrip: 
tures, will reject, doctrines expressly revealed 
there, or employ a perverse diligence and inge¢ 
nuity, to explain them away; merely becatise 
‘they can find no philosophical arguments, with 
which to confirm God’s testimony! The light 
of the sun is not sufficient for them, nor will they 
be satisfiea with it, unless they can see the same 
objects by their own dim candle! On.the othe¢ 
hand, they will pretend to believe the word of 
God, when it accords with the opinion of some 
philosopher; who perhaps borrowed that glim< 
mering from scripture, which preserves his 
scheme from total darkuess ; and they sometitnes 
suppose themselves doing food service, wlien 
they call such witnesses to support the testima? 
ny of God. So that in fact, they do not believe 
Got, but other witnesses, when they assent to 
scriptural truth : for they directly treat him as 4 
false witness, when he contradicts their pre-cond 


ceived opinions. Thus it is evident, that no be- 


lief of the Bible, or of any thing revealed in it, is 
of any avail, except a man “ believe the testimod 
“ ny, which God hath given of his Son ;” which 
is a subject, as much beyond the reach of man’s 
feasonings, ag it is contrary to his pride and 
worldly lusts. (Vote, John iii: 12-16.) 
V. 11, 12. The record, ot testimony of God,’ 


about which the apostle had repeatedly spoken, 


might be summed up in few words, as to its 
grand outline. ‘God hath given,” of his free 
merey and bounty, “to us,” men, sinners, tebels, 
and enemies, even.to all of our fullen trace, who 
accept of the gift in his appointed way; ‘eters 


nal life,” oy everlasting felicity, with every 
thing pertaining to it: “and this Jife is in his . 


“ Son ;” in his, Petson, as “ God manifested in the 
“ flesh 7” and in bis mediatory offices, as having 
all fulness in him, in consequence of his atoning: 
‘sacrifice, for the pardon, sanctification, and sala 
vation of every believer: so that this eternal life 
must be obtained and enjoyed, by union ard com. 
munion with Christ, both in respect of the title 
to it, the meetness for it, and the earnests of it. 


(Note, 1 Cor. i, 29-81. €o!, iii, 14-) He, there- 


ae 


: A, Dd. $6; 


AD: ee ‘1. JOHN) 
18 These thing’ have I written unto |/siny which 
you that ! believe on the name ‘of the Son| ask, and he 
of God ; that ™ ye may know’ that ye have] that sin not 
eternal life, and that ye may believe on the} unto:death = 
name of the Son of God. pray for it. | 
* ppractieal Observationes] 2" Albun 
14 And ™ this isthe» confidence. that|t 
we have * in him, that ° if we ask any]! 
thitie according: to his'will, P he heareth 
us ‘ 
'15 And. if we know that he hear” us, 
whatsoever we ask, 4 we know that we oh 
have the»petitions that we desired. of him. bene Gee. Pog pos! Mark 3. 
16 If any man see his brother sin a 52. & 34, 9. Num’ eee 
2013. & 14. 11— ret 


18. We know 
bf God sinneth not 
ten of God; 2 
* wicked one tou 


¥ 4.4. & 2.13, 18) 6.2 Petit 10/94.) Be 15. 7% & 16. 24.| 21. 
21.26. John 20. $3.\n°3. 21. Eph. Se 32.) ae Ps & 4.3, 


8c 21. 24. 1 Pet. 5. He 10.' 
EN: ooiaeadl p Job 34. 28. Ps, 31, 


22, & 34. 17% B69. 
33, Proy. 15, 29. 
Jobn 9.31. & 11. 


4 Mark 11. 
ake 11. ei ee 


& 2. 23. 4 

© ets 3, 16, K 4 12/0 9 See 3.22) Jer 
. PVim. 1. 15, 16.77 "99. 12, 13. & $3.3. 
m ver. 10. & £2,2) Mat. 7, 7-11. & 

Rom. 8. 15—17- 2621.22. John 24, 13. 
Cor. $+ 1. Gal & 


25. Jers 15. 1 
Mat.;. 32s. Aa 


fae, * that hath the Son, ‘hath life ;” he that by 
true faith, receiveth Christ, as the’Son of God, and 
as bis Prophet, High Priest, and King, his “ Wis. 
« dom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Re- 
«¢ demption ;*, who humbly depends on him for 
allthese purpeses, and is thus interested in him, 
and vitally. united to him, and continually seeks 
and derives the blessings of salvation from him, 
through the influences of the Holy Spirit ; “hath 
* life,” is spiritually alive, hath the promise of 
eternal life ratified to him, and the sure earnests 
of it in his. soul, which shall certainly issue in 
his everlasting felicity. « And he that hath not 
the Son of God, hath not life:” he, who denies 
him-to be truly and properly the Son of God, agd 
refuses to trust and honour him as such; or who 
disdains to submit to his teaching as his Prophet, 
to rely on his atonement and intercession as his 
High: Priest, or to obey him as his King, has not 
life; he is dead in sin, under condemnation, 
and the wrath of God abideth on him: nor will 
his morality, learning, philosophy, forms of re- 
ligion, doctrinal notions, or enthusiastical. con- 
fidence, at all avail him. For Christ is the Bbe- 
liever’s Life; and if a man do not live in Christ, 
by ** faith working by love,” and by the supply 
of his Spirit, he hath no life; whether he be an 
Infidel, @ Socinian, or Arian; a Pharisee, a Mys- 
tic, an Enthusiast, or an Antinomian. To have 
Christ, we must receive him and abide in him, 
for all the purposes for which he came into the 
world: Wwe cannot truly receive him in one cha- 
racter, whilst we reject him in another. He will 
riot protect, deliver, or accept services from 
those, as a King, who will not be taught by him, 
or who despise his precious blood ; and he will/ vantage; and this cor 
not save, a8 2 High Priest, those who. will, not | as’ if they had alteady 
have him to rule over them, ‘} Whilst they thus asked ‘and 

V..13..° The apostle. wrote the things aba ‘behalf, « that their j. rey. 
stated. unto those who believed on the name of| which had been st i 
the Son of God, to confirm their faith, and to put} tate many pr: 
_ them upon their guard against the seductions of| when they ha Aidteaiions 
false Dis ty ‘to assure them that their’s was wete under some sharp chastise 


the true religion’ : 
had eternal life ¥ and 
that they might more ¢ 
exercise and profess th 
amidst all the de : 
lations with which ey 
indeed be, and. it has 

descriptions — but. thi 
intent of ite 9) 
Vv. 14—18, : The 


mise of eternal Life t 
reference to his'r 
ers, through. the 
standing their’ sinfult 


ness; grounding re 
ses, ‘and submitting t 
righteous provi 
and accepted of their 
this, they were thence 
the “ petitions, —s 
being confident that h 
‘tainly effect the 
faithfal: promises.” In 
were evidently and speedi 
they might be satisfied 
the best manner, though 
pected = and even, when 
the Present denied, they” 
that in the best’ time 
length be answered, in» 
glory of God, and their 


d@ ver. 1. & 4,2, 14. 
Mat..13.11. Luke 
3. = 25. 45. 


3 | Tit. 3. 3. Jam.4. 
uf * Or, the wicked one. 
| ver. 18. Jobn 12, a, 


pus 11.2. Cor.4-4-Eph, 
, 2. &, Bev. 13-3, BY 
13.7, 6.&2 aie 

2 &| 8. : 
5 feo 


0 life to such as 
> th 5 and that he 


Section 
P ‘Yet they must observe, that 
«4 as unto death,” which would be 
in exception t 
mmitted-it. 
ae onal when tonnected with strong expres- 
sions of enmity, could seldom be separated from 
the sin “against the Holy Spirit. (Votes, Mart. 
xii. 31, 32. Heb. vi. 4A—8. x. 26—31.) This, no 

, was that sin unto death which the apostle 
int :and, whenit appeared evident, that any 
boven had committed it, Christians were direct- 
ed to leave him to the righteous judgment of God, 
| without « ‘to see him renewed to repen- 
tance, Indeed, * all unrighteousness,” or every 
‘deviation from the perfect rule of righteousness, 
‘is sin, and so deserves death, or final condemna- 
‘tion, according to the law; and all who turn 
aside from the or act contrary to it, 
merit ‘this’ punishment: yet ‘there is a sin, 
‘even of this kind, “ which is not unto death :” 
for, being the effect of surptise rather than of 

‘enmity, many, who were thus over- 

‘come in the moment of danger, had been and 
‘might be recovered: so that they were admon- 
ished to pray for their brethren when grievously 
fatien, if they did not see in them the marks of 
determined obstinacy and enmity. The apostle 
had before. observed. that none who were born: of 


pire “Keeps himself. be the 
Haly Spice, caer ie way of this fatal trans- 
5 ession * so that the wicked one by whom false 
professors are overcome and induced to aposta- 
is not allowed access to him, or can make 


CHAPTER V. - 
ne, that we are of God, 
id the whole world licth in * wickedness. 


ith that the Son of God} 


3 ia eed sta 


| ness fo light, 


4D. 90, 


true; & and we are in him that is true, 
even in his Son Jesus Christ. & This is 
the true God, ar eternal life. 

21 i Little ch n, * keep yourselves 
from idols. * Amen. . 


3.7. 14. & 6. 10. a 


& 44.) 2. 13. Heb. 1.8. 
15. 3. & 19.1L Pattie eat 


Bib rey —25,& 54.5. Jerjic Ex. 20,3, 4, 
4. 16.: John 10. 30.) 20. 10, & 23. 6.) Cor. 10, 7.14. 3 
& 14. 90. 23, & 15.6 John 2..1—3 &14.! Cor. 6. 16, 17. Rev 
4: & 27. 20-23. 219, & 20, . Boao. ie 29-24, 5 
5. 17. Phil. 3.] 20.38. & 141 


28. 4 , 
. Rom.9. 5. 
1 Tim. 3. 16. Tiel Seo, Bat. 6.1 


tegrity; produced by 3 ‘it; and -thendire they 
coe not thus sin, because they and es of 
‘Go 

V. 19. The apostle, and such established 
Christians as had “ the witness in themselves,” 
in love to God and each other, hatred of sin, 
‘and victory over the world, knew assuredly that 


6 this rule: nor were they re-| they “ were of God,” born of God, his servants 
d or encouraged. to pray for those who had} and worshippers, ie children and heirs: and 
It bath been shown, that aposta-/they also clearly perceived, thet « the whole 
after an intelligent and credible profession of | ‘* world lay in wickedness,” or under “ the wick- 


* ed one.” All the human race, unless born of 
God, and become a part of Christ’s kingdom, 
abiding in willing subjection tothe devil, (who 
is the god and prince of this world,) and being his 
vassals and slaves. They are overcome by him, 
and brought into bondage to him: they bear his 
image ; and copy his example of pride, envy, 
malice, deceit, murder, mischief slander, aposta~ 
cy, rebellion, ingratitude, and enmity against 
God. They do the works of the devil, and con- 
cur in supporting his cause: they have neither 
wisdom, power, nor will to deliver themselves ; 
and they all must for ever have continued in this 
dreadful state, if Christ had not “‘ come to destroy 
“ the works of the devil.” This general declar: - 
tion includes all unbelievers, whether Jews or 
Gentiles, idolaters or hypocritical worshippers of 
the true God : atheists, infidels, profligates, pro- 
fane persons, and formalists’; the wise and fool- 
ish, the learned and unlearned, the rich and the 
poor, the royal and noble, as well us the base and 
vile ; yea, the moral and virtuous, as well as the 
vicious. All lie in wickedness, under the power 
of unrepented and unmortified sin ; or under the 
wicked one, as in some way or other doing him 
service ; those only excepted, who “ are deli- 
* vered from the power of darkness, and'trans- 
“* lated into the kingdom of the Son of God.”— 
This, the well.instructed and established Chris-~ 
tian knows assutedly: and the criminality, 
slavery, and misery ofthe human race excite his 
lamentations, prayers, and endeavours to spread 
the Gospel ; as the only method, by which they 
can be delivered from their abject condition. — 
Yet other men perceive | hothitg of it; but are 
exceedingly offended at the declaration, and at 
the endeavours used, *${¢o turn them from dark- 
and from the power of satan 


* unto God.” As the apostle made no excep- 


‘| tion in favour of unbelieving Jews in bis day; so 


we can | allow of none, in favour of unbelieving, 
heretical, and cariual men, called Christique, in 
this present time. (iv. 5.) 

 ¥.20,21.. The apostle, and his brethren also, 


hs Dd, 90, y * 


Enews + at thes Joma God was come ; sihias whils 

he,” eith or the Father, for it i is not ther of. 
évident whiel ‘Person was intended, had given, nous the 
§* them, an erstanding to Know :him that is|in, depe 
re trues” (A fotes, Luke xxi. 15.xxiv. 45.) so that Spirit; an an 
their airing, experimental, and. sanctifying the Lord Jesus, 

knoy of the Son of God, as the true ane. ‘fellowship of 


be. ce true God i in him, (John Xvi. 3.) was. 
ect of divine grace through the Spirit, wh fia, = 7 
Truth. (6.) Thus, having “ the witness, inj. True faith in Ch te 
 themseives,”, they knew that, they, were in generation : and all, 
«him that is: true,” united unto the true aad | are either mere infidels, o 
eternal. God, by faith and love, abiding in him, ,as and unprofitable faith, T 
their Rest and Refuge, and living, in -bim by his | their faith by their. works 
indwelling Spirit ; + even in. bis. ‘Son, Jesus whom, they un ‘ 
§* Christ :”. by union with Christ, they were thus 
spiritually untited unte God: va bon *(He and 
# the Father are One? (Note, John xvii. 21-—~23:) 
& This Person is. the true God; and eternal Se 
(i 2.) The. ‘lanemepec here used. is peculiarly 
ta be noted: it is not obvious. to.determine, -in 
some clauses, ‘whether the Father. or the Gon 
was intended: but when. ‘ the Son of God, even | the Power, and thea = 
“ Jesus Christ,” had been, mentioned, the apos. | sequire.a. victory. 
tle made use of a. persona} pronoun, (often: im-| bitually to, do 
properly.rendered * this.man,” ,when applied \o duced, persuade 
‘nist, but commonly signifying this Person.)— | persons or objce 
his demonstrative .pronvun hath Jesus Christ: Indeed this vi 
for its immediate and evident antecedent; and, conflict ; and it. 
fiaving-said “ this Person is the true God, and. life: yet our fai 
eternal, Life,” the apostle concluded,, by.so- | other, principle 
leranly cautioning bis beloved children ‘to keep | * Who is he, that ¢ 
‘themselves from idols ;? which must imply, * that believeth thet 
gat this would be done, by worshipping the Son, | Let, then all who | 
as the true God, and eternal Life. The Scrip-| inquire whether 
fure, and. the et Testament especially, was ex eae this 
pressly intended to draw men off from thé. wor-| 
éhip of idols of every kind, to serye the One 
living and. true God; and-can it Possibly be; 
jmagined for a. moment, that, an snspired writer | 
alioyld speak in. this manner of. Jesus Christ, if every name, th 
he bad not been, equally, with the Father, the |(ruth of God’s 
are object of all adoration? If the worship |, 
te the Son of .God were idolatry, (as it must be, Godhead, by miracles 
if if he Were no more.than.a creature,) surely the: culiar, ordinances of 
apostle introduced his caution against idols ina 
yeory unaccountable manner! Tat if the. triune’ 
enovan; the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
Spirit, three Persons in One undivided Gadhead, 
be the Object. and the only Object, of divine 
adoration, nothing, could» be: more proper and 
emphatical ; for the Jews, rejecting the Son, and 
professing to worship God in One Person, (as:the| 
Mahometans, Deists, Socinians, and others. in 
after ages have done,) had really. changed the’ 
tue Object of worship, the God of the: Bible; 
or an imaginary Being ; and could not-easily be 
excalpated virom the ¢harge.of- idolatry: for : 
they could not be discriminated from those who [God hath thus joined to 
worshipped. the ‘supreme. Being under. ‘the name fof all, who profess the 
of. Jupien or ‘Bual. So. that Christians in our | testimony to the truth, whi 
days; in other: places besides the church of ‘cipally wanting; in order te 
Rome, have more need.toibe, warned to, keep [si ie object 
themselves, from. idols, than is generally su 
posed; «nd. to be careful, that they adore.the ) 
triune God, in whose Christ commanded | of those. men, ¥ 
thal? his aerial should be baptized and. ein but demanatrs at 


the Holy. St 
exercise of fa 


apostles, deta: 
cially to the Person ¢ 
cy of his atoning bh 
“ of the Spirit unto 
racuious powers comm 
rit bore witness to th 
newe-creating work, 
terest in the great r 
nor) can this deceive 
“Truth” As Jesus, 
water only, or ‘by: bloe i 
bloods let us never a mpt | 


itness of God is greater” 
iy possible, that the invisible 


y faith receiving the information 
elation : for, in-what ¢ Way can 
e inconceivable perfectic of God, 

le counsels, or the man r in-which 


aré not subjects for man. ‘to discover or 
5» by speculation or abstract reasonings ; 
will always: Le b lerstood by those, 
: sure testimony of 
deed they, who be- 
ave an inward testimo- 
the illumination, renew-. 
f the Holy Spirit, and’. in 
experience : which, when pos 
pee degree, is a rational foundation 

most ‘entire confidence, that can possibly 
aby those who have not come to the im- 
vision and enjoyment of God. But can 
: be expected, that this ‘* Secret of the Lorp” 
e with those, who do not believe his 
_ an ‘who treat Him, who is Truth itself, 


“the record, which God hath | 
“Son ;” and it does not become 
em at the’ steadfastness of experienced 
hee obstinacy, or their consolations as 

proslre ; when they» are so! fully warranted 
the word of God. Disregarding then their | 


ied teasdalagth let us thankfully receive the | 
of , that “* God hath given us 


Wes 


ath, and 


; ‘elect lady; 


e 


Tt. JOHN. 
life,’ they hesitate not | in the work of the Lord; knowing that our 
ble Auman. testimony, and | ** labour iseot in yain in the Lord.” 


of his senses that refused yo) 
‘we receive the witness of 


a the eternal world, should be: 


deceiver? This is the case of ali, | 


ot. D. 90. 


nos 0 My dd4=+21. 

» Confiding i in’ the love of our iekocing Father, 
and coming to him ‘through our great Advocate ; 
‘we may be assured that ae always heareth, ac- 
cepteth, and answereth, a ch prayers, as ac- 
cord with, his will, and’ ane to our real benefit. 

We ‘should, tlierefore,” abound: ia supplication 
for onr brethren, as well for: ‘ourselves ; 3 es 
pecially seeking to the Lord to pardon. ond recos 


‘ow mercy to his rebellious creatures? | ver the fallen, as well as to relieve the tempted 


and afflicted ; atid, as We cannot khow who hath 
sinned unto: deuth ; ; we should not easily yield 
to’ discouragement, respecting those whom we 
once considered as brethren. We ought to be 
very thankful, that no sin is unto death, according 
to the gospel, of which a man truly repents ; and 
that God will enable all those, who are born 0 

him, to keep themselves, that the wicked one 
may never prevail on them to sin, in the manner 
which they do who are given up to a reprobate 
mind, Tf'we'have so’ grown in faith and grace, 
fas to “know ‘that we are of God ;” we silalk 


readily perceive that “the whole world lieth io 


“wickedness,” and unider'the power of satan = 
this will show us how vast our obligations are 
to redeeming love and special grace ; and ought 
to excite our constant prayers and unremitting 
endeavours, to promote the preaching of the 
gospel, and the conversion of sinners, by every 
ineans in our power. “Happy 2 are they, who know 
that the Son of God is come, and to whom God 
hath given an understanding to know, and a 
heart to rély on, him that istrec! May this be” 
our privilege : may we dwell in Christ, and Christ 
iO-US may we be one with bim, and he with us ;_ 


L ae life i is in his Son 371 for © thisi is the true God and eterhial fife: vit thus f 


oF God, hath not life: :” that Sioa through the Spirit: and we shall be pre-— 
ve gence to obtain an assurance of served’ from all idols, and destructive heresies, 
in) Christ, and know that we have’| ‘and from the idolatrous love of worldly objects ; 

; ‘may so grow’stronger in faith, | and be “kept by'the power of God through faith 
in bie “ ee, abounding | “ ‘unto rs salvation.” * 


eee ary 
> 


cate ana that which. follows, oni nH ly is s probable, not bins betire the apos- 
neither to any Church by. name, nor to the Churches at’ Jarge, were hot so! e+ 
d unanimously known and acknowledged as written” by /bim,'in the earliest ages, a9 
eding epistle was: but their: coincidence with it, in sentiment, ‘manner, and languare,’ 
y period Satisfied, alt concerned, that they were written by: the same person. 
shot the thirteen verses in this epistle; eisht may be foundin the first, either in sense ~ 
ssion. (Mang. Ref.) .The word: rendered “The elder,” 
vhet a the other apostles, were dead 5 as <a’ title of honourable distinction; for he 
the whole Church :: orhe might modestly, yet as claiming authority, assume 
yn,» Some* have conjectured, that the Chureb of Jerusalem was figuratively 
and that of Bphesus,-where John is supposed to have at this time’ 
elect sister:” but it-hath more generally been thought, that an eminent and 
Yhristian matron, well known in the Church; was addressed by the-titleof “ the 
; and that some other honourablg Christian, nearly related ta hef, was intended by 


Mili cbs 


might probably be applied 


AD. w. JOHN: 
© her elect: sister” (v. 13.) Qa any stippositi ae 
belong to it: "(Preface to 1 Peter,) a8 the’ writer’s pu D0 
whom he addressed, is alone a sufficient’ prema! is 's 
tended, in this epistle, to put those to whom he wrote, ont 
affirmed that Jesus was not really a many,’ butionly appeared 
suffer those things, which the apostles and evangelists reco 
“consequences, subversive of Christianity ; which accounts fo 

those teachers who held it, (Vote, Y—11 ‘he same deci 
“weedful, reasonable, pious, nay, charitable, in the true sense 
‘who propagate many other opinions, subversive of the Gospel; 
gotry of those, (however benevolent and beneficent i in all other . 
partakers of their evil deeds. iw 


The apostle eee with session of Ses adil 
ate regard, and with salutations, “ the elect ae 
aud her children,” declaring his joy in their good 
behaviour, 1—3. "He exhorts them to brotherly hi : d 

‘ Jove and obedience 6. He warns them against | ren! 
deceivers, si 4 they nor he may lose their | Celved a comma’ 
full reward, 7, 8; and against giving the least} § And now IT 

- eounterianes to those who did not bring the true /as though» I wrote a 
doctrine of Christ, 9—i1. He hopes to see them unto thee. but that 

: Shortly, and concludes with salutations,12, 13. bewinnins on 


VEE @ Elder unto ® the elect lady and 6. And. ° 

_, her children, ¢ whom I love in the 

truth ;and not I only, but also all they 

that eae 4 known, the truth; .. 

2 For ¢ the truth’s sake, e which dwell |. 
eth in us, and shall be with us for ever.’ 

3 & Grace * be with" you, mercy, end |} 

peace, from’ God the Father, and from } & 


belle Lord’ 
Father, # 
4 krej 


7 For 4 manyid 
jto the ae see 


alPet 5. %& 2 3 

John ls 18. 1. f John 15s 7. Col 3, 
b ver. 5. 13. Lukejd ese 8. 32. Gal, 
1.8. Eph. 1. 4, 5.)-3. 1. & 5.7. Cots 
1 Thés. 1. 3; 40 2) 52.2 ea ee 1 
*Phes: 2. 23, 24,, ies 21.4. Heb. 10. 


22, 23/4 John 3,) 4.5. 
3 Sohm ew 


ican Qorded Fax 
s ome, Rom ts 7 


meet be Liriye 


al 


96. 1 John 2. 21. 
1 Cor. 9. $3.2 Cory 


Pet. 1. 3. 
e@ ver. 2,3. 1 Pet. 1. 


2 NOTES.) Mer iG hig 

V.1=+8. The aged apostle seems ‘to’ have 
written’ this: short! letter, about the same time 
with: his general epistle; «and she’ only styled || 
himself * ‘the Elder,” )(l Pes. v. 2;) knowing |cep 
that the honourable matron, whom he addressed, 
would be satisfied from whom: she received) it, 
and properly regard it, without a moré) explicit 
declaration of his authority. » She seems to have 
beén 3 person of superiomrank ;/he did not seru- 
ple to give her the title of honour, which custom 
had allotted to her; and his acquaintance with her P walked in treth 
“ work of faith, her labour of love, and her pa-! in» professing the 
** tience of hope,” satisfied: him, concerning her /:duct consistent with i 
“election of God.” He also addressed her chil- ten “he was. with 
dren, who were trained up in religion, and some 
of them at least were partakers, of her grace.— 
He assured them, that “he loved them in ithe 
truth ;? insincerity, and as united by the bond’ 
of the truth of'the ‘Gospel, which they all beliév- 
ed. Nor was this’ peculiar tothe aged apostle; }+* 
for all those Toved them, who had understood 
and known the’ truth; that is, all such as were} 
acquainted with her and herfamily. This affec- 
‘tion was borne to them, “ for the truth’s sake, 
which diyelt” both in this.matron and her chil- 


ebildronofthie tin 
whither he had j 


BR IGHN. 
eflesk; This isade- 


. D. 99> 


bring not this doctrine, seceiv@him not 
into your house, neither bid him God 
speed : 

11 Forhe that biddeth him God speed, 
is partaker of his evil deeds. 

12 Having © many things to write unto 
you, ‘I would not write with paper-and 
ink: but § I trust to come unto you, and 
speak * face to face, ® that ¢ our joy may 
be full. 


“is st is come in ra 

aaa eng yarselves, t that we lose 
those't ; hogs s we have + wrought, but 

e a full reward. 

rer ‘tre nsgresseth, * and abid- 

e doctrine of Christ, 7 hath 

> that abideth in the doc- 

b he hath both the Father 


- 
iv 


ab 


| If there © come any unto you, and 
ke.) 16, Tit. 2. 10. Heb’ 
1L 


1 18. 1 Cor. 5. 11. 


is ahiftuesice of the false teachers 
ic on among Christians, as well as 
vand mislead the unstable. (Votes, 1 
i. 18-29. iv. 1—6.) It therefore behooved 
} to whom this epistle was addressed, and 
Vinto whose hands it might come, to be nese 
ir peep and to take heed to themselves, to 


that doctrine, was ‘itsrested in 
of the Father, and the saties 
. Iftherefore any persons came to 
. where this elect lady and her family 
seal teas their tenets, who brought 


e of Chirist, respecting his Person, as 
es of God, and his salvation from 
; they were warned not to entertain 
their ‘house, nor “to wish them good 
ss in the name of the Lord 2” for by thus 
ancing their ministry, they would partake 
pilt of their evil deeds, and be abetting 
jon of men’s souls, and the disho- 
: They might relieve such persons 
s } or distress; or show good will to 
way that gave no sanction to their 


s doctrines: but they must stand aloof 


the M, and protest openly against them, in 
bis respect, that they might prevent their mis- 
-hieyvaus sucess as much as possible. ‘fle-He- 


i a 
vr 


greet thee. 


13 The * children of thy elect sister 
Amen. 


$1622. Gal. 1, 8fe John 16. 12, 


h John 18. 11. & 18: 
9. 2 Tim 3. 5, ee 13. 


24.& 17, 13.3 Tim> 
om. 15.24.1Cor.| 4.4. 1 John Ll. 4. 


6. 5—7. Philem. 


Rev. 18. 4. Nem. es 8. 


retics. especially intended, are supposed to be 
those who denied the real humanity of the di- 
yine Word, and explained all that was recorded 
of his actions and sufferings, as mere delusive 
appearances. 


V- 12, 13.. The apostle expected much joy 


and comfort in visiting and conversing with this 
pious matron and her family, and to be a helper cf 
» | their joy also; that so their consolation in Christ 
might be complete. We know nothing concerning 


« her elect sister,” who sent salutations to them, 


to which the apostle joined his hearty Amen.— 
But it is probable that some well-known and 
eminent family of believers, residing near to the 
place where the apostle was at-—this time, is 


meant. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 

A consistent and fruitful profession of the 
Gospel is the principal honour, even of those few 
of the noble and exalted of the earth, who are 
thus distinguished: and that love is most cor- 
dial and permanent, which Christians bear to one 
another in the truth, and for the sake of it; for 
;}this will dwell in their souls to eternity, and be 
with them as the source of most perfect felicity. 
ae who know and love the gospel, will love such 
as profess and adorn it; and will pray, that “grace 
“‘ may be with them, even mercy and peace from 
** God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the 
«Son of the Father, in truth and love 2” and it 
will greatly rejoice faithful and zealous minis- 
ters, to see the honourable of the earth employ 
their influence, and improve their talents, to pro. 
mote true religion ; to observe them educating 
their “ children in the nurture and admonition 
% of the Lord ;” and to witness any of their de- 
scendants walking in the truth and obedience of 
the Gospel; as ready to support that good cause 
while they live, and to bequeath a regard toe 
wards it to the succeeding generation. Some few 
families of this kind are found among us: may 
the Lord bless them, more and more, and. their 
children after them ;-and raise up many others 
to copy their example! For, alas! most of the 
superior orders in the community, are rapidly 
diffusing irreligion, infidelity, and vice,,in their 
extensive cipcles; and ‘preparing te. lenve 


ALDI 


‘them as: legacy ‘to’ their posterity. We’ 
should em ploy every ar argument and persuasion, | 
to induce tians to abound in ‘love of their} 
brethren, and) to. render obedience: to all: the || 
Lord’s : commandments : for those.‘ many .de 
% ceivers, who. confess not, that. Christ,” 
the Somof God, “is come in he fle fle sh,” “to re- 
«deem us to God with. his blood,” will have 
great success among those professors of Chris- 
tianity, who are not rooted and prounded int 

and taught to delight'in God’s commandmen 
Assush deceivers and antichrists. multiply on 
every side, it behadves us to look to, oursely 


es | son, upennenanl 

and to each other; especially ministers to. ‘their | to pray for those de 
people, and. parents to, their that we fundamentals, of Chr: 
may not lose the things which. A Wrought, kindness, in every 
but receive a fuil reward. 1 : en equally which implies no 
disregard those, who transgres he command- ‘Thus we shi 
ments, and those who motin the doctrine, | 
of.Chtist.;, that, by m taining, and obeying the 
tyuth, we may. have ‘the Father and the Son, 
for our  Shield’and exceeding great Reward.” 
Let.us protest against such teachers, as do not 
bring with them the doctrine of Christ ; not giv- 
ing them any ‘entertainment, and not seeming to 
« a therm” God speed :? lest od stent by 


* The writer: of this epistle speaks ee pores Be wiih 
* could not pretend. to. For if Diotrephes was Bishop o 
© Bishop of Ephesus,’ (that is, if not anapostle -Iso,) { cars 
«© ¥ will remember his deeds, which he does.” (Note, 9, 10. 
¢ made:to the Churches, denote @ man who bad. a more” 
¢ Bishop, and can only. suit ‘St, John the apostle? Cees 
“All inquiries, whether Gaius, to whom the epistle is addressed, 
son, mentioned in the Acts of the Agostles, aad the epistles of, S 
ed m uncertainty. There can be no reasonable doubt, but 
« who for his name’s sake went forth, taking re of 
missionarics. (Neies:) Set ey hy ath 


The apostle addr esses Gaius with Rood wishes, com- 
A mendations, and exhortations to persevere ‘in his: 
liberal and zealous support of those, who went 
forth to preach the gospel, 1—8, Ife cautions 
‘him agaivst the presumptuotis and malicious de- 
‘signs of Diotrephes ; and highly commends Deme- | t 
‘trius, 912. Giving imtimations of an intended 
“visit, ‘he conchides with salutations, 13, 14.00 
FE elder unto > the well-beloved; 

~ Gaius, ¢ whom I love’* in the truth. | fs 
2 Beloved, It wish “above all things | 
© that thou mayest: prosper and be in} 
a ‘Ste on, 2 Johni Aya 14, TS Jun. Sold, 1 Pew. ee 


Fae on, 2 John 1. 


lp gai ba 
b ‘Nets 19. 29. & 20} @ Ps. 29, A-6Phile 


4. Rom. 16% 23. aut: hae “iF 


We 14. ¢ Reine: Ryle es Pe hah bs ge-{ Joan ae aah the sa 


n nong ay x Eby us not. 
LO) ke if I come, ¥I will re- 
member his deeds which he doeth, prat- 

y alicious words ; and 
, neither doth he 
ethren, and ferbid- 


4 ee for his | sak e| di eth them t } 1 2 and casteth them 
ae aa 


MOPS. 


h,|evily but that which is good. > He that 
he} doeth good-is of God: but © he that do- 
4eth evil, hath not seen God. 


3.6. Mark 9, 34.Jz Luke 6. 22,-Johri] #. 13... > 
#10. $545. Luke] 9.22.34,35. Ib 1: Pet. Be ik 
a Ex.2S. S, Ps, 37.| See on, 1 John 2- 


Tu Bate 20-—28+ : 13. 2. | Heb. 6. 12» 1 Pel 
27. Proy, 12. 11. Is. 29. & 3,6—9. 


2» 2A—27. 
10, Phil, 2. 3 
Se de 16,597. John 10-/e John $,:20. 


1. 1 Thes, 4. 126 
4 Tim. 3. 7+ 


See. 

Matt. 10, 40—48.] 4. 16: & 11. 1. 

> ge anhnene ate Eph, 5.1. Phil 3 

a: 27 1 Thes. 1. 6. & 

155.2 2. 427 . 3. 10. 
oe 


File 


a) c : eh his beloved, Gaius, as one who in all 
ut it is ee that Jo 8 cted in that manner which became a ber 
many years after St. Paul’s de: er, and was faithful in the use of what had 

Salus was a very common name; an the per-| bes committed to his stewardship : this appear- 
on here addressed. appears to have been con- 
verted by Jobn’s « ‘ministry: so that no certainty] tians and the ministers of the gospel ; and to the 
tan be attached to the opinion ; nor is this of any ‘strangers that were driven from home by perse- 
sonsequence. After an address, couched in that| cution, or travelled abroad to preach the word of 
ffectionate. and fervent language, for which the] God: For these bad borne testimony to his lis 
ag f arkable he added his earnest|beral and hospitable love, before’ the Churches 

of Christ in different places, especially where St. 
John then resided : and in continuing to. enter- 
tain such persons, and i in aiding to defray their 
~| travelling expenses, from a regard to the will 
tat ‘on jand glory of God, he would act in a manner be- 
losses from the rapacity of per- ‘coming his character, and honourable to the Gos~ 
e same time “his soul pros- ‘pel. Because, from love to Christ, and for the 
ing as the apostle well knew ; honour of'his name, they had gone forth as evan- 
de a rmation of gelists,. to preach among the Gentiles: deter- 

gbt be pro-| mining to take. nothingYof them for their subsis- 

longed ; 2 that all his eikicaed designs} tence, to whatever straits they might be reduc- 
usefulness. might | be prospered, and his abili-|ed; lest they should appear mercenary, and so 
ate them continued and i increa rejudice the minds of men against their doc- 
when|trine. It therefore became the duty of esta- 
blished Christians, to entertain such zealous and. 

-| disinterested ministers, and to contribute to their 
support: that they might be helpers together 
with them, in propagating the truth of the Gos- 
Nenatics, discourse, and conduct, with the pel, by ‘enabling them to proceed in their work 
ruths: = he had received and professed.—|and labour of love. * The apostle’s sentiment 
dee i ter joy on earth, | « in this precept is, ch of the brethren, as 

infi Siete ane sufferin g®,|‘ had not devoted them s to the preaching 

« of the Gospel, but. followed their ordinary ocett. 
i ind to contribute, ace 


in him :” and of the consistency of 


= Ait Mclenight) It is Sae at the 
‘ first glance, es ow exactly this aecords to the case 
e him to, fervent ‘uae f those, in ‘this commercial country, who: can- 
nigh ae aa or do not, become missionaries ;, and” their 


nit roaing ave 


lh lage '* follow not. that Diet is. 


42 Demetrius hath 4 good topee: ofall 
men, and of the truth itself: yea, © and we’ 


on, Wer. 8.) 27. & 12, 26.1 Cor-\@ Acts 10. 22, & 22. 


e John 19.35. & 21. 


—_——— ne 


eae <. 


= 


‘AD. 90: Til. JOHN. | 


also bear 3 and ye know that » our | thee;a 
record is true.’ 18 Peace be te 
13 Thad € ry things to write; put I thee. 
Will not be ink and pen write unto thee :}. “¢, 
14 But I ‘trust I. shall shortly see) muh. | 

i F See on, 2 Johni12.. 


Vv. 9—12. Some | expositors “think, at ae int 
tle here only meant, that he should have writ-\ How 
Fi to the Church, had not the report ‘which’ he oncerhing W hom’ 
had heard concerning Dictrephes, determined] reversed ; so that we 
him rather to address ‘bis letter to ‘Gaius! but} pray that their souls mi 
it does not appear that the words are sree nd © _circums| 
that construction.” He seems to have written to} languor, and want of vige 
the Church, to induce them to help on their jour- | thing conducive to the glony’ Soi may be 


ney the,persons. before mentipnade Aut, Diotre-| served in numbers 
phes, cane probably was a pastor of the Church, 


ternal prosperity. “But ehiel 
whose circumstances _ er abilities, concurfing| so eminent in nee and zealous oe £ 
With bis ambition of ninéfice, had acquired | that the p ‘their | 
him an updue influende over his brethren,)’ 


concern to" 
would not’ own his cudority, nor payfany regard| earnestly desire the 
to his counsel. Wherefore the apostle dbserved, 
that if he came ‘thither, as he intended to do 
shortly, he would publicly censure “his conduct; 
or even enforce his decision by inflicting some 
miraculous punishment upon him: as he was 
not afraid or ashamed to vent malicious ‘or -wick-} 
ed invectives and slanders against him, in thes 
Most indecent manner. Nay, he did not think jin the” truth, renews that i 
this a sufficient expression of his contempt and] the’rejoici nastot 
enmity; but refused to entertain, or counte?| ahd in their fruivfalneneta ; 
nance, those evangelists, whom St. John recom widely: from the selfish, pee 
mended ; and even forbad others'to do it },and lings; or that of such as’ * v 
when they regarded the apostle’s authority more|« pre-eminence.” Parents’ 
than his prohibition, he proceeded ‘to excommu-/ be as | Teady to.commend Ww! 
nicate them for go°doing. It is’ indeed .most| to point out what is - 
wonderful, that ‘a’ professed ‘minister of Christ| those whom they superintend ; + in : 
should thus pertinaciously oppose the aged: apos-| is far more pleasing to a benevole mind 
tle; and should ‘acquire such” authority over the| faithful stewards of ‘Christ, 
affairs of any Church,.as to be supported in such | been’ entrusted 
a contest? yet this:was most evidently the case.| or with talents 0 
The a therefore, warhed his beloved cages 


Christians gives a joy to fait 
counterbalances their grie 


¢ evil, but the good ;” iwhbet was to ‘be seen in) A) np = 
the behaviout, io Christians ; fer’: the | a ‘it 8 
“ man, who did good,” and was kind, loving, | to proceed in the sam 
and beneficent'from evangelical’ principles, was} Ministers who are com 
born of God, and belonged’ to him : whereas he} Christ, and of tic aballbe 
who practised evil, bad no saving knowledge f| encounter perils and hard 
him. But while the apostle cautioned him}Gaospel; and who are conten 
against Diotrephes, he pointed out to him an-| poverty in their labour of 
other person of his acquaintance, that was wellltheir stations, or do any thin 
worthy of bis imitation; as he had a good report} own success, are peculiarly 
of all Christians, and oF men in general’: yea,} tenance and assistance of 
the very truth itself, as it were, bore testimony|Every one, according te 
to his humble ‘diligence, zeal, and honourable} assist such persons, 
¢onduct: to which the apostle also added his}that they may be fello 
testimony; which Gaius knew to be true and} deed, that money must 
faithful; and he would therefore be sure to ho-|promotes the faithful 
nour and imitate so excellent a man. Private} any part of the world 
* offences against ourselves must be forgiven, | wished, that all, Chri 
« and forgotten ; but when the offence is an im-| not only_a little, but, 
¢ pediment to the: faith, and very prejudicial to} from’ their expenses, in 0 
« the Church, it is tobe opposed and openly re-| for conducting such i 
6 proved.’ alas} we live too much to oui 
Vv. 13, 14% The friends,” as'a term of mu-|lukewarm days; and weneed not 
tual address amoug Christians, is found only in| vetous and ambitious'men, who love to bay 
this place. (Marg. Ref.) . 


JUDE 40D 70, 


/diateinl thie nds] miiat ncitaly Geniknted Thien = for tet whe thus tits 
ministers ; “when even bitually doeth good, is of God and he « that 
wel ot scared rom the presimp| doeth evil, hath not scen or known Gi,” 

, and malicious opposition of per- whatever his notions or gifts may be. We should 
ption ; but their deeds will)therefore notice those, “who, by well-dcing; 
ered against ‘them, when|“ have put to silence the ignorance of foolish 
t th himself shall be abased, }‘* men,” and who have good report of the truth 
w humble themselves shall be ex-| itself, and of its most fai |and zealous friends: 
et_us then not. follow that which is | for by associating with such Christians, and co- 
ick-| pying their example, we shall baye peac- with- 
in, and live at peace with the brethren. Thus 
our communications with the Lord’s peo;e on 
earth, will be very pleasant, and we shall be 
numbered with them in glory everlasting. 


ke Metatarsal 


RYE Ve & g A ? 
ation bnigihe aols Ss 


oa a | THE I EPISTLE GENERAL OF 


; writer of this epistle-co expressly describes himsclf as Jade, the brother of James, (May 
Ref) that we must either allow him to have been Jude, the apostle, (called also Lebbeus, whose 
ee Thaddeus, who was brother, or near relation, to our Lord,) or we must suppose 


x of a direct forgery. Some hesitation, however, as to the authenticity of the 
i a ‘time to have’ prevailed in the church, which was at length fully removed; 
omy utile learned moderns have, on frivolous pretences, as it seems to me, endeavoured to re- 


” He calls himseif, not-an apostle, ‘* but a servant of Jesus Christ ;” and so does St. Paul. 
wie ty He is also supposed to quote apocryphal books. Now, St. Paul quoted heathen poets, 
when what was ruein them might hecsnkdnesells0 eon purpose, without at allsanctioning the fables 
_ which they contained. These are the chief objections; and they amount to nothing, against 
"the internal evidence, and the grab current of antiquity. It is-probable, that St Jude wrote, 
» to caution his brethren against the same deceivers whom St. Peter, in his second epistle, had 
“opposed; and’nearly at the sxme time. Many think, that they both had access to some ancient 
~ book which is now lost, and quoted from it; and likewise, that Jude had seen St. Peter’s epistle ; 
and, in order to add bis- testimony tothe same effect, adopted several of his thoughts, and even 
expressions. “This, however, is uncertain > for the same Spirit of prophecy might lead these 
two witnesses to vppose. the corrupters of Christianity, by similar examples, arguments, and 
illustrations, without either of them knowing what-the other wrote. There is-no ground for the 
" opinion, that it was exclusively-addressed to the Jewish converts : on jhe contrary, it seems to 
have been properly a catholic epistle, intended for all Christian churches throughout the world. 
yamaha pad eihe place from which, it was written, are uncertain. 


y : + : 

io 
Seelaateees nd cintotccn ; and the writer's pur.| exhortations suited to the occasion; and a con- 
pose in the epistle, namely, to establish Christians; — cluding aseription of glory to God, 17—25. 
against certain false teachers of very bad charae- UDE, * the servant'of Jesus Christ, 

te oF hi? Sore: es aa who | and. brother of James, to © them 
aA thaat of Sollora’ are adituéed, aa showin ethe | that are sanctified by God the Father, 
eer to which they, who apostatized, or per {204 @ preserved in ac Christ, © and 
Vetted the gospel. were opposed, 5—7. The} Called z 
Bile character’ of these’ seducers further stated, | 4. io. 3. Jam 1.63 Pet 1) 122 Tim 476. 8 
: beur | Phurddeus| 1. 
/ concerning Sichset contending Mark @ 18, John 1S. 16. & fe 30, 


4 a / de Luke 6. 16.[.17. .9. 1 Cor. 1.2 
with about the*body of .Mosex and an} Sohn Yes: Rent ae 
a 


rancient: | a delivered by Enoch, eoncern- Thes. 5. 23, 
thes of judgment and perdition of un- b John 12. 26, aes 142 
27.23. Rom. | 1.}d@ John 6. 39. & 1» 
pve kr Warnings, counsels, and} & 6. a9. t& 16. 18.1 23-30. & 17. 1 


> 4a rr A a ae 


HD ly ‘yee! 
“git ‘Mercy “unto | you, and peace, and a¥ 
love, be multiplied. nav 
_ 3 Beloved, ¢ when I gave all diligone . 
to write Unto you'of the > common salva- 
tion, 1 was needful for me to write unto |i 
here and exhort you, ‘ that ye’should ear-. 
nestly contend for the faith * which’ ‘was 
Pi delivered unto the ' saints. =  ” 


» ©\$2e on, Rom, 3. Thy Is. 45, 17. 22. Acts, & 10.46.28 Phil 
2 Pet. 1. 2.2 Pet! 4. 19. & 13. 46, 47. Eph, 1. 1.J0 1 
Awe. Bev, 1. 4—6: & 28. 28. Gal. 8. “a 

n Mae a5 25. pe 


g Rom. 15. 15, 16. by Ete 4. ee 12, a 113 


“Gal. & 11, Heb. 13. 
22. 1 Pets. 12 ahi Neb, 13.25. ‘Jer 
Pet, 1. 12-15. &| 9.3. Acts 6. 8—1A, 
$. Le & 9.22, & 17 


“eagle 
jo Wed 


NOTES. 

Vv. 1,2. The apostle Tale, or Judas, (John 

xiv. 22.) seems to havé Writt€nithis short circular 

letter, soon after Péter wrote his second epis- 

tle ; with aa intention of adding his protest alse ' 

against the seducers whom Peter opposed. He ie tion, 
Styled ‘himself * the servant of Jesus Christ, and’ yori San) an di 


** the brother of James,” namely, of James the | s- 
Less, the ‘son of Alpheus, who was the author of 
the epistle bearing that name. The unusual as- 
€ription, (Marg. Ref) of sanctification to God 
‘the Father, and the order’of the words, have in- 
duced many expositors to explain ¢ sanetified,” 
of their being * set apart,” or separated “in | 
«the election of grace,” by God the father 5 in 
consequence of which, they were given to Jesus 
Christ, and preserved in'and by him, from'dying 
in their sins, ‘or falling into fatal delusions, till 
called by the word and Spirit of God into a:state 
of actual fellowship in the gospel of Christ.— 
Others suppose’ the order of the words to have'l; 
been disregarded : and then the apostle’s mean-} wea 
ing is, that the persons addressed were regene~|9 
rated'and sanctified, by the grace communicated 
from ‘God the Father; that) they were othus 
brought home to the * good Shepherd, who | te 
* bought them ‘with his blood,” and were pre- 
served by his watchful care: and, being “called 
« according to his purpose,” they- would be 
« kept by the power of God through faith unto 
«s salvation’” “In behalf of all these the apostle 
desired, that mercy” to pardon. their sins, to: 
compassionate and relieve their miseries, and to 
supply theif wants; “and peace,” inward and 
outward; “ and love, might be multiplied unto 
“¢ them,” even the special love of God to them, 
with allits precious fruits, and their love to him, 
to one another, and to be ‘men for his sake— | peniciows errors; » 
(Marg. Ref) |themselves to the 
V.3; 4. When the, apostle applied himself, | nounced) against — 
‘with all assiduity and care, to write to his fel. predictions had’ Lia 
low-christians, concerning that salvation which | the registersin heaven’. 
was common to him and them, and every man |nal decrees of “God, # 
who would an i of it; it aipewed to him | “ his works fom thed 


te the’ 
cant in the world ;. 


those who perce 


influence” ‘to p 


provement of - ate 
to impede the pro 
establish the’ faith’ 
and even’ ‘tot 


tares, while mef 
foreseen them 5 foi 
or registered, “to ‘thi 
predictions had from t 
ed to this effect, (14, 1: 
‘clared ‘that sueh’ persons 
left to themselves, and so 


‘ JUDE. A. D.70:. 


“= put you in remem-| the cities about them, i in like manner, giv- 
ye once Kuew this, how|ing themselves over to fernication, and 
+ havi ng-saved the people going after ¢ strange flesh, » are set forth 
Egypt, : afterward de-} for an example, suffering the vengeance 
hem that believed not. . of < eternal fire... 

the * angels which kept not} 8 Likewise also“ these f/thy dreamers 
eir *firstestatc, but left theirown ha-|e defile the flesh, ‘ despise dominion, 

By ¥ he hath reserved in everlasting} ¢ and speak evil of dignities. 

er darkness, *uiite the judg- Practical Observations} 


— 


A 4 . 20. ‘16. & 0. Deut. 29, 33. 27. Ps. 2. 1-6. 
Sodom and Gomorrah, and Lam. 4.6 Ea i 3. 14, Mar 25. 41) G12 3, 4. Luke 
ie a 45, 50. Hos. 1 aS Se 19. 14. 7. 37. 
jvom, 2 Pet. 2. 4. Am. 4. 11 ia 39. { Thes 4. 8. 
: 29 17.29. Cor em. 17- 1} Heb. 13. 17. 
| t& 27. Rev. 20.10.) ¢ Gr. . 9, 10, Ex. 22, 


sion to the vilest unholiness : he ‘f ordained them to this. condemnation ;” .as 

“ denied the oaly Lord God,” had done Judas, and those who crucified 
ot bis authority, as their Creator, | Christ... (Jéare. Ref.) Whatever objection lies 
our Lord Jesus Christ,” by refus-| apainst. this. view! of the subject, lies at least 


these! sre expressly foretold... (Mare. Ref)}—The only 
Berd, &c. These words may be differently ren- 
Person and atonement of Christ ;/dered: bat our translation seems to give the 
Nee, Lee ti. 32, 23. and. they would there-| true meaning ; preserving: the. distinction he- 
espa “Garmog tic grace of our God into tween the Father and the Son. 
of some attempts made by! V. 8. (Votes, 1 Cor. x. 1—12. 2 Pet. ii. 4— 
han feast Wee inctrines of. graes ae, i- 11..20—22.) External privileges, profession, and 
ing to licentiousness- But - construction | apparent conversion, could not secure from the 
4 be very unnatural: a epistie severest vengeance of God, those who thus turn= 
Ae nc Ae tn pre ET antinomians,}ed aside in unbelief and disobedience. Te 
Wo 6 i a eae evince this, the apostle deemed. it proper .to re- 
Yet it is| mind his readers, though they had. been taught 
a. Se RS a and had understood it; that the Lord, having 
ree Person of Christ ; for this! delivered the whole nation of Israel from Egyp- 
the case,.with the various descrip- tian bondage, and made.a national covenant with 
pon 


bis: mediatorial 
— Some.bave supposed, that 
i denied the doctrine of the apostles, 


roe heretics ; whose absurd {them as his people; yet afierwards destroyed 


Bf cmt repeat eal fae he em manifested 
falsehood to the truthsof revelation ; and the| their unbelief by determined and habitual diso- 
artifice of satan in suiting the delusions, which | bedience, instead of being secured by their ex- 
he propagates by his ministers; to the taste and | ternal privileges, would be more. deeply con- 
eapacities of those whom be means to ruin by| demmed on account of them. Even the angeis, 
them, The inteilectaal poison, which he ad-| originally created holy, endued with noble pow- 
Mhinisters, in this age of proud reasoning. andjers, and exalted to great eminence in heaven it- 
skepticism, is. of a more plausible kind, and can}self: when dissatisfied with their. first estate, 
be supported with more show of argument; or} they ambitiously and rebelliously, left the sta- 
elseit_ would not be so generally received — Gave} tion assigned them by the Creator, had been cast 
all, &c. {3,) ‘Iwas sedulously devising to write} down from their holy habitation, and were re- 
$. to yomconcerning the.common faith; when the}served, as in chains of.everlasting darkness, 
« ccumstances of the times rendered it neeesea-} wickedness, misery, and despair, until the judg- 
« ryyand determined.me to this subject?—Once-| ment of the great day; when their condemna- 
@)» Once for all; so that no addition is to be} tion will be as distinguished, as the rank was 


Way; only tends to corrupt it—Of old) try : when, after the manner of apostate 

ke. (4) Not to commit these crimes.| they daringly rebelled against Ged, (which ap- 
: but their wilful sin and im-j peared especially imtheir giving up themselves 

penitence being forescen ; and God, for wise res-| to abandoned lewdness, and the shameless indul- 

pos ooneapramegr tt al gence of their unnatural lusts;) bad been ex- 


ee & eal 
A.D. 70, YORE!” 
“9: Yet » Michaei the iarchangel, when | gone“ in’ 
éontending with the devil, (he disputed |. i 
about * the body of Moses,) !durst not |. 
bring against him a railing accusation, | 
but said, ™ The Lord rebuke thee: — 
‘vO But these ® speak’ evil of those 
things which they know net: but what| ing S Wi 
they know naturally, as brute beasts, °in | they are withou 
those things they corrupt themselves, “| winds; *treés wh 
11 P Woe unto them! 49 for they have |F num. 23-24. &ja 4 


Dan. 10. 13. 21) 9. 2 Pet. 2. 11. ‘Ise3s 9s 110) Jer. cee 24. Pare peruse 
_& 12. 1, Rev, 12, 7%Jm 1 Che. 12. 17, Is 13. 2% Ez 18. 3.1 Mic. 6.5 2 Pets 2) 9.130 
31 Thes, 4. 16, 37. 3, 4. 10-20} Zeck. 11. 17" Mat. 1 
k Deut. $4. 6. ch. 3,2. "gel 


é 
= 


Zech. 3, 4 ll, 21. & 23;°13— 
cae 36. teen a rs on, 2 Pet. ie 42-47, He 5.6, 71 
rk 15.29. Lukejo See on, Rom. 1 & 514.1 : igi. ire ee 
23. 30, 40.1 Pet. 3. 21, 29,” “John 3. 12. sree Shee ae has 


hibited as an example of divine vengeance to the 
whole earth, in the destruction of their cities and} t 
ail that was in them, by fire from heaven, and by 
the perpettial desolations of their fertile country ; 
so that it became a visible emblem of the eternal }t 
fire of hell, into which that judgment swept the 
souls 6f such “as died in'their sins ; and all the 
adults! without ‘exception seem thus to have pe- 
rished. “In ‘fike manner “the dreamers,” of 
wihiom the apostle spake, vainly expecting liber- 
ty and impunity ‘in sin, followed the example, 
and would share the doom, of abominable So- 
dom: whilst they defiled ‘their bodies, which 
ought to have been consecrated to God; des- 
pised all authority, divine and human; and re- 
viled those, who were placed in dignity, or in 
vested with power, in’so insolent a manner, as 
would tend to exasperate them against Christians 
in general. In short, they would not endure | p! 
either authority or reproof; but disdained them, |; 
as the inhabitants of Sodom did the gentle expos. 
tulation of Lot. (Gen. xix. 9.)—Dreamers. (8.)| thei 
* Perfectly stupified, and destitute of reason, as | ¢ 
© if their senses had been locked up by a deep fe 
* sleep, or an inveterate lethargy, from whic 
¢ no terrible example could awake them. (Beza.) 
The epithet filthy, added in our translatian, im’ 
plies that their very dreams were defiled, through 
the filthiness of their waking thoughts. 

V.9; 10) (ores, 2 Pet. ii. 11-19) is 
most probable, that the apostle took this ac- 
eount concerning Michael, from’ ancient tradi- 
tion which was well known among the Jews ; and 
by thus adducing it, he hath given sufficient at-' 
testation’ of its truth. (Votes, Deut. xxxiv. 6 
Dan. x. 13, 21. xii. 1.) In some of the passages 
here referred'to, Michael has been supposed to 
be the Son of God himself, as the great Ruler 
over all angels, and worshipped by them all.— 
But we do net seem authorized to interpret this 
text of fim, as Spoken of in the tradition by’ the 
name of Michael; but rather of some created 
angel, invested with great authority over his fel-|* significant, men, we 
lows, perhaps xs Messiah’s peculiar vicegerent.|*\the powers, ordained 
This exalted “arch-angél, however, had a contest 2a! 
with the devil about the body of Moses!” It may}* Ti 
be’ supposed that he wanted ‘to make the place} ‘ 7 
of ‘his burial known to the Israelites, in order] * 
to tempt them to worship him, as the papists to’ 
the'bodies of martyrs, real or supposed ; but Mi-/¢'a 
chael would not suffer him to do it: and proba-]* 


yet dared not to ' 
not from fear ¢ 
those circumstan 
sistent with the perfe 
these heretics, pretend 
the favourites of heaven; 

dignities, whom God Nad" 
honour and obey Ti 


their appetites, in such tl 
turally, even like the bre 
sive and lawless gra 

ed ‘themselves. To's! 
men have done, th j 
means the Jewish hare 

because the true Church is cal + che 
* Christ,” and to refer’ hole tot 
tion recorded in the thi 
becalise “ the Lorn rebuke 
there, may be ingenious = 
fling, which brings no 
tion to the mind.’ ~*' Mi 
‘* pal angels, was contet 
* vil, however execrab 
€ judgment of God: y 


JUDE, AD, 10, 


ASA > eles dead, © plucked up by | and * to convince all that are ungodl 
root! ith upd among them, of ail theiy ungodly phir 
3. @ Raging waves of.the sea, ¢ foam- which they have ungodly committed, ‘and 
thei own “shame ; wandering, of ail their hard speeches, which ungodly 
yhom is reserved the blackness | sinvers have. spoken against him. 
or ever ee: ‘These are ™ murmurers, compiain= 
dB. Enc ch also,, the seventh from ‘ers, b walking after their. own lusts ; ° and 
ghesied of these, saying,” Be-| their mouth speaketh great swelling 
rd cometh with ten thousand | words, P having men’s persons in admira- 
‘uon because of advantage. . 


Di. ‘execute judgment “upon all, 


; | Rev.20,12-16; &i12. 
cei Sy ae apt Thes.} _ 22- 11 Deuts 1 27.) 2. 10. & de & 


| Ps-106. 25. Is. 29-0 See on, ver. 16, 
24, Luke 5, 30. & 
15, 2, Bz 196 
Jol 6. 41. 6h & 
Cor. 10: 10. Phil 
ke Ade 


"Thes.1. 7, 


ver. 16, Bx, 16.3 1 
Sanie 2. 3, Ps. 32. 
» 18. & 94 4. 1s. 87. 


Job 17. 4 5. Ps 175 
10, & 73, 9-11. 2 
Pet. 2. 1% 
P. rigs 19.15: Job 
+ 21. & 34. 1%, 
Pe 15.4, Prov, 28, 
21. 1 Tim. 6° 5s 
Jam. 2. 1-9 — 
2. it. 


m Nvm. 146 36 as 1LBc4s 2: 2Peti 
16 


1/i Ps. 9. tk re A 


98 a ’ ag 9. Ee, 
Ab 9, &-12.. 14. | 22-36, Dan. 7.20, 
John 5.) 22, 23. 27. S13. 36.Mal. 3- 13{n yer. 18. Gal. a 
.| Acts 17: 31. Rom. re Matt. 12. $1-! 16.24. 1’Thes. 4. 5, 
2.16. & (24, 10. 1] $7 Rey. 13. 5, 6 2: 2"Tim. 4. 3.-Jasne le 
Cor.4, 5. & 5. 13. _! 14.161 Pet. bk 14, 


mt z ee 


es trees torn up by the routs, that they 


ei" soos for had gone. in, the| ! ight be cast into the fire. They might also be 
he prow ing the efetip|t sane od raging waves of the sea,” in. the 


bad pi a iled f Lansing. ace 
Ath him ; and, ts we by this, 
apd ous a and. aposta- and. proyed to all, who vee ty the word of 
the religion ‘that he bad ‘professed : God, what scandalous persons, they were. They 
had turned aside from the | were like wandering stars,” whose irregular 

i gl become haters o} ‘those courses could not easily be described or under. 
toi id: were about to cast off: ail stood ; whilst their “appearance, though jumin- 

1 ‘Christianity... They, had also, ous, Spreboded mischief to mankind: and the 
> with greediness i in the. same. blackness of darkness, despair, and misery, were 
By, W pee re Soe inorder to obtain |reserved for their eternal portion ; along with. 
es Be unrights ousness: like him they|the devil and his angels, with whom they had 
clic ft iy commandment of the | united in oppesing the authority and honour of 


: Fie 


ucre ; they had sought | Christ. (Marg. Hef:) The word rendered spots, 
sO people of God ; and | primarily means the tops of the rocks, appear ing 
above the water, which give the sea the appear- 
ance of being spotied, and on which ships are 
wrecked. Thus the disgraceful appearance of 
these heretics, and the danger arising from them, 
may be at once exhibited. The word rendered. 
“ ‘wandering. stars,” signifies plunets, but it may 
be questioned, whether the apostle used it ia 
the strict astronomical sense ; or not rather, ac- 
cording to the popular meaning of it, which best 
suited his purpose. The horrible enormities, 
ascribed to the heretics, who are supposed to be 
here intended, are almiost incredible; but, if 
true, | it is by no means propez, to speak of | thens 
in the detail, 

14—16. Ina prophecy, which had been 
Helieecen by Enoch to the Antediluvians, con- 
cerning the coming of the Lord to. judgment, 
men of this character had been icted and. 
condemned. It had not pleased God, that this 
ancient prophecy should be committed to writing 
by Muses, or by. any other inspired person : but 
it had been preserved | y_ tradition ; and it not. 
only. accorded 1 to the general. doctrine of revela- 

tion, but WAS 2 ‘authenticated as a part of it, whem 
2” as the transient hope that th 


fice dear thu by 1 e apostle of Christ. Tho 
of oftheir receiving life and ta ans Enoch lived : pee afier the creation, as aie 
> way. for their. being reduced pero Lc in desceni from Adam: yet he fore, 
‘ cae apt they could | s: redicted the second coming of the 
for they were, w tele even t poe AA Metab, to judge 


sedt of them into Ticentious- 
dt thus 1 apreerd Hen to divine TERECHEE, 
omer K and his company opposes 
vl of, Mos 28, and. Aaron, and | excited 
to.re t them ; ; 80 those wick-| 
id ra Rey the authority of Christ’s 
and ssepaelicted their doctrine: yea, 
Po gai a d many others to 0 pei them; 
nd they were ge to perish in their gainsay- 
1g, Or rebellion, lion, as Ko: hand his z associates: did. 
1ese were spots in cir religious feasts, in 


of 


b y met. together as. Christian. brethren ; 
ea ting with Christians and indulging their 
es without fear, they would, by that and 
ous practices, be a disgrace to the 
ee They were indeed * clouds 
Bien Mate fe from whom no good could be 
jt their own lusts, and satan’s 
atic ns, drove ‘them from one folly and wick- 
nes to another, as. the clouds are driven. about 
ythe wind. They might also be compared to 
oy 


wea 


that seemed to take root and to rep aes 
, but their buddings ¥ were withered, and 
ined _ whol ly uofruitful; so that they, 


gill 


ele re 
bc TUDE. 


ALD: 70. 

“17 But, beloved, 4 remember .ye the | 
words which were spoken before of the |i 
aposties of our Lord Jesus Christ; «— 

18How. that. they told you, * there 
should be mockers in the last time, * who 
should walk after their own ungodly 
lusts. Peer Re : 

- 19 These be they t who separate them- 
selves, “ sensual, * having not the Spirit. 

20 But ye, beloved, building up your- 

Mal. 4 4, ‘| 5 18, & 4% 2).i0.Heb. 10.25, 


God, ¢ looking fore the.mer 
Jesus. Christ) “antoeter: 


Xo. 35. Eph. 2 20.| Pet. 2.1.%&3.9. Ju 1 Cor, 2.14, Jam. |! 
& 4. 11.2 Pet. 3.Js See on, n-ver 16.1 3, 15.Gr., . - |. 2%. 2Pen 1. be 227 
2.1 John 4. 6. | Ps. 14. 1, 2 “Ix John 3.5.6. Rom,| Jobn 5.4. Rev. 13.) 3. 
¥ Acts 20, 20-2 Tim.|t 19. 650°5: Eze 14:81 9s Com 619 | We Job.14,-1 
4. 1,2-2 Tim. 3 1)°7. Hos. & 14. &9.ly Acts 9: $1. Rom, | 4 Zeche 12.10. Rom: + ap 

- 1 wt ibaa = ea ; - 7 ti Se “fm 


the world; of which the approaching deluge 
was an emblem. He, therefore, called on the 
men of that abandoned generation to behold and 
take notice that the Lord would come, and was 
even then coming, with ten thousands of his holy 
ones, bis holy angels in the most conspicuous 
manner, to execute judgment upon all wicked 
men: and to arraign, convict, and condem ail 
that were ungodly among them, both in respect 
of their profane, rebellious, and wicked works, 
which they had most impiously perpetrated, in 
contempt and defiance of him; and of all the 
hard speeches, the virulent, presumptuous, scorn- 
fu), blasphemous, and malicious words which 
they had dared to utter, from the proud and car- 
nal enmity of their hearts against him. This con- 
viction and condemnation, the false teachers of 
whom Jude wrote could not escape; seeing 
their works and words were exactly of the same 
kind. For they were murmurers; after the ex- 
ample of the Israelites, who murmured against 
Moses and Aaron, and thus showed their enmi- 
ty to Jenovan;) they ‘quarrelled with the 
truths, precepts, and ministers of Christ; and 
complained of every restraint laid on them, or 
authority exercised over them; as well as ex- 
pressed continual discontent with the Lord’s pro- 
vidential dispensations respecting them. At the 
same time they “ walked after their own lusts,” 
habitually making their ungovernable carnal in- 
clinations the rule of their conduct, and disdain- 
ing control. Yet “ their mouths spake great 
# swelling words *:” boasting extravagantly of 
their knowledge, liberty, and gifts, as if they 
were the only favourites of heaven: and they 
paid court, with abundant flatterics and profess- 
ed admiration, to such perons as were able and 
willing to promote their Secular “advantage, 
‘without any regard to their characters ; by which | 
partiality, and mercenary servility, they attached 
proud and worldly men to their party. 

~V. 17—19. (Note, 2 Pet. iii. 2, 3:) - As the 
deceivers of whom the sacred writer spake, were 
making destructive progress in the church ; he 
deemed it requisite to exhort his Seloved’ bre- 
thren torecollect the words which the other apos. 
tles of Christ bad’spoken when they fifst preach- 
ed the gospel to them; as well as of what some 
of them had written to this effect ; especiaily: 
Paul, Peter, and James. For they had warned 
them, that under the Christian dispensation, 


there would arise’ within 


that holy relig 


ungodly lusts. n 
These ea 


persons, who- 


Spirit of God dwe' hing: 


a 2 
and Preserver of divine I 


) 
hoeved the disciple 
Lord’s admonition 
fruits ye shall Kno 
15—20.) A careful 


the conclusion, th 
unregenerate 3 Ww ut 
channel natural 


ble heretics, all 
but if that inter 


the apostle exhorted 
employed in “ buil 
each other, “on 1 
doctrine of faith: 
tendency, leading | 
sin, to love and obey G 
righteous, and odly 

distinguished , from 
grace of faith is mo: 
love, purifieth the hea 
world,” by which it is ¢ 
false and dead faith. 
the holy doctrine of the 
obedient faith, C 


dispositions, 
depend on it, 


2 faultléss before © the presence of his 
glory with P exceeding j joy; 

_ 25. To 4 the only wise * God our Sa- 
viour, * de glory and majesty, dominion 
and power, both om i ever. Amen. 


‘save with fear, bee 
“of the fire ; * hating even 
otted by the fleSh. 


o him that is! able to keep} 1. “2% Eph. 5, a7. 4:18. v4 |.& aa. 2 Pete ts 
. ‘ol. 1. 22,28 3 Se 104, oy pik s 1 Chr. 29. 11. Ps. 
ing, and to vesent YOU) 4. Heb. 13, 20,21. 4. Rom 73. 18, 19. Dan. 4. 
; . po Rev. 14. 5. ; %. BOF. See, Mace: 

o Mat, 16. 27. & 19. 


vie 10. mc et 1G; Eph. 8:21.) 2 
28. & 25.31. Lukel 17 ‘Pet. 4.12. & 5. 10, 
; ‘20 ; r * 9. 26. 1 Thes. 4. 0,}r Ps. 68, 20. Ts. 12.) 1 2 Pet. 3, 18: 
Hes. 31 . Beak oe aa 3S Gaels oleh eta: 6: Se 4.9 
4) 8) 26. 26. Eph, | P Ps. 21-6. & 43.| 4.92, 1 Tim, 2. a.) rn 
mee ace , we eek Mat. 5. 1%. 2) Titi. 8,4 10,13.) 
“ig.” 1 Ti é ‘Yor “ ‘Elm & Cor. 44, x Gor. 4. 4% 1 Pet.| 


| were more hardened and profane. The latter 
: {they were directed “ to save with fear,” being 
-| cautious, lest by attempting their recovery, toed 
{should be themselves entangled ; (as if,a ma 
‘0 icing eager to rescue others from a fire, should 
fall in.and.be hieaself burned :) and they should. 
use alarming | and tertifying methods; as they 
‘would ‘do, if they saw any persons in imminent 
§} anger ‘of being consumed in the flames, whilst 
'jinsensible of their situation through sleep or in* 
toxication. All endeavours in this case must 
alsa 'be joined with ‘decided abhorrence of the 
crimes committed | by the Persons, concerned 
and care to avoid. whatever led to “ fellowship 
“with them in their works of darkness ; a? even 
as a garment infected with the plague would be 
ahunned by those who desired to keep clear of 
the malady. Thus ought they to hate “even the 
arment spotted w ith the flesh,” or whatever 
Ky the most remote alliance with the sensual 


e apostle directed: 5 a 
aying in the Hely Ghost,” or ib 
on, and ‘under the influence of, his 


the shares, and resist the tempta- 
“would be laid in their way. By| 
ES ee ought “to keep themselves 
of God ;’ in the ‘assurance and 
jal love to. them, which they 
, if they were slothful; and in 
fitial love and gratitude ‘towards 
‘all this assiduity, watchfulness, 
conscientiousness, they must put} ‘ 
themselves, but wait expect, and be 
lo “fo 4 ce shown to 


ceivers. It hath been ebserved by some writers, 
that such ornamental clothing, as tends to tempt 
others to “fleshly lusts,”.or is purchased with 
|the wages of licentiousness, may very ‘Properly 
be called, ‘ garments spotted with the flesh ;? 
and, as such, ought to be detested and loathed 
more than the vilest rags, (however rich, ele- 
gant, and becoming it may be,) by all those who 
would be thought Christians. But, whilst the 
apostle gave these warnings and counsels,” he 
showed his readers where to place their whole 
dependence for preservation, by the form of his 
eoncluding doxology. For he addrcssed it, # to 
* him, that was able to keep them from falling” 
iato iniquity, heresy, or destruction, whatever 
their dangers and temptations might be; and 
who alone could doit, by his eutward protection 
and his inward supports: and thus he would at 
length, present them faultless,” fully justified, 
stians have had the Spirit of mira-| and perfected in holiness, ‘before the preseace 
gictee Have none then, ie this} of his glory,” when displayed at the day of 
| judgment before the assembled world ; “ with 
| © exceeding joy,” to each of them on his own 
| account, and in the felicity of ail the rest ; to all 
- | the holy angels, yea, to the Lord himself, who 
as bad | would rejoice in and aver them to do them good. 
i erie and make proba for, ever. To him, therefore, as_‘* the ouly wise 
of Some the ht to have |* God,” who knew how to deliver the godly out 
ness, | of temptation, “ <vew to the Saviour” of sinners, 
« | the apostle. ascribed, “ glory and majesty, do- 
had fallen through ‘iadver |@ minion and power, both then and for ever, 
ed aii and others wio|/* Amen” He rejoiced that ‘these belonged te 
4R 


pil Chine siitted from a litur- 
“both they who pray without a form, and 
read words previously put together, } 
n 3 short of * praying by the Holy Spi- 
‘rit? But how is the whole of this most beau 
tiful passage enervated, by explaining the words 
30 question, of inspiration, or miraculous gifts! 
Whether with a written form, or Without, no man 
can pray spiritually, but by the ‘caching’ and as. ! 
ce of the Holy Spirit, exciting, inthe mind}* 
rt, holy desires, ‘affections, and expecta. 
nd this is wholly independent of mira- 
and inspiration, properly so called. ALL 
re commanded to pray in, or by, the 
+ but, for at least’ fifteen hundred 


‘JUDE: A. De il 


4h Nesting and licentious doctrines, of these | de. ' 


i a 
A.D. 704. . » TUDES 


him, and, would, fo! be. possessed: by him, 

who alone was, w by. of them, and capable of 

exercising them, in a suitable. manner, for the} ‘ Cy ce bp 

good of his universal and everlastin ng Kingdoms |}, re 

As the Lord Jesus alone. will visibly appear att - “ 

the day of judgment, to present his saints unto | 4 deanees w 
umself;, so: it hath been thought b by some ex-| stand ‘aloof fiom t 

Positors that this doxology, was addressed per- 

sonally, to him. (Marg. Ref.) But. thers |* 

suppose, that the apostle chad the ‘ Qne_true 

« ‘and living God” in his mind, without exclusiz 

fespect to any of the persons in the sacred Trin is 

ity: as God is become our Saviour, in Jesus} darkness. When e deel 

Christ ; and the glory of the Father, the Son, and|the conduct of our govei 

the Holy Ghost, in (he salvatien of believers, will | sober and regular plan: 

be displayed at the day of judgment; though redressing grievances ; let us by 

Christ alone will visibly and personally appear to | sight of the meekness. of ris Da 


judge the world. matter to the Lord in the use of 
nay, even if oppressed a 
PRACTICAL LGaecnrns ONS: should, without rendering evil or ¢ evi 
Be “ ourselves to him, h ri 
‘When the, s¢ of Christ “address those } There always Raye 


who “ are sanctified by God the Father, and pre-| evil ef things which the 
“ served in ‘Jesus Christ, and called ;” and for corrupt, bra rate. in su 
whom, they pray, “that mercy, peace, and love |: 
« may be multiplied unto them ;” they must not 
only instruct them, with all diligence, i in things 
pertaining to “the common salvation :” but se- 
lect such. subjects, as) more especially suit: the:|in-similar courses to O | 
circumstances of the times, and tend to put them | when persons of t 
on their guard against prevailing delusions. A continued in co 
cordial attachment to the doctrines once deliver- 
ed to the saints, and handed down:to us in, the |i 
scriptures, will render us earnest in:contending 
for them, and against,all innovations, by every 
means consistent with meekness and love : and a promising appearat 
competent acquaintance with them, will put.us SONS», piss, as! un 
upon our guard against those ungodly men, who 
creep in unawares, amidst revivals of:religion, 
and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness by | 
their perverse interpretations and scandalous | “ = Gt in _ viru 
crimes; through which they ‘deny the -only | boastings, and_ perk 
« Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ,” as if|they make.a, glare. 
they were determined: to be their own-rulers in | meteors, and then, 
every sense, and to be subject to no authority, {darkness for ever. The 
either human, or divine : and thus they bring ap- / beginning of the world, ha 
on themselves that’ destruction, to. which they {which will be denounced o 
were appointed, Whilst we contend earnestly | Christ shall come with ten the 
for the truths, which relateto the Person and sal-|to execute {ene 
vation of Christ; we should guard with equal |their. wicked worlks; ar 
caution against every perversion of them: for, | words, whieh they. haye sp 
though the infidel, or Pharisee, -will as. surely | reviling his truths, se 
come short of enlyatitn, as the antinomian ; yet |ments, and, holy | comms ni 
he does not so dishonour the- Gospel, or do so therefore avoid those m r 
d amneh to set mankind against it. We ought who walk after their ungodl sti 
therefore to remind the people, not to rest in any |religion to. suit such. ike 7 dam, 
profession, Knowledge, or experience, which |ought to disregard their. « 
doth not bring the soul into subjection to the} of, vanity ;” whilst we ma 
obedience of Christ ; for nothing but the renewal |men’s persons in seme: : 
of our souls to the divine image by the Holy Spi. {lar advantage ;. especially 
rit, can secure ue from being destroyed among sites flattery and powen a 
the enemies of God. We are continually warn-| | - 
ed of this: and the examples of his severity. on Ms ; 
unbelieving Israelites, on apostate angels, and on 
Sodom and Gomorrah, stand on record for our |) 
admonition, that we should not presume on for. 
mer favours, and present privileges ; er take oc- 
éasion from thence to rebel ; or te indalge our 


\ 


REVELATION. ig De9s. 


J, and de -his sanctifying Spirit.— | falls; we should look to ourselves, and hate even 
also remember that the doctrine and faith | the garment spotted with the flesh’; as afraid of 
re most holy ; that we may build | being infected with that most fatal pestilence®: 
in all spiritual and devoted | and still trusting in’ him, “ who is able vo keep 
praying for, and by, the Holy | « us from falling, and to present us faultless be- 
ved in the love of God ; and] *¢ fore the presence of his glory, with exceeding 
" the mercy of our Lord Jesus |“ joy ;” we should ascribe to him, even God our 
“unto eternal life. Whilst. with tender | Saviour, Father, Son, and Holy’ Ghost, all glory, 
sn, or more solemn and awful warnings, | majesty, dominion, and power, now and for eyer- 
May require,) we seek torecover!more. Amen, © 0 
a eb, y ‘ 


gah signe 


ee 


i] 


ATION OF JOHN THE DIVINE. 


} 


y prophetical, which were immediately revealed to St. John from Jesus Christ: this took 
, when he was in the isle of Patmos in the Egean Sea, whither he was banished, as is ge- 
bought, by the emperor Domitian, A.D. 94, 0r 95. Seme, indeed, maintain that this 

during the persecution of Nero, A. D. 67, or 68, or even before that time: but the 
duced in support of their opinion are by no. means conclusive; and as it stands last 
sacred canon, so it seems to have been written last, and to have been iatended to occupy 
place. ‘The Revelation opens with the apostle’s account of an extraordinary vision which 
ad of the Lord Jesus, appearing to him, in glory. Then follow seven short epistles from 
himself, to the seven principal Churches in Asia: (WVote, Acts xix. 8—12.) and, after them 
contains a series of prophecies, some chiefly emblematical, relating to events, which would. 
ace in the Church and the nations of the earth, through all the subsequent generations 
nd, to the end of the world, the day of judgment, and the eternal state. This series is 
hes interrupted by explanatory ‘digressions, which’ will be noted as we proceed: such 
ons as are supposed to be already fulfitled, will be compendiously stated, with the eveats 
o which they relate, according to. the judgment of the most:approved writers: and/an endeav- 
Our will be thus far made to render the great outlines of the book, as plain as may be to the un- 
iowa reader, whose edification must principally be considered. But in respect of those thirgs, 
which seem not to be yet fulfilled ja judgment must be formed, and an opinion ventured, with 
ery great caution, and in a very general’ manner.. Many indeed have objected to, and some 
Christians, and ministers of the Gospel, have even derided, every attempt to explain so 

ous a book; while no doubt many have wanted tobe wise above what is written, and. 
‘general prophecies by a private interpretation,,in a very unwarrantable manner : 
Petsi; 20, 21;) and this should teach others modesty, reverence, and a simple depend- 
1€ teaching of the Holy Spirit in all their inguiries ; whatever helps or adyantages they 
May possess for such investigations, But, if we are enabled to study, write,-and read ia this 

aANe | ther an beno doubt, but, we shall.derive most abundant practical instruction, and | 

78 


bad 


e 


mie) ae a a Once a 7) Se ee a ee ee dl Go 


al bie oil 


‘they remain carnal; and | our fallen brethren from dangerous heresies and 


= 


‘As Di 95. REVELATION: 


‘ begin to doubt about the whole and every part of it. In or 


. to draw the line between these as exactly as may be; that the uncerta 


‘ of men, even of those interpretations which are well-founded, t 
‘pear probable, that the prophecies fulfilling in any age, should be 


* at not finding them in'the map, Thus the events of a century, ete 
* or continents, being foretold in a few verses, or at most a single - t 


* comparing it with the prophecy, will doubtless perceive a sufficient 
“them to say, “ Thus it was written, and thus it must be.” “Though proba 


)Théywho censure and dissuade: the) study of ‘it, do-it fort) 


«* Lord Bacon adviseth, with great wisdom, sobriety; and reverence? ° ; 
been, as ¢ Sir Isaac Newtonobserves, to foretell times and things by 
\»-signed to make them prophets: ; By this rashness they have not 


obtain increasing vigour to our faith and holy affections, by 
»this gost) surprising discovery. of the Lord’s : purposes; 
which .was made'so many ages before they were accompli 


-€ not ‘studied it themselves ; and imagine the difficulties to be gre 
© It is: still “ the sure word of prophecy,” and men of Ripa ing and 
« ploy their time and abilities, than in studying and explaining t 


«* brought the prophecy also into contempt,. The design of God was 
* this, and the prophecies of the Old Testament, not to gratify men’s ¢ 
* them to foreknow things ; but that afier they were fulfilled, they might 
* event; and his own providence,’ (or foresigh?,) ¢ not the interpreter’s, m 
* by to the world? (Bp. Vewton,)—It should, however, be admitted, that 
and pious reader a general assurance, that the cause of truth and righteousness shall | 

gloriously prevail even’on earth, for his encouragement, during the triumphs of sup 
idolatry, heresy, infidelity, and wickedness, which on every side are witnes: or rep 

every quarter, was one end for which this revelation was given. But w. 
learned and respectable men attempt, with particularity and ¢ > 
dictions, which are not evidently fulfilled ; it commonly happens, thi 
terpretation by some counter-scheme, supported also by plausi 
ral are thus engaged, each in defending his own eonclusions agains’ 
their readers in general are perplexed, instead of convinced ; the | 
which is fulfilled, and may clearly be explained, and the unaccomplis 
disappear ; the evidence arising from the fulfilment. of , prophecy, as 
inspiration ef the scriptures, fails of producing its full effect; 
is laid aside, as uncertain, or inexplicable, seeing the most, lea 
cordant opinions/on the subject. In most other controverted 
ed to lie on one side or the other, or to be divided between the di 
the debates often” produce a kind of skepticism in the nae 


be taken, to mark strongly the difference between what is fulfilled and 
lines, may not appear to’attach to those parts, which have already received 2 
bus be wholly confined to the other part. Even in respect of those prediction 
posed to be fulfilling in this eventful period, peculiar caution is ne 
pected turn in thé affairs of nations, may, after a few years, conful 
sible and confident assumptions of the expositors ; and Wesker 


the contemporaries; any more than that impartial histories 
their ‘own times. © The events in which our interests, and th 
to which we belong, are deeply concerned, must: have such an effect 
duct from that cool and impartial judgment, which is requisite in su 
not'so Soon be known, how the successes and advancement of some, an 
powers, may terminate : 2nd till that be known, the application of the t 
to the events predicted in scripture, must be attended with a degree of 
mess to the objects likewise tends to magnify them to ue; and we are apt 
clude, that such important transactions must have a prominent place in 

hend, that prophecy, (especially that contained in this book,) resembles 


to 


on'a stall scale ; in which only countries, and capital cities, and some 
A 


are noticed : so that théy who dwell near considerable cities and large 


shall look in vain for many transactions, which appear to us of very g 
they, who shall come after us, on reviewing the history of the century, 


this accomplishment ‘of prophecy, materially differing from what the 

now suppose. Since the author first printed his thoaghts on this book, 
‘ago; most extraordinary changes indeed have taken place, in the state ; 
the visible church; which he doubts ‘not will be found accomplishments 
contained in it. Many books also have been written on the subject ; severa 
considered, and means further to consider; and to make such use of as he ii 
purposes still to adhere to his former plan ; and to be very cautious and general, 
to explain what has not hitherto allowedly been fulfilled - and merely supplying | 


ey, (if it’be one,) bya few quotations from {hose who have ventured to he more partic 


on | eee ae 


CHAPTER TS A. D. 95, 


# for the learned: These:may and will consult the several authors, who - 
1 exclusively treated on this subject, and judge for’ themselves: nor bas he 
10 attempt the office of an umpire between those who maintain different opin- 
The plan and method, on which he proceed’, will appear to the best advane 
sof the several parts of the a ands pacers aes ge “or outline 


i aie unde in so! striking” and erp maannet’s 5 thine ‘even oath ine do not at all 
and the prophetical meaning, are uniformly interested and edified by neste. it in pro- 
to the degree of their er faith, and piety. 


ait ieciartdigsn +6 pad, Dn ea 
gs bebe a er ee YE CE ; 
"§ e aieat PT Tees, 5' , sit 
yo dew asl epi uw! ' : 
aged) saa nretae 


} must shortly come to pass ; ¢ and he sent 

and signified it. by his angel unto his ser- 
Sy pvant John : 
at Churches 2 Asia Be esi 2 Who € bare record of the word of 
Bee Gila! the teint’ ahd distzers of hie | 20d, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, 
an er: The Lord declares his own eter- band of all: things that he saw. 
3 1Blessed is he that readeth, and they 
that hear the words of this prophecy, and 
keep those things, which are written there- 
in; ‘ for the. time: ig.at hand. 

ri ff vt iMag et & 

e 22. 6.16. Dan. 8. Ke. 1. IJohn 5. 
“16. &9.2 21-28, yaa. 3 John 12. 
’Pver. 4.9, & 21.2. {hy ver. 19, John 3. 
£ ver. & 6% & 124) 11. Acts 4.,20. & 

11.17. John 1-32. &} 22. 15. & 26. 16, 1 


12.17. & 19. 35. &} John 1.1. & 4.14. 
21,24, 1 Cor 1. 6.11 22. 7. Proy. 8 34. 


s ice, 8. The’ place, time, and | 
pri aredil “of John’s’ visien; with what he 
heard of the words, and saw of the glory, of 
Sayers ‘and ‘the commandment given to write 
e things’to the Churches, 9—20 

KE ® Revelation of Jesus *Christ; 
> which God gave unto him, ¢ to 


: 


ew unto Sat ‘servants things ¢ which 


kB id ver. 3° 19. & 4.1 
f Spb 10. 2 Pet 5: 


= 
Dan. 12, 12, 13. 
Luke 11. 28. 

ke 22,6, 12.20. Rem. 
13-11. Jam. 5. 8. 
i Pet. 4. 7. “hei 
$. 8, 


/ 
Ly 


vants in the world above, to ‘signify and explain 
in order to John, who was his principal servant 
on earth at that time; as it is probable he was 
2 incarna Word of God, by whom } then the only surviving apostle. Thus, future 
imself to men. In this sense some | events were made known to him, as they had 
i > him, “ as his revelation,” to | been to several of the ancient prophets, especial- 
unicated to his servants, 
te, Mark xiii. 32.) An 
s remain i impenetra- 
led in in the mind of God, till the event 
4 ead: ; but he hath seen ‘good previous- 
known some of his purposes respect- 

future ages; in order ‘to confirm the faith,’ 
neourage the ‘the “hope, ‘and énlarge the views of 
zs les” and that the accomplishment of 
in after times might demonstrate the truth 

f the Scriptures to every diligent inquirer.— 
eut. xxix.) This book was therefore 


9, T: 


; ‘ rag ‘Lord Jesus, in his 
ara Wr, is the great Prophet of the 


he faithfully testified, and exactly recorded the 
word of God, even the testimony of Christ, and 
all things which he saw in these visions of, the 
Almighty. ( 

V. 3. The apostle introduced his testimony, 
by solemnly pronouncing a blessing on all, whe 
should read, hear, remember, and obediently ob- 
serve, the words of this prophecy; of which the 
accomplishment was at hand. This seems to 
have been prophetically intended to obviate, or 
answer, the objections, which would, i inafter ages, 
be made to the study of this mysterious hook, and 
to all endeavours to bring others acquainted ‘with 
it. Nothing tends more to fortify the mind 
against the cavils of infidels and skeptics, or the 
ingursions of unbelief; or to produce patient 
hope amidst trials and difficulties, than he ob- 
servation and experience of the fulfilment of the 
Scriptures, i in the: events, which take place around 
us; an acquaintance, therefore, with this Reve- 
lation, concerning the purposes of God respecting: 


. fet al subject is, «A previous dis. 
of the purposes of God, ‘respecting the 
of the Church, and of the nations as 
nected with it, ‘fon the time when it was 
, even to the 2eR, of the world? This Re. 
was given ‘to Jesus Christ, that he migh: 
; Tvants those events, which woul! 
| begin ‘to take place ; and which 
be accomplished: as’ ‘the. tran- 
thousands of years ‘bears no 
in which the whole will at 


Ae 


peers 


iM ‘with, humility, sobriety, and the obedience vf 
ht os p.. Vhese things Christ, faith, Must greatly canduce to the Chr igtian’ ’s sta- 
hia nea ‘more Mustrions a | bility, constancy, hope, peace, ‘and patience? it 


‘ni 


ly Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. Accordingly 


his c rch to the end of time, w hen connected | 


mise REVELATION. 


OHN ™)to ‘the seven’ chutche 
whichare in Asia: " Grace’ de un- 

to you, and peace, from’ hiny ‘which is;|'bl 
and which was, and which is to come;| 
and P from the seven Spirits, which are 
before his throne; 4 
5 And from Jesus Christ,@ who. is the he rea 
faithful Witness, * and the Pirst-begotten} 
of the dead, * and'the Prince’of the kings] | 
¥ See on, 1. wee me pel Ts. 56. 4. Jon] 


m ver, 11. 20. &. 2.) 27. In 4h au & 
3.8. 12. 18. & 3. 1.) 57. 15. Mic. &. 2 
7.14. Acts 19.-10, ke 1.° 10—13. & Tim. 6. 18. 30 
UPett.1 » 8 Jamel. 17 ee he 


m See on, Rom. 1, 7. fp 1.& 4.5. & &lr 

1Cor!t, 3) 2 Con 1 Gat l. 
262. 1 Pete 1. 2 
© ver.& Ex. 3, 14. 


. Zech, 4. 10.& 6. 
1 Cor. 12. 4-13; 
q 4 1a Ps, 89, 36, 


2.20. Epi. 2. 4.&| Rom. t 
5.2, 36-27, 1 John ead 


11.15..%& mm 14. & 


snust exceedingly enlgtge tis \ views of the great 
pian of the Lord’s providential government of} 
the world, as as combined with the redemption ‘of; 

sianers ; and direct or encourage his prayers for 


those prosperous days of the Church, ‘in’ which 
all her tr ns shalb terminate: as well 
as fe saad mind ‘to those events, which; 


thoug ing in themselves, from a part of 
one vast dents in part accomplished and 
evidently hastening to an entire completion; to 
the eternal glory of God ‘our’ Saviour, the final 
victory of his cause over all opposition, and the 
endless felicity:of all his faithful servants. Nay, 
the very mysteries and difficulties of this book’ 
are so wonderfully united, inseparably, with such 
grand and interesting discoveries of the glory 0’ 
God, and the work and worship of heaven ; ‘as 
are peculiarly. suited to solemnize, enliven, and’ 
purify the soul of the humble.and attentive read= 
er, even when he cannot discoversthe prophetic’ 
meaning of the passage... Nor is it any objection 
to say, that many have read it in another spirit, 
and got much harm) by it: for this is the case} 
With other scriptures ; especially with those pas- 
‘sages, which may be, called‘ strong’ meat,” 
being peculiarly strengthening to the faith, hope, 
love; and gratitude, of suchias can digest them, 
though. not meet nourishment for babes; and} 
even capable of being turned into a fatal poison 
by the vicious affections of a proud and carnal 
mind. (Note, 2 Pet. iii. 15, 16.). The reasons 
which induce infidels and. profane mockers, who 
‘* walk according to their own ungodly lusts,” to 
deride all. attempts to explain this prophecy, are 
obvious; for so much of it/hath most manifestly 
been already fulfilled, as'must for ever:ruin their 
cause, could the attention of men be drawn to 
the subject descrived, in, proportion. to’ its vast 
importance; and. no part.of scripture more aw- 
fully denounces the doom of all impenitent sin- 
‘ners and opposers of the-gospel. But pious men 
could never have. been induced to object to. the 
study of it, as some have done, in: strong, nay, 
rather contemptuous language; had not the mis: | were 
conduct of many in this respect filled them with 
prejudice, and formed.an association: of ideas imj “| 
their minds, which have no necessary relation to pats, 


ry part of the New | 
sapeanee in more s 
guage, according to 
whith it is prefixed. 1 e 


a 
of 


(Ec. itis 514) and 
ordinary. rules ‘of a 
pecially meant of the: 
the One true and li 
sings to sinful dant 
incarnate Son, and by 
Spirit ; so it is almost 
an economy, to speak ‘ata 
lute style of Deity, vand of tt Son 
with relation to their 4 
offices ; though in patos vi 
a participation in: all divine’ 
equality with the Pathe 
essential nature and: 


writer and the readers, of the present attempt, | var 
to render this mysterious book more iutelligible} i 


" = FF -~ 

CHAPTER BE» A, D.95. 
, with clouds ;| also which. piereed him: ¢ and all. kin- 
lL see him, » and they dreds of the earth shall wail because of 
; be 22. 37) 38. 6 1 Thew 1-| him: * evem so, Amen. 
Le fee co. een & 22. 2. Jndg 5 


4 17. 
5 $2.4. Num- Zech} 10. 29. gg Figo 
ob mee Pe ne es 6—mt & 13.0. & 19. 1 


and iit. 11/2 Pet_ii-18-:) and im thus bonourmg the 
the Saviour was, Son, he especially honoured the Father that sent 


indeed apply the doxology to the Father; 
the ‘construction is by no means so cbvices 


se | | 


‘Ae Db 95. “REVELATION. 


_ 8 Lam:*)Alpha.and Omega, the begin-}, 10.) 
ning, and the “ending, saith, the. Lord, | day, an 
ft which i is, and which was, and which is to} as.o rs 
come, & the Almighty. 

oo » LPractical. Observations), 

9. 1,4 John, who also am’ your brother, | thor 
iand companion in tribulation, and in ® the} ur 
kingriom and patience of Jesus Christy} Asi 
was in the isle that is called Patmos, ! for 
the word of God, and forthe pp ae: of} 
Jesus Christ. 


% 


g.& 21. 6. & 22) Num. 24. 4, 2Conjk 3, 10, & 
33. Is. 41. 4, & 48.) 6. 18. 
30. 8044,6.& 48.1 See on, ver. 4... 


2 
eae ta. #7. &} John. 16,33 + heen 
36. Jam, 5 


m 4, He ae , 
31.10, Mat. 2%. 43.1q 
Con 2a a 4 
+ | Cor. 12. 2—4, 
n Joha 20. 19. | 
Acts 20, 7. 1¢ 
16.2) 7 


4104 2. Be 


ever, 1. 17.) &eo2pok& 49. 25, Es.'6. * 3—12, 


» 7, 8. 
By get Gen Tre. 1 Cbri 4; 992.1 ver. 2 & 6.0. 
Bo9R. BK BS. 11; heyy ates US &12..21, 
& 45. 14 & 49, 3, 2 19. 


10. 


ception only a a fel small remnant; so will 
they at that fime wail because of bim, in horror 
andl idespait ; as neither.their numbers, nor their 
power, defend them from his omnipotent ven- 
ee apostle, therefore, assured of the 
Of these awful proceedings, and knowing 
that then the redemption of all true Christians 
would be completed; subjoined to this declara- 
tion, “Even so, Amen.” ‘Thus let alt thine’?| wi 
implacable “enemies perish, O Lorp.” pe 
“V. 8. As the Gord Jestis was evidently spo- 
ken of in the preceding verse ; so it is obvious |. 
to conclude, that “ the Lord,” ho speaks in this, || 
is the sa Person : nor can the least appear- 
ance of a reason be assigned, why it ‘should be 
understood of ‘the Father” personally ; except! 
that men are reluctant “to honour the Son,” 
even as they otight te “honour the Father that 
“sent him’? The whole vision related to Christ, 
ftom whom immediately the revelation was giv- 
M@en : most of the expressions here used, or others | 
equivalenttothem, are afterwards spoken by him, 
and concerning himself; 3 ana’. construction 
and arrangement of this passagre, ar.d the con- 
text, would be very intricate; 1° we were to sup- 
pose the Father to be the Speaker. The Lord 
Jesus, therefore, here declared, “ that He was 
« the Alpha, and Omega,” which are the names 
of the first and the last letters in'the Greek al-]; 
phabet, the language in which the apostle wrote : 
this implies, that he is the’ first Cause and the 
last End, the Author and Finisher of all things, 
in ereation, providence, and redemption: the 
« Beginning and the Eading,” the Source of ex’ 
istence, of life, of holiness, and of felicity, and. 
the Completion of them, in every sense, and in al! 
respects. ‘ Who is, and who was, and who is 
« to come,” as Ove with the eternal Father, (4) 
the Almighty ;” the omnipotent, and SOVer |) 
reign Rulet of all worlds, by. and for, whom ali {and < re 
things were made, and by whom all things can- ms the sume wards, 
sist. No words can more strongly. express og irre d, or to the 
nal power and Godliead, than these do. must here be unde 
Vv. 9—11. The apostle next proceeded to re an re pee 
Tate the manner, in which he réceived the reve-|of him. But if if Bee 
lation, that he was about to deliver: and he anderstand. the 
merely called himself the brother of believers, | they cannot He fe 


which he had bi 
tion, “he was 1 


on the wp 
other, than the: 


week: and this is a 
set apart and kept ho 
tians, In commemor, 
far on what other 
thus mentioned? “EB 


fe 


“p.93. . CHAPTER f.. aos 


12 And I turned to" see the voice that 17 And when I saw him, iT fell at his 
ke with me. And, being turned, * I| feet as dead. © And he laid his right 

w seven golden eandlesticks; hand upon mie, saying unto me, ! Fear 

13. in the midst of the seven can-| not; ™ I am the,First and the Last : 

‘ y¥ like unto the Son of man;} 18 Zamhe that liveth, and ° was dead; 

with a: garment down te the foot, and, behold, P I am alive for evermore, 

about the paps with a at aii 3 and have the keys of hell and of 

ea 

19 Write ¥ the things which thou hast 
seen, § and the things which are, tand the 
things which shall be hereafter ; 

20 The mystery of * the. seven stars 
which thou sawest in my right hand, and 
the seven golden candlesticks, y¥ The 
seven stars are the angels of the severt 
churches; # and the seven candlesticks 
which thou sawest, are the seven churches. 


His ead b and Ais hairs were white 
ke wool, as white as snow; © and_ his 
es were asa flame of fire; 

15 And 4 his feet like unto fine brass, 
if they burned in a furnace; ¢ and his 
ice as the sound of many waters. 

116 And fhe had in his right hand se- 
in stars; € and out of his mouth went 
sharp two-edged sword ; band his coun- 
was as” ue sun shineth in his 


Zen 4: 6. Mic 
Ber ee 28. 3. 3 
Spi . ¢ 2. 18. Ns 12.!g¢ 2. 12.16. & 19. 15. 
4,14, Ez. 1.26.) Dan. 10. 6 21, Is. 11. 4, & 49. 
.7. 13. & 10. 2. 18. Ez. 1. 7. &| 2. Eph. 6. 17. Heb, 
. Phil. 2. 7, 8] 40,3. Dan. 10. 6. 4. 12. 

eb, 2. 14—17. Kje 14.2. & 19,6. Ps,jh 10. 1. Is. 24 23, 


93. 4. Is. 17. 13. & 60. 19, 20. Mal, 
Ez. 43.2, 4, 2, Acts 26.13, 


i Ez. 1. 28, Dane 8. 


n Job 19. 25. Ps, 7 
18. & 10. 3,9. 17— 


23.22. Matt. 16, 19. 
46., John 14. 19. Ma : 


v See on ver, 11, 12; 
19, Hab. 3. i6.Mat| Rom. 6. 9% 2 Cor.|s. 2. & 3° a , 


17. 2—6. Join 13.)°13. 4. Gal. 2. 20,'t 4—99. 
23. & 21, 20. Col. 3. 3. Heb. 7.Ju Se 6n, Matt. 134 
mbroar gM 25. Iwill. Bake 8. 200, 6 
“ «jo Rom. 14.8, 9. lx See on, ver. 13 16. 
1 Gen: 15.1. Ex. 14) Cor. 5. 14, 15. Heb. ry 2.1. 8. 12, 18. 8 
13. & 20, 20. Is, 41.] 1,3. & 12-2,3. 3.1.7. 14. ee 
10. Dan. 10. 12)p 4.9.& 5. 14, Heb.iz Zech. 4. 2. Ma 
Matt. 28. 4,5. Mark) 7. 16: 25. 5. 15, 16. Phil, 2s 
16. 5; 6, Luke 24. q 3,7. & 9. 1. & 20.) 15, 16, 1°Tim. 5s 
1. 14. Ps, 62. 20, Is. M16. 


f ver. 20. & 2. 1. 
3.1. & 121. Top 
38. 7. Dan. 8. 10. & 
12. 


8. & 39. Pig en 
7. Is. 11. 5. 
b Dan. 7 - 9 Mat. 


37—39. 
m Sée on, yer. 3 11. 


people. His hairs, like wool, or snow, may sigs 

nify his majesty, ity, and eternity. (Votes, 

Dan. vii. 9, 10. 13°14. 22.) His eyes, as a flame | 

of fire; may represent his omniscient acquainté 

ance with the secrets of all hearts, and with the 

most distant events. His feet, like fine brass, 

burning in a furnace, may denote the stability 

of his appointments, and the transcendent excel 

lency of all his proceedings. His * voice, as the 

** sound of many waters,” may represent the en= 

ergy of his word, to astonish and terrify ; or its, 

invincible efficacy to convert, or destroy, as hé 

sees good : the seven stars in his right hand 

were emblematical of the presiding ministers of 

the seven churches, which the apostle addressed, 

whom Christ upheld, directed, governed, and 

managed by his power, and according to his 

will. The sharp two-edged swotd out of his 

mouth, seems to represent his awful and irresistia 

ble justice, in cutting down his enemies on every 

side, and slaying them by the breath of his mouth¢ 

(Us. xi. 4.) Moreover, bis countenance was like 

the sun at noon day, when it shines most clearly 

and powerfully; so that “ nothing can be hid from 

'« the heat thereof.” Upon this display of the Res 

deemer’s glory, even his beloved apostle, who 

had not only leaned on his breast at table, but 

had seen his glory on the holy mount; (uit. 

Xvii. 2.) was. ‘utterly overwhelmed with the ef- : 

fulgency of his majesty! (Dan. x. 5—9.) ‘But a! 

the divine Redeemer graciously supported him, : 

his foot ;” perhaps representi and dispelled his fears ; again declaring himself... 

torial righteousness ai al|to be the * First and the Last,” (Motes, 8—1}} : 

esture Was girt ar ni and adding, I am he that liveth *” the ever. living, © 

golden girdle ; which may de-|self-existent God, to whom, as Mediator, it was 
ess of his love, and the ¢ piv 

1 he. Tesintains the’ cause : e n; 3 and who had atso- been obedient to death 


br are oun: for otherwise howlean it be con- 
ived, that Christ would have used the same 
rds of himself, which bad just been spoken by 
t Father, as descriptive of his eternal God- 
d? Sothat, on either interpretation, they are 
nelusive, in respect to Chirist’s Deity. The 
ce then ordered John to write what he saw, 
book, and send it to the seven Churches in 
, oh which we shall have occasion afterwards 
make sorne observations; but shall in this 
e only take notice, that this seems to con- 
the ancient tradition of John’s havirg resid- 
and laboured at Ephesus, and in that vicini- 
for a considerable time before his banishment 
Patmos. 
> 12—20. When the apostle had distinctly 
ard these words, he tufned to see from whom 
voice protecded ; and he then had a vision 
seven golden candlesticks, in allusion to the 
Iden candlestick with seven branches, which 
made for the tabernacle, (Votes, Ex. xxv. 
. Mare. Ref.) and in the midst of them, as 
esiding over and taking care of them, he saw 
@ like unto the Son of man. The apostle had 
en well acquainted with Jesus, when he was 
earth a man of sorrows: but, though he per- 
ved him in human form, atid with some re- 
D blanée of his former appearance ; yet he now 
im in such resplendent glory, that he seem= 
other person: “He was clothed,” after 
of the priests, “with a garment 


Ae D. 95. . REVELATION. 


CHAP. It. | 
The epistle of Christ to the angel of the church of 
Ephesus; consisting of commendation and‘ re- 
proof, a call to repentance, a solemn warning, and 
a gracious promise to those that overcame, 1—7. 
That to paeytas replete with commendation, and 


es to the AB iia 
nearly of similar 


though he cannot fath 
the times may speedily a ; 
gations of Providence shall fully illustrate: 
meaning of obscure prophecies, to the most 
learned readers. The grace and peace, w 
come from the everlasting and unchangeable 
of the Father, by the communion oF the 
present Spirit, who'dwells in all believe 
through Jesus Christ, the faithful Witn 
First-born from the dead, and the P 
kings of the earth ; belong to all th : 
those only, whom he hath washed. 
in_ his own blood = nor ean they suffic 
mire his love, which passeth knowledge, 
in the. dignity and felic whi 
vanced them, or devote themselye 
the sacred duties of their re 
cribe too great honour to their. 
“ to whom be glory and domi 
“ ever,” This. will soon 
“ cometh in the clonds,” 
however averse to the sight, shal se 
upon the dread tribunal, from. whic’ 
be no appe hat then will be the 
may, and anguish, his erucit 

every age who have been i 
disposition! and nae wi 
“ the earth wail because o i i 
his faithful followers shall rejoice, and s; 

so let it be, Lord Jesus: A on. 
would be ‘numbered with his saints 
* lasting ;’ we must now willi 
receive him, and honour him, as. 
(we profess to -believe,) will c 
Judge ; for he is the First z 
ginning and the Ending, the. 
nal, and omnipotent Lore 
subject, or perish for ever: 
not believe bim to. be the ; 
refuse to honour him - 
ther, will discover their aw: 
made to feel the weight of his 
power of that eternal igen 0 r 
despise. 


for sinoers : but behoid, he was alive, as the 
first-feuits of the resurrection, to die no more; 
to which the apostle seems to have added, 
Amen, as expressive of his unspeakable satisfac+ 
tion: nay, so absolute was his conquest over the 
king of terrors, that he had possession of “ the 
‘keys of hell and of death.” He possesses the 
- absolute sovereignty, as dwelling in human na- 
ture, over the invisible world, the state of sepa- 
rate spirits, and over death, and the grave: so 
“that he removes men out of this life, and consigns 
their bodies to the grave and corruption, when 
and as he pleases; he then fixes their souls in 
happiness or misery with absolute authority ; 
and he will soon’ raise all their dead bodies, and 
either receive them into heaven, or shut them up 
for ever in hell, as he sees good. None, there- 
fore, -of his Ficus can have aught to fear from 
‘any creature, either during life; or at the ap- 
proach of death; as every circumstance will 
certainly be ordered in that manner, which may 
best subserve their everlasting advantage. The 
Lord Jesus, therefore, @pdered his apostle to 
write, Ist, The things which} he had seen; 
namely, the areata a vision: Qdly, 
The things, which then w what related to 
“the state of the churches at that time: and Sdly. 
The things, which should be hereafter, even the 
prophecies, which he was about to receive : and 
this seems to mark out to us the contents of the 
book. “This mysterious and emblematical vi- 
sion of the. seven stars, was then explained to 
him, to signify the seven angels, or presiding 
ministers of the churches, who were the messen- 
“gers of Christ to them: and the seven golden 
candlesticks were shown to represent the sever 
churches themselves; as enlightened by the 
word and Spirit of the Lord, and holding forth 
“that light to others, by the profession and preach- 
ing of the word, the administration of holy ordi- 
nances, and their Christian conversation and be- 
haviour. 


PRACTICAL, OBSERVATIONS. 
V.1—8. 

The revelations of God, by Jesus Christ, were 
intended to inform his servants about as much of 
his designs, respecting them and others, through 
the short period of time and the countless ages 
of eternity, as it was good for them to know.— 
They, that are intrusted with the word of God 
and the testimony of Christ, must bear record of 
all things which they know; and “declare the 
« whole counsel of God,”’ as far as it is profit- 
able for those to whom they speak. Whilst it 
becomes us to leave secret things to God; we 
ought carefully to read, hear, keep, and obey, 
whatever he reveals : for “every word of God is 
« pure,” and “ doeth good'to him that walketh 
*¢ uprightly,? Even difficult, and mysterious 
passages will be useful to the humble believer, 


etoe 
They, who are ‘brethren to the 
ancient servants of Christ, must. e 
companions with them in tribulati 
patience, as well as the kingdom 
though few of them are called to su’ 
as they endured in this good cause. 
conscience, however, and the co 
Holy spirit, will enable the affii 
be more joyful in communion wit 
immured in a prison, than be 
in the most prosperous circumsta 
lievers are confined, even on the ied 
from. public ordinances and the cor 
aints, by necessity and not by choice 
expect great comfort in meditati 
uties, from the influences of the sp 


WD, 95. CHAPTER: IL, 4. D. 95. 


NTO 5 the. angel of the » church of; and for my name’s sake k hast laboured, 
Ephesus write ; These things saith|! and hast not fainted. 


hand, who 4 walketh in the midst of] against thee, because thou hast left thy 


hie heise. goa candlesticks; _ first love. - 
[Practical Observations] _ § 0° Remember therefore, from whence 


1 © know thy works, and thy labour, P thou art fallen, @and repent, * and do 
patience, and * how thou canst} the first works; or * else 1 will come un- 
bear them which are evil: and ¢ thou| to thee quickly, and will remove thy can- 
t triéd them which say they are apos-| dlestick out of his place, Sa thou ree 
» and are not, and hast found them 1i-| pent. ; 


a (a nerve te iy a. 1s 8 10. 36. Bey 2 Thes, $13. Heb. oy wae Jude 
An ‘andi 1 le Jams 1. 3, 4.]° 12. 3-5. 
phe a hast borne, and sabi BBtISRCE, &5,7—11. 2Pet|m ver. 14. 20. Re ae 16; 21, 22. & 


3. 3y 19., “ 9.20, 
a & 16. 9 - Acts 
FER0, d¥e © re 
r Saar, i9. Re SoBe 
Is. 1. 26, Has. O47 10. 
Mal. 3. 4, & 4 6.- 
Luke, 17. : _ 

s ver. 16. & 3 
Mat. 21. 4i—43, & 
24 48—51. Mark 
22. 9. Luke 12. 45, 
46. & 20. 16, 


? 1.6. 
93. 1) 9. Mark (15, 21, }k)Rom; 16. 12, 1! 2-5. Mat. 24. 12, 
27Tim.! Luke 14. 27. 1 Cnt Cor. 16. 16. 2 Cor.) 13. Phil. i. 9. & 3. 
feb. 6. 10. | 13. 7. Gal. 6. 2,] 5-9.&6. 5.& 10.) 13—16, 1 Thes, 4. 
. 14, 15. 20) Heb. 13. 13. 15. -% 11. 23, eel. 9, 10. 2 Thess 1. 3, 
a; Gal. 1. 7. Eph'|i 1.9, & 8.10, Ps,| 26 16. & 4 S.1| Heb. 6. 10, 11. 

ae 37. 7. Luke 8. 15.} | Thes.1.3.& 2.9.03 3. 19. Ez. 16. 


n 3. 14—17. Bed 2. 


21. 2 Pet. 2. Laie | & 21. 1% Rom. 2.) & 5-12. 2 Thes. $4) 61—65. & 20.43. & 
1 John 4. 1. 36. 31, 2 Pet 1. 12, 
2Cor 11. 13—15. 
1 John 2, 21, 22. 

Ps. 69. 7. Mic. 7. 


7.& 5.3, 4. & 8.) 8 1 Tim 4. 10 & 
25. & 12, 12. &15,| 5.17. Heb. 6. 10. 
4,5. Col, 1. 11. 2)? Luke 18. 1. oe 
‘Thes, 3. 6: Heb. 6,| 4-1. 16. Gal. 6. 


13. 
\P Is, 14.12, Hos. 14, 


ny P+ voice and contemplating the glory history, in respect of such as are supposed ‘to be 
their beloved Saviour; of whose gracious already past 5 though a lively imagination and a 
visits no confinement nor circumstances can de-| Prompt invention, may advance plausible things 
rive them. But we may well be satisfied to} onthe subject. It cannot be conceived, if the 
by faith, during our continuance here on| concluding part of this book itself be regollecte 
fearth : for could we now’see the Lord as he is ;| ed, that the last periodiof the Church will be worse 
the displays of his glory, even elling in hu-| than any that has gome before, as the Laodicean 
man :nature, would over and we must | Church was far more corrupt than any of the 
be totally changed in body and soul, before -we|rest- Nor can true in fact, that a more 
can bear the effulgencyof bis majesty, and find| flourishing perféd succeeded that of the church 
unalloyed happiness in that beatific vision. Let us| in the apostles’ days, or that inymediately subses 
‘then at present hearken to his voice, lean on his| quent to their death : yet the state of the church 
arm, and receive the encouragements of his loye| of Smyrna was far purer and more excellent, 
fo obviate our fears: for what can he, “ the| than that of Ephesus, nay, perhaps than that of 
«¢ First and the Last,” even the eternal Son of} Philadelphia, which on this hypothesis must ac- 
Ty with-hold from those, for whom he} cord to the Millennium. So that there seems 

ame incarnate, that he might die for their|no ground at all for this sentiment, though it 

s? and what can betoo hard for him, who has} has been sanctioned by many respectable names, 
the. keys of death and kcil, and liveth as our al-} But the churches, here addressed, were in such 
mighty Friend for evermore? May we then| different states, in respect of purity of doctrine, 
obey his word, and walk in his light; may our} and the power of godliness; that the words 
light, as derived from him, shine before men for} of Christ to them will always be suitable to 
their conviction and edification: thus may. we|the case of other churches and professors of 
expect the time of our departure hence ; which, | Christianity, in all ages and places, to the end of 
with every thing relative to it, will be appointed | the world: and some of them contain the preper 
by his unerring wisdom and love, who will come | message or instruction to those of one character; 
to receive our souls to his presence ; and who|and others, to those of another, in all the 
will at length raise and change the bodies of our | variety which they contain. The Lord Jesus 
humiliation also, “that they may be made like | himself, appearing in vision to John, directed him 
‘* unto his glorious body, according to the mighty | what to write to each of these seven churches 
a power, by which he is able to: subdue all things | and to address it to the angel of the Church, his 


* unto himself” stated messenger or resident ambassador among 
Nee 3 ; them. It seems more natural to understand this 
oe ' NOTES. of one presiding tinister, than of sevéral elders 


CHA P. Ti. V. 1. Many expositors "ita im-| or pastors spoken of collectively ; ; because one ia 
ined, that these epistles to the sevenchurches, | office ; and thus it’ countenances the opinion 
> mystical prophecies of seven distinct peri-| which ‘has been ‘advanced, concerning the intro- 
9 which the whole term from the apos- | duction of a moderate kind of episcopacy in the 

is to the end of the world, would be di-{ primitive Church. (. Notes, Acts xx. 28. 1 Tim. 
rid ‘But there is no proof from scripture, that | v. 21—25. ‘Tit i hi 29, It is also undeniable, that 
even such periods, and no more, were to be ex-| there were several elders, or pastors, in the 
ected in the state of the Church; unless the |Church at Ephesus, before this time; so that 
pistles: themselves be admitted as proofs of it:|some ruler, or minister, presiding over the other 
lor are there sade traces in ecclesiastical pastors must be intended. The address to “the 


: that ¢ holdeth ive seven stars in his} 4 Nevertheless, m I have’ somewhat — 


4. D. 95, 


6 But this thou hast, t that thou hatest 
the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I al- 
60 hate. ? 

7 He" that hath an ear, * let him hear 
what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; 


£ ver 14, 15, 2 Chr.Ju 2. 17. 29. & 3) 6Jx 14.13. & 22. 17 
20. 2, Ps. 26.5. &] 13.932. & 13. 9.) 1-Cor, 2.10. & 12+ 
201. 3_ 8&  139- 21,} Mat. 11. 15. & 13} 412. 

22. 2 John 9. 10, 9. Mark 7. 16 


“ angel of the Church” doubtless implied com- 
Mendation, reproof, instruction, or encourage- 
Ment to him, and to:the pastors in general; yet the 
Church was principally intended. That of Ephe- 
sus was planted by St. Paul. Thefe is no proof 
that Timothy ever statedly resided there ; and 
as nearly thirty years seem to have elapsed, since 
the second epistle to him was written, various 


changes had doubtless taken place in that time. 


John himself is also’recorded to have abode at 
‘Ephesus, and to have superintended that and the 
neighbouring churches for'several years.—Ephe 
¢us was the capital of the province called Asia ; 
(Acts xix, 8—12;) and the apostle was directed 
to write the first epistle to the Church in that 
city, as a message from “| him, that held. the 
« seven stars in his right hand, and walked amidst 
# the seven golden candlesticks,” (Votes i. 12. 16. 
20.) This intimated the. absolute authority of 
Christ over his ministers,"with their entire de- 
pendance on him; and his constant, though in- 
visible, presence with his churches, in which he 
had fixed the light of bis d- ordinances ; 
his attention to their whole conduct ; his readi- 
ness to-help and bless them, whilst they made a 
proper use of their light ; and his power and pur- 
pose to remove it, if provoked by their abuse or 
neg iet of it, 

. 2—5. Our Lord reminded.the presiding 
nes at Ephesus, and by him. all the Church, 
that he knew, or observed and accepted, her 
works of faith aad love;.the labour, which they 
bestowed in his service; their patient continu- 
ance in well doing, under heavy trials-and afflic- 
tions; and their. decided abhorrence of false 
teachers, and eyil workers, whom they would 
not on any account endure in their communion. 
Moreover, he had noticed with approbation the 
trial which they had made of certain persons, 
who confidently claimed apostolical authority, as 
if immediately commissioned by Christ himself, 
and had thus attempted to draw them off from 
the faith once delivered to. the saints; and how 
they had found them out to be hypocrites and 
impostors.’( Noles, 1 Joh iv, 1—4. 2 John 10,11.) 
They had repeatedly been enabled to endure 
affliction, and to exercise patience in his cause ; 
and he repeatedly took g kind notice of it; and 
of their persevering labours, without wearying 

or fainting, from a regard to bis name. | Never- 
soto he had somewhat to allege against 
them ; because the fervency of their love to him 
and their zeal for his glory, had sensibly declin- 
ed, since they first embraced Christianity ; and 
they had become more. negligent and, formal, 
than they used to be. This abatement of holy 
affection naturally tended to stil! more apparent 
evil: the Lord therefore called on them to recol- 


s 


“7 


REVELATION. 


¥ To him that ‘overcometh wit 
eat of z the 


- a. 5, 12, 21.12 92. 2. 14. G 
eis 10,11. & 154% & 3 § 
2. & Qi. Jolin 16, wre 3. 


Yvert, Mls: 27. i 23. 
lect how lively, zealous, fe 
tive they bad been; and t6 com 
sent fallen condition with it; 
might be excited to repent, and d 
works; else he would come, by hi 
in a short time and an un 
remove their candlestick out of i 
prive them of the light of the | 
advantage of its ordinances : nor 
ment be averted without. repentance ; 1 
meet for repentance. T 
time most awfully 
Ephesus, which was so ret 
considerable village, in the 
sons that bear the Christian name, 
difficulty in conceiving, how 
ligence and patierice of. 
sist with that abateme 
charged. But observatio 
bine to prove, that in m 
affections ly 
zealously in 
tion, self-denial, ence, | 
regard to the opposition! an 
in which, as to the? outward. 
they persevere, from various nm 
conscientiously; though itas | 
and they know it, that their: Pesan 
thoroughly engaged in what. 
once were. Many are | 
their case} they have zeal enough 
in their former course of active 
become habitual, and ia’some 
to them: but had they: not 
ein spirit, serving the sab ie 
those habits would 
those services had never 
haps’ most Christians are 
agement'from such diligence, nd 
as | remonstrances of their conscien 
is plain, that our Saviour and 
this as.a very criminal state: of 
duct. 
V6, 7.) ‘The Fphpsiod 
had one thing favourable in. 
declined in love, it was not corrup 
tious principles or immoral prac 
the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which. ¢ & 
abhorred : we shall see henna 
a sect of avowed and most abo 
mians. (Note, 16, 17.) - Bat, 
things were immediately addre : 
lers, pastors, and church at ‘Ephesus. 
person that had an ear, and could perc 
meaning of the words, was concerned to 
them; and to all thosethings, which 
Spirit, (by whose agency the apos 


ép. 95) CHAPTER It soko 


$ § And unto Wilieangel of the church| they are Jews, and are not, but are * the 
in Smyrna write; These things saith ¢ the| synagogue of Satan. 
First and the Last, which was dead, and| 10 Fear none of those ties which 
is affive’s? = thou 'shalt suffer: behold, ™ the devil 

9 1% know thy works, ¢ and tribulation, | shall cast some of you into prison, that ye 
fand poverty, (but © thou art rich,) and | may"be tried; and = ye shall have tribu- 
kage a 3 blasphemy of them i ech say |iation ° ten days : P be ‘thou faithful unto 
death, and I will give thee 4a crown of life. 
£5. 9. 27 E Seas | ale 2 is. 8. 


1 Tim. 6. 18. Jam. 
5. 6. 


bi Luke 22, 65. Acts 
26°11. 1 Tm. 1. 


1 Dan. 3. 16—18,] 12.1 Pet 5, 
yet 10. 28. Lukein See on, ver. 93 
2 4-7. ee ee 20. 24. & 21. 15 
te 72 9—11, & 13.) 1.6, 7- 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. 
2. Tx. 1S—17. Lake}p 12. 11. Mat. .10.Jq 3.11, Jam 1.12. 
22. & 24. 23. Mark’ aie sa” 


torte 12.1 Thes. 3. 4. 2 
See lk 8 12.| Thes-4 f 
rated | ise 3 & 6 


c m, Ver. ly Prost a 
ee am. 2, 5, 6. 

bes 4. 22. Rom,jg 3. 17. 18. ‘at Bon 2. 28,29. & 
5.3, 635. & 12 12-21, 2 Cor. 6. 10. 


tmto the Churches. For the Lord Jesus pro- 
mised to every man, that by faith in him shouic 


21. 12-John 13. 2. 


be subverted by the gates of hell: and though 
we may well be concerned for our children, 
overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh, |}and the cause of the gospel in these lands; 
and the devil; and especially those to whici'| and should therefore use every proper method 
$ peculis “disposition or circumstances mostjof “ earnestly contending for the truth once de- 

: Bh: that he would give “ him to} “ livered to the saints:” yet we may be free 
: Pthe Tree of life” This isa figurative| from anxiety about the event of the contest, and 
ress the taken from the account of the gar-| predict, that the triumphing of those, who strive 
sn of Eden, (Votes, Gen. ii. 9. iii. 22—24;)| against “the First and the Last,” will assuredly 
“and denoting “the pure satisfactory, and eternal; be short. He, who thus asserted his own es- 
“Joys: “of heaven, and the anticipation ‘of them] sential Deity, in the samie place gave an intima- 
in this’ world, ‘by faith, communion with Christ,} tion of his incarnation, death, resurrection, and 
and thé consolations of his Holy Spirit. Every | everlasting intercession : and, in the character of 
| “victory over sharp tem eos would be gra-|the omnipotent Friend and Saviour of his people, 
‘ciously ‘rewarded with of this fruit ;}he assured the Clifistians at Smyrna, that he 
i ihe Sato fruition of foticed and acce’ their works, and was well 
heaven itself, | acquainted with their trials and poverty: for 

thouzh Sm a rich and populous city: 

~V~. 8, 9. Smyrna -large city to the north either the poorest of the inhabitants alone had 
D "Ephesus. The epistle sent to the angel of the | been converted, or the Christians there had been 
i ch, established there, was the message of impoverished by persecution. They were indeed 
| hin, who i is “the First and the Last.” (Votes, | poor in the world, as well as peor in spirit ; yet 
28.11. 17, 18.) These words were spoken by | Christ declared, “that they were rich,” in faith 
“Denovan of himself, when declaring his own | and by an interest ia his unsearchable riches, and 
rs ‘Deity, and asserting “that beside him | the precious promises of the new covenant ; in 
€re was no God, “yea, he knew not any,”| wisdom, grace, and good works ; and as heirs 
‘own Zs. sliv’ 6—S:) so that the repeated use| of an unfailing treasure in heaven : for they were 
“of them by the Lord Jesus must be allowed'to}in a very flourishing state in Tespect of their 
“be’a full proof, that he is the self-existent and} souls, though ‘greatly reduced in their outward 
éternal God: and, as the distinction between| circumstances. Moreover, he knew the blas- 
‘the Father and the Son is every where establish-| phemy of certain persons, that said they were 
ed, whilst it is declared that there is but one | Jews, and reviled both them and him. Some 
God; so we may assert, and could easily prove | think that these men professed Christianity ; but 
“in form, that there can be no consistent alterna-|in their zeal for the Mosaic law, they spake such 
‘tive, between rejecting” the Bible, or denying it | things ‘of the Person and righteousness of Christ, 
‘to be the unerring word of God, and the scknow-|as amounted to constructive blasphemy : but it 
ae of Persons in the Unity of}is more obvious to conclude, that they were 
the God-head.- For the same has been, and may | virulent opposers and persecuters, who contra- 

“be, shown concerning the Holy Spirit, in respect | dicted and blasphemed, as the Asiatic Jews had 
__ of the attributes and operations peculiar to Deity, | done in the time when St. Paul preached among 
‘and his distinct personal subsistence. So that|them. They professed to be Jews, and the peo- 
doctrine of the Trinity is fixed on the firm | ple and worshippers of God; but they were not 
of divine revelation: and it will always| what they pretended to be. "Whether they were 

‘be found, that no contrary scheme, however | of the Jewish nation or not, God allowed them 
hodified, can be supported by any learning, in-| not as his congregation ; the rites for which they 
“genuity, or diligence of man, ‘except with 2 pro-| contended were’nv longer of any validity ; their 


¢ —. disregard to the oracles of God : and | worship was carnal and hypocritical ; they vio~ 
establishment of any such doctrine must | lently opposed the truth and cause of God; and 
be the effect ofa total disbelief of the scriptures, | they were in fact “ the synagogue of satan,” a 
of the nature, subsistence, and c-| company of people, bearing the image, cop ins 
‘tine of the Godhead; for all attempts at a coa-| the example, doing the works, and combin 
“Tition must in this case be abortive. The church,| gether to support the kingdom, of the deyil. 


ae Person of Christ, cannot} 


fe D. 95. REVELATION. 

1} He * that hath an ear, let him hear 
what the Spirit saith unto the churches; 
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of 
s the second death. 

12 { And ¢ to the angel of the cltubeh 
in Pergamos write; These things»saith 
he ® which hath the sharp sword with two 
edges; 

13 I * know thy works, and where thou 
dwellest, ever where y Satan’s seat zs: 
and “ thou holdest fast? my name, and 
hast not » denied my faith, even in those 

"days wherein Antipas © was my faithful 
martyr, who was slain among you, where 
Satan dwelleth. 


yr Sve on, ver. 7. | |x. Sve on, ver. 2.9. 
$ 20-6. 14, & 21. 8.4y ver. 9, 10. 24.& 
t See on,1.1.11, [3.9 

DU ver 16% 1» Hf ver 25, & 3,3, 11. 


nication. 

15 So hast J 
ithe doctrine of ‘es 
thing I nate jy ae 


to thee quickiyat and m fi 
them with the sword a he 


Cor. 1. 2%. mati 

1 Pet. 2 &. 

€ Acts 15.- 206° 21. 21. L-} 

«) 2. Be ZL, Ws. 1 Cor, 

8. 4—13. & re id 
owen t. We he 


d see on, ver. 4, 20, 
e Num. 25, 1—3. 
& 31. 8. 16. & 24 


la 3.8. Matt. 24. 9, 
Luke 21. 17- Acts 
Q» 14s Jaro. 2>.7. 

b Mst. 10. 83 1 
Fim. 5.8. 2 Tim. 


f Is, 57. wU. Jer. 6. 
2L. Ez. 3. 20. iia, 
12. Mat,..13._ %h. 
Rom. 9. 32. & ik. 
% & 14. 13. - 1 a 


& 19.15, 21. Iss 144] 1. Thes, 5. 21. 2 
4. Heb. 4. 12, 13. ty ey va 2.12. Jude 3, 4. 


te Acts 22. 20. 


Y.10, 11. These concluding verses show, 
that pthe persons above-mentioned were fierce 
persecutors, and not subtle deceivers : for Christ 

did not warn his people to beware of false doc- 
trine ; but to prepare for the cross. He exhort. 
ed them “to fear none of those things, which 
'& they should suffer: e, * the First, and 
“‘ the Last,” was able to ect, support, com- 
fort, uphold, and deliver thém: yet, behold, he 
saw good to permit the devi ail so far, that 
he would cast some of them into prison, by means 
of his synagogue of pretended Jews, who proba- 
bly stirred up the people and magistrates against 
them. Their enemies meant that they should 
thus be destroyed; but their Lord and Saviour 
permitted it, that they. might: be tried, and proy- 
ed, and purified; (ote, 1 Pet.i. 6, 7-) and: for 
this end they, would have tribulation ten days.— 
This may either mean ten years, which is record- 
ed to have been the duration of Domitian’s per- 
secution : or a considerable time: during which 
space many of them might be called to suffer 
martyrdom for the truth. The Lord therefore 
exhorted them. to be ** faithful unto death ;” 
maintaining their allegiance to him inviolable, 
&ghting valiantly as bis soldiers, and adhering 
to his troth and will, even if called to suffer 
death for bis sake, or in any case till the close of 
their lives : and then he ** who had been dead, and 
“« was alive,” would recompense them, as no 
other prince or captain could do his faithful adher- 
ents; for he would give them “ a crown of life,” 
or eternal glory and felicity. - This epistle also 
concerned all, that could hear and understand ; 
as noone, that conquered in this spiritual war- 
ee should be hiurt by the second death ; though 
he might die in winning the battle.’ Bist’ he, 
@ that hath the keys of hell-and of death,” en-| 
‘ gaged to secure the souls of his.servants, at the }» e 
time of their dissolution, and their bodies. at the! things to allege against this Church 
resurrection ; that they should not be finally se- eA permitted in their communion, or ot 
parated from God, or sent away into the ever- ived at, some of those licentious 
lasting punishment prepared for all wicked men ; cant whom his:apostles had protested; 
which is emphatically ‘called ‘ the second | 2 Pes. ii. Jude ;) even such as held the ¢ n 
death :” (xx. 14;) on the contrary, they would | of Balsam, For that wicked man, though re 


be preserved Shin every degree | 
and receive the gift of ae 
transient sufferings i this wo 
reproof or warning, 
and it is remar 
tians at this day ‘in, § 


place in all that part 
stick hath ni 
but some gli ‘i 


to the harassed remn 

V. 12, 13. This € 
Church in Pergamos, (a ¢ 
Smyrna,) contains both rep 
ings; and, therefore, pet 


(i- 16.) Christ. took { 
works of the Christians in 
were sbedioutt! to his. 


tablished his throne. 
This must denote, that’ 
avery wicked city, te $0 
quarters of both persecution 
principal engines of the de 
pure gospel of Christ ; and that from 
diffused. their baleful influence to, 
Yet, even inthis perilous sit 
general held fast and profes 
gospel, and a zealous regard | 
authority of Christ: so that) they had 
the faith, either by open; 
Porizing, to avoid the cross; “No is 
trying’ days, wherein Antipas, | 
was a pastor of the Church,) had been a 
witness to the truth of Christ; and wa 

for his revanas by thessan mo i 


: 


‘D.95. CHAPTER IL | A. D. 93. 


him a white stone, and in the stone P a 
new name written, which no man know- 
eth, saving he that receiveth Zt. 

(Practical Observations.? 


14.10. Is. 65. 13.; 4.32. & 6, 48—58.1p 3.12. & 19. 12. Is. 
Mat.15. 11. J Col. 3.3. 1 65. 15. 


' 47 He ™ that hath an ear, let him hear 
what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; 
To him that overcometh will i give oto 
eat of the hidden manna, and will give 
aise alse )  o Ps:85. 14. & 36.8. Prov, 3 32.& 


these deceivers with the sword of his mouth ; 
inflict threatened vengeance on them and their 
adherents, and even deprive the Church of their 
abused privileges —This city is at present ina 
very ruinous condition; very few professors of 
Christianity are found in it, and they are wholly 
dependent on the Church at. Smyrna; being in 
a mest abject state, and having scarcely any 
thing of their religion except the empty name- 
Y. 27. What the Spirit spake by John, to the 
Church at Pergamos, was meant for the instruc- 
tion of all, who could hear or read it: for whilst 
judgmentsimpendec over the head of the impeni- 
tent; blessings were prepared for those, who 
overcame the multiplied temptations, to which 
they were exposed. Te each person, who thus 
adhered to the truth and precepts of Christ, he 
promised to give ‘* the hidden manna ;” or those 
invigorating and satisfying conselations, which 
spring from the lively exercise of faith in a cruci- 
fied Savieur ; a steadfast contemplation of the 
glory of God in him; end communion with 
Father and the Son, by the influences of the Ho 
Spirit. (Votes, John vi. 47—58.) This manna 
from heaven, (Votes, Ex. xvi.)tis hidden from 
carnal men, who see neither the source, the na- 
ture, the communication, nor the. excellency 
of it: it is placed out of the reach of every ene= 
my ; nor can the supplies of it be intercepted - 
so that it is “ the secret of the Lord, which is 
‘s with them that fear him.” He also promised. 
to give to every conqueror in this holy war “2 
“ white stone.” In those times when any per- 
son, accused of crimes against the state, was tri- 
ed by the suffrage of the citizens, they voted for 
his acquittal by a white stone, and for his con- 
demnation by a black one: so that Christ, the 
sole judge of his people, in promising to give 
them ‘“‘a white stone,” assured them of their full 
justification at the great day of account ; and of 
the present comfortable sense, that they were par= 
doned and accepted in him.. The name, writ- 
ten upon it, is probably that of, “children of 
“ God :” and it represents the inseparable con- 
nexion of adoption into his family with fergive- 
ness of sins. This name would be, as it were, 
inscribed upon the pardon given them, and made 
legible tothe soul by the spirit of adoption — 
(Note, Rom. viii. 14—17.) But “no man know- 
“eth it, saving he that receiveth it :” for the 
ground of this knowledge is laid in his inward 
consciousness and experience ; it arises from “ 2 
“ witness in himself ;” the world knoweth not 
the children of God; (1 John iii. 1, 2;) and 
even their brethren cannot exactly distinguish 
them, but sometimes suspect or condemn the 
upright, and think well of specious hypecrites- 
But when the Holy Spirit iiluminates his own 
work in the believer’s soul, this new name, and 
its real import, become legible and intelligible to 
him, and be knows himself to be achild and 


favoured ured with prophetic visions, had yet for fil- 
pea Bake, plotted mischief against Isracl, 
y teaching Balak to secluce them into idolatry 
fornication ; (Votes, Num. xxv ;) and thus 
to throw in their way an occasion of falling into 
‘gin, and under the wrath of God: and in like 
manner, the Church at Pergamos contained per- 
sons who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, 
which Christ hated. Hence ii is evident, that 
the teachers of this sect sought ‘ the wages of 
« unrighteousness,” in their endeavours or 
pervert professed Christians; 2 at, 
pagans to rain them, they laicl stumbling- 
ks in their way, and on some pretence or 
2 t and enticed them to jomm 
e idolatrous feasts of their neighbours, and on 
‘ occasions, and at other times, to commit 
fornication. They might, perbaps, inculcate the 
wfulness of dissembling their religion to escape 
persecution, which is an occasion of falling: to 
numbers in such circumst ; and joining os 
_idolary and ex of heathen worship 
- effectually over this end: but they cer- 


tainly grafted this prevaricatiomon more general 
principles ; and st eeous vie of the doc- 

trines of free grace and Christian liberty, consti- 
tuted the root of bitterness, from which their 
evil practices naturally grew. In short, they 
_ turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, and 
| ‘tdught others to do the same, and were the An- 
i 
P 
; 


see 


Minomians of the primitive Church; a heresy, 
which in one form or other hath always hitherto 
apung up, when the pure Gospel of Christ hath 
b successfully. preached ; being a kind of 
tares, which the enemy will ever sow among the 
cod seed, as far as he is permitted. Many 

_ have supposed, that this sect derived its name 
- from Nicolas, one of the primitive deacons: 
(Marg. Ref.) and such a tradition prevailed ear- 
ly in the Church.. Yet the name was then so 
common, and might be given them on so many 
other accounts ; that there is no certainty in it: 

_ we read nothing of Nicolas in Scripture, to war- 
gant so unfavourable an opinion of him: neither 
Peter nor Jude, who opposed heretics of the 
Same stamp, called them by this name; and it 
may thence be supposed to have been afterwards 
given them. Some have noted that JVicolaus, in 

” Greek, signifies the same as Balaam does in He- 
brew, namely, “ the conqueror of the people ;” 
nd have thence inferred, that they were so call- 
| from the influence which they obtained over 
en’s minds, and the fatal use which they made 
of it, as Balaam had done before them. The 
word, however, commanded the Church of Per- 
mos to repent of, and forsake, these corrupt 
pactices and principles ; to exclude such ‘scau- 
ialous and pernicious persons from their com- 
munion ; and by every means to show a decide 
abhorrence of their tenets : otherwise, he would. 
quickly visit them in judgment, and fight against 


whe dD. 95, 
18 7 And 4 unto the an 


REVE 


Son of God, § who hath his eyes like un 


toa flame of fire, and his feet are-like 


fine brass ; 


19 I * know thy works, " and charity,}? and them that 
and service, and faith, and thy « patience, 
and thy works; and ¥ the last fo de more 


than the first. 


20 Notwithstanding, z I have a. few 
things against thee, because thou suffer- 
est® that woman Jezebel, which calleth 
herself a prophetess, to teach band to se- 


q See on,ver.1.& 1,11. 
r Ps 2. 7. Mat. 3 
27. & 4.3.6, &17. 
§. & 27. 54, Luke 
1.35. John 1. 14. 
49. & 8. 16 18, 35.) 1.7. 
36. & 5,25. & 10,j)x See Pn, ver. 2, 3. 
36. Acts 8. 37. Rom.jy See on, ver. 4. Job 
1. 4.& 8. 32. 17.9. Ps. 92. 14. 
3 See on, 1.14,15. } Prov. 4. 18. John 
t See on, ver. 2. 9.13.} 15. 2. 2 Pet. 3. 13. 


ui Cor. 18, 1—8,|z See on, ver. 4. 14 


Thes. 3. 6. 2 Thes.} 18. 4.13. & 19. 1 
1, 3. 


10. 30—37. 


heir of God. The expression may also signify, 
that the felicity which awaits the children of God 
when they shall have obtained a complete victory 
over all their enemies, can never be understood, 
but by the enjovment of it: yet, 1 apprehend 
that present consolations, as the gracious recom- 
pense of victory over particular urgent tempta- 
tions were principally, though not exclusively, 
intended in this passage. 

V. 18, 19. Thyatira lay to the south-east 
of Pergamos; and the epistle, to the church es- 
tablished in that city, was sent in the name of 
the “Son of God, who hath his eyes as a flame 
* of firey’? &c. (i. 14, 15;) which represent- 
ed bis authority and omniscience, and the stead- 
fastness and rigiteousness of his appointments 
and decisions. He also reminded the ruler, 
pastors, and Christians at Thyatira, that he 
knew their works, and observed with approba- 
tion their brotherly love and general benevo- 
lence ; their diligent attention to the various du- 
ties, by yhich they were called to serve him and 
each other, in the church and the community ; 
their bold and steadfast profession of his doc: 
trine, in genuine faith; the patience, with which 
they endured afflictions. and persecutions ; and 
especially that their last works were mote abun- 
dant than those, which they had at first per- 
formed. 

V. 20—23. Thus far the Church seemed in 
a flourishing condition: yet, there -was a worm 
at the root of this prosperity, which would de- 
troy it, unless it were -removed; but of which 
they were not sufficiently aware. Notwith- 
standing all this cause of commendation, Christ 
* had a few things to allege against them: espe- 
cially their allowance of such as taught those 
abominable tenets, and perpetrated those evils 
which Christ hated ; for the same heresy is here 
opposed as inthe foregoing epistle. It is not 
agreed, whether the expression, “‘ that woman 
« Jezebel,” is to be understood literally or figu- 
ratively. From the reading in some manuscripts 
#t hath been thought, thatthe wife of the presid- 


ees 


> angel of the church] duce 
in Thyatira write; These things saithr the} and t 


13. Col. 3. 14. Ia 2 Kings 16. 31. & 


1 Tim. 1. 5.) 2.& 21. 7—15. 93 
1 Pet. 4, 8 2 Pet| —25. 2 Kings 9.7. 


bh See on, ver. 14. 
Ex. 34. 15. Num. 
25.1, 2. Acts 15. 20, 
29..1Cor 8. 10— 
12. & 10. 18—21.28, 


LATION. 


-| 21 And); 
her fornication she repent 
22 Behold, I will cast her into a be 
: at commit adultery with he 
into great tribulation, © except they 1 
pent of theirdeeds. pr 
23 And I will ki i wit 


death ; and all the churehes shall kno 
that I am he which searcheth the rein 
and hearts: ‘and I will give unto every 
one of you according to your works, 
* : a a 
13. 3. 5. 2Cor, 12i] 1. 201 & 17s 10. 
4—6. Rom. 2.4, 5.) 21+ 2 Tim. 2, 25,! 20. 12, John 2 
& 9,22. 1 Pet. 3.] 26. 25. & 2Y. 17, 
20. 2 Pet. 3.9. 15. If 6 8. 1.24, Rom. 
d 17.2. & 18. 3..9,lg ver. 7. 11. Deut.| Heb. 4013+ 
& 19. 18—21. Ez. 13. 11. & 17. 13. &li 20. 12. Ps 
16. 37—41. & 23. 19,20, & 21. 21. } Is. 3-10, 11. 
45—48. bh 1Sam. 16, 7. 16. 27, Rom. 2. 5— 
e Jer. 36. 3. Ez.18.) Chr. 28. 9 & 29,] 11. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 
30, Ps.) Gal. 6. 5. 1 Pet. le 


¢ 9 20, 21. Jer. 8. 


30—32, & 33. 11.) 17.2 Chir. 6. 
Zeph. 3. 7. Luke| 7.9, & 44. 21, Jer) 17, 


ing minister was meant; that st 1 obtainec 

great influence in the affairs of the church, and 
made a bad use of it; that she pretended t 
phetic gifts, and t that sanction pro 
ed abominable iples; and though 
conduct was disapprove the sounder 
of the Church, yet no proper decision was usec 
in censuring het,,.on/pieventing the mischie! 
which she occasioned.” Phe figurative meani 
however, seems more suited to the style. 
manner of this book: and in this sense we} 
understand it to denote a company of 
sons, of the spirit and character of ; 
within the Church, under one principal de 


as the Roman antichrist is represented 


emblem of an abandoned harlot. Jezebe 
ous idolater, being married to the king 
contrary to the divine law, used all her 
to seduce the Israelites from the worship of : 
HOVAH into idolatry, with which the Vilest li iy 
tiousness was connected; and this served to ins 
crease the temptation.’ Thus these persons, hay- 
ing, perhaps, through the fault of the pastors — 
and members of the Church, found . admiss / 
among.them; and by their artifices and blan- 
dishments attached a party to their cause ; 
ployed their whole influence to draw. men fr 
the pure religion of Christ, into carnal and sp 
al fornication and adultery, and to poison 
minds with abominable doctrines : yet they 
not been duly censured and opposed: and it is pro- 
bable, that neither the fatal tendency of thei 
opinions, nor the atrociousness}of their conduct 
had been fully understood, till this epis 
sent. This evil had long been workin 
the Lord had, in his long-suffering, given sp: 
for repentance to the ringleader, and those tha 
abetted the delusion; but they still persisted ii 
their wickedness, He therefore declared t 
he would cast the principal. offender « into 
“bed,” as visited with some. painful and 
disease, at length to terminate in de 
whilst such as had been seduced to join in hese 
abominations, would, unless they repented. 


ha 


Cs 


‘and which have not known} 
is of ‘Satan, as they speak ; ' I 
pon you none other burden = 
that which ye have already, 
old fast » till I come. 

Id, A nd < he that “cae P and 


Rom. 8 Sr 1 


oe yi thrown into ace most grievons 
Vote, 1:Cor. x1. 30—32) Moreover, 
o destroy by pestilence, or other 
igments, the whole progeny of 
: in order, that all the ‘churches 
fe ities, by the detection and exem- 
slary punishment of such offenders, that he was 
tt t glovions Being; who claimed it as his pecu- 
Ear prerogative to search the reins and hearts of 
nen; tO discern all their secret. imaginations, 
purposes, and inclinations ; and t to-rengler:to eve- 
ry one of them according to“his works. Here 
pre the peculiar style of Deity is employed by 
Son of God;” (Marg. Ref) It is far 
> expressive. to sa am “he zho scarchesh 
e heart, than “ I se “nor can. such lan- 
L be accounted: for, | pan any other ground 
an the trinitatian doctrine, whatever pains and} 
eduity may be employed in the attempt. 
| 24—28. -Toithose who repented, and se- 
ed from the evils before mentioned ; and 
‘rest, who had never received that doc- 
had no acquaintance with those depshe, 
lied them ; (perhaps ayowing that they 
liarly the deep things of God,” but 
Christ Meclavadistp be the depths of sa- 
« tan;” the most. sagacious, and cavert devices 
of that enemy to dishonour Christ and destroy 
mén’s souls *) to such as had kept clear, or bad 
got free, from these mysteries of iniguity,, he 
would give no other: command, or injunction, 
than what they had already received from his’ 
ministers: but he éxhorted them:to hold fast. 
these truths and precepts, till he came to remove 
them by death, or to judge the world. » He also 
promised to every man, who overcame these pe-. 
' pilous temptations, and kept bis words im the obe- 
- dience | of faith; that he would grant him the 
privilege of sharing his victories, and the author- 
ity connected with them, as far as this could add 
to his true honour of felicity : so that he should’ 
"be an assessor with him in jadgment, and concur 
ia the sentence, by which all'the: nations of his 
nies will be dashed in pieces,, as the potter’s 


‘ 


9 which all other judgments executed 


over, he pre Guuve. him © ie rag 
VOL. VI. 


\ 


CHAPTER ff. 


ut: say, and unto the| 
‘many as have not} 


2 vessel by the blow of an iron’ rod; (Wates,: 


LT on eT ee nS eS ae aE ne ee eee eyes 


A.D. 95: 


keepeth my works tinto the end, 4 to him 
will I give poWer over the nations: _ 
“27 And F he's shall rule them with a rod 
of iron; a8 the vessels of a potter shall 
they be broken to shivers : : * even as Tre- 
ceived of my Father. — 
_ 28 Andi + will give tim the morning 
star. © 
29 He» hea sath an. ear,’ Jet him hear 
what the Spirit saith unto ‘the churches. 


ate, a 
wisusic & 20. 4. & 6:95:40 29, Jobn 174245 
| 22.5. Ps. 49. 14/6 12 5. & 19. 15. c 28 16, bake 1.78 
Dah. 7. 18. 22. 27.) Ps! 2.8, 9. 79.'2 Pet. 1. 19. 
Mat. 39,28. Luke}s Mat. lke 27. Lukeju ong ver. 7. 
22, 29, 30. -1 Cor. 


‘ stars” which may either mean the earnests * 


the Spirit, as introductory to the felicity of hea- 
ven, as the morning-star to the rising of the suns 
(Neie. 2 Pet. i. 19.) or the ineffable glory, ith 
which he will invest his victorious disciples, im 
the presence and enjoyment of him their Lord 
and Saviour, and in conformity to his glory. 
(xxii 16.) 

VY. 29. . This concerned all persons, as much 
as those to whom. it was immediately written—= 
This Church is at present wholly extinct ; and 
the city is ina very desolate condition. 

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.. 
Mey 1. 

The Lord Jesus alone can uphold and proga 
per his ministers ; their light is i 4 derived 
from him, and maintained. by hin ; supports, 


them by his powerful right hand, and. disposeth. 


of them in his-soyereign wisdom. It therefore 
behooves all these, who are favoured with abla 
and faithful teachers, to be thankful for them, 
to walk in. the light. thus youchsafed them,. and, 
to be, carefulinot to. provoke the Lord to nemoyve. 
it; and »all, who sustain that office, should. re< 
member their. dependence.on Christ, and theii’ 
accountableness to him : and be careful that their 
doctrine and practice be such, as may give them 
a confidence.that he will make their cause his 
own. The manifold evils, which: abound i iD €¥en. 
ry,part of the Church, in, a considerable. degrees ; 
arise from the misconduct of its rulers. and. pase 
tors, who ought especially to.weigh the imporg. 
of thes®-episties of Christ 5 cand frequently. they. 
ought to.take to, themselves.a great, part of tha 
reproof and. warning which they contains. Our 
Lord is.‘ like a many who is gone. into.a far 
fs country, having siven to. every serzani_ his 
“ work.:”, but, faith realizes him,, as “ walking 
* in the midst of the golden candlesticks,” bot 
in respect of his omnipotent deity, spd.his omni- 
present and ail-pervading Spirit. He observes 
the eonduct of those, who. baye the ight of his 
word. and, oreinances, and ‘maintains that light, 
so long, 25:2: g00d. use.is made of. it: but he,will 
not fail to. rebuke _and correct those, that walk 


; inconsistently ; be and he continues. his golden.s ean~ 
=jd 


im one placc, and removes it from aa- 
other, as he-sees gocd; for all second causes 
are wholly subseryient to hia will, 


+ ‘9 
Pie es 
< 


Ey 


’ 


= «> 


A. D.95: | REVELATION. 
> CHAP. IIL. 


! errs: 
Ihe epistle of Christ to the Church ef Sardis ; con- | 
sisting of reproofs, exhortations, warnings, and} i 
promises to the pious remnant, 1—6. That to i 


anenENEDIRn ian eieaen nena eeeRnennnnennens nummer Danes aia 
Our gracious Lord seeth in secret, and is not 
backward to commend “ the work of faith, and 
labour of love, and “ patience of hope,” of his 
servants: he marks and approves their abhor- 
rence of that which is evil, and their separation 
from the company, and -protestation against the 
misconduct, of those who profess the gospel, 
but disgrace it by their crimes. (Votes, 2 Thes. 
iii. 6. 14, 15. 1 Dom. vi. 5.2 Tim. iti. 5.) - Nor 
does he less approve their conduct in examining 
the pretensions of such, as speak in his name, or 
claim attention, as immediately inspired by him ; 
that they may detect and condemn those as liars, 
who contradict the doctrine of his holy word. 
He also kindly notices the trials and hardships, 
which his people bear, and the patience with 
which they endure them and how for his name’s 
sake they labour, and have not fainted. " Thus he 
sets misisters, parents, masters, and seniors, an 
example of commending what is right, in those 
placed under their care; and of thus introducing 
needful reproof. But he will by no means '‘con- 
nive at what is evil, in any Kind or degree. * Even 
when believers and churckes steadily profess his 
truth, attend on his ordinances, and outwardly 
,obey his precepts* yet he hath somewhat against 
them, if they decline fromthe fervour of their 
first love’; nay, ‘he not only reproves' thera’ for 
those abatements in affection and zeal ; but 
threatens, that unless they remember whence 
they ‘are fallen, and’ repent, and do their Grst’ 
works, he willquickly remove’ their candlestick 
out of his place; ) Not only are the churches of 
Asia alarming instances of his truth and justice 
in this/respect; but in every age he’ calls on all, 
who have eyes to see, and ears to hear; to observe! 
the truth of what the Spirit on this occasion said 
unto’the churches.’ The state of religion in most 
places’ whete a reformation from popery took 
place, and with several descriptions of Christians 
among us, where once ‘spiritual religion shone 
most illustriously, manifestly prove, that fie’still 
removes the candlestick froni those, who forsake 
their first love, and do not repent at his call; 
even though they hate the deeds of Nicolaitans 
and Antinomians, which he hateth. This should 
teach those, whonow have the light, to “be zeal- 
ous and repent ;” lest they too should be left 
inthe dark. And surely this single mention ‘in 
scripture, of Christians “forsaking their first 
love,’ when the context and»consequences are 
well considered, most avfully reproves’ those 
numbers, who speak of this as a common case ; 
who excuse luke-warmness and’sloth, in them= 
selves and others, as a thing of course; by words 
to this effect;:and who, speaking of Christians 
as “in their first love,” mean that ‘this is alow’ 
attainment; and that they will grow « less fer-| Lord not only hates the 
*< ventiin spirit, Serving the Lord,” as they get |those, who indulge 
above the infancy of Christianity! When the ma-| under the pretence ¢ 
jority in any Church adopt such ‘notions, it is a'jtian liberty, and sed 
ceriain siga that they will agon provoke Christ to! abominations: ‘but he 


remove their cs 
nay, it is the natural 1: 
hearers, whose joy and af 
and who, having no 
dually withering aw 
flourishing Christian 
tion than he didat s times 
version, in which novelty an 
small share: yet there is 
energy in his love, to influen 
self denying obedience, apart: 
et than there. was bef 
sembles the transient : 
latter is Tike he 
ting, and efficac 
stantial fuel. Bt 
gems, and open 
the traitor in the 
ful ; theré-are some, ¥ 
the victory; and to the 
“ eat of the Tree of life, 
“of the ‘Paradise of Ga 
y 1 A rate 
As “the First and’ the Last 
“and is alive,” is’ the believ 
Friend; he must be ich 
honourable amidst the 
happy under the heavi 
the disciples must expect 
who blaspheme their ‘Lord 
they are Christians, but are 
Christ will one day show to 
* synagogue of satan ;” b 
by every means to 
and injure his fait 
also prevail to cast 
wise to try them, 
many days: but witl 
forter, they ought ? 
“things, which they 
wilt only be for a lin 
cious purposes ; they 
cond death, for their ene 
bodies; and if they ar 
till that event, the Cay 
conquered by dying, wi 
eternal life. "The Christiar 
the Lord’s' name and de I 
those places where satan 
throne, and at those times when hi 
nesses are liable to be aa 
feeds not fear his Sharp s 
evén as the beloved wife is 
sword in the hand ‘of 
but would tremble an 
of an assassin. But thi 
‘supported, without ste 


; D. 95. 
ND * unto the angel of the church 
in Sardis write; These things saith 

ry She that hath the seven Spirits of God, 

< ‘and the seven stars ; ¢ I know thy works, 
ba ‘name that on livest, 


See ecutc, and & strengthen the 
things which remain, that are ready to 


Por ae 

on, 1. V1. 20. d Sce on, 2. 2 9. 13, 810,164 Zech. 11 
Egg 19. 6, Mat. 24. 42— 
1. 16. 33.Je Luke oe sf ae 


Bird. “eto pane os Is. 56, 10.) rate 
e1, 16. 29.% 2, 1. 


fight with the sword of his mouth against those 
epant Pik , who countenance them ; 

peri ent of their connexion with, and 
sanction : most abhorred of his enemies. 
Pe 4 V, 18—29. 


vale aan the Lord knoweth the works of his 
to be wrought in love, zeal, faith, and pa- 
, and the last to be more than the first; yet, 
if bis. eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe 
that they allow among them such as teach licen- 
fiousness, and seduce his servants to commit 
wickedness, or to turn aside to any false wor- 
ship, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them, 
without respect of persons, man or woman, high 
or low, whatever influence they may possess, or 
however they may be gifted or distipgy uished. He 
them indeed time to repent: But if they do” 
rt avail themselves of his long-suffering, he will 
cast, them into great tribulation: and fre- 
2 itly che remarkable sufferings, with the disco- 
eat the secret wickedness, ef the actors in 
corruptions of the gospel in this world, show 
he Churches, that Christ is “ He, who searcheth 
_ tiie reins, and hearts,” and establisheth his coun- 
sels in wisdom and. justice : at least this will be 
evident, when he shall come to judgment, to give 
unto every one of us according to our works. 
Let us then avoid and protest. against such per- 
versions’ of Christianity ; and beware of these 
depths of satan, of which they that know the least 
are the most happy. Let us. remember, that the 
yoke of Christ i As easy, and his burden light ;” 
that he lays g on his servants, but what is 
for their good, and autherizes none to add to it; 
‘that he calls upon us to hold fast. what we 
ave received until he come. When we are 
tempted to sin, let us recollect what consolations 
he hath promised. to the victorious combatant : 
aus looking to him for help, let us. aspire to 
« the hidden manna,” « ‘the j joy | that a stranger 
“. i amtsemeddiesh, not with ;” ’ the assurance of ac- 


rnal glory. And after every victory, may 


hould often only be theught of, un-, 
m, the Son of God, according to 


I a! Aree from the Father, as the 
of his « and victories; being made 


CHAPTER Ill.’ 


low up our advantage against. the enemy, 
overcome, and keep the works. of 
end ; and at last have glory, ho-’ 
elicity, , beyond all our present concep~ 


A, Dw 95. 


die : for I have not found thy works » per- 


fect before God. 


3 i Remember therefore, how thou 
hast received and heard, * and hold fast, 
and ! repent. ~ If therefore, thou shalt not 
watch, = I will come on thee as a thief, 
and ™ thou shalt not know what hour I 
will come upon thee. 


4. 4, 5. & 18+ 5, Is.|i see on, 2. 5. Ezdi ver. 19. See on, 2° 
35. 3. Luke 22. 31,j 16. 61-63. Ke 20.) 5.21, 22. 

$2. Acts 18. 23. 2 Petjm 16. 15, Mat. 24. 
h 1.Kings 1. 4,& tots, 3.35 42, 43, Luke 12. 39 
15.3, 2 Chr. 25. 2.'k vers 11. Sve on, 2.| 40.1 Thes. 5. 4, 5. 
Is. 57. 12. Mat, 6. 2} 25-1 Tim. 6. 20, 2|n Mat. 25.13. Mark 
—4e & 23. 5. 25—| Tims 1.13. —  *| 13:33.36- 


& 62. 657+ Ez. 34, iE Deut. 3, 28. Job} 23. 


partakers of his felicity, abiding for ever in his 
presence, and having him for our everlasting 
Light, and Glory. Letthen every one, who hath 
ears, attend to what the Spirit saith unto the 
Churches. 

‘ NOTES. 

CHAP. If. V.1—3. Sardis lay to the south 
of Thyatira; and was once the. renowned capi- 
tal of Lydia, the kingdom of Cresus. .The epis- 
tle to the presiding pastor, and to the Church in 
that city, was sent, as a message from him, “that 
“ hath the seven-Spirits of God. and the seven 
“ stars,” (i. 4;) that is, the, divine: Saviour, 
through whom the Holy Spirit, in the variety and 
abundance of his precious gifts and graces, was 
communicated to all the Churches, and to the 
seven here mentioned in particular ; and who was 
their sovereign Proprictor.and Ruler. . This re- 
minded them, from whom they must seek grace, 
for those things to which he called them ;. and it 
implied 2 command to their ministers to “ take 
* heed to themselves and- to their doctrine,” 
and to be active and zealous in promoting a) re- 
vival in the Church ; especially to the angel or 
presiding minister, who it is probable bad by 
his. misconduct, aided in reducing the Church 
to a very low estate. For Christ ‘knew their 
‘* works not to be such as he could approve.? 
They had indced “a name to liye 2” they profess< 
ed the truth, possessed gifts, and had the ordi- 
nances of God regularly administered among 
them ; they were considered, by others, and by 
themselven, as vitally united to Christ: but he 
knew, “ that they were dead :” numbers of them 
were wholly hypocrites, and dead in sin : others 
were in a yery torpid, disordered, and lifeless 
state ;’ and the Church in general was rather 2 
dead corpse, or a statue resembling a Christian 
congregation, than a company of living members 
of Christ’s mystical body, ‘The Lord therefore 
called on them to awake and look about them ; 
to be vigilant in guarding against the strata- 


‘gems and assaults of their enemies ; to be active 


and earnest in the daties of- their several sta- 
tions; and to examine carefully into the state of 


their souls, and into that of the Church: that so 


they might use proper-means of “ strengthening 
ating idea of receiving power and | 


“ the things that remained, and were ready to 


“ die;” and endeavour, in dependence on the 


grace of the Holy Spirit, to revive and invigo- 
rate Ge faith, hope, love, and spiritual affec- 


A D. 95, 


Sardis, 4 which have not defiled’ their 
garments; and’they shall * walk with me 
in white: *for they are worthy. ° 

5 He * that overcometh, 8 the same 
shall be clothed in white raiment; * and | 
will not blot out his name ‘out of y the 
book of life, but I will’ confess his name 


before my Father, and before his angels. |no man openeth;’ © 


@ 11, 13. Gr. Acts 1. 
15. 
P 1 Kings 19. 18. Is. 


4,9. Rom. 11. 4— 

6. ® 8. Zech. 3.7 
q 7. 14. & 19, 8 Ts.| Mark 16. 5. 

52.1. & 5% 6. &'s Mat. 10. 11. Luke 
61. 3.10. & 64. 6.) 20,35. & 21. 36. 21.27.86 22- 19. Phil 
Zech. 3. 3-6. Jude} Thes. 1. 5. 64 4 3e 

83. t Seé on, 2-7. USamd2z Mal. 3. 17. Mat, 


en 


e ver. 5, 18. & 4. 4.) 17,25, ‘3 
& 6, 11. 8 7. 9.13,|u see on, tr ver. 4. 
& 19. 14. Esth. 8.}x. Ex. 


t 32." 3%, 33 
15. Ps. 68. la. Ee. 


28. & 109. 13. 
y 13..8.'R17. 8. 


n declining state; to bring formalists to repent- 
ance and conversion ; and to purge otit such as 
were scandalous and infectious to others... In 
this manner the lamp, that was ready to expire, 
might be made again to burn mote bright; aud 
the state’ of their Church, which seemed like 9 
dying man, might revive and be restored to a 
state of spiritual ‘health and vigour, 
heart searching Lord had ‘ not found their 


‘They were radically defective: most of them 
were formal and hypoeriticals and the restlan- 
guid, pattial, and corrupted: by sinister motives 
and’ purposes. He could not, therefore, com- 
mend them, as he had done the more hearty and 
complete obedience and services of flourishing 
Christians: because they weresnot such before 
God, whatever they might appear to be in the 
sight of men. He, therefore, called on them to 
remember the favours which they had received, 
and the truths, precepts, and exhortations; which 
they had heaed ; that they might hold fast pure 
and undefied\ religion, and repent of their: in- 
consistent and hegligent conduct. © But if, after 
this warning, they did not become more’vigilant, 
sober, ‘zealous, and diligent; he assured them 
that he would come, with some unexpected, sur- 
prising, and terrible judgments, on them without 
any further intimation of bis purpose, till they 
were suddenly overwhelmed by it. (Marg. 
Ref. and notes on them} © 9s | Se 

V 4-6, Even at Sardis, there were a few 
Christians; whose*names would be at length 
mentionéd with distinguished honour, on account 
of their Holy singularity: as they had» not*¢ de» 
filed their garments,” or Gisgraced their profes- 


gion by the worldly lusts and sinful’ practices, to: 


which the rest were addicted’; and Christ assur- 
ed them, ‘that tliey “should. walk with him in 
- & whité,?the emblem of perfect purity, triumph, 
end joy, and so be his accepted,’ holy, and ho- 
notired companions in heavenly felicity; © for 
«6 Uhzy were worthy,” ‘or meet and proper per- 
sons, to be admitted to'that glorious and ‘happy 
state; haying approved themselves tobe his 
faithful friends and'servants, whilst they lived on 
earth, (Motes; vii. 9. 13-17.) In: short, to 
conqueror inv the spiritual warfare, at a 


eve 
place especially where temptations and bad ex- 


REVELATION) > 


4 Thou hast a few © names P even in}. 


Deut. 9. 14, Ps. 69. | a see on, 2. 7. 


| 
26. 12. 15. & 21.) e 4. B..& 6. 10. Ps. 


tions, of thosé who were alive to God, though ia ramples So muh abod 
|“ that he should be 
as completely and ef 


\God. Meither woald’ 


(gistered ; even though 
For their! 
\numbers of those, who: 
“ works perfect before God,” or complete or full,| were deemed heirs of b 


ltatize, or to be vel : 
pee he might 1. 


|contrary, Christ would 5 


7% And >to! 
in Philadelphia 1 
© he that is holy, 4! 
hath ¢ the key of Day 
and no man’ shutteth 


10, 8%. Luke 12, 8, 
Jude 25. 


£16 

48 
. 54, 5 
i seeon, 1. it, & 2.) 16 2a, ~ 
7 Acts 3. 
4 vero He a 
6. 100 K& TS. 3e 
16. 7, & 19. 2 


st 


Ife 10, Se £9, 18. & 
WAS. 7s Is, G23, & 
$0.11, & dl. 14, 


oo 


and made ylorious in 


any sich person out BF 
which his chosen and’/acee 


which he belonged shoul 


icts ‘and tempta 


amidst his 


-as one of his friends and 
before his eternal Father a 
All this related to others: 
in similar circumstances. 
‘city now lies in ruins 
‘Christians are found 
ed to the most abject 
‘church nor minister 
V. 7.” Philadelp 
‘Sardis. The epistle to’ 
in/that city was'sent in the 
is holy,” and that is | 
« Holy One, ‘and the True 
contain a very coriclusi 
Christ; for what mere 
ely speak of himself im 
11, 12, 15. Iii. 15.) Te 
name of him, “ that hs 
CNoies, Is. xxii. 20-25.) 
Son of David, according 
King of the true Israel 
hath ‘the absolute power to'e 
‘cy to whom he pleaseth 3 
of heaven ‘to'the souls of 
moved by death ; and ‘to 
‘bring forth their bodies ‘g 
that they may be re-united. 
lasting felicity >and, on th 
out and exclude from merey 
whom he will, and> to shu 
can any resistance be’ “to 
appeal from his si 
power to open the under 
‘or judicially to close th 
the‘preaching of his @ 


é 


‘veel ol 


: : 
SD. 95: . CHAPTER Hil, ALD. 955 


‘gel know thy works : behold, I have fore thy feet, and to know that I have 
et before thee ® an open door, and no} loved thee. ; 
can shut it: for thou hast‘ a little} 10 Beeause thou hast kept ° the wor 


k and hast kept my word, ! and| of my patience,P I also will keep thee 
ast od my name. 
9 Behold, I will make them of ™ the 


from the hour ef temptation, which shall 
come upon 4 all the world, * to try them. 
ynagogue of Satan, which say they are 
ews, and are not, but do lie; behold, » I 


that dwell upon the earth. 
11 Behold, * lL come quickly > * hold 
make them to come and worship be- 
1. 15 See on, 2.2.) John 14. 21-24. & a 


that fast which theu hast, that no man 
take ¥ thy crown, wha 


oO 3.9. & 13. 10. &] 14° 9% Luke 2. 145.96 
143.12. Rom: 1: 8. See on, ver. S. & 
p Mat. 6.13. & 26,/r Dam 12. 10. Zech.) 2. 13. 
-| 41. 1 Cor. 10. 13.) 13. 9. Jam. i. S.ju 2. 10. & 4, 4. 10. 1 
Eph. 6,13. 2 Pet.| 12. 1 Pet. 4. 12, Cor. 9. 25. 2 © 
S 1. 3. & 22. 7. 12.) 2. 5.& 4. 8. Jam, 
20. Phil. 4. 5. Jam.! 1,32. 1 Pet.5. 3,4. * 


2.9. 
q Mat. 24-14, Mark 


nce of his servants out of trouble: and when in 


open opposers, rather than as false professors, oF 
hese, or anyother instances, he opens, no one, 


the Gospel. ; ; 
VY. 10, 11.. As the Philadelphians had kept 
the word of Christ, in that constancy and pa- 
tience, which he had commanded and exemplifi- 
ed ; and which he bestowed on his people, who 
could not stand their ground unless thus.enabled 
to deny themselves, take up their cross, and 
« follow him 7? he promised to keep them “ from _ 
« the hour of temptation,” or some remarkable — 
season of persecution, heresy, or apostacy, which 
was about to come on all the Churches in the 
world, especially through the whole Roman em- 
pire, to try and prove the sincerity and strength 
of their faith and love. He wouid on this occa- 
sion shelter them from the fury of the storm, and ~ 
not let them be so sharply tricd or tempted, as 
other Churches were ; which might in some res- 
pects have more strength, but had also more 
need. of correction, and of being proved and _ 
purified. This is generally supposed to refer to 
Trajan’s persecution, which was more general 
and violent, than those under Nero and Domitian. 
But as this city was the last of all the seven, 
which was taken by the Mahometans; and as_ 
there has been a succession of Ch-istians there, 
in every generation to this time; so some have . 
applied this to their preservation from that delu- 
sion, which almost. extirpated Christianity in |. 
those regions. It is indeed to be feared, that 
they have at present but little of the power 
of godliness among them: yet we may hope, ~ 
that Christ hath had a few reai disciples in 
every age, and hath some even at present, in 
this city, The Lord next called their attention 
to (he assurance, that he was coming quickly, te . 
try his professed people, to deliver such as were 
faithful, to destroy their enemies, or to judge the 
world :-and he, therefore, commanded them to 
hold fast the truth which they had received, and 
to maintain the ground which they had got; that _ 
no one might through any temptation, or terror, 
deprive them of the yietor’s crown, for which 
‘they were contending, or take away that distin- 
guished: benour, which this commendation con-— 
he: ferred on them : for this could not be preserved, 
fthem were converted to Christian-j without vigilance, diligence, and persevering 
s s. 8 indeed | courage. ‘ The captivity or ruin of the seven 
cant; bat} ¢ churches of Asia was consummated ;’ [viz by | 
wid (be word Jes} the Ottomansy A. D.1512;} Sand the barbarous 
to consider them as}* lords of fonia and Lydix still trample,on the 


man or angel, can shut; when he shuts, 
1d feature can possibly open. 
“Y. 8 9. The almighty Sovereign, above de- 
sribed, knew the works of his ministers and dis- 
at Philadeiphia; andthey were such as 
graciously approved: they might, therefore, 
observe for their encouragement, that by his 
Gospel and the means of grace afforded them, 
hehad set before them an open door of access 
into the family and kingdom of God, and to all 
the present and everlasting privileges of his peo- 
which no creature could shut against them ; 
or, as some explain it, he had set before them an 
en door of usefulness, in sprea his Gos- 
pel; nor could any one prevent the success of 
their work and labour of love for that purpose. 
“For though they were not so eminent as some 
‘other churches, for numbers, and gifts, and abili- 
ty of every kind yetthey had a little strength ; 
were upright in their profession of the gos- 
ney had some vigour of faith and hcly af- 
ction, and were using their little influence to 
promote the success of Christianity. They had 
algo kept the word. of Christ, his truths, com- 
mands, and institutions;-in faith, obedience, 
and steadfastness ; neither had we denied their 


relations and. obligations ta him,j®r acted to the 
dishonour of his name, notwithstanding fears and 
dangers. (Vote, ii.-9, 10.) For they too were 
“exposed to persecution, from some that profess- 
ed to be the peopie of God; but whom. he dis- 
owned; and declared to be: liars and. the syna- 
gogue of satan; and whom he promised that he 
would at length constrain to.come and pay court 
to them in the most submissive manner, prostrat- 
ing them at their feet, and supplicating 
their favour as convinced of the Lord’s love to 
them. Perhaps the. unexpected success. of the 
gospel, in Vhilade}phia, rendered the Christians 
powerful, that the Jews and their adherents 
were glad to seek their protection from the rage. 
mujtitude, by which vast numbers of them 
ore ently massacred in, those turbulent 

> language leads us to conclude 


& 


Ae D. 95. 


12 Him that ® ovércometh will I make 
ay pillar inthe temple of my God, and 
he shall*go no“ more out: # and TI will 
write upow him the name of my God, 
and the name*of® the city’ of ‘my God, 
which isnew Jerusalem, which’ cometh 
down out of heaven from my God: and 
Pwill write upon him» my new name. 

18 He ¢ that hath an ear, let him hear 


what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 
(Practical Observations.] 
149 And.unto4.the angel of the church 
& See on, 2. tee er 4. Ts. 65. 15. 


. A. 
14.1 John &. 13, 14.]2 21.2. 1027, Ps. 3.15, 
8. 8. & 87. 3. Gal. 2.7% | 


4.4. 
y 1 Kings 7. 22. Jers) 4. 26,97. Heby 12, seco, oil & 
2.18. Gal. 2. 9. fe ! 


2% 17. & 14.18 


monuments of, classic and Christian antiquity. 
In the loss of Ephesus, the Christians deplor- 
ed the fall of the first angel, the extinction 
of the first candlestick of the revelations : the 
desolation is complete; and the temple of 
Diana, or the Church of Mary, will equaily 


circus, and three stately theatres of Laodicea 
‘are now peopled with wolves and foxes; Sar- 
dis is reduced to a miserable village ; the God 

of Mahomet, without.a rival, is invoked in the 
mosques of, Thyatira and Pergamos ; ; and the 
populousness of Smyrna is supported by the 
foreign trade of the Franks and Armenians — 


gee x 2 ee eRe 


courage. (Such is the insidious language of 
this infidel writer, who snecrs-at. the peapheey, 
while he records, its accomplishment.) 
© distance from. the sea, forgotten by the empe- 
€ rors, encompassed on all sides by the Purks, 
« her valiant sons defended their religion and 
* freedom above fourscore years, and at length 
© capitulated with the proudest of the O:tomans. 
* Among the Greek colonies, and churches of 
© Asia, Philadelphia és. still erect, a calumn in a 
© scene of ruins, a pleasing example that the 

* paths of honour and safety may sometimes be 
® the same.” .( Gibbon.) 

V..12, 18. To animate the Christians at Phi- 
ladelphia, and all others, to the spiritual conflict, 
-our Lord next promised to make every conquer- 
or, “a pillar in the temple of his. God <” to esta- 
blish him as an ornamental part of the spiritual 
edifice, which he, as Mediator, .was building to 
the glory of his God and Father: that, being 
consecrated to him, and placed in the sanctuary 
Bboye, he might conduce to the beauty, propor- 
“tion, and magnificence of the whole; and be for 
ever most honourable and blessed, as an habi- 
« tation of God through the Spirit,” without any 
fea. of bei 


his favou presence... Upon this pillar, he 
promi wi ite the name of his God ;” that 
all mig “to ‘whom it belongec, and to, 
whose g Was erected; according to. th 
custom. of inscribings, on. stately colutans, the. 


name and exploits of the person, to whose memo- 
ry they were dedicated. He would also write 
en it, & Be name.cf the city of his God; (whom 


REVELATION. 


© Is. 65. 16.2 Core },| leds L 
20. 


elude the search of the curious traveller. The 


Philadelphia alone has been saved by prophecy or 


§ Atvay 


Ig separated from him, or ec emg of, 
; | sees good. . 


Were ¢¢ either glean eke they n 
ly cast off all regard tothe’ Gospel; 


* of the La 

saith € the . 
witness, € the 
of God: 

154 T know 
neither cold nor he 
wert cold or peak, 


thee out of my pen 


* or, in |‘ Laoditea.\i 2. 4. Mat, 
Col. 2. 1. & 4.16. |gPhil, ‘ 


he, in human: re, - 
this is called the ne: 


know,to what city the 
he,was entitled to all its’ 
The Lord promised 
** own new name ;” 
sus, the Redeemer. of 
sumed in addition is £ 
tor, Upholder,: and Lord of 
of his’ ch 


of bis stGnements and. 
searchable riches of ie 


in rotation, might be 
epistles. ” A flourisbi 
here, in the time of the 

Ref.) but it had greatly 
epistle was sent thither, 

“AMEN ;” of Him, whois 
who will surely confirm 
which are established, 
own nature. For he is 
ness, most exactly tes 
purposes, and will of Go 
witness most impartially 
duct and characters of 
and of all his creatures: 
ceans also, under’the title’ ; 
“ the creation of God,” or the € 

and Ruler, of the whole» iv 


This pea q 
works to be.such, as. were | 
his approbation : for these manife 


were they zealous, fervent, and diligent 
gion, He therefore declehed, *. that’ ” 
Ci they were cold or hot ;* hg. desired th 


4. D. 95: CHAPTER Il. A D.9§ 


gayest, » I am rich,|* gold tried in the fire,¥ that thou mayest 

: eigseorey =) ete Me eae need bagut t and 2 white raiment, that thou 
“oc ecthing - and P knowest not that thou| mayest be clothed, and chaz 4 the shame 
aft 4 wretched, and miserable, and poor,} of thy nakedness do not appear ; » and 
Be eraked= anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou 
mnsel thee to * buy of me/mayest see. ned a. : 


& 25.9. Jam. 2: 5. 
X Mal. S. 3: 1 Cor.|z See on, ver. 4, &| Nah. 3,5. 
*| 3,12, 13.1 Pet. 1.7.| Ps.51.7 


55.1. Mat, 13. 44. eave tale 26. Dak 
6. 18. 
y 2.9. Luke 12, 2i-la 16.15. Is. 47. 3 


John 
3-1 John 2. 20. 27. 


« 


in the Pharisee’s manner: (Vote, Luke xviii 10 
—14,) and were utterly incapable of the life of 
faith in Christ for all things pertaining to salva- 
tion. For they “knew not that they were wretch- 
“ed and miserable,” in a most abject, perilous, 
and perishing condition, and utterly destitute of 
wisdem and grace: not only poor, as all natural 
men are, but poor as professors of the gospel 5 
being Pharisees upon evangelical principles, and 
proud of their attainments in Christianity, when 
in fact they were wholly unconverted. This de- 
lusion took place because they were “ bjind ; 
they had only that “knowledge which puffeth 
‘Sup ;” but they had never seen the real glory 
of God in Christ, the évil of sin, their own vile- 
ness, the deceitfulness of their hearts, or the ex- - 
cellency of the gospel : they therefore continued 
“naked,” though they knew it not; being nei- 
ther covered with the justifying righteousness of 
Christ, nor adorned by his grace. The original 
expressions are peculiarly emphatical: for the 
article is prefixed to the epithets employed, so 
that the passage may be thus rendered, “ Thou 
“ art the wretched one, the miserable one,” &c. 
and they were thus distinguished from all the 
other churches. ‘ 
¥. 18, 19. The case described in the pre- 
ceding verse, was that of the Church in general, 
and of its pastors and members in particular, by 
the testimony of Christ himself; and he coun- 
selled them “ to buy of him,” those things of 
which they were in such urgent need. They 
could have them from no other person in the 
world; and he sold them to the poorest, who 
applied for them; “ without money and without 
“ price” (Note, Ie: lv. 1—3.) But though 
even such wretched and indigent sinners, as they 
were, might obtain them; yet, as much of what. 
they valued, though worthless in itself, must be 
renounced in order to appropriate them, it might 
properly be called buying them. (WVotes, Matt: 
xiii. 45—46. Phil. iii. 7—9.}) They were there- 
fore counselled, (and the counsels of Christ are . 
commands, invitations, and promises,) to apply 
to him for “gold tried in the fire, that they 
“ might berich.” This denotes that true and 


Sent fadiffcrence and weariness in them; their 
evil tempers, unholy actions, and carnal attach- 
a to the world, and to its pleasures, compa- 
“py, and interests, dishonoured him more than 
“heir apostacy could do; and in the event it 
would be equally fatal to their own souls, For, 
jn this manner, they would give numbers an un- 
fa opinion of Christianity, as if it had 


been an unholy religion: whilst others would 

; that it could afford no real satisfaction ; 
er its professors would not have been so heart- 
| si porns woul borrow a little pleasure 
" from the world ; or that it was not@worth much, 


. as they would not give up any thing of supposed 
| value for the sake of it. In short, such profess- 
- ed Christians are traitors in the camp, who are 
always more dangerous than open enemies ; or 
re cone watt rob their 
"masters more, than they can do when turned out 
| the family. Un therefore, they became 
ae « fervent in spirit, serving the Lord -” he 
| ‘was determined to show his contempt and abhor- 


go lamentably declined, that very few real Chris- 
- fiaps, and those of small proficiency, remained 


= 
s 
F 
2 
: 
4 
5 
$ 
z 


with them: (JVotes, 1 Cor. iv. 8—10. v-.2:) so 
"that they thought they had need of nothing, but 
. Were complete in knowledge, wisdom, goodness, 
. strength, and establishment in the privileges and 
liberty of the gospel; like poor lunatics, who 

ney every house and estate which they see, or 
hear of, to be their own. Thus they preferred 


hm $ to others ; and, being proud in spirit, 
of “ poor in spit” they could only pray 


less instances endured the hottest fire of persecu- 


would ensure and evidence their interest in the 
‘unsearchable riches of Christ, and in all the prc- 


491,95. 


. 20 Behold; * Istand at therdoor; and ’ 
knock ; ifjany man hear my voice,” and! with my Father 
open the door, ¢ I will come in to him, 
© Deut. 8.5. 2Sam4 & 31.18, Zeph. 3.) Core 7. 11. Gal. 4, 
| Tit. 2. 14. 
le 


7.44. Job 5,17. Ps.j 2. 1 Cor. 11,32. 2 
“6.1. & 39. 11. &} Cor. 6. 9. Heb... 12) 
94. 10. Prov. 3.11,| 5—lle Jam, 1..12. 
a2. & 15. 10. 32.&id Num. 25, = 


18. 


22, 2 
Cant. 5. 2-4, 
Luke 12. 36. 

2g John 14, 21-23, 


“22. 15. Is, 26. 16,] Ps, 69.9. John 2, 
Jer. 2, 30. & 7. 28.} 17, Rom. 12 11. 
& 16. 24. & 30, li, 


mises given throug’ him’ to his people. 
vised them also to buy of him‘ white raiment, 
*s that they might ‘be clothed, and ‘that’ the 
* shame of their nakedness might not appear :” 
for as their own ‘righteousness was as filthy rags 
and their profession 6f Christianity hypocriticat ; 
so they must soon be €xposed’ and pat to shame 
before men and afigels, unless they Had his 
righteousness put on them fora robe of' Salva- 
tion, and were made holy by his sanctifying Spirit. 
(& 5.) " But as their pride and sclf-confidence 
had blinded them to the truth of their case and 
character, and consequently to the value of 
these blessings ;.so he directed them to * anoint 
“their eyes with eye-salve, that they might 
** sce 2” Ict them examine themselves by the 
tule of bis word, and seek for the teaching of 
his Holy Spirit to purge away their pride, preju- 
dices, and worldly Justs; that they mi¢ht see 
the nature and preciousness of his salvation, and 
value it ina more suitable manner. These warn. 
ings and exhortations were not given them in in= 
dignation, but in mercy ; for it was the gene- 
ral rule of his conduct to tebuke and chasten 
those whom he loved: (Votes, Heb. xii. 5—12:) 
aud they. might consider these rebukes as tokens 
of his favour ; for such they would prove if pro- 
perly attended to. It behooved them, therefore, 
to be zealous and earnest in these most import- 
ant concerns; especially in repenting, renounc- 
ing, cleansing away, and seeking forgiveness of, 
the evils into which they had fallen. 

V. 20—22. To encourage the repentance, 
and excite the earnestness of the lukewarm Lao- 
diceans, the Lord called on them to notice, with 
admiration, his ,condescension, patience, ard 
grace ; that whilst they were so, wanting in love. 
to him, he stood waiting at the door, and seek- 
ing to be re-admitted into the Church, and into 
their hearts, from whence their sins bad driven 
him. He stood without knocking, by the dis- 
pensations of his providence, the warnings and 
instructions of his word, and the convincing in- 
fluences of his Spirit ; and thus requiring them 
to receive and entertain him. (Notes, Cant. v, 2 
—8.) 


him ;.im order, that he might destroy his ene- 


ings and consolations tothe soul of that man; 
that it might be said, “he supped with him, and 


- 


REVELATION. 
., 19 As ¢ many as I love, I rebuke. and 
chasten: 4 be) zealous therefore, © and re-| 


See on, 2. 5, 21, 
2 i 


*He'ad- 


blished there, by th 
centuries ago ! whi 
contains an‘ instrictive’ 
warning to all other citie: 
‘with the Gospel, not to 

great a blessing. | Nothin 
tles, is said, concerning 

any of the cities men on 
before, there were Several 
Of exiczozot,) at Ephest 
nothing is introduced, 

Churches in the neighh 
as under the authori 
minister, in each of 
appears, that men oF 
So that, though the Church should not} 
admit him ; yet, if any individual was willing to} 
open, and give up his heart and affections to} 


reproves, couns ie 
imply the promise 


and." wil) sup ‘with 

-21-To ivh 
grant Eto sit y 
as T’also ove 


h 19. 9. Luke 12 
87. & 17. , 
nal) Late 4 4. 6- 

51.6, & 2, 26,97 

Mat. 19, 28. Luke Er Ji 

A J Pili 2 
“he ‘with him m, Sugh nate 
should ‘be thenceforth’ maintaine 
redeemed sinnerand his most gra 
In short, to every Conqueror, over 
tions as the Laodiceans Ay 


ba 


Lord promised a blessing 


difficulty” of the“ confiiet 


benefits of his aca 
to possess an hovout and’ 
ver be explained oF & 
who experience it. ] 
be first conformed to 
nial, and stiffering, 0" 
formed to him in vic r 
seated with him ia his throne, 
‘© came and hath sat down ° 
“his throne?” The same. 
would also be bestowed on 
like difficult circum ' 
and instructions were 
all, who heard them, in 
this city shows that it’ 
cent ; bat at présetit no | 
there. ‘So'that thé Stal 
both respecting Christian 
prosperity, exe 
or rebuke, Which we 


ty of the s 


peli 


iD. 95.° 

VP CHAP? IV. 
, in vision, beholds heaven opened, and the glo- 
vpy of God, as seated on an exalted throne, 1—3 ; 


diently, attend to them. But how 
d Christians does that heart-search 
fing Judge, who knoweth our works, behold, that 
have a name to live, and perhaps much celebrity 
im the Church, and yet are dead in tresspasses 
land sins! Alas! it is to be feared, that many 
ious societies, who have exact forms and no- 
tions, and who profess the truths of the Gospel 


diligent and impartial, in examining ourselves 
by the rules of Scripture; very earnest in prayer 
to the Lord to show us what we are; and very 
careful not to rest in the opinion of men respect- 
jag us. When it is evident, that we, or the so- 
ciety to which we belong, have declined; we 
should spare no pains, and neglect no means, 
Which may “ strengthen the things that remain, 
“€ and yet are ready to die;? for Christ often 
judges those works not to be sound and upright 

efore God, which men admire and. applaud : 
and our great concern is with our Judge, not 
with our fellow-criminals. In seeking .a revival 
in our own souls, or in those of others, it is in- 
cumbent on us, to remember what we haye re- 
ceived and heard; that, by comparing our. ad- 
vantages and profession with our proficiency, we 
may be humbled and quickened; and so excit- 
ed to hold fast what we retain, and to repent and | 
do our first works. But if men will despise 
warnings to watch and pray; Clfrist, will surely 
eome, when they do not expect him, and appoint. 
such slothful servants their portion among his 
enemies. Yet even in very corrupt Churches, 
‘he bath commouly a few names, who have not 
defiled their garments : and if our lot be cast in 

such situation, we should be. ambitious of this 
‘true honour; that, amidst many bad examples 
and temptations, we may be found “a peculiar 
| & people, zealous of good works.” At present 
‘we may indeed be hated, or derided, for such 
singularity of conduct ; but the Lord will admit 
“us to the honour of walking with him in white, 
as graciously accounted worthy of so great a fe- 
icity ; when all unbelievers and formal profes- 
sors shall have their portion in the dlacknese of 
eternal darkness. For, whether few, or many, 
overcome the peculiar temptations of their situa- 
tion; they, and they only, will be accepted and 
- triumphant at the last; not one of them shall 

have his name blotted out of the book of life ; 
_ wor will the divine Saviour refuse to confess the 
meanest of their names before his Father and all 
s holy angels. 


Vv. 7—13. 
 Itis incumbent on us to attend to him whois 
Holy and True, who hateth sin, yet performeth 
his largest promises to believing sinners: he 
réigneth on the throne of David; he openeth the 
int of life and death, of heaven and hell, and 
can shut them ; he shutteth, and none can 
Whether, therefore, he set before us an 


y 
i. 


VE 


CHAPTER IV. 


A. Dos? 


surrounded by twenty-four elders and four living: 

creatures, who united in adoring Him as the Crea- 

tor and Lord ef all, 4—t1. Saab 
eases 
us an opportunity of usefulness ; no. created be-. 
ing can shut us out from them. Even if we have 
but “ little strength,” yet if we have kept his 
word, and have not denied him, amidst our fears 
and discouragements, he will not let any enemy 
prevail against us: and as he hath all hearts in 
his hands, so he often disposes the opposers of 
his people to show them respect, te desire their 


with some reputation, consist almost entirely of| friendship, to own that he has loved them, or 
Stich persons, and have very little yital godliness} gladly to receive the truth from them. (Gen. 1, 
among them. We should, therefore, be very | 15—18.)—If we would escape those severe cor- 


rections and violent temptations, which, from 
time to time, are permitted to try the Churchea , 
throughout the earth ; we must patiently adhere 
to the truth and will of Christ ; and shrink from _ 
no cross, that we meet with, when following his 
example : for an unwatchful conduct makes way’ 
for temptation, and unfits men to resist it— 
Whilst, therefore, we wait for him who “‘ cometh 
“ quickly,” we should “ hold fast the beginning 
‘“ of our confidence steadfast unto the end: 
that none may rob us of our crown, or even of 
the comfortable assurance of obtaining it. For 
those who evercome in the strength and after the 
example of Christ, shall be placed by him as pil- 
lars in the temple above, to go no more out; and 
they shall for ever enjoy all the privileges and 
the felicity of the city of God, to the glory ofthe | 
Father, and that of the eternal Son, who hath re- 
deemed them with his precious blood ; that they 
may for ever show forth his praise, and enjoy his 
love. 
V. 14—22. 

While we bow our ear to the encouraging tor 
pics of the gospel, let us advert also to the lan- 
guage of “ the Amen, the true and faithful Wit- 
‘« ness,” the Ruler of “ the creation of God ;” 
whilst he speaks of the.character and doom of 
luke-warm Christians. Alas! how many are 
there of the Laodicean stamp in every place! 
Did we suppose these epistles to be prophetical 
as to the Church in general, we might be induced 
to conclude, that the end of the world was nigh : 
for amidst the abounding of iniquity and infideli- 
ty, the love of many waxes cold; and the state 
of religion, inthis highly favoured nation, too much 
resembles that of this seventh Church. The Lord 
knoweth, that professors at present are “ neither 
“ cold nor hot ;” except as their indifference in 
essential matters is strangely counterpaised, by 
a hot and fiery spirit of disputation, about things 
of far inferior moment! No doubt the Laodicean 
state of the Christian Churches, in most parts of 
the world, is one grand hinderance to the propa- 
gation of the Gospel among the nations: who 
can scarcely conceive that religion to be from 
heaven, the professors of which are so “ earthly, 
« sensual, and devilish :” and certainly the state 
of those who hold the truth, too often in unrigh- 
teousness, and generally in a luke-warm manner, 
forms one grand objection and prejudice against 
‘the Gospel, in the minds of numbers in this land ; 
and gives moral and decent Isfiteis, Socinians, 


bor of access to his mercy-seat, or afford|and Arians, their chief advantage against us— 


Av 


HD. 95. 


FTER this 1, looked, and, behold, 

>a door was openedfin heaven : and 

®the first yoice which 1 heard was as it 

were of a trumpet talking with me ; which 

said, 4 Come up hither, ¢ and I ai shew 
thee things which must be hereafter. 

2 And immediately 1 was in the Spi- 
21-3... ¢ 1..10.& 16. 17, . | John 16, 18. 

b Ez. 1.1 Mat.3|@ 11. 12 Ex. 19-|fSee on, 1.10: & 17. 

16. Mark 1 ah 12, & 34,} 3-& 21. 10. Ez.) 3, 


Dike $, 21. Acts 7. 12—14. 
56. & 10. 11. 1, 19- Be 22,6 


Yet the persons, who are chiefly reprehensible, 
are least likely to regard such admonitions: for 
whilst the Lord is saying, “I would thou wert 
« cold or hot; but because thou art luke-warm, 
«: and neither cold nor hot, E-will spue thee out 
< of my mouth ;” they are boasting “ that they 
are rich and increased with goods, and. have 
need of nothing ”. It.is indeed a general rule, 

that professors of religion grow proud in propore 
tion as they become curna/ and formal: for like 
glow-worms, they shine most in the dark, accord- 
ing to their apprehensions of themselves, and 
their commendations of one another. The Pha- 
Tisaical spirit is indeed always odious and dange: 

rous; whilst it renders men ignorant of their 
wretchedness, poverty, nakedness, and blindness, 

and insensible of the preciousness of Christ, and 
his salvation: yet the legal Pharisee is a hope- 

ful character; compared with those who graft the 
Pharisee on anevangelteal profession, and connect 
it with an Antinomian laxity of morals. Christ, 
however, continues to declare to all men their 
Tost estate: and he mercifully counsels, even 
luke-warm and proud professors, as well as oth- 
ers, to come and buy of him unsearchable and 
never failing treasures ; unfading robes of right 
eousness; and that heavenly unction, which 
renders the most ignorant, wise unto eternal sal- 
vation. .Happy are they who take bis counsel ! 
for all others. must perish in their sins, Even 
when he enforces his neglected counsels and in- 

vitations, with sharp rebukes and painful correc- 
tions ; (which he will do in respect of as many 
as he loves; :).if we are thus made zealous and 
penitent, we shall deem them additional and 
most precious favours. May we then hear the 
voice of his word and his rod; whilst. with infi- 
nite compassion and condescension, he continues 
to stand waiting and knocking at the door of our 
hearts: that he may enter in and bring salvation 
with him. Let us earnestly beseech him to put 
forth his almighty power, and thus break down 
ail obstacles to his admission, and take entire 
possession of our whole souls: that we may be 
ashamed of our folly and ingratitude in allowing 
any creature to rival him in our affections, or at- 
tempting to divide our hearts between him and 
worldly objects. Then. we may hope, that he 
will shed abroad his love in our hearts, and com- 
municate his joy to them; that he will deiight 
over us to da us good, and cause us to glory and 
rejoice in him : and that by his help and under his 
banner, we shall conquer every eremy : till our 
blessed. experience explains tous, that which we 
éansot possibly before understand, what is meant 


6 
sé 


3 


REVELATION. 


rit: and, 


3 And he that 
i like a jasper @ 
there was * a | 
throne, in sight 


ver. 6, & 20. Lf 21, 5 
1. 6. 1. 


Zz 1. 26. & 10. 1. 
ht ver. 9. & 3.21. &| Heb: 8. 


5. & lic ' 
stern Sk Sa ae a Ao 7 
16, & 7. 9—17. &| 24, 10. Ea 3 Eni 


12.5. & 19. 4. &, wd 28.13) 
by our *¢ sitting down, with, him a n 
an set de ae 


*\ even as he.overcame. 
«* Father upon his aes 


‘NOTES. | 

CHAP, IVv.. V 1—3. When'the oat 
ee dictated to his apostle the preceding . ep 
tles, and thus instruct 0. i 
which then -were ; ace seems to h 
short interruption of his: 
looking and waiting for further 
beheld, as it were, a door’ 
the holy habitation of God ; and't 
sion was introduced, whieh’ made 
being shown ‘the ae at 
* after 2” (is 19.) si nana D stiaslinge 
ter constitute an preety the prophe 
part of the book, éspecisilly to the uted 
ba in the seventh chapter. De sex te 
contemplating the door ay 
heard a voice, as before, calling hire formes } 
thither; (i. 10.) and immediately) he was *in) 
‘ the Spirit.” Kh hath been heretofore obser 
ed, that no external objects Seem ‘to have 
presented to the senses of the Soy 
occasions : but, the natural use of all, 
ties being suspen 
naturally impressed With the 1 
as were particularly suited to ie. the, 
jects, which they were employe to reveal, 
ought not, therefore, to. suppe _ the object 
aflerwards mentioned, have areal existence: it 
heaven ; but they were Visionary emblems, su 
ed to give proper instruétions to the: 
to his readers; and our chief’ business:is 
velope their meaning, and, ‘as it’ were, to 
pher the hieroglyphicks. © Being in the S 
and cast into an ecstasy” ‘or: trance, we may 
pose that John did not a ae « whethe 
“ were in the body, or out of ‘otesy 
2 Cor. xii. 1-3.) be was, how se ab own 
apprehension, admitted” sit ic Nac fe pres 
sence of God, and lad the ‘vision ‘of a glori 
throne, on whieh One-sat, whom he did not at 
tempt particularly to describe. "Pbhis (was em 
blematical of the universal, absolute; and eternal 
dominion 6f Jenova; and of his’exaltation 
above all creutures, as their great Creator a 
sovereign Lord. The visible glory; (which 3e 
to have referred to that above the merey-seat im 
the holy of holies; as there/is throughout these 
visions aa allusion to the temple, its r 
and services ;) being resplendent, like the tr: 

arent jasper, might be emblematical of the ¢ 
feet Pury and excellency of the divine na) 


» 4 And,round about the throne. ™ were 
‘four and twenty seats : and upon the seats 
Isaw ® four ‘and ‘twenty. elders sitting 
* clothed in.white raiment ; and they had 
on their heads P crowns of gold. 
5 And out of the throne. proceeded 
lightnings, and thunderings, and voices: 
and “here were * seven lamps of fire burn- 
ig t before the throne, which are * the se- 
ven spirits of God. a gee 
(Practical Observations) ; 
I 6 And before the throne there was ta 
te of glass like unto’ crystal: and in 
the midst of the aed 4 and round about 


™ It. 16. & 20. 4,j4. jal. 4, & 3. Le & 506. 
og 19. 28.: res, 5. eae 19. &| Mat. 3. 11, Acts 2. 
16. 17, 3 18. Ex 2 3. 1 Cor, 12-4—11. 
a. 16. 20. 18. st 15 2. Ex 38. 8.1 
"eT. it & 39 a 13, 14. & 68.| Kings7.23.. - 
‘@ See on, Baek °6. Joel 3.16. Heb.|a2t it. & 22. 
SOB) so 12. 18—29. . | Joh 28. 17. Ez. 1. 
igs 10. see 07, 2. r Ex. 37. 23.2 Chr.| 22. 
4.20. Ez 1. 13/505, 6. & 7.17. Ez. 


. & 9. 7. Esth. 8. 
« Ps.21. 3.2 Tim.| Zech: 4. 2,11—14, | 1.4, 5. 


adem 

| and its colour like the red sardine stone, might 
represent his awful justice and fiery indignation. 
The rainbow was a well-known emblem of the 
eovenant of grace; and its surrounding ‘the 
throne, denoted, that the holiness.and justice of 
| ‘God, and. all his dispensations as the Sovereign 
of all worlds, had respect to his covenant of 
beace and engagements of love, which he had 
ratified to his believing people ; and harmonized 
-with-them. In this rainbow, the soft green of the 
_ emerald was predominant: which perhaps might 
F “amply, that as the green relieves the eye, which 
some other colours fatigue and dazzle; so the 
| discovery made of the mercy of God, in the co- 
_Wenant. of grace, refreshes the believer’s mind, 
“which the display of his glorious power, holi- 

Bess, and justice, would dismay and confound. 
Sar. 4, 5. Round about, at some distance 
“from the exaked throne of God, were placed. 
twenty-four thrones of an inferior order, on 
mhich were seated so many elders. These are 
‘generally allowed to have been the emblematic 
. Fépresentatives of the whole church of God, both’ 
under the old and the new dispensation. The 
thrones on. which they sat, their white raiment, 
- and their crowns, of gold, implicd their accept- 
‘ance, sanctification, and royal priesthood. a 
Por though the church. militant was thus repre- 
sented, as well as. the. church triumphant; yet 
the whole was described with relati.n to the 
_-security of their state, their glorious privileges, 
*and the: honour, to, which the Lord purpos- 
»-ed to advance, them. The number of these 
» elders may refer to the twenty four courses, into 
hich the priests were divided ; or to the twelve 
atriarchs, and twelve apostles, as the heads 
fof the old and the new testament-churches.— 
Bebe penns, ihunders, and voices, which 
ded from the throne, according to the 
> exhibited on mount ‘Sinai, might imply, 
od was as terrible us ever to the i impeni- 


yt 


t ahaa n os: The seven lamps. nt, fire, 


’ ee Ned Lois iS i Lh a2. + 


if. D. 95. CHAPTER IV. A.D. 95, 


the throne, were ¥ four beasts # full of eyes 
before and. behind. 

7 And* ‘the fifst beast was like a lion, 
and the second beast > like a caif, and the 


Jthird beast had a face ¢ as a man, and the 


fourth beast was ‘like @ a flying eagle. 

8 And the four beasts had each of them. 
© six wings about him; and they were 
tfuil of eyes within : & and they * rest not 
day and night, saying, ® Holy, holy, holy, 
* Lord God almighty, which hn and is, 
aid is to come. 


y ver. 8,9. & 5. 6.jd Deut. 98. 49, 2) S. 8 Ss 

14. &6.1. & 7.1L Sain. 1. 23. Is, 40.|* Gri have novrest. 
& 14. 3. & 1567. &} 31. Ez. 1, 8. 10. eek 7, Ex. 15> te 
19. 4. | 0. 14. Dan. 2%. 4; see on, Is 6 3. | 
z ver. 8 Ez. 1. 28.) Ob, 4, Via 8: & 1 & 
& 10,12. - le Is. 6. 2, Eze 1. 6.) 15.3. & 16, 7) Vac 
a_ver. 6. Gen. 49.9.) & 10. 21,22. 2 Tim, & 19.15. & 21.22. 
‘Num. 23. 24, & 24. 4.2. Gen. 17. 1. Ps. 91g 
9. Prov: 28. 1. Bz,|f see on, Zz. vers 6. 1] 1. 1s, 13. 6. Joel de 
1. 10. & 10, 14. 21, 
b Ez, 1. 10. 1 Cor, 
9.9, 10 , 
el Car: 14. 200 


Tim. 4. 16, 15..2 Cor. 6. 18, 

& 7 15. Ise 62. 1. 6,)k see on, 1, 4. a 
7. Acts 20, 31, 1} 13. 8. 

Thes. 2.9. 2 Thes 


and graces, communicated to ail Christians, by 
the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and of fire: ( ore, 
Matt. i411) (Marg. Ref.) Avid the sea of 
glass, clear as erystal, being perfectly pure and 
transparent, (perhaps in allusion to the molten 
sea of brass in the court of the temple,) seems 
to refer to the “ Fountain opened for sin and 
“ uncleanness,” in which all the spiritual 
priesthood must wash, previously to their ac- 
ce: ptable spiritual sacrifices. 

V. 6—8. Various opinions have been held 
concerning * the four beasts,” or ving creatures, 
as it ought to have been translated, in order to 
adhere to the exact meaning of the original, 


jand to preserve the truth of the embiem — 


The unaccountable notion, that the trinity of 
Persons in the Godhead was represented by them, 
whilst two emblems were given of the Son, be 
cause of his mearnation and Sacrifice, can have 
no other support, than the names which have 
sanctioned it; for this plain reason, that these 
living creatures are throughout represented as 
the principal worshippers, not as the object of 
worship. Nor can the more gereval'and plausible 
opinion, that they were representatives of the an 
gels, as the cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision seem to 
have been, be supported by any sifficient proof; 
(Note, Ez. i. 10;) not only, because angels are 
personally, introduced in the subsequent part of 
this vision; but especially, because these living 
creaturés are spoken of, a8 adoring the Lamb 
* that was slain, who had rédeemed them to 
“ God with is blood” (v. 8, 9.) They must 
therefore uidenjably represent sume part of the 
‘Church of redeemed sinners of the human race. 
Perceiving this, some expositors have supposed 
them to be repr esentatives of the whole Chureh, 
and the twenty-four elders of its rulers and pas: - 
tors ; but it is surely far more reasonable to re- 
yerse this arrangement, and to conclude that the 
four Tiving ¢ creatures represent a part, the twenty- 
four elders the whole, of the Church : and indeed it 
Seems pheas that! ibey were emblems ot the true 


‘A.D. 95» 
9 And! .when.those, beasts give glory, 


and honour, and thanks, to him that sat} 


on the throne, ™ who liveth for ever and 
ever, , vs . ; 
10 The four and twenty elders» fall 
down before him that. sat on the throne, 
e and worship him that: liveth for ever. 
U8. 18, 14. 8 7.11 
12. 
yo 10. 6. & 15. 7 


15. 18. Ps 48. 
4 Heb. 7. 8. 25. 


yin 5. 14 -& 19. 4) 
Job 1. 20. Pax 72. 
11. Mat. 2. 11. 

0-7. he & 15. 4.& 


22. 8,9. 1 Chr. 29. 
20. 2 Chr. 7. 3 Ps. 
95. 6. Mat. 4.9, 10, 
Luke 24, 52. 05 | 


the earth. Ezekiel, being about to predict pro- 
vidential dispensations respecting the nation’ of 
Israel, had a vision emblematical of the ministry 
of angels, by which those- events would be ac- 
complished: but John’s predictions relating chief- 
ly to the Church in the-different regions of the 
earth, and to the affairs of nations only in sub< 
serviency to them; he had a vision emblematical 


of the gospel ministry, by which the interests of] dominion, as the gr 
would principally be maintained.| by whose sovereign w 
As the temper of mind and spiritual gifts, which| as they had been origina 
qualify men for this work, accord in great mea~| (WVote, John i. 1—3. Cal, 
sure to the affections and endowments of angels ;| chapter we shall find the sa 
it is not at all wonderful to find a coincidence | shipping the Son, as the Re 
in the hieroglyphics, by- which they were repre-| and joined by the an 


the Chure 


sented. But each cherub in Ezekiel’s vision had 
four faces, and John’s living creatures had the 


same appearances, divided among them: for an-}- 
gels may be supposed to possess singly the seve-|* ness of death, bath openeh ) 
ral’excellencies, that are given ty many of the]* to all believers ;’ and ifs 

most eminent ministers. In various particulars, | faith, and obediently a " 


. Yok 5. obs 


REVELATION, 


[kr 14.7 Deut. 32. 4, 
| 1Chr. 16. 23, 29, 


ee vO 


and every? an 
the throne 

11 Thou ¢ 
ceive glory, a 
thou hast cre 
pleasure they ar 
p-ver. 4) 1 Chr. 29.) Nehoo 


M16. Pas 115. & Er 


/2 1 Cor. 15. 10. 

4 5.2.9. 12. 2 Sam. 10, 6. 
22.4. Ps. 18.3. | Tox. 20. 
26. 28. 
+ hee 


Sa 
ee 


to the eternal Jenovau,. in, mic 
circuit of the throne, and nearer. Br 
of the elders ;) (6,) the Tatter pre he ed t 
selves before bim in humble grateful adc 
and in acknowledgment, that all their hi 
and felicity were bestowed on them of bis. 
mercy, they east their ¢rowns before the 
and declared him to be worthy of all honour andy 
"all worlds: | 


to exist, 


els in that sacred 
PRACTICAL, OBSERVAT. 
. rk: 


The Lord Jesus, ‘ having Q 


the emblem teaches what true and able ministers |he calls us to set our a ections yn th 


are and do: and thus it serves to instract and re-| we shall, by the teaching of the I 
mind them of their duties. The lion is the known {hold the glery of our reconcile : 


emblem of courage and magnanimity: the calf 
or young ox of strength, hardiness, and patient 
endurance of labour: the human face is the em- 
blem of prudence, benevolence, and compas- 
gion ; and the eagle of penetration, soaring be- 
yond earthly things, contemplation of heavenly 
objects, and affections fixed on things abave.— 
The six wings, (ote, Is. vi. 1—4.) denote ala- 
crity, humility, promptitude, and speed in the 
Lord’s work. The living creatures. were also 
full of eyes before, behind, and within; which 
aptly represented vigilance, circumspection, at- 
tention to their work and charge, watchful and 
cautious observance of the motions and strata- 
gems of their enemies ; selfracquaintance, and 
jealous diligence in searching their own, hearts, 
and taking heec to their own’spirits. Their un- 
ceasing and unwearied worship of the Lord, day 
and night, may signify, that, through their in- 
structions, exhortations, example, and assistance, 
converted sinners in every part of the earth 


| 


and worshipping at his mercy-seat: and the} 
three-fold repetition of the word holy, (as in the 


throne of grace, be encour 
ments of his everlasting coyé 
in humble boldness wit! 
standing the. terrors. 
curses of his broken 
they who belong to his Ch 
earth. Great is the honou 
red on them, or prepar 

greater than all the throne 
or triumphs, which have e3 
envy of mankind in ey 

we are baptized with the 
and transforming infil 
washed in the pure fow 
blood, and clothed in t 
righteousness ; we shall 
conflict and suffering, rece 
nourable crown, .and join in | 
ship of heaven. Hirsi 


brought nearer to him | 
who ought to aspire after a 


[AP. Vv. . 


s om that account, 1—4. He is 
f the elders that the Lamb had 


je hears the living creatures and 
Maia, their Redeemer; and angels 

_ and all eveatures joining in the praises of him 

10 sit On the throne, and of the Lamb that was 
FAA. 

D I saw in the right hand of him]: 


a that sat on the throne, » a book 


ed with seven seals, 
“2'And¥ saw4a strong angel proclaiming 
witha loud voice, © € Whois worthy.to open 


3 And “no man in heaven, nor in earth, 
neither under the earth, was able to open 
the book, neither to look thereon. 

14 And sé 


a! See on on, 4. 3. & 12, 4-9. 14. & 41. 28. Rom. 
bi10. 2, d—11. Is,|d Pe 103 20. 11. 34 
. 16. Ez, 2-9,10.]é ver. 5. Is, 29. 1i,]e 4.1 
1. Is, 8. 16.8) 12, & 41. 22,23. | 9. 2 Cor. 11.98. 
oar Dan. 8. 26.|f ver. 13. Is. 40. 13, 


yet they find they * do not the things which 
66 they would.” It behooves us, however, to 
}Mook in this mirror, that we may learn what 
| Manner of persons we ought to be, and are ; and 
“may thus Know what to pray for, and endeavour 
after : that we may become more bold, laborious, 
Toving, prudent, spiritual, active, vigilant, atten- 
tive to our own hearts, and devoted to the work 
of our gracious Lord. May he bless, uphold, 
courage, and prosper all, who in any measure 
answer to these characters: may he raise up 
ambers of such ministers in all the four quar- 
8 of the globe : and convert blind teachers 
0 faithful ‘pastors. Thus the. worship of the 
rch on earth,*under the guidance and in- 
“struction of able and spiritual ministers, will be- 
‘come more like that of adoring seraphim : whilst 
the multitude of his people, in every place, as 
with one heart and voice, ascribe the whole ho- 
nour of their redemption and conversion, their 
present privileges and future hopes, to the eter- 
mal and most holy God, who is worthy to receive 
and dominion, as the Q@mnipotent Creator 
“Sustainer, and the Sovereign Lord of the 
niverse. May the name of our heavenly 
Father be thus hallowed on earth, as it isin hea- 
ven. Ape, 


ie ’ NOTES. 

CHAP. V. V. 1—4 The vision still con- 
tinuing, the apostle next saw a book in the right 
hand of him who sat upon the throne, which was 
written within, and “ sealed on the outside with 
n Seals :” for this seems the more obvious 
It appeared as a roll consisting of 
hments, according to the custom of 
nd though it, was supposed to be 
yet nothing could be read till the. 
) sed so that the words ‘on. the 
refer to the sealing, ang 
was afterwards found t6 


‘ 


CHAPTER V. : 
S sealed book which none could 


‘it; who aecordingly came and, 


written within, and on the: back side; seal- 
| the book, and to. loose the seals thereof? 


ch, beca se oO man} 
T wept iba aay cele: ma | 28. 28, John 20. 13. 


‘Dan. 12. 8, }) 
Jer. ee 5, 6. Rom, 


yond, all creatures. 


A. D. 95. 


was found worthy to open and to read the 
book{ neitherto look thereon. — 

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, 
i Weep not: behold, * the Lion of the 
tribe of Juda, ! the Root of David, ™ hath 
prevailed to open ‘the eee and to loose 
the seven seals thereof. — 

6 And I beheld, and, ios) nin the midst 
of the throne, and of the four beasts, and 
in the midst of the elders, stood ° a Lamb 
as it had been slain, having P seven horns 
and 4 seven, eyes, which are * the seven 
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 

7 And he came’and took the book * out. 
of the right hand of him that sat upon the 
throne: 


he 
1. 19,20. 
P 1 Sam. 2.10. Dan 
7. 14. Mie. 4. 13. 


. 12, & 6.] Hab. 3. 4. Luke 1. 
16% 7 9—17- &!l 69. Phil. 209-11, © 


hi 4. 4,10. & 7. 13.) 1. 3. & 15. 12. 
& Ue 16. 9 mee & 6) 1 

i Jet 31. 164. Lukejn See Oy 4:4—6. 
7.13. & 8. 52. Klo ver. 9, 


k Gen, 49! 9, 10. 12.11. & 13.8. &lq 2 Chy.1649% Zechs 
Num. 24; 9. Heb.| 17. 14. & 21. 23. &| 3.9. & 4, 10. " 
Teas? 22.1+ 3. Ts. 53, 7,)r See on, 4. 5. # 


1 22. 164 [se 11, 1«10.}8. John 1 29. $6.|s vers1.. See on, 4. 


Acts 8 32. 1 Pet. 2%. 


contain seven. parchments, | or voiumes, each of 
which was separately sealed: but if all the seals 


had been on the outside, nothing could have. 


been read till they had all been loosed; where- 


as the loosing of each seal was followed by some. 
yet the ap- 


discovery of the contents of the roil : 
pearance on the outside seems to have indicated, 
that it consisted of seven paris. 
emblem of the secret decrees and purposes of 


God, relative to future events, from which all. 
but it es-" 


prophecies are, as it were, extracts : 
pecially represented those purposes. which were 


about to he revealed, and may, therefore, be con. 


sidered as the same for substance, with that 
part.of the book which follows. A mighty angel, 
as the Lord’s -herald to all creatures, inquired 
who was “ worthy,” by his personal dignity or 
excellency, or the extraordinary ‘services per- 


formed by him, to have the honour of opening | 


this book. But there was no one, either angel 
in heaven, or man on earth, or spirit of man in 


the separate state, whose body lay under the 


earth, that could claim so high an honour; 
or so much as behold and obtain the least ine 
sight into the deep things of God, which it con- 
tained. When this was made known, the apos~ 


tle, who had gone up thither, with earnest de- 


sires and expectations of hearing things which 


|}should come to pass in afier times, wept much 


at his supposed disappointment. 

V. 5—7. One of the emblematical represen- 
tatives of the church seemed to the apostle, in 
his vision, to notice his gr ief, and to encourage 


‘him with the assurance, that the Lion of the 
‘tribe of Judah, had prevailed to open the book; 


being: distinguished from, and honoured far be- 


vailed, that a lion was painted on the standard 
of Judah, when the nation of Israel encamped in 


the wilderness, bit this is not, at ail probsbie. MN 


(Nele, ‘Nim. ii. 2.) Christ, however, was de- 


This was an- 


A tradition generally pre-_ 


ie aR aes RI TE AT A ta lis ce kat it a ae 


AD. 95: REVELATION. — 

“g@ And when ‘he had taken the book, ;to open tl 
tthe four beasts, and four and twenty | slain, ¢ 
elders fell down before the Lamb, * hav- 
ing te one of them harps, * golden 
vials fu of * odours, which are y the | 
prayers of saints. 

9 And they * sung a new song, saying,|o 
= Thou art worthy to’take the book, and} 


2 ver. i4. See on, ibe a ee PA ep 

@. 10) 8 7. 10—12. 33. 2. & 43.4.1 40. 3, & 96. 

& 19.4. Jehn 5. 23. pa 2. & 150, 3. 1.98, te& lad. a &} 
Rom. 14. 10—12./x 15. 7. ieee 1, Is, 42.10, 


tongue, and 
10 And hast 


ees abou a, 
'¢ 14.6. Mat 20 28:} 
| -& 26,28. Acts 208 
28, Rom. 3. 24-26. 


23. Eph, 1. 7. Col. 
| 2s 14. Tit 2 14, 


Phib 2. 9—11. Heb,}* Or, incense See on, ver. 
6. y 8.3.4, Ps. 141.2] dl. ghia 


i 


scended frou Judah, atid had been predicted 
with reference to this. emblem in Jacob’s bless- 
ing. (Vote, Gen. xlix.. 9,10.) He was infinitely 
superior in dignity and power to all others of 
the tribe:.and he is most, terrible to his obsti- 
nate enemies, merciful co, those who submit to 
him, and the guardian of his people; so that 
this title was peculiarly suited.to him.’ He was 
described as “the Root of David :” in his hu- 
met nature he was a Branch of renown, sprung 
up from the decaying root of David’s royal fami- 
ly; ww respect of his Deity, he, was the Root 
whence David himself sprang; and, as the pro- 
mised Messiah, he was the great Honour, and the 
Source of all the dignity and authority of that 
distinguished. race... Whilst the Eider was in- 
forming John, that Christ had prevailed to open 
the book; he looked, and saw with astonish- 
ment, that near to the throne, and within the 
circle formed. by the living creatures and the 
elders, (iv. 6.) there stood “ a Lamb even as it 
“had been slain.” with the. marks of the mortal 
wounds. upon it, though it had been marvellously 
restored to life. (Vote, John i. 29.) This was a 
hierogtyphicai representation of Christ’s High- 
Priesthood. before God, in .our nature, as risen 
from the dead, through the merit of his sacrifice, 
in behalf of all who come to the Father through 
him: so that it was in consequence of that atone- 
ment, which the sacrificing of spotless lambs had 
prefigured from the beginning, that he prevailed 
to open the book. The seven horns of this em- 
blematical Lamb, represented the power. of his 
providentia} kingdom to,protect his subjects, and 
annoy his enemies; and his seyen eyes may de- 
note his prophctical office, and his personal 
knowledge of all hearts and all events; but es 
pecially the treasures of wisdom laid up in him 
to be communicated to, his Church, by * the 
* seven Spirits of God sent forth ints’ all the 
«¢ earth :? that is, the Holy Spirit, as given by 
him to reveal the truth and will of Ged to apos- 
ties and prophets, that they might be. written for 
the instruction-of mankind ; and as illuminating 
the understanding, and preparing the hearts of 
his people to receive that instruction. (Marz, 
Ref) Several eminent expositors suppose, thai 
seven superior angels, or arch-angels are meant ;_ 
but the texts referred to, and the emblematical 
style of the bouk, seem inconsistent with that in- 
terpretation. . This divine Saviour, however, ap- 
proached to receive the book from the hand o, 
him who sat on the throne. 


" , 
V. 810, \When Christ. 


representatives of — the m 

and the elders,, yi eer 
selves in adora 

fell down in li 
the incarnate sant 
thus rendering hi 
presence of the Fathet’s 
harps, with reference to 
ody of the Reg a 
lodious praises and an 
vials, or small cens its 
burning of incetise at he 
represented the accep te 
the saints, through th . 


These were preseti 
and elders, as the p 
whilst the priests were but 
sanctuary. For though hea 
these visions; yet they had 
to the temple and its wo 
the Church on earth i is t 
adyerted to. Moreover, 
of praise, which was 
but it was also new, in Ti 
and composition : for 
celebrated the praises 
deemer from Paypts 

of their expected Messi 
ment Church oar Ch 
as having finished his woi 
crifice on the cross, and &s ent 
diatorial glory. He, therefore 
worthy to take the book, 
poses of God to mankind ; 
incarnate, and, for the 
salvation of men, had will 
be slain as a sacrifice, “Aud 
deemed them to God by the ‘she 
atoning blood ; that” he’ “mi 
reconciled and accepted W 
presence: and he had colle 
preaching of the gospel ‘and 
race, out of the vatious fa 
nations of the world, t 
crated, as kings and p 
with fein ahd, conformity at { 
were assured, th reat ater dtidel da 
the ascendeney b th over their “person 
and those of ‘bis. fae s bgp = 
uim for ever'in heaven. 


and about » the 
s, and the elders : : 


ing 1 Faith a loud voice, * & ‘Worthy 
amb that was slain, ' to receive 
d riches, and wisdom, and 


ie. Mat. 28. 18- 
John 3. 35, 36. & 


’ ing Mi cdaivis. Gil in, or 
ship of the Lamb, as having 


‘to God : and this proves beyond 
nae of the redeemed Church 


A 4. "Whilst these adoring praises 
rendered, by the representatives of the 
church of redeemed sinners, to Log gts eet 
viour ; the apostle heard likewise voice oO} 
many sprees Found, the throne, and encircling 
sae the living creatures and elders; whose 
tumbder amounted to many millions, and could 
phen eeecinee! i yet they all, in perfect har- 

a loud voice <eclared that “ the 
Lamb es had been slain,” for the redemp- 
‘tion of sinful men, was “ worthy to receive pow= 
”” in, his character, and in hu- 
‘tan nature, over all creatures in heaven and 
earth: and + riches,” even all the treasures of 

8.2 and glory for the benefit of his people ; and 
at“ wisdom, strengih, honour, glory, and 
2? should. be vested in him and 
; d to. him, as the Object of universal adora- 

a, praise, gratitude, and love. ‘Thus the innu- 
ea aa company of angels, though they do not 

related to him as partakers of the same 
nature, and. have no immediate concern in his 
redemption, are yet Tepresented. as beholding 
divine excellency and glory in him and his 
tory work, (for into these things, they de- 

_look,) that they. adore and honour him 

. Fapturous ascriptions of praise, re- 
in, his exaltation, far above all principal. 
© aty. and power,” and seem to vie with re- 
deemed sinners in his worship. In this they 
immediately joimed by all the inhabitants 
"heayen and earth, and the souls of those in 
rate state, whose. bodies were under the 
1 OF in the sea; or by all creatures in the 
rding to their several capacities ; 

—— tion of none but the determined 
23 of ( God. These indeed the nature of the 

i th whole tenour of scripture, as be 
-in this book neeessarily 
they too, though reludbuly. shail 

nd be put under his feet. All 

d, and ascribed * bless- 


CHAPTER V.. 
I heard the yoice ; 


A.D. 95, 


13. And ™ evéty creature which is in 
heaven, and on the earth, and under the 
earth, and * a such as are in the sea, and all 
that are in ‘them, heard I saying, ° Bles- 
s{sing, and honour, and glory, and power, 
ée unto P Him that sitteth upon the throne, 
a and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. — 

i4 And ¥ the four beasts-said, Amen. 
* And the four and twenty elders fell 
down and worshipped him that liveth for 
ever and ever. 


m ver. 3. & 7.9, 10-jo ver. 12.&1.6 1) 552). Jude as. 
Ps. 96. 11—13. &| Chr. 29. 11. Ps. 72.1p See on, 4 3,5. 
148. 2—13. Sutra. 18, 19.- Mat. 6. 13. ve 
14. Phil. 3. 10) Rom u 36. & 16. 6 16.& 7. 10. 
Col. 1. 23. Eph. 3. 21. tir 19. 4. 

n Is. 24. 14. & 42. 10. Tim. 16. 1 Pet |s ate om, 4. 10, 12> 


“ the throne, and tothe Lamb, for ever an 
* eyer;” to which the four living creatures 
joined a cordial Amen. Thus the whole 
church, by ‘its representatives, fell down and 
worshipped the eiernal God. (Marz. Ref)— 
What words could more fully and emphatically 
declare, that Christ is and ought to be worship- 
ped, equally with the Father, by all creatures, to 
all eternity? Will any one, after reading this, 
assert that he isa mere man, oracreated Be- 
ing; or that it is idolatry to worship him? or 
will such persons profess to believe, that this 
book is the unerring word of God ? Can they dis- 
prove the divinity of a bock, the p 

which have already been so remarkably accom= 
plished? or can any man, who opposes the wor- 
ship of Christ, or the doctrines of his Deity, 
atonement, and salvation through faith in his 
slood, suppose that he can ever enter heaven? 
or, if he could, that he could join in the work 
and worship of that blessed world, or even en 
dure it? 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

How vain and presumptuous must all man’s en- 
deayours be to discover future events, berond 
the discernment of a sagacious probable conjec- 
ture: as such things are sealed up in impenetra- 
ble secrecy; and ne creature in heaven, earth, 
or hell, is able, or worthy, to disclose the least 
tittle of them, except the incarnate Son of God 
alone! We need not indeed weep that we can- 
not foresee the future events respecting ourselves 
in this world: as the eager expectation, and 
prospect of distant prosperity, would unfit us 
for present duties and conflicts; and the fore- 
sight of future calamities would render our 
most prosperous days distressing. Yet in this 
distracted evil world, we may properly desire to 
learn, from the promises and propheciés of scrip- 
ture, wirat will be the final event to believers, and 
to the Church ; and, in both respects the eins 
nate Sop hath prevailed to procure us allthe infor- 
mation that our circumstances need. May we 
then value, and study to become acquainted 
-} with, every part of that revelation, which he 
hath given us. What apparently contrery ex- 
celtences centre in our Redeemer’s character! 
« The Lion of the tribe of Judal,” is also 


r glory to him, that sat on| meek and spotless Lamb, and a bleeding Sacri- 


Y= " A 


, 


ee Mei wil 


ee 


AOD 93. : REVELATION. 
CHAP. VI. | QAndI 
The opening of six of the seven seals, and the em-}¢ and he 


blematic discovery of future events made after |, 


each of them, [—17. 


NDI saw* when the Lamb opened) 


one of the seals, and I heard,” as it 
were » the noise of thunder, * one of the 
four beasts saying, Come and see. 


@ steon,5.5—7. b 4, 5.& 10 3,4. & 11.1% ¢ ver; 3 


fice for sin: and whilst as a Lion he proicews his 
people ; even as a Lamb he is most formidable 
to his obstinate enemies. (vi. 16, 17.) The 
whole universe could never, in any other instance, 
show such an union of unsearchable riches and 
deep poverty, of sovereign authority and willing 
entire subjection, of divine dignity and immense 
humiliation and’ condescension, of majesty and 
meekness, of holiness and love ‘of sinners, of 
justice and merey, of desert of honour and hap- 
piness, with patient endurance of most com- 

plicated sufferings. Tn these, and various other 
respects, he is altogether worthy of our admira- 
tion, confidence, and imitation, as far as it is pos- 

sible for us to be placed in similar circumstances. 
Yet our particular concern with him is in the 
character of a Redeemer. As the Omnipotent and 
Omniscient Lord of all, he rules every thing 
by his universal providence, and the energy of 
his omnipresent Spirit, in subserviency to his 
great concern of * redeeming us to God with bis 
« blood? His faithful ministers, therefore, 
through all the earth, whilst they instruct men to 
worship the Creator and Governor of the world ; 

will also excite them, by their doctrine and ex- 
ample, most humbly to adore the Lamb that 
was slain; and to present their loudest sweetest 
songs of praise’to him, in and through whom 
the prayers of the saints ascend as incense before 
the throne of God. He is worthy to reveal, and 
to direct, the dispensations of Providence ; yea, 
he is entitled to universal adoration: and if all 
the angels of God with one voice proclaim, 
«* Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive 
«© authority, riches, wisdom, power, honour, glo- 
“ ry, and blessing ;? and if all holy and accept- 
ed creatures in the whole universe give the}t 
same blessing, and honour, and glory, “to him 
ee that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, 
« for ever and ever:” surely thev, ** whom he 
« hath redeemed to God with his blood, out of 
& every kindred and people of the Earth,” 
should cordially say Amen to it! Can we allow 
those persons to be his ministers and disciples, 

who refuse that honour to him, wiiich all obedi. 
ent creatures render him, without one discord. 
ant voice ? If it were possible for true Christians, 
to refuse these adorations to the eternal Son of. 
the Father, even the very stones would ery out 
in abhorrence of man’s ingratitude to him, who 
stooped so low for their salvation. We cannot 
err in adoring him, “ whom all the angels of God 
« worship.’ Thus we shall most acceptably 
glorify him ‘that liveth forever and ever, and be 
trained up for the work and joy of heaven; for 
which no sinner is qualified, who. cannot cordi- 

ally join the new song of the redeemed, and as- 


57% & 4°56, 71f 1 
Acts 4920. 

d 19.11. 14. Zech. 
18. & 6.3, 
e Ps. 45. 3—5. 


gt 
cribe ‘salvation, aa glory, 
* that sitteth on the een 

“ evermore.” a" 4 


took wack from the time of Ahad Viton 
tablishment of Constantine the 
Imperial throne, 2 
by which the pers Ss 
ed, and Christianity bees 
faveneed religion throu 1 
the Lord Jesus, as “ the an 
*« slain,” opened the first seal, 
tention was excited, by a vo 
one of the four living creatu called 
him to come and see what passed. a 

the voice of him who was like a lion ; 
same took place, respecting the 
creatures in their order, after th 
three next seals; une 
does not clearly appear. 
held, with solange 2 
One was mounted, armed with a | 


battle ; to him a crown, denoting royal: 


was given, and he went. forth conqueri 
opposed haat, and still ari 


victories. They, who ree the 
bave had this vision in the 

A. D. 68, explain, thi 
gained by. Vespasian ‘Tit 
the taking and destguction 
most considerable,” “But ‘itis: 
chat this most i tue) bern 


obscurely hinted at, if i 


ty: and it is far more Nites, tak ‘thé 
‘ime shee a 


wrote this book some 
Others, therefore, explain 
victories obtained by the Empe: ri 
the surrounding nations ; but these € 
no immediate connexion with the the affairs 
Church ; and Trajan, wh & persec 
however celebrated in o respects, § 
aptly described by one mounted on ; 
horse. "This emblem rather danaeeat 
ness and purity: and the mild bene 
ries of Christ, by his word and Holy'S 
conversion of sinners.to the obed 
seem to haye been thus predic 
advancement to his editor hom 
gone forth as a merciful andépacifie « 
and had obtained many victories : but bo 
and Gentiles opposed the progress of his Gosp 
yet the opening of this seal, showed that 
would still go on with his conquests, 
widely than ever extend his spiritual omin 


sd'the second 


‘went out another horse} oil 
a, * and fower was given to 
it thercon to take peace from 
ind that they should kill one 
Vand there was given ¢ anto him 


d. 

Anc | when @ he had opened the third 
heard the third beast say, Come 
ee. And I beheld, and loy™ a black 
horse; and he that sat on him» had a pair 
{balances in his hand.” 
nd T Heard @ voice in the midst of 

| S2.” nag RE 


Zs 
e 


a ea ee ee 
‘8. ied 191i . 6.2.6. 

) Ex & 16,1 Ps. t7. 3. Is. 10.5, 26. 
$7. 36, 37.) 6. £2. 39. Zi, 25. Phy tg oF aba 
a ee 


y, accurate Ktihoriptig Git of opinion, 
5 y spread more rapidly and ex- 
i among the Gentiles just after this time, 
it had before dane. ({Jforz B27) 


the opening” of ‘the “second seal, leads our, 


esen| ed, as commissioning, and employ- 
séxeculioners of his rengeancé oh his .b- 

ate enemies.” Accordingly, historians record, 
fiat instirréetions, bloody battles, massacres,! 


piited to Have “been slaughtered, in different | 
ces during that ; an@vevena larger! 


“he cadtiles oof Clirist anf the gosp-l, seemed to 
Vie with Gach Ottier, in executing his righteous 


| Yengeafite’on their competitors. Thus the in-! 
| ‘etfuments of his indignation were empowered to! ano:her method, by which Christ fought against 
take peace from the earth, and ta set mea on ta) 


; “Rill one another, and’a great sword of War andi 


@; but such difficult questions cannot be 


.- 
| ofthese ‘comprebensive prophecies. 
| ant 5,6. “Tite black horse, which appeared ¢ on} 


CHAPTER VE 


d devastations of a most extranet hoary kine d,| 
place, "between A.D. “100, and A. D.138.| not-ve 2 total failure of the f-uits of the earth, 
> hundred and eighty thousand Jews are 


ambe: F of ‘the Romans and Grecks seem to hate} 
patchered Me them, in the most Sarbarous| there are accounts in the history of those years 
Ss, “So that the two parties of 


ter was put inte their hand. Some mak= ithe ope: srs of the fourt 
to have lasted longer, than is abuve! 


larly discussed, in this compendious view | 


4 A. D. 95. 


y, * A measure of wheat 
hree measures of bar- 


the four beasts 
for # pei, 
ley ny Pand see thou hurt not the 


aida nicaketod opened the fourth 
seal, I heard the meat the fourth beast 

8 And I looked, behold, a * pale 
horse: and his name on fia’ Wak 
Death, and hell foro : “With him : and 
power was given | * unto. them * over the 
fourth partof the earth," to kill with sword, 
and with hunger; and with death, and with 
the beasts’ of the earth. 2 OPN era 


* The word cheniz Zeeh- 6.7 16. & 12 4. 
siznifiith a m2 19. (3.14 Is. 25.jn Tes. 25. 22-39. 
sute contaising On<| 6.. Hes. 13, Jer. 15.923. Git. 
Wine ¢ "rt, and. Hab. 2 5 1Cer 4. 16. & 43. ib 
“‘twelfth'ofsqmare { 152 *5. "Mars. Tex. 5° °2s=37. "ee 
Pp 94. Ps. 76101) [> Or tevem. 14 14-—2L : 


G92 OB, ver, Io5. [EB 7—-1> & . 15 


toa labcuring mad, oF even toa slave; and ike 
pemny, or denarius, {about Seven-pence half-pen- 
ny,) was commonly bjs day’s wages. If thena 


| hi | Poor man could only earn enough to buy 2 sui: 
eng 3, 4. The red horse, which appeared at; cient quantity of bread, without any other ne- 


cessary Gf life; ‘to ‘what straita must he be re- 


ee ‘wars and conquests of anciher na- }duccd, i in endeavouring to sustain 4 family ! The 
‘tire, thos@’ before considered. Tie Lord; barley indeed was stated to have been much 
Jesus, ibis Fighteous providence, seems to be | cleaver: but then it is much less scry-ceable 


for bread; and the poor, could nat possibly have 
obtained more than 2. bare subsi:teace on the 
mncanest fod. Yet the orders given to the em- 
blematical executioner of tits sentence, to spare 
the oi! and the wine; may imply, that there should 


This ‘seel is supposed by some expositors to 
have reached from A. D. 158, to 193, though 
others state it differently. There is, however, 
no material disagreement between them, and 


of long continued scareities, through the whe 
Roman empire; during which all he care of t 
emperors and their ministers a only just 
prevent the horrors of entire famine This waa 


the per Poe fF his church. 

. ere Tae pale he tse, which appeared -s= 
h seal, on which death 
rode 48 a terrific corqueror; followed by hell, 
(er fhe grave, snd stale of departed souts, to 
seize on the d2ad,) was an apt emblem of the 
several divine judgments, which gre afierwards 
enumerated ; and throueh wiich it is said that 


the Opening of the third seal, was 2 proper em-/ ower tas given to death and hell, over the 


| ‘bien of ‘calamity ind mourning ; and the ba- 
i in the hand of the rider denoted, that, in 
times referred to, there would bes great 
iy cf provisions; so that men would have 
‘food weizhed ovt to them with great ex- 


$10.) The voice alse, which pro* 
le price ef corn, has the same meaning ; 


the measure specified, ac- 
ft accurate calculation, held 


_ VOL. VE 


fourth part of the eafth ; or a large proportion 
of its inhabitants, especially th=ougheut the whule 
Roman empire. Some expositors make this seal 
to reach from A. D. 193, to A D 270: others in- 
chide only 50 years of that time under it. How- 


-}ever, within the shorter period, there were mere 


than twenty emperors, who for a time rnled with 
great power, and most of chem with great tyran- 
ny and cruelty, 2s4on¢g es their dominion endur- 


oe ag reader it stems to donate re there were also above thirty usurpers ip dif 


ferent parts of the empire, who supported their 


Claints by War, aad perished with muliiiades of 


sa ors than ho areal daily albiwance for ‘pread | their adherents. Amidst such intestime cosvit 


4x 


eae RL ena One RARE oe ER Rae PS ee ee ibaa lige 


Ai DIGGS : REV 


9 And when he had opened the fifth) 91 
seal, 2 1 saw under the altar ¥ the. souls |t eS 
of them that were = slain for the word of sedntes 
God, and for the testimony, whieh, oR as sackcloth 
held :; 

10 And 8 they cried with a loud alee, ; 
saying, How long, O Lord, © holy and 
true, ¢ dost thou not jnd aM ‘and ayenge 
our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 

11 And e white robes were, given unto}. 
every one of them; and it was said unto 
them, ‘ that they should rest yet for @ lit- 
fle season, & until their fellow-servants 
also, and their: brethren, that should be 
killed as they were, should be fulfilled. 


9 185 & 14. 18.[b) Ps. 43. 1 5). Ae, Luke 21. 22, 
* 17. “gan, asdce| B il om: on Ng 2 


mountain and island 
their. places’; ))¢ arian Fe 

15 And ° the ki 
the great men, and 


h8 5. /& Lt. 13.8 st ar 5. 7 


Lev. 4, tie Fig a =k 
2. Gr. nil. 2. 1% x oa | 

= he. Zech 1,Je see on 3. 4, 5 & 

5 i 1 

Sphil. 1. 23. ‘fence on, 7. ws. 
21.9. & 2 13.) “gd. 
AL 37. & 12-1 held 11. 18. & 16. 5—7. 
%& 19. 10, 2 Tim} & 18. 20. 24. & 19. 
1.8: 2. Dette 
a Gem 4,10. Ps, 9.] Judg. 16.23. tSam. 


12. Luke 18. ne 24, 12. Ps. 58. 10, 
Heb, 12,24. at, * 61. 2.& 63, 


9. 14. 
(14.33. Ts. 96. 20, 
Qh. ae ‘ant 13), 
Heb. 1 


& ‘23. 34, 35. John 
16, 2 


prophetital period 
A. D. 270: and with 
voice, they inquired of the 
faithful, Bow long he wou 
cations, ‘of the persec ae 
to judge their cause, and ave 
the inhabitants of: pote 
the persecuting power, of Pagan 
was the language of their 
God, and ‘their dese of 


denoted, that theese 
into a state of fel elicit 


sii on fierce contests within the deweik pro- 
vinees of the empire, death on his pale horse 
must have killed immense numbers) with | the 
sword. This universal war and eonfusion, by 
taking men off from the cultivation of the earth, 
and destroying the fruits of it when produced, 
jaturally made way for famine ; which grievous. 
ly prevailed in every place. |The scanty, low, 
and unwholesome diet, occasioned by hunger, or 
famine, naturally introduced pestilence, which is 
often called death by the eastern writers: and 
the most learned men have declared, that so ex- 
tensive and destructive a pestilence, as that 
which during this period wasted the empire for 
fifteen years together, is not met with in univer- 
sal history. ‘These desolations must also have 
given opportunity to wild beasts to increase upon 
the residue of the inhabitants; and accordingly 
we read, that they were forced: to wage war with 
wolves, lions, and tigers, and that many were de- 
voured by them. (Wotes, Bz. v. 17. xiv. 21-axxiii. 
27. 
= 9—11. On the opening of the fifth seal, 
the apostle observed under: the altar,” (for 
there is a continaal reference to the appearance 
of the divine’ glory in the sanctuary, and tothe 
peculiarities of the Jewish wership,} the souls of 
‘those ‘persons, who had been slain for believing 
and obeying the word of God, and for the testi- 
mony which they had borne tothe truth of the 
1; |These appeared as sacrifices, that had 
newly been offered’; to show their fellowship with 
Christ in his sufferings, and. the acceptableness 
of their faithfulness unto death, through his pre- | diferences of opinion amo 
pitiatory oblation: for it’is probable, that the fas so. many interesting even 
altar of bumt-offering is intended.» though some jin a few verses; it can se 
understaad it of the golden altar for incense, | afier many centuries, we shoul 
withia the sanctuary. “<hey seem to-have repre-j tersnine such: matters with: vito 
sented ns®-only those, who had suffered martyr} as the historians of those: times. were 
dom before the apostle hadthis-rision ; but the |inaccusate and 
whole multitude thas were alain ee to the? 


were many others of | 
suffer _— in the —— Sey 
poses of God respecti 
persecutors. were fled 

‘ serves very well, that 
* much to favour the imi 
* parted saints, and hardly 
* uncomfortable opinion, the 
‘ departed souls, till after 
(Bp. Newton.) This seems 
‘tion of the terrible Perse a 
der Dioclesian, which » 
was far more bloody, than 
precededit... The, fuey of 


tyr; but this,seal is 
ters'to relate to the: hale ine 
270, and 304. Here also there, 


’p. oF, CHAPTER V1. Ae Ds 98% 
mi men, and! him that sitteth on the throne, * and from 
ng ed hid the wrath of the Lamb : ‘ 

i7 For t the great day of his wrath is 


come; and % who shall be able to 
stand ? 


# ver. 10. & 19. rb 14. Mat. 26.64.) 31. Zeph. 1. 14. 


€ mountains androcks, 
bide us from’ rthe face of 


Luke| Ps. 29-12. & 14.) 2 Thes. 1.7—9. Rom, 2. 5. Jade 6. 
ve abs: 10. & 21. 3-12, &Jt 1. 18- ie ip. 16. 14. f 2 130. 3, 4. Jacl 
2. 5.9. - & 20. 11. 


o. 6 je. 3, 110.5, 6. Zech, 1.] Jer. 20: 7+ Joel 1. Mal. 3.2. 


persecuting power of Rome Pagan: but the pas- 
sage may profitably be accommodated to the day 
of judgment. (Marg. Ref.) - 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
¥. 1-8. 

- The ministers of the Gospel ought to call 
men’s attention to the prophecies of Scriptare, 
nd the providential works of God as accomplish- 
ing them. ‘The victories of our exalted redeem- 
er, by the preaching of the Gospel, in bringing 
the nations to the obedience of faith, have been, 
and will be, progressive, till his cause be univer- 
sally triumphant : we should, therefore, rejoice 
to be in any way instrumental in promoting 
these beneficent conquests; and our prayers, 
that he may: still go forth, conquering and to 
‘© conquer,” should continuslly be presented be- 
fore the throne of grace. But he fights in an- 
other manner against the despisers of his salva- 
tion and the opposers of his glory: he can raise 
up and employ sanguinary potentates, or insur~ 
gents, to execute bis vengeance om his enemies ¢ 
and when he gives them power, and leaves them 
to their own hearte’ lusts, they soon excite mul- 
titudes to kill one another by the force of the 
sword. He can also withhold the influences 
of the heavens, and restrain the earth from yield- 
ing its increase; and so visit the nations with 
distressing scarcity, or destructive famine: and 
death, when commissioned by him, marches forth 
on his pale horse, and pestilences sweep away 
millions; till at length the beasts of the earth 
seem to acquire the dominion of the desolated 
lands, and add to the miseries of the few remain- 
ing inhabitants. How mad must it then be for 
the potsherds of the earth to contend against his 
iron rod. !—But let us be thankful for our exemp- 


s of the sun, and the moon appear- 
the extinction, with horror 
‘of the most exalted and con- 
ms, such as the emperors, and 

isters ; the falling of the stars, was 
‘of the ‘degradation, or death, of il- 
in great numbers, such as magis- 
i senators. The departure of the hea- 

er like the rolling up of a parchment to be 
d aside, and the removal of the mountains and 
3, seem to have represented the total sub- 
DoF the eae, aoe rece 8 dominion, by 
of Constantine, and by his acces- 
throne ; and the entire and 
iversal , whieh took place at that time. 
ow pag hts of the heathen world, the 
¥ and ecclesiastical, werefall eclips- 

“J and obscured, the heathen emperors and 
OBesars ‘were slain, the heathen priests and au- 
“tt extirpated, the heathen officers and 
tés were removed: the beathen tem- 

‘ ‘demolished, and their revenues were 
sd to better uses? (Bp. Jlewton. 
:) “Such bold metaphorical descrip- 
8 of great revolutions abound in the prophe- 
s of Scripture; for these events are emblems 

‘anti¢ipations of the end of the world, and the 
» A of judgment: nor could any revolution be 
more properly represented “by this language, 
than the entire subversion of the greatest fabric 
of Pagan idolatry, tyranny, and persecution, that 
ever existed on earth, This unexpected change 
would throw all that party into the utmost con- 
sternation and ‘despair: and the apostle in his 
vision saw them all, even the slaves and free- 
men, as well as the kings, captains, and great or 
rich men, endeavouring to shelter themselves in 
dens and caverns, and wishing to be crushed by 
rocks and mountains ; if that might but cover 
them from the power of God, and from the wrath 
of the Lamb, whose Gospei they had opposed, 
and whose servants they had persecuted. For 
the prevalence of Christianity, and the accession 
of a Christian emperor, would lead them to con- 
glide with desperation, that Jesus was indeed 
the Lord; that the time was come when he 
would take full vengeance on his enemies; and 
that none-could resist him, escape from bim, or 
pacify him. The'series of prophetic events re-| precious is their blood in his sight; ahd thei 
fa Us to interpret this seal, of the victories | patience unto death in his cause, is a sacrifice 

and accession of Constantine, &c. when the Chris-| most honourable, and therefore most acceptable, 


tian Chusch gained acomplete :iumphb over the! te him, through Jesus Christ. Their enemies 


liberty, plenty, and manifold advantages; and — 
let the rich be reminded, even in times of com- 
parative scarcity, to give more liberally to the 
relief of their poor neighbours. In these tempo-~ 
ral judgments, the Lord in wrath remembers 
mercy. His people also partake of many of the 
calamities, i in addition to the persecutions which 
they often endure. 
V. 9—17. 

Vast multitudes have already been slain for 
the word of God; and for’ the testimony which 
they constantly held to the truth; and many 
more will probably be thus killed, before his purs 
poses shall be accomplished. * Bat the Lord him- 

self is thé Comforter of his afflicted servants; 


tion from these dire calamities, and for our peace, | 


~ 


4 Di95: 
| -\CHAP.-VII. ‘ 
The winds restrained till the servants of God. are 
sealed, 1—3, ‘Che number of ‘them Be \ 
several tribes of Israel, 4—8. An innumerable 
. tnultitade of all nations seen before the throne;}"- 
with an account of the way in which they came} S1VEn to hurt 
he and the blessedness which they enjoy, Saying, 
9-27. : me Mey 
ND. after these-things, I saw » four} ¢ 
angels standing on the four corners) 
of the earth, * holding the four winds of]. . 5 x 10.1. Bis 
the earth, that ¢the wind should not blow] 3-1. & 4.2. het 
on the earth, nor on the sea, hor.on any ras, 3,2. B39) Al 
tree. | & 10. 4. Cant. 8. 6.) 12 


4-6 Mat. 24. 31. Mark| 8) Jons 1 aM LB “ge 4 Cog Rene 
ce { Mat. . 31. Mar + Jone Le Mat. 8+] 1, 22. ~1, 13, 4 
4.6.& 9 14, | 13. 27» of x ph Bat 


26, 27. & 24. 31. 4 a. 
7.2 & 37/9. Zech-le Is-27, 8. Jer 49. on, Deut. 51k Ex, 


ik 6/6, & 9. 4.1.27.| g See 
1, 18—20, & 6. 1.1 56, Dan. 7-2. &B.1 Be 26. 1Sam. 17, 24 


can only kill the body: then the Lord delivereth |. four angels stan 
them out of ali their’ troubles ; white robes ‘of 
joy and. triumphs are giver to every one of them ; 
they enter into immediate rest ; and, after ashart 
season, “ the eatth shall disclose.their blood,” 
and the vengeance'that is written will be execute 
ed_on all theirimpenitent pe*secutors, by the ho- 
ty and faithful Lord of all... He, hath gained ma- 
ny Siznal victories over the most powerful ene- 
yhies. of his Church,: and -vast ;revolutions. and 
convuisions in empires haye been eFected; in or- 
der to the establishment, cf. Christianity, in.de- 
fiance of opposing princes and nations: yet. 
hitherto the commanders in this contest have ral- 
lied their, scattered troops, and retarnedto: the 
desperate charge. But he will shortly gain a 
more decided, universal, and, durable victory, 
than any whica he hath yet obtained; and: witb! 
more terrible destruction to the armies of the 
aliens, And if, on such occasions, the most pow-| 
erful kings, and valiant captains, and alt other 
opposers of his power, are so) dismayed; as to 
hide themselves in dens and caverns: what will 
the terror of the wicked» be at the day of judg-|“* gel of the cov 
ment, when the sun and moon shall literally :be | authority, called, 
turned into darkness; » when. the»heavens and vhad 
garth shall become one commen ‘conflagration, | fan 
till'they pass away, and no place is found for 
them; and when the great day of the wrath of} 
the Lamb will indeed be come, and:none: of his 
enemies will be) able to abide it! dn vain will 
‘they then © ¢all to the rocks and: mountains to. 
f+ hide them from him, ‘that sitteth upon the 
& throne, ‘and fromthe wrath of the Lamb,” 
from which none will be preserved, except that }) 
despised company, who have here: believed, lov- 
ed, and qbeyed him. ‘Heaven andearth shall 
$* pass away, but his words shall not pass away.” 
“ Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings, be in- 
** structed, ye judges of the earth; serve the 
¢* Koro with fear, and rejoice: with trembling. 
*¢ Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish?” 

» (Notes, Ps ii-)) And may all, who look for.such 
things, “ bediligent, that they may be found of 
 hioy in peace, without ‘spot, and. blameless. 
(2. Petri. 714.) . 


eee. Se | 
© @HAP. YH. Vol. This chapter is a 
“‘ontinuation of the glzth seal, (viti,1) Th 


tive tempests might t 
supposed.to be; 
the Roman emp 
to Constantine 
which was the: 
such long.cont 
desolations. At the same 
+ came up from, as 

been an once gt 
have ** the, seal: 
Holy Spirit, by w 
“ unto the day of red 
he came from: the e 
ligion. was. first p 


ny would be really cony 
age af God by the 
rit... The gospel, was. 
during this . period, 
embraced, Christianity, 
shown to the converts to € 
discriminate and. injudici 
many from secular moti 
tians ; and thus tended 

with hypocrites, which in 
spirit, and at length caused. 
tiis prophecy fully proves, that. 
at frst greatly promoted by the 
a Christian empe=c: and that il 


oa te i 


CHAPTER Vik’ A: D. 95, 


eard the number of them 
ed. 1: and there were seal- 

dred nd forty and four thou- 

bt 1 tribes of the children of, 


great multitude, which t no man could 
number, 8 of all nations, and kindreds, 
and people, and tongues, * stood before 
the throne, and before the Lamb, ¥ cloth- 
ed with white robes, and palms’ s in their 
hands 5 

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, 
® Salvation to our God which > siiteth up- 
jon the throne, and ¢ unto the Lamb. 

11 And al) the angels stood round 
about the throne, and aéout the elders 
and the four beasts, © and fell before the 
throne on their faces, ‘and worshipped 
‘God, 

12 Saying, ¢ Amen: 5 Blessing, arid 
glory, and. wisdom, and i thanksgiving, 
and. honour, and power, and might, 6¢ 
unto our’God for ever and ever. Amen. 
2.8. & 22, 27. eee ot = & 4.4 Prat 11. 16. 


~ he ¢ os of Juda were sealed 
pd. Of the tribe of Reuben 


ie 6 Of the tribe of F Noa were e sealed 
‘lve thousand. Of the tribe of Neph- 
were sealed twelve thousand. Of 
ae tribe of Manasses + were sealed twelve 
- thousand. pet 
7 Of the tribe _ if Sihedn were sealed 
thousand. — Of the tribe of Levi 
sealed twelve thousand. Of the 


be of Issachar | were sealed twelve ane 
66, 4 & 672% & 
| 72. 7—il. & 98.3 

& 110. 2, 3. &117. 


ray ofr the tribe of Zabulon were seated ee ne er ohages 


‘twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph 


45. 11. & 97. 7, 


Mat. 4. 10. John 4. 


12.13. 
ee 1.Ps 3. 8. & 


ee 60. iy 8 37 & 4 19,] 23. nS: +6. - 
ler. 3. 17s & 16.) 20. & 115. 1 $45.2 1,18. & 5. 14. 
were sealed twelye thousand. Of the} 7$ Zech. 2-11. iL | 1. & 45.15.21, 22 32. 19, 4, Pe 41.19. & 
abe 8. 20—23. Rom. ler. 3. 28 Hos. 13-] 72. 19. & 89. 52 
of Benjamin were, sealed twelne rear e 4. Jon. 2.9 = 106. 48. Mat. 6. 13. 
Lioepeeneem: t 5. Me & 1 18, mis! Lathe & 6. ee on, §, 12,18. 
“1 (Prectica! Observations, Gen. 13. 16. os.) Jo 22. 1 Neh. 12. 846. Ps. 
—— hoe Hh ra dl Hom.11-35- Heb.jo 4. ve AEN Eas 
r s ; . 21. 25 & 4. 2 t 100. 4 22 
% nt eens? Dehabey sid Ta;*'s 11.12. & 12.22. |.5..7.43, 14. &21.5.| & 116.17, & 147 
werner 19.31, Zech. 9. 1. 1. 4—15. & 10. 1s} u 5.9. Dam. 4. 1.&fe 5.6. 9. & 22. 3.) 7. Is. 51. 3. Jer. 33 
oo 142.3: ne AEA nats 19.28. Lu 27. & 13. 4—16.] 6. 25. Jen 1.29, 36. 9. Jon. 2. 92 2 
bare 9. 27. & ah hcosibalin y cbr ih 2. apie atte Bak 4. Ge & 5« 11—13.].4. 15..& 9. 01, 32. 
Jam 2.365 & 19. 4—6. Ps. 103¢eCol. 2. 7. & 3. 17 
pala 18k a8 eae erimleGeh ad. 10. Ps. y ens 4k see on,| 20, 21..& 148. 1, 2 i. AB 


——— Orrornrwvmnmnnmw—vvorvrm” 
tablishment in many places, which before had 
 hiule regarded. it.—‘ Lsaw another Angel, even 
§ the great Angel of the covenant, Christ Jesus, 
ae -up from the eastern coast, where 

ah Jerusalem stood; who, by virtue of his Me- 

ip, had in his hand that Seal, or mark 

« of the living God, which in his eternal decree 
Bc is:set upon his elect, whereby they are sealed 
. 2 both to salvation in the end, and to a gracious 
‘ protection till. then: who did, by the mighty 

|< voice of his word, command these four an- 
* gels; -saying, hold. your bands,’ &c. (Bp. 
Li) (Notes, 2 Cor. 20-22. Eph. i. 13, 14. 

Ww. 5 ¢ , eee 

on We Ae Be: ieideiabcsta inbiluchineperewies: 

from the twelve tribes, cannot be understood in a 

_ literal sense; for if we explain it exclusively of 

. Jewish converts, it can hardly be supposed that 
_ the same number of each tribe were sealed. But 

‘Asrael was the ancient Church of God, which af- 

tera time ‘was incorporated as a‘nation: and 

_ the: which succeeded to it, had, 

after a long time, supplanted both the Mosaic 

_ dispensation, and the idolatry of Pagan Rome, 

a and acquired an establishment upon the ruips of 

them. As therefore, the tribes of Israel were 
umb ered, after they were formed into a nation: 


was assigned to each of the tribes of Israel ; inti- 
mating that these persons succeeded. to their 
privileges and occupied their place; for I ap- 
prehend that the Gentile, as well as the Jewish 
converts, were intended.» (Vote, 9—12.) The 
tribes are here arranged differently than else- 
where: Judah is placed first, in honour of Christ 
who sprang from him: Danis wholly omitted, 
perhaps: becanse idolatry was first publicly es- 
tablished by that tribe... (Notes, Judg. xviii.) 
Others, however, think, that the tribe of Dan had 
long before become nearly extinct: and, indeed, 
it is not mentioned in the genealogies contained 
in the: first of Chronicles.. Levi is. numbered 
with the rest; and Joseph is placed. instead of 
Ephraim, whilst Manasseh is likewise contin- 
ued... The order of primogeniture is neglected ; 
nor is any regard shown to the children of the 
free-women above these of the bond-women; as 
both are alike in- Christ. 

V. 9—12.. Many expositors have supposed, 
that the preceding verses relate exclusively to the 
Jewish converts, at this time added to the church, 
and that these refer to the Gentiles who then em- 
braced the gospel; and others explain them of 
the; peace and prosperity of the church during 
those days. . But it appears to me, far more pro-~ 
bable, that. the happy estate of those, who had 

this establisiment, were fewratively | adhered to Christ during the preceding. calami- 

*d to be ene hundred and forty four thou-| ties, and had been faithful unto death, was in- 
sand; o twelve times twelve thousand; a large | tended: for though they had been slain, or had 
uber being put for an indefinite: and otherwise been removed, before the favourable 

inte mchange took place ; yet they were no los rs, but 


A: D.95. REVELATION. ° 

13 And one of the eldeis answered, night i in his t 
Saying unto me, What are these which}on the'th 
are | areata white robes! and whence} I 
éame they? ther thirst any 

34 And I said unto ine Sir, a thou 
knowest. And he said unto me, ‘These are 
they which * came out of great. tribula- 
tion, P and have washed their’robes, and]? 
made them white in@ the blood of the | 
Lamb. 


15 Therefore * are ban before the 
throne of God, * and sefve him day and } 29: 


John ‘16. 33. - Acts 
14.22. Rome 5. 3. 
3 see on, ver- 9. 


1. 4. 
a Gen. 16. 8 Judg.jp 1. 5» Es. 1. 184 1.19. 
- 286 Pach. 3. $8. 13) 4. 3. & 14. 3-5. 
a Ez. 37.3. 1. John 13. 8—14.} Heb. 8. 1. & 12. 2. 
© 2.9. & 6. 9-11] 1 Car. 6,121. Eph.js 20. 10. & 22, 5. Ps. 
& 156%. & 17 Gj 5. 26,27. — 9] 134. 1, 2 


k 4.4.10. & 5, 5. 14. 1 John 1.7%. 
1k i 


being connected § ie 
rendered to. ana and t 
ed that * bap Bens 
“ honoured 

V. 13-172" The 2s 
apostle’s mind, related to events 
occur till above real 


the contrary. A multitude so large, that no man 
could number them, collected from the several 
nations of the earth known jn those days, ap- 
peared to stand before the throne, as accepted 
worshippers of God, and “ before the Lamb,” as 

his redeemed people-gyThis view and iriterpretie 
tion, gives.us enlarged conceptions of the suc- 
cess of the gospel during the three first centu- 
ries; and may encouragé the hope, that vast 
numbers lived by obedient faith, and died in 
Christ, unknown to history + Hotwithstanding the |i 
lamentable accoiint given us of the heresies, con- 
tentions, and abuses, which prevailed ‘at that 
early period. Every one of this company was | 
clothed. with white robes, as perfectly justified, 
sanctified, and made happy in heaven. They 
had also been engaged in war: as victors they 
carried the well-known emblem of palm-branch- 
es: and having obtained complete salvation; in 
respect of their souls: they ascribed it in no 
degree to themselves, or to their own wisdom, 
strength, labours, services, sufferings, or mat= 
tyrdom ; but gave the whole glory of it'to their 
God and Father, who was seated on the throne, 
as being the effect of his special love and grace: 
*< and unte the Lamb,” as it was bestowed on 
them through his atonement and mediation: 
Whilst these redeemed sinners stood next to the 
throne, and led the worship of heaven, in virtue 
of their union with, and relation to, the incarnate 
Son of God ; the angels, (free from the least emo- 
tion of envy, and rejoicing in their exaltation, 
and the plory of God in iit,)’stood without the 
cirele made by the emblematical representatives 
of the church and its ministers, ‘and im prostrate 
adoration. added. their cordial Amen, to the 
praises rendered to Go@and the Lamb. ‘They 
then showed. their delight in that solemn and 
rapturous: worship; by ascribing blessing and 
glory*to their God and Portion, as the Fountain 
of all excellency and felicity; celebrating ‘his 
manifold ‘wis in these surprising évents ; 
joining their thanksgivings to.those of redeemed. 
sinners; rendering him t onour of all ‘his 
wonderful works ; and rejoicing that power and | thirstings after him and holiness were’ 

might ee to him eer andever. This |tished; nor were’ — with one 


‘were, thus reaaal in white 
they’ came. Andthe ha 
that he was persusted i 
7, thus i intimating his desire | 
he was shown, that © they’ 
* come out of great tribulatio: 
meant of the chia Magne yr 
after the accession of Constantine; ™ 
church then enjoyed. great peace nd 

it might be accom to the 2 of 
church at large in these pe: days, ‘ 
had succeeded to “a season 
tion; yet itfar more apth 
represented the case of th 
had been faithful unto dedth 
persecutions of the foregoi 
not made their robes white 
or sufferings, nor had t 
white: but they had wa 
guilt and pollution which ha 
in the blood of ce Lamb} 
ing Saerifice, and prevaili 
by trusting in his name for’ 
‘which he died to procure forjsinuers. “T 
they had found acceptance with Ge 
mission into heaven, and stood ‘bef 
throne; where, with unceasinj i 


CHAPTER. VIE A. Di 95% 


dictions following each of them ; and an inti- 
“mation of more awful calamities, under the 
4 other three, 7—13. 
*}2 & ND when he had opened the seventh 
seal, there was » silence in heaven 
about the space of half an hour. 


@ 5. 1. % & 6. 1. 3)b Job 4.16. Ps 37.) Hab. 2, 20, Zeck, 
5. % 9. 1B 7 & 62.1. Marg! 2.13. 


to zecollect what multitudes are gone before 
them to heaven; and what accessions are daily 
(like | making to them from all the nations of the earth. 
V- 91? es 

The few believers, who are- 1 abrosd 
in this world, seem 2 solitary and singular rem- 
nant, and as such are generally despised: yet 
have they innumerable friends and coadjutors, 
with whom they will shortly, and for ever, be anit- 
ed.. The whole multitude, who now stand be- 
fore the throne of God, (with all that ever shal? 
be saved,) were once dead in sin, and exposed to 
wrath; but they were taught their guilt and 
danger; and led* to trust in the Lamb of God - 
thus they began to fight the good ficht of faith; 
against satan, the world, and sin, amidst 
many fears, sorrows, and temptations: at 


we into the fulness of eternal joy. Nothing 
ws into th pig ae 


not be n considered as exclusively, or 
pr aae , intended, by this most energetic and 
ous language. But such a view of the 
* felicity of those, who followed Christ 
| faith in the predicted season of persecution, n, and 
“Was.very pt to reconcile the minds of Chris-| that are arrayed in white robes, and whence they 
% to'dhern trials, and to. animate them to. face. came: amidst ten thousand differences in other 
a ory 'imatters, we should learn that every one of them 
had come out of sorrow, and out of sin; that 
they had all been in conflict and tribulation; and 
that they had all “ washed their robes, and 


whilst adoring angels delight to swelk the cho- 
rus of their joyful thanksgivings. Could we as- 
cend into heaven, and inquire. who they were 


LS gs im succeeding generations have done * them white in the blood of the Lamb” Wot 
.* PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. one discordant voice will be heard in heaven for 
petal aly OS: 3 ever; Ror could those who expect salvation, im 


any other way, join the praises of that blessed 
world, or even say, Amen, to them. As all the 
redeemed owe their felicity wholly to the sove- 
reign mercy of the. Father, through the atcne- 
mentof the Son, and by the sealing and new 
creation of the Holy Spirit; so the work and _ 
worship of God their Saviour is their element, ~ 
and his presence and favour complete their feli- 
city; nor.ean they conceive of any other joy — 
Let. us then inquire whether we have, in our 
judgment, experience, and affections, “the 
“ meetness for this inheritance of the saints in 


ae the gospel ; he comu:only seals many by 
= : 


“Gt be deemed futile "observe, that this seal 


oks steadfastly in the glass of God’s word. 
tes, &c. Ez. ix.) vis encouraging to those 
re decidedly on the Lord’s part in this evil 


to hear. of the increase of the true Israel |ing the fulness of his love, drinking ineffable de- 


Sod; and they will pray him to add to their {i 
numbers a hundred fold more, how many soever 


vt D. 95. REVELATION. | 
2 And L saw the seven angels which| 5 And the, 
‘stood before God; and to them were giv-| filled it with 
ven seven 4 trumpets. Par ++ into the ‘ear 
3 And eanother Angel came and fstood}and thunderin 
at the altarjg having a golden censer ; and| earthquake, 
there was given unto-him muchincense,! (6 And ‘thie? is 
that he should * offer z¢ i with the prayers | the seven trumpets 
of allsaints upon * the golden altar which} to soand. ‘ 
Was before the throne’ “| 7 The first angel 
4 And ! the smoke of the incense,|followed 4 haib 
which came with the prayers of the saints,|blood, and they w: 


ascended up beforg-God out-of the An-|earth: and * the third 
gel’s hand. arr ‘burnt up, and all green: 

r b up. 4 é ” v9 * ; 
e151. & 16. 24 7. 30—S2. "V)'Or, add it to the\'m 16.1, Re. Ts. 661 19. 11. Ts. 20, 61S 
Mat. 18, 10. Luke|P'9 a5. Ex 30/21 prayers. 6: 1416, Jer: yea br 29. 
19, 8. 2Chr., 26- 16|i ver. 4. & 5.8. Pse| 11, Bz,20. 2=7. Tae 27 83 
@ ver. 6—12, 8 9.1] 20.. Rom. 8 $4.) 141.2. Loke 1.10.) Like 1m 49 ree ¥ : 

Hebi7. 250 9 -| Heb. 4. 13,16. & | POryupon. 9) Ay ‘reli 
D see on, 4. 5% Lh, 4 


1n, 2 Chr. 29. 25—} 7,50. Heb. 9. 4. 
23. Aim. 3. 6—8, Bev. 16.13. Num. 
@ 7.2, & 100d. see} 16. 46,47» Mal. 1, 
an, Gen. 48-15, 16-4 Tle 

Ex. 3. 2—18. Acts 


19. & 16, 18. ZSam.iq 
22. 7-9. Pa ibs 13 |B 
Is, 30. 30. Hebs 12.) Rss 0 
18, 19, ’ 
‘o Tl. 18/19. 1 Rings a z 


ed 


+ ly Ze 
k 9. 13, Ex. $7.25, 
26. & 40. 26- 

1 ver. 3. & 15. 8 


f NOTES. ; 
CHAP.’ VIII. V.1—6. The last of the seven 
eals contains under it far ‘more than all the 
others; as it introduces, and seems indeed to 
inehide, that period, which fell under the seven’ 
trumpets. When it was opened, ‘there was si- 
lence in heaven for about half'an hour; which 
either intimated, that the peace of the ‘chureh 
and the empire would be of'a very short continu- 
ahee, or it' was expressive of the solemn expec- 
tation excited on this occasion. “ During’ this in- 
tefval, the apostle saw “the seven ‘angels who 
«« stood before God,” having been appointed to this 
service, and of whom we shall read'more after- 
wards: ard to each of them was ‘given a trum- 
pet, that they might in succéssioh sound ‘an 
alarm to the nations. (Marg. “Ref )—At the 
same time another Angel appeared ‘as a Priest 
standing before the altar of ‘incense. “The ap- 
pearance of a Lamb was emblematical of Christ 
our Passover, sacrificed for us ;” and this An- 
pel represented hini in his priestly character, 
offering up the prayers of all ‘his ‘saints ‘before 
God, accompanied by ‘his’ all-prevailing inter- 
cession. ‘This beidg Gone, the Angel filled the 
éenser with fire from the ‘altar.’ “There was'no 
five on the golden altar, except that in the'cen- 
ser; which was taken from "the altar of burnt- 
offering: the’ fire, “here spoken’ of, must have 
come from) thence.’ ‘This the Angel’ cast ‘on’ 
the earth; which octasidned' voites, thunder- 
ings, and lightnings : this” denoted, that the ap: 
proaching calamities would be the effect Uf God’s 
displeasure with meh for their’ opposition’ to 
the gospel of his Son, and their injuriois and} was proper tliat the predi 
erael treatment of his people: and so in fact,| be so likewide: yet the Tet 
be inflicted,/26 an answer to their prayers for'de-| primarily predicts the subversia 
liveranée thtough the intercession of Christ.— | and’ the next chapter that of 
After this, the ’seyen angels ‘prepared tosoutid | pire, ‘The calm which fo low 
their trampets. “The great Angel of the cove-| accession to the throne, did not last 1 
* nant came and stood, asthe High Priest of his| the latter pavt of his tife Was far 
* Church; before’ the altar of heaven ; and many’! distarbed ; and” a “His death, 
* koly and (gitectual prayers were offered unto| wars were waged the empit 


ae 


“him, that he might by his me 
‘ ‘present them to G 
¢ The placing of thi: 
‘© before the sount 
* that the subject. 


‘sion of something to 


© most ‘significant émble 
* cast away? (Whitaker 
Vv. 7. "The emb 
‘ing the four first t1 
ithe gradual and co 
infan €mpiré, in the 
\though this was” 
lamities in the e2 
implied. Constantine 
nople, and made it 
polis of the empire ; 

cumstances some tim 
fabric was divided into’ 
two distinct ‘successions ” 
though the Western and 
thus ‘separated ; yet the 
nected * so that the ‘ruin’ o 
was attended by great 
‘ern; and the’subseque 
)occasioned mbanifild \ 
|had ‘constituted the 
events’ that ‘related ‘to” 
Vempire, were thus involved wi 


ve 


De! 
Le 
ety 


i 


. y f Oy 


4. D. 95. 


te? 


ut of the sea became blood: 
oe A a ine third part of the creatures 
| which were in the sea, and had life, died ; 
and the third part of z the ships were de- 
stroyed. — . 
| 40 And the third angel sounded, and 


(Ree ws j i ‘ i 
@ Jer 51 25. Markjx ver. 7. & 16,-3.| 7.21. Zech. 13. 8. 
“1.28. Ex. 7. 17—20. |Z Ps. 48.7. Is2. 16. 
m. 7. 4. ¥ ver. 7. 10, 12, Exel & 23. 1, 


and other competitors for the imperial authority : 
whilst the, church was disturbed by various de 


tions were raised by men who called themselves 
Christians. These ‘and other evils weakened 
| both the church and the state; and after a time, 
|the Huns and Goths from the northern regions 
of Europe, broke in upon the distracted empire, 
| and made terrible ravages in many of its provin- 
oes. The latter event seems to have’ been in- 


¢ eled with blood,” by which a third part of the 
| productions of the earth were destroyed ; that 
is, multitudes were killed, both high and 
low, frown persons and infants, through the 
| whole’ Roman empire, which might be deemed 
-athird part of the earth, as discovered’ at that 
time. (Ez. ix.22—35,) This period is suppos. 
ed by some approved expositors, to reach from 
. D. 338, to 412: but others explain it prin- 
Gipally of the incursions of the Goths under Ala- 
| Tic, who entered the empire, A. D. 395; and after 
spreading desolation by fire and sword through 
the provinces, A. D. 410, he took and plundered 
Rome, with circumstances of barbarity very 
correspondent to these emblems, as contempora- 
fy writers have testified: especially in that 
he slew without distinction, princes, nobles, 
“priests, and people, and showed no mercy even 
to the tender infants; thus destroying “ the 
“* trees and the green grass together.” ‘The 
* first four trumpets describe the removal of 
¢ of that power; which in the days of Paul, 
* prevented the developement * of the man of 
«* sin :” namely, the western imperial dignity of 
* Rome. On the decease of Theodosius, that 
* great prince, A. D. 395, the northern cloud, 
"which had been so long gathering, discharged 
¢ itself. He died in the month of January, and 
«before the end of the samewyear, the Gothic 
mation was in arms. The barriers of the Dan. 
* ube were thrown open ; the savage warriors of 
© Scythia issued from their forests ;’ and the un- 
© common severity of the winter, (the season in 
© which natural hail and snow are generated, ) 
* allowed the poet to remark, that they rolled 
* their ponderous waggons over the broad and 
© icy back of the indignant river. » The fertile 
© fields of Phocis and Beotia were covered with 
“ adeluge of barbarians, who massacred the 
*“ males of an age to bear arms, and drove away 
ae e beautiful females, with the spoil and cat- 


a of the flaming villages’ ‘Ihave adopted 


ay 


© the: language of the historian. Unconscious, 
id ‘that he was bearing his testimony to the truth, 
VOL. VE 


CHAPTER VIII. ~ | 
8 And the sceend angel sounded,  and|there fell *a great star from heayen, burn= 
as it were a great mountain " burning with 
fire was cast into the sea; * and the third 


| scriptions of heretics; and unnatural persecu-} 


‘tended by the starm, “ of hail and fire mine 


a 


, B D. %, 


ing as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the 
third part of the rivers, and upon » the 
fountains of waters; 

11 And the name of the star is called 
¢ Wormwood: and the third part of the 
waters became wormwood ; and 4 many 
a 1. 20,& 6. 13. & Kings 2. 19-22. 21) Jer. 9. 15. & 23. 15° 
9.1. & 12. 4, Is. 14.) Chr. 32.3. 1s. 12-3) Lam. 3, 5. 19, Am° - 
12. Luke 10. 18.) Hos. 13.15, 16. | 5.7. & 6.12 Heli 
Jude 13. ». je Deus29. 18 Rut h} 12. 18- 


b 16. 4. Ex. 7. 20,! 1. 20. Prov. 5. 4.Jd Bx. 15. 23. 
21 Judg. 5.11. 2} ‘ p 


RT OTT EE 
of prophecy, he has used the same allego- 
rical language, as that employed by St. John. 
The correspondence of nations,’ says he, * wag 
in that age so imperfect and precarious, that 
the-revolutions of the north might escape the. 
knowledge of the court of Ravenna; till the 
dark cloud, which was collected along the 

coasts of the Baltic, burst in thunder upon the 

' banks of the upper Danube? (Faber, and Gibs 

bon in Faber.) The nature of this publication 

must exclude most of the quotations, which 
might be made from Gibbon, the elegant and za- 
fidel historian of these times: but he has cer- 
tainly, without intending it, shown the exact 
completion of these prophecies in many instan- 

‘ces. Different opinions also prevail, as to the 

duration of the events, predicted by the sound. 

ing of the first trumpet ; but it cannot be expect. 
ed, that these topics, which after all, very 
slightly affect the main subject, should be here - 
particularly noticed. Some think that all the 
calamities brought on the empire, by the north- 
ern invaders, and especially those of Attila, men 
tioned in the ensuing note, were intended by th 
general language of this verse; though other 
eminent expositors place a part of them, under 
the second trumpet. fe 

Vv. 8,9. A great burning mountain is an em- 
blem of a mighty destructive warrior, and has 
been so used by the most celebrated poets. The 

Roman empire, with its multitude of people and 

nations, might be aptly compared to the sea, 

(xvii, 15.) This great burning mountain, there- 

fore, being cast into the sea, with the effects pro= 

duced by it, represented most emphatically the 
itruption of the barbarous nations, under fero- 
cious leaders, into the Roman empire, and their 
shedding the blood of immense multitudes, and 
destroying the cities, or desolating the country 
with fire and sword. After Alaric, with his 
Goths, had finished his depredation; Attila, at 
the head of a vast army of Huns, ravaged the 
empire during the space of fourteen years, mas- 
sacreing, plundering, and destroying all before 
him, in the most barbarous manner that can be 
conceived. He even called himself “ the scourge 

‘© of God, and the terror of mankind;” and 

perhaps.no man ever better merited that title. 

He was indeed a burning mountain cast into the 

sea, and turning it into blood; for -he drenched 

the countries with the:blood of the inhabitants, 

and destroyed every thing that came in bis way ; 

nor did any part of the empire wholly escape hig 

fury. These events seem to_have been princi- 

pally intended ; but we may include under this 
4 ¥ 


-—- aA a mnnian 


A. D.95. 


were made bitter. 


12 And the fourth angel sounded, ©and}: 


the third part of the sun was smitten, and 
the third part of the moon, and the third 


part of the stars; so as the third part of|to the inhabiters ae 
them was darkened, f and the day shone| of the other voices o 


€ 16. 8,9. Is. 13.10. Joel 2. 31. Ame 8.| 24. & 15, 33, Luke 
& 24. 23, Jer. 4.]-9. Mat. 24. 29. 8] 21.25. & 23, 44,45, 
23. Ez. 32. 7, 8.! 27. 45. Mark 213. Acts 2, 20, 


trumpet the various calamities, which befel the 
empire from A. D. 412, to 450. If these devasta- 
tions under Attila from the north, belong to the 
first trumpet; those under Genserick, king of 
the Vandals, from Africa, to the south, must be 
here intended. (MNete, 10, 11.) But, whether 
Attila, or Genserick, were meant; it is manifest, 
that the third part of the sea turned into blood, 
is the emblem of the Roman empire, supposed to 
contain a third part of the world; and the surn- 
ing mountain must consequently mean the con 
queror, who produced these effects, and not the 
conquered = else there are two emblems in the 
same verse of the Jafter, and none of the former. 
~/V. 10, 11. The great star falling from hea- 
ven, is explained by some expositors of the Ari- 
an and Pelagian heresies, and the contests and 
persecutions connegted with them. No doubt 
such events might very aptly be represented by 
the falling of a star, and its embittering and poi- 
soning the waters, to the destruction of those 
who drank of them ; and the Church was doubt- 
less miserably corrupted and deformed by here. 
sy, during that period. Yet, the series of the 
prophecy favours the interpretation of those, who 
explain it of the continuation of those calami- 
ties, which subverted the empire. An eminént 
prince suddenly appearing in the heart of the 
empire, and conspicuous even in the mischiefs 
which he occasioned, might be aptly represent- 
éd by a star, or luminous meteor, shooting from 
heaven and burning as a lamp. The name 
Wormwood, and the effect of its falling upon the 
waters, denoted the further desolations of the 
empire, and the ruin of the remaining comforts, 
which were left to the relics of the miserable in- 
habitants; who were so harassed and afBicted, 
that they could aot seek for the necessary sup- 
port of life, without exposing themselves to the 
fury of the invaders, Thus the embittering and 
poisoning of the rivers and fountains, completed 
the former judgment of turning the sea. into 
blood. | Accordingly, very soon: after Attila’s 
retreat,,Genserick unexpectedly invaded the em- 
pire with three bundred thousand Vandals and 
Moors from Africa; besieged and took Rome, 
and abandoned ‘that city to the cruelty and ava- 
rice of his troops; and by this success he so 
weakened the empire, that it was soon after sub- 
verted : and as this assault was made at the very 
source of its power and prosperity, it might on 
this account also be represented as poisoning the 
rivers and fountains of waters. He was also 2 
bigoted Arian, and a cruel persecutor of the or- 
thodox Christians : and in this sense too he poi- 
soned the fountaias: These events occurred be- 
tween A. D. 450, and 456. as 


REVELATION. 
men died of the waters, because they;not for a thi 


likewise. 


€ flying through th 
ing, with a loud 


three angels, which 


f Ex. 10. 21-23. 2) 14. © 
Cor. 4. 4, 2 Thes.} Ps. 10° 
2, 9—12. 14 ee Sige 
Vv. 12. Under the fourth trumpet, th 
moon, and stars, or the great luminaries of 
Roman empire, were eclipsed and darkened : f 
the third part, though spoken of the ju 
or the time of their shining, seems still 
to the extent of the empire, as containing 0} 
third of -the then known world. Whils 
splendour of the eastern empire was jgri 
tarnished, and it shone but with a feeble s 
almost expiring light western wa 
gradually extinguished. — s 
‘ weak and desperate condition > 
‘ hard, and as it were gasped for bre 
**eight short and turbulent reigns 
* of twenty years, till at length it 
‘ 476, under Momyllus, wh 
‘ called Augustulus, or the diminutive 
‘tus’ (Bp. Newion.) - Still, 
the Roman sun was extinguished, 1 
luminaries faintly shone, whilst the § 
consuls continued. But afier some oth 
ges, A.D. 566, the whole form of the 
government was subverted, and Rome its 
reduced, from being the empr. } 
to be a poor dukedom, tributary tot 
Ravenna. ‘The events of above two hundi 
are here predicted in six verses ; even 
liarly important in 
sequences, yet rec 
most disorderly and iutricate 
therefore, it may suit the desi 
confine their labour to this one 
to enter into particulars, er to 
this, or against that, mterpretatic 
in with the design of a practical « 
the whole word of God: The autho 


. 


Lat ord 
prophecy. ‘I hive now accomplished the | 
‘ rious narrative of the decline and fall of 
© Roman empire, fram the fortunate FY 
¢ jan and the Antonines, to its utte 
‘in the west, about five centuries 
¢ Christian era.’ At that wnhappi 
‘the Saxons fiercely struggled vith 
« tives for the possession of Britain; Gaul 
‘ Spain were divided between the powerful 
* narchies of the Franks and the Visigoths 
* the dependent kingdoms of the Suevi an 
‘ gundians: Aftica was exposed to. the 
* persecution of the Vandals, and to thi 
* insults of the Moors: Rome and fake 
© as the banks of) the Danube, were afl 
* an army of barbarian mercenaries, — 


hae 


CHAP 
CHAP. Ix. 


ed, 12. The success of the Saracens, and 
Oj of the imposture of Mahomet are 
blematically predicted, 3—12. The sixth tram- 

ds; and predictions of the successes of the 


; ves, are delivered, 13—21. 

@ the fifth angel sounded, and I 
13,13 £6 b 1. 20.% 8. 10. Is] 2Thes. 2. 3-2. 2 
. 12. & 11.) 14. 12-Lake 10. 18- aue5- 1—s. 


of the empire, who, 


of Romans, were oppressed by 


and 
the e-and calamities of foreign con- 


E 
s 
¢ 


‘abe 
still greater, 
eome on mankind in the subsequent ages, the 
ia of which were about to be predicted. 


o 


_ PRACTICAL OBSERV? ATIONS. 


to enjoyed, have conimonly been of short 

“eontinuance. Amidst the confusion occasioned 

gs the vices of mankind, we should rejoice that 

“ the Lozn reigneth ;” and that the prayers of 

all true believers, being presented through the 

_ Meritorious intercession of our great Hizh Priest, 

"will surely be accepted and answered. All creat- 
‘ed angels are ministering spirits, for the benefit 

_ of the heirs of salvation; even when they are 
‘employed to visit nations with terrible calami- 

p lies : nay, the fire from the altar, being cast on 
the earth, (the vengeance inflicted for men’s con- 
tempt of the sacrifice and salvation of Christ, and 
the injuries done to his people,) causes the most 

desolation 


he 
- 


terrible s that are made on earth. 
Whilst the present wrath of God and of the 
: Lamb, through those executioners of vengeance, 
‘ wh 9 mean not 50, fills countries with misery, des- 
foys the wretched inhabitants, and embitters 
Poisons all the comforts of iife; till the 
£ prosperity be totally darkened and ex- 
d: the messengers of the Lord, are or- 
Pepclaim aloud in ail the world, that 


‘workers of iniquity ; for what are all 


i hell? Let sinners then take 
the wrath te eome: let 


£& saw ” a star fall from-heaven unto|¢ 


| habitants of the earth, under the three remain- Sita Peto 
ing trumpets, was an emblem intended to excite | here described by “*« star falling from the hea- 
greater attention; and to intimate, that evils | “« ven to the earth ;” especially as he shone with a 
: extensive, and durable, would : very conspicuous, thougt pestiferous, light. A 


TER IX. © 


2 And he opened the bottomless pit 5 4 


and © there arose a smoke out of the pit, 
as the smoke of a great furnace; f and 
impenitence of those who escaped! the sun and the air were darkened by rea- 


son of the smoke of the pit. 
fece on, 8. 12. Ex. 


1.18, & 20. 1. ver. 17. & 14.11 
rate 191) 10. 21—-23. Joel 2. 


d ver. 2. 11. & 17. 
8. & 20.10. Luke 8. 


28. Is. 14. 31. Joel} 2. id. 
31. Rom. 19.7.Gr. 7 


2. 30. Acts 2.19. 


i. tyranny was succeeded by the reign of|lievers learn to value, and be thankful for, their 
pephiegh aps All the subjects] privileges; and let them “ patiently continue 
by the use of the Latin|“ in well-doing,” and so “ look for the mercy of 

joa gua =" more particularly deserved the name} *‘ our Lord Jesus Christ unto eterna! life” 


NOTES. 
CHAP. IX. VY. 1,2. There can scarcely re- 


« quest ; = the victorious nations of Germany main a reasonable doubt i in the mind of an atten- 
shed a new system of manners and go-| tive inquirer, who has competent information on 
ment, in the western countries of Europe} the subject ; but that these verses predict the 
)—Can there now be the shadow of a/ rise and progress of Mahommed and his succeg- 
concerning the exact accomplishment of| sors, as ruling over the Arabians or Saracens-— 
compendious prophecies, some hundreds | Early in the seventh century, (about A. D. 606, 
years after they were writ!€n? And who can| or 608;) Mahomet began to pretend to a very 
a hesitate to say, that St. John wrote by ‘the extraordinary intercourse with God, declari 
a of ae God, who sees the end from} that he had been i in heaven, and there bad sae 


These pretences were 


| key given to him to “ opan the bottomless pit,” 
or the abyss of hell, was a very suitable emblem 
of the power and influence, which God was 
pleased to permit him to acquire, for the propa= 
gation of his satanical delusions; as if hell itself 
had been opened by him, and its destructive 
exhalations allowed to obscure the sun and in- 
fect the air. For this most artful, politic, and 
prosperous impostor, gradually acquired such 
ascendency among the Arabians, or Saracens, to 
whom he belonged; that they not only received 
his religious system, but enlisted under his ban- 
ner as their captain and ruler; and he led them 
forth to conquest, that they might by this me- 
thod compel the natious to receive his doetrine. 
In this enterprise he and his successors were so 
prosperous, that the light of Christianity was 
obscured ; and many nations, where once it had 
shone in the clearest manner, were almost totally 
darkened, and infected with this smoke from the 
abyss. Mahommed had never been a sfar, as 

that emblem marks out the ministers of. Christi- 
anity ; and ke emerged from obscurity, acquired 
eminence and celebrity, and never declined from 
it. It has therefore been reasonably questioned, 
whether he could properly be denoted under the 
emblem of “a falling star ; 3” or rather, accord- 
ing to the original, “a star which had fallen, 
* from heaven unto the earth.” An apostate 
Nestorian monk, called Sergius, or Baheira, has. 


, compared with the destruction of| therefore been considered as this star; because 


he assisted Mahommed, in forging his impos- 
tuge, and was in many ways subservicut, to His 


A, D. 95, 


the earth: and to him was given the key 
sounds, and the bottomless pit is} of the 4 bottomless pit. 


. 


A. D. 95. 


3 And there came out of the smoke 
€ locusts upon the earth, and unto them 
_ ‘was given power, "as the scorpions of the 

earth have power. 

4 And it was commanded them + that 
they should not * hurt the grass of the 
earth, neither any green thing, neither 


10..12 Ps. 76.10 
Mat. 24. 24.2 Tim. 


3. 8,9. 
k 8.7 


8.15. 1 Kings 12 
11, Ez. 2 6. Luke 
10. 19. ' 
1 6.6.& 7. 3 Job1. 


& Ex. 10. 4-15. Judg. 
7. 12. Is. 33.4. Joel 
1.4. & 2. 25. Nah. 
3. 15,17. 

b ver. 5.10, 11, Dew. 


a 


_ designs. -Thus he is supposed to have opened 
the abyss, and Jet forth the locusts and their king. 
(2. 11.) But it may be doubted, whether so im- 
portant a part, according to the general style 
and manner of prophecy, would be assigned to 
so comparatively obscure am individual; whose 
name few, except those who have particularly 
studied Mahommed’s history, have so much 
as heard of. If.the falling star then means 
some agent distinct from Mahommed, who was 
his fore-runner ; (as I conceive it does;) I should 
fix upon ‘the western corrupter of Christianity, 
_ ‘whose mystery of wickedness had been long 
working, but burst forth almost at the same time 
with the imposture of Mahommed. The wor- 
ship of images, saints, and angels, prayers for 
the dead, and many other of the corruptions of 
popery, had at this time made very great pro- 
gress in Christendom.’ These corruptions, of 
which the bishop and chtirch of Rome were the 
source, center, or prificipal support, evidently 
prepared the way for,Mahommed, in connexion 
with the wickedness of the professors and min- 
isters of Christianity ; and furnished him © with 
, his most pfausible pretexts ; and so the ‘ fallen 
« star,” the western) Antichrist, (if that name 
may, for brevity’s sake, be used,) opened the 
door for Mahommed and his imposture, that is, 
for the eastern Antichrist. It appears clearly 
that not an individual, no,not Mahommed, as con- 
sidered apart from the Caliphs his successors, is 
meant either by the fallen star, or the angel of the 
abyss} but-a succession of men, or associated 
bodies of men, carrying on from generation to 
generation the same design. And, as the cor- 
rupters of Christianity made way for the impos- 
ture of Mahommed, and the apostacy which it oc 
easioned; who can more.properly be designated 
by “the star fallen from heaven to earth, and 
*¢ opening the abyss,” than they? (See Fuder, 
Vol. ii. 29—33.) 

“V. 3—5.. Out of this smoke above-mentioned 
game locusts ;: that is, vast armies of Saracens 
were raised by means of Mahommed’s imposture 
to spread desolations through the nations. They 
yesembled locusts:in thei? numbers; and they 
oamne from the same regions, whence the larg- 
est swarms of these destructive insects have 
in all ages arisen, , Locusts are said to be bred 
ia pits and caverns; and these proceeded from 
the smoke that.came out of the bottomless 
pit. Vet at the same time they also resembled 
scorpions, whose sting gives extreme pain, and 
offen proves mortal: and whilst locusts destroy 
the fruits of the earth, yet donot hurt the bo- 


REVELATION. 


any’ tree; | 


heads. — a ag 
5 And tothem™ 
9 


be tormented five mie 
torinent was as the tor 
when he striketh a man, 


1 See on, 7. 3, 4. &lm 13. 5. 7. Dan. 5. 
Ta. 1. Ex, 12 23} 18-22. & 7.6. John 
Ez. 9. 4.6. Eph. 4.} 19. 11. re 
30, : Fi 


dies of men; these mystical locusts were CO 
manded not to hurtsthe grass, or other vege 
productions, but ant those men, who 
the seal of God upon their foreheads: and 


« any fields of corn; cut dow 
‘ any mischief to cattle, only such as y 
« eat.” ( Bp. Newton _) Corrupt and hyp 
cal professors of Christianity were mi 
“those men who had not the seal of G 
* their foreheads ;” which fully proves, tha 
thing distinct from outward baptism, and e 
sively belonging to true Christians, is 
by that emblem. (Wole, vii 1—3.) 
well known, that the Saracens exi 
conquests principally in those countri 
the worship of angels, and other corrup 
Christianity prevailed ; whilst the places, 
religion was preserved more pure, w 
ed from their fury : and no doubt God 
the scourge to come on the nations 3 
gospel was perverted, for their corre 
punishment. It wag also predicted, th: 
‘would be restrained from killing tho 
they were commissioned to torment; 
doubt, immense multiiidee ele slain b 
cruel victors: this, therefore sntly’ mea 
that they would be empowered durably to ravag 
harass, and disturb the nations and the 
but not utterly to destroy them: * The; 
« kill them as individuals; but still they 
¢ not kill them as a political bady, a 

‘ orempire? (Bp. Newton _) Accordingly t 
miserably desolated and oppressed “both # 
Greek and Latin Churches, but they could 
totally extirpate them 5 they repeatedly p 
Constantinople, but were always repulsed § 
even plusdered Rome, ‘but they could 
themselves masters of it; they took 
eastern empire many of its richest provi 
they could not utterly subvert it. Mo 
was predicted that they should distress 
ment mankind, during five months ; 
ing to the term of life, which naturalists 
to locusts. (10.) These months of thirty 
each day denotiig a yéar, amount to one 
dred and fifty years :.and Mahomet first 
the abyss, and began publicly to prop 
imposture A. D, 612; and A. D. 762, 
hundred and. fifty years afterwards) 
Bagdad was builded, the Saraceis ce: 


eee 


Se 


6 And in those days 4 shall men seek 
YWeath, and shall not find it; and shall 
desire to die, and death shall flee from 
iemys est eae 
7 And * the 
like unto horses prepared unto battle; 
and on their heads were as it were crowns 
like gold, and * their faces were-as the 
ces of men, 5% : 
8 And they had t hair as the hair of 
Women, " and their teeth were as the 
/#eeth of lions. ; 
“9 And * they had breastplates, as it 
were breastplates of iron; Y and the 
sound of their wings was as the sound of 
chariots of many horses running to bat- 
tle. - a 4 Py 


fu-Ps. 57. 4. Joel 1. 
6. 


@ 6. 16.2 Sam. 1.9.5 3, 17+ ; 
3 20—22.& 7.|s Dan.7.4.8. | 
“16, 16. Jer. 8. 3.jt 2 Kings 9. 30. Is.Jx ver. 17. Job 40. 18 
10, &. Jon 4.| 3. 24, 1 Cor. 11.) & 41. 23-—30. Joel 
“9 Luke 23 30.| 14, t5. 1 Tim.?2. 9.] 2.8. 
gr Jocl2.4, 5. Nah 1 Pet.3. 3. y Job 39.25. Is. 9, 


| TST) ae Soa a ea ae eee ae 
their ravages, and became a settled people ; they 
made no more rapid conquests, and obtained no 
further accession to their power, which thence- 
forth began to decline. They then ceased to be 
focuste; though this wo trumpet continued much 
-Jonger, 2s wil! presently be seen. These invad- 
ers speedily conquered Palestine, Syria, Arme- 
pia, almost all Asia Minor, Persia, India, Egypt, 
Numidia, Barbary, Spain, Portugal, part of Italy, 
_ and the principal islands in the Mediterranean 
sea. } 
. ¥.6. It was also foretold, that these tremen- 
 dous conquerors would cause such extreme ca- 
_ Jamities and miseries, to the inhabitants of the 
| countries which they ravaged, by giving the ut- 
most license to the cruelty, rapacity, and lust 
of the soldiers; that death must appear to num- 
| bers more desirable than life: and they would 
have been more merciful, if they had dispatched 
the wretched victims of their unbridled passions, 
than by constraining them to drag on an unwil- 
ling life ; and so prolonging those miseries, which 
they ardently wished for death to terminate. 
-¥. 7—10. The shape of these figurative lo- 
_ @usts was next described : they resembled horses, 
as locusts do, especially in their heads ; now the 
Arabians were remarkable for their skill in horse- 
fanship, and their. chief force lay in cavalry. 
(Note, Joel ii. 4—6.) The “crowns on their 
“heads like gold,” may denote the turbans, 
which the Arabians have always worn; or it 
May refer to the many kingdoms which they sub- 
jected to their dominion.- They had beards on 
their faces, like men; but they wore their hair 
like women, plzited, or flowing down their 
acks; and the Arabians are known to have 
ythis. The teeth, as of lions, which are as- 
pride d to them, represented their strength and 
ry to destroy ; whilst their breast-plates of iron 
howed their cate to protect themselves by de- 
nsive armoury that is, by the most effectual 
fic measures. The sound of their wings pe 
ed the fury, with which they assaulted their 


CHAPTER IX. 


shapes of the locusts were} 


a 12.9. John 3 set on ver. 1, 2 


A. D. 95. 
- 10 And they had ¥ tails like unto scor- 


pions; and there were stings in their tails: 
and their power was to hurt men five 
months. ae 


1, And ® they bad-a king over hem, 


which is the angel of the bottomless pit, 
whose name in the Hebrew tongue Zs 
* Abaddon, but inthe Greek tongue hath 
Ais name * Apollyon. 


{Practical Observations] 
12 One » woe is past; and, behold, 


there come ¢ two woes more hereafter. 


13 4 And ¢ the sixth angel sounded, 


and I heard a voice from the four horns 
of the golden altar which is before God, 


14 Saying ‘ to the sixth angel which 


had the trumpet, = Loose the four angels 


” 5. Joel 2, 5—7. Nah 5.19 © see on, veTe 2s 
2. 4,5. * That is, adestrey-le see on, 8. 3—S- 
Z sce on, vet. 3 5. | er John 8. 44. Heb. 9, 24. & 16. 


& 14.30. & 16. 11. 
2Cor. 4..4. Eph. 
2.2.1 John 4. 4. & 


c¢ ver, 1S—2l. & 8. 
1IR&1L 14 - 


lg ver. 15. & 16. f 


enemies, and the rapidity, of their conquests. 
But though they devoured and caused desola- 
tions, like locusts; yet the principal mischief 
which they did, was effected by their tails, in 
which they had stings like those of scorpions: 
for wherever they extended their conquests, 
left behind them the poison of their abominable 
religion ; so that the consequences of their vic- 
tories were More mischievous, than the slaugh- 
ter made by them. : 

V. 11. ‘The king over these locusts, who was 
the angel of the abyss, or a messenger from the 
abyss, may signify their Caliphs in succession, 
who were the chief priests of their religion, the 
commanders of their armies, and their emperors. 
The name of this king, even “the destroyer,” 
(for so the word means in both languages,) was 
peculiarly suitable to a su€cession of rulers, who 
murdered both the bodies and souls of. men. by 
the same malignant expeditions ; as they seem- 
ed to be satan, the first murderer’s vicegerents 
and visible representatives upon earth. Every 
circumstance of this emblematical prediction so 
exactly accords to the Saracens, and so little 
suits the church or hierarchy of Rome, or any of 
their religious orders, (who gained their advan- 
tage by priestcraft, not by arms ;) that there can 
be no propriety in attempting. to explain it of 
them ; especially as they are described with suf 
ficient precision in. what follows. Prophecies 
aave a determinate meaning; and by giving loose 
to a lively imagination, to find distant resem- 
blances, we are more like to perplex, than to sa- 
tisfy the inquirer. 

¥..12. After the apostle had seen these 
things, he was informed, that one wo was past, 
and two others were comiag. ‘ This is added, 
* not only to distinguish the woes, and to mark 
* more strongly each period ; but also to suggest, 
£ that some time will elepse, between this first 
* wo of the Arabian locusts, and the next of the 
‘ Buphrateas horsemen” (Bp. Newton.) 


A. D.95. ee 


phrates. Bs 


15 And the Touk angels were loosed, 


h Gen, 2, 14. 2Sam. 8.3, Jer. 51: 63.” 


V. 18—15. The voice of the angel from the 
horns of the altar, on which incense used to be burn- 
_ed, strongly indicated, that the judgments about 
to be predicted, were appointed to punish men 
for cerrupting the gospel, and so turning it into 
After 
the sixth angel had sounded his trumpet, he 
‘was ordered to loose the four angels, who had 
been bound near the Euphrates; . which was 
done accordingly. This is.explained by the most 
approved interpreters, to be a prediction of 
and 
the only material objection to this is drawn from 
the distance of time, that ‘intervened, between 
the events before predicted, and the ravages of 


the savour of death and condemnation. 


the conquests of the Turks, or Othmans : 


the Turks. But this is readily answered, by ob- 


serving that the three wo trumpets must take 

in all the space, between the subversion of the 

‘western empire and the destruction of the beast, 
14, 15.)— 

The Sarac¢ens also possessed, though they did not 

“extend, their dominions, till the Turks suppilant- 
Indeed we cannot find any other 
events satisfactorily correspondent to the disco- 
‘veries made after this trumpet; nor any other; 
which will not leave a far greater distance be- 


which is yet to be expected. (xi. 


ed thei. 


‘tween the second and third wo trumpets, than 


“this interpretation leaves between the first and se- 


cond. The Turks pouring into Persia, and the re- 
gions bordering on the Euphrates, in the eleventh 
century, established four sultanies or kingdoms 
in those parts; but they were prevented from 
making further conquests, especially by the Croi- 
sades, or religious wars, waged in that and the 
two following centuries, by the western Chris- 
tians, who wanted to wrest Palestine out of the 
hands of the infidels, But when these ruinous 
projects were finally abandoned, the four angels 
which were bound in the Euphrates, who were 
emblems of these four sultanies, were loosed.— 
Then the Turks uniting began their ravages and 
victories; and made great havoc among the 
inhabitants of that part of the world, which had 
constituted the Roman empire, and which nies 
have often read of, as “ the third part of men. 
The western empire had been broken to pieces 
under the four first trumpets; the eastern had 
been nearly ruined under the fifth; and under 
the sixth it was finally subverted. The Turks 
conquered all the countries, that had belonged 
to it: A. D. 1453 they took Constantinople, and 
thus brought to a final end the whole Imperial 
power, which originally -belonged to Rome— 
These powers were prepared for a certain fixed 
time, which being computed by aday for each 
year, according to the prophetic manner: “and 
twelve months of thirty days, each being allow- 
ed to the year here mentioned ; that is, 360 days, 
or year’s ; thirty more being added for the month, 
and one for the day, the whole amounts to 391 
years and fifteen days. Now the first yee ge 
of the Turks over the Ciristians took place, A 
D. 1281 ; and the last success, by which they ex-- 


q / 
” 


REVELATION, 


which are baum in h the great river Eu- 


differs from that aot giv 


also of A method ‘a which the time ish 
i computed. Yet the grand outline of i 
tion is the same: and, eonlegee the 


‘slay the third 
ae. Or, at. 


tended their damin 
exactly 391 years from 
that one of tbeir histo: 
here divides the narrative, 
‘part “The growth of the ¢ 
ai “ The decay of the 
Since that period, they have had 
any of their wars: and their powe 
weakened and cramped at present by 
power of Russia, that it all 
they will ever recover their 
new their conquests. Had w 
events sufficiently exact, 
find, that the halehour, or ie 
ed with the same 
prophecy. Though th 
* the third part of men,” 
they would extend their r 
was predicted; yet that ue du 
empire was not; but it will end al 
ing of the third wo. trumpet. (xi. 
‘ Lioyd, bishop of Worcester, who 
‘ for above twenty years been ; 
* velations, with an amazi 
actness, had long before | 
peace between the Turks and the 
tians, was certainly to be m: 
1698, which he made out a 
mentioned in Revelatio, were bot 
the river Euphrates, which he expound 
the captains of the Turkish fore 
then were subject to the ‘sultar 
were to be loosed, and freed fros 
and set up: for obi oe 
prepared, to slay i ase: 
hour, a day, 2 mon Senha 
ons the year in St. John, as + 
three hundred and sixty-fi 
thirty of these days, and 
which: added to the forme 
three hundred and ninety- 
from historians, that Ottem anes: 
gan his conquests at Prousse, in t 
to which the former number, 
were to slay the third part : 
ded, it must end in pe ios 


een ae was fi 


~ s 


ana 


coutplished. After this, | think: 
of hurting the papal Christians, is: i 
They may indeed still do mischief to the 
covites, or persecute their own E 
jects, but they can do no more h 
©palins’? (Bp. Burnet’s Histe 

In several subordinate particulars: 


” 
oS Roe ee eee eee 


nae 


CHAPTER IX. A. D. 95. 


like unto serpents, and had heads, and 
with them they do hurt. P 

20 And the rest of the men which 
were not killed by these plagues, ® yet 
repented not of the works.of their hands, 
that they should not * worship devils, 
y and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, 
and stone, and of wood; which neither. 
can see, nor hear, nor walk: 

21 Neither repented they of = their 
murders, nor of 2 their sorceries, > nor of 
their fornication, nor of their thefts. 


d them that sat on them, ° hay- 
plates of fire, and of P jacinth, 
nstone: and the heads of the 


smoke, and brimstone. ee 

| 18 By these three was * the third part 
of men killed, by the fire, and by the 
smoke, and by the brimstone, which. is- 


U ver. 21. & 2. 21, 


& 19. 26. 1 Cor. 10.jz 11. 7—9. & 13.7. 
2% & 16. 9. Deut. | 


20, 21.1 Tim. 4. 1. | 15.& 16.6. & 17. 


Ss , ; 31. 29. 2 Chr. 28.Jy Ps. 115. 4—3. &l 6. & 13, 24. Dan. 7. 
sued out of their mouths. : ; 23. Jer. 5. Se & 8.4) 135. 15—18. Is. 41.] 21-25. & 11. 33, 

i9 For their power is in their mouth,| —s. Mat. 21. sz. 2! 7. & 42. 17, 18. Ela 13. 13. & 18. 23. 

7 ip | Cor. 12.21. 44. 9-20. & 46. 5} R21. 3. & 22. 15. 


and t in their tails: for their tails were 


we —7. Jer. 10, 3—5.| Is. 47.9. 12.&% 57- 
pane ees ~ fr 1 Chr, 12.8, Is. 5. 


32,17. 2Kings 22.] 8, 9.14, 15.& 164 3. Mal. 3.5. 
17. 2Chr. 34. 25.) 19, 20. & 51. 17,)b 148. & 17. 2 5 
Is. 2 8. tes 1] 18. Dan. 5. 23. Hab.| & 18. 3 & 19. 2. 


t : ver: 18. & 14. 10.| 28, 29. « 
th Ez. 23.6. & 33. Ay. 19.20. & 21. 8./s see on, vere 15. 17. 


2. 18—20. Aets 17. 


11. 40. Gen. 19. 24. Ps. 11.|t ver. 10. Is. 9. 15.| & 44-8. Acts 7. 41. Mat. 15. 19. 2 Cor. 
n7.4. 6. Is- 30, 33. Ez.| Eph. 4.14. ; _} 29. Rom. 1, 21—23.} 12, 21. 
© var. 9. 1 33. 22. eee 


bishop Lloyd’s conclusions, which preceded the} Turks left behind them, wherever they tent, the 
final success of the Othmans, but which have,}same poisonous and ruinous religion which the 
for substance, been verified for much above aj Saracens had done before them ; and this prov-" 
‘hundred years ; they may justly be considered as}ed more durably mischievous, than tkeir most 
extraordinary ; and an important proof of the true} bloody conquests: so that the remains of the 
meaning of the prophecy, and of its exact accom- | Greek church, and of Christianity in those coun- 
| pli e1 : tries, was almost wholly extirpated; and Ma-_ 
-¥. 16—19. The number of the army ofjhometism became universally prevalent in that 
horsemen was declared to be 200,000,000; that} part of the world, in which the Gospel was for a 
js, an immense multitude, a large definite num-| long time most signally successful. 
ber being put for an indefinite. Accordingly} V. 20, 21. The rest of men, who were not 
_ the Turks brought vast armies into the field, of-| destroyed, or compelled to become Mahometans 
_ ten to the amount of four, five, six, or seven hun. | by the above-mentioned.calamities, did not re- 
dred thousand men, chiefly cavalry : and when pent of theirevil works. The Latin, or Roman, 
_ the whole multitude is considered, who were em-|Church, which. escaped this destruction, still 
ployed in this manner during the conquests of persisted in the idoiatrous worship of demons, or 
391 years; we shall see the propriety of the| angels and departed saints, by which devils are 
_ apostle’s strong prophetical language. He also | virtually worshippec ;, in their stupid adoration 
saw both the horses and their riders, in his vision, of senseless images, for which they have no bet- 
as having breast-plates of fire, hyacinth, andjter plea to use than the pagans had: in their 
brimstone; which may be considered as repre-| murders, massacres, bloody wars with heretics, 
senting the scarlet, blue, and yellow colours, for} so called, inquisitions, and persecutions ; in their 
_which they have always been remarkable; the! sorceries, or pretended revelations and miracles - 
horses’ heads, like those of lions, denoted their; and in “ their fornication;” forbidding marriage, 
strength, courage, and fierceness ; and ‘the fire,| yet conniving at concubinage in the clergy; 
* smoke, and brimstone, which issued out of; binding numbers by vows to a single life, 
their mouths, and killed the third part of} yet licensing brothels by publie authority 
‘© men,” is an evident and most astonishing pre- | pope, in Rome itself: andin “ theirghefis,” or 
‘diction of the invention of gunpowder and of| those exactions and impositions,,by which they 
artillery, which were first invented at this period, i fraudulently, oppressively, and iniquitously, drew 
and which the Turks used, with great success.in| immense treasures from the nations. So that 
their-wars, especially in the siege of Constantino- | the eastern Church, in which many corruptions 
pie: when immensely large guns were employ-j first prevailed, was punished by the first wo - 
ed ; so that one of them is said to have carried | of the Saracens; and_as this did not bring them 
2 stone of three hundred pounds weight. By} to repentance, the second wo of the Turks com- 
these the walls of that city were at length bat-/ pleted its ruin. But the western Church, not 
tered down, which made way for the final destruc-| repenting of her abominations, will at length be 
Hon of that empire. These tremendous con-| overwhelmed with the third wo. For the re- 
querors, before whom desolation marched, and | formation from popery, and all that hath hitherto 
_ from whose mouths fire, and smoke, and brim-/taken place in these western regions, hath but 
me issued, not only slew men in battle, when | amounted to the two witnesses, (xi. 3.) pro- 
ey faced them ; but they had tails like ser-j testing against the prevailing abominations: and 
ants | the prevalence of infidelity, skepticism, and here- 


is with heads upon them, with which they 
rt men, as by an envenomed bite; that is, the |sy, in proportion to the gradual decline of pope-— 


es 
Pol ee hoe: | . 4 


A. D.95. 


CHAP. X. aia 
The-apostle in vision beholds a mighty Angel, with 
a little book open in’ his hand; and hears the 
voice of seven thunders, which he -was ordered 
to seal ap, 1—4, The Angel swears hy, the 
eternal Creator, that at a distant time, after the 
sounding of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of 
od should be finished, 5—7. The: apostle re- 
geives. and eats the little book, 8—I1. 
ND 1 saw @ another mighty Angel 
come down from heaven, » clothed 
@ ver. 5,6. & 5. 2e) & 14. 14, 15. 2 & 104. 3, Is. 19, 


71, 2 & 8.2—|b 1. 7 Ex 16> 20.} 1. Lam 8, 44. Dan. 
we Tee O13, 14) Lev, 16.2, Ps. 97 7.13, Lake aw oF, 
Ripte in Se Fe 2 TOs Se ee PO ed Set gees 


ry and superstition, gives no just room to sup- 
pose, that matters are very much improved in 
the western Church. In this’ skeptical, profane, 
licentious, and superficial age, indeed, sata: 
hath evidently changed his ground; but the 
scriptural Christian will readily perceive, that he 
hath hitherto in great measure maintained it. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
re V. 1—11. 

The Lord frequently sees good to punish the 
abuse of spiritual advantages, by spiritual judg 
ments ; leaving “ the sun and the air to be dark. 
* ened with the smoke of the infernal pit,” and 
the word of the gospel tobe withdrawn, or cor- 
rupted by the artifices of satan: Because men 
would not walk in the light whilst they enjoyed 
it. A fallen star, some apostete’endued with 
abilities and possessed of influence, often proves 
satan’s instrument in blinding and deceiving 
mankind. This judgment, however, would for 
the present be little regarded, if other visitations 
were not connected with it; but, sooner or later, 
devouring locusts and tormenting scorpions will 
come out of this baleful smoke; and the pre 
valence of false religion against the truth of 
Christ, will make way for such calamities on 

ilty nations, as may render life itself a burden, 
and death the apparent desire and relief. © And 
in the future world, all the wicked will be tor. 
mented, but not killed; they will desire in vain 
to sink into non-existence; in this sense death 
shall flee from them, and they shall never over- 
takeit. As we ought to fear him, who is able 
to destroy both body and soul in hell, more than 
them that can only kill the body: so those de- 

“overs are most to be dreaded, who act as 
ae. the bottomless pit,” and vicegerents 
ef satan, by diffusing pernicious heresies and im- 
postures, contrary to the pure doctrine of Christ 3 
for that grand deceiver, when “ transformed inte 
* an angel of light,” and his ministers, when 
they pretend to be teachers of righteousness, 
do far more mischief to mankind, than the most 
barbarous and successful warriors could ever ac- 
complish : but he who murders at once both the 
souls and bodies of men, most completely merits 

the title of Abaddon, Apollyon, the Destroyer. 
; V. 12—22. 

We may rejoice thatthe Lord hath a hook in the 
nose and a bridle in the mouth of every boasting 
enemy, by whatever method he threatens to sub- 
vert his cause. He gives deceivers or destroy- 
ers power, till his own purposes of judgments or 


- REVELATION. 


with a cloud: © anda rainbow @ 
his head, * and his face wae as it 
the sun, and his feet as © pillars o 
2 And he had in his hand ¢ a 
book open: and € he set his right fo 
upen the sea; and fie left foot on th 
earth, ‘ ; 


; past pte oc 
c 4.3. Gen 9. 11—Je 1. 15. Cant, 5.15.) & 65. 5. 


Prov, 
17.1s. 54.9. Ez. 1.]f ver. 10. & 5. 1—5)| 15,16 Is. 59. 1 
28 & 6.1.8. Ez. 2. 9} Mat.28, 18. Ep 
d 1,16, Dan. 10.6.) 10. a: “1s 20—23, Phil 
Mat. 17. 2. Acts'e ver. 58. Ps'268.| 10, Le f 
26. 13. a eae 


correction are accomplished; and then he 
them off, or lays them aside, at- bis pleas 
Thus one wo comes after another on hype 
and corrupt churches; but they who hav 
‘‘ seal of God. in their foreheads,” cannot b 
hurt: for the Lord binds and looses, limits a 
enlarges, increases or diminishes nations ant 
their rulers according’ to the | 
will. The attentive reader of s and 
history, may therefore find his faith and hope 
increased by those events, which in other res 
pects fill his heart with horror and 
suffuse his cheeks with floods of tears, 
contemplates men’s ingenuity a 
industry in the work of destruction, and 
tending misery amongst their fellow-creat 
and whilst he observes, that the rest of 
who escape these plagues, repent not of 
evil works ; but go on with their idolatries, 
ety, infidelity, iniquity, oppression, cruelty, 
licentiousness ; till wrath come upon them a 
to the uttermost. fi cera 


whils 


NOTES. Phos is) 
CHAP. X. V. 1, 2. In the conclusion of 
the former chapter; the apostle had received some 
intimations of the corruptions of the western 
church, during the period of the two preceding 
trumpets: but before he was made acquainted 
with the events, which would follow the sound: 
ing of the seventh trumpet, he was shown so 
thing more of the state ofit. ‘This inform 
was introduced by a most august and conso! 
vision; he appeared to ‘himself to be on 
and to see a mighty Angel come down fro 
ven, clothed with a-cloud, to veil’'the sple 
of his appearance, and as an emblem of 
darkness of the dispensations which were 
dicted; a rainbow, signifying the covenant 
grace, surrounded his head; his face shone li! 
the sun, and his legs were as pillars of fire, 
i. 12—20.) . This:mighty angel, must be 
Christ himself, or an emblematical display of 
glory. He held in his hand a little ope 
as containing the Revelation of the purp 
God, which he was about to communi 
his servant. This was distinet from the 
book before mentioned, (v. 1)) being a 
appendix, or codicil, to it. Indeed some 
pectable interpreters suppose this little book 
have contained all the following parts of | 
Revelation; and thus they make it muc 
er, than the book of which Christ ope 
seals! This is an objection to that arrar 
to which I could never find a satisfac 


hs 


aD. 93. 


3 And-cried with * a loud voice, as 
‘when a lion roareth: and when he had 
cried, ‘seven thunders uttered their els 


when the seven. thunders hed? 


5] 13. Jers 25.30. Joel! 3-8. 
3.16. Am. 1, 2 Beli 8, 5. & 15.1. 7% 


i the great book would end abrupt- 
“the middle of the sixth trumpet; and 

€ stibject would be as abruptly taken 
fup in the little book. I apprehend, therefure, 
that, this little book contained no more, than the 
er part of the next chapter; (1—14;) which 
was av important appendix to the ninth chapter, 
as it gives an account of the state of the western 
‘charch, during the period. of the fifth and sixth 
trumpets. Then the former subject proceeds, 
the seventh trumpet is sounded, and a compen- 
dious view is given of the subsequent events to 
‘the end of the world. After this the second 
part of the book proceeds “6 nd the apostle is 
shown a great variety of eVénts tending to ex- 
} plain those, which had before been predicted in 
'@ more summary manner; but chiefly relative 
to the state of the church, as the former part 
had been to those which concerved the empire. 
This arrangement, which is nearly the same with 
that adopted by Bishop Newton, makes no mate- 
). tial alteration in the plan-of the celebrated Mr. 
Mede, and those who have followed him ; whilst 
| it avoids the difficulty of making the littie book 
by far the largest, and the necessity of dividing 
-the sixth trumpet between the two books. Still 
every event is referred to the times, to which, 
_ according to the synchronisms of that able wri- 
ter, it belongs, and which are evidently deduced, 

- not from yague hypothesis, but from the: inter- 

nal construction of the prophecy. And the ob- 
e ‘servation of another. learned writer, (Dr. Hurd,) 
stands equally good: * the knowledge of this 
* order isa great restraint on the fancy of an 
© expositor: who is not now at liberty to apply 
* the prophecies to events of any time, to which 

* they may afpear to suit: but to events only 

* falling within that time, to which they be- 

« long, ia the course of this pre-determined me- 

6 thod: and if tothis restriction we adé& another, 

* which arises from the necessity of applying 
€ not one, but many prophecies, to the same 
€ time; we can hardly conceive how an interpre- 

* tation should keep clear of all these impedi- 
“ments, and make its way through so many in- 
§ terfering checks, unless it were the true One.— 

* Just as when a lock, (to use Mr. Mede’s ailu- 

c sion,) is composed of many snd intricate wards; 

« the key, that easily turns within them, and 

* opens the lock, can only be that which proper- 
£ ly belongs to it.” Since I first wrote these re- 
tks, expositors have arisen, (especially the 
and learned Mr. Faber,) who suppose, 
e little beok contained the. eleventh, 
thirteenth, and fourteenth chapters of 
But, after much consideration; I feel 
to dissent from this opinion, owevyer 
tably supported. First, because if makes’ 
or codicil, bear a too great pro- 

10le prophecy. The prophetical: 


var 


_ CHAPTER Xs 


A. D. 9, 


uttered their voices; * I was about to 

write : and [ heard a voice from heaveny 

saying unto me, ! Seal up those things 

which the seven thunders mAterGHls and 
rite them not. ~ 


k 111, & 2. 8 3} Deut. 29. 29. Is.) Dan.8. 26 &' 1% 
Is. 8.1. Hab. 2.2,3.! 8. 16. *& 30. 1.14.9. 


chapters, properly speaking, are only twelve: 
namely, the sixth, eighth, ninth, eleventh, to the 
fourteenth, inclusive, and the sixteenth to the 
tweatieth, inclusive : for the seventh, tenth, and 
fifteenth, contain not much explicit prediction ; 
and the two last chapters, succeeding the day of 
judgment, are rather, as it will appear, descrip- 
tive of the heavenly state, than prophetical, in the 
ordinary sense ofthe word. Now the four chap- 
ters, assigned to the little book, not being very 
short, yet crowded with most important predic« 
tions, contain at least a third of the whole pros 
phecy ; which is more than can properly be as« 
signed to the little book. Secondly, the eleventh 
chapter evidently carries on the prediction, in a 
general manner, to the Millennium, and indeed 
to the end of the world, (xv. 15—18.) Now the 
succeeding chapters, to the twentieth, plainly 
treat of times previous to the Millennium. The 
prophet must therefore somewhere go ack to 
take a more particular view of his subject, than 
he at first gave: but no place can be assigned 
for this, so rationally, as the close of the 
eleventh ehapter. - Tie course of predicted 
events connot be successive, in those chapters’ 
therefore some of them must be coincident— 
Thirdly, no interpretation of the’ former verses 
of the twelfth chapter, gives me the least satis= 
faction, except-that which recalls the reader’s at- 
tention to the events which took place when pas 
gan persecution terminated, the Roman empe- 
tors professed Christianity ; and further corrup- 
tions, calamities, and persecutions, sprang from 
that very source, which seemed to promise far 
happier days. I therefore still think, that the 
little book 4s only the first fourteen verses 
of the next chapter, to the close of the sixth 
trumpet; being coincident, as to the state of 
things in.the west, with that of the eastern em- 
pire, as predicted in the ninth.chapter. Tam 

not, however, unwilling te concede that the fol.« 

lowing verses, to the close of the eighteenth, 

may be assigned to it, as a general pre-i S.°, 
tion of the final success of that cause, pete 9 

so long been trampled under foot. “Several ob- 

jections to this mabarpretalion will be obviated, 

as proceed. 

. 8,4. The mighty Angel above described, 
set he right foot on the sea, and his left op the 
drv land, to denote his ‘sovereign authority over 
the whole earth; and perhaps intimating his de. 
termination of spreading the Gospel through 
every part of it; and he demanded - attention, 
with a yoice like. the roaring of a lion, to show 
the power and terror of his word to his obstinate 
enemies. After which seven thunders were 
heard, that in the most majestic manner uttered 
intelligible voices: these either related to mat- 
ters proper for the apostle to know, but not to 
be published; or else they are cine i with 

4% 


A. D. 95. 


5 And the Angel, which I saw ™ stand 
upon the sea and upon the earth, ® lifted 
up his hand to heaven, 

6 And sware © by him that liveth for 
ever and ever, P who created heaven, and 
the things that therein are, and the earth, 
and the things that therein are, and the 
sea, and the things which are therein, 
a that there should be time no longer : 

7 But « in the days of the voice of the 
seventh angel, when he shall begin to}. 
sound, 4 the mystery of God should be 
finished, t as he hath declared to his ser- 
yants the prophets. 


n Gen. 14. 22.& 22 |p ‘See on, 4, 11. &} 2l- 

"15, 16. Den. 32, 40.) 14.7. Gem. 1. & 2.1q 16, 17. Dan, 12: 7. 
Bz. 20.5, 15. 23.1 Ex. 20. il, Neh, 94r 11. 15—18. 

28, 42. & 36. 7, &t 6, Ps. 95.8—6. &|s Rom, 12, 25 & 16. 
146. 5, 6. & 148-1—} 25. Eph. 3. 3—9 
7 Jer. 10. 11—13.\t See on, Luke 24, 
Acts 24.15. & 27.) 47. Acts3. 2k. 


m 8€@ On, Ver- 2s | 10. Jer. 10.10. 98,24. Rom. 3. 20, 


Heb. 6. 13. 


47.14. Dan. 12. ‘| 
© 1.18. See on, 40 9, 


some things, which are afterwards more clearly 
revealed. They were, however, ordered to be 
sealed up, and it does not become. us to inquire 
“e frether concerning them. 

. 5—7. The apostle next saw the angel lift 
up mie hand:to heaven, as was customary when 
solemn oaths were taken; and heard him swear 
by the self-existent, eternal Creator of all things, 
s§ that there should be time no longer,” or, as it 
may be rendered, that the zime should not be yet ; 
that is, the time of those glorious things, with 
which the mystery of God would be finished ; but 
that further delays must be expected: till at 
length in the days of the seventh angel, after he 
had bégun. to sound his trumpet, that would be 
accomplished, according to the predictions of 
former prophets, in the destruction of every an: 
tichristian power, and the universal prevalence 
of true religion ; which would continue, with lit- 
tle interruption, to the consummation of all 
things, and. so issue inthe eternal state. But 
before those events began to take place, other 
preparatory transactions must occur; and this 
solemn declaration seems to have been intended, 
toteach Christians in the intervening ages, to 
wait with patience, and to expect a happy event 
ofthe calamities of the Church, though the time 
of it seem long delayed. Ifwe adhere to our 
translation ; the meaning must be, that. all. the 
subsequent events to the end of time, would fall 
under the period of the seventh trumpet. 

V. 8—1l. (Note, Ez. iti. 1—3.) The apos- 
tle’s eating the bouk, was an emblem of his duly 
considering and understanding it ; and his mak- 
ing it his own, as it were, te the purposes for 
which he received it. ‘The knowledge of future 
events was at first very sweet to him, as honey to 
the tasté; but when he had more fully under. 
stond them, they oecasioned him, subsequent 
grief and anguish of heart. By publishing the 
contents ofthis little book, and the rest of the 
predictions-which he was "about to receive, he 
ath indeed ‘* prophesied, before many peoples, 

oe 


ey 


REVELATION. 


heaven, spake unto me again, and s 
Go, and take ' the little. book ee 


unto him, Give me the li 
he said unto me, * Tak 


shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. * 
angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was] 
my mouth ¥ sweet as honey; 10 
as I had eaten it, 2 my be 


prophesy again before many peoples, an 4 
nations, and tongues, and kings. bs 


8 And * the voice which T heard fi 


9 And li wen iain angel, and s sa 


10 And I took the little book out of , 


and as 
y was bitte 
11 And he said unto me, ® ‘Thou m 


u See on, vere 4, 5.§ 1—3. Col. 3. 16. iz Bz ne C 
My0b 23.14. Jem 35) eae he Eon . 
x Jol je 12+ Oke 17. 15. 

16. Ez, 2, 8 & 3. ieee se | ae are inso 


« and nations, and Gagete isis impr 
doth so to this day. 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. — 

The Surety: of the new covenant, who pi 
chased the blessings of it by his’ blood, r 
all things in heaven and earth with unce 
ble authority. His power and his word ne 
terrible to his enemies; but the believer n 
not fear his unchangeable — for he x 
communicate those discoveries and 
to him, which are kept secret ‘tomy all 
The final salvation of the righteous, and ¢ 
prevalence of true religion on earth, are e 
for by the same unfailing word of the Lord : | 
though “ the time shall not be’ yet,” we! 
solid ground to conclude, that the 
the seventh trumpet has either already ts 
place, or is just at hand; when glorious se 
will be exhibited: Very soon, however, t 
“ time shall be no longer :” but if we are 
lievers, a happy eternity will follow; ih 
shall look down from heaven to behold nd 1 
joice in the triumphs of Christ, and his cause’ 
earth. Let us then rely on the immutab 
and oath of the Lord, for strong conso 
amidst all our trials ; let us attend to, aan 
the voice from heavens which calls us f 
attractions of things presetit, that we may 
sider the things which shall be hereafter ; 
seek.our instructions from Christ, and ¢ 
orders; daily meditating on, and dig 
word, turning it into nourishment to 
soule, and declaring it to those aroun 
cording to the Cuties of our several s 
deed the sweetness of such contem 
often be mingled, or followed, with 
whilst we compare the Scriptures with ane 
of the world and the Church, oreven with th 
of our own hearts. Vet, if we are inte 7 
the salvation of Christ, and sesemployed: 
menatie for the good of others; we she 
so muth regard our present feelings, 
ty of Godin) our eternal happiness, 3! 
those with whom we are connected: 


Spon GHIAPTER Xt. “A.D. 95; 


. CHAP. aE: 
‘Th spots directed to measure the temple, &e. 


temple * leave out, and measure it not ; 
for © it is given unto the Gentiles; ‘ and 
the holy city shall they ¢ tread under foot 
4 forty end two months. 

3 And 7 I will give fower unto my 
itwo § witnesses, and they shall prophe- 
sy 'a thousand two hundred end three- 
score days, ™ clothed in sackcloth. 

4 These are the " two olive-trees, and 
the © two candlesticks P standing before — 
@ the God of the earth. 

* Gr. bast out. {' Or, Iwill give un-|m Gen. $7.34. 2 


to leave the outer eourt to the Gentiles; with 
of their prevalence .for forty-two 
*oo Power is given to two witnesses, 
Te ") in sackcloth, for twelve hundred 
feat sixty days, 3—6. The beast makes war up- 
them, and slays them: but after three days 
a pits they arise, and ascend into heaven, 
# Divine judgments overtake their ene- 
“mies, 13. The seventh trumpet sounds; anda 
of the glorious events which shall fol- 
low, 14—18. An introduction to the prophecies 
_ Of the subsequent chapter, 19. 
ND there was Vets me *a reed like 
unto a rod: the Angel stood, 
saying, Rise, and © Measure the temple 
of God, and the altar, and them that 
Ww 
2 But the court which is without the 
@ 21. 15. Is. 10. 1—5. 1 Pet. 2.'5. 9. 
» tated ie Ez. 40—48. 1 Cor. ee 17-20. & 
15—20. Zech. 42, 20. 


Ys 46. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 
es Gr ene 136. Eph 2.20 22.| 


NOTES. 
CHAP. XL _ V- 1, 2. it has before been sup- 
, that the former part of this chapter ex- 
hibits the contents of the little book ; (ote, x. 
1—4;) which represents the state of the wes- 
tern Church, during the two preceding wo trum- 
‘pets, and before the sounding of the seventh 
“trumpet, (15,) and this precisely fixes the chro- 
nology of it. The discoveries of this little book 
_ are related under emblematical appearances and 
actions as before. The scene is the temple ; and 
a-reed, like’a measuring rod, being given to the 
' apostle, he was ordered to measure the temple, 
the altar, and the worshippers in the inner court. 
(Notez, Ez. xl—sxivi.) This denoted, that in 
"the predicted period. there would be = small 
_mumber, whose doctrine, worship, and behav- 
: iour, would bear measuring by the word of God; 
and that these only would be acceptable interior 
worshippers: whereas the outer court, being 
left unmeasured, and given to the Gentiles, em- 
phatically showed, that the greatest number of 
Christians wonld be idolaters and 
wicked men. The holy city also, being trodden 
under foot by them, implied that the Church at 
large, and its most lucrative and eminent places, 
‘would be filled with idolaters, infidels, and hy- 
pocrites, and that true Christians would be op- 
pressed ina grievous manner. The duration of 
times, was fixed to forty-two months, 
or twelve hundred and sixty days, which by pro- 
-phetical computation are so many years. (Votes, 
Dan. vii. 25. viii. 9—14. xii. 7—12.) The whole 
of Danicl’s prophecies should be compared with | years. The beginning, however, of these years, 
te subsequent parts of this book ; 2s the same) cannot well be fixed sooner than A. D. 606, or 
and dates are intended in both, when they j later than A.D. 756.—* Measuring the servants 
e 3a explained ; and this gives a mea-j*‘ of God is equivalent tc sealing them. The un« 
of certainty to the interpretation. Daniel |‘ measured tenants of the cuter court, and the 
these events to the remains of the} unsealed men throughout the Reman empire, 
th onary after it was broken to pieces,}* are alike the votaries of the apustacy: while 
ted ten kingdoms ; (Votes; Dan. vii;)|‘ they that were measured, and they tbat were 
is determines the geography of them to|< sealed, are the saints who refused to be partak- 
> Western empire, which was properly the seat] ‘ ers of his abdminations” ~\{Faber.) 
t monarchy. oe oy outlines both : 


e 138—18. Ps, 79. 1.) to my twowitnesses,) Chr. 21. 16. Esthy 


o 1, 20. Mat. 5. 14 
2 56. Luke 11.33. 
John 15. 27. Actsip Deut 10. & & 
h ver. % 11. & 12.6.) 1.8. & 2. 32. & 3.) Kings 17.1. 

& 13.5. Num. 14.} 15. & 13. 31. q Ex.8, 22. Is. 54. 
34: Dan. 7. Sas CATES he ver. 2, &} 5. Mie. 4. 13. Zech. 
12-7. 1i, 12. 12. 4. 14, 


the time and place to which these prophecies be=- 
longed, are unalterably determined, by the pro- 
phets themselves: nor can the accomplishment 
of them be referred to other times or places, 
without doing the most manifest violence to them 
in both respects. Indeed the prophecies of Da-_ 
niel and those of the apostle, when properly ex< 
plained, and compared with each other and their 
accomplishment, constitute the fullest imagina- 
ble demonstration ofthe truth of the Scripture. 
But demonstration itself cannot convince those 
who will not bestow pains to examine it. The 
beginning of these tweive hundred and si 
years, must be placed subsequent to the four 
first trumpets, on the subversion of the western 
empire, which was completed A. D, 566. This 
made way for the pupe, in process of time, to 
acquire a vast accession. of ecclesiastical domin- 
ion. He becameuniversal bishop, A. D. 606 
and was fully -established as a temporal prince, 
A. D. 756. Did we know exactly at what time 
to begin the twelve hundred and sixty years, we 
might show with certainty when they would ter- 
minate: but this would not consist with that 
wise obscurity, which always in some respects 
rests on prophecies, before they are fulfilied — 
Till the event, therefore, shall explain this mat- 
ter, it must be left undetermined = but, perhaps, 
the ezinning of the rise, and of the fall of this 
antichristian tyranny, and the completion ot them, 
may both be at the distance of twelve hundred 
and sixty years from each other, as in more than 
one way "the Babylonish captivity lasted seventy 


- 


A. D. 95. 


5 And if any mar will’ hurt them, * fire 
proceédeth ‘out of their mouth, and de- 
‘youreth their enemies: and if any man 
will burt: them, he must in this manner 
be killed. ; 


Num! 16. 28—35.; & 5 14. Ez, 43. 3. 
8 Kings 1. 10—i2-| Hous. 6- 5, Zech. 1. 
s. 11,4. Jer. 1.10. 


6ek 2.8. Acts 9. 
4,5. 


V. 3—6. It would be tedious even to men: 
tion the conjectural explications, which have 
_ been given of this prophecy concerning the wit- 
nesses ; but they generally violate the apostle’s 
rule: (2 Pet, i. 20, 21.) not proceeding upon a 
Yarge and comprehensive view of the subject, 
but co:.fining-the interpretation to private, and 
comparatively little, events. A king, in prophe- 
tical language, commonly means a succession of 
monarchs : a witness, therefore, must, be explain- 
ed by the same rule; and not the prophecy of 
individuals, but of a succession of men, who, 
during the period teferred to, bore testimony to 
the truth, must ‘be intenced. ‘Two witnesses 
were mentioned, because one was insufficient for 
the legal proof of any fact; and these witnesses 
were as few as could suffice to attest the true 
gospel, arid to enter a public protest against the 
antichiistian perversions of it : though perhaps 
Moses and Aaron, Elijah and Elisha, andthe 
apostles and seventy. disciples, sent forth, two 
and two, might be alluded.to, All real. Chris- 
tians, who bdldly professed their religion, may 
be considered, as uniting in this testimony: -yet 
ministers, and especially bold and zealous men 
who attempted refermation, were the witnesses 
primarily intended., The angel before-mention- 
ed, even the Lord Jesus, declared, that he would 
give thew power, or authority, to prophesy, dd- 
ring the assigned time: yet this must be done 


in sackcloth, as.expressive of their afflicted per-. 


gecuted state, and of their deep concern and sor- 
row of heart, on account of the abominations 
against which they protested. It hath, been 
shown by many writers, that during the darkest 
ages of popery, men were raised up, who bore a 
decided testimony against the prevailmg corrup- 
tiovs of the Roman church, and for the leading 
doctrines of the gospel, It was indeed the in- 
terest, and the constant practice, of their oppo. 

nents, to silence their testimony, to blacken their 
eharacters, or to destroy-them as heretics: yet, 
after all their endeavours to suppress, misrepre- 
sent, 2nd mutilate their writings; enough re- 
mains to show, that Christ had a remnant of faith- 

ful witnesses and) disciples, through all the ages 
here referred to. From the eighth to the eleventh 
century, inclusive, we find accounts of individu- 
als or collective bodies, who, under the brand ef 
heresy, and.in the face of persecution, evidently 
held, and openly professed, the great doctrines 
of salvation by faith in Christ, and through his 
mediation, merits, and) grace; and protested 
against the abuses of popery ; and these, who 
just prevented the total darkness of that gloomy. 
perivd, could by no means be extirpated. On 
the contrary, they continued to increase in many 
places; in. the valleys of Piedmont especially, 
vast multitudes were collected, and called Wal. 


‘REVELATION? 


-and following centuries: th 


~ Le 


6 These have» power tos ’ 
that it rain 
phecy: and th 
turn them to | 
earth with all plag 
will. 


s.1 Kines 17. 55 17, 18.5 
Luke 4. 25. Samlt Ex. ee 


tate aivinist (to: ate éak in 
and ‘their lives. were Bratt 

some of the Papists themselves have al 
These subsisted during Geis thirte 


seeuted with such unrelenting | ibe 
with such cruel and destructive 
France alone, a million of them are computed & 
have been slain, for the sole crime of protestit 
against the tyranny of j 
lions: of the chur f 
continued to  prophes 
driven from Piedmont, 
ces, propagated their religion, and ond 
way for the reformation. Co i ee 

and agreed in their leading Coad 
position to the church of | Rome, were. 
lards in England; and. the , hewn aty: 9 
among whom arose John Huss and 
Prague, who were burnt in the fi 
by the council of Constance, — 
braced the doctrines of the wisest 
ces, during those times, and. sed or p 
ed it at the hazard of their lives :. and g : 
bers were burnt, or put to death in 
cruel manner, for so doing. . At detigth 
arose, and the reformation. took plsers 
which time, the same testimo: 

Christ, and against the errors © oF Antelsiy 
been maintained. Nor is the terin yet 

the witnesses are not indeed at present expos 
to such terrible sufferings, 3 er tim 


but those scenes will probably 
tong; and they have: abundant cause to ) 
sy im sackcloth, on account of the state 
ligion even in the protest churche hes. I 
ever, though men despised hated th 
nesses, they were in realit “i 
“ trees,” endued with spiritual gifts a1 
that through their instrumentality, ott 
might receive the unction from 
and “ the two candlesticks,” 
light of divine truth in this 
they stood to minister with acceptant 
“the God of the earth,” the Proprietor. 
vernor of all mankind; and were the 
pions, as it were, of his cause, and. the he 
of his glory, in the countries ubersi they 
(Notes, Zech. iv.) Moreover, 
enraged by their testimony, a 
their apparent weakness, sh 
them; “ fire proceeding from their mouths 
s© deyour their enemies, would certainly s 
‘* them:” that is, the Lord would. i 
plead and ayenge thejr cause, and re: 
injuries done to them, as done against 
Their warnings and. instructions. would 
the condemnation of those, who hated th 


i 
3] Seg sh 4 . 
—— bl. th i 


} they shall have finished} 
my, * the beast Pascend- 

bottomless pit shall make} 
€ and shall overcome 
i them. - 4 

eir dead bodies shal! le in 


is called * Sodom and © Exypt, 
‘also ¢ our Lord was crucified. 


; 3 shall not suffer their dead bodies to, 
nf eho cai | 
, 7 : o they 


iz vers 13. & 14. : 


vers 33, S4- Acts 9. 4e 
} & 16.19, & 17. L 
a) 5- & 15. 2. 10. 13. 
Pah $ 
I. & 17.!a Gen. 13- 13. & 19.) 
= » 19. 19, 24. Jer. 23. 14 Ez,Je Ste on, ver.2, 3.11. 
“Dam. 7.21, 22. 25.| 16. 5355. Am. 4if 
| ¥e 8, 23,24.2 Thes.; 11. Mat. 10. 15. ie 17, 18. Be. 6.3 


BR. 
d WsIL & 107 & 
47. 15- - 


fe Is. 33. 1. Jer. 7. 33. 
Ete le 15, 14. & 3.) Mat. 7. 2. + 

7. Ps. 78. 43—S51- | 12. 13. & 13s & 
¢ 18. 24. Luke 13. 14. Mas. 10-22. 


account; the denunciations of divine ven- 
_ geance uttered by them, would certainly be ac- 
| © ;°and even their prayers would be 
| ‘answered im judgments on those, who persisted. 
|» in their enmity. For, in this respect, they would 
“have power like Elijah, to shut heaven, and to 
| restrain the rain from falling, during the three 
) years and a half of their prophesying; (James 
|v. 17.) or to prevent blessings coming from 
above on those, who rejected their testimony 
_ and persec ; 
| ‘waters into bleed, orto inflict all other plagues 
| at their pleasure; as Mose® did upon the Egyp- 
| tians. That is, they would have as great an inter- 


est in heaven, as the most eminent of the pro- 


CHAPTER XI. 


that ¢ wet upon the| 


-Heb. 6. 6. & 12.) bh Judg-16.23, 24. Ps. 


Sze on, y- ver. 3. &/ 


3 for it : as well as to turn the ; 


A. dD. 95. 
earth shall & rejoice over them, and 
+ make merry, and shall send gifts onc to 
another; because * these two prophets 


tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 


11 And after ! three days and an half, 
m the Spirit of life from God entered into 


z the great city, which spirit-| them,,and they stood upon their feet; 


= and great fear fell upon them which 
saw them. 

12 And they heard a gre ice from 
heaven, saying unto tiem, Beane up 
hither. P And ‘they ascended upto hea- 
ven in a cloud; % and their enémies be- 
held them. - 


[Practical OSservations-] 


21 20, & 29.8. 18Jo"4, 1. Ps. 15-1. & 
I 4. Re 35. 19.24) Jer. 38.2. Johw 7.) 24.3. Is. 40. 3t. 
—26. & 99. 42. Pro} 7%. Acts 5-33. & dpe: e125. 3 


24. 17. Jer: 50. 11.) $4+—57. & 17. 5,6. | Kings 2. 11. Ise 14, 

Ob. 12. Mic. 7. 3.11 ver. 9. 

John 16,20, 1 Cor.jm Gen. 2.7. Ez. 37. 
5—it. Rom. $. 2.7 

1o—1s.} f]- 

Esth. 9, 19-22. ver. 23. Fash. 2.9 

k ver. 5, 6. & 16. 20; Jer. 33.9. Has. 3. 

iWings 18. 17. &| 5. Acts 5 5-11. 


13. Acts 1.9. Rom. 
3. 34—37. Eph. % 
5, 6. 

q Ex. 04. 25. Ps. a6, 
) LZ. & P12. w. Mal, 
3.13. Luke 16. 2. 


6. 
¥Neh. 3. 


& 


when Christ was there crucified, im general en- 
mity, to him and his cause. Yet the arrange- 
| ment of the prophecy, in other respects, shows, 
| that the countries, which belonged to the Church 
of Rome, when at the height of its power, and 
Most prosperous in its rage, ‘for crucifying 
‘© our Lord” afresh in kis people, were’ princi- 
pally, or wholly intended: amd indeed, 

our Lord personally was crucified at Jerusalem, 
it was by the authority of the Roman emperor, 
when Judea was a province of that empire. 
; Present appearances indeed, favour the opinion, 
that this general and successful war of the beast 
against the witnesses of Christ will be conduct- 
ed under another form, and cther pretences, and 


| phets ; and God would as surely punish those na-| perhaps by other instruments and means, than 
| tions, princes, or otherpersons, who injured them,| former assaults have been. Papal persecutors 
-as he did those, that had formerly oppressed his} were often concealed infidels; and infidels con- 
people, or murdered his messengers. cealed under any other mask, and so 
V.7—42. When these witnesses “shall have | vital Christianity within the same district, may 
* finished,” or shall be about to finish, their tes-/ equally answer to the prediction: for the pecu- 
timony; the beast, that cometh out of. the hot-| liar opinions of this antichristiam power sre not 
tomiless pit, (that is, the persecuting power, which} bere specified, and the apostle elsewhere speaks 
will afterwards be more fully described,) shall| of antichrist as one who epposes the doctrine, 
_ fight against them, and kill them. Many private| the authority, or glory of Christ. (ates, 1 Join 
interpretations, (for so they appear to me,) have! ii. 18—24. iv. 3.) The prevalence of infidelity in 
been given of this passage, as if it related to the| different forms, throughout Europe, and the zeal, 
“martyrdom of individuals, or partial persecutions| with which principles of that are every 
in past times; and some imagine, that it only de-} where propagated - when the de- 
Notes the constant ution of true Christians,| clining state of popish 
__, through the whole period of twelve hundred and} not very improbable, that the beast may change 
| sixty years : I cannot, however, but think, that) his ground and method of attack, before he thas 
: to events yet future ; and that it will| prevails against the witnesses; for that time ap- 
“be about the time of the sounding of the} proacheth. It likewise appears from the pre- 
trumpet. The great city, in the street} diction, that the temporary victory of this enemy 
tthe dead bodies of the witnesses shall/ over the truth, will be so entire, throughout the 
d, seems not to mean‘either Rome, or} extent of the western Church, that there will be 


| a re | 


alem, literally; but Jerusalem mystically ;) scarcely any open profession, or preaching of the 
is, the professing Church of God, 2s possess-| true gospel, or steady opposition to the prevail- 
y Gentiles, (2;) and so become the rival ¢f} ing antichristianity, in all that part of the world - 
in ; of Egypt im cruelty to the} so that the different nations of Earope, and oth~ 
fren of God; and of Jerusalem at the time} ers as conaected with them, will have nothing tn 


opposuig: 


*y renders it © 


‘ 
Fi 
. 


‘en 


‘A.D. 95. REVELATION. Soh a D5) 


13 And the same hour * was there a great earthquake, * and the tenth p D2 art @ 
r ver. 29, see on, 6. 12, & 8.5. & 16. 18. s 8 9-12. & 13. 1-3. & 16. ‘19. ; a | 


if the witnesses were slain at the council of Ce 
stance, or by the total ruin of the league. 
Smalcalde, or at any of the times, which diff 
ent expositors fix upon; they prophesied one) 
two, or three handred days, less than the pr 
dicted period. Except, any will say, that the 
prophesied in sackeloth, after their resurrectio; | 
and ascension into heaven. The different opin#) 
ions of eminently learned and able men, on the) 
subject, and the extreme difficulty, which the 
all seem to find,in making one part of their i 
pretations consistent with the others, are power 
ful arguments in my mind, that they have 
fact and truth to bear them out. The fuifilm 
of the prophecy seems to me, indispensably y' 
require the following particulars. Ist. The) 
general suppression of the public testimony for 
the truth and against the perversions of Christi+ | 
anity, throughout alt the kingdoms of the cr 
ern empire: but no such general. sup 3 
has taken place, especially in the later ages ¢ P| 
the period in question. 2dly. The Open, avow: 
ed, and general triumph of enemies, however 
distinguished ; ; as if the hated cause of 1 
Christianity, were finally ruined. < 
very-speedy, and unexpected, revival of the w 
nesses : and the immediate general and extra 
nary triumphs of the senetia all ie iP) eon 
where it was supposed to be extirpated, 
ther this will be, as some with much pi 
think, the last persecution before the M Tena 
the event must determine: but zhe war 9 
beast against the witnesses, is a widely di 
thing, from the war of Christ against the per 
tors, which, I apprehend, is Meant by ae 
ing out of the vial the opening of the se. 
venth trumpet. During the former, the enemy, 
triumphs, and the witnesses prophesy in sack ‘ 
cloth, till slain: during the datter, the w 
and their cause triumph, and their enemies re 
destroyed by tremendous judgments. Yet these — 
distinct events have, by some respectable ex] 
tors, been apparently confounded. ‘If “ the s! 
“ ing of the witnesses,” be future; it is of ¥ 
importance that Christians should be aw 
it, and act accordingly. It does not iy 
the suppression of the public testimony ; v 
general silencing of faithful ministers, and inhibits 
ing the public administration of ordinances, 
through the ten kingdoms ; that there will be 
true Christianity in those kingdoms. Nay itis n rt 
improbable, that the prevalence of true Chri ani 
ty will provoke this. persecution; that 

will be thousands, and tens of thousands, 
secretly, at the hazard of their lives, me 
{ogether, for the worship of God; that bool 
previously circulated, containing clear and p 
tical religious instruction, willin a very great di 
gree supply the want of public ordinances, « 
ing this short interruption ; that the-persect 
itself, and the suppression of the testimony, 
50 show the odiousness of the persecutors, ai 
the excellency of true Christians, as, by the 
vine blessing, exceedingly to multiply real 


do but toconatemplate and insult over the dead bo- 
dits of the witnesses, which they will not suffer 
to be buried. This may signify, that they will 
xevile and deride all those, who before had pro 
fessed'and preached the truth; and tits pre- 
serve them from oblivion, by exposing them to 
ignominy. At the same time, they will use the 
customary methods of mutual congratulation on 
an event, which they deem so joyful: supposing 
that they have at last finally extirpated a race of 
men, whose examples, doctrines, warnings, and 
reprovfs, alarmed and disquicted their minds, 
and prevented them from proceeding without 
disturbance in their ungodliiiess and iniquity. 
Burt the triumphing of these wicked men shall 
be short; for after three days and a half, pro- 
phetically computed, the witnesses shall rise 
again from the dead, to the great consterna- 
tion of their insulting murderers: that is, the 
Lord will raise up a competent number of wit- 
nesses, to stand up for his pure Gospel: to the 
terror of its opposers, who hoped it was finaily 
_ extirpated. Nay, these witnesses will be called 
by a voice from heaven, to ascend thither, which 
they will accordingly do, in the sight of their 
enemies. That is, the apparent extirpation of 
genuine Christianity in the western Church, 
(the bounds of which are considered in their 
largest dimensions ; for all true protestants are 
only witnesses for the truth, within the dominions 
ef the beast,) will make way for better times, 
when the ministers and professors of the gospel 
shall be far more zealous, honoured, and pros- 
pered, than \before; even as the ascension of 
Christ to glory, was subsequent to his death 
and resurrection. The above is the substance 
of what the first edition of this work contained : 
and since that time the author has had abundant 
opportunity of re-considering his interpretation : 
and of comparing it with those of many other 
commentators, and with events which have oc- 
curred in Providence. He must, however, still 
avow his full conviction, that the transactions, 
predicted under the emblems of these verses have | ‘ 
not hitherto taken place. Itis generally agreed, 
that this chapter coincides in time with the 
ninth; and that the state of the Church, and of 
' the mations in the western empire, is here pre- 
dicted ; as that ot the eastern empire had before 
been. The whdle testimony, therefore, against 
idolatry and popery, in the ten kingdoms, during 
the twelve i d sixty years, must be in- 
tended till tHEt testimony is generally sup- 
pressed, the’ witnesses are not slain. The tri- 
umphs of the persecutors, in Germany, Bohemia, 
Spain, or Italy, do not amount to any thing, 
which can be calied § the slaying of the wit- 
** nesses ;” so long as a public testimony against 
papal corruptions, and for the true gospel is 
borne in any other parts of the western empire. 
However we explain the expression, ** when they 
« shall have finished their testimony ;” we must 
make it agree with this part of the prediction; 
«< they shall prophesy a thousand, two hundred, 
* god sizty days clothed in sackcleth.” Now, 


| 
| 


i hal | sal 
- : 


+ _ 
4.D.%5. CHAPTER XL. , A. D. 95. 


4 he city fell, and in the earthquake were} 17 Saying, 4 We give thee thanks, O 
oe of * men seven thousand: t and the|¢ Lord God almighty, which art, and 
remnant were affrightcd, and gave glo- wast, and art to come; because & thou 
ry to the God of heaven. - {hast taken to thee thy great power, and 
ey . The * second woe is past; and, be-|hast reigned. 
hold, the third woe cometh quickly. 18 And.® the nations were angry, ‘and 
15 4 And » the seventh angel sound-|thy wrath is come, * and the time of the 
‘ed; “and there were great yoices in hea-/dead, that they should be judged, ! and 
en, Saying, ® The kingdoras of this| that thou shouldest give reward unto thy 
orld are become che kingdoms of our|servants the prophets, and to the saints, 
Lord, and of his Christ; > and he shall|™ and them that fear thy a ne, small anc. 
Feioh for everandever. | great; and ™ shouldest destroy thems 
- 16 And ¢ the four and twenty elders,| which * destroy the earth. 
“which sat before God on their seats, fell 
upon their faces, and worshipped God, 


re 4 = ‘ 
° Gr. 23, Luke 15.) Zech. 2. 11. & 8.20 
Ari ae lie & 14. 9. Mal. 
& 


J 


6, 10, Mat. 11. 25.| 9—11. & 52. 10, 


d 4.9. Dan. 2, 93. &] 102. 13—18. Is. a Ise 26. 19-21. Dawe 
Lake 10. 21. John 


‘le *ak 12, 10. & 15.4. &) 1.12 

€ secon, ver. 12. _ | 17-14% 20.4. Ps|b Ex. 15. 18 P&le see on, 1.8. & 4.) —6. Ex. 38. 9—23) & 103. 11.& 115, 

@ 4.7. & 15. 29. 97,28. & 7.111 110. 4 & 146+ 10.) 8. &15.'3. & 16. 7.| Joel 3. 9—14. Mie.| 13, 14. & 147. 11. 
£9, Josh. 7 19.) & 86. 9. & 89. 15—| Is. 9 7% Ez. 37.) 14, Gen. 17.1. 7- 15—17. Zech. 14"| Ee. 8 12. & 12 

2 | 6. §&. Jer.| 17. Is 2 2, S &| 25. Dan. 2 44 & If see on, 44. 8. &) 2,3. he pone 

3. 16, Mal. 2.2. | 49. 6, 7- 22,23. &| 7 18. 27. Mic.4-7-} 16.5. i see on, 6. 15—17.|n 13.10. & 18. 16— 

S 3013. & 9. 12. &| 55.5. & 60.3—14.| Mat. 6. 13. Luke} g see on, ver. 18. &| & 14. 10, & 15.1.4 24. & 19. 19. 2% 

“15.1. & 16.1, &e. | Jer. 16. 19. Dan.2.) 1. 33. Heb. 1.8, 19. 6. 11—21. &/ 7.& 16. & 19. 15.) Dane 7. 26, & Ge 

F 8 2-6, 12.& 91.) 44, 45, & 7. 14.92.¢ 4. 4. 10. & 5. 5—Bs| 20, 13. Ps, 21.13. see on, 6. 10, 11.| 25. & 11. 44, 456 

1 27. Hos. 2- 23. Am.) 14.& 7. 11. & 19.) & 57.11. & 64 9.| & 20. %s, 3. 12-15+* Or, 

2 ie 10. & 16. 17.| 9. 11, 12- Mic. 4. 1,) 4» 10. & 98. 1-3. & sci 

& 10. 6. Is. 27. 13.} 2 Zeph. 3. 9, 10. F 


* thousand names of men,’ induces many te 
think that this refers to the degradation and de~ 
struction of the most renowned and powerful 
supporters of antichrist: but the event alone 
can determine the precise meaning of this. Thus 
the second wo, or the sixth trumpet, will termi- 
nate; and behold the third wo will speedily 
approach. Whether the revolutions and desola- 
tions in France and on the continent, during the 
last twenty years, are specially meant, (as some 
expositors confidently decide,) our descendants 
will be more competent to determine, than we 
are. At least, Idare not venture an opinions 
but am rather disposed to think, that the whole 
is yet future. 

V. 15—18.. The little book hath been shows 
to contain such important predictions, as abun- 
dantly to account for the solemnity, with which 
it was delivered to the apostle.. He therefore 
next proceeds with the subject of the ninth chap- 
ter. When the seventh angel had sounded his 
trumpet, there were great voices in heaven; all 
the blessed inhabitants rejoicing with admirin 
gratitude, because * the kingdoms of this world,” 
which had so long lain under the wicked one, 
were become willingly subject to Jzenovaz, and 
to his anointed King, who would reign over 
them for eyer; as his kingdokwon earth would 
continue to the .end of time, and in heaven te 
eternity. Then the emblematical representatives 
of the whole Church were seen to prostrate them- 
selves, in adoring worship, praising, and render- 

ing thanks to him, as the self-existent, omnipe- 

tended by the resurrection and ascension of the } tent, and eternal Lord God; because he had ta= 
itnesses, some terrible judgment will befall «ken to him the power over the nations, whick 
e part of this antichristian city, especially | was his by right at all times, and who had now 
‘some one of the ten kingdoms, which will destroy {established iis kingdom throughout the earth. 
a great number of persons, and so alarm others lf this be not addressed to Christ personally, as 
as to tend to their conversion, and to the glory {some think ; it must he allowed to include him, 
din %. The original expression, “ seven} as One with the Father, and the Holy Spitit, ia 


shall then burst forth, from the ashes under which 
it had been smothered ; and this, through all 
the ten kingdoms, appear to me to give an as- 
tonishing interest to this f the subject; as 
well as most animating es, now to sow to 
the utmost that seed, which will then produce the 
_ glorious harvest. In many other cases we should 
rejoice with trembling ;” but in this, while 
we cannot but tremble, at the prospect before 
us, we should tremble with rejoicing. Lake the 
believer’s death, it will be a dark and painful en- 
trance of scenes inexpressibly delightful: and 
the approach of it, if perceived, will assure 
the intelligent Christian, that the final triumphs 
of the Ghurch are at hand, even at the door- In 
what way, the accomplishment will take place, 
the event must show; and it is vain to argue 
against the improbability of it: for the dispensa- 
tions of Providence commonly subvert all our 
pre-conceptions of probability. This exceeding- 
ly low state of real Christianity, seems only to 
relate to the western church : and probably in 
America, in Africa, in the East Indies, or other 
parts of Asia there may be, very flourishing 
‘churches at the same time. 
--¥.13, 14. Immediately after the events, in- 


his people whoni they had slain; 


s 


_.  phecies : 


AD. 95. Naa a ee Vv 
19 4 And.® the. sfdgherple: of Gite 
epened in heaven, ‘and there was'seen in 
his temples P the ark of his testament : 
: pte es, 
ev, 15—17. & 15} D 7 is, 25. 21, “t} ‘ 


5-8. sabi i Us.} Num. 4. 5. 15, & 
Gs LAs (RASS ly 


the unity of the Godhead, What filowh is ex- 
plained, by some persons, to relate to the exe- 
€ution of the wrath of God on the nations before 
the Millennium, for the ragé ahd enmity against 
but who were 
figuratively raised from the dead, in the revival 
and final prevalence of the Gospel, and reward. 

ed in the exceeding prosperity of the Church ; 

whilst they who destroyed the earth were ex~ 
terminated ; but others suppose it to refer to the 
temporary opposition raised against the Gospel, 

after the Millennium, and just before the gene- 
ral resurrection, and the final judgment. (Vote, 
xx.7—15,) The account, however, in this place 
is very brief; for it will be explained, and dilat-| 
ed on afterwards, in. several chapters : and per-| 

haps both evehts are compendiously hinted at.— 


cole. ‘Heb. 9. 4—8. 


© Thus we are arrived at the consummation of | self ~denial, and patience Schtnbais 
all things, . through a series of prophecies, ex-| scription are harmless 
tending, from the apostles’ days to the end of helpless and friendi 


the world. This series has been the clue to 
conduct us in our interpretation of these pro- 
and though some of them may be 


€ 
« 
c 
‘ 


ae 
© dark and obscure, considered in themselves ; 


» 


© yet they receive light and illustration from 
¢ others preceding and following. Altogether 
¢ they are, as it were, a chain of propheciés, 
* wheréof one link depends on and supports an- 
¢ other. If any parts remain yet obscure and 


€ unsatisfactory, they may perhaps be cleared ‘heaviest oe on offending 


* up, by what the apostle has added by way of 
‘¢ explanation” (JVezwton.) 


~ VW; 19. This verse introduces a new subject, | cut off the Lord’s 
id should have been placed at the beginnin¢|ed their testimony, an ‘ip 
(iv. 1, 2, Is, vi. 1—3.) The | cruelties and outrages of per 


of the next chapter. 


ie ofthe vision was laid at the temple, which | ing or on the dead, as if 


ay dg dene were ght a 


10. 23. 2 Cor. 3, “4 oie & 


and» thunderings,. 
and great | i 
q vers 13. 15. 366 

8. 5. 


18. 
ae 


& 16. 21, 
r 7 sk 
God ;, and yet the 
trodden under foot. by 
‘in the habit of worshippers 
ages, a small number of wi 
in sackcloth, have appeared 
and the truth ; whilst 
and power, have been r 
tichrist, in one form or anot 
honourable employment to u 
nesses, how few, despised, or pe 
they may be; and to enter a Bi 
nected with a holy and exemplary 
against the Seip, orruptio 
place in which we liv h 
green olive-trees in ge 
ing lights in the dark p 
we cannot obtain this honour 


Roe 


a roaring lion, or to fa 
to injure them; for the 
cause, * and spoil the ‘out 
“ them,” and’their pious i 
warnings, and benevolent pray 
to consume their inveterate en 
the: wrath: of God: ag gainst os 


Neither satan, | 


was so far opened, that the ark of the covenant | revenge into another world, c D r 


became visible: this denoted that further dis-| immediate felicity of their so 
‘coveries were about to be made relating to the |surrection of their bodie 
for the preceding | sion into heavenly ma 
chapter ‘chiefly referred to the affairs of the em-| pious barbarities, Chri 
pire, and the external concerns of the Church.—| Jerusalem is turned 


interior parts of religion: 


«© The lightnings, and. voices, and thunderings,” 


were tokens of the divine presence ; and em-|of this character, (as the ps 
blems of the terrible judgments, which were |cifix,) seems even to cruci 
about to be revealed. The next chapter seems |after the example of those 


to go back to the primitive ages of the church: 


and we must pass a second time through many |carnate Son of God. De mined rebels a 
of the same sutceeding periods as before ; the light rejoice, as on some most. hap ye 
though prificipally with relation to the times of|when they can drive away or ( 


the three last wo trumpets. 


; PRACTIC AL OBSERVATIONS. 
Tea : Vv. 1-6. — 


‘The Lor rd measures his professed sorsuiaaete| them ; then they will behold those ascent 


e the rule of his word, and weighs them in his 
balance : 


the same unerring’ touchstone. For mere no- 
minal professors are actounted Gentiles before 


: 
5 


his ministers must also use the same |geance awaits their enemies, 
standard ; and they, who svould be, approved as {or death in its most terrific form can 3 $0 
inner court- worshippers, must try themselves by [shadow forth. ; 


and the external homage 


pulchres of the prophets, and mu 


servants of Christ, whose di 
are a torment to them : ‘but thi 
ed into terror and: anguisi 
‘God will rise again to be swift witnes 


jhe glory of their Lord, 


NW. 15210; 
Sdiy’ woes! ‘await the inpeien 


r¢ 


neh, ; 
A. D. 95. 
¢ CHAP. XII. 

A travailing woman, watched by a red dragon, that 
he might deyour her offspring: she is delivered 
of a son; his exaltation, and her flight into the 

__ wilderness, 1—6. Michael overcomes, and casts 


 . 
CHAPTER xi. A.D. 95. | 


der in heaven ; and behold, ¢a great red 
dragon, having ® seven heads and i ten 
horns, and ® seyen crowns upon his heads. 

4 And ! his tail drew the third part of 
derness, *—° ee the stars of heayen, and did cast them to 

out sat: jn heaven on that occasion: an ’ 

wo eo the earth, through satan’s rage | the earth : and ™ the dragon stood before 
x Se ‘mélice, 7—12. The dragon persecutes the| the woman which was ready to be deli- 
"woman; her flight into the Pessina begins vered, for to devour her child as soon as 
pe = from his unwearied and waried efforts, | i+ Was born. 

1s—I7. 5 And = she brought forth a man- 

- appeared a great * won-| | * oS 2 : 

7 & ND = there appe s lothed child, who was to ° rule all nations with ~ 


“F®& der in heaven; ®a woman ‘c : 3 
“with the sun, 4 and the moon under her} Td of iron: and her child was P caught 

“feet, and upon’ her head © a crown of|UP Unto God, and Zo his throne. 
Soretee stars : 6 And §the woman fled into the wil- 
2 An she) being with child, cried, | Gennes where she hath a place prepared 


t F as <a | of God, * that they should feed her there 
tcutoua ee a thousand two hundred and threescore 


3 And there appeared another ¢ won- days. 
‘aver. 3. & 1. ; John 3. 29. 2 Corfe 1. 20. & 21. 14.| 


a 


[Practical Obs¢rvations.} 


g@ ver. 4. 9. 17. &19. 10. 19 Dan. 8.) & 19. 15. Ps. 2, & 
13. 2. 4. & 16.13] 9—12. psee on. 11- 12. 

‘ fver.4. Is. 53. 11.| & 17.3, 4. & 20. 2.)m Ex, 1. 16. Mat. 2.) Mark :6. 19. 

® Or, sign. Mat. 12.! Is. 60. 19, 20. & 61.' & 54.1 & 66.7,8 | Is-27. 1.& 51 9. | 3—16. John 8. 44. 1/q ver. 14. 

2. Rom.| Mic. 5. 3. John 16. | h 13. 1. 3.& 17.9 

1117. 3 %, 12 16. 


‘/& 15.1. 2 Chr, 32.) 11.2. Ephe 5. 25— pe 62. 3. Zech. | 
rt 


31. Mark 13. 25.} 27.32 
Acts 2. 19. c 21 23. Ps. 84.11. 


138. & 24. 30. Luke} 10. Mal. 4. Pet. 5. 8 rl Kings 17. 3—6- 


3, 22 & i3. 14] 2:. Gal. 4. 19.27. 9-15 & 19, 4-8. 


ver. 2. Is. 7. 14. 


Ql. Lie 25. 
pb Is. 49. 14-23. &] Gal. 3.27, + Or, sign see on.| Dan. 2. 42. & 7. 7,| Jer. 31. 22, Mic. 5.) Mat. 4. 11 
54. 5—7. & 60. i—|d Gal. 6- 14. Tit. 2.} ver. 1. } 8.20.24. 3. Mat. 1. 25. $ se€on, 11.2, 3. 
Kk 13:1 0 see On, 2. 26, $7 


4. Hos. 2. 19, 20.° 11, 12. ‘ 
a Tee ah We tate - 
but the most dreadful wo will, as it were, cause | primitive ages of the church; though they are 

| ali the rest to be forgotten; and it will arrive | more briefly mentioned than those which follow- 
guickly. For the seventh angel shall sound;jed. Inatteatior to this circumstance has created 
and the inhabitants of heaven wil rejoice, be. | much perplexity, in many attempts to explain 
cause “ghe kingdoms of the earth shall become } these predictions: for if we do not keep hold of 
the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ,””)} the clue, what bath properly been called the in- 
and he shall ** reign forever.” At present, pray- ternal geography anc chronology of the book ; 
| er. for that blessed revolution in the state of the | imagination will rove at large, and supposed al- 
world, is the duty ef all real Christians; but} lusicns to detached events, in different ages and 


i shortly they will be calle 
: Joud tha»ksgiving and b 
* the Lorp God almighty, whois, and was, and 
« isto come.” (i.4 8.11.) Oh, may the name 
‘of our heavenly Father be thus hallowed; may 
his kingdom thus come, and may his “ will be 
4 done in earth, as it is in heaven ;” for his “ is 
* the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for 
“ever, Amen.” The anger of the nations against 
his righteous authority will bring on the great 
day of his wrath: the time of the dead, when 
_ they shall be judged, will soon come: then shall 
his faithful servants and friends, both great and 
small, be most munificently rewarded ;_and they 
who’haye destroyed the earth, shall be them. 
selves destroyed. In the mean time, we, through 
the rended veil, may see the ark of the covenant, 
and our God upon a mercy-seat: and if we hum- 
bly approach him in this new and living Way, 
the most tremendous threatenings of his word, 
gand the most awful judgments of his hand, will 
= us no harm, and should cause us no conster- 


¢ thy a 


iT} 


Biel NOTES. 

IAP. XII. Y.1—6. The prophecies of this 

ol (as it appears to me,) naturally divide 

themselves into two parts; the second of which 

_ begins with the last verse of the preceding chap- 

ter. So that we are here brought back to the 
_ YOU. Vi. Hoy 


~ 


* pes 
= 2 
4 : 
cee a . < 


i 


join in songs of| places, wiil disjoint the interpretation, and ren- 
le adoration, “ to|der the whole ambiguous and suspicious. The 


church, under the common emblem of a woman, 
the mother of individual believers, deriving its 
original from heaven, aud being destined to re- 
turn thither, was beheld, by the apostle in yi- 
sion, in heaven; with such attire and circum- 
stances, as rendered the appearance peculiarly 
‘wonderful, and denoted that it was significant of 
some great events. She was clothed with the 
sun; as an emblem of her being justified, sanc- 
tified, and irradiated by virtue of union with 
Christ, “ the Sun of righteousness :” she had the 
moon under her feet; to denote her superiority 
to the reflected and feebler light of the Mosaic 
dispensation, and to the love of all sublunary ob- 
jects: her crown with twelve stars, represented 
her honourable maintenance of the doctrine of 
the twelve apostles. Her pregnancy and tra 
vailing pains, seem to be an emblem of the af- 
flicted state of the church in the three first cen- 
turies ; during which time, amidst many hard- 
ships and persecutions, with fervent prayers and 
earnest labours, she sought deliverance from her 
oppression, and an increase of her family, and 
waited the appointed term, which was to brin 
a happy crisis to these her sorrows. (Gal. iv. 19.) 
At the same time another marvellous sight was 
seen in heaven, even “a great red dragon.” A 


dragon was a known gmblem of satan, and ef pis 
5A he satap, ‘ 


a 


lg gis Se 


r undeniably, proves, that it related to the pa-|é¢ 


* children of Israel, or as Herod sought the life‘of}* to be more copiously handled, 


i ee oes 
PA eee 
7 { And. there Wa 


£13. 7. 8 19. 11-20. Is.34. 4. Ephy 6612, Gre 


ise ae ae a HE r 
Ett ‘ W he, 


abi & hike pen Oh on task os +f He 
« Michael * and his angels fough aga 
Jivile 8 27. B24. 81 


Fe 


bila bet 


‘principal agents or yicegerents on earth. larg-\présented only, as’ pr 
Ref.) Purple or ecarlet. was the distioguishig actually fled. ” The a 
colour of thé Roman emperors, consuls, and ge-| decided opinion, ands 

‘perals } even as it hath heen since of the popes |* the little bopk” con ‘ To 
and cardinals. The seven heads of the dragon fihe eleventh chapters th 9p 
signify the seven hills, on which Rome was buiit;|cesses is yet future; ax 
and the sven forms of government which suc-| part of the preceding ch e = 
cessively prevailed there; (Marg. Ref) fie ter | -ighteenth Verse, brings nies of predictell 
horns marked out the ten kivigdoms, tuto which | vents, ta the Millennium ; and indeed to theen 
the western empire was” at length divided ;/ ofthe world. If then, this and the following cha 
(Notes. Dan. ii. 31—48. vil, 23-27.) but the | ters relate, as undoubtedly they do, to events pi 
€ seven crowns on the dragon’s heads,” and/ ceding the Millennium; the sacred writer 


gan emperors, and not to the antichristien|* we have seen, in a regular 
power afterwards mentioned. (xiii. 1.) The|* ries, from the apostle’s 
‘tail. of the dragon, drawing a third part of|¢ tion of all things. Nothing 
the stars, represented the power of the Ro-|* must fall somewhere or 
Mans, which bad cast down the princes of|« pass of this period 5 it ‘a 
one-third part of the earth, and reduced their|« the same subjects; and th Jatter 
countries to subjection. This monster appeared |* most properly be considered as 
to watch the woman, being prepared to devour }- and illustration of the former. 


her offspring ; as Pharaoh destroyed the male}‘ which beftre were only touc 


. 


“Christ. Thus the Roman emperors and magis-}* stronger light’ It was said that 
trates, jealously watched the progress of Chris-|‘ should make war against 
tianity from the first; and harassed the church |“ overcome them ;” * but wh 
with constant persecutions. But, at length the |* is, we may reasonably conjee 
woman was delivered of a male child. During|*‘ apostle himself will more surely exp 
the time of the persecuting emperors the church |* transactions of thigs ’ are 

_ was greatly increased ; at length one sprang from|* med up and con 
her, who ascended the imperial throne, being}|< shall see the partic 
appointed to be the vicegerent of Christ, in rul- © larged on into a8 1 
ing the nations, and crushing the enemies of the |« latter partis desig 
gospel, as with a rod of iron. (Votes, ii. 26, 27.|« former, to, complete 
vie 12—17. Ps. ii. 9-) Thus the offspring of the) explain what-was dub 
church, ever Christians in general, and Constan-|¢ was obscure : and as the ? 
tine in particular, with the Christian emperors,|+ the destinies of the Roman empire, so thi 
who pected him, escaped the rage of the. md « relates to the faleesai te" Chri eb arc} 
dragon; and the latter was exalted to very great | ( Bp. JVewton.) Nothin ily con 
honour and authority, under the inimediate pro-}my opinion, that Bishop Ss) ou 
tection, and by the special favour of God. New/|the true interpretation, th 
triais, however, awaited the church, which at] which permanently rests 
length drove her into the wilderness, or rendered | fwly considering those € 
her desolate and distvessed. For the termina. ;substituted in the plat 
of pagan persecution made way for those | are stated, I hesitate ; n 
events, which at length terminated in the anti-| they can be answered=) 

-ghiristian power, the continuance of which was tion, substituted in its place 
fixed to one thousand two hundred and sixty years. | tention, still. more insupe i] 
(Notes, xi. 1—14.) But God had provided ajon my mind, ‘The ma 
place where he would. sustain her, when the] * word of God, which is 

_ time arrived: and her flight into the wilderness|* the Church, because i 
Be mening way of anticipation, This}* seed, from which all tr 


s th 
interpretation has been objected to, because the |(Aeber.) This mystic word is, t 
sixth verse 1s supposed to be introduced by an-| parent, than the son, of th Church ; t 
‘ticipation: but, in fact, it is manifest, that the| this; if the respectable writer here ci 
apostle thus introduces it; else, why does he re-|not make out his system, without h 
sume it, afier several verses, predicting most im-| course to so indefinite and allegorical 
portant events, (14) with some additional cir | pretation of -an event evidently of prim 
cumstances? Yet even then, the church is re | portance in the prophecy ; I cannot but: 


? q 


ry 


fe 


bee 
/ythe dragon; andthe dragon fought and 
'@hisangels, i 
7 And # prevailed not; neither was 

b their place found any more in heaven. 

9 And ©the great dragon was Cast out, 
4 that old serpent, called © rhe Devil, 
fand Satan, which & deceiveth the whole 
world: ® he was cast out iinto the earth, 
and his angels were cast out with im. 
1@-And * j heard a loud voice saying 
heaven, Now is come salvation and 


Bee is oR 
Se yer. 3,4. } Is. 27. 1. & 65. 25.4g 13.14. & 18. 23. 
ig Ps. 78 49.Je 9. 20. & 16. 14. &] & 19. 20. & 20, 3. 

| Mat. 25. 41. 2 Cor.| 18.2, 4. 155.| 8. 10. Mat. 24, 24. 
(42-7. Gr. 2 Pet} 8. & 13.39. Luke} Rom. 16 18. 2 Cor. 
@ 4 8.12. John 3. 44.) 11. 3. Epa 4. 14. 


i Tim. 3, 6,7 Heb.| 2 Thes. 2. 3. 9—11. 
ais iJoha3.%—| 1 Tim. 2.14 2 
26. Jude9.. ~~ | Tim. $. 13.-1 John 


& yeT.11. Ps.13. 4, 
& 118. 10-13. & 
=. 2. Jer. ry 19. 


5, 22-5 16 |f2. 9. 14 24, &} 5. 19. 

h 9.1, Ez. 28, 16, 

. as Job 1. 6.12. & 2-| Luke 10, 18. John 
B Job 7. 10. & 1. Ps. 169. 6. Zeeh.} 12. 31. 


18. Rom, 8 Fae 1 Chr. 2). 1. 


4 & 20. 9.) 3. 1,2 t. 4. 10.}i Job 1. 7. & 2. 2. 

e £7. 21—23.| Luke 1%. 16. & 22-1 Is. 14. 12. & 65. 25, 

“Ps. 37. 10- Acts 1; 3.3i. Aets 5. 3. &| John 14 30. & 16. 

25. Jude 6. 26.18. Roma. 16.20} 11. 2 Cord. 4. 1 

@ ver, 3. 7 | 2 Cor..2. 11. & th} Pet. 5.3. - 

@ ver 14, 18. & 20.) 14.& 12.7. 2 Thes.|k See mm, 11. 15. & 
aa. ciel 19. 1-7. 


2 Gen. 3. 1. 4. 13. 


that his plan of interpretation is, in this respect, 
erroneous; and though, all things considered, 
it is with great régret, I must give that of bishop 
- Newton the decided preference. Certainly the 
subversion of the Pagan, persecuting Roman 
empire, and that of the ancient system of idol 
’ atry, as Supported by all the genius, influence, 
and power of Greece and Rome, was no incon- 
Siderable event, in the prophetical history of the 
; Christian Church: and had it not been special- 
Ty and proeyinently marked, it might have been 
thought an extraordinary omission. Whatever 
‘the character of Constantine, or that of his suc- 
@essors, was, the revolution was wonderful : the 
whole Pagan system was cast down from its hea- 
¥en, its authority and persecuting domination 
and the ruler or rulers of the nations professed 
Christianity, and protetted the Chutch. Subse- 
quent corruptions, terminating in still mare dire 
and destructive persecutions, indeed followed, 
~and are particulazty foretold, but aurely, it is na- 
‘taral to suppose, that the prophet, if indeed’ he 
resumidd his subject, to give a more particular 
‘Account of the periods which he had compendi- 
- usly mentioned, should go back to the first 
ages, and in few words mark the deliverance of 
the Church from Pagan persecution, the revolu- 
tion ip the empire from Pagan to Cbristian.- I by 
fo méans, think, with bishop Newton, that Ga- 
Ierius, on any personal enemy to Constantine, is 
_ Meant by the red, or fiery dragon; but the whole 
" pagan authority and influence, instigated by the 
devil, (as the papal power and influence after- 
‘wards was,) and seeking the destruction of 
Christianity, and of the Christian rulers and 
‘princes who supported it. “So that we may un- 
derstand, as literally as we choose, the language 
Goncerning “the old dragon ;” only remember- 
“Ing that he « works in” and by “ the children of 
disobedience.” “Ghristian are spoken of, as 


See See 


ae 
} 


CHAPTER Xie 


4. D. 95, 


strength, and ' the kingdom of our God, 
and ™ the power of hi- Christ: for ™ the 
accuser of our brethren is cast down, 
which accused them before our God day 
andnight. Sa ke 

11 And ° they overcame him by P.the 
blood of the Lamb, and by 4 the word of 
their testimony; and f they Igved not 
their lives unto the death 

12 Therefore * rejoice, ye heavens, 
and ye that dwellin them. * Woe to the 
inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! 
for the devil is come down unto you, hay- 
ing great wrath, " because he knoweth 
that he hath but a short time. 


1 i Chr, 29. 11. Ps io 2 7. te 17. 26.% & 19, 10. 

22.28. & 45 6 &| 3.6 12. 21 -Johulr 2 10. 13. & 20, @ 
145. 41—13. Dan.} 16. 33. Rom. 8.314 Luke 14 26. Acts 
2. 44, Mat. 6. 10.} 39. & 16. 20,1 Cor. 20. 24. & 21. 1S, * 
Luke 11. 2. 15. 57. 2 Cor 10. Heb 11. 35—38. 

m 2. 25. Ps. 2: 8-| 3—5. Eph. 6. 13—|s 1%. 20. & 19. 1—Te 
12. & 116. 5, 6) 18.2 Tin 4 7, 8,{ Ps. 96. 11-13, & 
Mat, 26 64. & 28| Heb. 2. . 


14, 15. i] 148. 1—4, I S 
18) J-Cor. 5- a. 9} John 2. 13; -14-&}13. & lee, 2, a 
52 Cor 1s So 4.4 & 5. 5. Luke 2. 14.&15 10, 
nm Job. .9-&% 2. 5.jp 7. 10—14.& 14. 1/t 8,13. & 9 1. & 
Zeeh. 3.1,2. Luke] —4. & 15. 3. lh 1a 

22. Si. Tit. 2..3.Jq ver-i7.see on, 1. 2.|u 10. 6. Heb. 10 -3% 
Gr. ; 9. & 6. 9.& 11.7., 2 Pet. 3.8. ; 


¢ “4 
BE TE SEG Se es Se ER 
exercising the authority of Christ, and ruling the 
nations with a rod of iron: (ii. 27 :) it can there- 
fore be no objection, that the same allusion is 
made, it respect of the first Christian emperors, 
under whom the most entire revolution, from 
persecuting idolatry, in full domination, to the 
establishment of Christianity, as the religion of 
the Roman empire, took place. Some commen- 
tators indeed, would interpret this man cléld to 
be Christ himself; but this cannot be meant, for 
he wa* born ef the Jewish, not of the Christian, 
Church ; and the apostle spake as a prophet, 
not as an historian ; events, future to him, must 
then exclusively be intended. 
V.7—12.. The events, here foretold, preced- 
ed, and made way for; the Church’s flight into 
the wilderness. The strenuous efforts of the ~ 


pagans against the establishment of Christianity ~ 


and the destruction of their idotairous worship, 
was, as Lapprehend, representéd by the dragon 
and his angels maintaining war in heaven against 
Michael and his angeis; perhaps with some re. 
ference to the expulsion of satan and his adhe- 
rents from. heaven, on their original apostacy.— 
Michael -may represent Christ ; and the devil, or 
satan, the old slanderer, adversary,’and murder-. 
ér of mankind, was the invisibie commander of 
the opposite army. The former employed as 
his instruments Christian \ Magistrates, faithful 
ministels, and believers, is well as acngeis: the 
latter fought by persecuting emperors, idolatroas 
priests, and heathen philosophers. Tie cunflict 
was long and sharp: but it ended in the total de- 


“fe 


4 


feat of satan’s army, in the deposing of eye. «ie as 


from all rale and authority, and in their reduction 

to the most abject condition. Tiis was represent- 

ed by the devil’s being cast out of heaven; for 

by the power of idolatrous emperors and 

trates, he had maintaimed that false religion, by 

which he had deceived all the werld, and se- 
* 


vis= 


* down from his dignity, as god and prince of this 


"image of the dethroning of the dragon. * More- 


'¢ fixed with a dart through the midst ofjits body, 


AD.93 REVELATION. 


18 And when the dragon saw that he|that he might cause her’ ‘to be ca) 
was cast unto the earth, * he persecuted | away of the ne 


th- woman which brought forth the man} 16 And ¢the: Pith helped th e bial 
child. and the earth ‘ope her mouth, 


"1a And ¥ to the woman were given | swallowed up the ‘flood 4 
two wings of a great eagle, 2 that she} cast out of his mou 
might fly into the wilderness, into her} 17 And @ the dra 
place, where she is nourished for * a)the woman, and went 
time, and times, and half a time, from}the remnant of her see 
the face of the serpent. the commandments of 

15 And the serpent > cast out of his|the testimony of Jesus 
mouth water as a flood after the woman, 


6. Is 40 31. b 17. t5. Ps. 18. 4. 
Z sce on, ver. 6. &} & 65.7. & 93. 3, 4 
17-3. Is. 8.7. & 28. 2. & 
al, 2, 3. Dan. 7. ik 19 

25. & 12. Te 


e Ex. 12. 35, 36. 1 
Wings 17.6. 2 Kings 


a ae on, ver. 12+) 9, Gen. 8.15. Dan. ee 
John 8 44. 1 Pet.' 7.23—26-& 11. 36.) 
58 , Fla. 12. & 22. 14, John's. 


e 11. 7% 18. 7. &) 
17. 6. 14. & 18. 20.) 
R19. 19, 8 20 8 


x ver. 4, 5. Ps. 37. 
12—14. Gen. 3. 15. 
Jobn '6, 33. 

y Es. 19, 4. Deut. 
32.11, 126 Ps. 55. 


dency over their Pagan enemies : and if Chi 
tians had continued to i with thesoand ‘ 


duced them to be his subjects and worshippers; 
but, by the subversion of that authority, ahd the 
subsequent demolition of idolatry, he was cast 


more numerous and gloriou: hi 
them more durable. The ci gla 
fore, called upon to rejdice, ith all: 

ants of them, or all who were on ; 
side in this contest. But,at the same ti 
was denounced upon the. inhabitants of 
and the sea, or the, nations. in A aba 


world, for atime, and ina measure. (Luke x. 
18.) When the Pagan emperors were dethron- 
ed, satan’s angels were cast out with him ; for 
both the instruments and ministers of idolatry 
were laid aside; and even their very idols were 
destroyed with contempt and execration. It is 
remarkable, that Constantine himself, and others 
of his time, describe these events under-the same 


rest in their disgraced condition : though 
atry was suppressed, it was no’ cetropeds 20m 
its partizans would surely excite fresh 
tions. Nay, the devil would be the more ‘Tis 
in his opposition to. the Gospel, to the rui 
numbers of souls, and ‘to the great dist 
eh the empire; as he would si 


* over, a picture of Constantine was set up over 
« the palace-gate, with a cross over his head, 
* and under his feet the great enemy of mankind, 
* (who persecuted the Church by means of im- 
© pious tyrants,) i in the form of a dragon, trans. 


* and falling headlong into the depth of the sea. 
(Newton.). This shows how Christians then un- 
derstood the prophecy ; and no doubt they right- 
ly interpreted it- Upon this great victory, the 
apostle heard songs of praise in heaven : because 
salvation and strength were come; the Church 
was delivered from persecution, and its friends 
advapced to authority ; the kingdom of God was 
openly established, and the power of his anoint- 
ed Son most gloricusly displayed. For the ae 
cuser of the brethren was cast out of his dom 
ion, and deprived of his influence; so that he 
could. no longer lay grievous crimes to the 
charge of the Christians, for which to put them to 
death; as satan had accused Job before God 
himself, and was ready to accuse others continu- 
“ally, wight and day. (Marg. Ref.) But this 
victery was not ascribed to the sword of war,. 
which was only a subordinate means, when mat- 
ters were brought to a crisis : for it was acquir- 
ed, through the merit and efficacy of the atoning 
sacrifice of Christ, by faith in his blood, and a 
bold and holy profession of his Gospel ; together 
with “the word of their testimony,” who went 
forth every where preaching the doctrine of sal- 
vation ; and “ who loved not their lives unto the 
« death,” but readily sealed their testimony with 
blood, when called to it. These were the war- 
riors and the weapons, by which Christianity un- 
dermined and subverted the power of the idol- 
afrous empire, and acquired an entire ascen- 


} 5 


power. 9,458 
Vv. i le Whilst thei 
were the agents of the devi 
submit to the power he 
still persisted in their persé 
Church, and tried various methods of 3 r 


Christians, that their eo 
to contempt, and render. eee of 
fending or propagating: their religion; he em. 
ployed writers of great learning and ingenuit 
to ridicule, revile, an¢ reason against, C! 
ty; be excited Arian princes to pe 
orthodox subjects; and in many o 
attempted to undermine the cause of t 
the same time, the devil and his agents, prevail 

ed to corrupt the Church with manifold he 
to deform it with various scandals, and to 
itm pieces with fierce contentions; and 
evils grew worse and worse, during: the 
of the first four trumpets. (Notes, viii.) - 

the way was preparing for the erection ¢ 
other idolatrous persecuting power, whic 


~ 


D. 95. . 
4 CHAP. XIII. 


A vision ofa beast rising out of the sea; with an ac- 
count of its power, rage, and suecess, 1—10; of! 


considered. In the mean time, two wings 
asof a great cagle, were given to the woman, 
that she might be ready to fice to her place in 
aia when the time came. (Ex. xix. 
' These are supposed by some writers to 
fto the eastern and western empires, whose 
Standard was an eagle, and whose protection was 
the means of preservation to the Church, till the 
|prefixed time of her obscurity arrived. In the 
midst of the preceding convulsions and heresies, 
the Church was, as it were, preparing to flee 
away to her retreat from the fury of her oppos- 
ers: where she was at length to be nourished, 
“ for a time, and times, and half a time,” or for 
three years and a half, forty-two months, or one 
thousand two hundred and sixty days: but her 
flight was rot completed, till the establishment 
of the antichristian power spoken of in the next 
chapter. (Vote, xi. 1, 2.) To prevent her es- 
cape, the dragon cast out of his mouth a flood 
of water, to carry her away. This is expleined, 
With great propriety, of the inundation of the 
Huns, Goths, Vandals, and other barbarous na- 
tiens, by which the western empire was over 
whelmed : for it is known, that the strenuous ad- 
herents to paganism encouraged these irrupticns, 
in hopes of subverting Christianity by their 
means; and’no doubt satan expected to cver- 
whelm the Church, when idolaters overturned 
the empire. But the event proved entirely con- 
trary to all their expectations. “The earih 
Re. the woman, and swallowed up the 
© flood ;” the victorious barbarians united them 
Selves to the vanquished Romans, and formed one | 
_ people with them, in the several provinces of the 
empire; they even embraced, in form at least, 
the Christian religion. Ungodly men of various 
destriptions, from regard to their secular inter 
ests, protected the Church, amidst these convul- 
sions > and the subversion and dismembering of 
the western empire did not at all help the cause 
of idolatry; nay, it rather tended to the pro. 
pagation of Christianity. But the dragon, being 
disappointed in this attempt, was the more en- 
Taged, and teok another method of ma war 
‘against true Christians, as the seed of the Church. 
These were but a remnant ; for superstitions and 
heresies, of various kinds, had long before this 
increased exceedingly; which afforded the ene- 
my bis opportunity for the assault and success 
predicted in the next chapter. If the plan of in- 
terpretation, before laid down, be well grounded ; 
: verses must, as has been stated, predict 
the events, which made way for the establishment 
ef the persecuting domination of nominal Chris 
tians; the flight of the Church into the wilder- 
ess; andthe prophesying of the witnesses in 
cloth, during one thousand two hundred and 
‘sixty days. The particulars of these latter events 
are recorded in the two following chapters ; with 
"several things relating to the approach and ear- 
nests of the Church’s delivery, and the destruc- 
tion of her grand 


eel os i 


CHAPTER XITI 


- 


€ 


A. D. 95, 


a second beast, rising ott of the earth exercising’ 
the power of the former beast, making an im< 
age of it, and compeifing all te worship it, 11—17. 
The number of the beast, 18. 


ter there is a solemn pause, as introductory tothe 
subsequent events; and then the prediction pro< 
ceeds in regular order, to the Millennium, the day 
of judgment, and the heavenly worid. Thus, 
from the beginning of this chapter, where the 
prophet resumes his subject, a series of events, 
succeeding to each other, is predicted, and 
every part casis light on all that precedes or 
follows. But if the predictions of these verses 
be referred to any part of the twelve hundred and 
sixty years, or to the end of them ; this order is, 
as it appears to me, without necessity, and with< 
out proof, disturbed ; and indeed an entire new 
interpretation of the subsequent chapters, as 
relating to future events, seems indispensably 
hecessary to preserve the consistency of the in- 
terpretation As J anj fully persuaded, that the 
transactions, predicted im the two next chapters; 
(the concluding part of the fourteenth alone ex- 
cepted,) are already fulfilled ; I must adbete 
to the outlines of Bishop Newton’s interpre- 
tation, and thst of those with whom he coin- 
cides ; in preference to later systems of inter- 
pretation. J 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

V.1—6. 

True Christians, being of heavenly birth, andex- - 
pecting s heavenly felicity, have put on Christ, are 
ciothed in his righteousness, irradiated by his light, 
beautified by his image, and taught to put earthly 
things beneath their feet ; and they deem it their 


; honour to profess, adorn, and recommend, the doc- 


trine of the holy apostles. All who are thus nind- 
ed should pray fervently, and labour diligently, in 
their several places, for the increase. prosperity, 
and purity of the Church: and ministers should 
especially abound in these things. For the 
devil and his instruments, are vigilant, united, 
bold, and unwearied, in their efforts te destroy 
the religion of Christ; and too generally the 
kingdoms of the world have been seduced into 
their service: surely, then, the servants of God 
ought not to be timid, beartless, or negligent, in 
opposing their designs! Itis a striking proof of 
the wretched state ofthis apostate world ; that se 
large a proportion ofits inhabitants have generally 
been subjected to mes, eminent only for tyranny 
and cruelty : and it is a great mystery im Provi- 
dence, that these are left to attempt so many 
things against his church. They cannot, bow- 
ever, prevent the conversion of sinners, or the 
final salvation of believers: nor can they with- 
stand him, whois exalted to the throne of God, 
to rule over all nations with a rod of iron; or 
overcome those, who are invested with authority 
and armed with power by him, for the benefit of 
his Church, and to crush those who persecute it. 
The Lord does not indeed generally work by the 
arm of the magistrate : but when he is pleased 
to raise up rulers to protect his people, anc by 
scriptural means to promote his cause ; we should 


enemy. In the fifteenth chap-|be thankful for them, and avail ourselves of their 


™ ‘ 


4. D. 98. a ‘REVELATION, iad is 2 
a oF, ROA PRED At Sates 
aie. fa? a ‘ 


sea, >and saw a beast rise up cut of}authority. © 9 r 
the sca, * haying seven heads and ten} 3 And! sawlone of his heads 
horns, and upon his horns 4 ten crowns,| were + wounded to death; ™ and 
and upon his heads the * name of © blas-|deadly wound was healed : neat 
phemy. +3 : world woudered after the beast. 
2 And the beast which I saw pwas like} 4 Ando they. wor: ipped X 
. ieee 
a 


‘unto a leopard, § and his feet were.as che | which gave power unto. 
fect of a bear,> and his mouth as the|chey worshipped the beast, suj 
mouth of a lion: and! the dragon ‘ gave|is like unto the beast? © 

Jer. 5. 22. e ver. 5,6.& 17. 3.) Dan. 7. 4, 5. How p P j eS ety ae 
Bs. 21, Dan. 7. 2;} 5. Dan’ 7. 25. & lle} 15. 8, Am, 5. 19, make war with him ne LAC} 

% 36.2 Thes, 2..5,4 [h Ps. 22. 21, Is, $,]  & 19: 20. & 29. 2.) John 12, 19. Actsip 
€ lle 7. see on, 12-4) dere 5.5. & 13. 29s) 29. Hos. 11, 10, Am. | 1 ver. 1.14. & 17, 9.) 8.10, 2Thes,} > 


BS. & 17. 3. 7-12.) Dan. 7.6, Hos. 13-; 3. 12. 2 Tim. 4.17,} f Gr. slain &. 9—12) ¥ 
96. Dan. 7. 7,8» 19,! 7, Hab. i. 3. j i Pet. 5,8» | vere 12. Ez. 30.'0 ver.2.& 9,90. Ps'q 13, 
20. 23, 24+ ig 1 Sam. 17. 34—37-i see on, 12,3, 4.9, } 24- 106. 37,38. 1-Col | asic 
B 12.3. ‘2 Kings 2. 24. Prove} 13, 15. . a ver. 4. & 17.6, 8 10. 20—22. 2 Corr Deut. 
"© Or, names. 17. 8 & 38, 15dK 16. 16 & 17. 12.) 13. 37, Like @ al 4.4. Taz, 


countenance and assistance: though the churcr ; on the shore, saw a savage beast ee hes oft 
has her place prepared and her sustenance given | s€a ; or a tyrannical, idolatrous, and persecutinie 
her, far more frequently ing wilderness, than im | power, springing up ot TREE, X Ah. 
an imperial palace.” — “ake took place in the wor! 
. 3 Vv. 7—17. All interpreters agree, 
Whilst Michael, our Prince, his angels, and his | pire, in some form or other, 
servants, fight against the dragon and his an-(ed: and Papists, continuing s must. 
vgels; we need not fear the fiual prevalence of | tend, though against the most, conclusive 
any enemy, either against the Caurch, or any|dence, that Pagan ‘Reme y te 
true believer; the *‘ great dragon, even the old}in vision saw the rise of the B 
"4 serpent called the devil, and satan,” while he|as well as that of the others, - 
deceives, and ruies over ali the rest of the world, | it preceded his. prophecy > (Daa. 
will as suvely be prevented from hurting the true | that, the circumstance of Joh see 
Church, as he and his angels were cast out of | of this beast is not alone cor ei 
heaven at first. For “ salvation and strength,}ment: but the reign of the beas during 
_/46 the kingdom of our God and the power of his | hundred and sixty years, from 
«© Christ,” will renewedly come from time to} be dated, must be soe th 
time till the dominion of every enemy be de-jpire, properly speaking, did not ¢ ue 
stroyed, and the mouth of every “ accuser of the | hundred years, from the time when this | 
«: brethren,” be stopped- But victory in this|cy was delivered; and the very Tall 
koly war can be obtained only ‘ by the blood of |it were subverted in about four andi 
« the Lamb, and by the word of the testimony,” | Indeed from the building of 
of his servants. Faith, prayer, a holy life, patient | Constantine, the first Chfisti 
continuance in well-domng, and a willingness ‘to | siderably less than eleven 1 
venture or suffer even unto death, have been the | even to Augustulus, the last 
weapons, by which the saints have always con~| that is, from its birth to 
quered ; and we must go forth with the same ar-| the most only twelve hun: 
mour, and fight in the same manner, if we would | years ; and for the first | 
share their triumphs. Over such victories all]ofthis term, the Romans had n 
heaven rejoices, and all that love the kingdom of | concern in any.thing, which resp: Y t 
Christ.. But satan and his agents, however de-| of God. It is, theréfore, absolutely o¢ 
raded end baffled, will proceed to bring woes|the Roman power, as. professit C vee 
on the inhabitants of the earth; they rage the|and not that of Pagan. de ieeas 
more when their plots are defeated, and multi-| dragon before-mentioned h seven cr. 
tudes are by them deceived and destroyed. Yet} his héads,” but this be. Ce 
the church still rgainiains its ground oh earth,}“ on his horns ;” which pla 


" NOTES.” similar names of blasphemy = 

“- @HAP. XHL V. 1. The apostle, standing! V. 2-4. This beast was with 

: Zig eas < t ; * 
en 


Pe 


* 


sh Ws 


D. 95. 
| § And there was given unto him *a 
mouth speaking great things, and blas- 
shemies ; *and power was given unto him 
‘to continue forty and two months. 

6 And * he opened his mouth in blas- 
hemy against God, to blaspheme his 


a 


* Or, to make war.) 34, & 15.19. Rom 


, a 11425. 12. 6. 143 uw Job.3. 1. Mat. 12. 
eit. 2 S. “J ver. 7- X11. 7 3.18 


~ 4 


“the fourth in Daniel’s prophecy; (/Vetes, 
jan. vii ;) hut it resembied in divers respects the 
ther three beasts, which that prophet had seen 3 
land thus united the fierceness, cruelty, and ter. 
ror of all the rest. It was indeed the same with 
Daniél’s fourth beast ; the same empire, but in 
lone special form: for the dragon had now given 
4b power, throne, and great authority to the 
ah The dragon may here mean, either the 
devil, or the devil’s vicegerent, the idolatrous 
Reman empire: so that when another idolatrous 
persecuting power had succeeded to that of the 
Nheathen emperors ; then the dragon ‘had trans~ 
ferred his dominion to the beast, or the devil had 
appointed another vicegerent : and all the world 
‘knows, that this accords to the history of the Re- 
man empire, Pagan and Papal. The project of 
re-establishing the old idolatry failing; anew 
species was inyented : saints and angels succeed- 
ed to gods and demi-gods; and persecution was 
#he means employed for supporting it. The 
head of the beast, sare” wounded to death, 
‘represented the entire s@version of the imperia! 
authority in the time of Augustulus, or when 
Rome. became a dukedom to the Exarchate of 
Ravenna. (Note, viii. 12.) Five of the heads of 
‘the beast, or the dragon, (for in this respect they 
i are the same.) were superseded, before the apos- 
‘e’s time, {xvilv 10,) namely, kings, consuls, 
dictators, decemvirs, and military tribunes, but 
gt the time abovementioned, the sixth received a 

deadly wound. It was however, afterwards heal- 
ed, by the revival of the imperial name and dig- 
nity, in the person of Charles the Great, who 
was proclaimed Augustus, A. D. 800: and 
this head hath subsisted ever since in the em- 
erors of Germany, or of the holy Roman em- 
pire. After this, the temporal and ecclesiasti- 
eal rulers, mutually strengthening each other, the 
‘Roman power became again formidable, and ali 
1e world was astonished to behold that empire 
revived, which seemed to be totally extinct: so 
that a superstitious and idolatrous ‘obedience 
was rendered to this temporal authority, as en- 


he Romish Church. Thus they virtually wor: 
‘shipped the dragon, who gave his power to the 
beast; by submitting without reserve to the 
' > idolatrous persecuting power as before, 
n another form: and they worshipped the 
3 one, who never had_ his equal on earth, 
: io would surely crush all that presumed 
ppose him. So that the old idolatry was 
fully re-established, with new names; and the 
‘worship of idols, or creatures, is in effect wer- 

ing the devil. Some explain ‘the deadly 
** wound,” inflicted on one head of the beast, to 
“ue 


las 


CHAPTER XIIL 


paged to support the ecclesiastical tyranny of 


A. D. 952% 


name, * and his “tabernacle, y and then. 
that dwell in heaven. Pad 
7 And it was given unto him 2 to make 


war with the saints, and to overcome® -— 
them: “and power was given him over 


17. 15. Ex. 9. 16, Tay 
10. 15. & 37. 26 
Jer. 25.9. & 27. 6, 
7. & 51. 20—24. 
Dan. 5 18—28. 
John 19. 11. 


Gr. Col. 1.19. &} 22, 33. 
2. 9. Heb. 9.2. 11,J2 11. 7. & 12. 17. 


12. 

y 4.1.4, & 5.13. &} 8. 24, 25. & 11. 36 
7.9 & i112 &) —39.& 12.1. : 
12. 12. & 18. 20, &'a 10-11. RSL. 18.8 


x 21. 3, John 1s 4 19. 16, Hebs 12. 


Dan. 7. 21, 25. & 


mean the revolution, which took place, when 
Christian emperors succeeded the Pagan perse- 
cating emperors; and the healing of this deadly 
wound, of the subsequent establishment of an- 
other idolatrous persecuting power, bearing the 
Christian namie. The two interpretations agree 
in the grand outline: and the nature of this work 
precludes. the particular censidsration of subor- - 
dinate questions, ¥ 

Y. 5—7- To this monstrous beast “ was 
«given a mouth, speaking great things and blas- 
 phemies.”. It will soon be stated, that the ec- 
clesiastical power of Home was the agent, and 
the Pope the speaking image, of the beast: (11—~ 
15:) and every one Knows what blasphemous, 
and enormous claims of His holiness, Iafallibili- 
ty, Sovereign of kings and kingdoms, “ Christ’s 
“ vicegerent on earth, yea, God upon earth,” 
have been spoken by this mouth of the beast—= 
Power also, or the secular empire, was given 
him to condinue, or rather, to practise, or to pros= 
per in his undertakings, for forty-two months, or 
twelye hundred and sixty years. He would, 
during this period, ‘‘ open bis mouth in blasphe-= 
« mies against God,” combining. with the ec= 
clesiastical power, in its usurpations, and in en- 
trenching, upon the Lord’s peculiar honours and 
prerogatives. ‘He wouid blasph the name. 
«“ of God,” by requiring all men, him instiga- 
tion of the ecelesiastical power, to render that 
worship to creatures, which belonged to him on= 
ly ; “‘ and Kis tabernacle,” or true Christians, 
by stigmatizing, anathematizing, and murdering 
them;.as heretics; and. them that dwell in bea= 
* yen;” by scandalizing angels and departed 
saints, as if they sacriJegiously sought, and were 
pleased with, the worsbip paid to, therm; and by 
ascribing to the latter.a variety of ridiculous ace 
tions, which they never did, It was also given 
<¢ to the beast to wage war against, and over« 
** come, the saints :” and no computation can 
reach the numbers who have been put to death 


ing the profession of the Gospel, and opposing 
the corruptions of the Church of Rome. A mil- 
lion of the poor Waldenses perished in France; 
nine hundred thousand orthodox Christians were 
slain in less than thirty years after the institution 
of the Jesuits ; the duke of Alva boasted of hav. 
‘ing put thirty six thousand/to death in the Ne- 
therlands, by the hands of the common execu-. 
tioner, during the space of a few.years. . The ine 
quisition destroyed by various tortures one hua~ 
‘dred and fifty thousand Christians, within thirty 
years. These area few specimens, and but a 
few, of these which history hath recorded : but 
the total amount will neyer be known, till “ the 


in different ways, on account of-their maintain- ~<- 


* 


o> Ae D. 95, 


all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 
- 8 And» all that dwell upon the earth 
shall worship him, © whose names are not 
written in the book of life of 4 the Lamb 
slain ¢ from the foundation of the world 


sword. f 
faith of the saints. 
id see on, 5. 6—9. 12. 
John1.29%  . 
e17 & Eph. 1. 4 
Tit. 1 2. 2 Pet. 
19, 20, j 
f see on, 2.7. 11. 24, 
29. ‘ 


b see on, ver. 3, 4» 
14, 15 

© 3. 5. & 20. 12 15. 
& 21. 27. Ex, 32. 
$2. Ise 4 Dan. 12. 
1. Luke 10. 20. 
Phil. 4. 3. 


14.2, & 33, 1. Mat. 
Go Qe 

h 16,6. Gen. 9, 5, 6. 
Is. 26. 21. Mat. 26, 
52. 

11.9. %& 2,2. 19.\& 


f Ex. 21, 23—25, Is- 


death by the secular arm; by that power, of|was’ a spiritual ¢ 
which the empire was the head, and which sub-/ from Christ, and exercised 
sisted in ten kingdoms. Mr. Faber has here} This beast was, therefore, 
very justly pointed out an,inaccuracy in bishop | Roman hierarchy, and his t 
Newton, who seems to confound this beast, or} probably, been supposed to 
the secular empire, in all the ten kingdoms, | and secular clergy of that Chure 
with the little horn, predicted by Daniet, which} beast was of the temporal au 
accords to the second beast afterwards mention-| in the ten kingdoms of the empi 
ed. Yet, as the secular power executed the per-| that spiritual tyranny. The secor 
secuting decrees of the ecclesiastical, and gave| where called “‘ the false prophet 
its power to that beast; the things, stated by! 20;) which abundantly conf 
bishop Newton, as accomplishments of this pro-| tation tds, 
phecy, were evidently such; though’he has not|¢ kingdoms ; consequently the horns. 


with his usual accuracy, marked ,the manner in 
which this took place. ' 

¥. 8—10. By the means above mentioned, 
the beast maintained his dominion over all the 


‘inhabitants of the western world; who all wor-|* that of a regularly orga 


shipped him, by the most abject submission of 
body, soul, and conscience; except “ the rem- 
« nant according to the election of grace,” 
_& whose names were written in the book of life,”” 
belonging to “ the Lamb that had been slain 
« from the foundation of the world.” 
quite clear whether Christ be here said to “have 


s* been slain from the foundation of the world ;” | 


inthe purpose of God, and the efficacy of his 
blood tothe salvation of all believers; or whe- 
ther the names of the persons spoken of, were 
written in the book of life from the foundation, 
of the world, as the elect of God: but both 
amount to the same thing. This prophecy was 
of that importante to the encouragement and 
direction of believers, during the reign of the 
beast, as well as for the due understanding of 
the greatest part of this book, that the. attention 
of every one was especially called to it. For 
though the persecutors would assuredly be des- 
troyed, in the same manner as they had destroy- 
ed others: yet here would be the trial of the 
faith and patience of the saints; to bear up un- 
der such complicated dangers and sufferings, 
and of so long continuance, beyond the example 


of all former times; and to persevere in faith | 


and obedience through them. — 
V. 11, 12. This second beast did not come 


up out of the sea, or.from wars and tumults, as 
the first did; but out of the earth,, silently and 


REVELATION. = 


It is not| bi 


‘gon, or with all the tyranny 


the magistrate has been engaged to use his § 


: 11 { And I) beheld 
coming up out of ther<« 
had two pone lia: a lar 
spake as a dragon, 
i2 And ® he exere 


4 1, S 14. ae gu : 

am. 3. 26 Hab. 2.)/& 11. 7. &] 7.8. 2 7 
3. Luke 18. 1—8. ele ? on aie wy 
| & 21. 19, Col 1.)1 Mat 7. 15, ; ~ : 


ate 
2.4. 


a 


‘In the language of symbols, 


¢ clesiastical beast mag be eccl 
¢ doms. Now I know not what 

* nex to an ecclesiastical kingd: 
© to the head of an ecclesiastical € 


¢ astics, subject primar 


metropolitan, or pati 
Church and bishop of Rome 
enjoined celibacy, this subj 
votedness to the common 
are most entire and effica: 
beast had horns as a lamb, yet 


secuting Roman emperors: and th 
of authority, and the pe ti 


nion: their principal ministers of state b 
nerally been cardinals, or other eccle 


i 


2 Kings 2. 10—14. 


WA. D. 95. i ee 
13 and P He doeth great wonders, so 
¢hat a he maketh fire come down from 

heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 
14 And, * deceiveth them that dwell 

on the earth, by the means of those mira- 

cles which he had power to do in the 

sight ef the beast ; saying, to them § that 
| dwell on the ‘earth, * that they should 
| make an image to the beast, which had 
the wound by a sword, anddidlive. 

| 15 And he had power to give * life 
“unto the image of the beast, that the im- 
| p16. 14 & 19. 20. “orgy Me sae 8 
AN eas tea alae 18. 23. &| & 20. 4, Ez. 8. 10: 
Ui. Dent. 13-2, 3.| 19.20 & 20.3: 10| &'16.17. Dan. 6. 7- 
Mat. 24, 24. Mark! 1Kings 22. 20.| & 11.36. 2 Thes. 2 
13. 22. Acts 8 9—| Murg. Job 12. 16. 
11.2 Thes, 2 9,10.) Is.44, 20.' Ez. 14. 
5 11 5. Num. 16.) 9, 2 Thes. 2. 10— 
5. 1 Kings 18, 38.| 12. Jer 10. 14. & 51. 


S see on, VET. 348. 17. Hab-2. 19, Jam, 
It ver. 3,4. 11.15. &| 2-26. Gr. , 


4. 
“Gr. breath Gen. 
2. %a Ps. 135. 17: 


| Mat. 16.1. Luke 9. 


“to enforce their decrees, or execute their senten- 


“ces against heretics; and bloody wars without 


| number have been waged in support of their an- 


tichristian dominion. In return for these servi- 
ces, they “cause the earth to worship the first 
beast,” they have always been the enemies 
* of civil liberty, and the supporters of tyranny, 
and even of the unlawful commands of those 


* princes who supported their authority ; which is 


“Ya kind of idolatry, as it exalts the will of man 


above that of God. So that tyranny upholds 


‘them, and they uphold tyranny; they enslave 


| men’s consciences, and kelp kings to enslave 


‘their persons : and in both respects enforce idol- 
atry The ecclesiastical power ‘is the common 


| * centre and cement, which unites all the dis- 


tinct kingdoms of the Roman empire ; and by 
oining with them, procures them a blind obe- 
i “dience from their subjects ; and so it is the oc- 
~ © casion of the preservation of the old Roman 
_* empire, in some kind of unity, and name, and 
* strength” (Whiston.) Implicit obedience, 
however, to the authority of the beast, as sup- 
porting idolatry, and requiring men to worship 
creatures and images, under heavy penalties, 
“must be especially meant. ‘Here we have a 
_* plain prediction of some spiritual power, which 
~® should arrogate to itself universal or catholic 
© authority in religious matters; which should 
“* co-exist upon the most friendly terms with the 


' “© ten-horned temporal empire, instigating it to 


© persecute’ during the space of forty-two pro- 
'* phetie months, all such as should dare to 
_€ dispute its usurped domination; and which in 
»* short should solve the symbolical problem of 
* two contemporary beasts, by exhibiting to the 
* world the singular spectacle of a complete em. 


_* pive within an‘empire. Where we die to look: 


|S for this power, since the great Roman beast 
“* was divided into ten horns, let the impartial 


; “© voice of history determine.’ ‘Daniel, who fully 


t 


© entirely silent respecting the two horned beast. 
_ £ John, who as fully delineates. the character of 


“ the two-horned beast, ig entirely silent respect-|such improbable events, 36 many hundred years , 


ing the little horn. The little horn and the two. 


VOL. VI- 


SAS a § _ 


CHAPTER XIII: 


54—56. 2 Tim. 3.] 14. 9. 11. & 15.2") 


* delineates the character of the little horn, is. 


A, D. 95: 


age of the beast should both "speak, and 
x cause that 4s many, as would not wor- 
ship the image of the beast, should be 
killed. c 

16 And he causeth all, y both small 
and great, % rich and poor, free and 
bond, to * receive » a mark in their right 
hand, ¢ or in their foreheads: 

17 And that.no man might buy ef 
sell, save he that,had 4 the mark, or ¢ the 
name of the beast, or the number of his 
name. 


u Ps. 115. 5. & 135. 
16, Jer. 10, 5 

x See on, ver. 14. & 
16. 5,6, & 17.6. 15. 
17. & 18. 20.24. & 
19, 20. Dan. 7. 20, 
21, 25. 

y 11, 18 & 19 5. 
18, & 20, 12.2 Chy. 
15.13, Ps, 115.13. 


Acts 26, 22, Zech. 13665 | 

Z Job 34-10. Ps.jc 7% 3. Ex, 13. % 
49. 2: ; Deut. 6. 8+ & 12. 
a 6. 15, & 19,15. 1) 18. Kz.9.4, 2 Tim. 
Cor. 12. 13. Gal. 3.! 3. 8 ' 

28. Eph. 6. Col. 
Cis e ‘ je 3.12, & 14, We Be 
* Gr give them. 17, 5. & 22. 4. 

b 14.9—11, & 15.2.1f ver. 18. & 15. 2. 
& 19. 20. & 20. 4, 


'd See on, ver 16e 


‘ horned beast, act precisely in the same capaci« 
¢ ty : each exercising the power of the first beast 
* before him ; and each perishing in one common 


¢ destruction with him’ (Faber.) (Wotes, Dan.vii.) 


V. 13—17. The second beast maintains his 
power by ‘ doing preat wonders,” &c- ‘(Wotes, 
2 Thes. ii. 1-9.) These,/whether they be hu- 


man impostures, or wrought by the agency of 


satan, he doeth in the sight of men to deceive 
them, and in the sight of the first beast to serve 
him ; but they are neither performed by the pow- 
er, nor for the glory, of God. The fire may al- 
lude to the miracles wrought by Elijah; (Marg. 
Ref) and predict the vain pretences of the beast 
to miracles of the same kind; but some inter- 
pret it thus: * Heaven is a symbol of the church, 
‘ and the earth of the Roman empire. The 
* darting forth of fire out of the church upon the 
* secular empire, must mean ‘solemn interdicts 
* and excommunications, pronounced against 
* those who dared to oppose the authority of 


‘the beast? (Faber.) Thus -the miracles, of © 


which the 
marks of f¢ church, are here shown to be 
the distinguishing stigma of antichrist: that is, 
such ambiguous and suspicious miracles, or in- 
deed any miracles, if wrought in support of idola- 
try, in opposition to the doctrines of scripture, 
and to justify the persecuting cruelty of those 
who profess them. (Votes, Deut. xiii.)’ By these 
means the two-horned beast, or the regular and 


cle for popery boast, as certain 


secular clergy, deceived the inhabitants of the - 


earth, to make an image of the farst beast, or the 
temporal authority of the empire, as it formerly 
subsisted in the reigning emperor at Rome. This 
image has indeed been variously interproted. 
But is not the pope, as a temporal prince, the 
very image of the ancient emperors? Is he not, 
‘as the pretended infallible head of the church, 
the great jdol of all zealous papists? and is he 
‘not, in both respects the representative of the 


whole antichristian tyranny? Can we then doubt 


who this image is? Or can we help being amaz- 
ed at this exact and cireumstantia) prediction of 


before they took place? The two-horned beast, 
5B aie 


#. D. 95. 


18 ¢ Here is wisdom. Let him that 
hath understanding, count the number 


gl. 3. & 17.9. Ps. 107, 43. Dan, 12.10. Hos, 14 9, 


or the Roman clergy, as represented by the con- 
sistory of cardinals, which assembles at the death 
of a pope, makes the image, when they elect a 
private person to that exalted station; and, by 
putting him in possession of the supreme autho- 
tity, they give life to him as'the image of the 
ten-horned beast, and enable him to speak, by 
uttering his bulls and mandates, as well as to 
use the names of blasphemy before mentioned. 
- But before this, they robe and crown the image 
which they have made; they place him on an 
altar, and kiss his feet, and they call this cere- 
mony adoration’! Like other. idolaters, they 
make their idol, and then worship him: and an 
ancient medal, struck on that occasion, has 
this motto, Quem creant, adorant, * Whom they 
* create, they adore}? Then they use alljtheir 
power and influence to support his authority, 
through all the ‘nations of their communion; 
and coneur in persecuting even unto death 
all those, who will not join in the same idola 
trous observance of it. ‘ The pope is the prin 
* ciple of unity to the ten kingdoms of the 
'® beast; and he causeth, as far as he is able, all 
“who will not acknowledge his supremacy to be 
* put to death. In short, he is the most perfect 
resemblance of the ancient Roman emperors; 
is as great a tyrant in the Christian, as they 
were in the heathen, world; presides in the 
same city, usurps the same powers, affects the 
same titles, and requires the same homage and 
adoration. So that the prophecy descends 
more and more into particulars, from the Ro- 
man state, or the ten kingdoms in general, to 
the Roman clergy in particular; and then to 
the pope the head of the state as well as of the 
* Church, the king. of kings, as well as the 
* bishop of bishops.’ (JVewton:) The second 
beast likewise performeth other offices to the 
first beast ; by on ois us those who 


Aw Rae a2 aA SH 8! 


refuse subjection ‘to its usurped dominion, 
and conformity to the establishet tship; and 
thus exposing them to various temporal incapaci- 
ties and punishments, as. outlawed persons: so 
that, of whatever rank theybe, they must either 
be marked in their right hands and their fore- 
heads, with the mark, name, and’ number of the 
beast, as slaves and cattle are branded and 
numbered : that is, they must openly profess the 
religion of the Chruch of Rome, and conform to 


its idolatries and superstitions, as tle bond |jected to their statement, they would hav 


slaves of the beast and his image, in body, soul, 
and conscience; (and so be marked with the 


name of the beast;) or they must be inhibited, 


from all commercial dealings, and even excluded 
from the most needful intercourse with mankind, 
Many instances of this sort are recorded in his- 
tory. Thus the second beast, though appearing 
as.alamb, spake like a dragon. By the mark of 

the beast some understand the sign of the 

~  eross, which is used, not only in a most supersti- 
\\ tious, but even an idolatrous manner, continu- 
‘ally, as discriminating, and as required by au- 


: 


REVELATION. 


Soe Re eae 
ee eae Ve 


AL 


of the beast: f itis h the numbe 
man; and his number zs’ six hundred 
threescore and ss > ki acto 


Mark 13,14. _ . De u. 3.11. Rom. 8. §: 


thority in, ‘the Church of R 
the making of the image tor 
ment of image worship; and 
tures, by which the deluded votar ere induc 
ed to suppose, that the images lived, and 
moved, and spake. But, whoever consults the 
marginal references, will perceive such a com 
trast between this image, and all others 
tioned in scripture, (and doubtless other pri 
have possessed ingenuity, and bestowed p 
in deluding the people,) that he will hesitate a 
a conclusion, which makes this image in no re- 
spect essentially different from the others. 

however, fe and speaking might be interpre 
to mean the priesteraft, which made the people | 
think the images lived and : surely wha ‘6 

follows must be interpre unnatural 
manner, when the occasion § e priests 
to persecute, is spoken of in this language: « and 
* the image of the beast shall both speak, a 
** cause that as many as would not worshi 
“ image of the beast should be killed,” &c 

is indeed argued, that the original should 
rendered, ** made an image to the beast, or, ‘ 
«his use ;” and not of him = “but instances ma 

brought from the’ Greek writers of exactly : 

lar expressions, where the mean 
bly according: to our translation ¢ 
Indeed, if a literal image, or hiteral 
meant ; and yet the beasts are not sup ' 
be literal beasts, or the horns to be J 

horns; this blending of the Literal with 
rative, in the same prophecy, is not only 

trary to the rules of sound interpretation ; bul 
direct violation of that laid down by the nm 
able writer, who has ac - this inte: 
tion. * The whole book, excepting those f 
‘ passages, which are avowedly descripti 
* must be understood either literally throu; p 
‘or figuratively throughout: otherwise it wil 
‘ be impossible to ascertain the meaning design. 
‘ ed to be conveyed,’ (Faber.) But if the 
be really .this image, the language is both 
ral, and extremely expressive; and it has 
literally verified in humerous instances, by 
pal interdicts, excommunications, and sim 
measures. Lown, that the objections, brot 
against this interpretation, only lead me to. 
ceive, that if preceding expositers: could 
foreseen, what their successors would hav: 


pressed themselves more cautiously. and accu 
ly, It is true, that the pope may be conside 
4s in some sense the head also of the two.) 
horned beast = yet, the beast continues to exist, 
when there is no pope ; and the cardinals, as re- 
presenting the whole ecclesiastical power, are, 
during that vacancy, the head of the beast ; and in 

that character they create the pope, to be! 
image, both of the secular and the ecclesi 
cal idolatrous persecuting power, the repres 
tive of the whole. He does not derive his 
minion, from any hereditary right, or from pop 


SHAP. XIV. 


be te ae I 


4D. ME 
ib tpt 


nore 


A prophetieal aint ca view of the remnant of believers, du- 
" wing the reign of the beast 1—5. The progress 


_ ©fthe reformation; the dreadful punishment. of 
ion, or from regal appointment; but 

creature of the Romish clergy ; yet, 
$ereated by them, he is the object of their 
lip, and exercises, or at least claims a right 
to ise, absolute authority ever, both them 

gnd the kings of the earth. Indeed this claim 
was long generally admitted by the ten horns of 
the beast, though in some instances it was ms 


e@xXerc! 


e 
| puted. (xvii. 12-18) This seems sufficient 
for the purpose, and amidst so many emblems, 
it could hardly be supposed, that no shadow of 
coincidence _appear.—‘ It may be obsery- 
* ed, that when the first, or secular beast is repre- 
© sented as making war with the saints and over- 
_ © coming them; it is no where said, that the 
second, or ecclesiastical beast, should do more 
«© than cause them to be killed. The little horn 
has always worn out the saints, -by delivering 
© them over to the secular arm, not by slaying 
« them itself. The inquisitors, with a disgust- 
* ing affectation of lamb-like meekness, are wont 
# to beseech the civil magistrates to show mercy 
* to those unfortunate victims, whom they them- 
4 selves have given up to be consigned to the 
flames? (Faber.) (Note, 5—7.)—There are 
various other interpretations, by different writers, 
of several things in these chapters, chiefly ex- 
plaining them of recent events in France ; but not 
_ gadging any of them, either well grounded, or 
' even su by probable arguments, I did 
not think it needfulto introduce them in this' 


t, nus: be referred to; and, in general, the 
writers succeed better in attempting to refute 
each other’s interpretation, than_in estublishing 

_ their own ; where they materially differ from 
r expositors who wrote before these late trans- 
actions. = a 
V. 18. Mention having been made of the 
number of the beasi, or that of Ais name, the 
- apostle next proposed to men’s consideration the 
_ number itself; introducing it by saying, “ Here 
© is wisdom,” or intimating that the discovery 
of the name of the beast from the number, would 
_ be a proof of a man’s discernment: let such, 
therefore, as had understanding, count the num 
ber of the beast: and who then shall censure or 
ridicule those, who attempt to do it? For it was 
the number of a man; either such a number as 
men use, or a number implying in it the name, 
title, or distinguishing characteristic, of a man. 
Now the Greek word Lateinos signifies the Latin 
man; or the man of Latium, from which piace 
_-the Romans derived their original and their 
Tanguage ; and this word, according to the ge- 


“t e} actly the number six hundred and sixty- 
- six The church of Rome is properly the Latin 
church, and they use the Latin language in every 
ing: and so the beast, or the authority exer- 
ed through 
fh t church, 


CHAPTER XIV. 


work. *The books, written expressly on the sub- |. 


the ten kingdoms in support of} deed they have much encouragement from the 
of which the pope js the living| world: for men are far more disposed te won: 


- A.D. 95, 


obstinate anti-christians; and the immediate feli- 
‘city of those, who die in the Lord, 6—13. A 
figurative prediction of future terrible judgments, 
upon the anti-christian kingdom and its subjects, 
14—20. - ‘ : 


image, may well be called Lateinos. Sut though 
the apostie wrote in Greek, he yet used some 
Hebrew names in this book ; so we may perhaps 
think he alluded to a name in that language : and 
it is most astonishing that the word Komith in 
Hebrew, which answers to Lateinos, signifies 
Roman, contains in numeral letters exactly six 
hundred and sixty-six. Nor can any other two 
words be produced from two different languages, 
which so nearly coincide together-in meaning, 
and exactly stand for the same number in nume- 
rical letters: the coincidence is really most sur- 
prisifig. As John could only refer to the Greek 
or the Hebrew language in this matter; and as 
the number of the name of the Latin man, or the 
Roman, in both languages is exactly the number 
of the beast; so I see no occasion to doubt any « 
more, either about the beast or his number, es- 
pecially-as Ireneus in the second century put 
the same constfuction on it. Romiithis indeed 


feminine ; but it may signify either the Roman — 


Church, or kingdom, the Hebrew words for both 
which are feminine. . The word Latinus, or La-— 
teinos, is; however, in all respects the most satis- 
factory, notwithstanding this coincidence —‘ No 
¢ name, though it may possibly comprehend the 
number six hundred and sixty-six, can be the 
name of the beast, unless it equally answers in 
all other particulars to the prophetic descrip- 
tion of that name.—JZateines is at once the 
name of a man, (the ancient king of Latium, 
whence Rome had its origin,) the title ofan . 
empire: and the distinguishing appellation of 
every individual in that empire: and when the 
sum of its numerical Jetters, is taken in the 
Greek language, it amounts to six hundred 
and sixty-six. On these grounds then, I do 
not hesitate to assert, that Zatinus, and no- 
thing but Zatinus, is the name of the beast; 
for in no other word, descriptive of the revived 
temporal beast, or the papal Roman empire, 
can such a fatal concurrence of circumstances 
© be found. (Fader.) The mark of the beast 
is the sign of the cross, used in endless su 
stitions. 
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 

The enemies of the Church carry on their des 
signs, under a variety of odious and terrifying 
forms ; and they often unite, or divide among 
them, the fierceness and cruelty of savage beasts, 
with the subtlety and poison of serpents ; and if 
it will answer their purpose better, they appear 
as gentle lambs, in order thst, when they have 
opportunity, they may speak as dragons, and 
*« lord it over God’s heritage” with cruel tyran=_ 


‘ 
7 
‘ 
. 
c 
. 
. 
7 
c 
if 
« 
. 
s 
. 
‘ 
‘ 


orthography, contains, in numerical let-|/ny. They have commonly possessed great pow- 


er: andi when any of the heads of this Levia- 
than have seemed to be broken in pieces; they 
have been again healed; and in another form 
they even to this day return tothe combat. In- 


92, 13. eT 917. 


ties 


‘A. dD. 98. #s \ 
ND 3} donkey and, lo, ba Lamb 


him 4 an hundred forty and four theusand,} 
© having his Father’ s name ‘witten in 
their foreheads. 

2 And I heard sa voice from heaven 
gas the yoice of many waters, and as 
hthe voice of a great thunder: and 1 
heard i the voice of harpers nee with 
their harps : 

3 And they sung as it were k a new 
song ! before the throne, and before the 
ver. 1 14. BM. Ie Bed See on; 7 AB. i ies? 8.& 15, 


6.8.& 15.5. Jerje 3.12. & 7.3. &| 2. & 18 22, 2Sam, 
i. }1—14. Bz. 1,4.) 13, 16. 1%. Luke} 6. 5. 1 Chr. 25. i— 
& 2 9.& 8 7. &] 12.8. % Ps. 33. 2. & 43. 


f 10. 4. & 11.12, 15.1 4. & 57. 9. & 92. 
& 19.147. 13, & 98. 5. & 147, 
g 1. 15.8 19, 6. Ps.} 7- & 149. 3. & 150, 
03, 4, Is..17. 13-] 36. 

Ez. 43:2, 9 | |k See on, 5. 9, & 15. 
o Ps., 2 6..& 132)h 1.00, & 8,7—13,, 3. Ps. 33.3. & 40, 
13, 14. Is. 49.14.) 89.1. & 10.3, 4.1 3. & 96.1, & 98, 
Joe! 2, 32, - Mic. 4. & 11. 15. Ex. 19, 
7. Rom. 33. Heb.} 16. 8 20; 18. Zech. 
12. 22—24. 9. 14. | 


40. 1.9. & 44. 4. 
an, 12. 5. Am», 8 
. Zech, 4. oe) 

b See on . 6—9. 


1. & 144.9. & 149. 
1. Is. 42: 10, 
1. See on, 4. 2-11. 


der, and to celebrate the praise} of these mon- 


ef God from bis faithful witnesses, or even to 
adore and submit to the Son of God himself !— 
But the mouths, even of those, who open them 
in blasphemy, were given by that God whom 
they thus affront; and that power is derived | t 
from him, which men use in making war against, 
his saints: nor can men of any description reign 
over the nations, or practise against the Church, 
further than he sees good to permit. All will, 
in one way or other, be deceived, whose. names 
are not written in the ** book of Jife of the Lamb, 


¢* that was slain,” ‘* according to the eternal | 


*¢ purpose which ‘he hath purposed in himself” 
The vengeance thatis written will surely be ex- 
ecuted on all persecutors and wicked oppres- 
sors; but the sxints need much faith and pa- 


tience, when their lot is cast in evil times ; and. 


they should cry unto God continually, that they 
may be faithful urito death, and so receive the 
crown of life. Ungodly priests ‘and tyrannical 
rulers,support each other’s usurpations, iniqui- 
tions, and oppressions : : whilst the one 

by “goes cruel executions, destroy all oppo- 
er and the other deceive or terrify men by ly- 
miracles, false doctrines, anathemas, and ec~ 
pice al censures. But all these evils should 
be consi d as illustrative of the deceitfulness, 
and desperate wickedness of the human heart; 
and as endearing to us the love of Ged in Christ 
Jesus, The review ought also to take us thank- 
fal for our civil and religious liberties, We are 
exposed to no interdicts, no prisons, no cruel 
tortures or death, for not worshipping afier the 
manner, or at the dictate, of either prince or 
priest 5 nor are we tempted, by circumstances of 
danger, to profess and subscribe what we do not 
believe, or conform to what we do not approve ; 
though, alas ! numbers choose to do it, “ for fil. 
* thy Iucre’s sake!” We shail therefore be 
doubly incxcusable, if we do not <mbrace and 
“profess the truth of Christ, and riya the Fa- 


Mes Th ¢ 


"REVELATION, a 


four sala 
*stood on the ¢ mount Sion, and with} 


were "redeemed f 


with women ; 
P These are they 1 


m 2.17. Ps. 25s 145) 


N see one 5, 9. 
o Ps. 45. 


ther according t 
aters of iniquity, (asif none were like them, or| if 
~ could stand before them,) than to hear the word 


dawning of the refarkalas 


four thousand persons. 


eee were leaders of 6 


remnant, which was found, in 


4 These are oa 
° for 


whithersoever he goeth 
5 paced from among. 


5 And * +d their’ 
guile: for they are 
the throne of God, 
Jehu 8 12 


27.& ‘aah 
a7! 


Mat. 11. 25—27. 1 
Cor. 1. 18. & 2. 14, 


14. Cant, 
1, 3. & 6- 8 Mat. 
25..1.1 Core 7, 25, 
2628+ 2 Cor. 11. 2. 
1 Tim. 4.3. 4 


age 


19. Luke 9.5762.) - 


whose mild governme 
leges ; observing the 
“ fear God and the 
s with those that are 
that. hath | wisdom and 


all nations shall at len 
6 of cima: and 


CHAP. XIV. VY. 12 f 
been shown the foregoing 

Papal Rome, with ite idolatry. 
next a vision of the true © 
ness, during the sat 


behold a Lamb, the emble 


was a type of the true Cuure 
self; and with him wet 


was a considerable nur 
and of those who held 
and marched under their 
generate times: being the 


turies, during the persecuti 
emperors, As the Pa 


he cetera F ie 
written in 1egiMe ch heir for : 


they were his worship 


longed to him. .) It is evident 
tory; that there were such persons, ‘in thi 


prez ch unto them that 
th; and to * every nation, 
d tongue, and - people, 


ig, 134 & 145. 13. Is. ¢ 16, 15. Rom. 16.25 
Bi) 17. & 51.6. 2. Eph Col. E. 
$3.9, 11. 2 Thes. 2 yg a 


116. Tic 2 1-3 meee be 625, 
Ps| Heb. 13. 20. 
Mat. 10.27. Mark 


ventured,- , laid. down their 

lin 3, for the truth and worship .of the Gospel : 
for these were the same as the two witnesses 
during the times in mepestic os, matt = 
jared ser under see m. Ss multi- 
fm new song before the throne, 
Scaannied chat of that of mighty rushing wa- 
Co in of hn ; yet exquisitely melodi- 
accompanied with the music 0 
ofc ek No doubt the sew song 
popes , was the same for substance 
Ho ten Rory aie considered, (v- 
| 914. vii. 9—12.) This was sung in the pre- 
sence of the emblematic representatives of the 
| Church and its ministers; and none could fearn 
2 redeemed. For, as it related imme- 

diately to redemption, the proud, the impenitent, 
the unbelieving, and the carral, could not under- 
| stand the mature or the glory of this subject : 
| nor could angels join in it, not being-redeemed 
| to God by the blood of the Lamb; though they 
| Bnite in wors him, as. worthy to receive 
all honour and blessing. The antichristian 
Church soon discouraged and reviled marriage, 
| enjoined celibacy on priests, immured numbers 
of both sexes im convents, extolled virginity as 
almost essential to piety’and purity, and ranked 
“its virgins with the saints and martyrs of the 
‘Primitivetimes. (Note, 1 Tim. iv.1—3.) But 
unnatural restrictions, and attempts to in- 

" troduce a kind of life onearth, which in general 
only suits the-inbabitants of heaven, made way, 
not only for exorbitant spiritual pride, but also 
ee ee eens). and, detestable licentions 
, and for crimes too horrid to be speci- 

: and at the same time the Church was 

pol with the most manifest and abominable 
idolatry, or fornication. But, says the 
apostle by the Spirit of prophecy, these truc 
(Christians are they, who are not defiled with’ 
women: “ marriage being honourable in all. 
«* and the bed undefiled,” the clause may be un 
derstood even in the literal sense. For, says he, 
“ they are virgins,” even such as the Scripture 
commends, who are espoused to and love Christ. 
who are faithful and obedient to him ; and deem- 


ers are given up. | (Nate, 2 Cor. xi. arr 
herefore, followed: him whithersoeve: 


sd 


CHAPTER XIV. 


4. D. 95. 


another angel fly * in} 7 Saying, » with a loud voice, ¢ Fear 
having * the everlast-| God, 4 and give glory to him; for ¢ the 


hour of his judgment is come: and 
‘worship him that made heaven, and 

b Is. 40. 3.6. 9. Red 4.9. & 16.9. Josh.) 29.1 Pet. 4.7 
44.23 & 52. 7, 3] 7 1% TSam. 6 5.// C4 2 Ex. ®, If. 
58.1. Hos. &. 1.) Is. 42. 12. Mal 2. 

e Seeom, 11. 18. &| 3. Luke 17. 18. 
15.4 & 19. 5. Gen fe 11. 18. & 15. 10 5G. Prov. 8 23— 
22. 12. Ps. 36. L* 17.29.. Ez 7. 243- 31 Jer. lo. 10—12, 
& 99. 7. Be. 12.13.) 6. Dan.5 19. Acts 14. 15. & 17. 


14. 25.13. Jehn 5. 23-} 23—25- 


sons who had been redeemed from among men, 
being actually intetested in the atomement of 
Christ} amd they were consecrated ta Ged as 
first-fruits, (for whose sake he spared others,) and 
to the Lamb, “as purified unto him to be his 
“* peculiar people, zealous of good works.” 
They were not hypecrites, but upright in their 
repentance, faith, and love; and they beid, proe 


f harpers | fessed, and preached, the true doctrine of Christ ; 


so that they were accepted and sanctified per- 
sons, against whom no charge could be alleged 
before the throne of God. ‘ The hundred and 
* forty-four thousand appeared to the apostle as 
* standing on the mount Sion, or im the true 
church, because they constituted the persecut- 
ed Church in the wilderness = (Rev. xii 6—14:) 
aid, as the followers of the beast have the mark 
end name of the beast ; so have these the zeai of 
God wupressed, (Mev. vii. 3,) and the name of 
God written, on their foreheads. They alone 
are abie to learn the new song of the heavenly 
barpers, because they alone are the worship- 
pers of the one true God, through tle one true 
tiediator Jesus Christ: the adherents of the 
Gpostacy offering up their devotions to other 
odjecs, and through other mediators. They 
are virgins, undefiled with women, imasmuch 
as they are free from the pollutions of idolatry, 
which is spiritasl whoredom and adultery. 
They follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, 
resolutely adhering tothe religion of Christ in 
troublesome times, as well as im prosperous 
ones, and fleeing into sequestered valleys 

wild deserts, rather than relinquish their pro- 
fession of the Gospel They are redeemed 
from among men, being rescued by the al- 
mighty power of divine grace from the cor- 
ruptions and abominations of Babylon; and 
they are consecrated as tie first-fruits of Chris- 
tianity, unto God and th: Lamb, an earnest and 
assurance of a more plenuful harvest, first, at 
the era of thereformation, and afterward-, at 
the yet more glorious era of be Millennium. 
In their mouth was found no guile, inasmuch 
as they handle not the word of God deceitfully, 
like popish venders of induigences, and preach- 
* ers of purgatory, human merit, and idolatry ; 
* but faithfully and simpiy declare the way of 
* everlasting fife. And they sre withcut faule 
* before the throne of God, having washed their 
“robes and made them white in the biood of 
* the Lamb; God not imputing their trespasses 
. 
¢ 
« 
s 


« 
> 
« 
. 
_ 
« 
« 
. 
. 
. 
= 
s 
© 
. 
. 
. 
« 
« 
. 
. 
_ 
. 
. 
* 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
© 
. 
« 


unto them, but accousting them as if they had 
never sinned, through the imputed righteous- 
ness of Christ, who was ‘* mace sin for them,” 
in order that they might * be made the right- 
“ eousness of God in him.” 


a, 


* By these hun- 


» Wars, they still retained their tenets; and being 


ALD. 93. REVELATION, 


earth, and the sea and the fountains of great city, * 
waters. drink of the 

8 And & there followed another angel,| nication. 
saying, » Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that 


g See on, ver. 6. & 18-2. 10, 11. 18) 51, 8 64. 
A 16.19. & 17.5,18:1 —21. Is, 21.9. Jer. 


i 17, 2—4, & 18, =| En 
& 192. Jer. 51.71 Nahe 3 


seed which they sowed, 
of their blood. So' exa 


© dred and forty-four thousand, I understand pe- 
© culiatly the depressed church in the wilderness, 
* previous to the timeof the Reformation: for 
¢ history sufficiently demonstrates, that there|{i 
* have been in every age some faithful worship- 

* pers, who consented not to the general apostacy, 
© but who prophesied, although in, sackcloth, 
* against its abominations.” (Haber) 

V. 6,.7- Itis génerally admitted by the best 
interpreters, that the three angels, in these and 
the following verses, were emblematical heralds 
of the progressive reformation from popery. 
When, therefore, the extent.and prevalence of 
the power of the beast, at ils full height, had 
been predicted in the foregoing chapter; the di- 
minution and weakening of it, as introductory to 
the destruction, is intimated in this. Some ex: 
plain the proclamation of the first angel, of the 
ninth, tenth, or eleventh centuries : and no doubt 
there were then, both princes, bishops, and 
councils, who struggled against the worship of 
images, and other abominations of the Church of 
Rome. Yet they generally concurred in sup- 
porting the dominion of the beast; though they 
wanted to have it exercised in a different man- 
ner, as to some particulars. Such, however, as 
were real Christians, and entered a proper pro. 
test agsinst the prevailing corruptions of the 
Church, whether in the imperial palace, or in the 
conclave, (if that was ever done,) may properly 
be ranked in the number mentioned in the form- 
er verses: for these evidently relate to a more 
public and general protestation. But others 
seem to fix the time of their accomplishment 
too late; and so leave 4 large gap in the series 
of predicted events; and then crowd too many 
into the remaining periods. We may therefore, 
YT apprehend, interpret this first angel, or herald, 
-of those who first publicly erected the standard 
of reformation, and who contended for the ever. 
lasting gospel of Christ, in opposition to all the 
innovations. and usurpations of the beast, his im- 
age, and the false prophet. This honour seems 
to belong to the Waldenses and Albigenses, who 
had the true gospel among them; avowed its 
everlasting obligation and excellency ; opposed 
it to the authority of popes, councils, and perse- 
cuting princes; declared the pope to be anti- 
christs propagated their doctrines with zeal 
and success, and multiplied into a vast number 
of Churches: and after immense slaughter had 
been made of them by persecutions and bloody 


called on men to pk and i 
hour of bis judgment was at hand; 
ship the Creator of all things, as reve 
gospel, by refusing to join the worship. 
and that of the ‘beast and his -image. 
spectable commentators ex 
Luther, almost exclusivel “suppose, 
many things, in his situation, character, 
timony, remariab! swered to it. | 
however, thiuk, that revious publi 
nies against the beast, 
or that an individual” 
station in this concise prop 
vinced, that more moder 
zeal for missions, is me; 


borne against ‘popery,. not” 
Everlasting, &c. (6.) ‘It 
“lasting gospel ;” © bei 
“ the same yesterday, to-day 
* opposition to the dodinan 
‘ the false prophet, which shall 
‘as not of. the Heavenly — 
foe xv. 13.) (Bp. ‘Newton 
V.8. If we explain the first 
rald of the dawning of the reformation, 
twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centu 
may properly explain this of the Bohemians an 
others in the fifteenth, who were theim genuin 
offspring and successors. Some of these persons 
with still greater confidence and ‘vehiome ne 
than the Albigenses, declared R ) 
tical Babylon, and the pope and 
be antichrist; and they endured s 
tions for these protestations, and fi 
sion of the Gospel. John Hus 
Prague, especially, were 
burned by the council of Constance; whi 
cil Was‘in fact the united power of the wh 
tichristian beast. ‘These heralds announc 
fall of mystical Babylon, as the ancient pr 
had done that of literal Babylon, long befor 
event: (Marg. Jef.) nor was this doom 
certain, than it would be just, as she had 
rupted and intoxicated the nations, not only’ 
her love-potions, as a seducing harlot, but f 
wine of the wrath of her fornications, 
men into idolatry by fierce persecutio 
Rome was. mentioned under eel -and e1 
blem of a Gentile city ; so her idolatry was 
ed fornication rather than adultery, as it Ben 
was when committed by the professed wé 
pers of God. (xvii. 2.) Bishop Newton ex 
this verse of the Waldenses, and the fo 
verses of more ancient events: on the 
Mr. Faber interprets those verses of — 
and this of Calvin, and his associates.” 


dispersed into other countries, they rapidly car- 
ried the everlasting gospel, with them; (as an 
angel, a messenger of peace to men, flying 
through the midst of heaven;) so that the Lol- 
ards in England, and the Bohemians, and many’ 
others in different places, seem to have priaci- 
pally learned the gospel from them; and the re. 
formation itself appears te have sprung from the 


9 And! the third angel followed them, 
saying, with a loud voice, ™ If any man 


worship ee beast and his image, and re- 
ceive | in his forehead, or in his 


i e shall = drink of the wine 
h of God, which is poured 
peaxture ° into a cup of his 


Pp a: 17, 18. & 19. 
ya & 20. 10. & 21. 

Gen. 19. 24. 
Dent. 29. 23. Job 
18. 15. Ps. 11. 6. 
Ys. 30. 33. & 34. 
0 Mat. 25. 41, 
Jude 7 


er. =i 22. Jer. 25. 15—17. 
27. & 5. 57 
11, See on,lo 18.6. Ps. 73. 10. 
6. 11—17. | Is. 51. 17. Jesaps 
$3.1 12. Lam 4." 
Hab. 2. 16. Mat, 
& 60. 3. & 75.8. 20. 22, & 26.39 
Is. 29,9. & ied a! a ae 


6, 


het 


however, seems: to me, to render individuals 
too prominent in this concise prophecy. Nor 
should I: have ‘mentioned the names of John 
Hoss and Jerom of Prague, except as they. 
were the “mouth, or voice, of a very large body 
of men, delivering its testimony in the most 
public manner conceivable, and sealing it by 
their martyrdom. Still I observe, that the grand 
outlines are clear; and commentators in general 
are agreed about them: so that the subordinate 
differences of opinion, do not affect the main ar- 
gument. Some indeed would explain this verse 
of future times, because Babylon is not yet to- 


interpretation, adopted by the ablest expositors, 
which is the only clue, that can lead us through 
its mazes ; and so introduces perplexity and un- 
: certainty. Nothing is more common. in prophe- 
cy, than for future events, as. absolutely deter- 
: mined, to be spoken of in the present or past 
time. (Marg Ref.) ‘The clue that has prin- 
* cipally conducted me through both parts of 
3 2 the Revelation, is following the series of histo- 
* ry, and the successive order of events. After 
« the. description of the two beasts, secular and 
“ecclesiastical, whose power was, established 
S according to my hypothesis in the eighth cen- 
* tury, but, according to most commentators, 
€ much sooner; there would be a very large 
€ chasm, without the prediction of any memora 
¢ ble event, if these prophecies relate to the 
‘ time, immediately preceding the fall of Anti- 
¢ christ, and the Millennium. ‘What a long in- 
€ terval would there be without any prophecy: 
* and how thick would the eyents follow after- 
* wards! For ail the particulars to the end of 
* thenineteenth chapter, must be fulfilled before 
‘the Millennium’? (Bp. Wewton.)—It is also 
worthy of notice, that about the era abovemen- 
tioned, the opinion began to be publicly avowed, 
by several persons, that the church, court, and 
ity of Rome, were Babylon ; and so, inevitably 
doomed to destruction. 
VY, 9-11, This third angel and his procla- 
mation may be explained of Luther, and his 
lee , rough, and vehement protestation against 
he i ies of the church and bishop of Rome, 
en a whole antichristian fabric ; yet we must 
‘take in all his coadjutors and successors; 
ai ind all the effects of this combined and perse- 
rerg protestation, to this day, and even beyond 


CHAPTER XIV. 


tally fallen: but this deranges the whole plan of 


A. D. 95% 


with fire and brimstone 4 in the presence 
of the holy angels, and in the presence of 
the Lamb: 

1] And * the smoke of their torment 
ascendeth up * for ever and ever: and 
they have * no rest day nor night, * who 
worship the beast and his image, and 
whosoever receiveth the mark of his 
name. 


q Ps. 37. 34. & 52. 
6. & 91. 8, Ez. 20. 
48. Mat. 13. 4}, 42. 
49, 50. 2 Thes. 1. 
8, 9. 

ri8 18 & 19. 8. 
Gen. 19. 28. Is..$3. 
14. & 34. 10., Joel 


Heb. 1. 8. 

t Deut. 23. 65. Ins 
57. 20,21. Mat. 11. 
28, 29, Mark 9. 48 
=i Luke 16. 24, 


one Ce 
18. 


2. 30. Luke 16. 28, 
24. 

s 4. 9, 10.& 5. 13, 
14: & 7. 12. & 11. 
15. & 20. 10. & 22. 
5. Exe 15.18, “Ps. 
10. 16. & 145. 1. 
Mat, 25. 


41. 46. 


it. His voice, and that of those who were raised 
up in divers countries to join him, and to follow 
up the assault, was indeed very loud. They at- 
tacked the beast with far more vehemence, than 


‘clared him to be antichrist; but they carried 
their researches into the idolatries, iniquities, 
and impostures of the whole system, and showed 
that it was utterly incompatible with the religion 
of the Scriptures, and founded in ignorance, 
usurpation, avarice, and hypocrisy : and they in- 
sisted on the necessity of separating from so cor- 
rupt a church, boldly retorting the charge of 
heresy and schism, and fully proving it. Thus 
they induced whole nations to cast off all regard 
to the Church of Rome, and engaged vast multi- 
tudes to protest against popery as 2 damnable te- 
ligion not only in the persecuting tyrants who 
imposed, but in all who, even from dread of pers 
secution, or from still worse motives, conformed 
to it: and this was exactly the purport of the 
third angel’s proclamation. . They loudly insist- 
ed upon it, that all, who adhered, with a blind 
and devoted attachment, to the beast and his 
image ; professing their abominable doctrines, 
conforming to their idolatries, concurring in 
their cruelties, and reducing their principles to 
practice ; (being intoxicated with ‘* the wine of 
“ the wrath of her fornication ;”) would drink 
of the unmingled wine of God’s wrath, from the 
cup of his indignation; yea, that they would be 


to hell, to be tormented in that flame; that this 
would be in the presence of the holy. angels, who 
would applaud the justice of their punishment ; 
and in the presence of the Lamb, who would pro- 
nounce and execute the sentence upon them, for 
their opposition to his Gospe}, and for giving his 


‘* that the smoke of their torment would ascend 
© up for ever and ever.” The words translated 
“ for ever and ever,” are the most energetic 
that are found in the whole Greek language to 
signify ezernity, and seem incapable of any other 
meaning. The passage, therefore, evidently 
predicts the clear and strong manner, in which 
the reformers protested and argued against pur- 
gatory, and insisted upon it, that the wicked 
would be tormented in bell for ever; and a sub 
sequent verse evidently opposes the same doc-~ 
trine, by showing the immediate happiness of be- 


Y 


mediatorial glory to saints and angels; and - 


any that went before had done; they not only de- 


tormented with fire and brimstone, or be cast in- 


. 


A. D. 95, 


12 Here * is the patience of the saints: 
y here ere they that keep the command- 
ments of God, and 2 the faith of Jesus, 

13 And 1 heard 2a voice from heaven, 
saying unto me, » Write, © Biessed are 
the dead which « die in the Lurd * from 
henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that 
they may © rest from their labours; * and 
their works do follow them. 

14 4 And I looked, and & behold, a 
white cloud, and upon the cloud ove, sat 
® like unto the Son of man, having on 
d Rom. 14,8,1Cor.| 13. Mat. 25. 35 
15, 18. 1 Thes, 4.| —40. Luke 16. 9. 
14.16. & 5.10. {| 1 Cor. 15. 58. Gal. 
* Ov,» From hence-; 6. 7,8. Phil. 2, 17. 
a it. 15.19. & 16. forth saith the Spi-| 2 Tim. 4. 7,8. Heb, 
17. Mat. 3. 17. rit; yeas )6 10, It. 
bl.ik & 21. &le 6. 11, & % 14—I'e yer. 15,16. & 1. 7- 
10.4. & 19. 9, &! 17-Job 3. 17—19.] &10. 1. & 20 11 
21. 5. Is, 35.10. & 57. 2. 


© 20.6. Ee. 4. 1, 2., Luke 16, 25. 2Thes. 
Is, 57.1, 2. 2 Cor oe Heb. 4. 9— 


5. 8. Phil. 1.21— 
23, CPs 19. 11. & 85. 


x See on, 13. 10. 
y Sce on, 12. 17. 
A 3.8. 10.2 Tim, 4, 


Mat. 17. 
21. 27. 


Dan. 7. 13. 


lievers after death. 


all conversant with the writings of the reformers| * Lord,” orin the true 


and their successors, knows that they generally 
declared, without hesitation, that popery was a 
damnable religion, Mr. Hooker, in Queen EBij- 
zabeth’s time, brought himself into suspicion, and 
wasengaged in a dispute, because he asserted, 
with much caution, and many distinctions, that 
papists might be saved : and, whatever contempt 
may be cast on their bigotry, in this.day of false 
candour, liberality, and disregard to the scrip- 
tures ; it is worthy of serious consideration, whe- 
ob this passage does not warrant most of what 
these reformers advanced on that subject ; 
though they might not always properly distin- 
guish between those who hated the light, and 
those whose eyes were too weak to endure its 
effulgence, when it broke in upon them all at 
once. To explain this most energetic passage, 
which beyond doubt predicts a general and most 
awful protestation against the leading tenets of 
popery as damnable ; in all who embrace and ad- 
here to them, as well as in the inventors and im- 
posers of them ; to signify any testimony, or pro 
fest made in a single kingdom, (as for instance in 
England,) seems to me a departure from the 
grand scale, on which these prophecies should | ¢ 
be interpreted ; and as totally inadmissible. 

V. 12,13. When the doctrines abovemention- 
ed began to be openly propagated, terrible per- 
secutions were raised: it was therefore added, 
** Here is the patience of the saints.” They 
wouid have abundant need to exercise patience, 
in obeying God and holding the true doctrine of 
Christ, amidst the bloody race of inquisitors and 
persecutors, who kindled fires on earth to tor- 
ture and burn them, though they called in vain 
for fire. from heaven to destroy them ; (xiii. 13.) 
and who by such cruelties, together with wars 
and massacres, destroyed incredible multitudes, 
in opposing the progress of the reformation. To 
encourage the saints to patience, in suffering for 
the truth even unto death, the apostle showed, 
that he heard a voice from heaven, ordering him 


REVELATION. 


Ps. 97.2. Is. 19. 1e| k ver,15—17. Joel 3} 13. 
5e pate 


hl. 13. Ez 2. 26.) 2 ver. 17. & 16. 17. 


(13.). Every one that is at| to write, “ Blessed are the 


© from henceforth ;”? thatis, om th per 


his head ? a 


to him that sat on 
thy sickle, and 1 
come for thee to r 
of the earth p eae 
16 And 4 he that sz 
thrust in his sickle on 
the earth was reaped, 
17 And another angel 
the temple which is _ 
having a sharp sickle, © | 
18 And another angel 


16. 2. & 11, 17, a i 

19 12, Ps, 21.°3.Ja ‘See on, k ver. ; 

Heh. 22:9): 2479" ‘Jers $1.33. A a 
89.1r 

12,13. Mat. 13. 30.) rt 

Matk 4. 29. 16. Ze 


m 6. 10. Is. 62. 1. 6, 2, 


ho 
Gospel; even “from henceforth.” - aes rie 
hath much perplexed ita rea? in 
of its prophetical meanin; and nex 
upon the plan which we 
can be more obvious, The 
ry, with indulgences, tel 
the Church, masses and pr 
was one pringipal source” 0 
and authority to the cl the b 
Rome. This also first vated ap th i 
Luther, who began his” attack by pro’ 
against these abuses: id, 
scriptures, he and, his 
a certain trath, in 
tudes, that there w { 
ry ; but that the wicked when 
ly to bel, and aren 
ven. Now what words 
this change in men’s sentimer 
It is most evident, from t | 
of the book, and from the 
events, that the reformation ere 
and the apostle was rte to rej 
pas (probably he knew wa ha 
Blessed are the dead 


licvers would generally understand ant 
aging truth ; and not have to encounter th 
of purgatory, or to app ida delay of 
felicity, when seized with the gonies "oF ¢ 
or called to suffer martyrdom ‘ists 
And in fact the expectation of immediate 
ness, was the joy and support of numb 
who were burned alive, or otherwit uelly a 
tyred, during those times. This ¥ hort 
ven was attested by an internal impulse o 
Holy Spirit, who assured the apostle, that 
lievers rested after death from ali their lab 
and siiffepings, and had no purgatory tof 
and that their works foliowed them to a 
sincerity of their faith, and te ensure a 
reward 


‘ 


A. D.9S: 


the altar, 4 which had power over fire ; 
* and cried with a loud cry to him that 
ad arp sickle, saying, Thrust in 
ickle, and gather the clusters 
‘of the earth; for her grapes 
ripe. ‘Sea 
the angel thrust in his sickle 
e earth, and gathered the vine of 


y See on, p- yer. 15, 


ps . 


16.8. x See on, ver. 15, 16. 


eee oa 
vy. 14—20. Thus far we have generally pro- 


teeded by the guidance of past events, and have 
obtained considerable satisfaction in explaining 
these prophecies; but here, I apprehend, that 
direction almost wholly fails us. This suppo- 
sition is confirmed by the evident inability of 
expositors to make any regular and consistent 
application of the subsequent chapters, except 
&@s coincident with those things which have heen 
already considered. (xiv.) Under this persua 
_ sion, of which further reasons will be afterwards 
assigned, I shall not obtrude mere conjectures on 
_ the reader; nor attempt to pry into things not 
seen as yet. Hitherto, in general, the ground 
hath seemed good, and the road plain; and I 
have felt some confidence, as well as used cau 
tion, in the progress: but caution must be al- 
Most my only companion and monitor in what 
how remains ; for the country is unknown, and 
no guide is to be found, who understands any 
thing certainly of the road. The exact and 
Surprising fulfilment of many, and complicated 

redictions, through the course of seventeen 
Reuteaa years, has been shown; which is a real 
demonstration of the truth of the scriptures: but 
We must bequeath to posterity the satisfaction of 
understanding, and being filled with adoring 


~ wonder at witnessing, the accomplishment of 
the rest. 


The prophecy hath been evidently 
traced down to the reformation; and this may 
include all, that has intervenec to this day, or 
shall intervene, till the slaying of the witnesses, 
and their resurrection. (Votes, xi. 7—14.) Whe- 
ther the events here predicted precede, or fol. 
low, the sounding of the seventh, or third, wo 
trumpet, I cannot absolutely determine: but 
_they seem evidently to relate to the fall of pope 

ry; and perhaps give a succinct intimation of 
what is more fully predicted in the next and fol- 
lowing chapters. The preceding events not hav- 
ing produced a voluntary and effectual reforma- 
tion in the kingdom of the beast ; the iniquity of 
those nations will be filled up, and they will be 
come ripe for judgments; which are emble- 
matically described as a harvest and a vintage ; 
and as the latter succeeds to the former in the 


_ Gourse of nature, so it is subsequent to it in the 


_ prophecy, and will be far more terrible, Christ 
_ Bppeared to the apostle in vision, like to the Son 


bie Man, in human nature ; upon a whitecloud, the 


_ emblem of his holy, righteous, and mysterious dis- 


_ Pensations ; his golden crown signified his super- 


“eminent authority, and his sharp sickle bis terri. 
- vengeance on his enemies. The angel out 
‘the temple may signify the ministers of the 
Gospel, as employed to announce the approach of 
these judgments: and the second angel coming 
VOL. Vi.. 


s 


CHAPTER XIV. 


A. D. 5. 


the earth, 2 and ca&t it into the great 
wine-press of the wrath of God. 

20 And 8 the wine-press. was trodden 
b without the city, ¢ and blood came out 
of the wine-press, even unto the horse- 
bridles, by th¢ space of a thousand and 
six hundred furlongs. 


Zz 19. 15—21. Deut. 1.15. 
32, 32, 33. b 11, 8. Heb. 13, 12. 
a Is. 63, 1—6. Lam.[e 19. 15—21. Is. Sa. ’ 


5—7. & 66. 24, Ez. 
3S. 17—21. 


out of the teniple, to reap the vintage, may re- 
present some executioner, or succession of ex- 
ecutioners, of the wrath of Christ on the oppo- 
sers of his authority : whilst the third angel from 
the altar, who had power over fire, giving orders 
to the second angel to reap the vintage, implies 
that these judgments would render a sacrifice to 
divine justice, and consume as witb fire those 
who had despised, or abused, the atoning sacri: 
fice of Christ. The casting of the vintage into 
the wine-press of God’s wrath, and the treading 
of it without the city, (as being no part of the 
true church.) can only be explained by the event, 
But it is remarkable that sixteen hundred’ fur- 
longs, or two hundred miles, is exactly the 


length of the papal dominions in Italy ; and pro= 


bably these will be deluged with blood, in a 
most awful manner; which is represented by 
language mest tremendously hyperbolical. Some 
expositors, who have written, since this interpre- 
tation was first made, decide with confidence, 
that the bloody scenes lately exhibited in France 
and on the continent, are the fulfilment of the 
prophecy concerning “the harvest °” though the 
vintage is yet future: nor do I at all doubt but 
that posterity will clearly see, that these events. 
began to accomplish the prediction. -I cannot, 
however, think either that, at so early a stage, 
we are capable of determining on the subject; 
or that a mote general and almost universal dis- 
play of divine vengeance, on al/ the kingdoms of 
the beast, (those only excepted, who have fully 
and decidedly cast off its dominion,) is intended; 
by the harvest. 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. es - 

The Lord reserves a remnant to himself in the 
worst of times, who dissent from the prevailing 
idolatries and abominations; who profess his 
truth and bear his image; who sing the praises 
of redeeming grace, in strains, which none else 
can learn; who cordially loye and devotedly 
cleave to him ; who follow the Lamb, whither- 
soever he goeth, being the first fruits of the 
earth ; who are Israelites indeed, in whose 
mouth is found no guile, and who are without 
fault, being fully accepted, and really sanctified, 
before the throne of God. May it be our prayer, 
our endeavour, yea, our ambition, to be found in 
this honourable company! If we have a good 
hope, that we are thus distinguished ; we ought 
to do every thing in our power, as well as 
to beseech the Lord continually, that faithful 
ministers, like beneficent angels, “ flying through 
“ the midst of heaven,” may carry “ the ever. 
lasting Gospel,” and preach it to all ‘people, ma-. 

5C 


A, D. 95. 
: CHAP. XV. 


‘A vision of seven sutielia prepared to execute judg- 
ments ; with the triumphant song of the church 
on that occasion, 1—4. Seven vials given to the 
angels for that purpose, and the temple i is filled 

_ with smoke, 5-8. 


ND # I saw another sign in heaven, 
great and marvellous, » seven angels 
having the seven ¢ last plagues; for in 
them ‘is filled up the wrath of God. 
2.And I saw asit were® aseaof glass} 
fmingled with fire: and them ¢& that had 
gotten the victory over the beast, and 
over his image, and over his mark, and 
over the number of his name ® stand on 
the sea of glass, # ait 3h the harps of 
God. 


2 12.1—3. Dan, 4, 
2, 3- & 6. 27, « 

b ver. 6. & 8.2. 6, 
& 10.3. & 16. 1— 
17. & 21.9. Mat 
13, 41, 42. 49, 505 
¢ 8 13. & 11. 14. & 


1 Pet. 1.:7-& 4, 12° 
gli. 11,12. & 12. 
11. & 13. 1418. & 


16. 17—21. & 17. 1. 
id ver. 7 & 34. 10. 
19. & 16. 19. & 19. 
15. Daa. 12. 6,7. 
11, 12. 

ie 4.6, & 21.18. 
FIs. 4. 4. Mat. 3 11. 


14. i—5e 

h Ex, 14. 30, 31. 

i See on, 5. 8, & 14. 
2 & 19. 1—7. 


_ tions, and languages : that so sinners may féar 
» and glorify God ; and turn from all their idols 
. and iniquities, to worship the great Creator, and 
to wait for his Son from heaven, who shall 
speedily come to be our judge. These events 
faith anticipates, as if they were already accom- 
plished.’ 
~V. 9—20. 


Cray deceivers, and they who have been be- 
‘trayed into their delusions, by pride, unbe- 
lief, a carnal mind, love of sin, and fear of man, 
will ere long drink together of the wine of God’s 
wrath, from the cup of his indignation: and 
however men may flatter or excuse themselves, 
in conforming to corrupt and sinful customs or 
impositions, they will find at last that the Lord 
abhors such prevarication. Let, therefore, such 
as fear the reproach or the wrath of men, and 
are tempted to disobey God, remember that 
awful torment, the smoKe of which ascendeth 
up Jor ever and ever. For the modern quietus |, 
of a purgatory, after the day of judgment, is as 
destitute of scriptural foundation, as the pur- 
gatory before that awful season, as maintained 
by the church of Rome; and they who die in 
their sins, will too late find, that the punishment 

of hell will/endure for ever and ever. Here 


then is the patience of the saints, to venture or’ 


suffer any thing in obeying God’s command- 
ments, and professing. the faith of Jesus : 
God bestow this patience upon us, that we may 
be ready, should times of persecution overtake 
us! We have the best reasons in the world for 
this conduct; as a voice from heaven attested by 
the Holy Spirit, assures us, that  Blesssed are 
“¢ the dead which die i in the Lord ; that they im- 
* mediately rest from their’ Jabours, ‘and that 
s their works follow them,” to ascertain their 
title to, and the degree of, their unspeakable 
felicity : whilst their persecutors, and all wicked 
men, are ripening for the harvest and vintage of 
divine vengeance ; and will soon be cast mto the 
wine-press of the wrath of God. 


Jo See on, 48» & ml 


may 


the Lamb, saying 
lous are thy works 
P just and bas ac ' 
of * saints. 

4.» Who shall fi 
. and glorify thy ame? 
art holy: ¥ for all nations Shai 
worship before thee ; * for 
are made manifest. n . 


k Ex. 15. 1—18. Deut. 32. 4, Ps, 85. 
‘| See on, Deut. 34.] 10,11. & 99. 4. 
5. 1Cht. 6. 49. 2} 100. 5. & 145. 
Chr. 24, 6. Neh. 9.] 45.21. Hos, 


vo Ex. 15,11. Job 5.]* 
9. Ps. 78. 12. &) ages. 
105- 5. & 111. 2. 
& 118. 22, 23, & 
139. 14. & 145. 6, 
Dan. 4.2, 3. * 


Ge" nal ante 
Sens 


+} 


By hy 29, 28. 
9% Is. 24. 15» & 25. 


LF j Fess HEH 


17. Gen. 17.1. 
Pp 16. 5—7. & 19. 2. 


seventh trumpet, as the seven ‘trum 
cluded under the seventh seal cee : 
the seven last plagues, in which the wr, 

God is filled up, or accom - 
secuting idolatrous power, assuming an 
gracing beyond expression, the ave 
CurisTran. These plagues must ther 
coincident with the last wo trumpet 
measure at least. The second 
phecy has been traced from the 
sixth trumpet, to the” 
‘present <ra ; and to go back rt 
find out events, which m 
quent predictions, deran 
the book, and reduces: gee 
uncertainty. Our key has hithert 
most intricate wards of thes 


it is Nec the time 
is evident from a due considera 
twelve hundred and sixty years of the 
the beast. Different computations indeed 
been made of the period, when these yeat 
end : but none, as it appears to me, suppose 
they will terminate sooner than A’ D. ese: 

many think they will not end till ; A.D. 2000. 
whether sooner or ar it seems em 


come under the three last trumpets (viii. 13. 2 
7. xiv: 19 :) yet when the seventh trumpet w 
sounded, he mentioned, almost exclusivel 
happy effects of it, to the end of time, 1 
speaking particularly about the woes. 
here resumes that subject, and proph 
shows what woes would follow the soun 


——_— Pad F 
“a. D.95. CHAPTER KV. A.D. 95. 


5 § And after that I looked, and, be-|unto the seven angels, © seven golden 

held; 7 the” temple of the tabernacle of} vials full of the wrath of God, 4 who 
peters 4 in heaven was opened : liveth for ever and ever. 

y op “seven angels came out of} 8 And ¢ the temple was filled with 

temple, having the seven plagues, smoke ‘ from the glory of God, and from 

-d ‘in pure and white linen, and|his power; and & no man was able to 

ir breasts girded with golden; enter into the temple, ® tll the seven 

plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. 


nd > one of the four beasts gave/c 5.3, & 16.2, &c.| 6.1 Thes. 1.9. (f2 Thes. 1.9. 
2. & 17. 1. & 21, 9Je Ex. 40. 34. 1 Kim-jg Jer. 15. 1. Lam.- 
ae. 19. Ex.|z See en, ver. 1. 17, 18. Luke 24. 4. Fe 75.8. Jer. 25.| 8.10.2 Chr. 5. 14.) 3. 44. Rom. 11. 33. 
25. 21. Num, 1. oy etl 13, 5-5 pgheaieataita Ps. 18. 8—14. Is-th See on, ye: i. 
“Mat. 27. 51. - 5-8. Ez. 4 a Selon, 4:9, & 10. 6. 4. 


. 


that trumpet. Nothing seems more important, | come and worship before the Lord ; as his judge 
in explaining prophecies, than to determine, as/ ments were then about to be made manifest ? 
far as we can, which events are past, and which | (Marg. Ref.) 
are to come: under this conviction, must pro-{ V.5—8. (xi. 19.) The appearance of glo- 
ceed to consider what follows, in general, as yet|ry above the mercy-seat in the most holy place, 
in futurity ; and shall, therefore, not detail any} the tabernacle of God in the temple, was an em- 
of the interpretations, or conjectures, that have| blem of his appearance in heaven as reconciled 
been made of them, with relation to past events ;| to sinners, through Jesus Christ: the seyen an- 
‘because I cannot myself find any satisfaction! gels, coming forth from thence, showed, that 
from them. The great and marvellous sign,} these judgments would be executed on the ene- 
which the apostle saw in heaven, the scene of} mies of the Church, in mercy to God’s people :* 
his visions, implied, that very interesting and ex-| while their white clothing and golden girdles, 
‘traordinary events were about to be revealed :/ represented their holiness, and the righteousness 
for seven angels appeared, who had it in charge|and excellency of these awful dispensations.— 
to inflict the seven Jast plagues. But before hej The living creature, an emblem of the Gospel- 
saw the effects of their ministry, he records an| ministry, giving the vials to the angels, implied, 
introductory vision, representing the joy and tri-| that the preaching of the truth would be instru- 
umph, which the church would express on that} mental in bringing the judgments, which were 
occasion. The sea of glass, mingled with fire,| written, upon antichristian opposers; and the 
(iv. 6.) is very differently explained: but as the|temple being filled with smoke, showed the 
persons referred to stood upon it, we cannot well| darkness of these dispensations ; and the hor- 
understand it of the Fountain, in which they had} ror, which would envelope the enemies of God, 
Washed away their sins: perhaps it was emble-| whilst these plagues were executing. (Mare. 
matical of the tempestuous times, during which} Ref.) 
believers then lived; the slippery and fragile 
mature of their standing considered in itself, and PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
the fiery trials which they endured. They, how-} The many plagues which the wrath of God 
ever, who were conquerors over the beast; who} inflicts on the wicked, contain things great and 
had cleaved to the truth and will of God, and} marvellous: but none can fully understand 
had refused subjection to the spiritual tyranny} them, till they have passed through the waves 
of antichrist, or to: be branded as his slaves ;} and fiery trials of this evil world, and are made 
stood on this brittle, slippery, sea of glass min-j victors over all their adversaries. Yet, whilst 
giled with fire, unhurt and undismayed ; as the} we stand upon “ the sea of glass mingled with 
children of Israel, passed through the Red sea,} “ fire,” we should anticipate the triumphs, which 
or standing on its shore, saw their enemies dead] await our final deliverance; and attempt the 
before them. Feeling, therefore, a holy assur- song of Moses, and of the Lamb: and-new mer- 
ance of their own safety, and a triumphant joy,| cies continually demand new hymns of praise. — 
_ in the prospect of the destruction of their perse-} The fuller knowledge we acquire, concerning 
eutors ; they sang the song of Moses, the servan:f the wonderful works of God; the more zealous- 
of God: they praised the Lord for their deliver-| ly we shall celebrate his infinite greatness and 
ance, as‘israel by orders from Moses. had done ;} excellency, as the Lord God almighty, the Crea- 
and they sang the song of the Lamb, the.new] tor and Ruler of all worlds: but his title of Em- 
song before mentioned. (Marg. Ref.) Thus} manuel, the King of saints, will peculiariy en- 
they celebrated the great and marvellous works| dear him te us. _ Who, that considers the power 
of God, the almighty Lord ofall; and his justice | of bis wrath, the ‘value of his favour, or the glory 
and faithfulness, as in Christ Jesus, the King of] of his holiness, would refuse to fear and hdnour 
saints, thé Protector, Comforter, Ruler, and Por-| him alone ? For his praise is above heaven and 
‘tion, of all his redeemed people. In this view,| earth. May ajl nations, therefore, come and 
they inquired, who would not, or ought not, to} worship before his, and accept of bis salvation ! 
fear, adore, and giorify the name of Jzenovan .| This prayer will be answered, when his tdberna- 
secing he only was holy; and neither ‘ae wor-|cle shall be opened, the instruments of his ven- 
ship of i idols, nor the names of blasphemy used|geance on obstinate rebels commissioned, and 
beast and his image, were to be enduyed:|the seven vials poured out. Ts the mean time 
r the time was arrived, in which all should} let us adore bis justice and a and not dare 


; 


‘ALD. 95. - REVELATION. » 
: CHAPSKVEI? | and ufion ‘them ‘whic 4 
The first angel pours/out his vial on the earth; and image. ° eee 


the worshippers of the beast are plagued with: a 3.9 And the 
_ moisome sore, A, 2: the second, on the sea, which histivinW ies vie 
becomes blood, 8: the third, on the rivers and ee BpeM 
fountains, which also become blood ; and the an-| 48 the blood: of a dea 
‘gel of the waters celebrates the justice of God, in a5 ‘soul died in t 
‘thus visiting bloody perseentors, whichis confrm-| 49: And, the third | 
ed by,one from the altar, 4—7. The fourth an-} his vial * upon: the riv 
gel pours his vial on the sun ; and men scorched of as a: h 
with fire blaspheme God, 8,9: the fifth on the] 9 waters; ans ey 
seat of the beast, with the miseries caused, and| 5 And I heard ™ the 
the blasphemies excited, 10, 11. The sixth an- ‘siade say; n Whee sho righeou D 
‘ te 


hi} inde thus. — 
— war: oo God, 13, 14. A sia ap Chee 6 For .: they have! eae ws 


ished o1 on Babylon, eed 16—21, A thy. OT Ar aeN 
ND *T heard a great voice out of the 7 And I bess te ey of meat 4 


b * 
temple, Reng the seven angels, } tar say, t Even so, Lord God almighty, | 
Go your ways, ¢ and pour out the vials! true and ici are 
of the wrath of God upon the earth. 

‘2 And the first went, and poured out} ¢s, e&.in € & 
his vial 4 upon the earths and there fell| "3: BPR 
&anoisome and grievous sore upon the aie Ps. 78. 44. & Dan, 

vi) - 

men © which had the mark of the beast, Pte Gen aa 5 a 

k 8.10, 11. o See 
Ez. 9. 5—B8s & 10-} 21.15.18. Job2.7,)1 ver. 6, & 14. 7. | 
2, Mat. 13.41, 42. | 8. Ps. 78. 66. Is-1.| EX 7. 20, bahay bs 
d 8.7, & 14.166 24 5, 6s & 3, 17% 24,| 1S: 50.2. Ex. 35, 8, 
© ver. 212, 17. le Ex, 9.9—2i. Deu. Luke 16, 20-22} Hos. 13. 15, BP 
14, O11. & 15, 7! 7.15. & 28.27. 1] Acts 12 23. ™m ver. 4e ; 24. 4. 
1Sam. 15. 3. 18.) Same 6: 9.2 Chr. Shei ee 15—18, | D ver. 7. See on, 15. “9. ‘26 eo. 


5.81 


a a 118 & 15, 
5— 


we 


b e on, ws. 1. 6. 


to 0 object to his deep designs : for sinh we shall tion, interprets thia plague of t 
witness the completion of the whole, we shall} rit, which has long secretly permuted: 
see him perfectly glorious, both in mercy and in} adhering to the Roman church; and whic! 
judgment. broken out so extensively and fatally in 
late years. I am by no means disposed: 
~A NOTES: : 4.4 ject to this interpretation : yet: 
CHAP. XV V. 1,2. The angels were or-| adopt it without great hesitation, 
dered, by a voice from the temple, to pour out | dadle opinion 5 if indeed the { 
the contents of the vials, censers, or cups, that} vials may, in the order of the predicted. 
they had received, which were emblems of the | be allowed to begin at meme 
wrath of God to be poured out on the antichris-| V. 3—7. (viii. 8—10.) Seas 
tian empire, and all who adhered to it. As the!ed into congealed blood, are proper. 
four first trumpets were so many ee. in the} vast slaughter and devastatione Yet: the 
destruction of the western empire, and the fifth | of the waters; who was. appointed t presic 
and sixth showed the extinction of the eastern}them, or to be a ministering spiritin 
empiré: se these vials marked the gradual. de-| pensations, celebrated~the Pit : 
solation of the Roman church; the one being the | Lord, who, had determined to punish with sue | 
pagan idolatrous persecuting power, the other, | calamities, the blood-thirsty., mundane df 
the papal idolatrous persecuting: power ; the and prophets ; and in: appointing them as it 
beast to whom the dragon had given bis seat and | blood to drink, And another angel, from I 
empire. Thiscircumstance occasions a simijari-| the altar, (vi. 9,) as.speaking in the name o 
ty of some of the vials to the trumpets. A re-|holy martyrs, concurred in these proises 
semblance aleo is found between these vials and | also declared the truth of ‘the Lord G Lm 
several of the plagues of Egypt, to which Rome | ty, in thus fulfilling his ancient predi 
yay be compared for tyranny, cruelty. and enmi- | his. promises to his church. “Tf the. -events, her 
ty to the people of God. (xi. 8.) Whether the] predicted, be still future, the falGiment of th 
sores, produced by the pouring out of the first | a alone can. fully explain it. Mr. Fabe 
vial, are to be understood literally, with respect | owever, interprets | ‘the whole passage, of 
to terrible pestilences, or in a figurative meaning, bloody transactions, in France and on the Co! 
the event must determine. But they will be pe- pent, which have occurred during these 
culiar to the avowed and- devoted adherents of| eighteen or twenty years, I confess. myse 
the beast and hisimage ; which seemsto beintend. | competent to. Senile whether his opinion be 
ed of the others, though not so expressly men{| grounded or not: yet I hesitate for thi 
tioned. (Marg. Ref.) Mr. Faber, without hesita-| sons, Ist. The stage, on which these 1 


» 


: 
— 


tae Ld 


y blasphemed the name of God,, 


math power over these plagues :} 


ey repented not * to give him 


10 4 And the fifth angel poured out 

al» upon the seat of the beast ; and 

his kingdom was © full of darkness ; and 
4 they gnawed their tongues for pain, 

_ 11 And €¢blasphemed the God of hea- 

ven & because of their pains and their 


sores, 4 and repented hot of their deeds.| 


12 { And the sixth angel poured out 
his vial‘ upon the great river Euphrates: 
k and the water thereof was dried. up, 
4 that the way of the kings of the east 
might be prepared. 


U6, 12.& 8.12, &9ja il. 13. & 14. 7.j/F 2 Chr.—36. 23. 
2, Is, 24. 23. Luke; Josh. 7. 19, Jer- 13.1 Ezra }. 2. & 5.11, 
QI. 25. Acts 2. 20.) 16. Am, 4.6—12, | 12. & 6.10. & 7. 
& 7.16. & 9. 17, 18.|b 11.2. 8. & 18. 2.] 12, 21. 23. Neh. L 
& 14. 18. Jon, 4. 8.1 & 17. 9.17. 18. &) 4. & 2. 4, Ps, 136. 
Mat. 13. 6. - | & 18, 2, 3, 21—23.| 26. Dan, 2. 18, 19. 
© Or, burned. ¢ 9, 2, & 18. 11—19.; 44. Jon, 1. 9 

y ver. 10, 11. 21. 2} Ex. 10.21—23. Ps.jg ver. 2.9. 
Kings 6. $3.2 Chr.| 78. 49. Is. 8.21, 22.|h See on, ver, 9. 2 
28. 22. Is. 1. §. &| Mat. 8. 12. & 22.{ Tim. 3 13. 

8. 21. Jer. 5.3, &6.| 13, 2Pet.217. 1 9.14 Is, 8.7, 8. 
29, 30. Iz. 24. 13.d 21. 10. Mat. 134k 17.15. Is. 11. 15. 
Z ver. Li. %& 2 21.) 42. 50. & 24. 51,| & 42, 15. & 44. 27. 
& 9. 20. Dan. 5. 22,! Luke 13. 28. Jer. 50. 38—40, & 
23, Luke 13. 3, 5. ae See on, ver. 9. 51. 366 

Cor. 12. 21, ~ ALI, 41. 25. Ez. 38, 


have been acted, seems not. large enough for the 


completion of the prophecy.’ France, and the 
‘countries connected with it, form only part of the 


_ Kingdom of the beast; and several countries be- 
_ Jonging to it, have hitherto been little affected by 
these sanguinary measures ; though perhaps they” 


may ere long be involved in them. 2dly. The 
term, since the commencement of the French 
revolution, seems too short, ‘to answer to the 
idea, excited by this prophecy, of the judgments 
to be inflicted: when it is considered, in how 


few verses2he most interesting events of two 


“movethis objection. 


or three hundred years are comprehended ; yet, 
very probably, succeeding transactions may re- 
3dly. Ihave some doubt, 
whether the time for the pouring out of the vials. 
is arrived ; and whether it will arrive till towards 


_ the close of: thisicentury. Iam, however, by no 


a 


means confident'in my opinion. 

~V.'8, 9. (viii. 12.) Whether burning sea- 
sons producing drought and famine, or some 
other judgment thus figuratively described, be 
intended, tlie event must show. But the ex- 
treme distress’ of the sufferers, instead of induc- 
ing them to glorify God, by confessing, repent 
ing of, and forsaking their sins, wiil irritate them 
to blaspleme the name of God, and so tend te 


.. the other kingdoms of the beast on the Continent. 


Tam not dispusedto contrevert this, interpreta: 
\ 


\ 


CHAPTER XVI. 


j A. D. 98. 


i3 And I saw ™ three unclean spirits’ 
" like frogs, come © vut of the mouth of 
the dragon, aud out of the mouth of the 
beast, and out of the mouth of P the false 
prophet. 

14 For they are 4 the spirits of devils, 


* working miracles, * which go forth unto 


the kings of the earth and of t the whole 
world, to gather them to the battle of 
that great day of » Ged almighty. 

15 Behold, ¥ 1 come asa thief. z Bless- 


ed ie he that watcheth, and keepeth his 


garments, @ lest he walk naked, and they 
see his shame. 

16 And. > he gathered them together 
into a place, called in * the Hebrew 
tongue, ¢ Armageddon. - 


& 39. Dan. 11. 43; 
—45. 
m.ver. 14. 2 Thes. 
2. 9—11. 1 Tina. 
1—3, 3 Tims 3. 1- 
6..2Pet. 2. 1-3. 
1 John 4. 1—3. 
n Ex. 8. 2—7. Ps.) Rom, 1. 8. 
78. 45, & 105. 30. ju ver. 16. & 17. 14. 
012 3,4.9—13. &! & 19. 19.& 20. 8. 
13, 1—7. 11—18. -} Is. $4. 1—8. & 63. 
Pp 19; 20, & 20. 10. | 1—6. Ez, 38. 8—12. 
q 12. 9. 1 Kings 22.| Joel 3. L1—14. 
19—23, 2Cbr. 18.jx See on, ver. 7. 
48-22. Ez, 14. 9.19 3.8. Mat. 24. 43. 
John 8. 44. 2Cor) 1 Thes: 5. 2, S$. 2) 26. 14. 
11213—15. Jam, 3.j Pet. 3.10.. > «jd Judg. 5. 19. 2 Kime 
15. z Mat. 24. 42% & 25.) 23.29, 30. Zech. 12> 
r 13,18; 14, & 19] 13. & 26, 41. Mark) 11. 
20. Deut. 13.1,2.| 13. 33-37. & 14. 


Mat. 24,24. Mark 
13.22. 2 Thes.2 9, 
s 1 Kings 22. 6. 10, 
11, 19—22, Acts 13.] 1 Pet 4. 7. 
8—10. a See on, 3. 4. 
t 3, 10. & 12,9, &] Ex. 32; 25. 
13. 3. Luke 2. 1. 


38. Luke 12. 37— 
a3. & 21. 26. Acts 
20. 31, 1 Thes, 5.60 


18. 

Is. 47. 
3. Ez, 16. 37-. Hose 
2 3. Hab. 2.15 2 
Cor. 5. 3» 

b 17. 14. & 19. 17 
—21. Judg: 4. 7 
Joel $.9—14. Zer.- 
14,23, 3, _ 

¢ 9.11 John $. 2. 
& 19, 18. 17. Acts 


tion, nor yet to subscribe to it##I again observe, 
that in my view, our posterity, at the end of this 
century, will be more competent judges of this 
subject, than we can be. 

V. 10, 11. This predicts. some great calami- 
ty to Rome itself, yet of such a nature as will 
darken the whole antichrisfian empire. But it 
will only excite the sufferers to horrid blasphe= 
mies, and more desperate defiance of God. Com- 
mentators in general allow, that this vial. is net 
yet poured out: and this is.a sufficient reason, 
why a commentator should decline giving any 
conjecture, in what manver so compendious and 
so obscure a prediction will be fulfilled : but, when, 
fulfilled it will olllve to be obscure, 

Vv. 12—16, If the river Euphrates is here to 
be understood literally ; some eastern nation or _ 
nations may be expected to invade Europe, as 
the executioner of the Lord’s vengeance on the 
kingdom of the beast. But as Rome is mystical 
Babylon, which stood on the river Euphrates, and 
was both enriched and protected by it ; perhaps 
we may understand,'by the drying up of the Eu- 
phrates, such deductions from the power and re~ 
sources of Rome, as shall embolden and excite 
other nations to attack her. These events, how= 
ever, will threaten the destruction of that whole 
interest: so that three unclean spirits, like frogs, 
will come out of the mouth of the dragon, as re- 
presenting satan, who gave his power to the 
beast; out of the mouth of the beast or anti- 
christian empire; and out ofthat of the false 
prophet, or the antichristian Church and clergy. 


“show, that He, even the 


. 


-© power of the air,” and this last vial will be 


ff. D. 95. \ REVELATION. 


17 7 And ‘the seventh angel poured 
.6ut his vial © into the air: and f there 

e€ame a great voice out of the temple of 
heaven, from the throne, saying, & It is 
done. 

18 And there * were voices, and thun- 
ders, and lightnings; and there was a 
great earthquake, such as was not since 
‘men were upoi the earth, so mighty an 
earthquake, and so great. 

_ 19 And * the great city was diviter 
into three parts, and the cities of the na- 


€20.1—3, Eph, 2{ Dan. 12. 7-13./i 11.13. Dan. 12. 1. 
2. & 6.12. John 19. 30. “ik 4) 8. & 17. 18.) 
# ver. 1. & 11.19. &h 435. & 8. hit & if Qe 10.16—19, 
14.17, & 15. 5.6.) 1% 21 

& 10.6,7, & 21. 6. bly 


tions fell 4 ut 


sn mountains siwerettiieand. 
21 And © there fell upon: n 
hail out of heaven, every 8 
weight of a talent: and h 
ed God because of the plagu 
hail; for the plague tt ts 
ing creat. eae 


(119. 5. Dan. 4.30. 
Mm se€on, 14 8. 10. 
& 18,5. Is, 49, 26. 
& 51! 17-28, Jen. 
25. 15, 16. 26. 


n 6. 14. & 20 
Is. 2, 14—17. 
4, 2 
0 8.76 


That is, emissaries, commissioned by them, and 
instigated by unclean spirits, being loathsome, 
and croaking, and intruding themselves into eve- 
ry place, to the mischief of afl, (Ex. viii. 1—3,) 
will go forth to promote idolatry, pretending to 
work miracles in support of their doctrine; 
and to collect the kings of the earth, and of the 
whole world, even all in every plate who favour 
that design; thatthey may make one united ef 
fort against the cause of God: and thus they 
will be gathered for battle, against the great day, 
in which the almighty Gad intends to destroy 
them. Some have imagined these three mysti- 
cal frogs, to be the Dominicans, Franciscans, 
and Jesuits; and the description given of them, 
would agree well enough with that of those Jani- 
zaries of the Church of Rome: but the predict- 
ed events must fall much later than the founding 
of those orders; and satan will no doubt be able 
_ to excite men of the same stamp, te similar ser- 
” vices with those performed by them in former 
ages. These will be times of great temptation ; 
and, therefore, Christ by his apostle, called on 
his professed servants, to expect his sudden com- 
ing, and to watch, that they might retain, and 
be found in, the garments of salvation, and not 
appear naked, and so be put to shame, as apos- 
tates or hypocrites: for the blessing would be- 
long only to the watchful. This p hesis in- 


terrupts the prediction : sy that proceeds to 


soever, on which “NB f 
he understood, the event must 
be very easy, to eivean. opina: 
those who have done oat ‘bu 
about the future ful 
‘part of the plan of this 
must decline the’ attempt an 
to those, who have purposely wi 
ject ; among whom he allo 
has supported his opinions wi 
arguments from other prop 
whom he has consulted. B 
on his mind, in several pa 
think himself authorized to adop 
ber’s conclusions. Posterity Nl be 
petent than we are, to deter 
tions. It is, however, c 
convulsions, revolutions, — 
nations, to a degree ati sect 
witnessed, or reeorde 
before the mystery 
opinion also, that the lan 
stage, on which the last gr 
decided, is highly probable : b 
country, or the papal dominions. 
the six hundfed Peale ee 
blood, he will not presu i 
xiv. 18—20.) The dimen bee 
or the cther; and itis fo ‘certain whe 
ticular dreadful _judgme: ts) “Un | 
seat of the beast; or tremendous 
all his remaining adherents, ° ; 
It may be observed, that I have n 
ticed the interpretations of th 
several of these vials as lon 
This has resulted from a fa 
these interpretations are absolutely in 
with the chronology of the’ prophecy, 
whole clue which must direct us in & 
it; and that they are altogether 
even as insulated accommodatio 


gathered togre- 
“ther the kings of the earth, in his righteous pro- 
vidence, toa place ealled ‘Armageddon, or the 
mountain of destruction, with reference to Me- 
giddo. (Judg. v. 19.2 Kings xxiii. 29, 30.) 
V.17—21. Satan is called “the prince of the 


poured into the seat of his empire; for after it, 
his cause in every place, without as well as with- 
in, the dominions of the beast, will be ruined.— 
A ‘proclamation was therefore made, that it was 
done, or fished; as under the seventh trumpet 
the mystery of God was to be finished. (x. 7.) 
Terrible calamities, awful displays of the divine} 
presence; intestine distractions, and the revolt} 
or destruction of cities and nations, ke. will} 
make way for great Babylon to drink of the 
wine of the fierceness of God’s wrath : and the 
concurrent judgments are described in the 
strongest language: — by spor stones 


will be known ere pe 
apparently inconsistent with the chiond 
the’book. The grand question to be decid 
ae respect, relates to the sounding of 


> + CHDAP.. XVII. 
gel shows John the persecuting idolatrous pow- 
lich was to be destroyed; under the em- 
an infamous, but splendid, harlot, riding 
toured beast, with a golden cup in 
ame inscribed on her ferehead, and 
he blood of the saints, 1—6. He ex- 
Vision to him, 7—18. 
there came 2 one of the seven 
mgels which had the seven vials, 
b talked with me, saying unto me, 
6. & 16. 1~17. & 21.9. b4e 1. & 21. 15. 


venth trumpet. If that event be past, the vials 
have begun to be poured out; if it be future, 
none of them have been poured out. For it 
seems to meclear, that a8 the seventh seal in- 
cludes all the seven trumpets, so the seventh 
trumpet includes all the seven vials. Nor doI 
think it possible for human sagacity to deter- 
mine, till some considerable time has elapsed ; 
at what precise period, events of that immense 
magnitude, as those here predicted, began to 
he accomplished. 


__._ PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
_ How infatuated must men be, to set at de- 
fiance the power of God, who can fight against 
them in such varied means, and with such irre- 
| sistible weapons! especially as he continues to 
beseech his enemies to be reconciled to him, 
and share his omnipotent and everlasting fa- 
vour ! No wonder that angels, who witness or 
execute his vengeance on such implacable haters 
_ of God, of Christ, and of holiness, loudly cele- 
_brate the praises of his justice and truth ; and 
-adore his awful dispensations, when he brings 
upon bloody persecutors the tortures which they 
had inffieted on his saints and prophets. But 
_ the heart of man is so desperately wicked, that 
the most complicated miseries will never induce 
them to repentance, without special grace ; nay, 
if men are left to themselves, they will blas- 
pheme the name of God, even in the intervals of 
gnawing their tongues with pain! It is vain, 
therefore, to expect that purgatory, or hell-fire, 
will ever bring men to glorify God in true re- 
pentance, or in any sense purge away their sins. 
Byen hell is filled with blasphemies, determined 
-and horrid, in proportion to the degree of its 
torments: and they are as ignorant of the his- 


CHAPTER XVI. = tti«‘<CS 


A. D. 95, 


Come hither; ¢ I will shew unto thee the. 
judgment of 4 the great whore « that sit- 


}teth upon many waters: 


2 With whom the kings of the earth 
have committed fornication, and the ind 
habitants of the earth have been made 
drunk with the wine of her fornication. 


te 9 30. & 24.Jd ver. 4, 6. 15, 16.& 
4 2. 


4 19. Is. 57. 3, 
¢ 16. 19. & 18. 16—| Nah. 3. 4, 5, 
19, ie yer. 15. Jer. 51, 


13, 
fiver. 13. 17. & 14. 
8. & 18. 3. 9.23. 
Jer. 51. 7. 


Sa 
edly the friends of God, will have their portion 
with avowed unbelievers; and, being found des. 
titute of the robe of salvation, will be put to 
shame, and perish. May we then remember 
that Christ cometh suddenly; that we mav 
watch, and “ give diligence to be found of him 
“in peace, without spot and blameless.” ; 


NOTES. 

CHAP. XVIL V. 1,2 This chapter die 
gtesses irom the subject, to show more precisely 
what was meant by great Babylon, the ruins of 
which had been predicted. One of the angels 
who had poured out the vials, conversed in 
vision with John; and bade him come to him 
and he would show him the judgment of that 
corrupt church, or kingdom, which Might be 
emphatically called, “ the great whore ;” because 
it had exceeded all other churches or societies, 
in seducing men to commit idolatry, and abomi- 
nations of every kind. The many waters, on 
which this dignified harlot, who was illustrious 
in her infamy, sat enthrened as a queen, are 
afterwards explained. (15.) No one can doubt, 
but Rome is meant in this chapter ; nay, the 
most zealous papists allow it: and indeed, it 
would not have been made so undeniable by 
being expressly named, as it is by this descrip- 
tion. The only question then is, whether Rome 
Pagan, or Rome Papal, is meant? But Pagan 
Rome never seduced the kings of the earth te. 
join in her idolatries ; she never intoxicated the 
inhabitants with the wine of ‘her fornication ; 


she subdued and ruled ‘them with an iron rod, 


and not by artifices and biandishments; she left 


them in general to their ancient usages and WOr= 
ship; nay, she imported the idols and vices 


of the conqueredations, and thus became fatal- 


y of human nature, as of the Bible, and of} ly corrupted: and when the Roman emperors 


their own hearts, who do not know, that the 
more men suffer, and the more plainly they see 
the hand of God in their sufferings, the more 
furiomsly they often rage against him. Let then 
sinners now seek repentance from Christ, and 
the grace of the Hely Spirit, or they will here- 
- after have the anguish and horror of an unhum- 
bled, impenitent, and desperate heart, burning 
wit enmity against God, as well as tortured by 
he fire of his indignation; and thus augment- 
ng guilt and ‘misery to all eternity. Whilst sa- 
tan and wicked men, by every artifice, and with 
all their power, excite numbers to combine 
ainst the cause of God, they are in fact gath- 
by him, that he may execute judgment up- 
nthem. But many of those, who are profess- 


[persecuted the Christians, they did it rather 


from a desire of crushing innovations, which 
threatened, as they supposed, the peace of the 
state, than from zeal for any particular form of 
idolatry. On the other hand, it is well known, 
by what subtle insinuations, ard politic mans 
agement, “‘ with all the deceivableness of un« 
“ righteousness,” Rome Papal, without any 
adequate temporai force, hath obtained and pre- 
served an ascendency over kings and nations ; 
attaching them to her usurped dominion in blind’ 
submission, and inducing them to conform to 
her idolatries, and corruptions of Christianity.— 
So that the authority of powerful kings and the 
forces of mighty nations, have repeatedly been 
employed in defence of her tyranny : and mu!- 


a 


A. D.95. 


3 Sos he carried me away in the Spi- 
rit » into the wilderness: and Tsaw'a 
‘woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast, 
® full of names of blasphemy, ! having se- 
ven heads and ten horns. 

4 And the woman was ™ arrayed in 
purple and scarlet-colour, ® and * decked 
with gold and precious stones and pearls, 
haying ° a golden cup in her hand full of P 


14.8 & 18.6, & 
dere She 7 


See on, 13. 1—6-. 
Dan. 7: 6. 20.25, &} 19. QB 


git. & 42% 
11.36. 2 Thes. 2, 4.] 2 Thes. 2. 3—10, 


21. 10. 1 Kings 18 
32, 2 Kings 2 16. 


_ 3. 12. & 8 B41 vers 9—12. & 12.p Deut. 29% 17% 1 
eu. 24. Acts 8.] 5. & 23. 1. Kings 1a 24, 3 
ls m ver. 3. & 18. 7.| Ki WW. 2. Is. 66. 
h 12. 6. 14. Cant.! 12. 16. 3. Ez. 15.30. Hos, 
5. n Dan. 11.38. —*| 9 10. s 

i vere4. 6.18. & 12.3.|" Gr. gilded. 


ee 
titudes -have been intoxicated and infuriated, 
by their zeal for that church, to murder their 
unoffending neighbours, by tens of thousands, 
and to enslave, weaken, and impoverish them- 
selves! ; 
V. 3—5. The angel then carried John, “ in 
« the Spirit; (that is, being uuder the influence 
of the prophetic Spirit, he seemed to be convey- 
ed, into the wilderness ; for the antichristian ty- 
ranny and seductions had redted the church 
into a most. desolate state, and made it like a 
desert ;) and he there saw a woman seated on a 
scarlet-coloured beast. (Marg. Ref) This wo- 
man was the emblem of the church of Rome, and 
the beast of the temporal power, by which it hath 
been supported ; and the latter was full ofnames 
of blasphemy, which we have had repeated occa 
sions to mention. The seven heads and ten 
horns are afterwards explained. The woman 
was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour : for 
these have always been the distinguishing co- 
lours of popes and cardinals, as well as of the 
Roman emperors and senators: nay, by a kind 
of infatuation, the mules and horses on which 
taey rode, have been covered with scarlet cloth; 
as if they were determined to answer this de- 
scription, and even‘literally to ride on a scarlet- 
coloured béeast!—The woman was also most su- 
perbly decorated with gold and jewels: and 
who can sufficiently. describe the pride, gran- 
deur, and magnificence of the. church of Rome 
an her vestments and ornaments of every kind? 
Even papists haye gloried in the superiority of 
their church in this magnificence, to ancient 
Rome, when at the height of her prosperity. This 
appears in all things relating to their public 
worship, and in the papal court, even beyond 
what can be conceived : and external, pomp at- 
taches carnal men to a religion, which interests 
and gratifies them; whilst they despise the sim- 
plicity of spiritual worship.—‘ This is beyond 
« description, and as much surpassed my expect- 
« ation, as other sights have generally fallen 
¢ short of it. Silver can scarce find an admit- 
@ tance ; and gold itself looks but poorly, among 
¢ such an incredible number of precious stones.” 
(Addison.)—In the woman’s hand likewise there 
% was a golden cup full of abominations ?? this 
allades te the practice of harlote in inflaming 


REVELATION. 


abominations aid 
nication : es 

5 And * upon 
writen, © MYS1 
THE GREAY,® Ti 
+ HARLOTS AND 


-MOTHE 


: SOMINATIC 
OF THE EARTH, 4). * am 
6 And I saw the woman * drun’ 
with the biood of the saints, Yand with th 
blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and whe 
I saw her, 2 I wondered with great a 


miration. 


q Ezra 9st. Lam. Tin S15, Ls 16.6. 
1. 0. Eze 24-21. 13,)t 11. 8. 4 14. 1. &} 13. 20 Dan. 

6, 25, 16. z 18, 2, 10,| 21. 25, re 
t 7.3. I 3.9 Phil) O10 der. 51. 47, ably 2 18 & 6.9, | 
3s 19. 1 18, 9 & 19. 2 & 12. 11, Acts 22, 
32 Thes. 2, 7. lf Or, fornications. |2 Hab. 1,13. 


their paramours with love-potitns; and repre 

sents the various fascifating allurethents, tt 
impostures, delusions, ibes of impunity, i 
dulgences, absolutiéns, with hopes of worldl) 
interest and preferment, by which that chure 
hath obtained and preserved her influence; ai 
seduced men to join in her spiritual fornicati 
the,other abominations of her corrupt wors 
and the unholiness connetted with it: (arg, 
Ref.) To distinguish this notorious harlot from 
all others, her name was iaseribed on her fores. 
head; as prostitutes of old sometimes. ms 
themselves Known, by a label on the forehes 
with their name tipon it. This was « Mys er 
% Babylon the Great.’ Het religion was # 
“mystery of iniquity,’ (2 Thes. ii. 7.) and” 
herself. was mystically Babylon. Now 

was nothing in Pagan Rome, to which this tif 
was: more proper, than to any other city; n 
would it have been any thing my 


ysterious to have. 
substituted one Pagan city for another: but 
was indeed a great thystery, that the professe 
metropolis of the ee church should bé a 
other Babylon, in idolatry, iniquity, and ¢ruc! 
to the people of God: ae therefore her title 
¢ the Roman Catholic, or universal church,” ¢ 
titles her to the name of ** Mystery, Bab 
“ Great.” She affects indeed the chara 
‘our holy mother the chureh,’ but 6h 
fact, “the mother of harlots and abomin 
“¢ of the earth ;” the inventress, source, p 
ter, and principal example of idolatties, and. 
kinds of abothinable abuses and pei s10nB 
Christianity, with which the natiotis of the eat 
bave been corrupted. It is asserted by writ 
of good autiority, that before the refort 
the word mystery was written in letters 
upon the front of the Pope’s mitre: but th 
has been controverted, and therefore, though # 
affirmative evidence vastly preponderates, 
cannot be absolutely certain of it. a 
V. 6. The woman was as notorious for 
ty and persecution, as for idolatry and profil; 
cy ; and the apostle saw her intoxicated with | 
blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. 
respect Rome Pagan and Rome Papal w 
criminal; but the latter has probably st 
thousands, than the former did individualg > 
the apostle would net have been so greatly 


in 


CHAPTER xv a A. Dy 25, 


sald unto me, Where-|not yet come ;_ and when he cometh, he 
imarvel? ® j will tell thee must continue a short space. 

the woman, and of the} 11 And the ‘beast * that was, and ig 
eth her, ane hae the not, even he is the eighth, and is of the 
seven, and goeth into perdition. 

12 And ' the ten horns which thou 
‘sawest, are ten kings, which have receiy- 
ed no kingdom as yet; but receive pow- 
er as kings one hour with the beast. 

i3 These haye ™ one mind, and shall 


r and shalk ascend out of the 
pit, and. * + BOA into sperdition, ; 


2 (e whose names were not. writ- 
1 in the book of life *from the foun- 
tion of the world,). when they behold 
| the beast that Was gid 38 is not, and yet 
Saw iid aes at ne Lae 

9 And » here. is. ind. which hath 
wisdom, 11 1 ‘seven heads are seven 
rs mountains, n which the woman sitteth, 
eine tu And; ‘there are, seven kings: five ; 
are: falien,. and one is, avd the other is 


Oy Wer. 1-6. nae 45.°2 Thes.| 1 Pet. 1,20, fe 
23=8. 94 fe AS. 1-4, 11,12. 

3 & 13. 1—ld 13. 3, 4. Jb 13.18) Dan.12. 4,. 
He otal | OTT Te See omy 10:8: 8) 8—10 Hos. i4. 9. 
“veever Lh Wer 8—! 20.12.25. «| Mat. 13. 11. & 24, 
20. & 16. & 1 f Mat. 25. 34. John} 15. 

aot Saleh eae 17, 24. Acts 15. 18,|h ver. 3.7. 18. & 
pitts ‘Dan. 7, sd baa Eph 1.4. Tit. 125) 13. 1. 


beast, ; 

14 These © shall make war. with the 
‘Lamb, and P. the Lamb shall overcome 
them: for he is 4 Kord of lords, and. 
King of kings: » and they that are with 
him @re called, and chosen, and faithful. 


Ig. see-on, ver. 8. & 16. 14. & 19.) Deut. 10. 17. Ps; 
1 12, Se: & 13. 15—21. Dan. 7.21.) 136. 2, 3. Prov. 84 
- Dan. 2. 40—43. & 25. & 8. 9-12. 24.) 15, 16. Dan. 2: 47%. 
7. 2,8. 20, 24.) 25. Zechs2, & Mat. 1 Tim, 6.15. 

"Zech. 1. 18—21. 25.40. Acts 9.4/5 |r 14, 1—4. & 19 146 
m Phil. 1. 27. & 2. |p 6+ 12—17. Ps. 2\| Ps, 149, 5—9. Jers 
2. 8,9. & 21,8—12, &) 50. 44, 45. Mic 5. 
n vers 17. Is. 10. 5— 140. 5, 6. Dan 2.) 7—9. John 15. 166 
7. Bz. 38. 10. Acts} 44. & 7 26, 27. 1| Rom. 8. 80. 2’ Tinie 


011.7. & 13, 6, 7%)q 1. 5. & 19. 16] 1 Pet.2.9. 


« cease for a time, and revive again, but shall be 
destroyed for ever.’ (Bp. Wewton.) In the mean 
while, however, it would deceive, into a stupid 
admiration and. blind submission, ail the inbabi- 
tants of the earth, within the sphere of its i a flue, 
ence, except the remnant of the elect (Wore, 
xii. 8.) Here then was a proper trial and exere 
cise of a man’s wisdom, to discover what was 
meant by the beast, that had been, Was not, and 
yet was; being the same ina di fferent form. 

V. 9—14. To assist the reader in this ingui. 
ry, the angel observed, that the seven heads of* 
this symbolical beast represented seven moune 
tains, on which the woman was enthronedif bes 
ing especially the seat of that spiritual authority, 
oy which the power of the beast’ is supported., 


‘omnisheds 10 see. ‘3 bastion city persecuting Cbru ts. 
efit. ; (having witnessed (and, experienced such 
Renee, previously to this vision ;) but thai 
a city, professedly Christian, and the metropolis 
of the Christian church, should thus wanton and 
riot in the blood of the saints, might, well excite 
obi highest amazement. ¢ All.this is very plain: 
© but papists wonder by what figure. of speech 
| ars heretics are called saints, and rebels against 
| uf the Popes martyrs of Jesus’ (Bp. Hurd.) 

vi Ais 67, 8» The reader might have been well 
satisfied about the meaning of those emblems, 

af be bad received no further ihformation: but, 

lest he should mistake or hesitate, the angel be 
came the interpreter of the vision. ..As the apos. 

» tle had seen and heard very much, on the same 

_ subject before, the angel inquired into the rea-| Thisis the known situation of Rome 5 and though 

son of Its excessive amazement: and he then |Constantincple is also built on seven hills, they 

“showed to him the. Mystery of the woman, riding | are Comparatively obscure, and no other mark of 
on the beast. © “A. beast i is, the emblem of an ido-| the beast answers toit. For the seven heads of 
. datrous and oppressive, empire: the Romanem-|the beast had another enigmatical meaning, 
pire was the beast ander the Pagan emperors :|and signified seven forms of government, or suc- 
ceased to be so, when it. became Christian, | cessions of rulers, according to ‘the usual pro- 
“with reference to which fhe angel says by way|phetical meaning of the word kings. They alk 
_ of anticipation, “It isnot”? Yet it would after- appeared in vision at once upon the beast; but 

wards “ ascend out of the abyss. ;” that is, when | in fact five of them were fallen, at the time when 
the antichristian empire became idolatrous and |the apostle had the vision; namely, kings, cone 
" persecuting, and the dragon gave his power to} suls, dictators, decemvirs, and military tribunes 
the beast; it seemed to arise out of the sea, the} one of them then subsisted, even that of em- 
_ tempestuous:state of the nations ;, put jt was in| perors; and another was not yet come, which 
fact, from. hell, being satan’s grand scheme for| when be came would endure’ only for a short 
_ 9pposing the gospel, (Wote, xiii. 1, 2; ;) and there-| time. Some. explain this of the Christian em- 
after a tim: it would go into perdition,,and|perors; but their power must either be inclid- 
be a ie finally and for ever. ‘ The empire 
BLED UR under. the heathen FUSES | 


€ ee Ri ae then became idolatrous again | some years ruled over Rome; sid gineie of | ‘he 
he Roman. pontifts; ang hath so eank usurpations — of the Pope, before he Became a 


Bo i 3 perdition : ? it shail not, as it did nefare, 
rOL, VL 


be 


& aa 


give their Howrere and -atmemgth unto the 


4.28. "58 : Cor. 15.24, 25, 2, 4, Hebs 34 1, 2a + 


dred and sixty years of the reign of the beast : 
5D ve 7. ae 


¥ 


7 


ed in the sixth head; orit could not be ahead 
of the beast at all, not being i aaa Others , 


— 


A. D. 95. 4 
é f Ye a 


" he at ON 

15 And he saith unte me, 
ters which thou sawest, where the whore 
sitteth, tare peoples, and multitudes, 
and nations, and tongues. 

16 And ® the ten horns which thou 
sawest upon the beast, * these,shall hate 
the whore, and shall make her desolate, 
y and naked; and shall 7 eat her flesh, 
and burn her with fire. ' 

# see On, Vere 1. Ps.|u see On, ver. 2. 10. 
48.4, & 65. 7. &} VP. | 
93,5, 4. Is. 8. 7, 8K ver.1, 2. 13, Is. 
Jer. $1. 13. 42. 55.) 13.17, 18. Jer. 50, 


#1011. & 11.9. & 
13. 7, 8. 


37—42. & 23..45— 
z 


49. 

z Job 31, 31. Ps: 27. 
2.. Dan. 7. 5. 

41, 42. a 18.8. Ley. 21.9 
y 18. 16, 17, Ez. 16, 


had entered. Many. other interpretations have 
been given, and especially the dominion of 
Charlemagne. ahd’ his successors, during some 
generations, has been fixed upon; but, at last, no 
great certainty seems to attach to this interpreta- 
tion; and the very words of the prophecy inti- 
mate that it would>be differently explained. Tn 
eneral, however, it related tothe intervening 
space between the subyersion of the empire, and 
the establishment of papaltyranny: during which 
time Rome was under the temporal jurisdiction 
of the Exarch of Ravenna, and the spiritual rule 
ofthe Pope; who had already introduced the 
worship of saints and images, and many other 
gross abuses. If this be reckoned a distinct form 
of government; then the beast, as it subsisted 
when the woman sat on it, was the eighth, but if 
it is deemed too inconsiderable to be reckoned a 
distinct head, ‘* He was one of the seven ;’* but 
whether the seventh or the eighth; he would be 
the last form of government’ in that idolatrous 
empire; and would go into perdition. . ‘ The 
¢ beast, therefore, on. which the woman rideth, 
€ is the Roman government in its last form ; and 
* this, all must acknowledge, is papal, not im- 
« perial? (Bp.° Newton) For the last head 
was the only one, -yhich was referred to, when 
the woman sat on the beast; and was therefore 
spoken of as the beast itself. The ten horns 
(which seem to have all grown on the last head,) 
were ten kings, or successions of kings; who 
had received no kingdom when John. had this 
vision: but they would receive power as kings, 
one hour with the beast, or at the same time, and 
Sor the same period. ~This points out the division 
of the Roman empire into ten distinct kingdoms, 
yet al! united in one design to,support the idola- 
try of thé Church of Kome: . They. might be 
kings ; but they were not horns of the beast, till 
they embraced that religion, and both strength- 
ened the hands of the pope and Church of Rome, 
aud were strengthened by them. (Vote, Dan. 
vii. 7, 8.) “These. were contemporary, not suc- 
cessive princes; and therefore, they were.of one 
mind to give their pewer to the beast: implicit- 
ly submitting to that idolatrous religion; de- 
fending its tyranpy and usurpations ; enduring 
its exorbitant exactions; and obeying its man. 
dates to make war, in opposing the cause of 
Christ; and in order to extirpate his disciples.— 
But it was predicted, that they would ali be 
finally defeated in that war, by the Lamb of 


* 
- 


% 


5 a 
s The wa- 


words of God shall 
18 And § the woma 

est is that great city, 

the kings of the ear 


b see On, ver. 13.» Jd Luke 22. 3. 
ce Ezra 7. 27. Pad Jdhn 13. 2.18. 
105. 25. Prov. 21.]e 10. 7. Prov, 19, 21.}¢ 

Is-14627. & 46, 10,)2Dan. 


1. Jer.32. 40. 2 
Thes. 2. 10—12,) 21. Jets 27. 6, 7.) 7. 23. _ 
Jam, 1. 13—17. 


Ez. 38,16,17-Jomnl 
ee : abe ie 


ca 
ae 


God; a-he'# is Meee bE lenda, 


their own engagements. 
“V, 15—18. The angel ne 
apostle, “the many waters, 


‘© man sat”? in regal dignity. ni 

allin the plural vumlier, tly describe the 
tensive dominion of the Church of Rome, not. 
ly over those within the territorie: belonging 
the papacy, but over all the kingdoms of 
communion: nay, the pope hath claimed 
right over all nations, to dispose of crawns 
depose princes at his pleasure, as if he 
lord of lords, and king of kings! and tl 
titles of universal bishop, and the Roman 
lic Church, fally accord to this dese: 
however, will not always be the case; 
ten horns, or kingdoms, that once exalte 
supported the ecclesiastical tyranny, will at 
length hate, desolate, strip, devour, and destroy 
it. Most of them wilt be the principal instr 
ments in the destruction o 
of Rome itself; though sor 
these events. How far some 
may lead to this erisis, we ca’ 
sent appearances render i 


they will.at length better understand their o} 
interest, and their duty to God and thei 
jects, than thus any longer’ to prostit 
power. To terminate the description of t 
man tliat sat.on this symbolical beast, sh 
declared to be that city, which reigned o 
kings of the earth, when John had this > 
and ‘every body must know Rome to be th 
Indeed this was the avowed object, aim,” 
ambition of Rome, ftom its -foundation; @ 
in different ways, it has accomplished its 


» XVIII. x 
nounees the fall of Babylon, and 
, because of its abominations, 


; The kings 
nts Aagebe.: with her lament her 
€ apostles and prophets are called to 


first signified by a millstone east into the 
i; and then emphatically described, 21—24. 

A ND aiter these things * 1 saw an- 
otherangel come down from heaven, 
having great power ; » and the earth was 
| dightened with his glory 

2 And he ¢ cried mi mighly witha strong 


pose, with little interruption, even to this pre- 
Bent time, $ 
ae 
* _ PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
* The Lord takes pleasure in satisfying his peo- 
ple concerning the reasons and equity of his 
jud ts on his enemies; that they may not 
be intimidated by the severity of them, or fail to 
adore and praise him on that account. Great 
prosperity, pomp, and splendour, commonly feed 
the pride and lusts of the human heart; and 
they can never form any security against divine 
Vengeance. They, who allure, or tempt others 
to sin, must expect more aggravated punish 
ment, in proportion to the degree-of the mis- 
chief done by them. The worst abominations, 
idolatries, filthiness, cruelties, and blasphemies, 
have been perpetrated within the professing 
ehurch : and a magnificent religion, adorned 
_ with purple, and decked with gold and jewels, 
_ is generally antichristian. Indeed, every attempt 
to accommodate the truth or-worship of God to 
the taste of carnal minds, must mar its simpli- 
city, and corrupt its purity. But the zolden cup 
_ in the hand of Babylon and her daughters, will 
» reconcile most men to the mysteries of iniquity 
connected with it; and make them willingly 
swallow down the wine of their fornications ; 
and even induce them to join in making them- 
, Selves drunken with the blood of the sainis and 
Martyrs of Jesus. Let all then beware of a 
jlendid, a lucrative, or a fashionable religion ; 
tus avoid the mysteries of iniquity, and study 
‘diligently the great mystery of godliness ;\ that 
we may learn humility, simplicity, self- denial, 
and gratitude, in the stable at Bethlehem, in the 
_carpenter’s shop at Nazareth, by the ele: of the 
well at Sychar, in the garden, and on Mount 
Golgotha: for the more we resemble Christ, the 
less Shall we be liable to be deceived by anti- 
hrist. We cannot but wonder at the oceans, as 
e “it were, of Christian blood, which have been 
sh by. men called Christians: but our wonder 
_ will -abate, when we consider these prophecies ; 
. nd the awful fact will tarn to us for a testimo- 
the truth of the Gospel. Whatever ene- 


CHAPTER ae I hs 


@ seéon, 17.1. pat 24, 2 Thes. =: fu, 15, Jer: 
| b 21. 23. Is. 60. 1 oel 3, 
‘S Lay cee 7.15 Ss. 2. & 10. 


“tthe Lorp’s Portion is his 


A, D. 95, 


voice, ‘de, 4 Babylon the great is fal- 
len, i is fallen, and is * become the habita- 
tion of devils, and the hold of every foul 
Spirit, and a cage of every unclean and 
hateful bird. ~— 

3 For f all nations have drunk of the 
wine of the wrath of her fornication, and 
the kings of the earth have committed 
fornication with her, and & the merchants 
of the earth are waxed rich through the 


* abundance of » her delicacies, 
Ws 


\s& 


a@ ver, 10.21. & 14.) 14.23. & $4. 11— 
8 & 16. 19. & 17 2 
5. 18. Is. 13.19. & 


21.9. Jer. 51. 8. 60 
—64. 


11—17. 23. Is. 
15. Jer. 50. 39, 40. 5. 2 Pet. 2 
& 51. 37. Mark 5. 


is Luke 8, 27, 


Fe. 9.& 14,8 & 
17-2 Jere51. 7% 


Vth Baer. Prov. 


h Jer. 51. 34, Lan, 
4 5. Luke 7, Te 25a 


e Ley. 11. 13—19. 
Is. 13. 50 & 


hand Fas in ards such wicked men shall not be 
unpunished, even if all the kings and nations of 
the earth should agree in opposing him: for he 
is “ Lord of lords, and King of kings;” and 
his called, chosen, and faithful followers, are on 
the strongest side. May we approve otrseives 
to be of that number! And then we shall be 
received to his glory, when wicked men will be 
destroyed in a most tremendous s manner; and 


when their concurrence: together in sin, willbe 
turned into the bitterest hatred and ry and 
they wilkassist in tormenting each other. ~ But 


‘people ; ys his 
* counsel shall stand, and he wil do all his 
‘ pleasure,” ‘y 


NOTES. 

CHAP. XVOI. V. 1-3. (Vote, xvi. 19) 
After the apostle had been certified who Baby- 
jon the Great was, and what she had done; he 
had the vision of her destruction continued. 
Another angel, distinct from -those who poured 
out the vials, came down from heaven, possesse 
ing great power, and illuminating the earth with 
his glory: this was either Christ himself, or an 
emblematical representation of his coming to 
destroy his enemies, and to diffuse the light of 
his Gospel through all nations ; to which events 
the language naturally directs our thoughts. 
He, therefore, repeatedly proclaimed in a loud 
voice, which all might hear, and which implied 
great power and authority, that ‘¢ Babylon the 
“ Great was fallen,” totally and finally; and 
that it was become not only desolate, but a kind 
of heli upon earth. Some think thatthe words 
may refer to the discoveries which will then be 
made of the diabolical ambition, impostures, 
lies, murder, and horrible uncleanness with 
which the city is filled, under the mask of reli- 


gion; but the expressions are figurative, and. 


borrowed from the Oid Testament. (Votes, &c. 
Zs. xiii. 19—22. xxxiv. Jer. |. 39.) No destruc. 
tion of Rome has hitherto left it in this condi- 
tion; unless any choose to say, that it “ hath 
“ been the habitation of devils, and the hold of 
* every foul spirit, aud a cage of every unclean 


of. 
‘e at any time make war against the Lamb of} “ and hateful bird,” ever since popes and’ car- 
_ God, must ‘surely be overcome by bim; though | dinals have made it their residence, ai the 


tiem. 5 
aor. ‘At. Re | ee eR ae 


- 


as 


i 


wh! 


A. D, 95. “ nae 

& And I heard another voice from hea- 
ven, saying, ' Come out of her, my peo- 
ple, that ye*be not * partakers of her sins, 
and that ye receive not of her plagues: 

5 For her sins have ! reached unto 
heaven, ™ and God hath remembered her 
iniquities, ._ 

o 3 Reward 
you, and® double unto her double, accord- 
ing ‘to her works: in P the cup which 
she hath filled, fill to her double i 


7 How 4 much she hath glorified her- 


self, and lived deliciously, so much. tor- 
ment and sorrow give ther; for she 
saith in her heart, * I sit a queen, and am 


a 

3 Gen. 19, 12, 13.) 6. Je. $1.9. 
Num. 26. 26, 27) 1 2; ...0) . 4) Ap seeion. 
Ts. 48.20. & 52. 11-]m see on, 16219, | 16.19. & 17.2.4. 
Jer 50.8. & 51.6.|n 13, 10: & 16-8, 6.Jq Is. 22: 12-14. & 
45 50. Mat 24.15,'/Ex, 21,23—25. Ps,| 47.1,2.7—9 Ez. 
UA. 2 Core 6, 17. 137.3 Jer. 50. 15.) 28.2—10 Zeph. +. 

® Ps 50. 18. Mat.) 29, & 91. 24049, 2) 15.2 Whes 2.48, 
23. 30. 1 Fim. 5.) Tim 4 le. _ |e Ps. 45. 9. Jer. 13. 
22, 2John 11. | 40 Is 40.2 & 61. 7) 18, 

7 Gen. 18. 20,21. 2) Jer. 16. 18. & 17¢ 
Chr, 28.9: Ezrag.| ~ 


Jone} 8. Zech. 9.12. 
“Ip 


veasons before assigned for the ruin of this city, 
it is here added, that “ the merchants of the 
“earth are waxed rich, through the abundance 
of her delicacies:” ber outward magnificence, 
\uxury, and excess, have proved a source of im- 


wnense wealth to vast multitudes; and the va~- 
rious arts, trades, manufactures, and’spdcies of 


eommerce, which flourish by means of her 
pompous religion, have always helped to sup- 
port it: “for by that craft many have their 
** wealth” But the spiritual, merchandize, by 
which unnumbered multitudes have wickedly 


lived in affluence, and enjoyed abundant delica- 
cies, by the sins and follies of mankind, seem 


principally intended, 


Vv. 4—8. As Lot was called forth out of 


Sodom, before it was destroyed by fire and brim 
stone so the people of God are directed by a 
voice from heaven to come out of Babylon’ be- 
fore her fall. - (Wore, Js. lit, 11.) This sum 
mons concerns all persons in ‘every age : they 
who believe in Christ, and worship God in the 
Spirit, should separate from so corrupt a Church, 
and from all others, that copy her example of 
idolatry, persecution, cruelty, and tyranny ; and 
avoid * being partakers of her sins,” even if 
they have renounced her communion: ‘or else 
they may expect to be involyed in her plagues. 


As her crimes, her daring, presumptuous, and, 


atrocious wickedness, resemble mountains reach- 
ing to heayen ;. so God had remembered her ini- 
guities, though his forbearance had been mis- 
taken for. disregard. And therefore, the per 
gons, or nations, who, had been persecuted by 
ber, were called on to retaliate upon her as.» 
condemned criminal; ahd to give her-a double 
measure of the wine of his wrath, from the cu}: 
of his indignation according to the atrocious- 
ness of her sins, and the cruel treatment which 
they had received at her hands : that torture and 
goguish might be rendered to her proportionable 
td her former ostentation, splendor, and luxury ; 


- 


her even as she rewarded 


14. 10, .& 


* no widow, ; 
-. -8. Thereto 
in one day, de 
mine ; Yand she 
with : 


have committ 
liciously with h 
‘lament for her, y 


10. Standing .» 2 ] 
her torment, saying, © 
great. city Babylons th: 
‘for in one hour i 
s Is. 47. 78: F : 

te, +f 
t ver. 10, 17. 19 

47.9—11. Jer. 
wu ver: % & 17,1 

19. 3. Jer. 51.58 
x Job9 19. Ts 

1. Jer, 50, 31. 


1Cor 10. 22, 
y see on, ver. 


and to the pride ‘ 
she had set these pr 
claring that * she 
reaved destitute 
“ sorrow,” “whate 
threatened, (Net 
the plagues that hae 
ber, would surely come « 
denly and: unexpectedly 
fal form would fill the eit 
famine would attend ‘he ; 
‘she should wterly be burn 
she would know. tha’ 
and condemned he 
to exccute.the tre 
bas never hitherto. 
fire,” it is undeni 
are predicted. 
V. 9, 10. Some of. 
viously supported the © 
here to. her, even whe’ 
unite in destroying h 
will lament her fall, hz 
idolatries, and lived in 
and magnificence, throug 
her. They will, therefore 
the smoke of her burning ar 
being able to quench the « 
other; so that they must 
last, or share her doom. “ 
will say, alas! alas! Or 
will be the third wo before 
14:5 not) that the fall of Rom 
‘hat wo.;/(though it will end 
vial;) fo# the events predicted in 
chapter, will form a. considerabl 
Nor is there: avy proof, though it hath genera 
been supposed, that the second wo tru 
villend in the destruction of the Othman 
pire. (ix, 13-21.) .On the contrary, it 
perhaps subsist in an enfeebled state, till 
the fall of the western gniichrisi; this may 


‘ 


- 


y ; " < 
“merchants of the earth 
mourn over hey, for no 
eir merchandise any 


@ linen, and purple, and silk, and 
‘ahd ail * thyine wood, and ali 
r vessels of ivory, and all mariner 
Scls of most precious wood, and of 
fuss, and iron, atid marble, a 

[3 And ‘ cinnamon, and odours, and 
intments, and frankincense, and wine, 
~ and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and 
beastsand sheep, and horses, and chariots, 
KE and } slaves. ' and souls of men. 
14 And the fruits that ™ thy soul lust- 
f 4 VE 

_ ed after are "departed from thee, and all 
things which were dainty and goodly. are 
‘departed from thee, and.thou shalt find 
- themno more atall. | 
' 15 The merchants of these things, 
© which were made rich by her, P shall 
£ ver: 3.9 15. 20.) 1 Kings 10. 10.15.[m Num. 11. 4. 34. 
23 & 13) 16, 17.) 25. 2 Chr. 9. 9.| Ps. 78. 18 & 106 
Ys 23. 1-15. & 47\ Prov 7. 17. Cant.) 14 1 Cor. 10.6. 
15. Ez. 26. 17-21.) 1 3. & + 13, 14 & Jam. 4.2. 1 John 
& 27. 27—36. Zep.! 5.5 Am 6.6. John, 2.16, 17. 


ae Me beat rerun 12+ 38. ny Luke 12.20. & 16. 
"| & Prow 3, 14. Matt.) Ex. 21. 16, Deut.) 25. 


22. 5. John 2 16 24. 7, & 28. 68:|0 ver. 3 11. Hos. 12. 
2Pet 2.3. — j"Neh. 5..4,5.8 Is.| 7,8. Zeeh. 11. 5. 
h i7. 4, 1 Kings 10.; 50,2: Ez. 27 13) Mark 11. 17. Acts 
1}, 1%. Prov.8. 10) Am 2,6. & 8. 6,] 16.19°& 19. 24-27, 
VW. Ez 27.-5—25. | 1 Tim 1. 10, p see on, ver 11. 
|. © Or, sweet. 1 Kings|+ Or, bodies. Judg. 18. 23, 24. 
ae a 12Pet.23. | ~ 
grand means of the conversion of the Jews ; and’ 
~ their restoration to their own land may produce 
__ the subversion of the O:hman empire, the de- 
- straction of the Mahometan delusion, and the 
__ ealling of the other Gentiles. (Votes? Ez. xxxviii 
xuxxix. Dan. xi. 40—45.) We should not indeed 
be confident in such matters; yet the arrange- 
ment of this and the two following chapters, 
seems to favour the supposition : as the destruc- 
tion of all Christ’s implacable enemies, the 
conversion of tte nations, and 3 binding of 
satan, are predicted in order after the fall of 
Rome. : 2 ERS, , 
~V. 11—20. (Wote, Ez. xxvi. xxvii.) This 
lamentation of these merchants, coincides with 
“that of the merchants over Tyre. The various 
~ articles of commerce here enumerated, do not 
require a particular consideration: the whole 
tends to give us a deep impression of the splen- 
dour, luxury, excess, and self'indulgence of al! 
kinds, which fill that antichristian licentious 
city ; and which baye always enriched immense 
multitudes, in different ways, by impoverishing 
the nations belonging to her communion. Neither 
ee we accommodate the various particulars to 
the several kinds of spiritual merchandise, by 


a 


_ Which the popes, cardinals, bishops, abbots, 
priests, and other retainers, have been enriched, 
at the expense of the people. These are indeed 
‘eVidently alluded to; when not only siaves, but 
_ # the’ seule of men” are mentioned 938 articles of 


nr 


‘ ~ 


aa TP ad 
A et Pr ‘ 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


ci 5 A. D. 95. 
stand afar off for the fear of her torment, 
weeping aud wailing, i es 


 1o And saying, 4 Alas, alas! that great 
city, that was clothed in fine linen, and 
purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, 
and precious stones, and pearls ! 

17-For® in one hour so great riches is 
come to nought. * And every shipmas- 
ter, and all the company in ships, and sai- 
lors and as many as trade by sea, stood 
afar off, = She: 
~ 18 And cried; t when they saw the 
smoke of her burning, saying, ® What 
city is like unto this great city !* 

19 And * they cast dust on their heads, 
and cried, ¥ weeping and wailing, saying; 
Alas, alas! that gréat city, wherein were 
made rich all that had ships in thesea, 
by reason of her costliness! for in one 
hour is she made désolate. 

e _ (Practical Observations.) 

20 2 Rejoice over her, chow heaven, 
aand ye holy apostles and prophets; for 
b God hath avenged you on her. 

Ez, 27. 3le Am. 5 o, Bx: 
16, 7. 
q see on, ver. 10,11.}x Josh. 7.6 1 Sam. 


& 17. 4. Luke 16.) 4. 12. 2Sam 13.) 51 47,48, 
19. 19 Neh 9.3 Jobla Eph, 2. 20. & 3. 

r ver 10. Is, 47. 9.| 2 12. Ez. 27. 30 5 4. lie 2 Pet. 
Jer 51.8. Lam.4.6-|y see on, ver. 10. 15,] 3. 2) Jude 17. 

s ver. Li. Is. 23. 14.) 16. b 6. 10° & 19. 2, 
Ez, 27.  27—86.z 19. 1-3. Judg: 54 Deut. 32° 42. Pa, 
Jon. 1. 6 pSle Pse a8.0it. &l 18) 47. & 94, 1 Iss 

t see on, vere 9, £53 10. & 96, L1—| 26.21) Luke 11, 49 

u'ver. 10. & 13. 4.| 13. & 107, 42 & 50 a Gg fags 

a ; Ss ee , 


7 x irae is =‘ 
commerce; which is the mo-t infamous of all traf- 
ficks, that the demon of avarice ever devised ; but 
by no means the most uncommon: The sale of 
indulsences, dispensations, absolutions, mas 9 
and bulls, hath greatly tnriched the clergy and 
their dependents ; to the deceiving and destroy- 
ing of the’souls of millions ; and thus ‘by feign- 
« ed words, they made merchandize of them :” 
nor has the management of church-prefer- 
ments, and many other things, been any better 
than trafficking in souls; andit would be gratify. 
ing, if we could say, that this merchandise has 
been peculiar to the Ryman antichrist. Tn rene- 
ral, however, all this will at length come to no- 
thing, and no’ man will buy of the merchandise of 
Rome any more: but all who have shared the 
gains of her commerce, temporal or spiritual, 
will stand afar off, for fear of her torment, and 
betiold the smoke of her burning, as that of So- 
dom was seen at a distance. (Gen. xix. 28 )— 
Probably the destruction uf Rome will be finish- 
ed by some immediate judgment of God ; and the 
nature of the soil in the vicinity, the frequent _ 
eruptions of subterraneous fires, and the terrible’ 
earthquakes which have occurred, seem to puint 
out the method ; the combustibles are provided, 
and the train is already laid; there only wants - 
the ‘*breath of the Almighty to Kindle it~ 
But whilst others, whose hopes of fui ‘gains 
will be gone, shall lament the fuli of Rome ; 


Is, 23, 8, 9, Ez. 27.) 109. 28. Prov. 11. 
$2. 10 Is. 44 23. 
& 49 43. Jer. 


# 


the inhabitants of heaven, apd especially tke 


1 


fA, D. 95. 


21 Anda mighty angel took ‘up a stone|_ 


like a great millstone, and cast it into the 
sea, saying, © Thus with violence shall 
that great city Babylon be thrown down, 
and @ shall be found no more at all. 

22 And © the voice of harpers, and 
musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, 
shall be heard no more at all in thee ; and 
no craftsman, of whatsoever. cra{t he Je, 
shall be found any more in thee; and 


the sound of a millstone shall be hear é' 


_no more at all in thee; 


e Ex. 15.5. Neh.9.) 8 Pso87, 36. Ez.) 34. & 16, 9. Be 25° 
11. Jer. 51. 63, 64.| 26.21. Dan. 11.19. 10. & 93 11, Ez 
@ ver. 22. & 6. 20.le Is. 24. 8,9. Jeb. 7.) 26. 13. 


& 20. 11, Job 20. 


holy apostles and prophets, are called on to re- 
joice over it: as God had revenged them on 
that idolatrous persecuting city, as well as made 
way for the preaching: of his Gospel: to all na- 
tions. It is peculiarly worthy of observation, that 
the apostles, who are idolatrously honoured at 
Rome, and daily worshipped, should be specially 
mentioned as rejoicing in her fall ; as if it aveng- 
ed them on her for the dishonour cast on their 
eharacters, while*it vindicated the glory of God. 
‘There could be no reason why the Christian 
should rejoice in the judgments inflicted on an- 
eient Rome by the Huns, Goths, Vandals,.and 
other idolatrous nations: for they, (the Chris- 
tians, ) were peculiarly sufferers in those calami- 
ties :*the judgments, therefore, on papal Rome, | 
must be exclusively intended. 

V. 21—24. (Wote. Jer. li. 63, 64.) Asastone 
was tied to a book, and cast into the Euphrates 
by Seraiah, in token of literal Babylon’s fall ; so 
a mighty angel here cast a millstone into the 
sea, to represent the violence of mystical Baby- 
lon’s fall, and to show, that she would never 
rise again, This event is further: illustrated by 
expressions taken from the prophets. (Mare. 
Ref.) ‘But Rome is still standing, and flourish, 
* ing, and is honoured by many nations as the 
metropolis of the Christian world ; she still re- 
sounds with singers and musicians ; she still ex- 
cels in arts, which serve to pomp and luxury: 
she still abounds with eandles, and lamps, and 
iorches, burning even by day as well as by. 
night; and consequently this prophecy hath 
not been, but remains yet to be fulfilled” (Bp. 
Newton.) Her merchants being said to be * the 
s* ereat men of the earth,’ in connexion with 
*s all nations being deceived by her sorceries,” 
plainly refers to the infamous traffic beforemen- 
tioned. 


naa nwanaa 


-PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—8. .- 

“ When collective bodies are Tipe for vengeance, 
their sins. will be punished in this world; but 
individuals are reserved unto the wrath to come. 
Impunity and prosperity in wickedness, consti- 

~ fute the most. fatal incentive to further crimes : 


and as: ay of punishment will come, they 
may be orinted the most dire calamities.— 
When rd shall come in his grest power, 


7 


\ REVELATION. 


whom the Lord God, as a strong Ju 


christian practice, fit only for. Babylon the: 


23 Andfthe 
no more.at.all i 
the bridegroom 
heard no more 
merchants were * 
earth ; } for by thy 
tions deteimeds 


of prophets, and of saints 
were slain upon the earth. 


£.22.5. Job 21.17.Ji ver 3.9. & 
Prov. 4. 18, 19. &| & 13. 18-16 

20.+ 2—5-Re 21. ellos 
22, 15. 2 Kings -21.Ma 
22. Is. 47, De aN aetaket 
$4 4. Acts 8 11. \ la Ws 


h ver. 3. 11—19, Is 
23, 8, 9.\Ez. 27, 24, 
25. 33, 34, 


& see on, ver. 22. i 


down the proudest. 
iniquity and oppo: 
of wicked. EIN, or 


ment, and site more’ intole 
geance tobe inflicted : and surely 
and torment of hell will be more 
those who have glorified Se 


Vv. 9-19. 
No allies or helpers can deliver, th 


ger, is pleased to contend: they cal 
the victims of his indignation, ai id 
themselves. ‘The prosperous i 
ders, in. great commercial cities, yl 
from. these. prophecies, “ to 5 
*© to get wisdom, and with all 
“* to get” spiritual “ understanding,” 
and purchase the ‘Pearl of great prit 
sure “¢ the unsearchable riches of Chris 
to be. “ faithful. stewards in the | 
“© mammon ;” otherwise, even il 
may lament, that “ poy man | : 
“ chandise any more;” and # 
«¢ ¢hat their souls lusted after, 
« them.” Death, however, 
‘their commerce, ands in that 
riches of the ungodly 
all “ their purple and 
changed, not only for the ¢ 
but for the fire. that neyer's 
C Notes, Luke xvi.) And, ashe | too. 
justice, oppression, fraud, Soe 
indulgence, are connected with 
merce : and to numiber the persage 
with beasts, sheep, and horses, 1 ee b 
farm: or with balds of goo 
a ship, is no doubt a most preenig 


Yet even this, cruel, unrighteous, and hateful 
it is, must not be considered as the er 

even of this our land: for the so! men 
traded for by those who take the cure of the 
for the sake. of the emolument, and the abu 
dance of the delicacies obtained by it; and t th 
either leave them to perish in ignorance, or p 
son them by heresy, or lead them on the 
heli by a profligate example. Kein 


- 


in 
the emblem of the marriage 
8. An angel declares the bless- 
=, who were called to the marriage- 
‘John, about to worship him, is re- 
Christ and his followers, on white 
obtain great victories, and utterly destroy 
ose 1i—21. 
D = after these things I heard a 
. great voice of much ‘people i in hea- 
saying’, € Alleluia; ¢ Salvation, and 
ry, and honour, and bewer, unto the 
Lord ourGod: = 
| 2 For © true and ri righteous are his 
judgments :. for he hath * judged the 
, which did corrupt the earth 
ication, § and hath avenged 
of his servants at her hand.. 


4, 10, 11. & 5. 9=Je see on, 1563. & 16. 
13. & 7. 10, 11. &} 5—7. Deut. 32, 4. 
11. 15. & 12. 10s 1] Ps, 19.9, Is. 25, 2. 

Chr. 29 11. 34f17. 1,2. 15, 16. & 
3. Jon. 2. 9. "Miss: 18. 3. 9, 10. 

49. 1, Bes0. 6. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 16, gz sce on, 6. 107 & 18, 
1, Marg. — an T7.. 2 26, Deut. 32. 35. 43, 


should we then pray, that God would raise up 
«ecformers, who may contend as firmly, persever- 
ingly, and successfully, against this vile merchan. 

gize; as some honourable and philanthropical 
“persons against the accursed slave-trade! 
For when Christ shall again come to drive the buy- 
ersand sellers out of the temple, he will have 


much to. doinother places besides Rome: many of 


these | itual wickednesses, atid this merchan- 
dize of souls, by feigned words, equivocating 
subscriptions. and declarations, nay, worshipping 
God in expressions, which are avowedly deemed 
false by those who use them; and all this for 
filthy Jucre’s sake, will be found, under different 
forms, even in the protestant churches : and per- 
haps no denomination is quite free from the guilt 
of rendering réligious profession, and sacred 
functions, subservient to worldly interest, credit, 
ease, andindulgence. These are the remains of 
the antichristianity derived from Rome, which 
most need protesting against and removing ; i 
these things we ought to come out and separate 
from Babylon, if we would not partake of her 
plagues. Compared with such evils, a posture, 
a , or a-ceremony, though perhaps inconven- 
| ient in itself, and derived from Rome, are scarce- 
| ly worth noticing: yet bigotry exerts itself, 
principally much the other way; and externals 
-are decried against with great warmth, whilst 
| _ the spiritual pride, avarice, wordly indulgence, 
-and intolerance of Rome, are not so much dis- 
- liked ! But the vengeance of heaven is coming 
- gipen Rome, not for gestures, garbs, and cere- 
| ape. though multipliéd, ridiculous, and of 
consequence in themselves; but for idola- 
mbition, oppression, cruelty to the people 
_imposture, avarice, licentiousness, and 
: tyranny. These are the sins, which 
shed to the heavens ; the iniquities that 
od remembers; and the evils, for which we 
ust stand aloof from her communion, and that 


A. D. 95, 
h Alleluia. 


2 & they ‘said, 


afi image nee ‘smoke rose up for ever and 
ever. 


4 And * the four and twenty elders, 
and the four beasts fell down and worship- 


ped God that sat on the throne, saying, 


1} Amen; ™ Alleluia. 

5 And ® a voice came out of the throne, 
saying, ® Praise our God, all ye his ser- 
vants, and ye that-fear him, P both small 
and great. 

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of 
a great multitude, 4 and as the voice of 
Many waters,* and as the voice of mighty 
thunderings, saying, Alleluia: * for the 
Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 
& 106. 48. Jer.) 20.12. 
28.6. Mat. 6.13. &!q 1. 15. & 14. 2 
18. 9.18. Gen. 19.) 28.520. 1 Cor. 14.16. tee. 1. 24, & 43. 2e 
28. Is, 34.10. Jude7,jm seeon,c ver.1. |r 4.5. & 6.1. & Be 
k 4. 4—10. & 5. 8—'n 7.15. & 11.19. &) § _& 11.19. Job23. 

11. & 11. 15, 16. &] 16. 17. 9 Ps, 29, S—9. & 

15.7. 0 Ps. 103, 20-22. &) 77. 18. 

15. 14. 1 Chr. 16.| 134.1. & 135. 19-13 11, 15—18. Ps. 47, 

86. Neh. 5. 13. & = & 148, 11—13.} 2,7, & 93. 1. & 995 
Mate 


8.6. Ps, 41.13, & 150. 6. 1, Is. 52. 7. 
72. 19. & 89, Raat on 11. 18. &| 6,13, 


pL Ae ES Ta Sa ee eas 
of all others, who resemble het: or we shall be 
involved in thejr destruction. But we must 
needs go out of the world, and the Church too, 
if we renounce every religious sect, because 


h see on, ¢. ver. 1. 
isce on, 14. 116 & 


some of the members or leaders of it are ee 


nal in such matters. a 
V. 20—24. sy 

When the world rejoices, Christ’s disciples 

often mourn; but they are called to rejoice, 

when the world i is filled with lamentation. 


riches, magnificence, and costliness of the earth, 
if Christ’s kingdom be but promoted, and his 
enemies either converted or deprived of the pow=_ 
er to do mischief. Apostles and prophets re- 
joice_ in heaven on such occasions, and we ought 
to rejoice on earth; even though they be con- 
nected with the fall of mighty cities and empires, 
to rise no more forever. But let-sinners take 
warning by the judgments executed on others, 
to tremble and flee from the wrath to come: 
and let us all take occasion from the view given 
us of the changeable nature of earthly things, 
to “ set our affections on things above, where 
“* Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” 


NOTES. a 
CHAP. XIX. V. 1—6. When the-szostle 
had witnessed the destruction of mystical Baby- 
lon, he heard the voice. of much people in hea- 
ven, singing the praises of God, and ascribing to 
him their own salvation and that of his’ church ; 
and adoring his glorious perfections, as display- 
ed in*these, and all his wonderful works; and 
his sovereign and everlasting dominion. For 
his truth and justice had been alike conspicuous, 
in the judgments which had been executed on 
that corrupt and persecutiag church and. city : : 
and again they cried Alleluia, or praise the Lord ; 
whilst the smoke of the city arose up perpetually, 
and was an emblem of the final and eternal 


* « 2 


Itis 
of little consequence, what becomes of all the — 


¥ 


4 


* him; 


@. Dd. 95. S 

7 Let ust.be sladiand pete and give 

honour to him: ™ for the marriage of the 

Lamb is come and his wife hath made 
herself’ ready. v 

8 And * to her was granted, that shc 

é should be arrayed in fine Jinen, clean and 

* white: for y the fine linen ‘is the right- 
eousness of saints. 

9 And he saith urto me, 2 Write; 

@ Blessed are they which are called unto 


# Deut. 32. 43. Is: 62. 5. Hos. 2. 19,]* Or, bright. Matt: 
Bret gst soli 20. Matt. 22. 1. &l 172. Mark 9: 3. 
& 48. 11. & 95. 1—| 35, —10 2 Cor.1é.| Luke 24, 4 Acts 1. 
3.& 97.1. & 100.}- 2, Eph, 5.32. 10 

3, 2. & 107. 42's 3,4,5. 18. Ps, 45. HT 13, 14s Pow 132, 
“Prov. 29% 2. Is, 66.| 13, 14. Is. 61. 10.) 9. 

40. 14. Zech. 9..9.] Bz. 16. 10, Matt. 
John 3. 29, Phil. 3.) 22,12. Rome 3. 2 
3. 7 & 13. 14, rice 
is 26, 2% 


Zi, 19, & 2, 1. 38, 
Qe} 12618. & 3. 1,7. 14, 
| & 10. 4. & 14, 13, 
Is. 8. 1. Hab. 2) 2, 
a See on, ver, 7, 8 


2h, 2. 9. Ps, 45. 
- naa -ci6, Cant. 3. 11. 


, 


misery of the wicked inhabitants, who had been 
“cut off in their sins. (JVote, xiv. 10, 11 — In 
these praises, the emblematical repyesentatives 
of the church and her ministers most cordially 
united; and a voice from the throne of God, or 
from some One who was,very near it, called on 
all the servants of the Lord, in heaven and,earth, 
-great and small, even all his worshippers, all 
who feared God, without distinction, to praise 
hich was followed by ,the acclamations 
of a multitude, like the rushing of a cataract; or 
the roaring of the sea; who joined in’ praising 
the Lord, because by his omnipotence he had 
taken the throne, and would reign in and by his 
Son all over the earth. The repeated use of the 
word Alleluia, or, Hallelujah, which is Hebrew, 
is supposed by some persons to be an intimation 
that the Jews will be convérted about the time 
of the destruction of Rome: and, whatever may 
be thought of this, it is exceedingly probable 
that the accomplishment of the New Testaments} i 
prophecies, in this respect, will be one principal 
means of effecting that happy change. 

V. 7%, 8 The whole company, beforemen- 
tioned, next'call on°each other, to rejoice, and 
give glory to the Lord; because “ the marriage 
« of the Lamb is come, and his bride hath made 
herself ready.” Christ is the Bride-groom of 
his ransomed church: this sacred union will 
be fully completed in heaven ; but the beginning 
of the glorious Millennium, may be considered 
asa most remarkable celebration of his espou- 
sals on earth: allithat has hitherto been done 
seems to be merely an introduction to that hap- 
py ra; when innumerable multitudes will ‘be 
converted, and the state of the church on earth 
will greatly resemble heaven itself. Then the 
marriage of the Lamb. will come, and his es- 
poused church, being purified from heresies, 
divisions, and antichristian abuses, will be made 
ready, and meet to he publicly owned by him, 
‘as his delight and his beloved. Then’ to ‘her 
it will be granted to be arrayed in fine linen, 
© clean and whi‘ which is the righteousness of 
“the saints”? ‘rue word is plural, and some 
wonld-render it, * the righteous acts of the saints 2”? 
but the word raiment, iv this meaning, seems 
generally to signify, either the righteousness “of 


+] 
: 


Pa, ae EO ee Oe et ee ee OO eee eee me I 


REVELATION: | 


sayings ‘of God. 


PRs A RE esa eA 


Vee 


the marriage 
be saith unto ™ 


“10 And © 1 fell ; 
him. And he said 
it not: lam? 
thy brethren tetas th 
Jesus : = Worship God 
mony of Jesus is the ‘Sp 

[Practical Observath 


Matt. 22. 2-4 5 15. 33 1 Thes.) 4! aM 
Luke 14. 15 16. 5. 15, pebaey 25« if 

b ver-11, & 21.5. &le Ps. 203, 20, 21.) hil. a 
22.6. 1 Tim. 1 154 Dan. 7. 10. Luke 1, Luke 24; 25 
k& 4. 9 2 Tim. 2.! 19) Heb. 1 14. 44. Jobr 
il. Tit, 3.8, f see on, 1.9. & 12.1 35 

¢ 22. 3,9, Mark 5.} 11. 17. & 22.9. . 
22, & 7 25. Acts) John 5, 10. ; 
10. 25,26 & 14. Iie 410) & 14. 7. & 
—i5. 1 John’S. 21.) 15. 4. Ex. 34. 14. 2) 
d 2 Cor. 8 7 Eph. 36. Ps. 


Kings 17, 


Christ imputed to 1 
fenewed in them ‘by’ : 
Spirit, of which their righ 
and evidences: atid both these senses 
be intended.—* That is, those good w 

sare the certain evidences: of a 

(Beza.) th whist 


1,2 
12. 
21. 


V.9, 10. An angel, (either 
voice is supposed to have come, sf 
the angel who interpreted the fore 
(xvii..7,) informed the apostle on this « 
that those persons would be happy, in 
manner and degree, who were 
riage-supper of the Lamb. > 
cially to refer to the more ab 
consolation, which Christians will 
happy days that are coming. ‘T 
their lives on earth far more e: 
are at present, and make them 
exalted felicity in ‘heaven. ~ Ma 


individually spoken of-as 
marriage- feast ; which may re 
present joy in the Lord, and ye 
piness of heaven: and the ang 
John, that these were the 
thus attesting the whole 
promises. Upon which | 
the angel, and the fapturou 


an agitation, that he fell 
him. But the angel charged h i 
do it: as he was not his Creator, or 
any respect an object’ of” adoration 
low-servant to him, and to his brethren 
been employed io bear testimony » to 
Jesus ; and he ought to worship G 
creature and a servant? for hi 
only a prophet of superior airp 
by the Spirit to bear testimony | 
common Lord of men*and an 
testimony of Jesus, was from og 
great subject of the Spirit of prophecy to 
soever he was given; ag all the revelations 
predictions of scripture were intended to 1 
the Saviour known in his personal and meé 
rial glory, to make. way for, and annbunce, | 
coming, to lead the attention of men toh 


a a 


ral 


r CHAPTER XIKy A. D. % 
saw theaven opened, and) dipped i blood ; and his name is called, 
horse ; and he that -sat}* The Word of God. 


Mg ? 

eyes were asa flame of fire, 
his head were many crowns; 
had P a name written, that no man 
‘but he himself. ve 
And he was 1 clothed with a vesture 


yn, 4.1. +) Ise 11. 3—5. & 32-{ Heb. 2. 9. 
Sea 1. Re 45. 21. & 63.{p ver. 16.. & 2 17. 
5, 6.| Gen. 32. 29. Ex, 23. 


'e 9,10. Heb. 7. 1,°2- 
See eo ocee ony 1. 14. & 2) Luke 10. 22. 
hee q 14-20. 
"6.2. & 12 3. & Is. 9. 5. 
13.1. Ps. 8.5. Mat} 5. 


: 96. 13- 
98. % pe Sea 5. & 2. 18-5 
aed ao) 


‘or to prove the doctrines revealed concerning 
fim, « Thither, as to that one and certain-scope, 
© or object, all the prophecies tend: whence it 
‘© is effected, that, at last, the true Spirit of pro- 
€ phecy, to which we must hearken, is that which 

€ Jeads us unto Jesus” (Beza.) Christ never 

declined such honour as John was forbidden to 

_ render to the angel, nay, he always showed his 
approbation of it: but the angel was a servant, 

and no more; Jesus is “ the King of Glory, and 

*« the Lord of all,” ‘* God blessed for evermore.” 
(Marg, Ref.) \t should also be remembered, 

that the worship of creatures, or demons, under 

the names of saints and angels, forms the pro- 

minent part of that corruption of Christianity 

by idolatry, which has extended its baleful in- 

fluence through so many populous nations, and 

continued during so many revolving ages; and 

against which the apostle was, in this book, to 

bear a most decided prophetical testimony. 

Now, nothing could give more energy to this 

protest, than the repeated injunction laid on 

him, not to pay any homage, at all resembling 

adoration, to a most glorious, benevolent angel, 

when visibly present, and acting the part of an 

instructor to him. Surely then, no invisible, and, 

(most probably,) no absent creatures, can be 

worshipped, without giving to them the glory, 

which belongs.exclusively to JEnHovax. 

V¥. 11-16. (Note, vi..1, 2). Having noted 


the rejoicings of the universal church, and of all 
the servants of God, over the destruction of 


14 Pas sthe armies which were in hea= 
ven followed him upon t white horses, 
u clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 

15 And * out of his mouth gocth a sharp 
sword, that with it he should smite the na- 
tions: ¥and he shall rule them with a rod of 
iron: Zand he treadeth the wine-press of 
the fierceness and wrath of almighty God. 

16 And he hath # on Ais yesture and 
on his thigh, a name written, "KING OF 
KINGS, AND LORD OF EORDS. 


r See on, John 1.1/)u See on.ver. 2. Z 14. 17—20. Is. O& 
14. 1John 1. 1.85,7,|x ver. 21. & 1. 16.) 2—6. 

's 14.1 20. & 17. 14.) .& 2.12. 16. Is: 11. 
Ps. 68. 17. & 149.} 4, & 30.33.2 Thes.(b See on, 17. 14. Pse 
6—9. Zech. 14. 5.1 2. 8. . 

Mat. 2653.2 Thes.ly 7. & 12. 5. Ps. 
1.7. Jude 15. 2 
t seeon, ver. TL. 


2. 
+ 1Tim.'6.15. |" 


- 


-———_—_—_—_—_—_—— eet 


“as a flame of fire.” (i. 14.) The many crowns 
worn by liim, denoted the extent of his ‘authori- 
ty, as Creator of the world, and “ Head over all 
thiags to bis church,” and the multitude of “his 
victories. ‘ He had a name written that no 
“ man Knew but he himself ;” for, as the eternal 
Son of God, his perfections and nature are in- 
comprehensible. (.Ware. Ref.) His yesture, 
dipped in blood, implied either the atonement 
of his own blood, as the ground of his mediato- 
rial authority ; or rather, that he was come from 
the slaughter of his enemies, and had stained his 
garments with their blood. (Votes, Js. \xiii. B 
—6.) But, though none could fully compre- 
hend his perfections and counséls; yet he was 
known in his Church 5y the name of * the Word 
‘* of God,” as declaring the mysterious perfec- 
tions, and holy truth and will of God, to fallen 
men, (Vole, John i. 1—3.) He was also 
followed by the armies of heaven,even his re- 
deemed and converted people, who rode on 
white horses, to denote their conformity to him, 
and their concurrence and agency in his victo- 
ries; and they were clothed in fine linen, (8 ;} 
as accepted in him, and renewed by him. ° To 
illustrate the nature of his conquests still more 
fully, * out of his mouth went a sharp sword,” 
(i. 16,) implying that he powerfully executed 
the denunciations of his word, and smote the op- 
posing mations. (Votes, Ps. ii.) Thus he trode 
the wine:press of the wrath of God; (Wore, xiv. 
14—20.) crushing ail other obstinate enemies, 
as he had done the mystical Babylon. He had 
also inscribed “on his vesture, and on his thigh,” 


(the part of his garments where the sword is - 


worn,) anothelfmame or title, implying his uni- 
versal and absolute dominion, as “ King of 
« kings, and Lord of lords ;” (xvii. 14.) which 
carried in it a warning to the most powerful 
princes to submit to him, or they must fall be- 
fore him. These verses aud the context seem 
to predict the progress of the Gospel, subse- 
quent tothe fail of Rome, in the destruction of 
the remains of the antichristian empire, the pu- 
rifying of the visible Church, the conversion of 
the Jews, the termination of Mahomedism, and. 
the bringing in of the fulness ef the Gentiles: 
5% s 


‘ 


‘A, DS. 


17 § And Isaw © an angel standing. in 
the sun: and he cried with a loud yoice, 
# saying to all the fowls that fly in ‘the 
midst of heaven, Come, and gather your- 
selves together unto the supper of the 
great God; * 

18 That © ye may eat the flesh of kings, 
and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of 
mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and 
of them that sit en them, and the flesh 
£ of all men, both free and bond, both 
small and great. 

19 And. & I saw the beast, and the 
kings of the earth, and their armies, 
gathered together to make war against 


7. 33. & 16. 4. &le 13-1—10, & 14.9, 


© 8.13. & 14. 6. Is. 
3 19. 7. & 34. 20. Bz.) & 16. 14. 16. & 17, 


4.1—8. 


‘d ver. 21. Es, 56. 9.{ 29. 5. & 39. 18—20,] 12—14. & 18. 9. 
Jer. 12.9. Ez, 39.; Mat 24.28. Luke} Ez, 38. 8—18. Dan. 
17—20. 7. 21—26. & 8. 25. 


e Deut. 28. 26. 3 
Sam. ‘17. 44. 46. 


174376 

f See on, 6. 15, & 13.| & 11. 40-45. Joel 

Gye 3. 9—14. $n 
Ps. 110. 5,6. Jer. 


1 


and they more fully declare most important 
transactions, before briefly intimated, and also 
foretold by the ancient prophets) (Marg. Ref) 
V. 17—21. °'The angel, standing in the sun, 
emblematically denoted, that the predicted 
judgments would be conspictous to all the 
world ; and his proclamation showed the im- 
mense slaughter which would be’ made of the 
enemiés of God. To this place may be referred 
Ezekiel’s prophecy of Gog and Magog, as the 
subsequent visions seem to relate to the Millen- 
nium: (Notes, Ez. xxxviii—xtviii:) for the to- 
tal ruin of the eastern antichrist, and of all the 
opposers of the Gospel in Asia, seems to de inti- 
mately connected with the fall of the western 
antichrist. Though Rome was destroyed, yet 
the beast is supposed still to subsist: for the 
spirit of antichrist will survive that antichris- 
tian city ; and probably the adherents of the party 
will unite with other enemies of the gospel, in 
different parts of the world. (Marg. Ref) The 
beast, however, or the idolatrous , persécuting 
power, whose chief seat had been at Rome, will 
form a confederacy with the kings of the earth, 
that with combined forces, they may fight against 
Christ and his servants: but in the event, the 
antichristian tyranny, and the corrupt clergy, 
who deceived men by lying miracles to support 
it, will be seized onand dreadfully destroyed ; 
by being cast into the lake of fire, &c. : and then 
all the remnant of their adherents will be cut off, 
according to the words of Carist ; so that all 
opposition te his pure religion gyill then cease 
till after the Millennium. ** Thefalse prophet,” 
evidently denotes the same power, before desig- 
nated as ‘¢*the two-horned ‘beast :” and this ef- 
fectually confirms the interpretation before given 
of that great enemy of God and bis church.— 
( Notes, xiii. 11—18, Marg. Ref. ) 


PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Vv. 1—10. 
All heaven resounds with the high praises of 
God, whenever he executes his true and right- 


¥ 


Ae 7. ) REVELATION. 


-dy for those sacred joys; and that all the fe 


4 him that sat on 
his army. Jie 

20 And *the t 
him * the false 


racles before him, 


the beast, and them 
image. ! These both w 
a lake of fire ™ burnin 
21 And " the remnant w 

the sword of him that sat u 
which sword proceeded out of 
and all the fowls were filled w 
flesh. - Re at ry AN 
2 


x r 6 
it PY Rec 2 ee 
Ue Peer 


18, tar & 16 Gem 9. 24, 
; ‘ 13. & 20, 10. & 22,] 29,9 3 
i yer. 19. See on, 13.| 15. Dan. 7. 8—11.| Ps. io 


h See on, ver. 11— 
14, 


1-8. 18 & 17, | 25. 
8. 12, 13. Dan. 2.) 1 Ng Ah eee, 
40—45. & 7.7. 12]1 an. 7115. 
14. 1921. 23,] 11% 1b 4g 
24. 


Me 


rie judgments on those who corrupt 
with pernicious principles and ungodly pi 
ces, and when he pele ae be of his 
vants upon their persecut _ Though 
smoke of their torment shall arise up fore 
and ever ; the whole company of redeemed 
ners, and all the servants and worshippers of 
in heaven and earth, will pectin 

clamations, and ssy, Amen, Hallelujah. — 
then are they that will throw out insiouation 
or openly speak of cruelly and ty , on hea’ 
ing of these righteous judgments; but r 
who blasphemously take part with the en 
of God, and plead against his dealings to 
them? Let all beware of every approach to 
impiety and presumption ; for “ the Lord 
“« omnipotentreigneth.? As justice and judg 
are the basis of his throne, the 


“‘ power, be unto the Lord our God: 
then be glad in him, and give honour to. 
and, whilst we view ‘the Lamb that was s 
espousing redeemed sinners unto himself: 
us remember that we are invited to share 
blessedriess of the marriage supper; that 
wedding-garment is given to all who prope 
seek for it; that now is the time to be made 1 


ty, which the world can boast is not worthy. 
compared with this unfading crown of glory 
happiness. These are the true sayings « 
let none then say, “ I pray thee have meexcuse 
If even created angels are so glorious, as to s 
prise the apostle info a purposed adoration ; h 
glorious must the Lord of angels be! And 
the highest of holy creatures’ so greatly fear, 
decidedly refuse undue honour, how humbl 
should we sinful worms of the earth behave | 
selves! And yet, we may and ought to « 
being made equal to angels, and the child 
God, by faith jn Christ Jesus. We shov 


CHAPTER XX. * A. D. 95. 


pagina ae he Skaae el on him, that he ® should deceive the na- 

ailants are destroyed by fire, and satan}tions no more, till * the thousand years 

> hell, 10. Christ appears, to raise the}should be fulfilied > © and after that he 

} and to judge the world; with the condem-| must be loosed a little season. 

a and punishment in the lake of fire, of all,! 4 and I saw | thrones, and they sat 

Ded Sra peat ries ad upon them, and judgment was given 
- harap unto them: and J saw ™ the souls of 


16. &.17. 2. Mat.7 27: Mat. 19. 28. 
24. 24, 2Cor. 11.{ Luke 22. 30. 1 Cor, 
3. 13-15. 2Thes.| 6.2,3. 

2.9—11. m 6. 9, Mal. 4. 5. 
i Ps. 90, 4, 2 Pet.l Mate 17. 10—13. 
3. 8. Mark 9. 11—13. 
k ver. 8—10. Luke 1. 17. & 9. * 
I Dan. 7.9. 18. 22] 7—9. 


LU 
hand: x => 1, 2 1 Pet. 
2 And 4 he laid hold on ¢ the dragon, F see om ver. 1. & 

“20. 1. &jd Gen. 3.15. Is. 27.) 31. Be 16. 11. Rom.| ¢ Dan. 6. 17; Mat. 
‘eat 41. & 49. 24. 25.) 16. 20, Heb. 2. 14. as 66. 
bl. 18. & 9.1, 2, e see on, 9% 1le &|h ver. 8. & 12.9.& 
‘Luke 8.31e | 12, 9. 13.15, 17.&] 13. 14. & 16. 14— 


e 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6. 13. 2.4. Job 1. 7. 

— - __ xr 
beware of a voluntary humility; and not de- NOTES. 
grade ourselves or dishonour our Head, by wor-} CHAP. XX. V.1—3. The foregoing chap- 
shipping angels, or any mere creature ; by call-| ter predicted the termination of all open opposi- 
ing men masters upon earth, or by the grovelling}tion to the Gospel; and the dreadful punish- 


Mat. 8. 29. & 12. 
29. Mark 5.7. Luke’ 
11. 20—22. John 12. 


¥ 


eda of worldly things. ) ment of all those, who had introduced, support- 
: ed, or concurred in, the idolatrous corruptions 
V.11—21.. ofthe Gospel before predicted. But, while the 


~jinstruments of mischief had been cut off, the 


The blessed Jesus is the Lord of all; but an-} great agent was still at liberty; and he would 
gels, apostles, and other Christians are fellow-| surely excit@fresh disturbances, or produce new 
servants : he is “ God over all,” and therefore }delusions, if not prevented. The apostle had 
to be worshipped, as one with the Father and | therefore a vision, emblematical of the restraints, 
the Holy Spirit ; and all Revelation is the testi-| which would be laid on satan himself. An ans 
mony of the Father, by the Spirit, to the Re-| gel from heaven, with the key of the abyss,-(ix. 
deemer’s personal and mediatorial glory ; the/1—3,) and a great chain, seized on him, bound 
| whole centres in him, and his salvation and king-' him, and cast him into the abyss, and there shut 
dom. May hethen go forth in faithfulness and ;bim up, to prevent his deceiving the nations, as 
righteousness to extend bis spiritual conquests ; | he had before done: and this imprisonment con- 
till < all kings fall down before him, and all na-/tinued during one thousand years. (xii. 7—9.) 
_ *© {ions do him service!” May his armies be in- | In some places, “ the dragon,” signifies the per- 
greased in number, and made more like unto |secuting power of idolatrous emperors, who were 
him; being “ clothed in fine linen, clean and | vicegerents of the devil, and bore his name and 
| white, which is the righteousness of saints.” | style : but here satan himself is evidently meant ; 
(Ps. exlix.)—We cannot indeed know his whole | and it is implied that Christ, with omnipotence 
glory, or his immeasurable love : but let us en-}and absolute authority, will restrain the devil, 
deayour to be more acquainted with him, as|and all his legions of evil spirits, from deceiving 

\ Tur Worp oF Gop; and accepting of his sal-| mankind in geueral, or any part of them, into 
vation, may we be giad in him, who is * the idolatry, impiety, heresy, and wickedness, as he 
« King of kings, and Lord of lords !” for he wili | hath hitherto done: for though human nature is 
surely smite his proudest and stoutest enemies | prone to all evil, and averse to all good; yet the 
with the rod of his mouth, and “* with the breath |agency and influence of fallen angels has im- 
** of his lips will he slay the wicked ;” till he} mense effect.in counteracting the Gospel, in ex- 
hath crushed them all in the wine-press of the | citing men to atrocious crimes and cruel perse~ 
fierceness and wrath of almighty God. Ii be-|cutions, and in devising and propagating ingen- 
hooves us then to rejoice, and praise the Lord, | ious, but fatal delusions. When, therefore, this 
when opposing tyrants are crushed, and falsejroaring lion, or subtle poisonous old serpent, 


lory will become universal; and 
r prayers, example, and improve- {the true Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill 


ries; and, by ou 
meng of talents 


space be loosgg. ( Marz. Ref.) 


3 ARERR ati seae 
“4. D. $5. ; eer ee “REVELATION. 


them that were ® beheaded for © the wit-| again, until th 
ness of Jesus, and for the word of God, ished. .* This 
Pp and which had not worshipped the beast,| 6 Blessed and he 
neither his image, neither had received | in the first resurr 
‘is mark upon their foreheads, or in their} cond death hath n 
hands; aand they lived and reigned with) be * priests of God 
Christ a thousand years. shall reign with hi 

5 But * the rest of the dead lived not é 


® Mat. 14.10, Mark 

6. 16, 27. Luke 9. 9. 

~ see on, 1.9. & 11. 
3.7 & 12 11. 

P 43,12—17) & 14. 


u ver.1 
‘21-8. 
x1. 6. & 
61. 6 


11s & 1S, 2. & 1708, 
q 5 9, 10. & 11-11. 
15, Dan. 2. 44, 45, 
& 7. 18. 27. Rom. 


8. 17. & 11,15. 2) 5 14, 14.18. Ez. 37, 
Tim, 2. 12. 2—U4, Rom, 11.15. 
t ver. 8, 9. Sve on,} t ver. 5. & 14. 13. & 
19. 20, 21. “| 22. 7. ¥s. 4,3. Dan. 

12, 12,.Luke 14. 15. 


V. 4—6, The apostle next’ saw thrones, and | resurrection of all the righteous. 
persons sitting on them. These represented the|the Millennium; because the 
honourable and prosperous state of believers |<« will rise first ; :” but what do - 
in those happy days, for they appeared to reign|the state of the earth will be ‘thea ' 

* as kings on the earth. ‘+ And judgment was|riod? Will none live o 
“ given to them? they Were Christ’s asses- Or will all the res 
‘sors, as it were, in the judgment executed on|eous, will they not | ie 
the beast, the false prophet, and the devil; even} there be three resurre one 
as all believers will be, when he shali judge the | cous before the Millennium, an 
world. And he saw the soule” of the mar-jrighteous after it, and 
tyrs, confessors, and other eminent Christians | These questions are not eas} 
of the preceding periods, living and reigning! hypothesis. ‘Phe resurrecti 
with Christ a thousand years. It hath long|of, as one grand event, occu 
been disputed, and: by disputants of various de-|same time; except: that cy 
Seriptions, whether this should be understood | first raised) and so be. pi 
Uiterally, or figuratively : and when propbecies | Christ in judgment. on 
are evidently unfulfilled, modesty ang caution are implied in every one of hose 
very requisite. Yet it, is necessary here to give ;}that al/ the dead in— ‘ 
an opinion, with the reasons of it. 1 am, therefore, | ther, before the living shall 
jndaced to understand it figuratively, by the fol-| We cannot conceive, that it 
lowing considerations: Ist. The whole book is|licity of those, who, being 
enigmatical, and full of emblems: so that aj“ body,” are “ present with t 
literal exposition would often imply absurdity ; ;{again to dwell on earth; whi 
and the interpreters business and skill consist| degree a scene of pain, suffi 
principally in decyphering hicroglyphicks. A and death, till the present s 
succession of kings is ‘constantly spoken of, as if| ended ; and this will no 
they were individually the same persons: the) surrection; as it auiticient 
two witnesses that were slaip, were “ raised | loosing of Satan: and the 
again, and ascended into heaven,” when others| Millennium. Sthily, | Th: 
were sent forth of the same spirit, and to bear} which any thing like suc 
the same testimony with greater encourage-| previous to the end of the 
tment and succéss. Rome is called Egypt, So- whereas there are nume 
dom, Jerusalem, Babyton; and, in short, this| universal prevalence an 
is the style and manner of the whole prophecy, ligion throughout the earth. 
which no mah could possibly explain upoa any |is it most reasonable, to i 
other principle. As therefore the Jews expected | predictions by one expres 
Blijah to.come personally, and knew him. not ‘book ; or to explain that one expr 
-whenhe came mystically, in Soin Baptist: so, 1) many ‘clear predictions, w ve another v 
apprehend, many Christians, and men of the ut-|of it ?. Or why should the literal sense b 
most respectability for piety:and learning, have |insisted on, when in sq many Lega pp must £ 
fallen into the same mistake, in expecting a liter- | departed from ? Indeed, I e, that | 
al and personal resurrection of the martyrs, at} resurrection of seuls can ie th 

; the opening of the Millenaium; and they would |rection of bedies.—But, if th r 

ee not know them at rst, when they arose, (as’ the | spoken of be not aliteral, but 

“witnesses did,) jn.2 numerous race of Christians, | rection; the same reasons: 

resembling them: as to all their cre graces. | that Christ will not pel 
Qdly. tis i that the souls ¢ 


‘ 


to live again, in» "Christians of a same spirit, expressions. conce She Senlige 
(vi. 9.) Sdly. Some Kaye imagined, that the abescaar ee é ie Mar 


Ay D. 95. GHAPTER XX.) A.D. 95. 
shall be loosed out of his 


Was z when)the thousand years are | expiredy Sa tan sha’ 
ee 4 er, ces prison; ii Practical Observations.) © 
ce on, a A eee 


f relate to his presence with,| ring which pure Christianity, in doctrine, wor- 
people, are stronger than any} ship, and universal holiness will be diffused all 
£ no good expositor interprets over the earth ; and that all idolatry, infidelity, 
“hersonal pee as man, in the| impiety, superstition, heresy, false religion, in- 
Justice, fraud, oppression, cruelty, war, murder, 
intemperance, licentiousness, with all other evils, 
which now harass, and desolate the earth, will 
be restrained by the omnipotent operation of the 
Holy Spirit; and that godliness, righteousness, 
peace, truth, purity, and love, will render the 
earth in some measure like heaven itself. Hither- 
to the depravity of human nature, and the malig- 
nant agency of apostate angels, have been illus- 
trated und displayed, in the state of the world : 
and the inefficacy of all human inventions; and - 
eyen of the word of truth, without the new-creat~ . 
ing Spirit of truth, to remedy these evils, hath 
been demonstrated, i in opposition to man’s proud 
reasonings. ‘The event of the trial hath shown, 
that nothing, but the power of God himself, can 
prevent men from listening to the temptations 
of fallen angels ; or from despising, opposing, 
neglecting, corrupting, or perverting, the Gos- 
pel of salvation itself But at length the Lord 
will arise: by the almighty power of-his provi« 
dence, he will confine fallen angels ; and by ee 
operation of his Spirit he will new-create fallen 
men, generally all over the earth: and then re- 
pentance, faith, and holiness, willas certainly pre- 
vail, as impenitence, unbelief, and unholiness now 
do. Still, however, Christianity will be the reli. 
gion of sinners, and there will be defects and 
sins in believers ; and doubtless some unconvert- 
ed persons, for a short part of their lives at least ; 
for men will be made holy by regeneration, not 
born holy : and therefore they will still continue 
liable to many natural evils, and to death. Yet 
that measure of righteousness, which such a pre- 
valence of true Christianity must produce, will 
immensely lessen the quantity of naturalevil. We 
may easily perceive, what a variety of dreadful 
pains, diseases, and other grievous calamities, 
must cease, were all men true Christians: all 
the evils of public and private contention would 
be terminated : domestic, relative, and social, fe= 
licity, must be exceedingly enhanced. Industry 
in useful things, with frugality and temperance, 
would prevent that pinching poverty and dise 
tress, which now. render multitudes wretched: 
and a greater fertility of the earth may reason- 
ably be expected, according to the former fruit- 
fulness of Canaan, contrasted with its present ste- 
rility. Byery man will then try to, alleviate, in~ 
stead of adding to, the unavoidable sorrows of all 
around him ; nor Acar they hurt or destr eon, 


n aaa fe Christ, or. had protested 
antichrist ; even as the witnesses were 
again after three days and a haif. These 
lent persons will live and reign on earth, in 
victory, honour, holiness, and joy; being happy 
in the gracious présence of Christ with their 
souls, and in their assemblies ; ; and without any 
| enemies, or false teachers to harass, corrupt, or 
divide them; but the rest of the dead will not 
| five till the thotisand years be ended. * There is 
* mention made in this prophecy of two sorts of 
dead persons ; those who were slain for the wit- 
| “ness of Jesus, and those who were slain by the] t 
* sword of him that sat on the horse. . The for- 
¢ mer were raised to life, and lived and reigned 
¢ with Christ a thousand years: but the others 
‘lived not again, till the thousand years were 
6 finished; they had no successors of the same 
| * wicked and persecuting spirit, till the devil was 
* let loose after the Millennium.’ (Guise.) This 
| interpretation suits the style of the book, and is 
‘to me perfectly satisfactory. The expression 
‘itself intimated a fizurative resurrection, and 
| therefore it was carefully distinguished from the 
literal resurrection of the dead. (John v- 25—29.) 
It is moreover an instance of that wise and, pro- 
per obscurity, which we always find in prophe- 
| cies, previous to their accomplishment. This is 
| the first resurrection, a spiritual and mystical 
- resurrection; and they who shall partake of it, 
living in those happy times, will be holy and 
blessed, (xix. 9,) even more than Christians in 
' other ages. When it is added, that. the second 
death shall have no power over them, it seems 
| implied, that they must enter heaven by passing 
~~ through the Jrst death : nor. is there any thing 
_ different in what follows from the language used 
_ eoncerning believers of other times, (Marg. Ref.) 
except that they shall “ reign with Christ @ thou- 
.. & sand years ;” which naturally signifies, that a 
‘succession of such triumphant Christians, made 
honourable and happy by the Lord’s special 
“presence with them, shall continue through the 
Millennium ; even as the two witnesses prophe- 
sied in sackcloth, through the whole term of the 
reign of Antichrist. Some would compute the 
thousand years, after the same manner as the 
three years and a half, or twelve hundred and six- 
ty days, have been reckoned,*each day to signi- 
‘a year; which would extend. this bappy period, 
60,000 years at least: this, however, seems 
puch beyond all proportion, and so differ- 
mall the views elsewhere given of the 
pproach of the day of judgment, that. 
re erally regarded. So that, upon the 
; expect, that a thousand’ years 
truction of all the Bane 


will render sick =i onath; and the loss of | be- 
loved friends, far more easy than at present : 
‘while communion with God, and the communion, 
of the s saints, all being of one heart in the wor- 
ship and service of God, will render religion a 
constant feast to their souls ; and inferior to hea- 
venly felicity, only because it will not be absolate- 


1 a pret “Stee es 
4. DTSs.°” ““REVELATION. ©. £ I 
11 4 And ™I saw. great white throne,| which were written in the book 
and him that sat an it, » from whose face} cording to thei es, Mae 
the earth and the heaven fled away; °and} 13 And * the re at 


there was found no place for them. ‘which were in it 
12 And P I.saw the dead, 4 small and|delivered up the 
great, * stand before God: andthe books} them : 2 and they wer ej 
were opened; * and another book was according to thei? works 
opened, which is ¢he book of life: and} 14 And * death and hel 
the dead were judged out of those things | the lake of fire. >T : 
| 15 And ¢ whosoeve 
* Rom. 14. 10—12.| written in the boo 
ao, 7"! to the lake of fire. ee ERT 


47.8. & 89.14.%& p ver. 11. Dan. 12./s Dan. 7, 10. ; : 
07.2, Mat. 95, 31.1 2 John 5+ 28, 29.\t 3. 5. & 13, 8.8 17.| “yvon 1S ey ee. Homes 
Acts 17. 30, 31.) & 12, 25, 26. zy 8. & 21. 27. PS+6%| x 65 49. Prov, Pe 


m ver. 126 & 19, 11.] 24.35. 2 Pet. 3.7. 
Gens 18. 25. Ps. 9.} 10, 14. 
7, 8. &< 45, 6, 7. Kjo 12, 8. Job 9. 6. 


Rom. 2. 5. 24. 15, 1Cor. 15.] 28. Dan, 12. 1. F ; 
wi 6. 14, & 26,20. &| 21—93. 1 Thes.'4| Luke 10,20. Phil.) 72? Bee 2 11" Or, the gn 


21.1. Jer. 4. 23—| 15-17. 4s 3. Mat. 16.27. BR i 
; . 2% Rom,|z Seon, u. ver. 12. 
26. Dan. 2.35. Mate q See on, 19 5- im 2.6. 2 Cored. 10. 1a see oe 19 20. -1}d 


: x Jobn, 5. 28, 29, 
Leann ee ne cannmnperenennannnnnacsmnemensnncunn cen snenenmmenrecnsmmemmemeatecnanaceneccrsneacne amare - 


depravity alone be sufficient to account for this;| idea, that ever wa 
how can it be supposed, that the same depravity | guage; unless some ve 
should fail to stir up the Tdolaters to war against | sis may be thought to 
the Church? Will then a perfect neutrality pre-| ceptions and expressions 
vail? Will the zealous Christians of the Millen-| heathen poets, are mean a 
nium, during ten whole centuries, make no ef-/it. The apostle then beheld 
forts to convert the’ idolatrous nations? Or will| again, “stand before God.” 
these nations adhere to their idolatry; and yet|Christ shall sit’ on the thron 
show no enmity against those who zealously and| judge the world; and he m 
perseveringly ‘attempt their conversion? All|here meant. (Mart. xxv, 31 
this is so contrary to Scriptural statements, and | Before’ him all nations, and all persons, of ev 
to the known and experienced propensities of hu-| rank, character, and description, were athe 
man natare ; that itis wonderful these objections! « And the books were opened cheer 
should have been overlooked, in this argument:! represents the discoveries, W 
Allover the earth, lapprehend)men will generally | of all the thoughts, words, ac 
bechanged by divine grace: but they will be holy, | tentionsy, dispositions, obligations, 
not by birth, but by regeneration. Their chil-| and talests ofall men, by the divineo: 
dren will have the same fallen’ nature, as ours|the comparison of the whole with the holy 
have: and, if left unregenerate, and exposed.to}of God; andthe recollection and conscioust 
satan’s temptations and delusions, a few years| which every. man will ha 
will suffice to raise up Gog and Magog from the] tions; though he had long 
dead. The same causes -will’produce the same |them, till thus brought ta light; 
effects : enmity against God will express itself} brance: that-so an exact estimate 
by enmity against his. people; the old scenes| of every persoh’s character; of 
will be acted over again, and religious wars,|degree of his grace, and of his fra 
persecutions, and. massacres, with attempts to| good works; orof thejag ations, 
exterminate the hated company, must follow ;|of his sins. Thus the final fo 
did not God at once interpose to protect his|in, perfect justice and impa 
friends, to destroy his enemies, and to bring for-| with trath and mercy. For * anot 
ward the solemn and long-expected day of judg- | opened, even the book of life?” otherwise 
ment. must be condemned. This is the emblem 
V. 11—15. After the events above predicted, | the Lord’s knowledge of his people; and his ¢ 
the end will speedily come: and there are no pro-|claration of their repentance, faith, love, 4p 
phetical intimations. of any thing. which. shall|good works, as evidential of their electi 
intervene, before the appearing of Christ to raise |demption, regeneration, and interest in his 
the dead, and to judge the world, For the apos-|eousness, and’ the blessings of the new 
tle next ‘ saw a great white throne,” as#nant. So that the dead shall be judged, a 
emblematical of the majesty, dominion, power, jing to the contents ofthese registers conce! 
and righteousaess, with which Christ will then|them; and according to their works, whe 
be manifested. Ona this sat One, from whose pre-~| they evidence them to be true beliévers, or 
sence the earth and heavens fled away; which|contrary. Nor will any be exempted from t 
most sublimely denoted the effulgency of his| impartial scrutiny: for the sea shall give up 
glory; and the entire dissolution of the visible | dead bodies, which have been cast into it ; ant 
creation, and the present state of the world; by | the grave and separate state will give up th 
his power, and athis coming. ‘It is so plain,| dies and-souls contained in them: so thaty 
* that it does not need, so majestic and grand} whole multitude, that shall have lived’ 1 
« that it exceeds, commentary, or paraphrase,’| earth, through all generations, from the 
C Blackwall.) Beyond doubt, it is the grandest | to the consummation of all things, will 


& 
7 
pit 


¢ 


ey 
Hi Py 


Pad ‘ ‘ 
CHAPTER XXL | Ae D.95. 

"|. cwafnings, 1—8. A more particular description 
_ Of it, under the emblem of a most glorious city ; 
in which the redeemed dwell in the presence, 
light, and glory of od andthe Lamb, 9—27. 


among them ; whilst, being absent from the body, 
we shall be present with the Lord, in a still more 
blessed way than they can be, who “ walk by 
“ faith, not by sight”” But may not these re- 
flections on the blessed change which the suc- 
cess of the Gospel will make in the state of the 
world, supply us with an unanswerable argument 
of its divine original and authority, even previ- 
ous to the fulfilment of those prophecies which 
relate to it? Can that doctrine come from any 
other than God, which wants but to be univer- 
sally received with obedient faith, to remedy 
all the evils that fill the earth; and to render 
men as much like holy and happy angels, as 
most of them at present are like deceitful, ma- 
lignant, ambitious, and apostate spirits? The 
need that the world stands in of such a remedy ; 
the suitableness of it > its evident tendency ; and 
its efficacy, as far as men actually make use of 
it, proclaim its divinity in the mosi dec:sive man- 
ner ; even apart from miracles, fulfilments of pro-= 
-|phecy, and all other externel arguments whatso- 
ever ; yea, in language distinct from, though con- 
nected with; that “ witness in himself,” which is 
the principal source of assurance to the experi-+ 
enced believer’s heart. 
3 V. 8—1i5. 


Whenever the Lord takes off the restraint 
from satan; he is both active and able to de- 
ceive the nations, and to propagate lies and mis- 
chief among men: afid then persecution 
lifis up its horrid front, and stalks abroad to 
revel upon the blood of the saints. We may 
y |even learn profitable lessons from the devil and 
his angels : for.if the servants and ministers of 
Christ were as united, active, vigilant, and per~ 
severing in doing good, as these enemies are in 
doing mischief; we might hope for better times. 
Nor shall we do amiss in taking the hint from 
them, not to think the least opportunity of 
good beneath our notice: whilst we aspire and 
aim at the most extensive and important useful- 
ness: for our enemies, when forming horrid 
plans to destroy, if it were possible, the whole 
Church at once, do not neglect to deceive one 
soul; or even to defile, mislead, or harass the 
meanest of those, whom they cannot destroy.— 
But no weapons formed against the Church can 
prosper; and all that fight against her shall 
perish, with the devil, the beast, and the false 
and blessed beyond all former generations; yet|propbet, and be tormented day and night for 

ions,jever and ever. May we then firmly believe, 
that ¢ Christ shall come to be our Judge,’ and 
daily prepare to stand before his awful tribunal, 
when “heaven and earth shall flee from his 
« face, and no place shall be found for them.” 
Let us frequently refiect on the opening of 
the books, the bringing to light of the hidden 
lings of darkness, and the discovery of all cha- 
racters and actions in their proper colours, which 
will take place, when the Judge shall render to 
and enjoy the felicity and triumph | every one according to his works. Then all the 
on earth, 2s much as if we lived | dead shall be raised ; all distinctions swallowed 
Ts Sea Ke | 


the throne ; all that ever have died, 
sience a re-union of their souls wit!: 
es; and they, who shall then live on 
fil be changed. (Notes, 1 Cor. xv. 1 
iw. 13-18.) Then death and hell, the 
‘and the separate state, (represented as 
sons,) will be cast into the lake of fire : 

they shall subsist no longer, to receive 


_ into the place of torment, in which death and 
the separate state will be swallowed up: for “ this 
“tis the second death,” the final separation of 
sinners from God, without hopes of being restor- 
ed to his favour, or delivered from bis wrath. 
"Into this place of banishment and torment ail 
will be cast, who shall not be found written in the 
‘book of life, as true believers; according to the 
general doctrine of the holy scriptures. ‘The 
'* meaning is, that temporal death, which hith- 
* erto had exercised dominion over the race o 


been 2 counterpart of hell. Ere long, however, 
the Lord will make bare his holy arm, to bind 
up the deceiver of the nations, and to give ef- 
fectual success to his Gospel, and the earth shall 


are engaged, will at length be decidedly trium- 


phant, But though great grace will be on 


but we shall have got over the pain of the first 
death : our spiritual and royal priesthood will be 


3 
i 
| i 
: 
uy 
; 
a 
B 
& 
X 


-and we shall look down, as it were, 


- 


4. D: 93. ‘REVELATION. 


NDI saw 2a new hea¥en-and'a hew)of God is with 1 

‘ earth: > for the first heaven and the with them, \ and th 
first.eatth wer elpassed away ; © and there }and Ged himself sha 

Was no more sea. be their God. 
“2 And 4 J, John, saw @ the holy city,}. 4 And 1 God shal 
new Jerusalem, £ coming down from God ‘from their ‘eyes; and 
out ‘of heaven; prepared ¢ as a bride} more death, neither © 

adorned for her husband : neither shall there be ¢ any 
3 And I Heard a great voice out off the former things are p 


Keayen, saying, ‘ Behold the tabernacle} j2, 1 mings 9. 27) 6 18 Heb. 8. 104 19 

2 Chr 6, 18. Is. 12.) & 11, 16 ep Se 
6. Ez. 37, 27. & 43.|} 7. 17. Is. 
7. John 1. 14. & 14.)m 20." 14. 
| 23, 2 Cor. 6: 165 o 


@ ver. 5, “Is. 65. 17-Je 3.12. Ps.48.1—3: 


7g 66. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 
13, 


lg See on, 19. 7,8. Is: 
& 87, 3. Is. 1.21.) 54.5. & 61-10, & 
& 52.1. Jer. 31.23. 62: 4, John 3. 29.’ 
Heb, 11. 10. & 12, as 12. Eph. 


e 13-3, Is. 2% 1. & 
57. 20. Dat. 7.3. 
QD 1. 1c 409. 


22. & 13..h4, 5. 15-27, 30-—32. 
f ver. 10, Gal. 4.25,Jh 10. 4. 8. 8 12. 10, 


bi See om, 20. 11. a 
15. Lev. 26. 11 


31. 33, & $2, 38 
Zech. 13.9. 2 Cor. 


up, except that between the righteous and the 
wicked; and all will be cast into the lake of fire, 
prepared for the devil and his angels, except 
the believing and obedient followers of Christ, 
whose names are written in the book of life— 
s* Let no man, therefore, deceive himself with 
st vain words; for the wrath of God will come 
‘* on all the children of disobedience,” how ma- 
ny soever they be. “ Then shall the righteous 
shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their 
“| Father :” and «« death shall he swallowed. up 
*¢ in victory.” ‘ He that hath anear, let him 
« hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.” 
. NOTES. 
CHAP. XXI. V. 14, ‘Some idterpreters, 
€egpecially among those, who hold a litera! re- 
_ surrection it the beginning of the Millennium, 
and the personal reign of Christ on earth during 
it,) tinderstand these chapters principally of the 
state of the church on earth at that time, “But 
they come in order subsequent to the account of 
the general judgment ; and we can néver attain 
foa satisfactory understanding of prophecy, if 
imagination, or conjecture, be allowed to carry 
us backward or forward, without any fixed prin- 
ciples. The method, tha: we should take of clear- 
ing up the éeidbriée of the divine authority of 
Scripture, from the accomplishment of prophecy; 
(arid this is no doubt one principal weapon, with 
which to defend Christianity against all kinds of 
infidels :) must be by showing, that there is or- 
der and arrangement in the predictions, and a 
cdincidence between them and known facts; ; 
and that a regular series of events is foretold, 
some of which aré already fulfilled ; and the rest|s 
cannot be so, because the order of the prophecy 
shows them to be yet future. But, in order to 
this, we must carefully adhere to the proposed 
arrangement in our interpretations, not deviat- 
ing even from the appearance of it without 
evident reason. For example, there was a 
necessity of returning, at the beginning of the 
twelfth chapter, to the primitive times of Chris- 
tianity ; because another regular series of predic- 
tions is there evidently begun, after the other 
had been completed. ‘This creates a proper de- 
gree of ptophetical obscurity ; ; and when the key 
is found, it adds to the consistency, energy, ahd 
beauty of the whole, But, having now traced 
Both parts of the book to the end ‘of the world; 


it must introduce perplexity, and ooea ion an 
‘pearance of uncertainty and ambi 
back, without any ne 
lennium. As many ages of per 
lation had been predicted ; al 
int good measure written for the support an 
couragement of believers, daring those 
scenes ; So we might naturally expect 
wards the conclusion of 7 it, some accou 
happy state in heaven, as well as of | the’ 
times of the church onearth: buvif these chap 
do not relate to that subject; we hear indeed 0 
the punishment of the wi eked, but n 
cerning the felicity of | t nM 
of the expressions also are suc 
ply to any state, where the Tea 
or sorrow are tu be found, or a 
to be expected: and those 
another nature are emblem 
to the style of the whole boo 
from all others in the Nev Tt 
it resembies many o' e t 
Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechar 
induce me to xn what fi 
ly state exciusive Ri 
thoughts are naturally call 
to other subjects. The em 
ven, bath several times occu: 
ses. (Votes, &e. de. a ve 
think that Peter wrote a 
tion was published, and de 
Pet. iii. 10—14 ;) but tue Ho 
both the sacred writers to ¢ 
images. It is obvious, h 
ake of the heavenly _ state ; ¥ 
ditional argument to prove th 
same; and indeed this must be ‘so; fo 
“ first heaven and earth were yea ” 
(xx. 11.) In this new world, * there 
« sea ;” which aptly Tepresents | ah entire 
dom from polluting and conflicting Mot 
tressing temptations, tempes troubles, 
changes, and alarms; and from ¥ a 
divide, or interrupt the commuti | of saints wi 
each other: seme pty be also, - 
there’ is abundane e of room in that bl 
world ; as a large : pro ortion of the earth is 
covered with the sea. ‘The apostle li 
the holy city, coming down from 
whole church triumphant was shown 


at sat upon the throne 

make all things new. 
ome, * Write; for s these 

we and faithful. 
said unto me, t It is done. 
ha and Omega, the Beginning 
|£End: = I will give unto him that. 
first, of y the Fountain of the water 
fe 2 free = 

' rie that * overcometh shall > inherit 
Q Lay j 3-5: 22.21. LJohn 
lb rn Sam. 2.8 Prov. 


3. 35. Is. G5. 9. 
“Mat. 19. 29. & 25. 


. 


r 3. 21—33. 1 
1.3.9.% 39, 
_ 


der this emblem ; that he might perceive, and 
report something of its glory and felicity, accor- 
; ding to man’s capacity of apprehending heavenly 
things: and he thus learned, that its blessedness 
‘came wholly from God, and depended on him. 
Tt seems to have appeared in the air just before 
him, that he might contemplate and examine it : 
and he perceived that it was prepared as a bride 
adorned for her nuptials; (xix. 7, 8;) which 
- was another emblem, denoting the mutual love 
be Christ and his triumphant Church ; 
their union and communion, and delight in each 
other; and the glory and felicity thus bestowed 
upon belieyersin heaven. Thus two emblems, 
which apparently are not ver'y compatible, con- 
‘cur in giving some instructive ideas of this in- 
teresting, but inconceivable, subject. He then 
hheard a voice from heaven, proclairting, with 
astonishment at the divine condescension, that the 
tabernacle of God was placed with men, and that 
he would dwell among them as their reconciled 
father, notwithstanding ali their rebellions * (Pe. 
lxviii 18. Johni.14.) They would, therefore, be his 
people devoted to his service and glory, and he 
would be with them, as their all-sufficientand eter- 
nal portion. (Marg. Ref.) This has a partial ac- 
complishment, in the present consolations of true 
elievers: but here it must refer to the perfect 
enjoyment of God in the beatific vision : for “ He 
* will then wipe away all tears from their eyes,” 
_ jike a tender father, who comforteth his mourn- 
ing childyen, (vii. 17-) and they will never weep 
again, either for sin or trouble; as death, and 
every cause of grief, shall be no more, and the 
former things will be passed away. Can these 


~ os 


sca ee enn nme tment Ct NC tt tt CLL LOL OC 


—_——. 


venly state? There was no sea. (1.)°* It is evi- 
« dent from hence, that this new heaven and new 
¢ earth are not designed. to take place, till after 
« the general judgment : for at the general judg 
‘7 the dead which were 

; and Magog, the na- 
in the fout corners of the earth, are de- 
‘by satan, after the expiration of the 
. but Gog and Magog'are not in. 
the new heaven acd the new earth. 


CHAPTER 


a: o 


s mae” 
<= See = 
ae 


A, D. 95. 


* all things ; and I will be his God, and 
he shall be my son. ee 

8 But 4 the fearful, and unbelieving, 
e and the’ abominable, and murderers, 
and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and 
idoJaters, f and all liars, shall have their 
part in & the lake which burneth with 
fire and brimstone : » which is the second 
death. ; 

[Practical Observations.] 

F 2, 2, Is. 9.15. Jolin 


8. 44.2 es. 2. Os 
1 Tim. 4 2-1 John 


* Or, these things. 

ce Ste on, ver.3 Zee: 
8.8. Rom. 8. 15— 
27. 1 hn 3.1—3. 

d Deut. 20. 8, Judg. 
7-3. Is. 51.12. 
57.13. Mat. 8. 26. 
& 10. 28, Luke 12, 


4,5- John 12. 42, 
43. 1 Pet. 3. 14, 15. 
i John 5. 4, 5. 
e 22.15. 1 Cor. 6.9,] 2. 22. 
40. Gal. 5. 19—21.!g 19. 20. & 20. 14, 
Eph. 5.5,6.1 Tim] 15. 
1. 9,10. Heb. 13.4:}h See on, 20.34. 4 
27. 


VY, 5—8. “He that sat on the throne,” ge. 
neraily in this book, denotes the Father person- 
ally, 3s distinguished from “ the Lamb that was 
“slain ;” but as Christ will appear on the throne 
of judgment, (xx. 11.) so we may understand it 
of him in this place; and the language employ- 
ed best accords to him, in his mediatorial cha. 
racter. The Lord Jesus, therefore, declared in 
the apostle’s hearing, that ‘* He made all things 
“ new:” (Marg. Ref-) he brings sinners into a 
new state, and creates them anew (o holiness; 
and he will make all things new, respecting their 
situation and manner of living, when he hath 
brought them, perfected both in body and soul, 
to his glorious felicity. This John was com- 
manded to write, for the encouragement of the 
church in all its afflictions, conflicts, and tempt- 
ations ; for these were true and faithful sayings, 
on which the most entire dependence might be 
placed. He also added, “It is done :” the whole 
counsel of the love of God will be then com- 
pleted, and the redemption, which the incarnate 
Son finished on the cross, will be perfectly ap- 
plied. For, being “ Alpha and Omega, the Be- 
ginning and the End,” he will surely bring the 
work he had begun to a glorious conclusion. 
(Notes, &c. i. 8.11. 18. ii. 8.) Ifany man, in any 
age or place, were athirst for the blessings of - 
salvation; if any one were so sensible of his 
perishing need of them, and had such a view of 
their preciousness, as to be earnest in using 
means for obtaining them, and would not be sa- 
tisfied with any thing else, Christ would surely 
give him “ of the Fountain of the water of life 
“ freely.” (Marg. Ref. and notes on the texts re« 


expressions relate to any thing less than the hea | ferred te.) The sin and foily,of men consist in 


* forsaking ‘the Fountain of living waters, to hew 
“ out broken cisterns, that can hold no water ;? 
his happiness must begin with returning to this 
Fountain, as opened through the mediation of 
Christ. Sensual and sinful pleasures are muddy 
and poisoned waters; the best earthly comforts 
are like the scanty 3tagnating supplies of a 
cistern; when idolized, they become bro 
cisterns, and yield only vanity, disappoinin 
and yexation: and all our labour about them, 
resembles “ hewing out broken cisterns, that 
‘can hold no water” But the joys of truere- 
ligion are like the springing waters from a foun- 


A.D. 98. 


the seven angels, ! which had the seven 
vials full of the seyen last plagues, and 
talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will 
shew thee * the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 

10 And # he carried me.away in the 
Spirit to a gneat and high mountain, and 
shewed me ™ that great city, the holy 
Jerusalem, descending out of heaven 
from: God, 

11 Having ® the glory of God: and 
®*her light was'like unto a stone most 
precious, even likea Mall dace P clear 
as crystal; 

12 And had'@ a wall great and high, 
and had * twelve gates, and at the gates 
* twelve angels, tand names written there- 
on,»which are the mames of the twelve 
tribes of the children of Israel. 

13 Qn the east,-three gates; on the 
north three gates; on the south, three 
gates; and on the west, three gates. 

14 And the wall of the city had twelve 
« foundations, *and in them the names of 
the tweive apostles of the Lamb. 

15 And he that talked with me had ya 


4 15. 1-7.& 16. 1-17.] 19,20. Ez. 48.35. | Heb. 1.14. 

i See gn, ver. 2. &lo ver. 19. Bz. 1. 26.jt 7.4—8. Num. 2, 
19 R28. 13.1416, 2—32, Acts 26. 7. 
Pi. 0. & 4.2. & 174p ver.18, & 4.6. &lu ver. 19—21 Is. §4, 

3. 1 Kings 18. 121 22. 1, Job 28. 37! 11. Heb. 11. 10. 

2 Kings 2. '6. Ez.) Ez. 1. 22. x 18. 20. Mat. 10. 
3. 14, & 8.3, & 11.jq ver. 17-20. Ezray 2-4. & 16, 18 1 
1. 24. & 40. 1-3] 9.9. Neh. 12, 27.) Cor. 3 10, 11 Gal. 
ta 39. 2Cor.} Ps. 51. 18. & 122. 7.) 269. Eph. 2. 20. & 
r vers 21. 25. Is, Say: 3. 5+ & 4.11. Jude 
12. & 60_18, Ez,’ 17- 
48. 81—34 y see on, 11. 1, 2. 
s Mat. 18. 10. Luke} Ez. 40.3.5. & 41, 
15. 10. & 16. 22.! 3, &e, Zech 2.2. 


be on wt) ver. 2. Ez. 
48. 15—22. 

M ver.'22, 25. & 22. 
5. Is. 4. 5, & 60, 


tain, pure, refreshing, overflowing, always satis- 
fying, never satiating, abundant, and eternal. The 
sanctifying cousolations of the Holy Spirit, being 
the preparation for. heavenly felicity, and the an- 
tepast of it, are the streams from this Fountain, 
which flow for us inthe wilderness. To those, who 
thirst for them, Christ will give of these waters free- 
zy, without any price paid for them, even supplies 
adequate to their largest desires; these shall be 
furnished from time to time, when they come and 
ask forthem, to be their solace in life, and at 
the approach of death; and then he will bring 
them to the Fountain-head, that they may drink 
for ever full draughts of these holy and glorious 
joys. All this he gives freely ; though he purchas. 
_ed them by the shedding of his blood upon the 
eross for their sins. (xxii. 1.17.) Indeed, they who 
draw waters from these welis of ‘salvation, have 
many enemies to encounter: but the Lord 3s- 
sures them, that every conqueror shall “ inherit 
« all things,” for He will be his God, and he 
shall be his son, and thus be the heir of all things 
in him, (1 Cer. tii. 21—23.) On the other 
hand, “ the fearful,” who dared not profess, or 
who renounced the Gospel, from the dread of re. 
proach and suffering; the cowardly soldiers, 
who feared the enemy more than their Captain, 
‘and so “ turned back in the day of battle; and 


REVELATION. 


9° 4 "And there re unto me one of| golden reed to ™ 


By es 


gates thereof, and 
16 And the’ city” 
and the length is as 
And he measured the 
@ twelve thousand furl 
and the breadth, and’ 
equal. oe 
17 And he ete Se 
> an hundred and forty and for 
according to the measure of an 
is, of the angel. 
18 And the building e wall 
© was of jasper: and the ity was pur 
gold, 4 like unto clear glass, . eg ON 
19 And © the foundations of the wall’ 
of the city were garnished with all man- © 
ner of precious : ‘stones. _ The first foun- . 
dation was jasper ; the second; fsapphire ; ~ 
the third, a chalcedony 5 t eae rth, 
emerald ; WI PELE" 
20 The fifth,. sardonyx 5. 
sardius; the PATS + 
eighth, beryl; the nint 
tenth, a chrysoprasus ; 
jacinth ; the twelfth, an 
21 And & the tweive gate 
pearls; every several gate 
pearl: and the streex of th 


h pure gold, ‘as it ‘were 


a oe 48. 819, 
b 7. 4 & 14-3, 
e See on, ver. Vi. 19. 
ds ver. 15. 210 


na the weak in faith, but such fi 
“ the abominable,” or those who were | 
unnatural practices ; murderers of th 
others, in duels, wars, persecution 
of justice, and oppression 5 atc 
terers, and lewd persons of ev 
“ cerers ;” the devil’s prophi 
tended, to which company #7 
revelations belong; “ idolaters 
hypocrites, deceivers, false tea 
lie for gain or from mali we 
slander others ; yea, all ‘though » 
divert themselves or others by ereaking © 
commandments ; all these ‘shall have thei 
tion in thé lake of fire, with the devil 
gels. (Wore, xx. 10—15.) aoa : 
V.9—21. An angel having ealled John ( 
accompany him, Kae he might show him the 
bride, (Voie, xix. 7, 3) eS og Ch trium- 


ry of heaven: he was, to his apprehe 
(being under the influenceof the propheti¢S 

carried to an exceedingly high mountain, 
shown 4 city ee eat, descendin 
heaven from God. (2,3.) ‘This interch 
emblems from “ the Bride, the Lamb’s 


4. D, 95. 
» 22 And * I saw no temple therein: 

for ‘the Lord God almighty and ™ the 
vam ye temple of it. 

the city had no need of the 

t of the moon, to shine in it ; 


Kings) & 11. 1% & 153.) & 2. 19. Heb. 9% 
2 6; & 16 7 14.& 19.] 1—12. 

S 66.1] 15. ~. tp 22. 5. Iss 24. 23. & 
m John 2. 19-21. &} 60. 19, 20. 

10 30. Col 1. 19. 


1.8. & 4. 8. 


“@ the toly Jerusalem,” shows, that we are only 
_ to take general ideas from them, but not to en- 
| ter minutely into particulars, in which there is 
seldom much agreement : and that our complex 
view of such subjects must be deduced from 
the whole of them compared together. This 
city was illuminated, beautified, and rendered 
illustrious beyond expression, by the glory of 
God ing full upon it; which shows that the 
happiness of heaven consists in immediate com- 
munications from God, and in conformity to him. 
‘Thus the light that-shone on the city was like 
the refulgency of the most ad:ired jewels : the 
whole as it appeared pendent in the air, shone 
with surprising lustre and beauty, and was 
transparent as crystal: which may intimate, that 
our knowle¢ge in heaven will be intuitive, cer- 
tain, and productive of the most satisfying de 
light. The great wall of jasper of one hundred 
and forty four cubits in height, or thickness, (ac- 


cording to the measure of a man, from his elbow 


to the endof his middle finger, 17,) being the num- 
Der of the tweive tribes multiplied by that of the 
twelve apostles, may denote the entire security of 
that residence, which the almighty God hath pre- 
pared for the whole increase of both the Old and 
the New Testament churches, when collected to- 
gether in heaven ; where no enemy cen_approach 
to annoy or alarm them forever. ‘Twelve gates, 
“guarded by twelve angels, and inscribed with 
the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, implied, 
that this holy city was open on every side for 
the admission of the true Israel of God, even al! 
his believing servants, and for none else : and 
that angels rejoiced ip their security and feli- 
city in heaven, as well as readily ministered to 
them during their progress thither. The twelve 
foundations, inscribed ‘with the names of the 
‘twelve apostles, and formed of twelve precious 
stones, (which John in vision saw, in the same 
manner as he did the rest,) might show that all, 
who belonged to that holy city, obtained their ci- 
tizenship, by receiving and obeying the doctrine 
of the apostles, respecting Christ and his sal- 
vation, as “the Lamb of God that taketh away 
*¢ the sin of the world ;” the whole city rests on 
that foundation primarily, and in a subordinate 
sense on those that published and attested that 
doctrine, who will be honoured there in a pecu 
liar manner : nor will any person enter thither, 
who does not hold the doctrine of the apostles, 
in its grand outlines ; for thus it hath been believ- 


Wm 
D 


n. The precious stones, may denote, 
thly splendour is mean and paltry, com- 
| with that of heaven; and that all possible 
liency and glory will there combine, abound, 
\ e centre for ever: (Votes, Fs. liy. il, 12. Eph. 


CHAPTER XXI. 


the church, ever since the first promise to 


A. D. 95, 
2 for the glory of God did lighten it, and 
P she Lamb is the Light thereof. . 
24 And 4 the nauons of them which 
are saved, shall © walk in the light ef it: 


o See on, ver. 11. & 
18. 1, Is. 2. 10. 19. 


P Luke 2. 2. Sohn] §5. 5. & 5, 18 
- G 1d. 18. & 8y Jer. 4. 2 72 
21 Hab. 3. 3. Mat} 23. ; ni. & 8 22, 2. 
16. 27. Mark 8. 38.|q 22.2. Dent. 32.j|.Rom. 15. 10—12 
John 17.24. Acts; 43. Ps. 22.27. Is.) & 16. 265 
22. 11. 2.2 & 5215. &lr Is, 2.5, 


ii. 19-22.) Tbe vast dimensions of the city, * 
beiig an exact square, fifteen hundred miles on 
each side, might be emblematical of magnifi- 
cence, and of room for any number of inhabitants, 
which should ever enter it. As it is inconceiv- 
able how a city could be fifteen hundred miles 
high ; so, when it issaid, that the length, breadth, 
and height were «qual; some conclude that no 
more is Meant, than that the height was propor- 
tionable to the other dimensions. As, h er, 
the whole is enigmatical, and as a cube seems 2 
kind of perfect form; perhaps the language is 
to be understood according to its obvious mean- 
ing : and then we may consider it as an intima- 
tion, that the reader is not to form any gross 
conceptions of the city, in his imagination, but to 
deduce instruction from it, as an emblem: and 
it may imply the stability, proportion, and uni« 
formity of heavenly things, and the inconceiva- 
ble nature and glory of them. (Eph. iii. 18.) 
The city, and the street of it, being “of pure 
‘¢ gold, like unto clear glass,” may be an em- 
blem of the union in heaven of those excellen- 
cies. which seem here to be incompatible. ‘ They 
‘ will be splendid, and durable as the purest 
* gold ; clear and transparent as the finest glass. 
© In that happy world, the beauties and advan- 
tages, which here are divided and intompati- 
ble, will unite and agree. Our glass is clear, 
but brittle; our gold is shining and solid, but 
it is opaque, and discovers only a surface. 
And thus it is with our minds. The powers 
of the imagination are lively and extensive, but 
trahsient and uncertain. The powers of the 
understanding are more solid and regular, 
but at the same time more slow and limited, 
and cenfined to the outside properties of the 
few objects around us. But when we arrive 
within the veil, the perfections of the glass 
and gold will be combined, and the imperfeéc- 
tions of each will entirely cease. Then we shall 
» know more than we can now imagine. The elass 
will be allgold. .And then we si:ali apprehend 
truth in its relations and consequences, not, 
(as at present.) by that tedious and fallible 
process which we call reasoning, but by @ 
‘ single glance of thought, as the sight pierces 
€ in an instant through the largest transparent 
‘body The gold will be all glass.” (Newton's 
Cardiphomia_J—The twelve’ gates made of so 
many vast pearls, denoted, thate thing will 
be superlatively glorious, béyond all comparison 
with any thing seen on earth. The marginal 
references will show the reader, in a manner 
suited to excite a peculiar interest; that even in 
those things, which are stated as the glory of the 
antichristian harlot ; the true spouse of Christ, 
immensely exceeds her. 


¢ 
‘ 
c 
: 
€ 
¢ 
c 
€ 
© 
€ 
‘ 
¢ 
‘ 
¢ 


© 
€ 
‘ 
€ 


A. DL 95. 


# and the kings of the earth do bring | 


their glory and honour into it. ~ 
25 And tthe gates of it shall not be 
shut at all by day; » for there shall be 
no night there, 
26 And they shall bring * the glory 
and honour of the nations into it. 


s Ps. 72.10, 11. Tar 4, 12. Zech. 14. 7. 
60. 3—10. ia. & 66h it Is. 60. 11. x See on, ver. 24. 
; a 22.5. Is, 60.20. 


V. 22—27. The temple was essential to the 
literal Jerusalem, as its great ornament and ho- 
+; and it made-a prominent part in Ezekiel’s 
vision of the church, during the Millennitim, po- 
der the emblem of the holy city: (Votes, Ez. 
xl—xlviii:) but there was. no temple in the miys- 


tical city which John saw; which is 2 demon- 


stration, that the heavenly state was exclusively 
meaut. In heaven there will be no need of ex~ 
ternal symbols of the Lord’s presence ; when he 
_ shall be fully manifested in: his' essential glory, 
as fat’:as creatures can perceive and know him. 
He willbe evidently among them to communi- 
eate unalloyed felicity, and to receive their ado 


rations; and the eternal son in human nature, 
as the Lamb that was slain, will be a Temple, in 
which ‘ all the faluess of the Gedhead dwelling 
* bodily,” will be made manifest to the glorified 
bodies of the saints, whilst the perfections of the 
divine nature will be contemplated with open 


Aace, by the exercise.of their intellectual powers. 


Nor will this holy city need ‘the sun. or moon to 


lighten it: or any of the things, which outward” 


ly contribute to our comfort, and are suited to 
our state on earth; for the glory of God will light- 
en it, yea, the Lamb will be the Light and Felicity 
- of it (Wores, Is. bx. 19, 20.) . What words can 
more fully express the mysterious union and 
coequality of the Son with the Father, in the 
The inhabitants of this city will not 
only be numerous. above those of other cities ; 
but even nations, many nations of those whom 
Jesus hath saved,-will dwell in it, and walk in 
the light of God and the Lamb, perpetually and 


Godhead ? 


eternally. If all the kings of the earth had con: 


curred to bring the whole of their wealth, mag- 
nificence, and glory, into one place ; it could not 


have borne any comparison with this holy city: 


thus those kings who belonged to the Church on 
earth, though they have left all their outward 
grandeur behind them, will yet bring all their 
real honour into it, and all other glory will be 
The gates not shut by day, 
and there being’ no night there, -emblematically 
show the liberty, peace, security,and uninterrupt- 
ed enjoyment of that blessed state: and) as be- 
lievers are the excellent of the earth, and enter 
thither from every nation; so it may literally be 
said, that “ they bring the’glory and’ honour of 
s* the nations into it ;” as well as figuratively, in 
respect .of its incomparable splendour and ex- 
cellency. Moreover; nothing sinful or unclean: 
can at all find. admission into it. All the inhabit- 
ants are absolutely perfected in holiness; and’ 
all increase, rejoice in, and participate each 
other’s felicity; being all excellent, toving, and 


swallowed up in it. 


lovely, beyond expression, or imhagination. 


REVELATION. - 


whatsoever % Sees 
maketh a lie: but » 
ten In the Lamb’s b 


y Lev..13. 46. Num. 2 Sce.on, I. 
5.3. & 12°15, Psija See 

101. 8. Is. $5. . &] 226 14,15. 
52. 1. Joel S$. 1 ay 


PRACT ICAL OBS! A NS» 
v. oh oe 

“ There remaineth a rest for the” veiple ‘ 
“God :” aid when the idolized objects of ex 

men’s affections and pursuits shail ‘pass | 
and be no more for ever; believers shall e 
* the new heaven and the new earth,” in whi 
dwelleth righty » and nes no. tumul 


What then should fe a ily me 
from seeking so vast a blessing ? Or what 
can suffice to express our admi t 
May we seek the adorning and be 
ness, and still desire to be ound accepted 
righteousness of the Redeemer, | 
with the beauties of holiness; ‘and the 
veoly Bridegroom will find us prepa 
rejoice over us todo us good for ever. (3 
iii. 17.) Tears may indeed now furrow 
cheeks, and anguish may sometimes dist 
our hearts; because of sin within us-and a 
us, and because of its distressing: effec 
speedily our God will wipe away all our tears ;_ 
and we shall feel, and see, no more of th,’ of | 
sorrow, of crying, or of,pain, forever. Let us” 
then pray for patience, that, “ having done: 2 
* will of God, we may inherit the reales 
we are willing and desirous, | 
Redeemer should make all 
hearts and nature, by whatever 
good; we need not fear, but th : 
all things new, in respect of our situation, ‘tilt nt 
hath brought us to the enjoyment of complet 
felicity: for he is At 
is perfect, and when he begins to ; 
never leave or forsake those who. partake 
grace, and who are the objects of his everlastin 
love. If, in bringing us to thirst ‘for the wa er 
of life, he causes us to pass through hum tin 
dispensations and experiences, we ought ‘net 
complain: as this thirst is the ion for 
the blessings of time and eternity, and he 
“give to every one. that is athirst of the F 
“tain of the water of ti yor 
come to him for this blessing tore fre 
and pray for it more earnestly, 
abled in’ the sharpest trials to realize the Chris. 
tian paradox, as sorrowful, yet 
“ing :” but we are too apt t 
terns; and no Wonder in this” 
mourning all the day long. Let then 
are enga in the combat, have , 
this never-failing cordial ; that, by: its € 
ing and i icbaeins eficacy, their stveug 


Lana 
the 


ioe Cc fit XXII 

deseription of the heavenly state, 1—5- | 

ests these things, and again forbids 
ip him, 6—9. Christ himself) 
e, that thestate, of men would | 
by his coming to judgment, 10—| 
fares who would/enter heaven, and 
id be excluded, 183-15; invites all that 
dling, to accept of his salvation ; and de-| 
ces plagues on all who add to, or take away 
this prophecy, 16—19. The apostle desires 
Speedy advent of Christ ; and concludes with 
enediction on his readers, 20, 21. 


J ——_———————— rn oer 
_ ‘he renewed, till they have won the victory, and 
| gre owned as children and heirs of God in Christ 
- Jesus, and possess all things in him, But sure- 
ly, the curse is also set before us, in this scrip- 
ture, as well as the blesssing : and most loudly 
oth Christ say to all that hear his word, ‘ not 
to fear them, who can kill the body, but after 
4s that have no more that they can do,” when 
such cowards, as dare not own Ciirist on earth, 
are ranked with the most abominabie sinners, 
‘as heirs of the lake of fire and brimstone. If the 
. Lord should speak in thunder from heaven, and 
protest to sinners 4y name, that they were in the 
way to hell; it could not be more manifest than | 
it is at present, if men would but notice it: for 
whilst they live in infidelity, impiety, or any of 
the sins here or elsewhere enumerated ; does not 
God say expressly to them, “ Except ye repent, 
‘ ye shall all likewise perish ”” But, blessed be 
his name, he says also to the worst, “ Repent and 
% be convertéd, that your sins may be blotted 
‘ out.” “ Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
*¢ thou shalt be saved.” 


ait Vv. 9—27. 


The angels who pour out vials of wrath, and 
inflict plagues en ungodly men, take pleasure in 
helping the joy.of believers: and the mystical 
espousals of Christ and his Church excites their 
attention, admiration, and rejoicing praises. 
But the way, in which the Lord teaches us the 
nature of heavenly glories, implies that we are 
poor ignorant children, too apt to be pleased 
with trifles and externals, who must be spoken 
to in our own language; not being capable of 
knowing things as they are, or of-fully relishing 
the pure and spiritual felicity of the celestial 
world. Yet, if any thing draw off our affections 
from earthly objects, to seek a treasure in hea- 
ven, and a permanent mansion in that blessed 
world, it will be well. Glorious things are in- 
deed here spoken of the city of God; and the 
whole is well suifgd to raise our expectations, 
and enlarge our conceptions, of its security, 
’ peace, splendour, purity and felicity: but in pro- 

portion to our spirituality, we shall be more and 

more led to contemplate heaven, as filled with the 
/of God, and enlightened by the presence 


Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, and 
lost sinners :-knowing that 
ness of joy, and pleasures 


/ 


_ CHAPTER XXII. 


or evermore.” As nothing |* ever shall 
ither, let us be stirred up, } ; 


- 
one _ ALD. 
& ND he shewed me ®a pure River of 
S@? water of life, ¢ clear as crystal, 
4 proceeding out of the throne of God 
and ofthe Lamb. = =. : 
2 In ¢ the midst of the street of it, 
and on either side of the river, was there 
f the ‘Lree of life, which bare twelve 
Ps, 36.8. & 46.4.) 17.13. John 4 15. 
Me avis. teases Pte aa pkg bee er 
& 66. 12. Ez, 47.Je see on, 21.11. 
1—9. Zech 14. 8.48 5.21.8 4,50 & 


John 7. 38, 39. : 


6. 13. & 7.10, 1146 
b 7. 17. & 21. 6. Ps. 17. John 14. 16—| | 
36. 9. Jer. 2. 18. & t 


18. & 15. 26. & 16. 24 Pro 


a 


by these glimpses *of heavenly things, in givin 
diligence to “ cleanse ourselves from all filthi- 
** ness of flesh and spirit, and to perfect ‘holi- 
‘t ness, in the fear of God :” that we may be ap- 
proved as * Israelites indeed, in whom there is 
* no guile,” and have a sure evidence thet we 
are written in the ‘* back of life of the Lamb 


* that was slain, from the foundation of the 
s¢ world.” 5 Rs 
e _ NOTES. : 
CHAP. XXH. V. 1. The angel next made 
known to the apostle the source and current of 
heavenly blessings, for ** he showed him a pure 
‘ River of water of life 2” this implied the holy 
nature and tendency of those unalloyed plea- 
sures, which flow without interruption or end, 
for the full satisfaction of all the saints in glory. 
(Ps. xivi. 4.) lt was “also clear,” or transpa- 
rent, * as crystal,” which may intimate that 
the happiness of heaven greatly consists in @ 
full, exact, and certain knowledge of God, and 
his glorious petfections and works, exciting all 
holy and delightful affections in the heart. This 
river ‘* proceeded out of the throne of God and 
“ of the Lamb,” as from its fountain; which 
showed, that all felicity comes from God, as the 
all-stifficient Source of life, light, holiness, end 
joy; and that it is communicated according to 
his wise and holy sovereignty. But the throne 
of God was the throne of the Lamb also; (iii. 
21;) for the river flows to sinful men, through 
the Person of Emmanuel, and his atonement and 
mediation. This especially points to the quiek- 
ening and sanctifying influences and consolations 
of the Holy Spirit, as given to sinners through 
Jesus Christ, to be the Author of spiritual and 
eternal life to their souls. (Marg. Ref. and 
notes.on the texts referred to.) This interpreta- 
tion, which coincides ‘with so many other Scrip- 
turesy gives a peculiarly interesting view of the 
sacred Trinity; the Father, who sent his only 
begotten Son to be our Saviour; the Son, whe 
having finished his werk on earth, rose and as- 
cended, and sat down with the Father on his 
throne, and ever liveth, as Emmanuel, our di- 
vine, our incarnate Mediator; and the Holy Spi- 
i D ing from the Father and the Son, 
to apply by his creating love and power, this sal- 
tion to,our souls: that “ Glory may be to the 
« Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy 
© Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, ane 
be, world. witgout end,’ 
¢¥ t } 
és 


A. D. 95. > : . REVELATION. 


-6 And he saidamto ® Th 
ings are cath cruel and t 
God of 4 the holy ‘ 

zel to shew unto 
* which must shortly 

7 Behold, tl] com 
ts he that keepeth t 
prophecy of this book. - 

8 And 1, John, saw the 
heard them. . And when 1 | 
seen, * I fell down to worship . 
feet of the angel be a sg tbe me th 
things. 

9 Then saith he Sa ‘me, y See tho 
do it not: for I am thy fellow- servants 


Mat. 25. 34, 46.1 Pet, at 4S ; 
Rom. 5.17. ‘elem at 3. aac ffs: 


manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit 
every month: and the leaves of the Tre: 
were for & the heali ng of the nations. 

* 3 And ® théré)shall be no more curse : 

' ibut the thron God. and of the Lamb 
shall be in it; ® and his servants shall 
serye him:  / 

4 And? they shall see his face; ™ and 
his name shell be in their forcheads, 

; 5 And there shall be "no night there ; 

_ and they need no candle, neither light of 
thé sur; for the Lord God siveth them 
: °and they rie reign for ever and 


“ever.: 


22,23. Ps. 16.11.| Heb. 12,14. 1 John 
& 17.15. Is. 1216.1 5. 2st 

Ez. 48, 35. Mat. 25, m See on, 3.12.& 
47, 8—11. Hos. 14.) 21. John 14- 3&4. 1. 

4. Mal. 4) 2. Luke! 17. 24. Yn 18. 23. See on, 21. 
4.18, 1 Pet. 2.24, |k 7.15. John 12/26. 22—25. Ps. 36. 9, 
bh 2ke4. Deut. 27.}) Ex. %3, 18—20.23.4 & 84.21. Prov. 4. 
26, Zeeh. 14, 11.) Job 33. 26. Ps. 4-| 18, 19. Is) 60. 19, 
Mat. 25. 41. Gal. 3.} 6. Is. 33.17. & 35. 20. 

10—13. 2. & 40, 5. Mat. 5.0 3. 21, & 11. 15. 
37 15—17. & 21] 8. 1Cor. 13. 12 Dan. | 7. 18. 27« 


g 21. 24. Ps, 147, 3. 
Is. 6. 10. & 7. 18, 
19. Jer. 17.14, Ez. 


it ver. 

2. 1201 Pets 1.8; att 
p, See on, i9. 9. Kl sg. 
ee 


“tls on OB Be 


MiP ae ka LS LL 
all wanted; and even the outward comforts, 
which God bath provided, Sher to our state in 
this world, will no longer ‘be re eh 
24.) How very different from 3 
heaven, which could only please gross, 

and carnal men, if it were real! but inde thi 
and various notions of heavenly D 
Springing up, as new revelations 
\ime ; without excepting even the’ ey of 
sophers, of enjoying the pleasure of 
ciety, an increasing knowledge of ae 
discoveries in science, beyond 

and great; are mere delusions of the ¢ 
to soothe men into the opinion, that they may | 
happy, without. submission to the gospel, 
without Aoliness : till the event awfully convi 
them of the fatal delusion. i 

V.6. 7. (xxi. 5.) ‘The angel’s declaration 

thus passage, that the Lord Gad had sent 7 
compared with what follows, (16,) has been 
“uced as a conclusive proof of Christ’s Dei 
but indeed -we meet with this doctrine, in one 
furm or other, continually ; and there is no wi 
of avoiding it; but by rejecting, wholly, | 
part, the divine inspiration of th : 
which it is so undeniably contained. 1 
Jesus next spake by the crak ee leclarex 
He was coming quickly,” to fulfil: ‘ie 
phecies, to punish his enemies, to delis 
servants, and to take their souls ee 
especia'ly to raise thedead and ak 
and he added a bléssing. on all, 
tnderstcod, remembered, ‘b 
the sayings contained in this pre 
as they could not fail to id@rease 

“ope, patience, steadfastness Fan deer 
behaviour, in the church, and in the w 
‘ Good Vitringa devoutly wisheth; May the 
‘ Lord bestow this grace and favour on us, who 
‘ have employed some time: and pains, in, 


q 18, 20. Luke 1. 70. 
& 16. 46. Acts 3. 
18. Rony’ 1. 2. 2 


VY. 2—5. iu the midst of the street, or prinei- 
pal place of concourse of the city, and on each 
side of the river, was ‘ the Tree of life :” which 
seems not to mean, a single tree, but a species 
of trees, that grew in the places of public resor:, 
for the common benefit of all the inhabitants. 
On earth some fruits ripen at one season, and 
some at another: but this Tree bore twelve 
kinds of fruit; that every month in the yea: 
might be supplied, and abundance be united 
with perpetuity and variety. This was an em. 
blem of Christ, and all the blessings of his salva- 
tion, as communicated constantly and perfectly 
to all his redeemed people in heayen, by his own 
presence with them, and love-to them, The 
leaves of the Tree, being appointed for the heal- 
ing of the nations, iniplied, that the favour and 
presence of Christ would remove and prevent 
all evil; as well as communicate all good, t. 
the inhabitants of that blessed world, So: that 
no * more curse would be there,” no sickness, 
pain, sorrow, wrath, or death; for Adam sinned 
in the garden of Eden, and so fell with his pos 
terity under the curse ; but this will never befall 
the redeemed ; 2s the same sovereignty and om- 
nipotence, which have saved them, will confirm 
them for ever. (Vote, Ez. xivii. 12.) For the 
throne of God, and of ihe Lamb, being establish- 
ed there ; Ais servants shall serve and worship 
him for ever, which is their great desire and de- 
light; “ and'they shall see his face,”behold his 
glory, be assured of his love, and enjoy the fal- 
ness of felicity in his presence. ‘¢ And his name 
shall be in their foreheads ;” that is, all shall 

' Know that they belong to sim, and perceive that 
they bear his holy image. “It is remarkable, that 
* God and the Lamb,” Bite here. spoken of as 
One, in such a manner, that. we 'c not deter- 
mine “to which of them,the ‘sing 'personai 
pronoun belongs. In. that world of light and 
glory there will be no night, ne affliction, de- 
jection, no intermission of © sauce and enjoy- 
ment’: they will need no candle; no diversions 
er pleasures of man ’sdevising; will there be at : 

« 1 } 


‘part of this blessing als 
(Bp. Newton W. 


. the sayings of this 


‘God. 


e * that is unjust, let him be un- 
1: and he which is filthy, Jet him 
hy still: eand he that is righteous, | 
nm be righteous still : and he that is 
let him be mole. still, 

Aus behold, £ i eome quickly ; 4 


» 7% & 15. 4. Ex.) 6. 2.2.12. 23. Rom,! 4.18. Eph. 5. 27+ 
-14. 2 Kings 17.]/ 13. 12. 2 Vhes. 2.3.) Co}. 1.22. Jude 24. 
56, Ps. 45.11, Mats] 1 Pet. 4. 7. f see on, ver. 7- 

de Luke rei 15. 8—11. 21. Ps-)g 11,18, Is) 3, 10. 
Pa “} 81. 12, Prov.14.32.{ 11. & 40. 10. & 62. 
, 13-16. 20. Ez,3. 27. Dun. 12%; 11. 1Cor. 3, 8. 14 
"10. 4.  ¥s.] 10. Mat.15.14-8 31.) & 9 17, 18. 

an. 8, 26.) 19, John 8. 23. h See on, 20. . 128 
ate 13. o. Mat. ifie veri &. & 7% 13—-| Mat. 16,27, Rom. 

27- 


| 24. 10. & 9,20. ae J. 3» Is. 8. ‘15. Job 17. 9- Prov 


V. 8, 9. (See on, six. 10, 11.) Whilst we are 
surprised, that the apostle should again fall into, 
| his former mistake, ‘and need repeatedly the same 
admonition; we may observe the great wisdom 
of God ii leaving him to do go. Ithas been re~ 
marked, that the idolatrous worship of saints 
and angels Was one great abomination of that 
anticbristian system, against which this prophe- 
' ey is principally levelied : and here all palfiations 
_ of thatenormity are answered at once; for the 
most exalted and beneficent creature, when 
| visibly present, would not allow the least ap- 
) pearance of adoration to be’ rendered to him; 
whereas the papists worship creatures, when not 
| visibly present, ‘and thus ascribe omnipresence 
‘and omniscience to them, as well as other divine 
* honours! It also shows the weakness of the So- 
cinian way of accounting for Stephen’ s adoration 
| of Christ ; because; say they, he was visibly pre- 
sent: but if he had not been also truly God, the 
martyr would nevertheless have been an idola- 
ter: yet Christ neither reproved him, nor any 
‘other person, for showing him this kind of ho- 
ew or any other ; but the contrary. 
_ - -¥. 10—12: The Lord’ Jesus is undoubtedly 
the ‘Speaker in these verses; but some think 
that he spake by the angel as his ambassador: 
| or commanded him to proclaim these words, in 
| bis name, and immediately from him. © It was 
| ©not thought sufficient to represent'the angel, 
speaking in the person of Christ ; but Christ 
r ‘s himself also is introduced ; s 
t 
‘ 


( 


¢ own person, and confirming th 
. © ty of this book, 
is his revelation? 


ivine authe 
attesting i ¥ to Ay? 0 


ar more probable, that oC) appear- 
Vision to his apostle, to ‘close the. prophecy, 
had ‘done at the opening of it. (JVotes, 
a e directed the apostle pot to seal 
this prophecy, but to publish them 
ithe church: (x. 4. Dun. xii. 4:) 
; "Was at hand, when they would be- 

pcarauined, nays they would indeed 


2p. vo 


[rane that they bee 1 


lexs, and idolaters, * and whos 


2.6—11. & 14, 12.1 


aking in his texts. 


Aas D, ad: 


De. . 
"a3, I am i Aipha and Om 
pnning and the on: the’ f : 


14 k Blessed are day, that d 


1 murderé 
ever loy= 


a 
cerers, Tee x i ebomourerss 


eth and maketh a lie: 


| John 1% 1Cor.|q 9. 21. ‘es 223. 13 
8.9. & 9.5. Gre 147.9. 12. 57. 35 
is we on, ver. 2, &} Mal. 3. 5. ‘Acts. 8. 
, 11. & 18 6—1. 
“es Ko on,’ 21. 27. See ah, 17, 1—6. 
John 10. 7.9. & 14. i 21,8, 27. 1 Kim’ 


i seé on, 1.8.11. & 
21, 6.. Is 41. 4. & 
44.6. & 48. 12, 

k ver. 7. Ps, 106. 3— 
'5.& 112. 1. & 119. 

- 1—6. Is. 56- 1,2 

Mat, 7. 21—27. 

John 14, 15. 21-23. 

peas 10—14. 1 Cor. 
19. Gal, 5. 6. = 

Siti 3118 Bank 

5.3. xf 


6 22, 8. 21—23. Is, 95 
Oo 21, 8 .1 Cor, 6.9, 15,16. Jer. 5. Sis 
10. Gal. 5, 19—21. 
Eph. 5.S—6. Col. 
3. 6s 

Pp Sed on, Phil. 3. 2.: 


John ni RaW? 
8. 466 2 Thess 2: 1 
~12. 


soon be Spisitened: As therefore, all these reves Fy 


lations of the will of God, and the way of salvas 
tion; obstinate sinners would be left to their pers’ 
verse choice, without further means being use 

for their conviction; and believers should be ex 
borted and encouraged to perseverance in wells 
doing ; so the time would speedily arrive, when 
the unjust and filthy; the unpardened and unre= 
generate; would be irreversibly fixed in such a 


state, that they would be unjust and filthy still; | 


and for ever without hope or remedy; and the 
justified and sanctified believer would be tone 
firmed for ever in righteousness, holiness, and fe 
licity. And, behold, Christ was coming quicklys 
bringiag his recompense with him, both for his 
enemies and his people. (Note, xx. 11—15.) _ 
V. 18. (Notes, i. 911. 17, 18. Aare. Refh 
-W. 14, 15. (Note, xxi. 5—8.) They, who 
do the cominandments, as delivered to siriners, 
in the Gospel by repentance, faith in Christ; 
attendance on the means of grace, and renéwed. 
unreserved obédience from evangelical motives; 
are blessed ; and they have aright, or privileré. 
derived from grace, to all*the blessings of sal= 
vation by Christ, and to admission into heaven § 
that they may thére have fellowship with God 
and his holy angels, for ever and ever: ( Mati: 
xii. 50.) The word, translated right, is the 
same which is rendered _ ower, in or Se 
de wend (Note, John i, 1115 3 
ws he. entire’ coincidence of these 
Mare. Ref) But without the city; 
even in ia valle lake of fire, (for there is no middle 
place, or condition) “ are dogs,” or selfishs 
greedy, fierce, and sensital persons, or apostates ; 


with others of a. hate ful character; especially, 


those who foved a carnal flattering lie, better 
than the holy wrildiseabling truth of God, and 
who invented and propagated lies for their own 
selfish purposes’, all other liars may also be in- 
cluded. (Marg. Ref) As idolaters are men- 
tioned separately, that abomination cannot, with 
propriety, be considered, as specially intended, 

But the whole prephecy being, in a peculiar mane ’ 

5G ‘ 


¢ 


pe 4 aie. 


* 


y 


Ss 


ee a. | pirit and * the bride 
Come Piet him that heareth say,} holy city, n. and / 
nd’¢ let> him that i urst}are written in th 
: and w will, lef him take 
the wi ser/of life ¢ free weet saith, pSurely B Pe ‘co } 


~ WU ver..20, see en, 1. 


./ %. see on, §. 5. Is, ‘1. 


* ly meant, fae « who loved and mude a lie.” 
1 


ATION. 


these things, i God d shall ir 
the plagues that are: 


estify ou these things in 4 


“ Ghurehes. * Iam the Root and the Off 
sprin f Dav. ud and the. bright 


18 For fh testify unto every man that} Even so, come, . 
Ciearcth the words of the prophecy of * 21 The grace ¢ 
this’ book, » {f any. man shall add uatofC€ 


t secon, ver. 6. 2 See on, U. ver. 16-Je See on, 2 6. Is" 
Is. 65.1—3, John! 55, 1. John 7. 37, 
16. 9—15. id see/on, ver. 1, Is. 

a Ste on, 21-2. 9, John 4, 10, 
b Ps. 34. 8 Is, 

3.5. & 48. 1618,Je Rom. 3, 24. 1 Cor. 
Jer: 1. 5, Migs 4.2.) 2. 12. 


32, Pro. 30. 6. Mat 
15. 6—0. 13. of life. oe ee 
i 14.10, 11,& 15. 1.4m. see on, 21, 1 

& 16, & 19. 20. 10.) 27; 

bd oe, 26. 18+ 24-!n 4 


“¢ Or, from fhe: 
11. & 2.7%. 11. 17. 
29. & & 6,13. 22. 


3, Zech. 6.12. Mat. 
22. 42. 45. Rom. 1: 


3,4. & 9. 5. Zech, 8, 21—23.|f see on, ver. 16. %& 
y. 2.28 Num 17. John.1. 39—46. & 3. 14., Eph. 4. 17. 
Mat 2. 2, 710.) 4. 29. 1 Thes. 1.) 1 Thes, 4) 6 


Ene 1. 3. 


Deut. 4.2. & 12. 


Luke 1, 78. 2 Feb 5—8. 
7.00. vou 


address, and indeed the 
testifying, (as “the Am 
& Witness,”) . to every 4) 
prophecy ; ‘ that. Bar A . 
what was contained ip 
‘God should add to, 
that were written in 
hand, if any: one should | presut 
thing away from it; God woul 
bim his part of the blessings, Ww 
ed, or thought himself to bs 
which he otherwise might 
a 


her, directed against the delusions, or lies, with 
which the devil, by means of the beast and the 
false prophet, and others, deceived all the na- 
tions; and the idolatry ofthe church of Rome, 
being only a part of her “ deceivableness of un- 
* righteousness ;” it may fairly be supposed, 
that they, who thus ‘¢ spake'lies in hypocrisy, 
* having their conscience seared with a hot 
*€ iron,” were particularly, though not excclusive- 


Ye 


V. 16, The Saviour in his divine nature, 
was the Root from whom David sprang, and his 
promised Seed. as Man. He was: also * the 
“ bright and morning Star.” ¢ His rising up in 
¢ his incarnation, introduced the gospel-day < his 
¢ rising in power introduced the millennial day ; 
« his rising in the.saving influences of his’Spirit, | 
© introduceth the spiritual day of grace and 
* comfort ; and his ng Babies to. judge’ the, 
« world, will introduce the eterhal day of light, 
€ purity, and joy? (Brown) Some understand 
the former part of the next verse, of the church’s 
desire for Christ’s second coming ; but the con- 
text plainly directs'us to another interpretation. 
« The Spirit,” by the sacred word and by his 
convictions and influence’in the sinner’s con- 
sgience, says, “Come to Christ for salvation ; | skeptics, on the other, wh 
the Bride,” or the whole Church militant und | part of scripture, or aver that it is 
triumphant, says, “ -| quence what men believe, (whic 
It therefore behooves eve doctrinal trath at onee,) t 
Vitation, to call on others to. ore e377 a tremble at this warning. 
finey “let every man,” throughout t jjainually proposing conjectural j 
who “ thirsts” for salvation, ** Come” to ‘Chri in ing from, and adding: to, th 
Nay, lest any should hesitate as not able to de-| ture, 5 
termine, whether their thirst be spiritual or not ; 
s* Let whosoever is willing, come, and take of 
« the waters of life freely,” ashe would take 
water from a well, which belonged. in common 
to him and to all his neighbours : nor ought he 
to think of paying for these blessings ; ; exceptas 
be throws away his Poison to receive food, or his 
dross to receive ‘gold. (Marg. Ref. and, notes 

on the texts referred to.) 
~ Y. 18—21. The Lord Jesus concluded this 


seems. primarily meant of 
tion; with which as muc 
taken as with any part of 
Lord doubtless sotended t 


whole of the written, work 
it warns every m \, in the 
to add nothing to, 
God hath: revealed of doctr 
commandment: the standa 

of acceptance, the evidence of ( 
rule of duty. Enthusiast 
revelations, bigottéd ‘sectariés, 
churchmen, on the one han 


this testimony of Ch 

which I haye been’ d 
gaged. But the mercifa 
condemn unintentional 
writer, who desires to help: 
his word, and proceeds i: simple h 
dence on his teaching, than he will) 
preacher :' ahi I trust this effort to 


‘A. D. 95. “ | AD. 95. 


hol Scriptures, though feeble and defective, has ior the leaves of the tree are for 4 e healing of 
onducted | rom proper motives, and inde. the nations: no curse will there I e found; bub ~ 
eal al to blessing only and eternally, from the throne of . 
{God and the Lamb, in the service and presence - 
; ¢ his image, 
alte ee being filled with ‘all his ‘fal iess. No more 
sping bake the sense of any passage, complaints will then be heard « darkness, de- 
to sefve any personal end, or p rly- sertion, or temptation; and there will” be no 
and. that whatever mistakes have gen | need of worldly pleasures, 
» Were involuntary, the effects of ignorance,|‘ the Lord God giveth 
Got design. After this most solemn warn=|* shall reign for ever and 
g, our Lord declared, that he was coming agand faithful sayings; b it tl 
ckly, and. ‘the apostle in his‘own name, and | tha we es to pra _ Sontia 


it of the Church, added, “Amen. Even so, crease » t 
« come, Lord Jesus 3” and ‘then eoncluded witlr| receive them, ‘however attested to us 
the usual benediction on his readers in general,|should give due honour to the insti 

r on the seven churches of Asia in particular.| good to our souls; ‘but ‘we must wor: C 
(Mie, Mal. iv. 6. Marg Ref-) ‘ Men are some-| only: for angels, apostles, prophets, and. all: be- © 
times pt to think, that if th®y could but see’ a! lie evers, are fellow-servants, or brethren 5 and 
‘mirae ‘wrought in favour’ of religion ; they; Ghristis the Lord’of all, 
would readily resign all their scruples, be- Ve 1021. 6 ahh See 
“lieve without doubt, and obey without’ re- 


e 
serve. The very thing that you desire, you) termine our eternal state: but how dreadful will 
_* have. You have the greatest and most strik-! ; 


it be to the impenitent and polluted sinner, to 

i ing et miracles in the series’ of Re. be consigned to eternal unrighteousness and fil- 

>, * prophecies = ial sa ee laa ’ ay thiness 5 ; and to be left without, among dogs and 

8 sfc! “tate are persone - age Re prerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, 
tl ; » the Ara-| and all liars ! Oh, b 

bians, the Turks, the Jews, the Papists, the sides coo hig ay We pagnune HeMeeue 


and holy, and be confirmed in his holy favour 
Protestants ; Nineveh, Babylon, Tyre; the se- 4 and service, as our eternal and unchangeable fe- » 
ven churches of Asia, Jerusalem, and Rome! — 


licity, when he shall come to render to every 
And this is not a transient miracle, ceasing) man as his work shall be! Never let us think, 


almost as soon as Sa ascaih a is ‘ehieae that a dead, or disobedient, faith will save us ; ° 

nent, and protracted through the course of| Phen the « Alpha and Omega, the First and the 

Many generations. It is not a miracle deliver-|«¢ pact* hath declared them alone blessed, who 

ed upon the report of others, but is subject to] do his comm andments,% and thus prove their 

Your ‘Own inspection and examination. » It is (cg right to the Tree of Life, and to enter in by 

not a miracle, exhibited only before a certain! , the gates into: the holy city.” These things 

its number of witnesses ; but is open to the obser- he hath abundantly testified by his messengers — 

" 2 vation and contemplation of ali mankind : ands lito the churches; and in this manner, we may 
afier so many ages, is still growing, still im=/),) ope to have him dwell, in our hearts, as the J 

“€ proving to future ages. What stronger mira- bright and morning Star, ‘ushering in the eter-— 


Soon will our Saviour and Judge come to de- 


>» 


aoe. 
mite ‘ 
amare annnannrk area 


« cle therefore can you require for your convic- 

¢ tion? Or, what vail avail if this bz found ‘inef-| e ee Pic i ee ee set ts 
‘€ fectuai? Alas! if you reject the evidence of | ,. +154 the Spirit and the bide say, Come ;” aha 

* prophecy, “neither would you be persuaded, all. that hear should say to every one of their re-" 
though one arose from the dead” ¢ What lations, friends, and neighbours, ‘Come ;” yea, 
¢ canbe plainer? You see, or may see, with| whoever « will, let him come and take of the 


‘€ your own eyes, the seri ture-prophecies AC~| 6 ‘fo freelye?sO : 
- ¢ complished; and if che Rete ncoeinscics | geRe OF le HES pe tag e 


' ¢ are accomplished, the scripture must be. the 
“© word of God: and if the scripture i is the word 

¢ God, the Christian religion ‘mast be sree — 
(Bp. Newton.) © 


» PRACTICAL OusERYATION®. Ss. 


of a Itering i in an the 
inner’ acceptance and salvation ? 
the dge of men’s motives and in- — 


s 


ance from the brink of that tremendous pree a 
ice, which is here pointed any to every man, “ae 
aa heareth the words of this‘ prophecy; and 
-ziving| down which multitudes, in every age, without 
nect fur the inheritance| doubt, rush headlong into destruction. The 
Sela streams are| Lord deliver us from this condemnation? and 
may the writer, and all the readers, of these obs 
servations, have a well-grounded confidence in 
= ey who. drink of this water,|Christ, and be of that number, who love and 
1 uit of the Tree of Life, Shall hun- long for bis appearing, saying, “« Amen, even ‘so 
hirst no more: they will soon’ arrive | “ come, Lord Jesus.”—The God of all mercy 
n and sickness shail be known no more; and | ages be pleased to pardon all that is erro- 


« pure River of the wa 
* out of the ‘throné of. 


neous and 1 this, Boiiicttion’ oe to his | thle, advani iape he hath 

holy name be ome praise of whatever is true | s0, Glory’ may be 

and profitable Thanks be to God for having i, and to the Holy 

pens the altit,, strength, and ability to © beginning, is now, a 
ring it at length to & conclusion. May num-|* without end’?—And- «mh 

bers have ag muc eatise to be thankful for bene- |. Lord Jesus Christ be with 

fit derived from the’ perusal of it, as he has for! 


ever. Amen,” / 
: ee ne 


; i ell se a 
TIve: he OF. TH ) PREDICTIONS cae 

, TION OF ST. JOUN: 3 %, 

eaat, or suing the period ven ] 


aixty-years. This prediction sho 


ud intanilape ae ‘his hebieruolad is mercly,t6 
‘ghleot, and to place before the reader in one“view, 


PE 


mi 


“the outline of the interpretation of the book, which 
has, not without many interruptions of the subject, 
been adopted i in this publication. /The introductory 


ghapters do not seem to require such a retrospect : 


the prophetical part, properly so called, begins with 


the opening of the seals, in the sixth chapter ; which, 


eontaining six of the seyer"peals, has been interpret- 
ed to predict, first the progress*of the gospel dur- 
ing the period intended ; and then the gradual un- 


dermining of the’ Pagan persecuting Roman em- 


» pire, by several successive Judgments, ‘till that was 


terminated by the conversion of the’ emperors te 
Christianity. The seventh chapter has been ex 


plained, as predicting. in the former part of it, the 
gnlargement of the church, in consequence of the 
) revolution above-mentioned : and in the latter part 
af it, as describing the blessedness enjoyed with |, 
Christ by the martyrs, and suffering Christians, who 


had fiyed daring the pagan persecutions. 


In the eighth chapter, under the seventh seal, the 
sounding of seven trumpets is announced, all of 
which fall under this last seal: but the sounding of 
four only is here mentioned; with an awful denun- 
giation of wo on the inhabitants of the earth, when 


the other three tYumpets should be sounded ; wwhich, 


from this Firoumstances are generally ealled, ‘ The 
~£ three wo-trampets” The four trompets, the 
Sounding of which is mentioned in this chapter, are 
interpreted to predict the gradual subversion of the 
Roman empire, by the Goths, Huns, Moors, and 
Wandals ; tillthe whole fabric seemed completely 
demolished, by the death of the last feeble and 
eeeere emperor, oe Moamyltus, or sentry 


under the Saracens, hen 
his suceessors; and then, unt : 


fe Oe 
Turks, the effects of which remain to this present 


By» 


‘The tenth chapter is considered as the introduc: 
tion, by a solemn vision of a Uitile book, a kind of 


appendix, or codicil, to the book with the seven 
seats ; attended by ‘some other intimations, whieh 
ie afterwards more particularly elucidated. 

The eleventh chapter, which, (exclusive of the 
goneluding verses, relating to the sounding of the 
seventh trumpet,) is here supposed to be this little 
fook, or appendix, is interpreted to predict the 
state of the church in the western regions, during 
the term of the fifth and sixth trumpets, while Ma. 


hommedisin made guch tremendous ravages in the 


| church, however, and her seed, 
in’ the vinth chapter, 
er each, i is ‘interpreted 


; | and, sixty years 


corrupt state of the nominal Christian 
yet-is. supplied, dupi € whole 
petengpumber of s 


they are slain, their testi at: 
enemies triumph : but only I 
after which the witnesses arise, 
and tremendous jua 

way for the me 
the final and universal 


though: many “eruinen®) pie 
opinion, respecting the slaying 
the ~witnesses, and ve ie si 
trumpet. ; 
The concluding yerse of the leven 
here considered 4s introducing the p 
twelfth chapter, in which the ap. 
resume his subject from the elose | 
seventh chapter, ov the revolution, 
Roman empire became professedly 
Constantine the Great; in order to 
tailed prediction of those even = 
to the western warld, whict 
compendiously intimated. § 
Pergene te the Pagan § rsecu 


beinig, with all their ‘eoadjutors 
from authority, and deprived of 
chief, in the same way ds ee E 
with great zeal, to. othergmeasu 

yily having failed of success as a 
pears as. a dragon, @ deceiver, Hea ie 


jects are ripe, has a place’ prov 
Hess, to which she Hees at the. ac 


is’ secured, d 


hoth by the ap 
The thirteenth eusiee 
j BS sti and 


7) 
of the J 
mark 
tions and enone 
this antichristian 
The four teen 
dicting the opposi 
believers, to this anti ’ 
test against its Posie ce ne 
bylon the Great’; and the several stages 
formation, which at length was elfeeted 
testant and reformed churches: with gu 


” Sad 


: Mies thousand years. Then the Millennium, or tri- 
- umphint reign of Christ, for a thousand years takes 
Vin-} place :- at the close of which, satan? being again li- 
of berated, successfally renews his efforts; and im- 
laying seven vials, containing : pels those whom he bas deceived, ard drawn into 
les, which were ab@iit to be po! apostacy from God, to levy war with tremendous 
mh the wrath of God would be fulfill foree and violence, against the remnant of believers. 
; ~all these vials is here supposed | But at that crisis, fire from heaven | consumes the as- 
‘the seventh trampet: 4s sailants, the devil is finally consigned to the place 
pets fall uoder the seventh seal, _| of torment; the general jud) ment immediately suc- 
th chapter records the pouring out/ ceeds; and all the wicked being 
vials, which is interpreted to prediet of fire, the state of the righte 
of judgments by which the papal} se : 
- empire and church, and Rome. itself, ineident instructions snd 
and centréof both, will ‘be utterly This is. 
ed =The whole of 1 this “propheey,. pwever, blie 1; andi 
considered as. yet unfulfilled ; though some | Study and refleetio ” ot Misfit ( 
pret th eae ae of the three first “walk, to | further rehasbie be noticed : Sad mod 
the events on the continent. The se- | sitors, especially Mr. Faber, suppose an s 
er gives a figdrative, but most in-|seeuting power to arise towards the end of the 
iption, of the beasts, both#fhe ten ; twelve hundred and sixty years, distinct from the 
and the two horned beast, with the} ten-horned, and the two-horned beasts 5 which is 
Seat of their empire, The eighteenth is) properly to be considered as ANTICHRIST, as ‘an 
; T ed, by all protestant expositors, as @ pro- | infidel king, an atheistical. and not popish, domina- 
‘pheey of the utter desolation of Rome, for all her|tion. The author’s econiment on Daniel had been 
abominations; with the terror, distress, and ruin of| reprinted, before he saw this interpretation’; and 
all her adherents, and the exulting joy of the true should his life be spared it may hereafter come in 
ehureb of Christ. In the nincteent!: chapter, after | his way, to consider how far Daniel's: prophecies 
a still more. animated description of the joy and confirm this sentiment- He indeed purposed to 
‘praise of all the servants of God on account of} give an opinion on the subject, i in his exposition of 
events, and tbe glorious and blessed effects Revelation ; but he really found no. convenient place, 
which will follow ; is a prophecy of the subsequent | in the body of the work, for introducing it. ‘For, 
against true Christianity, made by the re- | thouzh by no means demaad against the sentiment, 
mains of the antichristian party, under the conduct | or averse to it;' nay, allowing that modern events 
4 of the beast; and the false prophet, or the two} countenance the supposition; “he could find no such 
horned beast ; and of the final victory obtained over | third power distinetly mentioned by St’ John. So 
them, ending in their entire destruction, and the } that proceeding to the elose of the book, without 
casting of the beast and the false prophet into the | finding a proper opening for the subject ; ‘he saw.ne 
lake of fire burning with brimstone. | better way, than to mention this circumstance at the 
sun, however, satan himself, the grand deceiver | close of it- In respect tothe word ANTICHRIST, 
of all nations, remains at liberty; and ready to | and the charaeter of Antichrist, he must refer the 
| make further efforts against the cause of Christ: | reader to the notes on the first epistle of St. John. 


ret ions judgments, by w 
if persecuting empire 
2 image of a harvest an 
chapter contains a vi 


» but, the twentieth chapter opens with a prediction (1 Join ii. 18-—23. ix. a ; ‘ 
‘of his being bound, and east into the bottomless pit, i ‘ 2 : 
“st er . : . 7s < $ 5S f 
’ j a 7 anger fa ’ x 
TABLES OF JLEASURES, Se. MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE. mr ae 
| Measures 0 Length. on : Yards. Feet: Inches ' 
f ‘Yards. Feet Inches. Ezekiel’s Reed, by some computed : 


#& finger-breadth, about « cee O60 54 
A hand-breadth, rather more than € 0 § 1-2 
A span, or half cubit,aboot - - © 0 10 

A eubit, the length of a full-sized 7 
ese ackttc ee «5. 1° 8 
extremity of the middle finger . 


te be 
A stadium, or farlo 
A mile, 10 furlongs 


or J ‘Bee 
Fest. Inches: | Wine Gal. Qet’s. Pints. bd 
“ ' | The Log 1-72 oe an Eph | = +0 0° F 
Oe | The Cab 1.18 of an Ep ST RY et Pe 
q The Omer 1-10 of an Ephah, (about,)0 3 0 1-4 — 
if The Hin 1-6 of an Ephah, (about,) 1 1 0 4 | 
, ‘The Ephah, or Bath, (about,) - - 7 2 O18 
The Chomer, or Homer, 10 Ephabs 75 2 2 * 


This should carefully be distinguished 

from the Omer, whieh i is only a him- :jiewh tore 

~ dvedth part of it. — cutee S: 
The firkin,as mentioned John ii.6. is) — re 
differently computed. ae thinkSO S 4 1-4- 
3 9 8 it contained . 


‘ 


< 


TABLES oO HASUR fENTIONED IN SC 


’ Wine Gal. ch a 
The measure, lta pation: ie 
ed Rev. vi. 6. séems to have been 
the daily allowance made of com 70 1 0 
to a slave, Pembape 2 rather more 
than 
That mentioned 2 King pvii. 1. is ns 200 
posed to mate contained about 


e not found in seriptt 


Bal, tt os vi, — 
our . 


Mare Schad os 
The T alent, S98 Spekels - 


N. B “Some ike te Shekel, ae- 
cording _ to which ail the other 
“weights are, computed,” rather less 3 
“than in this tables and others ra- ; 
ther more. 
Money, in Value. 


This is ‘a subject of a very difficult nature : for 
mony. is mere velative property ; and its value con- 
sists in the quantity of things useful to’ life, which 
-t.will purehase. Now it is certain, that the same 
weight, either of brass, silver, or gold, will at one 
time, and in one place, purchase far more of these 
things, than in another time and place: and, pro- 
bably, an ounce of silver, in any of, the times of 
which the scripture treats, would parelase as much 
as three, or four, or fiye ounces now would, All, 
therefore, that can be attempted on this head, is to 
show the relative value of the money mentioned in 
scripture’ as computed in the money of this age and 
nation. An: ouneé of silver is generally. I believe, 
edined into something more than five shillings : but 
as minute exaetness is not the’ object in this place, 
the computation will be made at that price. 


time to time ; “when the tw 
ing considerably. ‘short of 
such an irregularity in’ s 
tent with the observance of 

the proper time. This month 
sions, added, between the end of A 
month, and the beginning of Nisan, 
brought back the ¢omputation of thi 

degree of regularity. It answered the 
some measure, which the 29th of | 
fourth year, does in our ‘days : FE 
coincidence between the twelve ma 

stitute the year, and the actual year 
the earth round the sun. But the int 
by no means settled the eale cul 
ites, in that degree of exaetné 
mers have at present reduced, Ba | 
-} Israel, as here stated, are Suppo: 


The Disehme ae rs es a s 12 to the closing half of ; 

‘The Beka or Dategehiaa 2) 2h eh ars of the; latter of our moutl ah e 

Phe Shekel rea ee Cp aw tinh ae these intercalatory mont s, and es 

The Manch, or poun shal GUAT ay emg lute necessity, which’ there was for 

The Tal Aine. ave 0:0 siderably deduct from aecuraecy in all’ 
tions They are, Rival ion sul 

A Talent of gold,, ail i6 ef SHEP a 6000.0 0 useful purposes. ale: 


_, The-days of the week were 
raelites in their order, the first, ° 
the seventh, or last day of the 
bath but it does not app: 
names affixed to them.» 
Their days were sentratie 
settin of the sun, | to the nex ¢ 


pone of gold.) - 
W. Bl eS: » Heataall 1 men compute 


A Farthing, ( 
A Penns, or Denarius -- 
‘A pound, Ming = + - + - 


promise, being situate 
the ieee * in the len; 
and winter; and of the ( 

Learned men state the names of the months, and portion to the days, w. ™ bh 
their relation to, the mantbs into which we divide }conntry. Some, however, think, 
the year, as follows : but al ie names mentioned, 4, | bability, that the atin of time into | 


A TABLE OF TIME. 


ed | among the Yeraclites, divided into. on Watches. — 

0" Supposing the sun to set at six o clock according'te 
our computation; the first watch reached from 6 
Pe q 40 9; the second, from: 9 to 12; the third, from £2 
Se, from sun-set t ) sun- rise was, ; to 5; and the fourth, from $ to 6, or sun-rising. 


byt anol The word four, as 
‘tes of a hisiesi's seems 


re: 


Rh 
enty-four orders, into which the sons of Aaron 
‘David, that they might; serve in r0- 


ats s of if Geanitieay! 
became Pay celebrated in 
of. s and Dayid the 


ie 
} eof the word, ma- 


a deliver’ his sheesh batties he 

| hereditary succession over them ; 

the death of Joshua, to the nomina- 

se king, or rather of ne as sub- 
ted in Saul’s place. 

§ This word is used with ; eat latitude 

{ scripture ; but it more especially < detiotes the se~ 

7 persons constituting the couicil, or sanhedrim, 

of Israel ; and after the establishment of Christiaiui- 

ty, the stated he yg antl teachers of the Christian 


~The descendants of Levi, by Gers 
ee Kobath, ai Merari, who were not of Aaron’s 
race 5) buts i in m “feepects, servants to the priests > 
yet, oftei teachers and magistrates in Israel. 
NEtTHINias. Servants to the priests and Le- 
Vites, for the meaner aud more laborious offices > 
being: the desce 2 3 of the Gibeonites, and of 
hers, who wer itarily devoted to these ser- 
Vices. : 
PROPHETS, or ‘SE 
ters of religion, whom. 
‘will to mankind, to reform : 
‘future events, especially the dom 
his sufferings, and the glory that 5 
Sons or rua PRoPuers. | 
in the schools’ of the prophets, from ‘th 
: Samuel, who instituted them; from whom | 
a oat, De tved to that office, in heveditary succes- | quently called meh to the prophetical office ; aud 
sion, by God himself: but for Solomon’s sin, ten who, on many occasions, were extraordinary teachers si 
tribes were taken from his family, and given to Je-| of true religion, when the priesyy and Levites meg- - 
é roboam .—Thus, the kings of Judah, of David? sirace ; | lecied their duty. 3 Pes i 
— and the kings of Israel, or the ten tribes or several Scrispes, , Learned men, Phas, professed “ok 
families, reigned separately, till the days of Heze-| ject. -was to expound, and enforee, | the taw of God, ~ 
_kiah ; when Israel-or the finedoth of the ten tribes, | from the days of Ezra, to those of ‘our Lord. ‘The 
_ was finally carried captive word scribe in thé history of Is:ael, under regal. 
“i _ Isragnires. This is the proper th € obithe | sovernment, generally. meas secretary ys that iss 
: » whole nation, as descended fi 5 Or Israel }| to the king. nei 
and became appropriate tot m tribes only, after RacBIES, Deesons, Vwrene! Seritien whe ” 
: > their revolt from David’s fami ly. 


: had attained to certain dey srees of emineuey, or re= Ny 
JEws, or JuDEANS. Tike descendants of Judah, 


putation; in their profession ; ; and who were distin- 
with the Levites, pula eS, pod Giaerss who join-| guished in a manner, not wholly unlike the aeadem- 
ed themselves to Judah, 2 


jit honours conferred by modern universities. 

kingdom, are meant by this VaksHarua. The governor of the Jews, ap-_ 
manifestly improper,” thotig poiuted by the Persian kings, afier the captivity: 
the nation in general JE Bes. 2 VErraRcus. Persons, each of whom were ; 
history, till about the time appok ainted by the Romans, to goyern a fourth part” 
tivity ; ; when the ten tribes, of that district, which had formed the kingdom of 
_» vemains of the nation grad p ‘Herod the great; aad which, % at his’ death, was | 

and are | known by it to this da 


| vided into four governments. (Mote, Luke ili 1.3 
EE Gh OF THE HEBREWS. A lineal ides 


‘ CENTuRIONS Officers, in the Romun army, 
scendant from Heber aud’ Abraham, | aud, agt one | commanding a haudred men. et i 
er 2 been preaedss or whose ancestors hac PUBLICANS. ‘Tax-gatherers. oi be the Ro- oe 
been prosel oselyted. BR ans: eE he principal” pubiicans farme ied large dis- 
“A Prose LYTE. “A person, from pti nation, | tx ivts, at an annual rent} ; and were aided by the 
‘who.was incorporated into the Chure | of Israel, by | soman armies in exacting their demauds from indi- 
_reativing cireumeision, and becomin ° obedient - to | viduals; and the: inferior. publicans rented oe 
tes he law ‘of Moses. oe Aes ates gee be-| tracts of them, or were their :sefvants, i 
be ae but the scp | PHaRtsees. A sect sitong the Jews, i i thie 
days © ‘Christ; (having. sprang up some (ime before,) 
2, | which , auder the profession of extraordinary strict- _ 
ce | ness and’ ‘sauctity, was remar kable for. hyt pocrisy, 
pride, ceusoriousness, and covetousness. “heyy 
however, maihtatued thé true doetrise concerning 
‘the resurrection, “and. receiyed all the books of the 
‘i ce ‘Testamen ; as diviutly phpined, as £ ovacies 


=e 


| "SEtbucees 


Extraordinary minis- © 
raised). ind ‘to Eevee! his 


The kings of David’s rac8, were espe; 


Ss name. It is thesgfare 
very common, to oat 


ing imersed all a 
ly received this namics 


prose lytes ; 


sh “A pect of is infidels ameng the Jews, 


-, ae 


GENESIS hath bitte 4950 II. Chronicles hath Chapters 


Exodus. > w AQ} Ezra — 
Leviticus 27 | Nehemiah 
Numbers |~ oe 36} Esther — 
Deuteronomy (54 Job 
“Joshua , 24} Psalms 
Judges : 21 | Proverbs 
_ «Rath + 4{ Ectlesiastes 
muel ge 31; The Song of Solomon 
. Samuel , ,24| Isaiah 
Yr. ‘Kings ; 22 | Jeremiah 
TL Kings 25 | Lamentations fee 
I. Chronicles 29 Ezekiel ae 


Matthew hath Chapters 24] Eohosan hath Chapters 

Mark 4 Re 6; Philippians « 

Luke bi 3 Colossians 

John ne ty aij Thessalonians 

"he Acts of the Apostles _-—-28.) II- Thessalonians’ + 

The Epistle to the Romans a L Timothy Haas 
I. Corinthians ees GH LE Bimothy eee fle ae 
ata Corinthians 145}Titus Oe dike: 

Galatians 6 Philemon * 


ay ea 2s 


who, profess Wicci somig bea to certain parts | ly fe 
of the scriptures, denied the resurrection disbeliev- doctri 
ed a future: ne and the existence of angels and truth an 
Spicy ‘y Evan 


ligion to onthe eireu 
court to Herod. Som 
lieve} that king Herod, 

SAMARITANS. 
whom, the kings 
from which they epost i the ie hie < united 
with some Isra 
priests ; who stablished a sahiswnatical religion. 
Samaria, w ich bei peta the-most determined | 


say, they eee to be- | concerning 
as the Messiah. sh 


authority and 
cipal misstona 


the Jews. : 

NAZARENE. A name by ae he Chiristia 
were at first distinguished ; Pere yond Ap] 
te a heretical sect. 4 

Srorcks. A sect of heath 
prided themselves in apathy, org 
ence to pleasure or pain; who 
its own reward ;. and who mi 


pastor's, in nearly” the sa i 
{ sionaries are from ent 
Bissors. ih 


sidered virtue as | overseers, not ss of 
Y ed that all events! tors also, each ina limited dis 
were determined by fate, a8supcsior to the will of| Deacons, Persons: ‘abpoin 
the gods, even of the supreme God. and direction of the apostles, to 
EpicerHans. A sect of heathen philosophers, ; poor, and the secular concerns of he 
who ascribed 2 chance; and considered | whom, ater it seems evident, 1 
: , fhe : evangelists were frequently chosen ar 
sons; selected by Jesus Christ, to ' Nico LAITANS. A 
his life, death, and resurrection | ticks, answering in many re: 
herepositories of his holy doctrine, | ans of modern times, ‘There is 
Hit should be communicated to the na-| that they were the disciples of 
d to all future ages; and who, by their first deacons; indeed the su 
ing and writings, should make known his ho- highest degree impr sae : 


46 


“a 


The Names and Order of all the Books of the Old and Now ” 
. «Number of their pa 


g 


tees BOOKS OF THE OLD TE ; 


LAT 


